Katie VanderLey lives by this mantra, instilled by her dad, and it’s clear in her approach to real estate. As an exceptional REALTORⓇ at Keller Williams Lincoln-Heartland, Katie’s grit, integrity, and problem-solving skills continue to make her an industry standout.

 

Originally from Iowa, Katie’s roots are firmly planted in the values she learned early on helping her dad in the hardware store business.

“I grew up in the store,” Katie recalls. “My earliest memories are from when I was 4 or 5. My dad managed the business and later turned down the opportunity to buy it and relocate it when a mall came to town.

“I think he later came to somewhat regret that decision,” she continues. “So he projected onto me by always encouraging me to take chances and risks–one of those was to get my real estate license.”

Katie’s education took her to Dordt College, where she earned a Bachelor’s in Communication: Public Relations and Health: Recreation while still holding down a job in the hardware store. No stranger to hard work, Katie has always done what it takes for herself and her family.

“I also worked two part-time jobs during high school, while being in all sports and music — the grocery store and my dad’s hardware store,” she shares. Her mom taught her how to make lists and time management. “When my husband was in vet school, I also worked a full-time and two part-time jobs so he could focus on his studies.”

The VanderLeys moved to Missouri for Katie’s husband’s work and eventually found their way to rural Nebraska to be closer to both sides of the family in South Dakota and Iowa. That move turned useful when Katie’s dad’s brain cancer returned in 2017.

“We originally moved so the kids could be closer to their grandparents,” Katie remembers. “But God had a plan there.”

Eventually, with her husband’s and dad’s constant encouragement, and her youngest ready to head off to school, Katie decided the timing was finally right and took her real estate exam.

“My dad kept saying, ‘Katie, you know you can do this,” she recalls. “But it took me almost 15 years from the time it was first discussed while Brian was in vet school to going all in when the kids went to school and I felt like I could give it 110%.”

 

In 2018, Katie made the leap, joining Keller Williams Lincoln-Heartland, where she quickly made a name for herself working tirelessly to help clients while racking up the miles on her truck to find them the perfect home.

Katie’s hard work in rural Central Nebraska and Lincoln continues to pay off: last year, she closed 97 units, and she’s on track to exceed 100 units this year. In addition to serving as Agent Leadership Council Chair, her impressive stats have earned her multiple accolades, including being the Top Agent at Keller Williams for Closed Units for the last five years and a RealTrends Top Agent List for the State of Nebraska from 2020 to 2024. This year's award placed her as number four in the state in Closed Units, which to Katie means more families helped.

Additional awards include Triple and Quadruple Gold, and Platinum statuses at Keller Williams International. Katie was also the number two agent in the Greater Heartland five-state region for closed units in 2023, out of over 6,237 Agents.

“I don’t keep track of my volume, only my units; I’m more focused on helping people,” Katie emphasizes. “I truly care about my clients and I am not afraid to tell someone that I don't think what they are doing is the right move; but at the same time, I am right there to say, ‘Yes, let’s do this!’ when it is.

“I get the deals closed for my clients, but it is always about my clients — I do not put myself first in any transaction.”

 

Katie notes her secret sauce to real estate is centered on solving problems and maintaining integrity, something she learned long ago.

“My dad always pointed out people don’t come into the hardware store unless they have a problem and it’s our job to fix it,” she reflects. “I look at real estate the same way with my list approach. No one calls a REALTOR® unless they have a problem or need and it's great to provide them with a solution.”

Her ‘Katie List’ serves as a unique feature of the service she provides to clients.

“Every listing gets the ‘Katie List,’” she explains. “I walk through a client’s home and we discuss everything that might come up in an inspection. It removes the emotion and stress when we get feedback or inspection results because we’ve likely already talked about the potential outcomes.”

Katie’s advice for new agents is simple — work hard but keep life priorities straight.

“Give it 110%, but don’t ever forget your family while doing so. Everyone needs to be all in, but when you retire, you still want to have those family members and relationships in your life.”

 

When she’s not working, Katie enjoys a fulfilling life with her family on their farm in Sutton. She’s been married to Brian, an Epidemiologist at Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center, for 20 amazing years. They have three children: Gerrit, a high school senior; Gavin, a sophomore; and Johanna, who’s just starting sixth grade.

The VanderLey acreage is bustling with animals as well — four dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, chickens, geese, and ducks. Katie’s love for photography, particularly nature and architecture, is a favorite hobby in her downtime.

“I enter some of my photos in the county and state fair. Many of my works hang in our home,” she shares. The family also enjoys traveling, with Costa Rica and Alaska still on their list of places to visit.

In addition to spending time with her loved ones, Katie is deeply involved in her community, donating her time to several worthy organizations from housing to food pantries. She serves on the board of directors for her local TeamMates, a mentoring program for kids, and the Assisted Living and Nursing Community Home, which is in the process of building a new facility.

“I like to bring a greater picture of ‘fix-it’ nature and real estate perspective to the board,” she offers.

Looking to the future, Katie has no plans to rest on her laurels.

“Professionally, I’m always learning. I have my Associate Broker License, AHWD, GRI, ABR, and there are a few more things to do. My assistant calls my husband and I ‘The Alphabet Kids’ because we have just as many letters behind our last names as are in them!” she laughs. “But it keeps things going. I also hope to hit over 100 units ... It’s been close every year, but I think this year I will crush that one!

“I can’t ask for anything more than the blessings I have — a rewarding career, a supportive spouse, three amazing kids, and parents who always believed in me,” she concludes with a smile.