Kristin Winton
MARCH 2024 COVER STORY
STORY BY ZACHARY COHEN | PHOTOS BY PEAK RES
You Only Live Once
Before launching her real estate career in 2006, Kristin Winton was a third-grade teacher with a passion for serving her community. She loved her work in the school system, but there were challenges, too. Kristin was underpaid and overworked, leaving her burnt out and struggling to provide for her family of five. Her husband was a school teacher, too, compounding the challenge.
Kristin felt something had to give, but she didn’t know what. That’s when her mom stepped in with some prudent advice.
“My mom suggested I get my real estate license,” Kristin recalls. But I could barely afford to pay for it. There was no money for extras. I didn't know how to fit it into my schedule because I was also working a part-time job in addition to teaching full-time, so I turned it down.”
Kristin’s mom pushed the envelope. She knew her daughter could succeed in the field and offer her family a better life.
“My mom called one day and said, ‘I paid for you to go to real estate school. You start next week.’ I thought, ‘This lady has lost her mind,’” Kristin reflects with a laugh. “It was four nights a week of school, and I had three kids, a full-time job, a part-time job, and a husband who was a basketball coach.”
Despite Kristin’s hesitation, her mom was confident she would figure it out. After careful contemplation, Kristin decided to give real estate a shot, applying perseverance and sticktoitiveness to get her license.
Over the next four years, Kristin worked in real estate part-time around her full-time teaching job. In 2010, significant life events pushed her to take the next step in her career. Her husband was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, and a new reality set in. Kristin realized she needed a way to provide for her family solo. She also recognized the impermanence of life; if real estate was indeed her passion, it was time to devote herself to it fully.
“I did some deep soul searching. In 2012, I left my teaching career and jumped full-time into real estate. You only live once.”
Right at Home in Real Estate
Kristin sold $5 million in her first full year, and her business has steadily grown since. Now with Coldwell Banker Select Real Estate, she closed $21 million in 2023, making her the #1 individual agent for the company’s South Yale office.
“I’m a go-get-it-done type of girl,” she says proudly. That’s my mentality, and that's why I have been successful. I have tons of support at home, too. This business is crazy, and I love every second of it. It’s brought blessing after blessing to my life.”
Kristin runs a diverse business, handling residential and commercial deals. She also specializes in relocation and foreclosures; after working alongside top agent Richard Pierce for several years, she took over his relocation and foreclosure businesses when he retired in 2023.
It’s All for Family
When she’s not selling real estate, you’ll find Kristin with her husband, David, and their three adult children Jacob, Garrick, and Brilee. Although her kids are now 35, 30, and 26, they all live locally and remain a significant part of her daily life. Kristin also has three grandchildren.
“I’m glad they think we are still cool,” Kristin laughs. “On a more serious note, it’s most important to me that my kids are proud of me. I want them to know that their mom was never afraid to step outside the norm and work her tail off. I want them to know if you want anything in this life, it’s not handed to you. You have to work, and you have to work hard. Outwork the person next to you — but it’s possible.
“It's not the numbers or how much money you make that make success for me. Success is to let my kids know that it's okay to get out of your comfort zone and go for something with your gut and your heart.”
