An award-winning real estate professional Kathy May-Martin boasts over three decades of experience in the real estate industry. Her affiliation with Jim Henry’s Firm, which has been in business for over 50 years, was driven by strong recommendations and the firm’s established reputation as a trustworthy name in the field.
Upon joining, Kathy facilitated the firm’s association with Coldwell Banker, a renowned real estate franchise. This strategic move aimed to leverage the trusted Coldwell Banker brand, providing the office with national and international exposure. Additionally, aligning with Coldwell Banker equipped the team with essential tools and resources, ensuring their ability to thrive in the dynamic and technology-driven real estate business landscape.
A Legacy of Trust and Excellence
Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, founded in 1906, has built its business philosophy on a commitment to professionalism and customer service. As the nation’s oldest real estate company, Coldwell Banker has played a key role in turning the dream of homeownership into a reality for millions of families. Founded on a foundation of trust and comprehensive training, Coldwell Banker provides its affiliates with the best tools in the real estate business, empowering them to not only thrive but also surpass competitors in any market.
“Whether you’re a first-time buyer or moving up to your dream home, Coldwell Banker’s website, coldwellbanker.com, provides a convenient starting point with 24/7 access to information on properties for sale and connections with experienced and professional sales agents. The knowledge and experience of Coldwell Banker affiliated real estate agents guide clients through the entire real estate process, offering support before, during, and after the sale.”
The Coldwell Banker culture is rooted in a remarkable legacy, characterized by a proven track record. At Coldwell Banker Jim Henry & Assoc, the vision is centered around continual growth and adaptation to the evolving landscape of both the real estate industry and customer needs. The firm aims to proactively anticipate changes, positioning itself to offer customers a comprehensive and seamless experience. The overarching goal is to evolve into a one-stop-shop, catering to all aspects of real estate needs and providing unparalleled service to clients.
Prioritizing Growth and Excellence in Leadership
As a woman leader, Kathy emphasizes the importance of continuous personal and professional growth. She firmly believes that if she stops growing, it’s a signal for her to consider making an exit. Kathy feels a sense of responsibility to her organization, acknowledging that constant evolution and the pursuit of better ways to conduct business and lead are essential. She sees complacency as an indicator of an organization in decline and stresses the significance of a strong work ethic and ongoing training in today’s work environment.
Advocating Equal Opportunities for ALL
Kathy’s aspirations for improvement encompass creating a level playing field for everyone in society, emphasizing the need for equal opportunities and fairness. In the real estate industry, she expresses a desire for enhanced training for newer agents to better serve their clients, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and professionalism. Additionally, Kathy advocates for more family time with fewer distractions and less noise from technology, recognizing the value of fostering meaningful connections in our busy and sometimes chaotic world.
Recognition for Excellence
Kathy has been recognized for her excellence in the industry through features on magazine covers, including Top100 People in Real Estate Magazine, Top Agent Tennessee Magazine, Best in Real Estate Magazine, and Top Executive Magazine. Kathy is also a best-selling author, known for “The Essential Guide to Buying and Selling Homes.”
As the owner and managing broker of Coldwell Banker Jim Henry & Associates, Kathy has led the firm for over three decades with a strong work ethic, commitment to service, and attention to detail. Her clients appreciate her for making the real estate process easy, and she has closed thousands of properties, billing multimillions.
Based in the East Tennessee Area, Kathy is renowned for her market knowledge and dedication to clients and agents alike. She is a constant force in the industry, known for her problem-solving capacity and execution skills. Despite her numerous accolades, Kathy remains actively involved in the communities she serves, participating in boards and committees.
Kathy’s impact extends beyond her local community, as evidenced by her Amazon bestselling book on real estate sales. She continues to contribute to the real estate field, with her second book set to be released in the Summer of 2023.
Empowering Women in Real Estate
Kathy, drawing from her extensive experience in real estate, believes that women have more opportunities to grow today than ever before. She sees a positive shift in the recognition and respect for women as leaders, acknowledging their valuable skill sets. Kathy emphasizes that women can effectively multitask, balancing family priorities with work priorities, and contributing significant value to organizations based on merit rather than merely filling a quota.
Insights on Hiring Strategies and Adapting to Change
When hiring new team members, Kathy emphasizes the importance of several key traits, including work ethic, communication and listening skills, honesty, integrity, life balance, a willingness to learn, and the dedication to invest time in growing and building a business with adaptability to change. She also highlights technology as the most significant change in the industry, requiring constant adaptation and learning to stay proficient with the tools available.
Managing Risks and Shaping the Future
Kathy identifies one of the greatest risks in the real estate business as the need to spend money to make money, especially when there is no past history to guide the decision. Despite the inherent risk, she acknowledges the importance of taking calculated risks. Additionally, she discusses the management’s view on the future of Coldwell Banker, which involves expanding real estate services and reaching into new communities that are not currently served.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
