HELLO, MY NAME IS… Matthew Kelly.

I’VE LIVED IN DESERT ESTATES SINCE 2005 AFTER RELOCATING FROM SAN DIEGO AND I ENJOY IT BECAUSE… of the unique older horse property lots. Having space is nice, but not always conducive to meeting one’s neighbors, so I have been hosting community coffee events at my home once a month to bring people together.

A TYPICAL DAY IN MY LIFE INCLUDES… a morning routine of a brief workout and a five-minute cold plunge in my pool while listening to a podcast in the motivational or self-development arena. As a real estate agent, I head to The Brokery office on 40th Street just south of Camelback to meet with clients and discuss the market with other agents. I’m anxiously awaiting the opening of our new Brokery office in Scottsdale across from Fashion Square at the first of the year!

MY FAMILY IS… my two boys Carter and Hunter who are 19 and almost 16. The older is attending PVCC, and the other is a sophomore at Desert Mountain. Both are working in the community and continue to amaze me as growing young men, with aspirations to make their mark in the world.
ONE THING I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT IS… my boys. But other than the obvious is a workout. If I go too many days without some sort of physical activity, my attitude turns, and I become grumpy and irritable. Life is too precious to not be in a state of mind to fully experience every moment with joy.

MY FAVORITE MOVIE I COULD NEVER GET TIRED OF WATCHING AND WHY IS… “Lord of the Rings.” The adventure, action, plus suspense, along with some lighthearted moments, never disappoints.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I WANTED TO BE… a pilot, as my father was. He retired a colonel from the U.S. Airforce after a great career flying for the 1st Airlift Squadron, which is part of the 89th Airlift Wing, 89th Operations Group, at Andrews Air Force Base Maryland, where I was born. It conducts transport of the president and various high-level U.S. military and government officials.

THE SONG I WOULD SING AT KARAOKE NIGHT IS… the Zac Brown Band’s, “Chicken Fried.”

THE ONE PERSON WHO MOTIVATES ME IS… my deceased mother who was a war bride from Australia. She came to this country via boat with many other women just like her to follow a dream of coming to America and raising a family. She did just that while being an officer’s wife, raised four children, and moved around the world. Many military spouses can sympathize with that which is no easy task.
THE PERFECT DAY IS… dropping off my youngest son at school, followed by a run up the Lost Dog Trail with a brief stop at the outlook to be thankful for what I have. Followed by a day of connecting with clients on a listing appointment or showing homes. Then to have dinner with my boys and discuss the number one question “the favorite part of the day?”

MY FAVORITE LOCAL NONPROFIT IS…JDRF. My youngest was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes almost four years ago. I donate a portion of my commissions to the organization and have started a team to do the “One Walk” in late April. If one would like to join or donate to the cause, please visit, https://tinyurl.com/MattKellyJDRF.

MY LIFE IS…constantly striving to get better. There is such a wealth of information out there that we can plug into to help get a little better each day. Therefore, I participate in real estate coaching, attend seminars, and work with personal trainers.

THE BEST GIFT I’VE EVER RECEIVED WAS…a flight in a Japanese Mitsubishi Ki-51 over San Diego where we did acrobatics and then buzzed the surfers along the coast. It was very thrilling.

MY DREAM VACATION WOULD BE…scuba diving in the Mediterranean Sea and visiting historic sites like Alexandrea Egypt, Israel, Turkey, and Greece.