Gail Kiely

My Local List

• Best Brows: For Love & Beauty
• Best Beans: Pure Bean Coffee
• Best Bakery: Tommy & Atticus
• Best Beach Happy Hour: Surfer Girl

Realtor® Gail Kiely has more than 25 years of experience living and working in the South Bay, and connecting clients with homes that fit the way they live. She was drawn into real estate by her father-in-law and her husband, who specialized in South Bay real estate development projects. Gail was a silent partner before joining the team as a licensed agent. Previously she worked in advertising and marketing and as a holistic health coach.

What do you want people to know about your work as a full-time real estate agent?

I put my clients’ needs first. I’m incredibly hardworking and strategic in the way I do things. I ask a lot of important, detailed questions of my clients in terms of how they live currently and how they’d like to live in the future, so that together we can find the perfect house that matches their needs. The same holds true when I’m working with a seller. It’s about digging deep to determine the motivating factors—what’s negotiable and what’s not. That clarity makes everything smoother.

I also bring a deep understanding of the community, its lifestyle and its ever-evolving real estate market. Having raised my family in the South Bay, I know firsthand what makes this area such a special place to call home. My commitment to my clients goes beyond just helping them buy and sell homes. I’m dedicated to providing top-notch service and exceeding expectations on all fronts. 

How did you find the South Bay?

I was introduced to the South Bay when we were living in Venice (pre-kids). We would come down to Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach to visit friends. Dinner and drinks at Michi’s, dancing on the Hermosa Pier and ending the night at The Kettle long after the bars had closed. I fell in love with the community—the friendliness of it, the vitality of it. We found an amazing rental in Manhattan Beach with an ocean view. About a year later, we were notified to vacate as they would be demolishing the home. 

One sunny afternoon while on a walk, my dog suddenly stopped in front of a “For Sale” sign. It was an adorable little duplex in the Sand Section with an unbelievable ocean view. Long story short, the original offer on the home fell through, and our backup offer secured the deal. That’s when we officially began to put down our roots in this community.

As a longtime resident, how have you seen the South Bay experience evolve?

It’s funny you asked that, because just last week I celebrated a neighbor’s 89th birthday, and my husband said with a laugh, “Wait, the party is at 10 a.m.?” I answered, “Yeah, it’s the perfect time for a party!” Back when our kids were little, we’d all get together after school drop-off and toast the first day back with mimosas. Now here I am celebrating a neighbor’s 89th birthday at 10 a.m., and my kids are both nearly grown and flown! 

The party was hosted by a dear friend who recently moved to a home on The Strand in Hermosa. The birthday girl brought her photo scrapbooks—some dating back to the 1970s. It was definitely nostalgic, looking back through those photos and some of us sharing photos from our early-day block parties. It was heartwarming to see how our friendships have deepened over the years.

Meeting people after moving to a new community can be difficult. How did you create your network of friends?

It’s definitely been an evolution. When we moved to the South Bay, I was traveling to the Pacific Northwest weekly for my marketing job. We knew the majority of our friends through our careers. But once we had kids, everything changed. We met other people who had babies, and we formed great bonds as we navigated parenthood together. 

I still get together monthly with my original preschool mommy friends, and I have another tight-knit group of girlfriends from the kindergarten years. It’s crazy how we’ve all changed but have remained very close. I’m also a part of a neighborhood book club with a diverse group of women of all ages, and we’re members of the California Surf Club, which brings our community together through special events. My suggestion to those who are looking to meet new people: Get involved in whatever you’re passionate about! 

With spring here and summer on the way, what are you excited about?

The real estate market here in the South Bay always heats up this time of year. And with the special events like the World Cup and the Olympics coming to Los Angeles, we’re going to see an increase in demand. I’m excited for both my buyers and my sellers, as there will be a lot of opportunities! 

Photographed by Shane O’Donnell