Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Dunn.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kari. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My current journey and the newest chapter in my life started four years ago. I got divorced at the age of 39, after 13 years of marriage and two daughters, who were seven and ten years old at the time. I had been a stay at home mom since my oldest daughter was born. The separation happened rather suddenly, and emotionally it ended up taking me some time to figure out and focus on what my next steps would be.
I did not have a degree of any kind. I took some Kinesiology courses at a Community College for a year. Personal training was my first thought as I was an avid tennis player at the time, but the concepts did not really click with me, so I kept searching for a better fit. I needed to find a paying job until I figured out what to do next. My partner had a friend who owned a really cool small business in Oceanside. The owner needed someone to come in and manage and jump-start her business again. I could not be more excited or honored! The commute was awful though, an hour and a half each day at best, and the pay not great. But this was my first introduction back into the working world and I was so thankful for the opportunity. I realized early on that the job would not and could not work long term, and I decided that I wanted to pursue a career as a real estate agent. I don’t remember how that idea came to be. But it fits every criterion I was looking for: something that had the potential to pay well, the ability to start rather quickly, it seemed like something I would enjoy, and most importantly it had the flexibility I was looking for that would allow me the time I wanted to spend with my daughters.
Working 30+ hours a week, and commuting so much proved to be quite a deterrent when it came to studying for my California Real Estate exam. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, even if you can’t see it right away. But in this case, it became apparent pretty quickly. At the end of the month is April 2019, after almost a year and a half at the job in Oceanside, the owner had to let me go, for her own personal reasons. It was a complete surprise, but also the best thing that could have happened to me. I spent the next two months studying for my exam full time. On July 11, I left the testing building with my sealed envelope containing my test results inside, in my hand, and tears, that I had no control over, streaming down my face. The sheer relief of completing that was overwhelming. When I got to my car, I sat for a second, thinking of how everything I had been through, and all of the decisions I had made over the past four years brought me right to where I sat that day. I opened the envelope and I cried more, this time tears of joy. Having accomplished what I put my mind to was a very proud moment. It gave me the confidence to tackle what was next. Get a job! I spent three weeks interviewing different brokerages, all were great experiences. I finally landed with the Keller Williams San Diego Metro office as my new home away from home.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The most surprising thing to me about Real Estate agents, as a profession, is that for most people, it is a second or third career. Realtors have an average age of 50. I wish I had thought of this career-long ago. I am currently working on a transaction, and the agent on the other side started when she was 19 years old. Now, she has been a Realtor for 36 years and has a fantastic book of business! I just think, WOW, she was so smart to do that! If either of my daughters wants to explore the possibility of becoming a Real Estate agent I would absolutely encourage it. I also know that so many brokerages have high numbers of very successful women working in them. The income potential, especially in a place like San Diego, is limitless. It does typically take a few years to build your contacts and get to a place where referrals are coming in. But for me, the journey there will be interesting and hopefully fun! I’m looking forward to it!
Please tell us about Agent Kari – San Diego Real Estate Professional.
Real Estate Agents are not much different than other service providers you trust with your financial investments. We are educated and have a duty to do what is in the best interest of our clients. But unfortunately, sometimes we get a bad rap. So I plea that the biggest take-away to readers of this article is to know that not all real estate agents are created equal. A good realtor, like myself, truly has the client’s best interest at heart. Working with first time home buyers is especially rewarding to me because a lot of the time these buyers don’t think owning a home is even remotely possible. Helping buyers to stop throwing away their hard-earned money on rent, and to instead invest that money in a home, is the ultimate reward for me. What I think my clients appreciate most about how I conduct my business is that I am not a “salesy” agent. Instead, I supply my clients with facts and information so they can make the decision that will work best for them and their families. I am about to close escrow next week with a client who never thought she would be able to buy a home. The trust my clients have in me is an honor. Homeownership is not just an American dream, it is also a smart, financial investment in your future. I love my job and I love helping individuals and families who want to buy, sell or invest, all over San Diego.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
I think we live in a day and age where not only women but minorities as well, have more opportunities to be successful. It may not be completely ideal yet, but we are moving forward as a society. Women need to know their worth. That strength will carry them through obstacles that are bound to come along in any business. The most important thing for me to do as a mother of two daughters is to not just tell them how to be a strong woman, but show them. They make me want to be a better person and make this world a better place for them. Sometimes I don’t always think they are watching or listening, but then every once in a while they will say something or write something, that lets me know that my actions are not going unnoticed. I wholeheartedly believe they can do anything they want to do and be anything they want to be. I feel that way about all women. Social media has really brought to life more opportunities for women in the business, fitness and fashion industries. That has been so great to see. This is 2019, a woman can be whatever she wants to be!
Contact Info:
- Address: Keller Williams San Diego Metro
2250 Fourth Street, Floor 1
San Diego, Ca 92101 - Website: agentkari.com
- Phone: 858-229-4218
- Email: agentkarisd@gmail.com
- Instagram: @agent.kari
- Facebook: @agentkarisd
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