We’re proud of the team of agents we’ve assembled here at Nest Realty. We think they’re pretty awesome, and we think you will too. During our “Meet the Agent” series, we sit down with our agents to learn more about them, what makes them tick, and why they’re passionate about the real estate industry. In this installment, we chat with Kelly Griffin, a Realtor with Nest Realty in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Nest Realty: Tell us a bit about yourself! Where are you from? What brought you to Blacksburg?
Kelly Griffin: I was born in Queens, New York, but spent most of my childhood in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I moved to the New River Valley when my now husband came to Virginia Tech to finish his degree.
NR: How did you get into real estate?
KG: I have always been in careers based around helping people, but I wanted something that would allow me to have a more meaningful impact. I was also intrigued by the opportunity to build my own business and not be subject to the constraints of a nine to five position.
NR: What was your previous career? How has that prepared you for real estate?
KG: When I first graduated law school, I started working in healthcare law—specifically Medicare appeals. After realizing (quickly) that I was unhappy and unfulfilled, I considered going back to school. In the meantime, I worked in hospitality. I find myself using the skills I learned every day in real estate—specifically the ability to understand and explain contracts and the importance of deadlines, as well as a desire to help people have a positive experience.
NR: What led you to Nest Realty, as opposed to another brokerage?
KG: Nest has a completely different approach to real estate, with a focus on serving the client as opposed to being driven by sales volume and number of transactions. I wanted to be around like-minded agents and learn from the best.
NR: What is your favorite part of being an agent?
KG: Guiding clients through what is often a stressful and emotional process. Whether you are buying your first home or selling your home of 30 years, there are obstacles and lots of moving parts. My goal is to make it easier on my clients.
NR: Do you have a specific area of expertise to offer clients?
KG: I love working with first-time buyers! Helping people achieve the dream of homeownership is incredibly fun and rewarding!
NR: What makes you different from other agents? What sets you apart?
KG: I am not a typical “salesperson.” I will not push someone into a decision to buy or sell. My goal is to be transparent—providing clients with all the information they’ll need to make a decision and discussing the pros/cons of each possible outcome.
NR: What are five adjectives that describe you?
KG: Honest, diligent, detail-oriented, considerate, and responsive.
NR: Who would be your dream client?
KG: Mariano Rivera. Not only is he one of the greatest Yankees of all time, but he is also humble and gives back to the community.
NR: If you had one piece of advice for a first-time home buyer, what would it be?
KG: Don’t be afraid to ask questions—purchasing a home is a huge investment and likely a long-term decision. You have every right to know as much as possible about the process, the property, financing, etc.
NR: What is your favorite season in Blacksburg?
KG: Fall—the weather is perfect and the landscape is breathtaking.
Kelly is a Realtor with Nest Realty New River Valley. Kelly’s dedication and attention to detail, coupled with her experience in law and hospitality, allow her to provide exceptional service to her clients. To learn more about Kelly, visit her agent page.