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 agent Carolyn Kinneen, a Broker with Nest Realty in Durham, North Carolina.
Nest Realty: Tell us a bit about yourself! What brought you to Durham?
Carolyn Kinneen: We moved back to Durham from Alaska more than five years ago to be closer to family and because of the booming food and culture scene. My husband is a chef, and we really wanted our daughter to have all the advantages that Durham offers—a small town feel with so many cultural and family friendly activities—like the Eno State Park and the Nasher Museum. I’d worked in marketing and luckily, the transition was pretty easy! We just love the community here.
NR: How did you get into real estate?
CK: Real estate just clicked for me. I love bringing together the people and pieces to achieve my client’s goals. To me that’s what real estate is about, whether you are working with a seller or a buyer.
NR: What was your previous career? How has that prepared you for real estate?
CK: All of my work has been client centered. It’s demanded a high degree of listening to what a client really wants—the big picture—and making that happen seamlessly for them. Much of my work has been in marketing and events/production, where really anything can happen and you need to be detail oriented, creative, and great at problem solving. I’ve also been lucky enough to work in community planning and development for residential and mixed use communities. That work allowed me to become familiar with zoning, planning, and codes.
NR: What led you to Nest Realty, as opposed to another brokerage?
CK: The Adam Dickinson Team at Nest Realty is exceptionally high performing for clients and I love the client focus. But it was the values of authenticity, creativity, accountability, strong stewardship in our community, and humility that strongly resonated with me. Really, all the agents and staff are exceptional and the brokerage has created an amazing collaborative environment of success.
NR: What is your favorite part of being an agent?
CK: My favorite part of the process is taking my clients’ goals and putting together those pieces for them. It’s that middle flow where everything is happening and it just sings. However, getting those offers or having yours accepted is not bad either!
NR: What makes you different from other agents? What sets you apart?
CK: My ability to actively listen to my clients and keep that big picture in mind while I put the detailed pieces together for them.
NR: What are five adjectives that describe you?
CK: Focused, curious, tenacious, happy, and thankful.
NR: Who would be your dream client?
CK: My dream client would be Simone Biles. My daughter would think I was the coolest.
NR: If you had one piece of advice for a first-time home buyer, what would it be?
CK: Trust the process and don’t forget to breathe.
NR: What is your favorite season in Durham?
CK: Truly, my favorite season is whatever holiday is around the corner. I love a holiday, and Durham likes to celebrate.
NR: Can you share something surprising about yourself?
CK: I’m a mystery and crime nerd—books, film (old or new), TV, or podcast. I’m re-reading some of the Christies now for my book club, I just finished watching “Professor T,” and I’m bingeing “Crime Junkie” and “Anatomy of Murder.” My husband and daughter tease me mercilessly about it.
Carolyn Kinneen is an agent and Broker with Nest Realty Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill. She loves bringing together the people and pieces to achieve her clients’ goals. To learn more about Carolyn, visit her agent page.