Coldwell Banker Cape Cod Featured Agent

Coldwell Banker: How did you get into real estate?

Kim: I have been a professional Realtor for 4 1/2 years. I have loved looking at homes ever since I can remember. My mother and I used to spend weekends touring open houses around our area when I was much younger and she influenced me to try the business. I especially love interior design and architecture as well as working with people, so real estate was a natural way to put those two components together. Having children also impacted my work life and I needed a flexible schedule so I could be with my family. Real estate fit my lifestyle.

Coldwell Banker: Describe your territory and client base.

Kim: When I am working as a listing agent, I concentrate in the mid-Cape area which includes Yarmouth, Dennis and Barnstable. My office is in Yarmouth Port which is close to my home. When I am working as a buyer’s agent, I work the upper, mid and lower Cape. My clients are split 50/50 between first-time buyers and second-home buyers. Clients come primarily from New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Coldwell Banker: What has been among your greatest moment in real estate?

Kim: Honestly, my best moments in real estate do not have any relationship to the size of the sale. My favorite moments to date have been assisting first time homebuyers. Sitting at a closing table with a first time homebuyer knowing that you have helped them with one of the most important transactions of their lives is a wonderful feeling.

Two first-time buyers come to mind. I recently helped a couple buy their first home and they were so happy that they were beaming across the table. Another client was a single woman who had always dreamed of owning her own home. I worked with her for about six to seven months and finally, found her the right house. She had tears in her eyes during the closing. It is such an honor to help people buy their first home.

Coldwell Banker: Is there anything that you know now that you wish you had known starting out in real estate?

Kim: When I originally started out in real estate, I intended it to be a part-time position. I quickly found out that part-time does not exist when it comes to being a realtor. You have to be available 24/7 – whether or not you are on vacation, or even under the weather. This means being willing to give up your weekends and always being available by cell phone. I have worked on more than one real estate deal while on vacation. If you want to succeed in this business, you must be willing to give 110%.

Coldwell Banker: Do you have any special tips or strategies that you can share with potential clients?

Kim: I provide a checklist to help clients get ready to sell a house. I suggest to my clients to paint walls in neutral colors (if they have the time) and above all, to have their home clean, clean, clean, at all times. I mean as in “hotel” clean (especially bathrooms and kitchens) with zero clutter. To “stage” a home is a lot of work but necessary if you want to sell.

Coldwell Banker: Any tips for new realtors?

Kim: You have to learn to assess personalities quickly and adjust how you work with each individual because no two clients are alike. First time buyers need more hand holding than an experienced home buyer. Also, you need to like looking at houses and definitely enjoy people.

Coldwell Banker: What has been your biggest challenge to date?

Kim: Probably the current business environment we are in and that some sellers are not willing to accept our new market situation. These are folks who do not believe their home has depreciated and still want to get a top selling price that was possible several years ago. In these instances, I will recommend to a seller to reconsider listing their property if they are not willing to price it to the market we are in.

Coldwell Banker: Do you have any future plans for your business?

Kim: I plan on getting my Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) license this year as a way to elevate my skills in the eyes of homebuyers. It also helps me to keep learning and growing in this business.

Coldwell Banker: Now to get a little personal – what do you like to do to relax?

Kim: When I have downtime (which is close to never being a mother of two and a full time realtor), I enjoy reading, going to the movies and out to eat. When the weather is nice I enjoy spending time at the beach. I love to sit at Corporation Beach with a book, a good friend, and enjoy lunch from the Mercantile. That is my favorite way to pass the time during the warmer months.

Coldwell Banker: What is your favorite vacation spot?

Kim: My favorite vacation spot is the Outer Banks in North Carolina. My family and I have been vacationing there for the past 4 years and we are going again this year in April.

Coldwell Banker: Have you ever done business with a celebrity in the Cape?

Kim: I have bowled with Christian Slater and he promised me that I would be the first one he’d call when he is ready to buy on the Cape.

If you are interested in learning about buying or selling a home in Cape Cod or finding an agent to put you in your dream home, give us a call at 508-362-1993. If you have other questions, let us know how we can be of service and one of our qualified agents will contact you. We are here for you!

Posted on March 10th, 2009 in Agents | Be The First To Comment >>