Kelly A. Matelic

Building Relationships and Fulfilling Dreams

By Jane K. Asher, Ph.D.

Photos by Tracie Seeley with Downriver Real Estate Photography

Kelly A. Matelic discovered her passion for sales and for helping clients with one of the happiest purchases of their lives at a very large bridal salon in Dearborn. Then, after spending several years thriving in the bridal business — and selling thousands of dresses — Kelly learned that the store was closing and that she’d soon be out of a job that she had grown to love.

“It was so sad — I was absolutely devastated,” she shared. “During those final days as clients were picking up their stuff from our store, one of the customers asked, ‘What’s next for you?’ and I realized that I hadn’t yet figured out my next move.”

Fortunately, that same customer offered Kelly a job at his mortgage company. Later that evening, Kelly, who was excited about the prospect of paving a new path for herself in the mortgage industry, called her brother Brian Matelic, who also happens to be a top-producing real estate agent. She asked Brian if he’d be willing to refer his clients to her, but instead of agreeing to do so, he asked her, “Why don’t you sell houses?” That simple question sparked the start of Kelly’s real estate career.

Prior to that moment, the thought of selling real estate hadn’t crossed Kelly’s mind, but Brian assured her that he had enough business for the both of them, so Kelly took the real estate class, passed the test and became her brother’s buyer’s agent at RE/MAX Team 2000. “My first weekend in the business I sold five houses — it was insane. I couldn’t believe I was able to make my own schedule and help people with the biggest purchase in ife. ... How exciting!” she said. “Losing my job at the bridal salon was horrible, but it led me to the person I have become today. If I didn’t lose that job, I probably would not be a real estate agent because I really loved helping brides.”

Kelly is so thankful that her brother encouraged her to join the industry because her new career in real estate confirmed what she had known all along: Kelly was a salesperson through and through. “I feel you’re either born with it or not, and I knew I was born to do sales,” she shared. “I started selling bridal gowns, and after marriage, buying a house is usually the next big step for most people — it just made sense for me to sell houses. Plus, my mom loved houses and loved to move; I think she may have been a real estate agent in her prior life,” Kelly said.

Now with over 20 years in the industry, a career volume of over $141 million, more than 1,300 houses sold, hundreds of five-star Zillow reviews, Kelly has not only built a thriving business, she has also discovered the joy of “making people’s dreams come true” through real estate. “Everyone wants homeownership, and I help their dreams become a reality,” Kelly said. “How great is it to help families get into houses and watch those families grow? Most of my clients become friends. I go to weddings, graduations, baby showers, housewarming parties, barbecues, dinners and countless other events — I love it.”

Shortly after Kelly married her best friend, John Medrek, in 2008, John left the transportation industry, received his real estate license and teamed up with Kelly to form Spouses Selling Houses with Park Avenue Realty in Allen Park. “I’m so appreciative of the business that we have and the relationship we have built. My husband and I make a great team,” Kelly said. “We spend a lot of time together and do everything together — it can be challenging some days, but, for the most part, we work it out.” Kelly and John also have two dogs, Buddy and Marley, who they jokingly refer to as their office secretary and office assistant.

“We pride ourselves on integrity, accountability, communication and loyalty,” Kelly said. “My clients speak with me from beginning to end — that way I’m the accountable party, and my clients are my top priority. This business has made me into a problem-solver and a firefighter. I will not take no for an answer, ever. I will always look for a solution.”

Kelly makes a habit out of informing sellers about ways they can increase the appeal of their homes so that they can maximize the value of their investment without breaking the bank. She’s also quick to help her clients find the right person to tackle their home improvement needs, and, when her clients are in a crunch, Kelly is happy to lend a helping hand with everything from cleaning to trimming bushes to home staging. “I do not let people wait. I don’t care what I’m doing — I always put my client first,” she said. “Decorating is a huge passion for me, and I’m lucky because it comes naturally. I love to re-do spaces and transform houses into showpieces. ... Drives my husband crazy.”

One of Kelly’s favorite ways to spend her free time is shopping, and, fortunately, John enjoys a trip to the mall as much as Kelly does. “I always say, ‘I work for purses and jewelry,’” she said, laughing. “John also loves going to his cabin up north where he can get away and hunt — that’s fun for him, but I’m a city girl. So, it gives us nice breaks.”

Even though Kelly jokes about how real estate funds her favorite pastime, anyone who works with Kelly knows that her financial needs ultimately take a back seat to ensuring that her clients make informed decisions and achieve the best results. “At the end of the day, it’s not about the sale; it’s about providing the best service I possibly can and doing what’s best for my client,” she said. “I think going the extra mile speaks volumes, and honesty is always the best policy. Real success is helping people change their lives. It’s all about building relationships and fulfilling dreams.”

For Kelly, that dream is to shape Spouses Selling Houses into a longstanding legacy. “I know I will be the 85-year-old lady with a cane showing houses until the end of time. I don’t think of retiring — I want to help my clients’ kids buy their first home,” she shared. “The only thing that comes to sleepers is dreams. You got to get up and make things happen.”

Kelly A. Matelic - Top Producer