Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Peters.
Hi Kathryn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
After many years in corporate America, I felt the need for change. After weighing all my options and with lots of encouragement from friends and family, I decided to make a dramatic leap into real estate as a way to help others navigate the world of home buying and selling. My primary focus quickly became first-time home buyers. I come from a huge family, I’m the eldest of eight. All I had to do was look at my own adult-children and many nephews and nieces who were coming out of college and considering buying homes. My business grew from there. I love the opportunity of educating and advocating for them; helping them navigate those waters.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I came into the business late in the game – as a “second half” career. My plan was to work in real estate really hard for ten-twelve years, and then as I near retirement, work a handful of transactions a year while enjoying the good life in the great outdoors. Building my business one brick at a time started with first-time homebuyers who would then refer friends, and eventually, when that same group started families they would call on me to help them move up to larger homes. Much of what I do now is stay in front of my past clients by connecting with them on social media, calling, texting, drop-by’s and monthly mailers. It’s a process that I stay on top of without fail – it’s about long-term relationships and building trust that I’m in this for the long haul – not a one-and-done transaction.
Those “bricks” I mentioned are reviews. A strong reputation and proven track record in helping clients with either buying or selling property helps me show prospects that I’m the right choice. Going into each new client meeting I let them know right up front that there’s something I’m going to ask of you at the end of this transaction, once we find you a fantastic home or sell your fantastic home, is that I’m going to ask for a review of the service experience that I provided to you. The reviews serve as much more than an ego-boost. It’s that validation, helping to establish my credibility when I came into this so late in the game, to show that I am that real estate agent that you can count on to be there for you, long after our transaction has closed. And my reputation has remained very strong on that.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a huge believer in continuing education. Again, because I came to real estate from an entirely different career, I realized the importance of emerging myself into classes specific to certain areas of real estate that I wanted to specialize in. In the last five years, I have obtained designations as an ABR (Buyer Representative), SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist), PSA (Pricing Specialist), and a GRI (Graduate of the Realtors Institute) as a realtor who has gained in-depth knowledge on technical subjects as well as the fundamentals of real estate. Not just saying I do, but having the credentials to prove it. I have the tools and expertise to assist my target groups to reach their real estate goals.
Up until the past year, nearly all of my business comes from referrals and repeat customers. It’s about 40 percent referral, 40 percent repeat business with first-time and move up buyers, but recently I’ve expanded my reach to the other end of the buyer/seller spectrum. I am starting to lean towards the senior set. Frankly, that’s where I am. I wanted to understand it and help folks move through these difficult life-changing decisions. Currently, this is 20 percent of my business and it’s growing every day given the enormity of the boomer population.
What matters most to you? Why?
As I stated earlier, it’s very important to me that my clients know and trust that I’m here for them through every stage of their home selling and buying years. Staying in touch with them – watching their families grow and being there when it’s time to sell their first home and move up to the next. Nothing is more rewarding than when I get a “Hey, Kathryn” call or email from a past client – it always thrills me to be working with them again.
Contact Info:
- Email: KathrynPeters@EdinaRealty.com
- Website: www.edinarealty.com/kathryn-peters-realtor
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kathrynpeters7207
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/KathrynPetersEdinaRealty
- Twitter: twitter.com/peters_kpeters
Image Credits
jfuerst.com
