Katie Larson enjoyed a long and successful career in airline management before a buyout opportunity allowed her to shift gears with an encore career. “I had always had a love for real estate,” she says. “That situation gave me the perfect opportunity to jump into it.” Katie has been in business for the past four years and works as a single agent. “But with a village of support staff!” Working throughout the Greater Long Beach CA area as well as Orange County and West LA, Katie has already built an impressive sales record and in only four years in business her repeat/referral rate is approaching 95%. She credits the personalized attention she gives each of her clients for her success. “Real estate isn’t about sales it’s about service,” she says. Katie also brings a lot of compassion to her home buyers. “Agents are dealing with buying and selling houses everyday but most people only do it a couple of times in their lives and it can be a very daunting prospect,” she explains. “So I really try to be an advocate for my clients and make the process as smooth as possible.”

Working in the corporate world for so many years, Katie acquired some excellent communication skills and that has proven to be a great asset in her real estate career. “A lot of agents don’t keep in touch enough while going through the process with clients or they are hard to reach,” she says. “That kind of thing wasn’t tolerated in the corporate atmosphere so I make a point to always be in touch. To me that’s part of giving exceptional service.” In fact Katie recently closed an escrow, saved an escrow, picked up a new buyer and took in a full price offer on one of her listings — all while vacationing in Hawaii! In addition Katie possesses a natural inner calm that also works to her benefit. “Even if a situation calls for me to be upset or excited I’m good at keeping my cool so my clients will not have to see that side of me,” she says with a smile. “Although other agents might have to. I am my clients’ advocate first and foremost.”

Katie’s dedication to great service can also be found in how she keeps in touch with her clients. She hosts multiple events every year including a summer Pool Party, a Thanksgiving Pie Party and trips to micro-breweries, comedy clubs and painting classes in between! Hosting events like these comes naturally to Katie as she’s been involved with quite a few local charities for many years. She serves on the board for Young Horizons Child Development Center and delivers Thanksgiving dinners for The Long Beach Basket Brigade as well as serving on the steering committee for Friends of Pathways among many others. “I try to be generous not just with my money but also my time,” she admits. In the near future, Katie intends to stay an individual agent and build her business by raising her price point rather than the number of units sold. Working smart allows her a little free time to enjoy the lifetime travel benefits she received from her buyout with the airline and she really adores vacationing with her husband. In only the past year they’ve been to Hawaii and Europe twice. “Our trips always involve scuba diving or wine tasting,” she says. “And preferably both!”

For more information on Katie Larson call 562-673-5335 or email katielarson@kw.com