Meet Kaylee Harrigan | Realtor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaylee Harrigan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaylee, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk taking has been a big part of my life. I didn’t necessarily plan for it to be that way but, the path I chose for my life made it so. I have always had a curious and wondering heart, often choosing adventure and risk over safety and stability. The biggest risk I’ve taken was moving to San Diego 3 years ago.

I am originally from Buffalo, New York and decided to move to San Diego after graduating college, also in Upstate New York, on sort of a whim. I didn’t know anyone in San Diego, I had no job or apartment lined up, all I knew was that I wanted a change and a little more sunshine than the Buffalo sky typically allows. I set a savings goal and a move date and then, just left. It felt strange, leaving. Leaving my home for a place so unknown felt like jumping off a cliff and never hitting the ground. I was falling, and I fell for a long time. But, the thing about risk-taking for me is that there is some sort of plan, a series of expectations to achieve- all you have to do is put one foot in front of the other and keep going. So that’s what I did, I found an apartment, I found a source of income, I found some friends. One step at a time. Eventually, falling seemed to feel like stumbling on solid ground. I had reached solid ground, I was “making it”. The process was rough and relentless, my apartment not coming until my Airbnb was ending, not getting a new job until my savings was spent, new friends not showing up until after I felt completely alone. Risk taking is not an easy choice, and maybe an even harder process once the choice is made. But, for me, choosing risk is choosing life. It’s choosing experience, and life-lessons, its knowing hard times to really revel in the good stuff. And so, when the world told us to stop and restart with the Global Pandemic, I didn’t surprise myself by choosing risk again.

I had been trying to find a job in marketing and PR for the past few years but nothing ever seemed to work out. I felt like the industry well telling me to try something else. Then in March 2020, practically everyone in the service industry was laid off, including myself. So I decided to reassess and chose to take another leap of faith- start a career in Real Estate. As I had done before, I focused on taking it one step at a time. Completing one goal and then the next- Take the courses, pass the exam, pay my dues, join a team, keep learning. And here we are stumbling on solid ground again. I am still a new agent with a lot ahead of me and a lot to learn but, I know things will get easier and I will make it, just like I did 3.5 years ago, moving here. Taking risks has made me a stronger person and is what has led me to becoming the person I am supposed to be. Even though choosing risks can be extremely scary, I would chose it again and again.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Professionally, it took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do. I graduated with a BA in Communication which, I felt, allowed for a wide variety of options when looking for a job. I tried to go the marketing and public relations direction and hit job search websites hard. After months and months of interviews that ended up in disinterest from my side or theirs, I realized I didn’t want these jobs anyway. I needed to reassess. I needed to get back to the core of my wants and needs. I had never wanted an office job and I always wanted to help people on a personal level. PR & marketing wasn’t going to allow me to do those things, but what could? I thought again of the things I truly love and I thought of home, the memories of making home, my passion for designing and decorating my home, and seeing other people’s home-what they love and how they live. That is what lead me to real estate.

Now that I’ve been working in the industry for a little while, I know I made the right choice. Being a real estate agent is the perfect job for me. I love it. I think that is what really sets me apart. I love helping my clients and building relationships that last a lifetime. I am not in it for one transaction, I am in it to build a relationship and help them accomplish their goals and that brings me so much joy. My clients have always felt satisfied with the service I provide and how I keep them informed and educated every step of the way. I never leave anyone hanging, my clients can call, text, or email me whenever and I will be there, no questions asked. You have to put in the work to get rewarded in this industry, but if you love the work its all worth it. I think of my clients as friends and I will do anything to help them build wealth, accomplish goals, and set them up for success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have friends come visit me in San Diego all the time (being from Buffalo and all). So, I have some experience with itineraries. The first thing I always make sure to do is the Ocean Beach Farmer’s Market on Wednesday. It is a huge farmers market with so many options to take home and to eat right there. There are vendors of all shapes and sizes and everyone is super friendly. Plus, the party doesn’t stop when the market is over. A block down, in the grassy area by the beach you’ll find fire artists, acro-yogis, slackliners and a drum circle I’ve never heard stop. It is truly a magical experience and one that is quintessential So-Cal, especially to out of state visitors. I always try to make a stop at Balboa Park to check out the botanical gardens and some of the museums. Old Town is also one of my favorite stops. I go to Old Town Cafe during happy hour for cheap margs and tacos, then take a stroll through the shops and perhaps take a tour through the haunted Whaley House. Of course, you have to have a beach day with visitors and I like Ocean Beach’s Dog Beach the best. Its like your stumbled upon doggy heaven. Its a must see.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my friends and family, without them I surely wouldn’t be where I am today. I truly feel so lucky to have such amazing parents who allowed me to take risks and raised me to handle them, grandparents who offer wisdom and grace, aunts and uncles who inspire adventure and selflessness, and friends who are role models, bold, thoughtful, and unwavering in their support. My friends and family do all this with laughter and love at the core. They remind me to not take things too seriously and to do what you love. Their constant and unbridled support has kept me going through each leap of faith and every hard day. They are always there to give me a pep-talk, a shoulder to lean on, and a hand to hold. They have inspired me through their own personal achievement to do hard things and be myself proudly. They have stood by my side every step of the way and I could not be more grateful to have these special people in my life. Some are the family I was born with, some are the family I chose, neither I would change. I am beyond blessed just to know these people and I get to call them my family.

Website: https://kayleeharrigan-southerncalifornia.sites.cbmoxi.com/

Instagram: @kayleeharriganrealty

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylee-harrigan-7b1466a7/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaylee.harrigan.7/