Sarah Balestri and Kate Buckley are neighbors in southwest Minneapolis, living less than a block from one another near Lake Harriet. They’re also both local real estate agents with a passion for Lakes Area living. It’s a scenario begging for some neighborhood drama…but these two are Minnesota Nice, born and raised. Rather than wrestling over the area they love, Sarah and Kate have made the choice to team up on behalf of the whole community.
“It made a lot of sense to join forces,” Sarah told us. “We’re both big cheerleaders for the Lakes Area, and it’s easy to sell what you love. Between the two of us, we have over 27 years of combined real estate experience. We know what we’re doing, and we can lean on each other to provide the best possible service to our clients. Having four hands instead of two makes a huge difference! One of us is always available to help out a client.”
Sarah, who has been in the real estate industry for over 20 years, has a wealth of experience which is invaluable to their clients. Kate, in addition to seven years in the real estate business, holds a CPA and an MBA. That education and her 25+ years in corporate America gave Kate the tools to overcome any buying or selling obstacle, no matter how complex.
Together, Sarah and Kate work out of the Coldwell Banker Realty Minneapolis Lakes Office, offering the unparalleled personal touch that comes with being extremely passionate about and familiar with the neighborhoods and community they serve. “It’s nice to be able to say that we live in the area and love it,” says Sarah. “It gives us another layer of credibility. We appreciate the walkability, access to parks, shops, schools, and cafes. We know where to find anything.”
If you think you love Lake Harriet more than these two, think again. Kate’s Welsh terrier “Harriet” serves as their team mascot. “Harriet has been charming neighbors around her namesake lake for over eight years now. She’s a 22-pound force of nature. She thinks she’s a celebrity. And she’s not wrong!” Celeb or not, Harriet is the adorable symbol of this team’s deep connection to the place they call home. And in an industry all about connecting people to places and homes, that connection goes a long way.
“The importance of home is tremendous and being able to help people find that feeling means everything to me,” says Sarah. Kate agrees, “I really value the sense of place and the importance of having your home as your castle. I’m all about helping people find their sanctuary.”
Kate continues, “buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial (and emotional) events of your life. It’s essential that clients trust that we are looking out for their best interests. When I represent someone, they come first, and they know it.” Sarah adds, “we’re both very hardworking. Our clients know the lengths we’ll go to get the job done. If something needs doing we’ll either refer it, arrange it, assist with it, or get ‘er done ourselves.”
In addition to their personal commitment and professional experience, Sarah and Kate have the global resources of Coldwell Banker backing them up. “The blue Coldwell Banker sign is meaningful in our neighborhood,” says Kate. “It stands for quality and integrity and that’s what we stand for, too. Through Coldwell Banker, properties can be marketed anywhere and everywhere. “We have a sizable luxury wing of the company that broadcasts our listings all over the world,” Sarah explains. “And we’re prominent in the local market too. Our properties are featured on every search portal, and the brand’s marketing appears in every ad channel.”
A big focus for Sarah and Kate is getting the best possible price for their clients. This is done by showing homes in the best possible light. Getting a home ready for sale can be a daunting task, but this team’s goal is to take some of that burden off, so that home sellers can realize the best possible return. If cash is an issue, Coldwell Banker has a program where they will pay for repairs upfront, and sellers reimburse that cost at closing.
“It’s a much better deal than those newer agencies that utilize an ‘instant offer’ business model,” says Kate. With a little guidance and some small changes, anyone can increase the profit margin on their home. Don’t give that opportunity away.”
To find out how this dedicated Lakes Area team can assist you with your real estate needs, contact Sarah at 612-590-7703 or call Kate at 612-817-7554.
