Kay Wilson-Bolton

Ventura County Realtor® Kay Wilson-Bolton, a Broker-Associate with Century 21 Hometown Realty in Santa Paula, has been named by the California Association of Realtors® (C.A.R.), as a “Champion of Home,” a title that signifies that she is a California Realtor who has changed her clients’ lives for the better, raised the standards for others, and led by example.

In its third year, the prestigious award honors Realtors® who have been selected by their peers as individuals who have gone to great lengths on behalf of their clients, and practice their business with the highest ethics and moral standards. In addition to Wilson-Bolton, two other outstanding Realtors®, selected from among 100 nominations throughout the State, who are also being awarded the honor this year are Kim Eichorn, with Lyon Realty in Davis, and Anthony Cassel, with Bay Sotheby’s International Realty in Berkeley.

“Kay is an exemplary Realtor® who pushes herself and consistently sets higher standards by showing extreme diligence and empathy in serving her clients,” said C.A.R. President Chris Kutzkey. “She is not only successful in her business, but it is clear she is passionate about what she does both for her clients and her community. Kay is a true hero, and I’m proud to recognize her as a 2015 Champion of Home.”

Wilson-Bolton has been in the real estate business for 40 years and, as she likes to say, “since 1976…for good.” In addition to being a top producer with her brokerage, completing at least 110 transactions in the last two years, she still finds time to be extremely helpful and compassionate toward her clients. She has represented clients in difficult circumstances, including helping clients in out-of-state sales, people with financial difficulties, and clients who have suffered tragic losses. In one transaction, she helped out-of-state sellers deal with a property sale that had seven liens against the property. Wilson-Bolton guided her clients through the complicated process and was able to get the building sold in less than a week, with multiple offers.

Combining a real estate expertise with her love for her community, Wilson-Bolton has also contracted with the Public Guardian’s Office of Ventura County, displaying patience and kindness as she works with clients who are mentally ill or have dementia. In this capacity, she assists them in preparing, assessing, and marketing their properties, many of them challenging, because the properties are usually in conservatorship, or the owners are deceased. More than once, Wilson-Bolton has forgone her commission to help a distressed seller get whatever net proceeds were available from the sale of their home.

In addition to being an effective Realtor®, Wilson-Bolton also runs a successful care-giving program out of her own office that provides services to the less fortunate in Santa Paula. With the assistance of dozens of volunteers and employees, Many Meals prepares 600 meals each week. In addition to that endeavor, she still finds time to be Chaplain to the Ventura County Fire Department, sit with, and comfort people in hospice, and give back to the community in many other ways.

“Kay Wilson-Bolton has, for decades, already been considered a “Champion of Home” in our community,” said B.J. Ward, president of the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors® (VCCAR). “Not only has she been a pioneer for homeowners and for property rights in her primary role as a Realtor, she has also, for a longtime, set a positive example for our community on what it means to give back.” Ward noted that Kay is just as well known for raising awareness to local issues like homelessness and hunger as she is known for putting up “for sale” signs in yards across Ventura County. “This is a tremendous honor that is well deserved, and the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors® would like to congratulate Kay on a job well done,” he said.

Added VCCAR Treasurer Lyle Elliott: “How wonderful. She is an example not only of our finest Realtors®, but a generous contributor of her time and skills to the community-at-large.”

Wilson-Bolton will be honored during a luncheon on Wednesday, October 7, during C.A.R.’s California Realtor® Expo 2015, which will be held this year in San Jose.