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.

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.

HARA COHEN has been a Realtor® since 2004. Previous to becoming a Realtor®, Hara worked in international business for large and medium sized corporations in Asia and Latin America where she learned to speak both Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. In Hara's capacity in business development, project management and technical marketing, she learned a skill set well suited to meeting her clients needs in every aspect of a real estate transaction. Her skills are beneficial to our company and to her clients because she is well versed in internal and external communication, detail and process orientation and is able to take an efficient and proactive approach to problematic situations. In a constantly changing technical field, Hara's marketing expertise will ensure her clients get the most visibility to their properties in the most pertinent venues. Hara loves to spend time with her two young daughters and is an avid swimmer and cyclist.

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 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.

SYLVIA MEDINA COWEN is a San Diego native with a real love for the real estate business. Licensed since 1989, Sylvia is self driven strategic goal setter. In fact, it was her extensive research and marketing skills in real estate that lead her to becoming another one of the valued members of the Quality First Family.

Sylvia is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Realtor's and specializes in foreclosure, short sale and BPO's business. Assuring that customers are satisfied with the service she provides has always been her highest priority.

Sylvia loves singing, entertaining, horseback riding, and educating herself. Sylvia is very happy to be on board. Among the many degrees she has are a Master's in Forensic Investigation, B.A. in Psychology, and A.A's in Administration of Justice and Paralegal Studies and continues to educate herself in the real estate business by attending seminar's and training forums.

SANDY WARFE As a dedicated real estate agent, she is qualified to guide you in buying or selling a home. She uses her many years of experience in finance, contracts, negotiation and marketing to help her clients obtain their goal whether they are buying or selling. Sandy says "Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest and most important transactions in the lives of most people. Because of this, it is important that you work with someone you trust and feel is an expert and has integrity and trust. People trust me with their most-valuable asset. It's a responsibility I take very seriously. I know that your success is my success. "

Sandy lives in and services the entire Coachella Valley. She offers local expertise in a home market tailored to meet your needs. As a local professional, she knows the neighborhoods, schools, market conditions, zoning regulations and local economy. She will do the leg work, keeping you up-to-date with new listings and conditions as they impact the market. She will make the process pleasurable and a stress-free experience for you. Allow her to handle the peaks and valleys of a normal real estate transaction.

She does not measure success through awards received or achievements, but through the satisfaction of her clients. Whether you are looking to buy or sell your home, Sandy will provide sound and trustworthy advice to help you achieve your real estate goals. Let her guide you through the complexities of buying or selling your home, eliminating hassles and stress.

Sandy continues to educate herself in the Real Estate business by attending Real Estate Continue Education/Certifications, seminars and training forums. She enjoys Family time with her two sons, and all social media, networking, travel around the world, and cooking!!