Who's that Gal: Katherine Donahue, Realtor and Partner at Greene Properties Group
Name: Katherine Donahue
Pronouns: she/her
Age: 30 years old
Occupation: Realtor® and Partner at Greene Properties Group, Compass
Currently living in: Back Bay
Hometown: Weston, MA
Currently reading: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Favorite wellness ritual: Running
I never leave home without: A jacket or sweater - I hate being cold!
Let’s start with the basics. What drew you to a career in real estate?
I grew up in a real estate family, so my interest in real estate started at an early age, rooted in my family’s multi-generational real estate development and management firm. Real estate had always been something that was discussed at home - and still is!
I distinctly remember when I was about 10 years old, my father’s business purchased the lot next door to the home I grew up in. As a kid, I thought it was so cool to have the chance to observe and explore firsthand the new home construction process from start to finish - and even cooler that my new neighbors would eventually move into and live in a house that my family had built for them.
Fast-forward 15 years, when I was just getting started in real estate as an agent, one of the very first transactions I was involved in was assisting in the sale of that same house my father’s business had built years prior. It was one of those purely serendipitous, full-circle moments. It served as a great reminder to me that my career in real estate allows me to work in an industry that has always been close to my heart.
What does working as a Boston area realtor mean to you? What are the areas you like most about your job?
I really enjoy my role as a realtor in the Greater Boston area - it’s fast-paced and fun, and I feel extremely grateful to get to work with stellar clients and some of the area’s top real estate professionals.
When I boil it down, I think of myself as wearing two hats as an agent… On the one hand, the home selling and buying process is a transaction. Meaning that part of my job is tactical; the goal being to negotiate the best price and terms for my clients. To that end, it is important to me that I continue my education and training as an agent, ensuring that I am staying in front of market trends and my career development.
The other significant part of my role, however, is tapping into the personal and emotional side of a home sale. Whether you are looking to buy or to sell, the idea of “home” can be deeply personal and intimate, extending far beyond the transaction. The sellers I work with are often parting with the home that has housed their family for decades and holds years of cherished memories. Similarly, my buyer clients (many of which are first-time home buyers) are looking for a place where they can finally put down roots and build a life with their loved ones. I don’t take it lightly, therefore, when clients invite me into their home sale or search process.
At its core, my approach is rooted in truly caring about people and their journey home.
I strive to approach my job with equal parts professionalism and warmth, acting as both an advisor and an advocate for my clients.
What are some of the challenges you face during a typical day?
Every day as an agent brings its own set of challenges and obstacles - just like in any other profession. When the unexpected comes up, which it inevitably does, I like to remind myself of the same thing I remind my clients, and that is: “Everything is fixable.” (I find myself saying this a lot particularly during home inspections!)
I’m the type of person who would much rather focus on finding a creative solution to the problem than on the problem itself. That’s one of the reasons why I recommend sellers and buyers work with a real estate agent - we have the experience, expertise, resources, and relationships to problem-solve for you. At the end of the day, my goal is to reduce the amount of stress my clients feel when challenges arise by providing my clients with a valuable understanding of their options and empowering them to make sound decisions.
With many individuals working in the real estate space, what is some advice you could give to aspiring realtors to help them stand out?
Be yourself. There’s a lot of noise out there targeted at real estate agents on how agents can grow their business, and when you’re first starting out in the industry, it can be overwhelming at times. Just remember - you’re the only one of you out there, so leverage your unique experiences and abilities to show the people you want to work with what you bring to the table as an agent. That’s a big piece of what my team at Greene Properties Group emphasizes to our brand new agents.
My advice is to get really clear on what feels authentic to you and then execute on those habits and tactics to the best of your ability every day.
What does your typical day look like?
Real estate is one of those industries where there is no ‘typical day.’ That being said, I have found that keeping up a routine, particularly an organized morning and evening schedule, allows me to be more flexible and respond more effectively when the unexpected inevitably comes up.
So, barring any unforeseen events, my typical day usually entails waking up at 5:30 AM and starting the day with some coffee, meditation, a short yoga flow and gratitude journaling. After that, I’ll either run on the Peloton or walk the Esplanade with a friend, client, or colleague. Next, I take Henry, my 7-month old cockapoo, to Carleton Dog Park as I listen to a podcast or call to check-in on family. After Henry’s had some time to play, it’s back home for breakfast and a shower before sitting down at the computer to check-in on my clients, catch up on emails, and review my schedule and To-Do list for the day.
From there, the majority of the day could entail any number of activities… attending showings, home inspections or closings for my seller and buyer clients, grabbing coffee with a past client to catch up, connecting with my team to touch-base on our current deals, attending a Brokers’ Open House to preview new inventory, calling my favorite mortgage lenders and real estate attorneys to swap insights on the current market, attending a real estate certification course, writing and submitting an offer for a buyer client, negotiating an offer on behalf of a seller client... The list goes on, and every day is different - part of why I find my job to be so much fun!
When I’m able to make it back home, I’ll take Henry out for his evening walk. Next, it’s dinnertime - either cooked at home or out with a friend to explore one of the city’s new restaurants. I’ll wrap-up any client loose-ends and make my To-Do list for the following day. Before bed, I like to wind down by reading (I try to read at least 10 pages every day) or doing some crafting, such as knitting or needlepoint (currently I’m working on a needlepoint luggage tag). And then lights out at 9:30 PM.
How do you balance your career and your personal life?
I have found it helpful to redefine the concept of “work-life balance” as “work-life integration” - I don’t see work as being separate from life, but an integral part of the many elements that make up one’s life.
Building and maintaining strong relationships has always been something that’s been really fulfilling for me on a personal level. I love that I’m in a career, therefore, that affords me the opportunity to focus on my relationships with others. For example, this past spring I helped a close friend from high school and her husband find their dream home in the same town she and I grew up in. In this way, my career isn’t entirely separate from my personal life and that’s actually a big part of why I find it to be so rewarding. I mean...how cool is it to be in a role that allows me to assist a friend in finding the home that she’ll start her family in? I think there’s something so special about that.
I see you give your time to The Junior League of Boston and WGIRLS Boston. What does your volunteering look like for these organizations and how has that impacted your growth and development?
I feel very fortunate to have found both The Junior League of Boston and WGIRLS Boston, both of which are organizations committed to promoting volunteerism in and around the Greater Boston community. As a Boston College graduate and former teacher, acting in service to others has always been an important piece of who I am and something I continue to integrate into my life. This year, I am excited to take on more responsibility in both of these groups as I step into the roles of Social Events Chair of The Junior League and President of WGIRLS Boston.
What’s next for Greene Properties Group? What’s next for you personally?
Currently, the Greene Properties Group team and I are gearing up for the fall market, one of busier times of the year. We are continuing to work with our seller, buyer, investor, and developer clients and are in the process of taking on new clients for the fall season. For those thinking about selling or buying either now or in the future, Greene Properties Group currently has experienced agents in Boston, Cambridge and the surrounding markets, Metrowest, South Shore, North Shore and the Cape and islands.
As for me, the thing I’m probably most looking forward to right now is an upcoming trip to Nashville with two of my best girlfriends. This will be my first time traveling in what feels like forever! I’m excited to enjoy time with friends and listen to a lot of live country music. It will be a great way to close out the summer before returning to Boston and diving into the fall market!
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Heather Finn is a clinical social worker living and working in North Carolina. You can follow Heather on Twitter @heatherlynnsw.
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