Kimberlee Martin

Tell us about what you do.

I’m a licensed real estate agent/advisor and have been in business for 30+ years with experience in residential properties, including vacant land, bank-owned, and senior living properties located in and around the southern foothills and Denver metro areas. I serve both buyers and sellers, and my goal is to make a friend after it is all finished so that they trust me as their real estate advisor and will refer me to their friends and family.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

My real estate career started in the loan department at a bank, and it was a natural progression for me to continue on and get my real estate license. I’ve stayed in it because of the flexibility, allowing me to schedule my time to be with my aging parents, children, and grandchildren’s school and activities schedule.

Real estate is a popular career field to get into, but many are unprepared for the realities of being your own boss. What’s your advice for those just getting started?

My advice to agents entering a real estate career is to hire an industry-specific coach i.e.: Ninja Selling or Brian Buffini. Set up a database and systems. Get professional photography done for all your marketing. Join a company that has a broker that will support you in all scenarios, teach you and keep you up-to-date with all the ongoing changes in the real estate world. Be sure you have a buffer of money until your first deal. When you get a commission, set aside funds for taxes, retirement, and expenses. Do this after every closing. Thirdly, have fun with your career and reach out to experienced veterans for help and advice.

What are some lessons you’ve learned as a solo-preneur?

There have been many! Everyone should hire a tax accountant or CPA to help with their bookkeeping. Be sure to schedule your time to work AND play. Schedule the vacations first! As someone in my industry, it’s easy to work 24/7 and not allow yourself downtime. Even with this lesson, I must remind myself that it’s okay to have days off. Rest is a required part of work! Being self-employed is the best kind of job. You can pick and choose who you work with, and you get to make many of the rules. You can make as much or as little money as you like. It all depends on how hard you choose to work!

At the end of your career, what is the legacy that you hope to leave behind?

When I retire, I hope that the community and the clients I have served will remember me as someone who cared and who was honest. That I cared about their outcome. I truly hope that I have made a difference in the lives that I have touched.

What’s next? Do you have any exciting ambitions for the future?

Retirement is the next step, and what’s most exciting about it is the travel adventures we have planned. My husband and I have grandchildren in Colorado and Australia. We are excited to explore areas with those here in the USA and explore Australia with the grandchildren there. We also plan to make a trip to New Zealand. However, there is a lot in the USA that we have not experienced either, and we are looking forward to more fishing, camping, and just taking time to explore and travel various areas without work-related obligations.

Kimberlee Martin is a Realtor with RE/Max Professionals, serving the Denver metro and southern foothills areas. She can be reached at hometocolorado.com.

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