Meet Katie Rosenquist

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Rosenquist.

Hi Katie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was raised around the Real Estate business! I’m a fifth-generation Realtor so I think it truly is in my genes. Growing up in Minnesota, I witnessed my Grandpa and Father actively sell real estate… I remember helping my dad with Open Houses and always asking questions about what he was up to! I moved to Arizona to attend Arizona State University, where I first majored in Architecture. I quickly learned that wasn’t for me and had a few other endeavors before graduating from W.P. Carey School of Business with a major in Marketing and International Business. After a quick stint in the corporate world, I realized that I did in-fact, want to pursue Residential Real Estate. I attended Arizona School of Real Estate in Scottsdale and became a full-time Realtor in 2012 – I’ve never looked back! I am a huge believer in work-life balance and never disguise who I am to my clients!

I truly believe that the best work comes from being your authentic self – who I am in life mirrors who I am in business, and vice versa. I am married to my colleague sweetheart and Scottsdale-native, Scott. We live in McCormick Ranch with our 5-year old pup Moe (she is the light of our lives!) I love being active, love being outdoors, and love supporting the incredible local businesses we have right at our fingertips here in The Valley. I am passionate about food and love cooking – chopping and dicing is my kind of therapy! Traveling also plays a large role in who I am – I love experiencing new places, cultures and lifestyles. Although our international travel plans were canceled in 2020, I had the opportunity to do a road trip from Arizona back to my home state of Minnesota and back – and plan to do so every summer going forward! Such a fun way to see different parts of our beautiful country!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’m not sure that Residential Real Estate is ever a smooth, linear career path (haha!) – but I can say that I’ve truly enjoyed every step of the way! When I first got into the business, I was on a team at Realty Executives, where I focused primarily on the residential rental market. This was such a fantastic way to learn the business and build future buyer and seller clientele. In 2014 I decided to join a boutique brokerage and transitioned into residential resale. I continued to learn so much from my peers and teammates and truly loved the tight-knit community the brokerage had created. In 2015 I decided to make the move to HomeSmart Elite Group, where I still hang my license today. Over the years, I have built a referral-based business, and HomeSmart has been the perfect fit! The Real Estate business will always throw you curveballs – whether it’s market-related, a difficult transaction, or figuring out a healthy work-life balance. I think the trick is to learn how to best-manage the highs and lows, never be afraid to ask for help, and to always keep a positive attitude! Nothing – whether good or bad – lasts forever!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am outgoing, energetic and approach the business with a people-first attitude; there is nothing I love more than finding the perfect home for my clients. Because of my referral-based approach, I work with a number of friends and clients that become friends throughout the home selling, buying or renting experience. I don’t take my role lightly, and am eternally grateful for each of every client that trusts me in helping them achieve their real estate goals. As we know, home sales and purchases can happen for a number of reasons – marriage, divorce, a growing family, a job change – the list goes on and on. I pride myself in getting to know each of my clients and really understanding their goals, needs and timeline. When you work with me, you get an agent whose enthusiasm and passion for real estate are matched only by my tenacity and dedication to getting the job done! I’ve been fortunate enough to build my business over the past nine years and am proud to say that in 2020 I was recognized as being in the top 1% of all HomeSmart Agents nationwide (over 20,000 Realtors).

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Covid-19 threw us all for a loop! When the crisis began, Open Houses came to a halt and many clients were putting their searches (and listings) on hold. After some time had passed, the sentiment changed greatly. Many people that were in rental properties or condo complexes realized their desires of space that they could call their own. Working from home had become the norm, and people’s needs and wants were shifting. As interest rates continued to lower, affordability became an even greater reality for first-time homebuyers and those that wanted to “move up.” Fast forward to the second half, and specifically the last quarter of 2020, and the market started getting extremely active! Inventory continues to be low, as well as interest rates, and the demand is sky high! Not only are locals desiring a change – whether location-driven, desiring different property features, etc. – but we’ve also seen a large influx of homebuyers from out-of-state. With our incredibly desirable weather, community amenities, cost of living and overall way of life, several buyers from other locales have decided to make a permanent or part-time move to The Valley of the Sun!

Contact Info:

• Email: KatieSellsArizona@gmail.com
• Website: www.KatieSellsArizona.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/katie_rosenquist
• Other: www.zillow.com/profile/AZRealtorKatie/

Image Credits
Meredith Comfort, Eric Kruk

 

What to check out next:
Aleasha Bahr is a sales & marketing strategist known for showing introverts and ambiverts the Secret Art of Subtle Selling.  She personally sold millions in revenue while discovering introverts are usually top sales people – as soon as they stop trying to act like extroverts.  We’ve partnered with her to produce Introverted Entrepreneur Success Stories. Check out episode 1 below: