Your Real Estate Specialists

MARY ELLEN HAYWOOD has been a Realtor since 1999. In April of 2002, she achieved the designation of GRI, Graduate, Realtor Institute. This designation is the mark of a real estate professional who has made the commitment to provide a high level of professional services by securing a strong educational foundation. Mary Ellen believes in developing relationships for the long term by providing excellent service, establishing personal connections, standing behind what she says and does, and by always being available as a resource. She is a stabilizing force, providing the communication, clarification, and determination needed to complete the task completely, and correctly

In September of 2009, Mary Ellen was lucky enough to find an incredible assistant to help out. Jocelyn Lomahan has been a licensed agent since 2002. Jocelyn has been amazing, and those of you who have met her, or have had the opportunity to work with her, would agree. Together, they make an unstoppable team.

In May of 2010, seeing the need to find an alternative to foreclosure, Mary Ellen became a Certified Distressed Property Expert...she is confident that this education will be an incredible benefit to her business and to the clients they serve. Our Team is committed to providing our clients with service that is above expectation. Our motto tells it all. "Excellence with Integrity is my Minimum Standard."

DANA ALLEN is the Transaction Coordinator of the QualityFirst Real Estate Division. Dana is a licensed Real Estate Agent with over 11 years of experience in the Real Estate industry. Dana started out working as an appraisal assistant in 1997. She then made the move into Transaction Coordinating in 1999, going to work for Century 21 Award. Dana has worked with many of San Diego’s top producers and has a great working knowledge of the entire escrow process from when a house is listed to the closing of the escrow.

CELESTE RATAJCZAK works exclusively for Buyers and helps them negotiate the home buying process with confidence. Celeste is responsible for finding the best San Diego County Real Estate deals for Buyers of all levels-- from first- time home purchasers to savvy investors. She carefully listens to Buyers and is quick to respond. Celeste knows where the best buys are in today’s real estate market. She provides immediate results in the search for that perfect home or real estate investment.

Celeste brings many years of real estate experience to Quality First Real Estate. Previous to working as a Buyer’s Agent Celeste had worked as Senior Commercial Loan Officer in commercial mortgage banking. Celeste is a seasoned property investor and landlord who understands the importance of due diligence and careful analysis. This wide range of expertise and sensitivity to Buyer needs brings her clients to an advanced level of home buying and real estate investing.

Celeste has served as a Board Member for various Business Improvement Districts in San Diego County and other community organizations, such as Alpha Project for the Homeless. She is still remembered for her instrumental work in the Old Town Chamber of Commerce’s Promotions Committee with Diane Powers of Bazaar del Mundo.

SUSAN COLBERG has been a realtor since 2000. Susan has received multiple awards consistently for top sales and top listings since 2004 to present including a "quality service award" which was chosen by her own clients. "EXCELLENT SERVICE" is her motto and has always been her top priority. She attributes her success to beng educated in all aspects of Real Estate, and believes it is necessary to be educated continually in order to provide services beyond the expectations of anyone she is providing service to including other realtors she works with in each and every transaction. Susan is currently working on obtaining her "brokers" liscense.

DENIESE CHAVEZ - In 2000 after being a homemaker for fourteen years Deniese decided she was ready to enter the work force again. Deniese first choose real estate because it was something that she had interest in since buying her first home. She didn't know when she choose to work in real estate that she would have so much fun doing it. Working with buyers, especially first time home buyers, has allowed Deniese to assist people in realizing their dreams. When an escrow has finally closed and she gets to hand over the keys to your new home, Deniese feels privileged that she was chosen by her clients, to help them through a very important decision in their life. Deniese has sold many homes for seniors and even though this usually requires much more time on her part, she is happy that she is able to assist them which is usually a very difficult time for them. Deniese enjoys working with people and am happy to provide them with quality service. She continues to learn about real estate every day, since it’s a constantly changing industry and no two transactions are ever alike, but Deniese strives to learn something new all the time so she can make her clients real estate transactions an enjoyable and satisfying experience.

YASMIN ESPINOSA - Yasmin Espinosa started in one of the most difficult, and distressed real estate markets in Southern California. Yasmin thrives and prospers through challenges associated with the constant change in the market. She has built her cliental through extensive investor referrals, as well as assisting and educating first time home buyers. She has obtained her Bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University in Business Management. She has been granted numerous quality service awards, and acknowledged as a top producing agent in her office. Yasmin’s next goal is to obtain a broker license.

JULIE OELCKERS started her career as a Realtor in 1999. Julie works with both buyers and sellers and is committed to the highest level of excellence and service. She thoroughly enjoys being an important role in their home buying experience and negotiating their biggest and wisest investment. Julie has the ability to guide the seller through the selling process and look at what can be done to maximize their net return.

Julie has an extensive construction background, having helped to manage her husband's general contracting business over the past 22 years. Her knowledge of construction defects is beneficial to the buyer when it comes to identifying potential problems and in negotiating requests for repairs.

Julie is enthusiastic and communicates well with her clients and listens to what their needs and concerns are. Nothing satisfies her more than a happy client for life!

THE BARRON TEAM
Janice Barron has been a Realtor for over 30 years and a licensed Broker for the past 7 years. Janice believes that satisfied clients are the key to her success. In this very competitive business of real estate, service makes all the difference, and you can be confident that Janice gives each and every one of her clients 110% of her attention and time. Over the years Janice has been awarded Top Production Agent, Multi-Million Dollar Producer and several ther notable awards given to the top 1% of agents nationwide. In her free time, Janice volunteers at FOCAS, Friends of the County Animal Shelter, and gives a portion of her profits from each sale to this important charity.

Emma Barron Lefkowitz began working along side her mom in 2005 as a Realtor. After completing her BA at UCLA and obtaining an MS in Psychology, she decided to bring her strong listening skills and attention to detail to the clients of The Barron Team. Emma brings her experience in marketing and the use of technology to expose her properties and give her business and her clients the competitive edge. Emma is extremely active in the San Diego Philanthropic Community and at her children's school. In her free time she trains for half-marathons!

ROBIN BARRON has many years of experience in property management, remodeling and sales of foreclosure properties. She has brought her experience and has proudly joined the Barron Team. Robin has also worked in customer service and appeals and believes how important it is for the client to be your first priority. She has a BA degree and is very active and volunteers in her children's school and their extracurricular activities. She enjoys reading, excercising, and spending time with her family.

WILLEM DE RIDDER obtained a B.S. degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing from California State University Long Beach and began working for a promotional marketing company in Los Angeles. After spending time in the ultra competitive world of promotion Willem decided to move back to his hometown of San Diego to begin a full time career in Real Estate. Willem has a great connection with many generation Y first time home buyers who are looking to take advantage of the down Real Estate market. Willem is new to Real Estate, however, has grown up around the business with three generations of realtors in the family. Building client relationships through open lines of communication, commitment to customer service and eagerness define Willem.

LISA PLOURDE is a dedicated and market-savvy professional who strives for happy clients above all else. As a listing agent, she offers customized marketing plans that maximize property exposure. As a buyers' agent, she is very knowledgeable about the homes, property, and neighborhoods in San Diego County.

Lisa is a licensed California Realtor as well as a North Carolina Broker/Realtor. In 2003 Lisa was Associate of the Year at Fonville Morisey Realty. During 2004-2007 she was recognized by Platinum Executive Council as top selling agent with performance in excess of $10 million annually. From 2004-2008 she ranked in the top 25 Realtors in Research Triangle area North Carolina. In 2008 and 2009 Lisa received the Presidents Circle Award as well as being recognized as being part of the top 5% of all Prudential Sales Associates in America

Lisa received her B.S. the University of Alabama and later was Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Richmond. She is a certified Luxury Marketing Specialist, Certified Relocation Specialist and Staging Specialist having client's residence featured in North Carolina's Cary Living Magazine.