Meet Selma Murtic of Denver + Front Range

Today we’d like to introduce you to Selma Murtic

Hi Selma, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, a memorable part of my childhood was spent visiting open houses, watching home improvement shows, and helping my mom customize and curate our home. Fast forward a few years, when it came time to go to college and choose my future career, I started on a sciences track. It made sense to me, I’ve always had a love for math and biology – I thought it was the ‘natural’ thing to do. Suddenly, we’re in lockdown, and I have all the time in the world to evaluate my life. I realized working in a lab wasn’t my goal, and that being with people is where I have always thrived. The idea of working with homes had always been a lingering thought of mine so I began to entertain the possibilities. I moved to Denver with a couple friends and began studying interior design, initially only part time while I took advantage of what the city had to offer.

During all this, I worked at an incredible coffee chain. To say my time here was valuable would be an understatement – I experienced every emotion and lesson possible at this job. It forced me into a level of adaptability I did not know was conceivable. While part of me was feeling remorseful that people were now graduating, a bigger part of me was so relieved that I strayed from what I thought was the right thing to do. After a few years of travels, restaurants, and whatever else my heart desired, I decided it was time to get back to the plan. I began taking classes full time, studying for the real estate exam, and learning how to manage all this while maintaining a social life.

I officially joined the real estate industry in February of this year, and have been elated by every part of the journey. It has been both educational and fulfilling, and I can finally say getting to spend time learning about people and their homes is truly my passion. Getting to blend my love of interior design with helping people find their dream home is MY dream, and suddenly it is also my reality! I have made this a ‘YES’ project – showing up to every opportunity that arises to soak up as much information as possible.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has most definitely come with some challenges. Being younger in this industry is an obstacle on its own, however certainly not the hardest. I had to completely shift my daily habits and priorities, making a conscious effort in changing my thoughts and routines. It was almost like an epiphany, being twenty-fun is fabulous until you realize you haven’t made very much progress towards the end goal. This forced me to evaluate my entire mindset, and take small actions that could lead to big change. I made a goal to be at least 1% better every day – knowing I couldn’t do it overnight but consistency would create habits. I’ve learned to give myself grace while still being devoted to the bigger picture, and that taking one step at a time is better than none at all.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to think of myself as a Designer Agent. Having an education and background in interior design allows me to guide clients through ALL things home – whether buying, selling, or renovating. Knowing the ins and outs of the build and design process helps me appreciate the craft even further – and certainly contributes to my deep rooted belief that our homes are an extension of ourselves. I think the connection our minds have with our homes is paramount, and having someone on your team to facilitate the process makes it that much more special. I get to be both an advocate and cheerleader for my clients!

I think I am best known for my ‘Coffee Shop Market Drop’ series on Instagram (@selmaandthecity_), where I visit coffee shops in different neighborhoods and do a market update for that neighborhood. The response has been remarkable, and I’ve found that people in my sphere are seeking more digestible information about the housing market. Using my love for content creation, I try to relay information in a way that I would be interested in consuming it, and combining it with my adoration for coffee makes it personal.

I also have been dabbling in hosting events, which I definitely see continuing in the future. My first was called ‘Tinsel & Tequila’ where I collaborated with a hair stylist and friend to host local women for an evening of pampering and socializing. My next event is more philanthropic, and I’m hosting a ‘Share the Warmth’ coat drive for my local community. As passionate as I am about homes, I also believe we need more ‘third spaces’ to interact with each other. By hosting more events, I hope to be able to create even a temporary environment for people to experience connection.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I do not think I would be where I am at today without the repercussions of Covid, which is strange to say. I was incredibly fortunate to be in quarantine with my closest friends where for a short time, reality went out the window. We had all the time in the world to ponder ‘what-ifs,’ and when things shifted back to normal, those what-ifs slowly turned into ‘what’s next?’ Out of this, the lesson became that life is too short to question the what-ifs. While watching a crisis rapidly unfold in front of me and uncertainty fill every conversation, I became sure of one thing: all I can do is try. It’s easy to not do something – to stick to your routine, to put things off to the last minute – but to suddenly believe in trying opens a whole world of possibilities. I think trying something for the first time or learning something new is the best way to gain a sense of accomplishment. Chase the what-ifs!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.westandmainhomes.com/agent/selma-murtic/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selmaandthecity_/