About Kate Phillips

Kate

Agent Details

Email: kate@katephillipshomes.com

Mobile: 510.406.3840

CalRE #01064343

 

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Graduate REALTOR Institute (GRI), Luxury Property Specialist (LPS), Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

Meet Kate

Thank you for visiting me online.

Kates Background

Born to two accomplished creatives, it's no wonder the vibrant world of the arts cast its spell on me from a young age. From photography and painting to mastering the banjo, guitar, and jazz piano, I reveled in the colors and rhythms of life. Two childhood years in Paris sparked an insatiable lifelong wanderlust. Art, travel, and visual design were the threads in my life that created an unexpected tapestry: a passion for real estate. I absolutely love working with people to discover and create visual beauty. Architecture, design, interiors –– this is all part of finding a wonderful place to call home.

With my artist's eye, I bring a unique splash of color to the industry. I delight in readying sellers for the market, and am quickly able to spot value-adding improvements at a glance. As a proactive collaborator, I devise renovation strategies that significantly increase a property's worth, always aiming for the highest possible return. Loyal clients see me not just as an agent but as a trusted resource, a friend who treats them like family. I listen well, care deeply, and ensure no detail of their transaction slips through the cracks.

When not weaving real estate magic, you'll find me basking in the beauty of nature, enjoying day trips to Sebastopol or Half Moon Bay. The water is my sanctuary – I love being in or near the water and love lap swimming. For me, water is healing and earth is grounding –- I love gardening and feel uplifted visiting nurseries. As a foodie, I eagerly anticipate our local bounty of ripe peaches, plump tomatoes, and fine wines.  But my own exuberant garden offers an explosion of color, and I find inspiration for home palettes there. The sheer beauty of the garden informs my aesthetic as it calms my mind.

With over three decades of experience under my belt, I blend artistic flair and business acumen to confidently secure swift, rewarding sales for every home I touch. I'm sophisticated yet artsy, approachable yet professional, winning over clients with ease. Let me win you over, too. I look forward to showing you what a creative eye can see, sell, and secure for your future.

 

 

What Sets Kate Apart?

1. Skillful, intuitive, analytical and creative negotiator

2. Marketing specialist with a background in art and a creative eye for visual aesthetics

3. Absolute integrity, honesty, and a relationship built on trust

4. Very enthusiastic and high energy

5. A go getter with a do whatever it takes and do it now attitude

6. A compassionate, caring, patient and tireless Advocate

7. Great sense of humor and brings fun to the process

8. Expert knowledge on preparing properties for sale

9. Focused on the results, is tenacious, persistent and dedicated

10. Constantly planning ahead in anticipating what is needed next

11. Places her clients interests first and foremost always

Work History

  • Realtor, Coldwell Banker, Oakland. Helps clients buy and sell residential real estate primarily in Oakland, Berkeley and surrounding communities.
  • Realtor, Wells and Bennett Realtors, Oakland
  • Realtor, ERA Real Estate, Alameda
  • Owner, Kate Phillips Jewelry. Design, manufacture and distribution of fashion jewelery to department stores and retail specialty shops
  • Sales Management and Jewelry Buyer, Laura-Kiran Retail Stores. Sales, customer service, management and buyer.

Certification

  • License, Bureau of Real Estate, California, 1990
  • Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), a national designation- less than 4% of all Realtors possess
  • Graduate Realtors Institute (GRI), a national designation - less than 10% of all Realtors possess
  • Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), a national designation - less than 1% of all Realtors possess

Professional Associations

  • Oakland Association of Realtors
  • California Association of Realtors
  • National Association of Realtors
  • Mills College Alumnae Association
  • Residential Sales Council
  • Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts, Mills College, Oakland, 1981

Kates Personal History

Kate Has Lived In

Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont, Philadelphia, Ardmore, Tivoli, Cambridge, Paris

Experiences

Real estate sales; retail sales, management and buying; jewelry design, manufacture and sales; piano teacher; musician and performer; music concert producer; photographer, artist

Travels

Europe, Mexico, India, Morocco, Turkey, Canada, British and American, British Virgin Islands, Hawaii, throughout the USA

Little Known Facts

Lived in Paris for 2 years where she attended elementary school and 1ST grade, spoke French fluently as a child; during 9/11 was on a 3-week sailing trip in Turkey; played Mandolin with Pete Seeger on the Clearwater Sloop on the Hudson River, grew up in a 19TH century Italianate Victorian house donated by the writer Saul Bellow, to Bard College in Annendale-on-Hudson, animal lover esp. cats and goats, Kate’s father Matt Phillips was a well professional artist for 60 years.

Interests

Architecture, style and design enthusiast, art, photography, music, gardening, going to nurseries for inspiration and education, farmers markets, lap swimming, sailing, movies, French, nature, the ocean, ethnographic jewelry and textiles

Passions

Personal growth, family and friendships, adventure, travel, holistic nutrition, gardening, lap swimming

Would Like To

Swim with the wild dolphins in Bimini, sail around the Greek Islands, take a horticulture class at Merritt College, write a screen play about her trip to Morocco, have an apartment in Paris, become proficient at photography and Photoshop

Communities I Serve

Kate works throughout Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Albany, El Cerrito, Emeryville, San Leandro and surrounding communities, representing wonderful people selling and buying homes.

 

 

WORK WITH ME