Marvin Gardens works to humanize the housing market

Marvin Gardens wants to humanize the housing market. Founded in 2015, Marvin Gardens is a property management and real estate firm serving the housing needs of Longmont.

“I’ve taken people from being homeless and put them into apartments, and then onto townhomes and purchasing their first home,” said Marvin Gardens owner Dave Marvin. “Anywhere along that spectrum, I want to help move people up to the next rung in the ladder that they want to reach.”

Marvin said that helping people navigate housing needs is a priority for the company. Working with people to manage and overcome their financial barriers, whether that’s finding a lender or repairing credit.

“If someone is looking to move into the next thing, I want to empower people to do that no matter where they want to live,” Marvin said. “We’re here to let people know that it’s never out of reach. It may take more time, but if you’re willing to put in the effort then we’re here to help.”

“Marvin Gardens has guided me through a lot of unfamiliar territories,” said former tenant Anne Bass.

Bass was introduced to Marvin Gardens and owner Dave Marvin when looking for rental properties for a cross-country move. According to Bass, she kept working with the company when it came time to buy her first home.

“As a property manager, Dave Marvin was responsive, respectful and made sure my concerns were always heard,” Bass said. “I never once felt like I was just a paycheck to them. I was able to put so much trust in them that when I decided to buy my first home, they were the obvious choice.”

Marvin Gardens manages around 60 properties in Longmont, working with the owners to find great tenants and provide fair housing opportunities for people living in Longmont. Marvin works with single units, duplexes and townhomes, eschewing the costs of managing large multi-complex buildings so they can give the best service to tenants and owners. At least 10% of Marvin Gardens properties have opportunities for affordable housing vouchers, according to Marvin.

For Marvin and his staff, fair housing goes beyond quotas to recognize the importance of shelter in people’s lives. 

“It’s quite remarkable to me how people handle affordable housing. These laws exist in a very tangible way to me,” Marvin said. “These are people. And sure, air and water come first, but I’d argue that shelter comes before food. It’s really important, and I don’t think people should be so flippant with it, or presumptive and judgemental with people in need of housing.”

Though Marvin acknowledged that as a property management company, it’s their job to work with the owners, he believes in fostering healthy relationships between all parties. 

“We work hard at property management. We’re committed to our tenants, owners and clients, and we’re on call 24/7, 365 days a year,” Marvin said. “We take pride in our professionalism, because it can make the difference between success and failure for our clients and tenants.”

That commitment to a healthy culture for housing extends to providing a positive environment to his employees as well. Marvin moved the property management office during the pandemic, from a one room rental at the 300 block of Main Street to a much larger space at 2130 Main Street so that the company had room to grow. The new office has a large kitchen and even a pinball machine, because Marvin wanted his clients and employees to enjoy spending time in the space.

“For me it was seeing beyond where other people were struggling last year and saying 'No, this is what we need even if having an office isn’t popular’,” Marvin said. “I think people are actually enjoying going back to work in a location that isn’t their home.”

Beyond just the physical office, Marvin said his employees are salaried and encouraged to seek out bonus and educational opportunities that interest them. Recognizing that property management and real estate comes with odd hours, Marvin wants his employees to be satisfied with the work.

“I try to create a culture where people are happy to come to work. I’m doing the best I can to treat people how I’d want to be treated, and I try to think of it in reverse,” Marvin said. “If my boss were behaving a certain way, could I deal with it? That’s my metric to make sure I’m doing it right, to see if I would feel comfortable on the other end.”

Laura Stratton works for Marvin as Director of Leasing after starting as an administrative assistant. Stratton, who plays guitar for local band Foxfeather, said that as a full-time musician she didn’t see herself taking on an office job before COVID. Working for Marvin and seeing his passion for housing and a healthy culture opened her eyes.

“In the year that I’ve worked here, I’ve learned so much about fair housing, rentals and real estate in general,” Stratton said. “My role change has given me the opportunity to get out in the community and help people find their new rental home. I find it very satisfying and fun to help people find somewhere to live that they’re happy with, and for them to start the new chapter of their lives.”

Working in real estate and property management for sixteen years in Colorado, Marvin has seen the impact on housing prices and an increase in rentals. Working with and volunteering at local organizations like HOPE and the OUR Center, Marvin started to find the gaps in what assistance was available for people in need. Marvin described it as a small amount of butter spread around a large piece of bread.

“There’s help for people experiencing homelessness to find basic needs, and there’s a decent amount of help for people struggling as tenants. There’s probably too much welfare for the uber-rich, but there’s nothing in the middle for those who need a boost,” Marvin said. “If you’ve gotten yourself to a place where you have a job and you’re a good tenant, but you don’t qualify for aid then that’s it, you’re out. You’ve made it, but not really.”

To that end, Marvin started the Up the Ladder scholarship in 2019 through the Longmont Community Foundation. The scholarship is specifically for one family or individual a year that was on government aid or subsidy in the past but no longer qualifies, to help provide a down payment for their first home.

“I think there’s a bit of a stigma around people who ask for government help or need it to survive. Most people don’t want to see anyone homeless or starving, but are still judgemental of people that receive government assistance, but you don’t know any of these people’s stories,” Marvin said. “The scholarship is there for people who are no longer on subsidies and are looking to move forward. More than just a drop in the bucket or some thinly spread help, it’s a whole pile of help for someone who can use it.”

Up the Ladder awarded its first scholarship in 2020 to Jenna Tullberg. 

“I’m so touched by people willingly and blindly donating to help people like me,” Tullberg said. “It keeps me pushing and believing that there is a better world out there for my sons and me.”

“This is just one way we can address affordable housing,” Marvin said. “To say you are a worthy person who belongs in this community, who has taken steps to get to a certain place and we want to help you with the rest of your goal.”

Beyond just setting up the scholarship and volunteer work, Marvin and Marvin Gardens donates 10% of their commissions each year to OUR Center, HOPE and other housing-related organizations.

“Dave’s too humble to brag on himself, but he has a very generous spirit,” Stratton said. “Whenever money goes into his pocket, there is bound to be a chunk of that going to different charities.”

The strength of Marvin’s generosity and compassion for the people he works with has had a lasting impact, according to Bass.

“The amount of patience, kindness and honesty that was given to me through the process is one of the many things that sets (Marvin Gardens) aside from the others,” Bass said. “Still to this day, years after purchasing my house, I’ll reach out to Dave looking for advice and guidance in all things property and real estate.”

Update/Correction: The article has been adjusted to reflect the Up the Ladder scholarship starting in 2019 and being awarded in 2020.