My path into real estate began long before I ever held a license; it started with the stories and the vision of the family who came before me.

 

I come from a long line of entrepreneurs—business ownership runs in my blood. My great-grandparents migrated from Italy to New York in the early 1900s, and somehow my grandmother managed to buy all the houses on her street. She bought homes, rented them out, and invested fearlessly. When my grandfather—her son—wanted to start his own business, she lent him the money. He was an inventor who created heavy-duty metal hooks that were eventually purchased by the Navy. From there, his business took off. Today, that same company has grown into an international operation producing valves and missile parts.

 

With roots like that, it’s no surprise that when I became an adult, I wanted to run my own business too. After a few rough experiences with bosses, I couldn’t wait to work for myself. My first venture was a legal design business, creating visual materials for attorneys in the courtroom. Later, my husband Jim and I launched a house-painting company together. 

  

Things weren’t always easy. I’ll never forget the recession of 1997 — the economy tanked, and money was painfully tight, but I somehow managed to purchase our first home while my husband was on a fishing trip. Oh boy, did he come home to a big surprise! We ate rice with cheap bologna and canned vegetables most nights to get by. People all around us were being laid off and losing their homes. Those were scary days, but they also made me stronger. I learned I could face hard situations head-on, and during those years, while navigating financial challenges and building new businesses, Jim and I welcomed our daughter, Torrey.

 

My heritage taught me early that real estate is a powerful tool for building security and generational wealth. My mom was a REALTOR®, and she invested in multi-unit properties—renting some, selling others, always building toward the future, and truly living the American Dream. I helped her with her properties, learned from watching her, and eventually began investing myself. Before long, getting licensed felt like the natural next step, and in 2013 I officially became a REALTOR®.

 

But even with my mom as a mentor, the transition was tough. It wasn’t just learning contracts or how houses are built—it was learning how to run a real estate business. Still, my favorite part came easily: getting to know my clients. I minored in psychology for a reason—I love understanding people, and how no two clients are the same.

 

One thing about me is that the harder the transaction, the more determined I become. I recently helped a family buy their first home during the government shutdown, when nothing seemed to be moving. The odds were stacked against us, but that only pushed me to dig deeper. In the end, we made it happen.

 

In both my life and my work, I focus heavily on building generational wealth. I encourage my clients to buy two homes instead of one or turn their first into a rental. I want people investing in themselves, not their landlords. I’ve experienced firsthand how life-changing that can be. My passion is to show that the American Dream is not only possible but achievable! 

 

Today, Jim and I have been married for 40 years—we’ve been together since college. Torrey now has two children of her own, and being a grandmother is one of the biggest joys of my life. In my free time, I love painting, spending time with family, organizing client events, and volunteering at local community events. As a San Diegan, I care deeply about this city and the people in it. I’m grateful that real estate allows me to serve my community while doing the work I love.

 

What sets me apart as an agent is my moral compass. I believe people deserve to make their own choices—just as I do—so my role is never to force a sale, but to empower clients to make their own informed decisions. I provide every piece of information clients need, pointing out both the strengths and the drawbacks of any property, so they can decide with clarity and confidence. I take the time to understand who my clients are, what matters to them, and what kind of home will genuinely support their lifestyle.

 

As a lifelong San Diegan, I offer deep, hyper-local knowledge that goes far beyond basic market data. I know the neighborhoods, the microclimates, the trends, and the pockets of opportunity. I love sharing this knowledge with clients. Because I care deeply about my clients, I don’t back down when a transaction gets tough—if anything, I push harder. And when it’s time to negotiate, I’m relentless in securing the best possible terms, always advocating for my clients’ long-term success.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Christa Simonsen