Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristy Pistun.
Hi Kristy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Lviv, Ukraine, and over the years I’ve lived in the Netherlands, New York, and now Austin. Moving between countries taught me how exciting a fresh start can be, but also how overwhelming it is when you don’t know where to begin.
When I moved to Austin, I used an apartment locator myself, but at the time I didn’t really understand how the process worked or what a locator really did. And finding an apartment was only the beginning. Everything else became a search too — from good restaurants to a nail artist I could trust. I had to figure it all out on my own, and that experience is a big part of why I became a locator.
Austin is also where I started my family and became a mom, so the city has become home in a very different way for me.
Today, I’m a licensed real estate agent and apartment locator. Many of my clients are relocating from Europe, just like I did, and I help them through the same move I once had to figure out on my own.
I’ve been the newcomer, so I get it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not smooth, but I think that’s what made it meaningful.
One of the biggest challenges was learning how everything works in the U.S. while building a life here at the same time. Even simple things can feel complicated when the system is unfamiliar, and that experience gave me a lot more patience and empathy for people who are relocating now.
Starting my career was its own challenge. I had no network in Austin, no past clients and no one who knew my name. A lot of people don’t understand what an apartment locator does, just like I didn’t at first, so I had to earn trust before I could help anyone.
Then I became a mom, which changed everything. I learned to work during nap time and, just as important, to say no. It’s made me more organized and more focused on what really matters.
Every challenge has made me better at what I do, because most of my clients are starting from zero too.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a licensed apartment locator with Relive Realty, and I help people find apartments in Austin and across Texas at no cost to them. Properties pay my commission, so my clients never pay me anything. I compare options, schedule tours, and help with applications, so no one has to figure it all out alone.
I specialize in newcomers, especially people relocating from Europe. Many are dealing with a new country, a new language, and a rental system that works very differently from what they’re used to, often without U.S. credit history and sometimes with limited English. I explain every step clearly, from how applications work to what to expect throughout the leasing process.
What sets me apart is that I’m one of the few apartment locators in Austin who speaks Ukrainian and Russian, so I can walk clients through everything in the language they’re most comfortable with and translate when needed. And my help doesn’t stop at the apartment. My clients ask me for everything from a good barbershop to a tattoo artist, and I’m happy to share, because I remember how much I wished someone had done that for me.
What I’m most proud of is that my clients often become my friends. For many of them, I’m one of the first people they know in Austin, and being part of their fresh start means a lot to me.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Instagram and Facebook, for sure. They’ve become some of my best tools for connecting with people, often before they’ve even moved to Austin. You can find me at @KRISTYTHELOCATOR, where I share apartment tips and life in Austin. Lately, AI has also been a huge help. It saves me time on everything from planning content to staying organized, which gives me more time to focus on my clients and my family.
As for books and articles, honestly, these days they’re mostly about babies (: That’s my current chapter, and I’m learning something new every day.
Pricing:
- Free apartment search
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kristythelocator
