About
When buying and selling Taos properties, Joel Schantz is dedicated to bring the best possible results to his clients. As a true local with "insider" knowledge, Joel has years of professional, real estate experience and is known for his award winning service as a Berkshire Hathaway top producer. From searching for the perfect real estate — to negotiating the best deal — and finalizing the transaction, Joel will support you throughout the process for a smooth, successful and enjoyable experience.
Joel has walked most of Taos County with many a story to tell as a young land surveyor. Knowing how to read a plat, find corners and deal with property owners, real estate became a natural progression. In 1987 Joel opened his own company as Realty World-the Schantz Co. with a land listing of $5000. Today, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Taos Real Estate represents Joel and his team of their many accomplishments in helping sellers and buyers achieve their real estate needs.
Of German descent, Joel comes from Pennsylvania Deutch country. He graduated from Juniata College in music and literature, and took off to Taos in his 1960 Keiser Willis Jeep 4WD. Arrival in Taos to ski: circa 1970. The Hondo Lodge, now the Snakedance Condos and Spa, gave him his first job as ski bum, Ken Winslow taught him to survey and La Cocina (no longer on the Plaza) showed him the many lives of Taos as a bartender.
Today as a family man, he skis, and he shakes a mean margarita. His wife, Marny works as manager of the Team and his girls still keep him young and guessing.
But, real estate is what he does because it is still exciting to get excited with a buyer finding their dream home and the challenge in negotiating the sale.
Yvonne Lewis
Personal Assistant/Associate Broker
A Taoseño for many years, a native of Colombia, South America, Yvonne relocated to Taos with her husband from Los Angeles, CA. Yvonne has held a New Mexico real estate license since 2006 and is a firm believer in providing the best customer service possible! Yvonne's attention to detail and organizational skills are key to the enhancement and growth of Joel's real estate business. As Joel's assistant, Yvonne brings experience in project management, training and development . Always with a smile on her face, she brings a level of professionalism to the position. Yvonne is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University, fluent in Spanish and ready to help!
Kristine Wood
Buyers' Broker
Joins Joel's team as a Buyers' Broker assisting in providing knowledge and expertise to clients in finding their dream property. Kristine’s experience, attention to detail, artistic spirit, sense of adventure and business savvy make her a wonderful addition to Joel’s Team.
Marny Schantz
Owner/Team Manager/Wife
Yep, and still married after all these years. Joel and I have been a team ourselves, for a long time. After 33 years of being Owner/Manager of BHHS Taos Real Estate, it is a pleasant transition to be working in our home office and remaining active in the real estate market. Working with a Team of 3 in marketing and accounting, is more personal. It reminds me of the beginnings when Joel and I opend up shop in 1987 with just 4 agents. It's all good.
