Ark Valley News - Hodge Real Estate finds a home in Park City

“I wanted to move to Park City because we've always been pretty dominant up north," says Rick Hodge, shown here in his new office at 61st North and Independence.

Hodge Real Estate finds a home in Park City
By Matt Heilman
Last Updated: January 17, 2013

All along, the move made sense. And now, after finding a way to prosper in a challenging market, Hodge Real Estate LLC is officially open for business in Park City. Hodge Real Estate owner Rick Hodge operates his business at 6154 N. Independence at a property that was rezoned from residential to commercial a couple of months ago.

The zone change allowed Hodge to put up signage and begin advertising to officially recognize his presence in Park City.

Hodge shares the space on Independence with agents Jennifer Reed and Ruth Saranko and broker Mickey Gillette. Hodge, who's been in the real estate business for about 18 years, worked with Gillette for about 14 years before taking out on his own.

Independently, he said 2011 was one of the best years he's had. Last year wasn't as strong in part due to the transition from west Wichita to Park City, but Hodge says he's doing well.

He hopes the move to Park City will translate to unmatched success.

"I wanted to move to Park City because we've always been pretty dominant up north," he said.

Hodge, who lives in Butler County, said he drove up and down 61st Street, looking for the right location to move his business to north Sedgwick County. The move made sense because it provides easy access to clients in Wichita, Newton and the surrounding area with the presence of I-135 running through the heart of Park City.

Hodge said there's a high traffic count on 61st Street that should bode well for business in a market where he's been able to prosper.

He said he bought the house at 61st and Independence between four and five years ago with the intention of creating a home office. When the economic downturn hit the area, the plans were put on the shelf.

Hodge rented the residential property until the opportunity again presented itself to remodel the home into a business. When the renters notified Hodge they were ready to move out, he was ready to make the move from his Wichita office at 13th and Meridian.

"I thought, ‘well, I'm not gonna rent it again,'" Hodge said. "I bought it for an office, I'm gonna make it an office."

The house at 61st North and Independence was repainted and re-carpeted. A living room and a dining room were converted into office space at the front of the home. Bedrooms at the back of the property were converted into two offices and a filing room.

Hodge said the move from Wichita to Park City went smoothly thanks in part to the cooperation with the Park City council and administration. Hodge said city leaders allowed him to begin work out of the home as an office before the zone change.

"These guys are great to work with," he said. "The city administration and the councilmen are great people to work with. When I want something, they're really easy to get to."

Hodge Real Estate offers service to sellers and buyers of residential and rural residential properties, farms and ranches, land and many commercial properties.

For more information on Hodge Real Estate, call the business at 440-4730 or stop by its new home, directly east of Spangles at 61st and Independence.