Kathy Christmas is a residential real estate specialist and property investment advisor who has a comprehensive understanding of the San Diego housing market. She helps her clients achieve their dream of home ownership by providing reliable and accurate information. A tenacious negotiator, Kathy always works to protect the best interests of her clients.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Kathy began her professional career in the United States Navy as an Aviation Electrician. It was the Navy that brought Kathy to San Diego, a city that to this day fills her with pride. After serving 10 years, she returned to civilian life in 2002, a small real estate firm convinced her that she had the entrepreneurial spirit to be an excellent REALTOR®. In 2004, she expanded her understanding of real estate when she signed on with Larry Cox of Cox Properties. In 2006, she received her Real Estate Brokers License. In 2007, Kathy left Cox Properties and established Gem Real Estate. After 20 years of being a Real Estate Broker, Kathy has many years of transactional experience, which creates a smooth transaction for her clients and a high level of communication needed for her clients to have a successful closing. You are in good hands when working with Kathy, and she is grateful for your trust. Kathy earned her Master’s in Business Administration in 2010.
About Kathy Christmas
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My family time is very important to me. My husband and I are dog parents and love it. We spend time on our boat with our family; and since we have many family members who live out of town, the boat gives us something fun to do with them. We enjoy the Del Mar races, since horse racing has been in my husband’s family for many years. Since we do not have any children of our own, we have made Angel’s Foster Care an extension of our family and do all we can to help this organization. My immediate family is small, but our friends are a huge part of our extended family, so we always have many to spend time with and share our joy with.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
After serving in the Navy for 10 years, I launched into Real Estate and have never turned back. In my 21 years of working in Real Estate, I not only have been a full-time Real Estate Broker helping many buy and sell their homes and investment properties, I also built a successful property management company. I opened Golden Property Management in 2007 and had around 385 properties under management with my amazing GPM team. I successfully sold the company on May 31, 2023. I now get the joy of working only ONE career, which I love! However, what I love most about real estate is truly working with the people. I know it is so cliche to say this, but it is the truth. It is the joy on my clients’ faces that is the peak of success for me=)
Q: What advice would you give to people?
For anyone who is looking to work with a Real Estate professional, my advice is to work with someone who truly is in Real Estate full-time. There is so much change in our industry, you want someone who is completely dialed in about real estate, so they can be your true real estate professional. Would you want to have a part-time Doctor, or CPA, working on your behalf? Most people would not. Financially savvy people understand working with a Real Estate Broker who is full-time is key to a successful Real Estate portfolio.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5-10 years, I will be still in San Diego, enjoying time with my family and friends on the San Diego Bay, and enjoying all of the other fun San Diego offers, helping many successful people buy and sell real estate. Whether someone is looking in San Diego, or anywhere in California, or out of state, I’m able to help them.
Kathy Christmas & Our Community
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Pacific Coastal Grill and Red Tracton’s Steakhouse
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Since 1999, once I was stationed back here with the Navy.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Betsy Christmas – not only am I blessed to have her as my mother-in-law, but she has worked at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Races for 30 years. To me, she is a superstar. She knows many well-known people who call her a friend. She has a heart bigger than the size of Texas and will truly give you the shirt off her back if you need it. I believe her connections with many small businesses around town and the out-of-town friends she refers to them, add great value to our community.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Hotel Del Coronado, This is a must-stay hotel. Even when you live here, a staycation at the Del gives a vacation anywhere else a run for your money! So beautiful and fun!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Triton Charters- a beautiful caterman to sail around the SD Bay. Our SD Bay is one of the most beautiful bays to sail and you can do it on the Triton for a very reasonable cost.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Dr. David Jeremiah, pastor of Shadow Mtn and Turning Point- why? To relish in his wisdom and to glean. I would ask him to meet me at Pacific Coast Grill- the view of the ocean and amazing food would be just perfect!
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Wolf of Wall Street
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I love spending time alone. I love people, but my quiet time is a blessing to me! =)
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Hotel Del Coronado
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My Lord, Jesus Christ
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Peaceful, comfy, and joyful
