Colorado Springs Real Producers: Tanya Stevenson

by: Robert Borges

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Knowledge, experience, and heart.

It’s the real estate agent trifecta, and while having those traits may seem vital to the profession, it’s not always easy to find. Add to it comfort, compassion, and a deep and meaningful community connection, and you’ll have the ultimate buyer/seller experience. 

You’ll have Tanya Stevenson of Park Avenue Properties of Colorado Springs.  

A 4^th generation native of Colorado Springs, Tanya graduated from Palmer High School before attending college in Dallas, where studying business and design solidified her passion for the arts and architecture. She worked diligently to help pay her way through college in retail sales and by modeling at the Dallas Apparel Mart.

After graduating from college, Tanya was recruited by the Merry Go Round Enterprises and quickly worked her way up to a management position. It evolved into an incredible opportunity to relocate to the Pacific Northwest, where she built a team of salespeople, opened new stores, and gained the leadership experience that would prove invaluable in the next phase of her career.

Everything that comes with the retail industry—long hours, hard work, dedication, and perseverance—coupled with the formation of lifelong friendships and business partnerships, allowed Tanya to make a smooth transition into real estate. “I’m a diligent and independent thinker and it was difficult to be tied down or flourish in a corporate environment,” says Tanya.

After returning to her roots in Colorado Springs to reconnect with family (and raise her own), Tanya, with the help of her mother Sandy, decided to open a boutique real estate company. This is where Tanya’s skills, expertise, and relentless drive to serve her community really came to life. 

Having worked in real estate for several decades herself, Sandy had always been a guiding force for Tanya, instilling a passion for the industry at a young age. In fact, it was Sandy who inspired Tanya to make the career transition upon her return home. So in 1996, Tanya earned her real estate license. It was after a brief stint with a larger brokerage that Tanya decided to team up with her mom, and Park Avenue Properties was created in 1998—completely from scratch. 

So why would an independent Colorado Springs real estate company with humble beginnings be named after the swanky Manhattan boulevard? We can thank Tanya’s kids, Alex and Alexus, and their domination of Monopoly family game nights for the witty name. “Park Place,” and “Boardwalk” were always the first locations on the board they would build up and fill with properties, and it became quite the running joke. In fact, the name has become somewhat iconic in the Pikes Peak Region, with local news station Fox21 creating a custom Monopoly game board that would become the centerpiece of a commercial for Park Avenue Properties of Colorado Springs. 

Over the past 24 years, in coalition with her independent real estate career and with the Park Avenue Properties team, the true key to Tanya’s success has been based on creating trustworthy and professional relationships. Ultimately, it’s these guiding principles that became the main focus to create an efficient and personalized environment for Park Avenue Properties’ clients and team. 

With an 85% referral rate among their clients, friends, and business networks, Tanya and her team consistently go above and beyond when it comes to guiding each client through one of the biggest investments that they will make in their lifetime. “Our goal is to take the fear out and make it fun. We put a lot more time in behind the scenes which makes for successful transactions.” 

This approach has led to over 150 5-star reviews and top-rated client satisfaction. This is just a sampling of the type of review that clients are happy to write about Tanya: “I just completed my 11^th closing with Tanya. As usual, I counted myself lucky to have Tanya on my side, especially when she dialed up her professional determination in the face of an unreasonable request moments before closing, always keeping my best interest and closing the deal at the forefront.  There is no other realtor in town that I would consider for my wide variety of real estate needs.” – Amy Brown  

 “I cherish every relationship and I am blessed with the opportunity to work with multiple generations of some families ….

… Currently, I am working with newlyweds on the purchase of their first home and I have known the groom since he was 2 years old and watched him grow up. His parents have become dear friends and we are working on the 12th contract together with the family! It is very rewarding to gain that kind of trust and I am honored to be a part of such an important part of their lives.” 

Needless to say, Park Avenue’s client connections extend well beyond the sale.

“As a team we make a mutual effort to stay connected to our clients and make sure they feel appreciated and valued by delivering monthly personalized gifts. I receive invitations to family holiday parties and frequent lunches, or dinners and I make every effort to attend every event I am invited to, so I can stay connected to these families.”

When asked who she admires in the business, Tanya points to Park Avenue’s licensed Transaction Manager, Jenafer Weems, and Ellie Bishop, the team’s Marketing and Project Manager. 

Jenafer started out as a referred client and through the years she and Tanya became good friends. She was dedicated to begin a career in the real estate industry and there was never a question that Park Avenue Properties was a perfect place to pursue this career. For Ellie, joining the Park Avenue team was an easy transition, as she and Tanya have been friends for more than 20 years. Ellie’s gifts of honesty, communication, and organization are an essential part of the daily functions for Park Avenue. 

“Jenafer’s positive attitude and pure spirit drive me to become a better broker and leader on our team, and Ellie is a lifesaver in keeping things moving forward with the many intricate parts of our business relations. I simply couldn’t do it without these smart, savvy, and powerful women by my side, and can’t wait to share many more adventures together in the future,” says Tanya.  

For Jenafer and Ellie, the feeling is mutual. 

“We all complement each other with our different roles as a team and together we provide our clients with excellent service.  We treat each other like family and our clients can see that and in turn they feel like they are part of the Park Avenue family after working with us,” say Jenafer. 

Ellie concurs saying, “Tanya has such a good, genuine heart and her desire to serve others and make a positive difference in the lives of her clients motivates me daily. We all bring something unique and special to the team…and I can tell you that for all of us as Park Avenue Properties, it’s never just about the transaction. It’s about the relationships we build along the way.”

Tanya and her husband Mark have five children: Alex, Alexus, Danika, Kiah, and Trinity, along with 2 grandkids: Cayden and Gianna. They love to travel together as a family, go to hockey games, and enjoy beach activities like snorkeling. When they aren’t creating lasting memories with the entire family, Tanya and Mark love to cruise the open road in their classic ‘57 Chevy.

When asked about her “why?”, Tanya says “it’s definitely my kids and grandkids that are the driving force of my motivation. I find education very valuable and it is important to me to have the means for my kids and grandkids to be educated. Education is a rewarding resource that provides many opportunities and instills an everlasting curiosity.”

Among Tanya’s many accolades and achievements through the years, she’s particularly proud of recently being named a Peak Producer—a distinction that puts her among the top 10% of realtors in the Colorado Springs area. Peak Producers are known for providing proven, dependable real estate services while always keeping the community top of mind through their professionalism and charitable giving. In Tanya’s case, she and the team donate time and various other resources to the Marion House, an organization that works tirelessly to feed the less fortunate. 

A favorite quote of Tanya’s from Albert Schweitzer really sums up her life’s journey so far…

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” 

It’s clear that Tanya has not shied away from this mentality throughout her life and career. Her reputation and heart for her community have led her and Park Avenue Properties to plant a seed of excellence and continue to watch it grow. 

“My heart and passion is with this community. I want to be involved and I want to make it a better place,” concludes Tanya.