Ballesteros Real Estate Group | Coldwell Banker — Local services in Laguna Beach

We just completed a seamless home purchase in Laguna Beach with Andrea representing us. I cannot recommend her more highly. I have provided a perfect score on all dimensions, which might seem less credible, but I thought deeply about this, and am confident that this is an accurate review based on my experience.

(For context, I grew up in a 'Real Estate' household. My father was a broker and my mother an agent in Southern California for over 20 years.)

Local Knowledge: (5 stars - without question) Andrea grew up in Laguna Beach. This is invaluable. I could ask her about anything from landslide history to traffic patterns to crime and she was able to answer every question with confidence. This also proved valuable in the search process. In describing what kind of house we were looking for, I was able to develop a 'short-hand' with Andrea immediately. She knew exactly what we were interested in and this saved us both a ton of time. As an out of town buyer, she was able to do some vetting for us - sometimes even walking through homes with me using FaceTime to give me virtual tours to gather reference points.

Process Expertise: (5 Stars) Andrea made the entire process as easy as it could possibly be, particularly for an out of town Buyer. Beyond the offer and escrow process (which she clearly has mastered over years), she has a strong knowledge of local rules, regulations, permits and process for local approvals of any changes one might make to a home. In addition, she has a strong stable of service providers she was able to recommend which made my buying experience infinitely easier, as I could just trust her local providers to take care of needed repairs. She always made sure I had a clear sense for process timing and next steps. I never had to ask her what to expect next.

Responsiveness: (5 Stars) Like any great leader, Andrea made me feel like I was her only client - which I knew was certainly not the case. She used text, email and calls appropriately to parse 'quick updates' vs. topics that might require more of a conversation. She respected my calendar and always over-communicated, even with a quick one sentence update via text. She is clearly hyper-organized, and she pays attention to every detail, which also makes for exceptional communication efficiency. She has definitely mastered her 'executive communication' skills.

Negotiation Skills: (5 Stars) Negotiation guidance/consultation is one of the cornerstone skills of a great real estate professional. Moreover, it is also where great agents are clearly separated from average agents. Our purchase involved a special circumstance which highlighted Andrea's integrity, trustworthiness, and overall character - which are the most critical attributes in selecting an agent to represent you in a transaction from either side.

With all of the efficient communications, it is also important to mention her manner of communication. I never ONCE felt pressured. Andrea's priority is in making her clients happy. She is clear, direct and no-nonsense, even when approaching difficult moments in a negotiation. I never had the feeling that we wasted time, and yet, never felt rushed either.

Andrea is a consummate professional. She is completely dedicated to the success and happiness of her clients. She is also dedicated to being the absolute best at what she does, and this is what really...

I had the pleasure of working with Mandy Franklin to rent our family home and she truly exceeded all expectations and was so integral in getting the home renovated and rented quickly at a great rate. From the initial walkthrough of the home, to several check-ins on the renovation process, and to potential tenant showings, Mandy demonstrated unparalleled dedication and professionalism that made the entire process seamless and stress-free for me and my family.

Mandy, with her exceptional attention to detail, went above and beyond by investing time and effort in thoroughly reviewing our home. Not only did she meticulously assess every corner of the property, but she and Andrea Ballesteros also collaborated closely with us, providing invaluable feedback on pricing versus the other rental properties in the area, potential improvements, and necessary changes. Her insights were not only realistic but also practical, reflecting a deep understanding of the market and a keen eye for what would enhance the appeal of our home.

What truly sets Mandy apart is not just her industry expertise, but her kindness and thoughtfulness throughout the entire process. She consistently demonstrated a genuine concern for our needs and priorities and kept us well-informed at every stage. She anticipated all issues and was proactive in communicating with us. Her willingness to go the extra mile reassured us that we were in capable hands.

Mandy stands out as a shining example of professionalism and dedication. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have had her as our real estate partner. I wholeheartedly recommend Mandy's services and am confident that anyone working with her will experience the same level of expertise and care that my...

As first-time home buyers in this crazy market, my wife and I were feeling overwhelmed and intimidated by the process. But from the moment we started working with Rosie, we felt confident and supported.

Rosie is incredibly knowledgeable about navigating this ever-changing real estate market and has a deep understanding of the needs of first-time buyers. She took the time to educate us on the entire process, from pre-approval to closing, and was always available to answer our questions, no matter how big or small. We naturally had dozens of questions and she always responded immediately to every one of them.

Rosie is also a skilled negotiator and advocate for her clients. She helped us find the perfect home for our needs and budget, and she fought hard to get us the best possible deal. We couldn’t be happier!

We are so grateful for Rosie's expertise and guidance throughout our home buying journey. Working with her felt more like working with a friend. She made the process enjoyable and stress-free, and we highly recommend her to any first-time home buyer. She is an expert in her field and is dedicated to helping her clients find the perfect home. We are forever grateful for her hard work and dedication in getting us into our dream home to raise our family in and she is definitely on speed dial if we buy or sell...