OUR TEAM
We love living in Ojai! We’ve been here since 2005 and have really come to appreciate everything the area has to offer. My sister and several other family members also live in Ojai, so it’s great to be close to them. From the weather, to the breathtaking scenery, to the people, this has become home to us both. I was born and raised in Long Beach, California and have been involved in real estate since 1980, where I sold elite homes and was a Premier Manager with Coldwell Banker. Ultimately, I managed several locations throughout the Los Angeles and Orange County marketplaces before coming to Ojai. I enjoy gardening (I am occasionally referred to as “the crazy tomato lady”), painting, and drawing.
Originally from Chicago, I spent many years in the insurance business. However, Cheryl convinced me that real estate was my true calling. I am the creator and writer/blogger for our website, Best Buys In Ojai. As a car enthusiast, you’ll find me at the Ojai Cars and Coffee on the second Sunday of each month. I enjoy playing sports and music (I’m a percussionist and keyboardist – having opened for such bands as Cheap Trick and Bachman-Turner-Overdrive – back in the day before the term “mullet” had been established). We both love dogs, especially our pair of Standard Poodles, Leo and Logan. I love Southern California and most especially, Ojai; I can’t imagine living anywhere else!
Maria joined our team in September, 2015 and has been with the Keller Williams Ojai office since 2010. Maria has been a great asset and luckily for us, she shares the same values in helping people and in her calm handling of potentially tricky real estate situations. Maria’s background in retail management (plus two restaurants!) is what she feels gives her the edge during challenging transactions. She prides herself on her honesty, dependability, work ethic, and her desire to always be there for clients. Maria also volunteers as a board member for the Ojai Lavender Festival. When not working she enjoys hiking Ojai’s abundant trails, water aerobics, music, reading, and most of all – spending time with her children, friends and family.
Sheryl joined our team in 2016. With a passion for real estate, Sheryl is driven to successfully help buyers find their “Home Sweet Ojai” and assist sellers in quickly reaching their financial goals. A resident of Ojai since 1998, Sheryl and her husband Thayne raised four children in the valley and have been active in the community. Over the years she has provided volunteer support for the Ojai Film Festival and Ojai Music Festival, and served on the board of the Ojai Education Foundation. Sheryl enjoys hiking on the local trails (especially Nordhoff Peak) and spending time at the beach with her family. In the past Sheryl has lived in Israel, Bangladesh and Canada.
Robert joined our team in 2017. He conducted his studies at California State Channel islands, emphasizing Business Management. He’s been a Ventura Country resident his entire life and an Ojai resident for over a decade. Robert is task/goal oriented, while also maintaining a positive demeanor. Robert’s energy and enthusiasm have contributed greatly to our team. His passion for adventure led him to visit Costa Rica in 2014, to volunteer in a turtle conservation effort in the village of Junquillal. Robert’s proficiency in conversational Spanish also led him to Suva, Fiji to help educate their youth on sports such as basketball, rugby, volleyball, and soccer. When he’s not busy playing basketball, you’ll find him on the hiking trails or at the beach.
The newest member of the team (joining us in 2018), Paul is a 3rd generation Ojai resident – born and raised in the Ojai valley. After graduating from Nordhoff high school, he immediately entered the work force. Starting out as a grocery clerk then transitioning to golf valet at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, Paul has 7-plus years of offering great customer service. He loves living in Ojai and considers it a great place to have a family. Paul is gregarious and friendly – a real team-player. In the past he has coached local Little League baseball teams and in his free time you can find him on the golf course, watching sports with friends, or spending time with his family.
Alex was raised – and has lived in – the beautiful Ojai Valley for almost 30 years. After spending many years in the water filtration and restaurant service industries, his passion for one-on-one service with clients led him to real estate, where his willingness to help others (with what is often their greatest investment in life) has continued to flourish. Alex is an avid outdoor enthusiast; in his downtime you can find him hiking in the hills or kayaking on the ocean.
Tera Marie is on a mission to create a team of outstanding Transaction Coordinators who are passionate about removing the stress of paperwork in real estate transactions! This will allow her clients the freedom to list and sell more real estate or enjoy time with their loved ones. Tera’s prior career as a Paralegal prepared her with a unique ability to understand real estate contracts, escrow instructions, disclosures and the importance of properly executed paperwork. Tera Marie is a lifelong resident of Ventura County and takes pride in making the whole real estate process more pleasant for everyone involved.
Christa’s strong work ethic and “can-do” attitude are what make her a great Transaction Coordinator. No matter what the issue is, she will figure out a way to get the job done with a positive attitude and a smile. Christa is the “go-to” girl for making sure that every “i” is dotted and every “t” is crossed. Christa has her California Real Estate License as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Prior to joining Tera Marie at VC-TC in May of 2013, Christa assisted a Ventura County Top Producing Realtor for two years. Christa is also a lifelong Ventura County resident with strong roots and a passion to build a strong community.
About Best Buys In Ojai
And what, exactly, is a “Best Buy?”
The philosophy behind Best Buys in Ojai
We decided that we cannot be all things to all people. There’s a little too much of that in the real estate business, and people tend to spread themselves too thin. So we focus on service for clients who are looking for such. But what does that mean? Everyone says they provide good service (would you expect anything less)? To us, it means taking the time to actually preview every property before we put it on Best Buys In Ojai. We’ve done the walkthrough, we know the layout, and we know the story. Every property listed here has to pass muster. This is actually pretty unique in our business. If you’ve ever gone home shopping, you’ve undoubtedly been shown homes where the real estate agent is also seeing the house for the first time, which can turn awkward (“Oh gee…that big hole in the ceiling…that wasn’t in the paperwork…heh heh, well, nothing a little plywood can’t fix, right”)?
So we use our experienced Realtor’s eye and preview the properties first. Not just looking for ceiling holes (although that’s part of it), but finding those true hidden gems that discerning clients really want to see. It works well for us, and it works well for our clients, too. If you are looking to buy a home in Ojai, bookmark us and check back often (we update daily). If something on the list piques your interest, give us a call and we’ll make sure we get you in to see it. If you are looking to sell, give us a call and we’ll come take a look.