John L. Scott Vancouver’s Rod Wilkinson became a broker in 2016, though his career in the real estate industry began with Wells Fargo in 2003. Previously at Wells Fargo, Rod originated mortgage loans and also worked as a Home Preservation Manager, where he helped distressed homeowners who were in need of a loan modification or short sale.

His experience in the mortgage sector means Rod is well-versed on financing and can help clients with the best questions to ask their lender. As a Clark County resident since 2006, he’s well-acquainted with the area and knows the most useful information to share with clients as they consider a move.

Rod didn’t always want to become a real estate broker – he actually had an unfavorable view of the industry after working with brokers in the purchase of his first home. However, when he moved from Oregon to Vancouver, he worked with relocation specialist and was blown away by her professionalism, organization and knowledge of the area. She provided him with all the information he needed to make the best decision, and thanks to this experience, he understood how valuable a top real estate broker can be in a move.

Now, Rod is a part of John L. Scott’s relocation team, and he appreciates the opportunity to work with buyers who are relocating to the Vancouver, Washington area. Mount Vista, Salmon Creek and Felida are three neighborhoods that he specializes in within the Vancouver, Ridgefield and Battle Ground residential communities.

No transaction is “one and done” for Rod – he is motivated by the goal of making his clients “clients for life.” He wants to earn repeat business and referrals from clients, and does this in part through an emphasis on listening to clients, so he’s able to deliver on their specific wants and needs. Clients often commend Rod on his professionalism, knowledge, promptness and organization. He also aims to treat his clients’ money like his own, which can set the tone for negotiating the very best deal on their behalf – whether buying or selling!

One of Rod’s biggest focuses when marketing a listing is photography – he spares no expense to ensure every house looks its best in listing photos. He counsels sellers on best practices for de-cluttering, cleaning and staging, so the photos are sure to catch online shoppers’ attention. He also puts a heavy emphasis on marketing the house to the surrounding neighborhood, through postcards announcing the new listing and inviting neighbors to the open houses. Rod finds that neighbors often have a lot of pride when it comes to their neighborhood and if they can see the property in person, they are more likely to share the listing with friends or family they would like to have live nearby.

The three most important things to Rod are his family, work and sports. Rod is married with two children, and volunteers at their schools and as a youth sports coach. Additionally, he stays involved with his neighborhood’s homeowner association committees. He is a huge sports fan and enjoys playing basketball, golf and tennis. Whenever he’s able to, he loves to watch professional sports – especially his favorite teams, the Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners. He is a Washington State University – Pullman graduate and follows Cougar athletics closely.