For us, homeownership has never been just about having a place to live. It’s been about building something lasting, a foundation for our family, a sense of belonging, and a way to invest in our future.
When we bought our first home in 2015, we were newly engaged and dreaming big. We closed escrow the week before our wedding and headed off to Mexico with a set of house keys in our pockets: excited, nervous, and ready to take on whatever came next.
The house wasn’t perfect. It was a small 2-bedroom, 1-bath with dated finishes and a long list of projects. It needed to be fully gutted and remodeled. But it had potential, and potential was something we could work with. We were determined to make it ours.
When we came home from our wedding, we jumped straight into renovation mode. With help from Paul’s dad, a retired ironworker, we tackled everything from refinishing the floors to building a new fence and restoring its original Craftsman features. It wasn’t glamorous, it was sweaty, dusty, and full of learning moments, but it was ours. Over time, we transformed that little house into something beautiful.
That home became our piggy bank. Every bit of effort, every improvement, every ounce of sweat equity built value. When it came time to sell, that investment helped us take the next step, to a bigger home, in a neighborhood where we could grow our family and our roots.
We transformed our 1st home with care, creativity, and a whole lot of love.
From First House to Family Home
If our first home was our classroom, our second was our playground.
We found it thanks to a neighbor (and fellow realtor) who told us about a San Leandro home that wasn’t selling. At the time, our only connection to the area was grabbing bagels at Main Street Bagels, but something about it felt right.
When we walked through the front door, we instantly saw the potential. It was twice the size of our first place, with two bathrooms (a dream!) and an ideal layout for hosting friends and family. The middle bedroom had built-in bunk beds that we knew our son would love, though at the time, we didn’t yet know we were expecting our second child!
We moved in and immediately began making it our own. Over the years, we poured love, time, and energy into updates — two bathroom remodels, a refreshed laundry room, new paint throughout, and a back deck that completely changed how we lived in the space.
This home carried us through so much: new babies, a pandemic, work-from-home chaos, and countless backyard dinners. It became our sanctuary, and a reminder that the right home is more than square footage; it’s the setting for your life.
From family property prep to our new Talbot Team press photos
Finding “The One”
By 2020, we had finished renovating our second home in San Leandro’s Estudillo Estates. We weren’t looking to move but then, I spotted a listing that stopped me in my tracks.
It was a 1927 Tudor Revival, originally a single-family home that had been purchased by the Dominican Sisters of Oakford in the 1990s and converted into a convent for nuns. It had missed its offer date, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was meant for us.
It was a lot of house, more than we’d ever imagined owning, but it had incredible bones, rich character, and a soul that deserved to be restored. I saw its potential immediately: a place we could lovingly bring back to life, where our family could grow, and where we could welcome others.
When we moved in that summer, the world was in the middle of the pandemic. Like everyone else, we craved connection, and this home gave us space to dream. Over time, we’ve worked to restore its historic charm while making it functional for modern family life.
Our vision was always bigger than ourselves. We dreamed of creating a space that could bring people together, for community gatherings, parties, and fundraisers. That dream came full circle when we hosted our first Juniper Corner fundraiser right here at home. Seeing friends and neighbors gathered in our backyard, celebrating and supporting something meaningful, felt like everything had come full circle.
Photo from San Leandro Architectural home tour in 2024, Then & Now Family Selfies, 2020 & 2025
Why Homeownership Matters
Through every project, renovation, and move, one thing has become clear: owning a home isn’t just about real estate, it’s about life itself.
Homeownership roots you in community. It connects you to neighbors, local businesses, and shared spaces that make daily life richer. It also builds wealth in a way that few other investments can. Each payment adds to your equity. Each improvement adds to your future.
Your home becomes a living investment, a place that grows alongside you.
Paying It Forward
Now, after buying, renovating, and selling three homes, and growing through each one, we’ve made it our mission to help others do the same.
We know the East Bay market inside and out. We know the neighborhoods, the schools, the hidden gems, and the opportunities that others might overlook. We’ve lived the process, learned from every project, and built wealth through real estate step by step.
And now, we’re passionate about helping others do it too, whether it’s buying your first home, trading up for more space, or creating your own long-term investment story.
Your first home might not be your forever home, but it can be the foundation for everything that follows.
Let’s start building your story together.