Meet Aaron McCauley | REALTOR® & Home Ownership Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aaron McCauley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aaron, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
I would say that outsiders are often mystified and, quite frankly, scared of real estate. We are taught from a young age that real estate is this extremely complicated process that requires the utmost professionalism and a Master’s degree in finance to figure it all out. The reality is that real estate should be FUN and exciting, and it’s really not as complicated as you may think. That’s why picking the right Realtor for you is so important!

We, as Realtors, invest so much time and money into making sure the legalities you face when buying a home are handled with minimal stress on your end. Our jobs are to ensure you are protected during the duration of the contract, have all the facts to make an educated decision, and guide you to the perfect place to call home. I tell people, “Everyone wants that HGTV fantasy while house hunting. A great Realtor will provide that feeling while also helping you become an expert on the realities of the purchase.”

When looking for the right Realtor, ask yourself the most important questions:
1. Will they advocate for me and help me succeed?
2. Would I want to grab a beer with this person even if they weren’t my agent?

What should our readers know about your business?
Real estate often has this “been there, done that” type of approach that, for whatever reason, 99% of agents follow. You see it all the time: a nice headshot, generic picture of a house, and a “Call Me!” type ad. Sure, that may work for some agents, but my whole approach is to disrupt that copy/paste technique and show people ME. My Facebook and Instagram highlight a variety of topics while staying true to my voice. I actively support and promote local businesses because, in my opinion, Denver has the BEST small business culture in America. I also run a fun, zany YouTube channel (AaronSells5280) that shows the good, the bad, and the ugly about real estate. I’m not here to just sell million dollar homes and present this perfect little businessman façade. I want people to see crazy cat-pee-smelling homes that are overpriced. I want you to learn that “20% down” is an archaic method to own a home. I even want to break down obnoxious market stats into bite size snippets that a 4-year old could comprehend. Real estate is constantly evolving and transforming, yet Realtors still operate like it’s 1975. What? Why? It just baffles me…

The one thing I want people to know about me and my brand is that I advocate strongly for millennial home ownership. Our generation has been told to just buck it up and accept that student loan debt or stagnant wages will of course keep us from owning real estate-TOUGH TOOGIES, SNOWFLAKES! But that could not be farther from the truth. Home ownership is within so many peoples’ reach, but they are unaware. (Yes, even with Denver’s hot market!) Do you know of all the lending options that can get you into a home for less than 5% (sometimes even for $0 of your own money down)? Do you know you can qualify for a higher mortgage if you buy a duplex or triplex than if you just buy a single home? And did you know that you will never save your way into a perfect home, but using equity is the fastest way to hit your dreams? I’m always shocked at how many deer-in-the-headlight faces I get when I start speaking to someone about how we can get you into a home when you thought it was impossible. Trust me, I want you to be a happy homeowner-let me help!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am fortunate enough to live in the gorgeous Sloan’s Lake area, so there is plenty to fill up a week just around the shores! Tap & Burger makes some of the most delicious burgers in the metro area, so I’d recommend swinging by there for dinner. Afterwards, we’d head a few blocks up to Odell’s Brewing to sit on the rooftop patio overlooking the lake and the mountains. Next morning, after the mandatory early morning hike (I’m a huge fan of Mt. Galbraith-it’s quiet, remote, and rarely has hikers during the weekdays), we’d head to the Edgewater Public Market for brunch. With a collection of some of the most delicious restaurants available in all of Colorado, I’ll likely head to Ope N’ Bubbler for a cheese curd burger and then to Barbed Wire Reef for one of their flavored lemonades. Or maybe Happy Cone for a fresh fruit cone…don’t judge me, we just hiked!

For shopping, I’m of course obsessed with all things home furnishings! We HAVE to hit up modmood in Wheat Ridge for vintage mid-century modern furniture and décor. Then, we’ll head to an American Furniture Warehouse and spend hours dreaming of how to furnish our dream home (and vacation home, and retirement home, and our mom’s home, and….). Then, to finish off this “Did I need this? No, but it was oh so cheap” day, we’d head to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore off I-25 and Kalamath. Ever been? No? GO!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Firstly, I have to thank my incredible partner, Jason. During the pandemic, he saw how frustrated I was with my career and watched as I struggled to understand my purpose. When I approached him with this dream of being a Realtor that I had since high school, he encouraged me to get licensed and begin a career that I love.

Secondly, I want to thank the team at Keller Williams Realty Urban Elite for seeing my potential and investing countless hours into helping me succeed. I am inspired by the hard work and dedication in my fellow agents, and thankful to be seen as a powerful, competent, and unique business owner by the office.

And lastly, I’d like to shoutout Naomi Torres with her own business Intentionally Crafted. As a delightful human and artist, Naomi has continuously supported me in my real estate ventures. She comes to my open houses for fun, highlights me on her social media, and has gifted my partner and I with such thoughtful gifts “just because”. Very rarely do you meet genuinely perfect souls, and Naomi is one of the rarities. If you get the chance, check out her business (intentionallycrafted.com). Not because I’m paid to promote her. Not because we have some sort of deal. Not even because I’m obsessed with her talent. Simply because her light is one that deserves to shine and be recognized, and I want the world to see how incredible she is.

Website: aaronsells5280.kw.com

Instagram: @aaronsells5280

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaronsells5280

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRQOdzRr8ixAO2Byvh3HZ4Q

Image Credits
Professional photo courtesy of: Rachel Cox Photo