MEET THE TEAM

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Sean Ahearn

Principal Agent & Team Lead.

Sean Ahearn has been committed to providing professional real estate service for Kamaaina and mainland-based clients alike for the past fifteen years. Real estate transactions can be complex and time-consuming; in most cases, these require experienced guidance, local knowledge and efficient execution. Regardless of all the information available to prospective Buyers and Sellers, you are well-advised to align yourself with a real estate practitioner who has the proven ability to manage the process such, that exposure is reduced and value is maximized.

Sean comes to real estate after a fifteen-year career in Software Sales and Executive Sales Management in the San Francisco Bay Area where he had the opportunity to work with some highly regarded technology companies including IBM, among others.

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Like many longtime visitors who have always wanted to enjoy the island lifestyle, Sean moved to Kauai in the early 2000s and initiated his real estate practice with Hanalei's Coldwell Banker Bali Hai Realty in 2003. Sean joined Elite Pacific Properties in 2014 as a Broker/Partner representing Kauai. Elite Pacific Properties is one of the top firms on Kauai and across the State with approximately $1.4B in 2018 sales. Sean has been recognized as a Realtor of the Year recipient by the Kauai Board of Realtors and a Hawaii Business Magazine Hawaii Top 100 Realtor designee on multiple occasions, including 2018 and 2019 - a result of his professionalism and production resulting in 170 successful transactions and $185 Million in sales.

Sean has served on the Board of Directors for Hawaii Information Services, the MLS provider for Kauai and Hawaii for the past ten years where he works closely with the organization in a strategy and policy-setting role. Sean also serves on the Princeville I & Princeville II Design Review Committees along with previous Director and various committee roles with the Kauai Board of Realtors. Sean has been active with Kauai Habitat for Humanity, Hawaii Community Foundation, Kauai Humane Society, and a number of other charitable endeavors.

"I’m a reluctant self-promoter, it makes me uncomfortable – but I am accomplished and very fortunate to have a slew of appreciative clients or “friends” as I call them; clients who’ve become friends. I truly do get great satisfaction from taking care of folks who entrust me with their significant real estate transactions, it's what drives me. Many clients are based elsewhere and can’t be present for the various inspections and minutia present in a real estate transaction – I am. I’m a “dog person” if that helps or is important. Oh, and I’ve also found that it helps to have a sense of humor during these trying times – I hope you do too."

 


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Billy Eckert

Principal Agent & Team Lead.

My move to Kauai started out, like many other mainland transplants, with a vacation. After traveling much of the globe chasing surf and culture, I knew the moment I arrived on the Garden Island in 2007 that this was where I would plant my roots. I grew up in Jacksonville Beach, Florida where I also earned my bachelor's degree in Marketing and Management from the University of North Florida. I spent over 10 years in the sales sector of the surf industry where I most notably grew my territory's sales volume to #1 globally.

I obtained my real estate license in 2008 when I began to work under the guidance of Kauai's #1 agent. Since then, I have been involved in over $800 Million dollars in transactions and have successfully guided 100's of local, national and multi-national clients with their real estate acquisitions and dispositions. My knowledge of the Kauai real estate market is unparalleled and extends far beyond just buying and selling. I know my role does not end when the sale records. I have a wealth of knowledge and great relationships when it comes to local vendors, contractors, restaurants, adventure guides and much more.

I enjoy surfing, offshore fishing, traveling, snowboarding, basketball, tennis, my dogs, and making those around me laugh (sometimes at their own expense). Don't let my laid-back appearance fool you as I go above and beyond the call of duty for my clients and am the consummate professional. I just prefer board shorts and flip flops over suits and name tags.


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Jim Karlovsky

Principal Agent & Team Lead.

Having worked as a licensed real estate broker in 3 states since 2006, with more than $7 Billion in real estate advised upon, and with the experience of more than 250 completed transactions involving luxury residential, vacant land, retail, office and industrial property types, Jim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the real estate advisory and sales services he provides to his clients on Kauai.

Jim’s roots on Kauai date back more than 30 years, though many of those years he spent on the mainland achieving high levels of education in economics (UCSD) and law (Loyola University Chicago School of Law), as well as high-end real estate sales experience in Chicago and San Diego.  In 2014, with numerous educational and professional accolades under his belt, Jim relocated his professional real estate practice to the island of Kauai.

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Jim now specializes in residential, condo, and land sales throughout the entire island of Kauai, with particular emphasis on the north and south shores. Supported by his diverse array of professional real estate experiences, Jim is able to successfully serve a diverse range of clients. 

Regardless of whom Jim is serving, certain characteristics of his services remain unwavering: his professionalism, attention to detail, honesty, trustworthiness, and dedication to placing the interests of his clients above all else. A quick perusal of the dozens of available past client reviews of Jim serves to highlight a consistent thread relating to Jim’s dependability, wisdom, and delivery of valued counsel absent any undue pressure, allowing for a stress-free home buying and selling experiences.

 


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Aafke Zietz

Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and raised between Amsterdam, New York & Kauai, Aafke has experienced multiple cultures and climates in her life and brings more than 24 years of real estate experience to the team. Aafke has worked on Oahu and Kauai as a Real Estate Salesperson, Office Manager, Advertising Specialist, Property Manager and Personal Assistant.

Aafke has developed a thorough understanding of how a successful real estate business should be run. Organization, dedication, attention to detail, and a friendly personality are only a few of the qualities that make Aafke a great Realtor Salesperson with the AEK Kauai Team at Compass.

When not working, Aafke enjoys spending time with her family, dog and friends. She loves to travel, hike, photography and filming her kid's surfing, which has allowed her to explore all the beaches, trails, and neighborhoods on the island.


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Eric King

Originally from Texas, Eric first visited Hawaii with a group of friends after graduating college, and it was love at first sight. The beaches, weather, and lifestyle made a lasting impression, and just two years later he bought a one-way ticket and never looked back!

After spending four years on Oahu working in the corporate world, he knew it was time for a change. Kauai’s vast natural beauty and slower pace of life had been calling to him, so he made the move and started selling real estate.

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Eric is committed to providing outstanding service from the very first meeting all the way through to closing. Building lasting relationships with his clients is his favorite part of the job. His focus is working with investors, relocations, local and off-island sellers and he’s committed to making each transaction as smooth as possible.

RIn his free time, Eric maintains an active and healthy lifestyle. You can find him surfing, practicing yoga, and exploring Kauai’s many trails.

 

Eric is part of the AEK Kauai team and works out of the Kilauea office.

 


WORK WITH US

Our team of professionals is among the most active, experienced and respected on the island of Kauai. We’d value the opportunity to work with you on your purchase or sale of Kauai real estate. Please reach out any anytime with comments, questions, suggestions or concerns. Mahalo – The Team

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