FAST FIVE: Darrin Halliday: Grateful to be in North Idaho
Meet Darrin Halliday, a proud husband and father of 2-year-old twin boys Colton and Kailer and is expecting a little girl to arrive in the fall. Being raised in Idaho, Darrin has developed a love for all things outdoors and enjoys the thrill of most any activity that spikes the adrenaline.
Generation:
I am caught in the middle so that makes me an Xennial.
Career and community involvement:
Professionally, I am the marketing director of North Idaho for Pioneer Title Company. I spend a significant amount of time helping with various organizations around town though. I am an active Rotarian, the vice president for Kootenai County Young Professionals (KCYP), chair of the Young Professionals for the North Idaho Building Contractors Association (NIBCA), affiliate board member with the Young Professional Network for the Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors, graduate of the Coeur d’Alene Leadership program class of 2019 – Best Class Ever, a proud member of the Coeur d’Alene Impact Club and a recipient of KCYP’s Top 30 under 40 award for Kootenai County. I am grateful for a great career that provides a wonderful life for my family, but I am most proud of the time and resources that my career and company allow me to put toward leaving a positive impact on our community.
Parental status: I have always wanted to be a father and I am incredibly proud to have that honor now.
1. What are you seeing happen in North Idaho's real estate market right now, and how has the pandemic impacted this industry?
Our real estate market is incredibly active. Working from home is a new option for many more people after companies have adjusted their business practices through the pandemic. We already saw a lot of people moving to our beautiful area, but now those numbers are significantly higher.
2. What tips or advice do you have for people looking to buy or sell a home in this area at this time?
I will speak to those who are going to be buying with a loan. First and foremost, make sure you speak to your lender and get your financials in order with a preapproval letter ready and waiting. You will then want to speak to your real estate agent to get a realistic outlook of what is available and what you are wanting. Buyers need to be prepared to see multiple offers going in on almost every home, sometimes even before it becomes an active listing. If you see it on Zillow there is a particularly good chance that it has already sold. A real estate professional is priceless when it comes to having an inside track on what is available. You must be ready to move fast.
3. How have you been staying productive and keeping your mind occupied through the past few months?
I am incredibly grateful to have been able to have a job that kept me remarkably busy and employed through all of this. I focused on many of the adjustments our company needed to make just as many other businesses. I took on the role of local IT guy and helped move many of our employees to home offices. I really had to focus on my tasks and time management considering much of my role in marketing depended on human interaction. I give big hugs and lots of smiles and laughter, so this adjustment was the hardest for me. I had to be able to quickly shift into virtual meetings, continue to check on clients and help release education materials on all the new procedures we put in place. We can proudly close entire deals, start to finish, virtually.
4. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I was adopted at birth and was raised by two of the most incredible parents any kid could ever ask for. I am so grateful.
5. As someone who grew up here, what are a few of your favorite North Idaho memories and pastimes?
Hiking, camping – in a tent, bonfires with LOTS of friends, hunting and fishing. For anyone else who might remember, I used to love riding my BMX bike to the "Ninth Street Jumps" as we called it. North Idaho is an incredibly special place.
