"Delivering a five-star experience is not just a goal, it's my passion," shares Kathie Frerman, REALTOR® with@properties|Christie's International Real Estate. Known for her client dedication and genuine connections, Kathie’s commitment to providing an exceptional real estate experience has been evident since she entered the field in 2019.

 

Her real estate journey began this way: after a twenty-year career in operations, sales, and business development, a corporate restructuring left her at a crossroads. But then, the process of buying her third home in Naperville reignited her love for design and fueled her passion for real estate, making it the perfect next step.

 

“What began as a casual interest quickly became a full-time calling,” Kathie explains. “Real estate captivated me, and I soon found myself immersed in every aspect of the business.”

 

Kathie’s deep local roots—she grew up in Chicago and settled in Naperville in 1998—are part of the foundation of her success. Another part? As Kathie helps her clients navigate major decisions, she builds “clients for life,” drawing on her extensive background in communication and relationship-building. Her goal? To ensure every client feels respected, heard, and supported at every stage.

 

Kathie not only emphasizes high standards and client satisfaction, but also practices and weaves “unreasonable hospitality”—a philosophy she learned from restaurateur and author Will Guidara1—into each and every client interaction. Building genuine, lasting relationships is at the heart of Kathie’s business. 

 

While her client relationships are paramount, Kathie also places high value on her professional network. “Broker-to-broker relationships make a big impact,” she notes, explaining how a strong agent network can be a game-changer for clients.

 

She also utilizes her leadership experience from her days in corporate America. It has given her a unique advantage in real estate, especially when it comes to assisting clients who are building new homes and navigating the construction process. “I understand the complexities of construction from my days managing operations and teams in corporate America,” Kathie says. This expertise helps her guide clients through the process and ensure they sidestep common pitfalls. 

 

Kathie’s business is also driven by her desire to give back to the community. A longtime supporter of the Arbor Day Foundation, she plants a tree for every closing she completes and every holiday card she sends out. “It’s a small way to help,” she says, noting that these gifts allow her to make meaningful financial contributions to a cause she believes in. She’s also deeply committed to the local organization Loaves & Fishes, which addresses food insecurity, and to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. For Kathie, the latter holds personal significance as several loved ones have fought cancer.

 

Outside of work, Kathie is a proud mom of three. She and her husband, Pete, a pilot, have two adult daughters—one lives in New York State and the other in Rhode Island; and a son, who is in his junior year at Naperville Central High School and aspires to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a pilot. The family enjoys simple pleasures like walking their two beloved, golden retrievers, Fitz and Ella; discovering new restaurants; and spending time in downtown Naperville. Last year, they started a new tradition of taking a family vacation at the holidays. In 2023, they spent Christmas together in London and Paris.

 

Looking ahead, Kathie is excited about her business’s growth and her plans to expand her reach both locally and in another state. “Building connections is the backbone of this business,” she advises new agents, underscoring the importance of maintaining client relationships with regular, meaningful check-ins.

 

Whether she’s helping a family buy their first home or guiding a longtime client through the transaction for the home that best fits their new chapter in life, Kathie’s dedication to exceptional service and community involvement defines her work. 

 

“This is where my heart is,” Kathie affirms. “Creating seamless, memorable experiences for my clients is my passion—I couldn’t imagine doing anything else."

 

 

1 Will Guidara, Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More than They Expect (Penguin Press, 2022), https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573.