Two Pennsylvania Realtors® Named as 30 Under 30 Finalists

Kristyn Martin, a Realtor® with RE/MAX Associates Realty Group in Waynesboro and Helen Cestra, a Realtor® with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in Pittsburgh, were both named finalists in REALTOR® Magazine’s 30 Under 30.

“While I will never be the person who sold the most or made the most money, I think being a 30 under 30 honoree would show that business success does not have to come at the expense of personal success and work-life balance is truly possible. Along with that, 30 Under 30 is to be comprised of industry leaders and next-level mindset individuals. I’ve worked very hard to not be afraid of change, to seek out new ideas and to be involved in places like the Realtor® associations, where I can help share my knowledge as well as learn more. My goal is to be someone who reinforces the idea to the public that Realtors® rock,” said Martin.

Cestra added, “Being a Realtor® and representing the state of Pennsylvania as a candidate in 30 Under 30 along with Kristyn is so exciting. I think voting for us means supporting the state and its real estate markets. The more awareness we can bring to the communities we serve about everything we have to offer here the better.”

To decide who makes the list out of the 50 nominees, REALTOR® Magazine chooses candidates “who are successful in the real estate business and have demonstrated skill, success, creativity and leadership in their careers.” One of the final 30 honorees is chosen via online voting, which opens today.

“I very much put my heart and soul into my job and advocating for my clients, so to be recognized for hard work is such a great feeling. I come from a family of Realtors®, so although I have had amazing mentors, it can also come with extra pressure. I had to learn how to create my own path and stand out from the crowd. This helped me in building my brand of who I am and what I can offer my clients,” said Cestra. “Every Realtor® reading this already knows that you put so much of yourself into every transaction. You also become a friend, a confidant and therapist to your customers. So, while that can be difficult at times, it is also one of the things I love most about being an agent. I am part of the ride for my clients’ next chapter in life and work with them in an important moment in time. It comes with a lot of responsibility, but also very rewarding in the end.”

“I think some of the most important traits a Realtor® can have are being compassionate, communicative and truly putting yourself in your clients’ shoes to help guide them. I’ve really honed in on my knowledge of the industry and sharpened my skill set, which has made me confident in providing top-notch service nearly subconsciously, while being able to focus my energy on the clients’ needs,” added Martin. “I’d really encourage others to set goals and strive to achieve them in a way that is centered around what really matters. When I started in real estate at 19, my reasoning for being in this field was to be able to be a stay-at-home mom, but still provide income. I couldn’t fathom at that point that my life would look the way it does today. When I really reflect on how it happened, I come down to the same answer every time, doing my best every day and always going for more. That doesn’t mean to be dissatisfied with what you are, but it’s a yearning to keep growing.”