Making Dreams Come True
Realtor Kymry Perez | Amanda C. Gregg photo (top photo courtesy Kymry Perez)
Realtor, Sleeping Giant Sotheby’s International Realty
How did you get started in this business and how long has it been going? I have been a Realtor with Sleeping Giant Sotheby’s International Realty for eight-plus years. I obtained my real estate license in 2004 while working full time as an executive assistant/project manager for a developer on the Eastside. Although I was happy where I was, the thought of working as a full-time Realtor was very appealing to me. Thinking about a flexible work schedule where I could set my own hours so I could work around my children’s extracurricular activities sounded great, not to mention the possibility of earning more money than I was currently making.
Where are you from originally, and what role does that play in your business? I was born and raised in Southern California. It was the hospitality industry that originally brought my family to Maui and later to Kaua’i more than 20 years ago, and I have been here ever since. I meet people every day who dream of spending more time on Kaua’i. Whether they dream about relocating, owning a vacation property or one day retiring here, I can relate to what they are feeling. Living and raising a family here was once my dream, which eventually came true, and I never take it for granted. I am beyond grateful for each day I get to wake up on this beautiful island.
What is your specialty? My alignment with the Sotheby’s International Realty brand provides me with powerful global connections and marketing resources through a network of more than 600 offices worldwide.
What sets your work apart? This business is about people first and foremost. Buying and selling real estate can be a very emotional experience for both the buyer and the seller, as they make some of the biggest decisions of their lives. I’m sensitive to this. I listen very carefully to my clients’ needs so that I can help them achieve their goals while facilitating a smooth and successful transaction every step of the way and beyond. I work very hard for my clients with the ultimate goal of not only meeting their expectations, but exceeding them. When it comes to getting a property sold, I implement a creative and thorough marketing strategy for all my listings that includes local resources and the wide array of tools available to me through the Sotheby’s International network. I am committed to the essential principles of honesty, integrity, confidentiality, personal attention and exceptional service. I like my clients to feel like they are my only client. The bulk of my business comes from referrals, and many clients have become my good friends.
What is your business plan for the future? I will continue to work hard, provide excellent service, and expand my client base through traditional means such as networking and referrals, while tapping into new opportunities that are available through the growth of social media and mainstream media. I recently finished filming my second episode of HGTV’s House Hunters, which is scheduled to air soon. This new episode was filmed on the South Shore and follows a family from Canada as they search for a vacation home that they one day hope to retire to.
What motivates you to get up and go to work every day? The curiosity and excitement of what the new day will bring, and the people and relationships I’ve made. Kaua’i is such a beautiful and special place, but it is the people who make it so beautiful and special.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing? As a former Pan Am flight attendant, I’d have to say I’d probably be back where I started many years ago working as a flight attendant for an international airline, getting paid to fly around the world. I know the industry has changed dramatically since my flying days, but they say once you have jet fuel in your blood it never goes away … and I think that’s true.
Do you have a business motto or philosophy? That’s simple, and I think it is something that any business owner should follow: the golden rule or ethic of reciprocity, which is essentially to treat others as you wish to be treated. It is my priority to provide my clients with the highest level of professional service and local market knowledge combined with lots of aloha, always.
What is the most challenging aspect of your business? Soon after I took the leap into this industry, the real estate bubble burst and the economy took one of the largest downturns we have seen in decades. I like to think of myself as a problem solver because quite often that’s what we are doing is looking for ways to solve problems or overcome challenges. I try to view every challenge as an opportunity. It’s an opportunity for me to put my skills to work in a way that will benefit my client and bring a positive resolution to the situation. Most importantly, I assure them that I will work diligently to protect their interests.
Where can people learn more? My website is Kymry.com, which includes a state-of-the-art MLS search feature, blog, links to my social media accounts, and other helpful information including the latest market statistics. I can be reached by phone at 635-1490 or email at Kymry@Kymry.com, or stop by my office anytime at Sleeping Giant Sotheby’s International Realty, 4480 Ahukini Road in the old dispensary building, where the huge false kamani tree is in the parking lot.
