Name: Dan Keune
Title: Broker & Partner, Campbell-Keune Realty Inc.
Age: 57
Experience: 30 years

After working for several years in the grocery business with an eye toward eventually owning his own store, Dan Keune decided to give his parents’ business a try three decades ago and never left. Campbell-Keune Realty Inc. has been serving the greater Ellington market since 1970 and has employed many family members over the years. In fact, his mother, the company’s co-founder, is still an active agent there. He’s been very active in state and local Realtor associations for the last 25 years and is currently president-elect of CT Realtors.

Q: Real estate is a second career for you. How’s it going so far?

A: The last 30 years have been an adventure. The business has been kind to me. Its provided me opportunities I’d never dreamt of. I was involved in helping to write and negotiate legislation. I’ve helped people through difficult situations that were life-changing. You don’t get that in every business. I’ve done short sales and done things when I figured a way through the woods when people were trying not to lose everything they had. I’ve created lifelong relationships.

We have 16 agents and we’ve seen the good, the very good, the bad and unfortunately the very bad. We’re like the rest of Connecticut, waiting for the real definition of recovery. Ellington is a growing community and there’s a lot of positive things going on here. It’s been a good place to do business.

Q: How did you get so involved in the various Realtor organizations?
A: I’ll blame Steve Amedy. Back around 1992 he called me up and asked me to be on the board of directors of the Greater Vernon Association of Realtors. From there I eventually became president. I became a director at CT Realtors in 1994. In 1995, the Greater Vernon association merged with Greater Hartford. Five years later, I was president of GHAR. I chaired several committees with the state association. I didn’t plan it this way. Opportunities were provided and I walked through the door. Local associations are frequently the gateway to the state association.

Actually, you get what you give, if you were to look at the relationships I’ve made in this business. If I need to refer a client to an agent in Litchfield, I don’t look in a book, I know exactly who to call. It’s made me much more effective at my job. A great example is the [crumbing concrete] foundation issue we’re dealing with. I made a phone call to the state association and asked for help and we were able to create some great advisories and now we have a new disclosure for this issue. It protects the industry and buyer and sellers.

Q: How has the crumbling concrete foundation issue impacted your market?

A: It has certainly had an impact. We are finding houses and condos with this issue regularly. It requires a new skillset. It’s very difficult. We refer people to the right professionals. We try to come up with the right solution other than throwing the keys to the bank, which some people will have to do. Nothing will tear your heart out more than doing a walk-through on a listing appointment, going into the basement, seeing the mapping and explaining what’s going on. By the time you’ve given them that information, they understand it’s pretty difficult.

It’s usually a happy time when people are buying and selling. People have plans before you walk in the door and by advising someone to get help, they understand that their plans are in shambles. Engineers understand that, too. The bedside manner they have has been outstanding. It’s a delicate, difficult subject. There’s a lot of money and emotion involved. Frequently I advise them to talk to an attorney familiar with the subject. Some people have the means to have the work done. Some negotiate with the insurance companies. Others are under water and have no solution. Some people are biding their time. There’s a fund from the state that won’t pay for everything, but it will help. There is no single solution. The problem is too big.

Q: Why were the CT Realtors officers’ terms extended from one year to two in 2017?

A: We decided to keep everyone in position for a two-year term this time. There are some serious things going on in the state and we need to get our involvement notched up. We need to look out for our buyers and sellers and our state. We passed a budget that isn’t a solution. We want to see a pro-growth state. It can’t be a pro-tax state. We need a change. Agents are watching businesses and sellers leave the state. We need our voice to be loud. We view ourselves as the people looking out for Connecticut property owners. We think we need to get louder.

We need every job in this state and we need jobs that pay well. We need to make this an environment they’ll flourish in. If not, there are 49 other states that will. Clearly what we’ve been doing hasn’t worked. Fortunately, Ellington is still a growing community. We’re lucky.

We’ve been lucky that we’ve had businesses that replaced the insurance companies that have left. No town survives as an island forever and we’re not unscathed. You have to listen to your clients and we do.

Q: How is your market right now?

A: It’s interesting. If you asked me three months ago, it would be different. We saw buyers become apprehensive when there was no state budget. We think people buy on price, they buy on payment. If taxes go up, the payment goes up. Since the budget passed, we’ve seen an uptick in activity. Frequently weather and the economy drive us more than the calendar.

We’ve been flat for the last four to five years. We’re not really seeing price appreciation, but the fact that we’re not seeing depreciation gives buyers confidence. Right now, there’s no reason to think we’ll depreciate next year, unless something big happens at the federal level. That will clearly have some impact. We don’t need another slap in the face of an industry that is such a pillar of the American economy.

It’s the same thing with businesses. The old days of the five-year plan are gone. In reality, if you’re a big company, you need stability. It costs a lot of money to be where you are and it costs a lot of money to move. Companies like GE need stability. They didn’t decide to move in a weekend. Why stay in an unstable state when you can move to a stable place?

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not working or volunteering?

A: When not working, I love spending time with my family. My daughter just got married, so the family grew by one. I like to read non-fiction. I read the Wall Street Journal every day. I like to garden, mostly flower gardens. I like to build them and my wife likes to maintain them. I’m active with the Rockville Rotary, which is a very impressive organization. I’m also a Red Sox fan. In the world of professional sports, the Sox have done a great job staying positive. That’s important. Look at Big Papi – is there anyone in this area who wouldn’t want to have him over to dinner?

Keune’s Five Favorite Kinds Of Music:

1. Classical
2. Classic rock
3. Opera
4. Theater pipe organ
5. Jazz