About Us

Kathleen Baylies, Exclusive Buyers Agent - Broker

How long have you worked in the real estate field?

While I’ve been licensed since 2003, I’ve always had an interest in real estate and have handled my own personal transactions for many years.

What do you think you do particularly well?

Listen. To help clients achieve their goals, whether it’s finding the perfect home for their family or adding promising investment properties to their portfolio, you have to listen carefully. Everyone has different criteria. The way to insure a good match of people and property is to listen.

Do you have any special education?

In addition to the course work required to earn and keep my real estate license, I have earned the Accredited Buyers’ Representative designation. Currently, I’m working on completing the educational requirements to earn the Certified Residential Specialist and the Resort & Second Home Property Specialist designations.

What do you like best about working with clients?

I enjoy knowing I’m providing services that save the client money and/or aggravation. In my opinion, if an agent can’t do that, why would a client need an agent involved in the transaction?

Is there anything about the real estate business that frustrates you?

It’s difficult to watch buyers who have put themselves in a disadvantaged position because they didn’t understand the process. I’ve seen so many people end up unrepresented in a transaction because they thought they could save money by dealing with the listing agent or a builder directly. By the time they realized that they were still paying the same price, but without the advantage of having someone looking out for their best interests, it was too late because North Carolina real estate law doesn’t really work in the best interest of the buyer. For instance, if buyers call a listing agent directly or go to a new development without their own agent, they have effectively eliminated the option of having their own representative (unless they want to pay a buyer’s agent directly) because in this state, it’s the agent who introduces them to the property that gets paid – regardless of whether or not the buyers want someone who isn’t working for the seller to help them. It can’t be stressed enough how important it is for buyers to find an Exclusive Buyers’ Agent BEFORE they start looking at property.

Care to share any personal information?

Certainly! I’ve been married to the love of my life for eight years. Our home is in Kure Beach, which we absolutely love. However, most of our work and social life is in Wilmington. So we feel like residents of both towns. We have two shelter rescue dogs. They have turned us into the people we used to make fun of! We unabashedly dote on them. I’m active in several organizations including the Downtown Business Alliance and Friends of WHQR Public Radio. Real estate is my passion, which is wonderful because work feels like fun! When I’m not helping clients purchase homes or investment properties, you can usually find me walking on the beach or enjoying the myriad of past-times available in Downtown Wilmington.

What is the most important message you’d like to communicate to potential clients?

Simply this: I will work diligently to make sure every aspect of your real estate transaction is handled the way I would handle it if it were my own. After all, success in this business is based on referrals. In the long run, which do you think will generate the most referrals: trying to make the most money I can off your transaction or saving you as much money as possible? Wouldn’t you agree that my interests are best served by protecting YOUR best interests?

Fred Spike, Exclusive Buyers Agent - Broker

Early one Sunday evening during the Summer of 1977, Fred, his wife, Karen, and their two young children were strolling along Wrightsville Beach as the setting sun cast a golden glow on the sand and sea-grass. The children were laughing as they ran along the edge of the surf, chasing seagulls and sand-pipers. Even though they had been in the Wilmington area for less than two days, they knew that they were at “home”.

The decision to move from Charlotte to Wilmington was an easy one. After years of looking forward to visiting the beach on weekends, the Spikes decided to live near the beach so that they could enjoy it whenever they wished. The local school system was one of the best in the state and the university demonstrated the value the area placed on education. Wilmington’s lively arts community offered a smorgasbord of cultural entertainment – from theatre to concerts to museums.

Over the past thirty years, Fred has been, and continues to be, active in Wilmington’s business and cultural communities. He was founder and CEO of a family of scientific supply businesses in North Carolina and Germany, serving pharmaceutical research laboratories world-wide. His Series 7 and 66 securities licenses help him understand complex financial issues. As fully-licensed independent insurance agent, he can also advise you regarding the special insurance issues involving coastal living.

Family and church are first in his life and he is known for his enthusiastic involvement in the United Way and Chamber of Commerce as well as the Cameron Art Museum and local theatre.

Let Fred’s experience in and knowledge of the wonderful community of Wilmington help you be at home here too!