Facing a new challenge, my family and I adapted like we always had. Through recognizing a valuable lesson, I found new ways forward in life and in real estate.

Sitting in the backyard with my husband and our children, I watched as my son smeared his jam-covered hand across his face. We were in the middle of a backyard “campout,” something new to us. I let myself sink into the moment and temporarily forgot the uncertainty of the world around us. COVID had hit, and we needed to adapt to the uncertainty of what was to come. One thing was certain, our family was our world, and we were determined to continue making precious memories with our children.

This wasn’t the first time we were forced to adapt quickly. It was just the summer before (2019) that my husband was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This came as a shock to all of us as he was in good shape and overall healthy. We later came to find out that his form of diabetes was triggered by a virus that he caught just a few months prior to the diagnosis. How could this be possible? He had a sore throat and was congested for less than a week- and now diabetes? His bloodwork came back with numbers that indicated he should have been in a diabetic coma. We realized immediately how serious this was. To add fuel to this fire, I was over eight months pregnant with our second child. We were in a whirlwind of emotions, but there was no time for feelings. We had to buckle down and get control of our circumstances. We did countless hours of research and were able to manage his numbers with a strict diet and the lowest dose of insulin and medications. The dieticians were adamant that this method of managing diabetes would be unsustainable, but luckily, we were already accustomed to eating healthy. This mountain we had to climb was not as daunting as it originally looked. Two months later, his A1C levels were almost back to normal, and we were enjoying our newborn son.

Growing up, my mother always said, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” That stuck with me, and it forced me to exercise problem solving on a regular basis. From that optimistic perspective, I trusted in my purpose and that everything would work out. I entered the real estate industry from a young age; first in escrow, then lending, then as a licensed REALTOR® in 2009. My mother was a loan processing underwriter, and I fell in love with the industry at a young age. The only problem was that I began this new career right in the middle of the housing recession. Still, I was resolved to make it work.

My faith has been important to me my whole life. My grandparents lived with us when I was young, and my grandmother left a big impression. Being a woman of faith, she was rooted in her beliefs and that things would always work out the way they were supposed to. Any challenge was an opportunity for growth. As an adult, I recognize that not everyone has that person in their lives, so I decided to be that support for others. It was tough in the crash with families losing their homes. I wanted to encourage them that in time, things would turn around for them. And in many cases, I got the opportunity to see those hopes come to fruition in years to come. It was a humbling experience. There were also “wins” during this time. I worked with many small-scale investors who came from humble beginnings to creating generational wealth through purchasing rental properties.

I learned a lot, especially from my clients, and I continued to grow. After buying my first investment property at 22, I later bought a “fixer upper” with my husband, Brady, in 2013. The home needed some major TLC, but we had a vision for what it could be. After putting in years of sweat equity and working with various contractors, our vision for this home is nearly complete. It was important to me that I experience buying a “fixer” firsthand so I could better serve my clients.

Through it all, I always tried to see the good. When challenges arise, there are lessons to be learned. I enjoy pushing myself in those times to discover creative solutions. Brady has been a huge support and is always there for me when I need that boost of confidence. With COVID, life was extra crazy with two small children at home where my husband and I were both trying to work. I was busier than ever, and all of us were trying to navigate unknown ground. In that chaos, I realized I could drown in the situation or grab a life preserver and figure it out. We can all get stuck in our heads sometimes, but finding ways to create that space – that life raft – makes all the difference. I decided to give myself more grace.

I spent time with my family in our backyard on picnics and campouts. Most of all, I learned to support others in new ways. I believe in real estate education and shattering the misconceptions out there about the process and market. I know there are a lot of contradicting opinions about the future of real estate, especially here in California. However, as a longtime resident of Orange County, I have uncovered a variety of ways to continue our legacies here and build for the next generation.

Whenever I am not working, I enjoy cooking, traveling, reading, going to the beach, and spending time with my family and friends. My favorite part of being a REALTOR® is working with people toward their dreams and establishing lifelong friendships.

As your REALTOR®, it’s an honor to be a part of your journey. From the start, I will set expectations so you know exactly what is coming. With my diverse background in real estate, I have a broad understanding of all the moving parts. This allows me to look 5-10 steps ahead to spot any potential roadblocks. Your success is the most important part of this process, so I will make sure you know all the facts before you commit to any decision. I empower my clients with my knowledge and experience in order to create life-changing legacies for their families through real estate. Having lived here my whole life, I know these communities very well and have strong professional relationships with other agents and vendors. Continuing to learn in a changing industry, I put my money where my mouth is and practice the strategies I recommend to my clients. While I am always learning more, I have extensive experience in luxury, residential and investment real estate. Once the transaction is closed, I’ll continue guiding your success as your lifelong REALTOR®.