Harcourts The Garner Group Real Estate is proud to share that its founder, Sandy Garner, has been awarded the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious honor has been recognizing leaders in the housing industry for 20 years, celebrating those who have made a lasting impact.
A lifelong resident of Central Oregon, Sandy began her real estate career in 1979 and retired in 2023. She initially worked with Coldwell Banker before establishing The Garner Group, which became part of the globally recognized Harcourts franchise in 2014. Throughout her career, she was consistently one of Bend’s top-producing agents.
COBA Executive Vice President Tim Knopp praised her dedication, stating, “Sandy has been a pillar of our community and the housing industry for 45 years, always leading with integrity and professionalism. She played a key role in the COBA Tour of Homes and helped shape the local housing market by collaborating with builders to create homes that people love. Central Oregon wouldn’t be the same without her contributions.”
Sandy built her reputation through her deep connections with builders and developers, specializing in new neighborhoods. Her journey started with Tanglewood in 1989, working alongside Eric and Marilyn Loftsgard of Loftsgard Homes. Her keen understanding of Bend’s growth helped her and her partners successfully develop communities such as Larkspur, Foxborough, Northpointe, Sagewood, Valley View (Redmond), Outcrop, Braeburn, West Bend Village, Miller Heights, and Northwest Crossing. She also worked closely with developers like Bill Smith and Mike Tennant of Brooks Resources and many others.
Reflecting on her career, Sandy shared, “The greatest joy of my work has been partnering with builders to create homes that people truly love. Receiving this award is incredibly meaningful to me. I’m grateful for the builders and architects I’ve collaborated with over the years, and it warms my heart to know we’ve helped shape communities in Bend that we can all be proud of.”
Sandy’s influence extends beyond her own career—her passion for real estate has inspired multiple generations within her family, including her daughters, sons-in-law, stepchildren, niece, grandchildren, and brother-in-law, many of whom have pursued careers in the industry.
Congratulations to Sandy Garner on this well-deserved recognition! ????