When my husband (then boyfriend) and I first considered moving out of our apartment, the idea of owning a home seemed like a distant possibility. If we even qualified for a mortgage, would we be able to afford a place in Los Angeles? Fortunately, my boss put me in touch with an agent she knew and trusted, Christina Kim.

From my first call with Christina, I was immediately at ease. She welcomed the fact that we were first time buyers with zero knowledge of the process, and let us know that she and her team would help us navigate every step along the way. Buying property comes with a lot of anxiety, but Christina and her colleague Dontcher were incredibly patient and persistent. And it paid off!

For five or six months, Christina and Dontcher sent weekly updates on new listings and set up home tours around our crazy schedules. They really honed in on our preferences/non-negotiables and provided excellent recommendations. During our visits, our dynamic duo were armed with all the questions my husband and I wouldn't know to ask. Most importantly, they let us know which properties were good investments for our future.

It's no secret that the housing market in Los Angeles is wildly competitive, and many homes we liked received offers for at least $100-200k over asking. As rates continued to rise (thanks Fed!), Christina made sure that we were connected with Cynthia, an incredibly knowledgeable and kind mortgage officer who fought for the best rate possible. This was undoubtedly a team effort, and I cannot express how grateful we are for their grace and guidance.

In the end, we found our new home in a dream location AND in our budget. Christina and Dontcher made what felt impossible, possible: we own property! Thank you so much for helping us achieve such a major life milestone.