Havenrose Real Estate Celebrates Two Years of Growth

Two years ago, as Katy Voves and Allie Saunders were working around the clock to start their own real estate brokerage in Salem, one question kept coming up in conversations with friends and colleagues: “Are we crazy?”

Of course, they were kidding. Or were they? Voves and Saunders had spent many sleepless nights at their favorite local wine bar — “That was our office before we had an office,” Voves laughed — trying to figure out how to launch a new business in less than two months. The goal was to be ready by spring, when real estate listings and buyer activity naturally tick up.

“We were just trying to get as ready as possible with buying signs, getting prepped, having all of our procedures ready to go …” Saunders said. “It was 45-60 days straight, no rest. We ended up getting really sick after our grand opening party because it was like we could finally breathe.”

The process was grueling, but the results have proven an overwhelming success. Voves and Saunders celebrated the two-year anniversary of their brokerage, Havenrose Real Estate, on March 26. The name “Havenrose” is a combination of the words “haven” (a place of safety) and “rose,” as in a compass rose, providing guidance and direction.

“It was important to us that anyone who works with us feels comfortable, safe, and guided in the right direction,” Voves said. “We worked so hard to invest in ourselves, and now it’s paying off.”

Coming Together

How Voves and Saunders eventually met and went into business together was a journey that initially started half a country apart.

A sixth-generation Oregonian, Voves has lived in the Salem-Keizer area her entire life. She graduated from McNary High School and spent about five years working in medical billing before pivoting to a career in real estate.

Saunders, meanwhile, was born and raised in Pearland, Texas, a suburb of Houston. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in health and fitness management, while also running track and setting school records in the indoor and outdoor triple jump.

After moving to Oregon, Saunders too found her calling in real estate. She was hired to work at the same brokerage as Voves, and the two became fast friends.

“We both have that same mindset that no matter what happens, we’re going to figure it out,” Voves said. “We’re not going to let each other fail.”

That support for one another was crucial on the road to starting Havenrose. There are always moments of doubt when starting a new venture, Saunders said, but the key was making sure they both remained 100% committed.

“You aren’t going to succeed at anything you don’t attempt,” she said. “I think that would have been really our biggest regret.”

Community Involvement

Another key, according to Voves, is staying involved in the community, building relationships and making connections outside the office. On that front, the duo has been plenty active supporting local nonprofits and civil rights.

In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the MVAR Community Foundation, Voves is this year’s President-elect for the Salem Fire Foundation, which raises money for life-saving tools and resources at the Salem Fire Department. The foundation also funds CPR classes for local teens.

“Being a part of something that helps support such an integral part of our community is something that I am really proud of,” Voves said.

Saunders serves on the Board of Directors for the Salem Police Foundation, and volunteers as the Community Engagement Chair for the Salem-Keizer NAACP, helping to organize their annual Juneteenth Block Party, Freedom Fund scholarships, and activities during Black History Month.

Voves and Saunders also serve together on the Events Committee for Garten Services,  which provides job training, activities, and retirement services for people with disabilities, and with the Salem Art Association on small events and during the Salem Art Fair.

While volunteering is near and dear to both Voves and Saunders, it also underscores their guiding principle for success in real estate: the focus, Voves said, should be on helping people, not just turning a profit.

“If you are in it to really help people the right way, the money will come,” she said. “But what’s going to bring you success is helping people.”