For an entire year, Kerby & Cristina were separated on two different continents. But even time and distance couldn’t keep them apart.
Kerby Skurat admits now that it was a crazy idea. But it was also the best decision of his life. His then girlfriend, Cristina Edelstein, was working in the Congo for HEAL Africa, a holistic-care hospital focused on development projects in the region, for 12 of the 13 months of their early relationship. Although the strain was hard, Kerby supported her work and for an entire year, they communicated mainly by telephone and e-mail.
That is, until he decided he could not spend another day without her. He purchased a plane ticket, and with a ring in his pocket, he flew to the Congo to surprise her and ask her to be his wife. When he arrived in the little lake city of Goma, she was on a restaurant terrace overlooking the water. She screamed when she saw him. She thought she was meeting a friend. Needless to say, her answer to his cross-continent proposal was “yes.”
Opposites Attract
Simply put- Kerby and Cristina are stronger when they are together. A typical “opposites attract” love story, their differences are what make them such a great team. Raised in a small Midwest town son of a carpenter and beautician, Kerby was instilled early on with a strong work ethic and traditional values. At 12 years old, he got his first job at the local chicken plant. “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” his father would say.
Kerby worked hard for six years at the plant and was promoted to night manager before deciding to go to Hamline University to pursue his degree in business and social studies. He has a natural propensity for business and was hired after graduation by General Mills to work on business operations for high-end accounts. Kerby’s strengths lie in his intent focus and sincere listening and communicating skills.
Cristina, on the other hand, was born in Mexico City and grew up traveling all over the world. Her father taught physics at a local university and he, along with Cristina’s mother, provided marriage and family counseling to local couples. She spent many of her formative years immersed in other cultures. Like Kerby, Cristina was instilled with a strong work ethic and moral compass. She earned her Communications degree from the University of Minnesota with a minor in Business Management, and has spent much of her early career working to support small business through her role as a property manager in the Twin Cities and participating in various educational projects in India, Philippines, Brazil and Mexico. While in the Congo, she taught business skills to women who suffered from sexual violence or who had a lack of access to basic health care.
The Perfect Complement
Although very different, Kerby and Cristina were bonded by the same important fundamental values: faith, helping others and a strong sense of business. Their differences are not only what attracted them to each other as a couple but also what makes them such a strong real estate team. Kerby began his real estate career in 2006 and Cristina joined him shortly thereafter. Kerby’s business background and expertise combined with Cristina’s experience in
property management and outgoing nature is the perfect complement when it comes to your real estate needs.
For buyers, they take extra care to find the dream home that will suit your family’s needs. For sellers, they develop innovative marketing strategies to help you maximize the return on your investment. From the moment you first meet them, it is evident that Kerby and Cristina sincerely care about your goals and want to arm you with the necessary tools to achieve optimal results.
Stronger Together
Regardless of your goals, Kerby & Cristina serve as your advocate every step of the way. When it comes time to make a move in the West Metro, your purchase or sale is Stronger Together with Kerby & Cristina by your side. Call them today to see how they can help you with your next move.