Stage Direction
Kaitlyn Gillingham had keys to her family’s real estate office before she had keys to her parents’ house. Her hands-on experience, along with the classes she took at the University of San Diego, gave her a reservoir of confidence rare for a young agent. For one of her first listings, she used her own money to buy furniture and stage a property that wasn’t selling because buyers had trouble visualizing the floor plan. It sold in 14 days. “I still own most of that furniture and stage my listings at no cost to my clients,” says Gillingham, 27. “My specialty is always providing a full-service experience.” Gillingham is part of a two-person team with her father, Dave. Besides working with clients, she markets the office and built the company’s new website.