When Kat Barry’s uncle, a real estate agent, suggested a career in the industry would be perfect for her, he was right. She and her team, Modern Living, proudly embrace working with all types of clients in Logan Square, Bucktown, Humboldt Park and Avondale, finding them the ideal single-family homes, condos or multifamily homes. Focusing on green home features, pricing and ROI on home improvements, she’s also a sustainability ambassador for the Chicago Association of Realtors.
During her 17-year career, which has included seven years in Chicago, Barry has distinguished herself. Her professional accolades include Realtor Magazine 30 under 30 (2009), CAR Top Producing Team (2018, 2020, 2021), Compass Legends Society (2021), Chicago Magazine Top Real Estate Agents (2021) and Chicago Agent Magazine Top 250 Agents (2020, 2021). Having her team inducted into the first-ever Compass Chicago Legends Society is her proudest professional accomplishment in the past year.
Barry strives to make transactions easy. “Sometimes that requires adding in a little fun and comic relief to something that is naturally very stressful,” she says. “I do take my role very seriously though, and I want to make sure that my clients are informed and supported.” Clients also say she’s “honest and knowledgeable, a local expert and a compassionate guide through the home buying and selling process,” she says.
Being a go-getter is instrumental to Barry’s success. “I’m self-motivated and I love to hustle,” she says. Her communication skills and attention to detail are what distinguish her from the competition. Her expertise is also an asset. “Having an experienced agent is more important than ever in terms of getting deals put together,” she says. Teamwork helps lighten the workload, too. “It’s really helped all of us live more balanced lives because we all support each other. It’s also been great for me to pass on what I’ve learned over the years,” she says.