Leilani Serrao-Baker

If you’re buying a home—especially in today’s market—you need to approach it with both strategy and preparation. The most successful buyers I work with follow these three key steps: Get Your Financing Dialed In Early Don’t start shopping until you know exactly what you can afford. That means getting pre-approved with a reputable lender—not just pre-qualified. In Orange County, homes can move quickly, and sellers often choose the buyer who’s already fully vetted financially. Plus, your lender can help you explore programs you might not know about, like down payment assistance or even options to “buy down” your interest rate. Understand the Market You’re Buying In South Orange County’s micro-markets—Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente—each move a little differently. I make sure my buyers understand not just prices, but also competition levels, neighborhood trends, and what’s realistic for their budget. Knowing when to act and when to hold back can make the difference between winning the home you love and losing out. Work With an Agent Who Knows How to Position You as the Winning Offer Price matters, but in this market, so does the story your offer tells. I use proven strategies—from strong initial terms to negotiation tactics—to make your offer stand out. I also leverage relationships with local agents to help ensure your offer is taken seriously. Pro Tip: Don’t try to “time the market.” The right time to buy is when you find a home you love, can comfortably afford, and that will work for you long-term. Waiting for the “perfect” time often means missing opportunities—and paying more later. If you want to dive deeper into the process, join me for my Free Virtual Home Buyer Seminar, where I cover: How to bring down your interest rate Negotiation strategies that work in 2025 The step-by-step roadmap from pre-approval to keys in hand Common buyer mistakes to avoid in our current market Reserve your spot here: [email protected], reach out and let me know that you are interested in the seminar.

Selling a home in today’s market isn’t just about putting a “For Sale” sign in the yard—it’s about positioning your property to stand out and capture the right buyer’s attention. My top advice: Price Smart From Day One The first two weeks are your home’s “golden window” on the market. Overpricing can push buyers away before they even walk in the door. I study real-time data for your neighborhood—not just past sales—to help you set a price that drives interest, competition, and strong offers. Make Your Home Market-Ready Presentation matters. That means professional photography, strategic staging, and fixing small issues that could become negotiation points later. I also create a property story—highlighting what makes your home special—that’s designed to connect with buyers emotionally and logically. Leverage Maximum Exposure, Not Just MLS I don’t rely on “list and wait.” Your home gets a custom marketing plan that includes targeted digital ads, social media campaigns, email marketing, video tours, and exposure to my network of pre-qualified buyers. For luxury homes, I extend that reach globally. For expired listings, I address exactly why the home didn’t sell before and relaunch with a fresh, results-focused approach. Be Strategic and Flexible The market shifts. We track showing feedback, interest levels, and competing inventory so we can make adjustments quickly if needed. Staying proactive can mean the difference between selling in weeks or sitting for months. ? Pro Tip: Serious buyers are shopping year-round. Don’t assume you have to wait for a “hot” season—focus instead on making your home the most desirable choice among current listings. If you want a step-by-step strategy tailored to your property, I invite you to watch my Free Seller Webinar, where I share: How to capture buyer attention in the first 7 seconds online Why some homes sit unsold—and how to avoid those mistakes My proven 30-day plan to get offers fast How to price and market for today’s competitive landscape Reserve your spot here: [email protected] I'll send you the full seminar right away.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of clients across South Orange County—and while their situations vary, my commitment to results never does. Here are some of the clients I regularly help: First-Time Buyers From helping them understand financing options to guiding them through every step of the process, I make sure first-time buyers feel confident—not overwhelmed. I connect them with trusted lenders, explain the contract in plain English, and position them to compete even in a tight market. Move-Up and Downsizing Buyers Many of my clients are either outgrowing their current home or ready to simplify their lifestyle. I help them navigate the challenge of buying and selling at the same time, coordinating timelines so the transition is as seamless as possible. Luxury Home Sellers & Buyers I market high-end properties with a global reach, professional staging, targeted digital campaigns, and luxury-specific strategies that appeal to the right buyer pool. My luxury sellers trust me to present their homes with the sophistication and exposure they deserve. Sellers with Expired Listings One of my specialties is helping sellers relaunch their home after it didn’t sell the first time. I analyze what went wrong, refresh the marketing, adjust pricing strategy if needed, and use my 30-Day Relisting Plan to create momentum from day one. Probate & Trust Sales I work with families, attorneys, and fiduciaries to navigate the unique requirements of selling a home through probate or a trust. My role includes handling the details with sensitivity, keeping the process on track, and ensuring the property is marketed to its fullest potential to bring in strong offers. Families Assisting Parents I often work with adult children helping parents downsize, relocate to a retirement community, or sell a long-time family home. This process is as much about compassion as it is about logistics, and I help manage everything from preparation to closing so families can focus on the transition—not the stress. Relocation Clients Whether moving into or out of Orange County, I assist with the logistics, local market insights, and connections to make a cross-country or cross-county move as smooth as possible. Investors From vacation rentals in desirable spots like Dana Point and San Clemente to income properties, I help investors identify profitable opportunities and understand the local short-term and long-term rental market. ? Pro Tip: No matter your situation, the strategy always starts with your goals. I tailor my approach—whether it’s finding the perfect first home, selling for top dollar, managing a probate or trust sale, or guiding a family through a major transition—so you can move forward with confidence. If you’d like to see how I could help in your specific situation, join me for one of my free webinars: Home Buyer Seminar – Learn how to secure the right home at the right price in 2025 Seller Success Webinar – Discover how to market, price, and position your home to sell quickly and profitably Reserve your spot here: [email protected]. I'll let you know the schedule for the seminars and send you a link to sign up.

One of the most memorable transactions I’ve had recently was helping a family sell their condo and buy the single-family home with a yard they had been dreaming about for years. It was a true balancing act—selling and buying at the same time is always a juggling act, but in a competitive market, timing is everything. Here’s how it went: The Sale: We prepped and marketed their condo to perfection, creating enough interest to receive multiple offers within days. This allowed us to negotiate favorable terms, including a flexible closing timeline that gave them breathing room to find their next home. The Search: The goal was clear—a single-level home with a big backyard for their kids and dog. When “the one” finally hit the market, we moved quickly to submit a strong offer while still in escrow on their condo sale. The Problem: During escrow on the new home, we hit a major snag—fire insurance. Because of updated risk maps, coverage was harder to secure and more expensive than expected. For a moment, it looked like this dream home might slip away. The Solution: I immediately tapped into my network of trusted insurance professionals. Within 24 hours, we had multiple quotes on the table and found a policy that met both the lender’s requirements and my clients’ budget. Problem solved—and the deal stayed on track. The Win: We closed on their condo and their new home seamlessly, with no gap in housing. Now, they’re enjoying the yard they’ve talked about for years, and I still get texts from them about backyard barbecues and how much they love the neighborhood. Pro Tip: When you’re buying and selling at the same time, you need a clear strategy, strong negotiation skills, and an agent who can pivot quickly when unexpected challenges—like insurance issues—come up.

My path into real estate started from a very personal place. When I first moved to California, I truly believed I’d never be able to buy a home here—the prices felt out of reach, and I didn’t know where to begin. Over time, I learned the process, made strategic moves, and have since bought and sold multiple homes myself in South Orange County. That experience showed me firsthand that homeownership here is possible with the right strategy—and it inspired me to help others achieve the same dream. Before founding Civitas Realty, I built a successful career in marketing, leadership, and business development. I worked with companies where strategy, branding, and negotiation were critical to success—skills that now give my clients a competitive edge. I also have a deep commitment to community, having lived in Dana Point for over 14 years and actively participating in local events, charities, and neighborhood initiatives. Since launching my real estate career, I’ve become part of the top 1% of agents in Orange County, known for selling homes quickly—often in just one weekend—and for top market value. My expertise spans first-time buyers, move-up and downsizing clients, luxury homes, expired listings, probate and trust sales, and families assisting parents in major life transitions. I founded Civitas Realty on the belief that real estate is about more than just transactions—it’s about creating lasting relationships, providing exceptional service, and guiding clients with integrity and transparency. Whether I’m helping a young family buy their first home, marketing a high-end coastal property, or relaunching an expired listing with fresh strategy, my goal is the same: deliver results and make the process as seamless and stress-free as possible. Pro Tip: A great real estate experience isn’t just about closing a deal—it’s about feeling informed, supported, and confident every step of the way.

Yes — one I’m especially proud of is my Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) designation. Only about 1% of Realtors nationwide hold this certification, and it means I’ve received advanced training in negotiation strategy, psychology, and communication. For my clients, that translates into: Stronger Results for Sellers: I know how to protect your price, terms, and timeline, even in complex or competitive situations. Stronger Results for Buyers: I can position your offer to stand out—often without simply increasing the purchase price. Stronger Results for Everyone: Negotiation is more than just agreeing on price—it’s navigating inspections, repairs, contingencies, timelines, and the dozens of smaller points that can make or break a deal. My CNE training ensures I handle these moments with skill and strategy to protect your best interests. In addition to my CNE designation, I also hold: SFR® – Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource designation, which allows me to guide clients through distressed property transactions with expertise and confidence. Probate & Trust Specialist certification, which means I can expertly navigate the unique legal, logistical, and emotional aspects of selling properties in probate or trust—working closely with attorneys, fiduciaries, and families to make the process as smooth as possible. My background also includes years in marketing and business development before founding Civitas Realty, where I became part of the top 1% of agents in Orange County. I continually invest in advanced education, technology, and market analysis to make sure my clients have every advantage—whether they’re buying their first home, selling a luxury property, handling an estate, or navigating a distressed sale. Pro Tip: The negotiation table is where thousands of dollars—and sometimes the deal itself—are won or lost. Having an agent with advanced, specialized training puts you in a stronger position from the start.