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Congratulations to a September Agent to Watch, Cynthia Carrillo! It’s no secret that real estate is a challenging industry, but Cynthia faces these challenges head-on and is rewarded with success for herself and her clients! No request is too big and no timeline is too short for Cynthia. Keep reading to learn more about our W teammate, Cynthia!

What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:

The first thing on my to-do list was checking for new listings that hit the market. I always like to stay informed on the latest properties, so I can provide up-to-date information and opportunities to my clients.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:

The best advice I’ve ever received is to treat every challenge as an opportunity for growth. This mindset has helped me stay positive, adapt quickly, and constantly improve—whether navigating market changes, finding creative solutions for my clients, overcoming life’s challenges, etc.

What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:

I love working in real estate in this part of the world because of its diverse landscapes and welcoming communities. Whether you’re looking for a home surrounded by vineyards, nestled in the redwoods, set on rolling farmland, in a suburban neighborhood, etc., there’s something for everyone. Each area has its own unique feel, making it fun to help clients find the perfect place to call home.

Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:

I recently helped a client who was on a very tight timeline to find a new home. To make it happen, I quickly narrowed down properties that met their criteria, leveraged my network to learn about new listings before they hit the market, and scheduled showings for the homes I knew they would love. We stayed in constant communication, moving quickly and making confident decisions. We found a fantastic home before it hit the market and secured the deal just in time for their move. It was a whirlwind, but seeing how happy they were in their new home made all the hard work worth it!

What role has mentorship played in your career?:

Mentorship has been essential to my growth in real estate. I’m fortunate to have multiple incredible mentors, one of whom is my father, who have provided unwavering support and guidance throughout my journey. Their experience, insights, and encouragement have taught me so much about the industry and what it takes to succeed. Their mentorship means everything to me, and it has allowed me to learn, grow, and confidently navigate the challenges of this business.

What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:

I love open-concept kitchens that flow seamlessly into living spaces. They create a welcoming environment for entertaining, keep everyone connected, and make the home feel larger. I wish more homes had this feature because it enhances both functionality and the sense of togetherness.

If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:

If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be my grandparents who have passed away. They only spoke Spanish, and growing up, I didn’t speak the language well enough to have full conversations with them. Now that I’ve learned Spanish well, I’d love to have a conversation with them about their stories and learn more about their life experiences.

Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:

I recommend starting off in Sonoma County by exploring the Dry Creek Valley. Enjoy wine tastings at wineries like Bella Vineyards or Ferrari-Carano and soak in the stunning vineyard views. If the weather is warm, consider a canoe or kayaking trip down the Russian River. And for a great meal, you can’t go wrong with Healdsburg’s fantastic dining options, such as The Matheson or Valette.

What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):

I’m really looking forward to planning a trip to Italy. Even though the trip won’t happen this year, the process of researching, gathering recommendations, and planning it is exciting for me. This is something I’ve been excited about for a long time, and I’m so happy it is officially going to happen. I can’t wait to explore Italy’s beautiful landscapes, rich history, and incredible wine and food!

Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter. 

Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter. 

Congratulations to another one of our September Agents to Watch, Samantha Bramble! Samantha is a true student of her craft, and she knows there is always someone or something that she can learn from. Her willingness to always learn and improve is just a small piece of what makes her a great agent for her clients and a valuable piece of our W team. Keep reading to learn more about Samantha!

What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:

The first thing I wrote on my to-do list today was the calls that I needed to make in order of importance.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:

The best piece of advice that I’ve ever been given was to “Remain Teachable.”

What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:

My favorite part of working in real estate in this part of the world is the diverse cultural population of people that I get to connect with. I feel that I have a natural gift of being able to relate with all sorts of people from different demographic backgrounds and it is an honor to be able to walk them through a life decision as grand as purchasing or selling a home.

Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:

A recent challenge I came upon was a transaction with two escrows contingent on each other’s close of escrow. This is common in real estate but in this case, each transaction was also dependent on the sale of two other homes so we had a domino effect of four or five sales total and everyone was on a tight timeline which if they couldn’t be met, all would have been canceled. I was able to conquer this challenge with transparency on all sides while still going to bat with my client’s best interests in mind and prioritizing communication with all parties involved. We had to become very creative to make it work and I’m happy to say that everyone was very happy in the end as a result of the hard work put in.

What role has mentorship played in your career?:

Mentorship is huge in this line of work. It is important to remain humble and receive knowledge from those who are more experienced and successful than you while paying it forward and lending support to those that are newer to the industry.

What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:

This may sound silly but one of my favorite home features is real wood-burning fireplaces which after the early nineties stopped being made in Sonoma County and were replaced with gas fireplaces. I also love the architecture of the 1920’s, I once sold a home with the original crown moldings and skeleton ley doors that had been updated but kept their original touches, loved it!

If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:

If I could have dinner with anyone right now it would be my dad who passed away last year. He was a business owner, very straightforward, confident, and frank, but also one of the most optimistic people whom I have ever known.

Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:

If I were visiting Sonoma County for the first time I would tour California’s oldest winery Buena Vista Winery which was founded in 1857 in Sonoma, as well as tour the Castello di Amorosa winery in Calistoga, then visit the Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery in Healdsburg for some wine tasting and a swim in their scenic pool area. I would go paddleboarding down the Russian River into Jenner and hike the longer paths in Armstrong Woods in Guerneville.

What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):

Something that I am looking forward to in the upcoming year is welcoming my third daughter who is due in early February 2025.

Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter. 

Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter. 

Congratulations to another one of our August Agents to Watch, Kim Bodell! Kim is all about proving herself through action. She knows that real estate is a constantly changing industry, where no two days are the same and you can’t back down from a challenge on behalf of your clients. Though she’s new to W, we think she is going to do great things here. Keep reading to learn more about Kim!

What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:

Get my client an insurance quote on her purchase and a net sheet for her sale.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:

You’re not going to find motivation to take action, action will ignite motivation. Even when you’re not feeling it, put one foot in front of the other and take action…the momentum of that will create opportunities

What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:

Every day is different. I love change and a little chaos and real estate is always both of those things. I love the hunt of the deal and the competition.

Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:

I had a client in escrow contingent upon selling their home. Their home didn’t get an offer in time so we got a 48-hour notice to perform (get their sale property in contract) or quit. Within 48 hours, I was able to secure an entity to buy my client’s home from them so they could keep the purchase contract together. We got it done with literally 2 minutes to spare on the 48-hour NTP. Closed on the purchase home, helped my sellers move out and then put their sale property back on the market and sold it in one month for more of a profit through this entity buyer.

What role has mentorship played in your career?:

A very, very big part. I have been lucky to learn best practices from some really smart agents. It’s transformed the way I do business, how I spend money and live my life. I now enjoy mentoring other agents in hopes that the real estate world can do for them what it’s done for me.

What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:

Either more single-story homes in Sonoma County or let’s start putting in elevators for my elderly clients or clients that just can’t do stairs. The lack of these features restricts people’s buying pools greatly and seems to be in high demand.

If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:

Leo Dicaprio because I love him 😉

Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:

It all depends on what they want to do! If they want to see the ocean, I’d hit Bodega Bay and stay at The Lodge at Bodega Bay. If they love the river, I’d recommend getting lunch or coffee at the Farmhand in Guerneville and enjoying the view. If they are looking for the best steak in town I’d send them over to Starks, downtown Santa Rosa. If they wanted a unique and relaxing spa day I’d send them to Osmosis Day Spa in Occidental. If they are looking to play wine tasting tourist, I’d direct them to Healdsburg or Sonoma for a plethora of fun options.

What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):

Settling in to W by automating my business and helping as many families buy and sell as possible and coaching my daughter’s soccer team.

Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.