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June, 2007

'Clients First' — A Motto To Work By

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"Every day is different. I can't wait to start my day to see what's in store," says San Francisco Realtor Katharine Holland who's celebrating five years in business. "Everyone says to do what you love and the success will follow. I just want everyone to know that's true."


Named one of the Coldwell Banker's Top 100 Agents in the Bay Area, Holland beat out 4,300 local agents for this honor with more than $20 million in sales annually. Her success? It may be equal parts passion and expertise.

"I'm used to complex topics," says Holland, who has 14 years of marketing and public relations at the vice president level for clients ranging from hospitals, physicians, biotech, high-tech and the State Supreme Court. "When it comes to negotiating the intricacies of real estate — landlord-tenant issues, building codes, zoning and permits, architecture, interior design and construction — I am up for the challenge."

It took Holland awhile to get up the courage to take the leap into self-employment as a realtor. "Whenever I met a realtor, I was jealous. I knew I wanted to be one, too," she remembers. "But starting my own business was like jumping off a cliff with no regular paycheck or paid health benefits. It was the scariest and the best thing I ever did for myself."

With the success of her business, Holland has had time to get involved with the community, cofounding a sailing team by recruiting 30 sailors and competing in the 2002 Sydney Gay Games. She has also been writing a "Business Briefs" column in the Bay Area Reporter newspaper in San Francisco for two years. But she attributes her success to thinking of her clients first, and doing what's best for them. "'I love my work — and you will, too' is my official slogan. I also call myself the 'hugging realtor.' I give clients a lot of hugs for support!"
Katharine Holland is located at Coldwell Banker at 2355 Market Street, San Francisco. Contact her at (415) 437-4588, email , or visit khsf@att.net.
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