Meet Kali Klassen, realtor with Lincoln First Realty (www.lincolnfirstrealty.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – As a realtor, I primarily focus on working with first-time home buyers.
How did you get started in the business? – My parents have always been active in the real estate world. They owned a framing company, Bratrsovsky Framing, for many years and built new houses every few years for themselves. In 2012, they purchased a home for my grandparents in Malcolm and rehabbed it. That is where I fell in love with flipping homes. I officially started my real estate career in 2019, working with a local real estate investor. I decided to start my own rehabbing business and obtain my real estate license. I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of friends, family, and referrals I received to help those closest to me to buy their home. While I still maintain one or two rehabs at a time, my clients take precedence.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Taking the leap to start my own business was the biggest challenge I have had professionally. Once I jumped in, I couldn’t imagine ever looking back.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – When I moved my license to Lincoln First Realty, I was honored to receive New Agent of the Year.
Tell us a little about your family. – My parents, Matt and Jen, are quite literally the best people I have ever met in my life. They are so incredible, and I would not be who I am today without them. I have three biological sisters and three sisters I gained by being adopted. I am VERY close with my grandma and grandpa. I think my grandpa is the coolest guy that there ever was. He helps me with my house-flipping projects. It is a way that I can get stuff done and spend copious amounts of time with him.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – I was adopted by my Aunt Jen and Uncle Matt. I had always looked up to my aunt. I am from small town Nebraska, and I remember thinking it was SO cool that she lived in Lincoln.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I truly enjoy traveling. If I get a chance to sneak away to the lake, I take it. I am also working on taking up golf as a hobby.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – When I was a kid, I raced four wheelers. If you knew me now, it would gravely surprise you.
Who inspires you? – My Aunt Jen is the strongest woman I know. This woman was 27 years old, starting a family of her own, working on moving her career up at First National, helping my uncle run his framing business, and she took in a broken 14-year-old, and was able to help me see my worth. She taught me what it meant to be independent, strong, a phenomenal mother, an incredible wife, and a boss at taking control of my career.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – The world doesn’t owe you anything. You get what you put in, better make it positive.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Strong-willed.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – I love starting at Alchemy and then having dinner on the patio at Leadbelly.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 875-2006 (call/text); Kali@lincolnfirstrealty.com; www.lincolnfirstrealty.com.