Good Neighbor Podcast: Fort Collins

A former engineer explains why the right realtor matters more than ever in Colorado’s fast, complex market

• Nick George • Season 1 • Episode 120

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Some career pivots change more than a job title—they redefine how you solve problems for people at life’s highest stakes. Nick sits down with Fort Collins broker Fred Porter, who left engineering to build a family-run real estate firm that blends technical rigor with neighbor-first service. Fred breaks down why Colorado’s market demands more than a quick search: expansive soils that can shift foundations, radon that requires testing, rapid construction with uneven standards, and mountain properties where access, utilities, and boundaries can turn a dream into a money pit if you miss the cues.

We dive into the practical playbook for first-time homebuyers: financing paths, inspections that actually protect you, appraisals, and how to keep your stress low when the clock is ticking. Fred shares why AI and algorithms are useful tools—but not substitutes for a calm human who can read a basement wall, spot a drainage issue, and advise you to walk away when the risk isn’t worth it. If you’re curious about land and mountain transactions, you’ll hear what to check first: surveys, easements, well and septic realities, wildfire mitigation, snow load, and road maintenance that can change your costs overnight.

This conversation also gets personal. Fred talks about recovering from a cryptocurrency scam that wiped out much of his savings—and how rebuilding deepened his empathy for buyers navigating surprises. His family brokerage centers trust over pressure, proven by hands-on help, clear communication, and reviews on Google and Zillow. If you want real estate guidance that’s both technically sharp and human, this story will help you choose a partner who protects your budget and your peace of mind.

If this episode helped you think differently about buying or selling in Northern Colorado, follow the show, share it with a neighbor, and leave a quick review so more locals can find it.

SPEAKER_00:

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Nick George.

SPEAKER_01:

Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Are you in need of a really good real estate professional? Well, one might be closer than you think. Today I have the great pleasure of introducing your good neighbor, Fred Porter, with Porter Real Estate. Fred, how's it going?

SPEAKER_02:

Great, great. It's nice to be here, Nick. I appreciate the opportunity to talk to you.

SPEAKER_01:

It's great to have you. Tell us all about how you got into real estate.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, um, you know, I was an engineer for about 20 years before I got into real estate. I did a lot of investing during that time. And uh I decided I wanted to have a business of my own. And so um back in 2013, I started going or selling real estate full-time and then uh opened my own brokerage in 2019 with my daughter and I. We have a nice family business, and uh I love it. I mean, it's great. I get to meet a lot of really nice people and have great relationships. So I've been enjoying it.

SPEAKER_01:

What are some myths or misconceptions in your line of work?

SPEAKER_02:

Well, um, oh my gosh. You know, most realtors are pretty nice people and they're really out there to try and help you. Um, there's kind of a misconception that uh, you know, realtors as a whole are somewhat blood suckers and out there to get money from you. Um 99% of uh realtors are really just out there to you know help people succeed and uh get them set up in a better living situation. So that's one of the myths that I would, you know, kind of contradict.

SPEAKER_01:

How did you get into real estate in the first place? What drove you here?

SPEAKER_02:

Well, I was investing a fair amount when I worked as an engineer. I bought a bunch of rental properties and uh, you know, having my license allowed me to save quite a bit of money. And uh I also got a lot of education through doing that. So that was kind of my lead into it. And uh I, you know, worked as an engineer for quite a while. As I said, I worked for a new Belgian brewing company and uh designed a lot of their wastewater treatment and then worked in oil and gas designing wastewater treatment plants. And well, the uh price of oil went down and I got laid off and I have my real estate license and I wanted to do something of my own. So I dove into it full time and I've been doing it ever since then, since 2013. And it's it's been great. It's been really fun. Plus, I get to work with my daughter, and so we have a small family business, and it's it's uh really rewarding.

SPEAKER_01:

That's awesome. There's not many uh crafts or industries that you can pass down to your kids anymore before it becomes obsolete again.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, this is true.

SPEAKER_01:

It's just definitely real estate and electrician seems to be too that that are gonna hang around for a while.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, yeah, I think so, especially with the advent of AI. It uh seems to be taking over a lot of different things. So we'd be interesting to see how that transpires in the next 10 years. But you know, um, there's there's really a need for people that understand the process of uh helping people get financing and get into a house and also you know, construction standards and making sure that you're buying something that's a quality product.

SPEAKER_01:

Exactly. Yeah, exactly. Um gosh, I was just having that talk with somebody today about you really got to watch out where you buy a house around here because it's how fast stuff's going up.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, Colorado is pretty interesting. We have a lot of expansive soils around here, which wreaks havoc with uh foundations. We have radon, we have you know all kinds of issues. So yeah, it pays to work with a realtor who has a good idea of construction standards and what's going on in the area.

SPEAKER_01:

Who's your target market and how are you reaching out to them now in the digital world?

SPEAKER_02:

Um well, one of my target markets really is first-time home buyers. Um, I really enjoy working with people, you know, who haven't bought a home before and you know, really helping educate them on the process and uh, you know, what they're buying. Um, so that's one of one of my markets, and I I reach out to them a lot by uh doing videos and also advertising, online advertising. We've got a nice website set up. It's www.noco-realtor.com. And um we have a great search engine set up there where you can create an account and search for properties. Um, another market that I uh kind of specialize in is mountain properties. I do a lot of uh, you know, mountain properties and and land deals, which are somewhat difficult because it it takes some skill to understand, you know, land boundaries and different issues that you run into developing land or you know, building a house to build something.

SPEAKER_01:

Do you feel like real estate since we were talking about AI, do you feel like real estate's one of those businesses where people could just take it or leave it, whoever they're dealing with, as long as they get the end result? Or do you feel like it's still one of those businesses where the person matters, the personality matters? The the the the in the ability to work with that personality still matters. Um, do you find that that's still a living, breathing thing in your industry?

SPEAKER_02:

Um, I do. You know, um buying and selling a house is typically one of the most the largest financial decisions most people make, and it can be extremely stressful. And if you're working with somebody that's high stress and high pressure, it's pretty darn uncomfortable. And so it really pays to have somebody who you have a good relationship with and somebody you can trust. And um it also is really helpful to to have a work with somebody that has a good understanding of the product that they're selling. Um, I've had, well, a few horror stories of you know, friends that have bought things through other realtors uh in and actually had houses with severe structural problems or you know, just different problems. It really costs them a lot of money to get out of the house. And so it really pays to work with somebody who's a professional and uh you have a good relationship with.

SPEAKER_01:

Have you ever thought about reaching people through podcasting?

SPEAKER_02:

Um, you know, I've never done it before, but today this is pretty nice, actually. I uh I think uh this might be something I explore a little more. What do you do?

unknown:

Go ahead.

SPEAKER_01:

What do you do for fun when you're not helping people find their next home?

SPEAKER_02:

Um well I love to ski. I mean, I grew up on the East Coast working in the ski industry, so I moved out here to ski a lot. Um, I do a lot of cycling, a lot of mountain biking. Um, I do CrossFit and yoga. And then I have two daughters and um and you know, a lot of hiking, things like that, a lot of outdoor activity.

SPEAKER_01:

Um, Fred, this isn't a question I ask everybody, and if you want me to just pass on it, that's fine. But um not everybody has had a perfect life. Is there a challenge in that you've had in your life that you overcame that made you the person that you are today that you'd like to talk about?

SPEAKER_02:

Um, there have been a few. Um, I guess the most recent challenge is probably about three or four years ago. I got scammed out of the better part of my life savings, and so I've had to rebuild from that. And uh that you know rocked my world. Um, I got caught in a cryptocurrency scam and uh lost you know just a huge amount of money, so I've had to start over. And uh, you know, you just you're where you are and you you you go from there, and so I've been very lucky in life too, you know.

SPEAKER_01:

I had the same thing happen when I started short selling Tesla stocks in my first I lost so much money in two days, it was uh it was there was some type of scam going on and that I didn't understand, and I went back for more the second day, and so man, I feel you. I'll never go back again.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, you know it happens. I mean it's a little embarrassing to talk about, but it's just reality, and you know, um, we're all human, we all make mistakes, and it's how you deal with the adversity, you know. Yeah, pick this up and go on. So yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

Uh so what's one thing that you would like people to take away from this interview about Porter real estate, Fred?

SPEAKER_02:

Um, well, we're a relationship business, and we really focus on building a solid relationship. We have tons of uh happy clients. You can see it in our reviews, uh, both on Google and Zillow. And we really focus on going above and beyond. I mean, I've helped people move, I've helped people do work on their houses, things that not a typical realtor will do. Um, so we're, you know, very family-based, and uh we enjoy spending time with people and making sure their needs are met.

SPEAKER_01:

Fred, what are all the ways that people can find you through social media, a website, a phone number?

SPEAKER_02:

Okay. Um, my website is www.noco realtor.com. Instagram is Fred Porter Real Estate. Um Facebook is Fred Porter, and then I also have a Porter Real Estate page. And my phone number is 970-231-4272. And that's my cell phone. So rings right to me, and you'll get me.

SPEAKER_01:

Awesome. Yeah. Well, Fred, it's been a pleasure um introducing you to the community and having you on having you on the show. And we definitely wish you and Porter Real Estate the very best moving forward.

SPEAKER_02:

Thanks, Nick. It's been a real pleasure. Um, this is much easier than I thought.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah. Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpfortcollins.com. That's gmpfortcollins.com or call nine seven zero four three eight zero eight two five.