The Mostly Real Estate Podcast, with Declan Spring

Aman is the Director of Operations at The Grubb Company, where he helps clients and agents achieve real estate goals through marketing, technology, and data analytics. With over 20 years of experience at Bay Area brokerages, he’s led branding and tech initiatives at Lofts Unlimited (later Urban Bay, acquired by McGuire), served as Director of Marketing at industry consultant T3 Sixty, and helped drive growth at Red Oak Realty, including as COO. Before real estate, Aman spent a decade in advertising, including at Saatchi & Saatchi NY and DDB Needham, working with top brands like P&G, Clorox, and Sun Microsystems. Raised in San Francisco and a Lowell High alum, he now lives in Berkeley’s Elmwood neighborhood with his wife and three cats. He’s also an avid road cyclist.

As a Realtor®, Andrea serves the Oakland, Berkeley and surrounding East Bay communities as well as San Francisco and Brisbane. Since 1998 her top priority has been providing individualized attention and flexibility to each and every one of her clients. She believes that no two people are alike so each individual needs and deserves to be treated with special care. She serves her clients tirelessly, and they count on her for results.

Andrea has been a top producer since 1998. After 26 years of being a Realtor®, she can truly say it is really a great profession, and she is proud to participate in one of the most important parts of people’s financial lives. Being a Realtor® has taught Andrea so much about life and people. She is always surprised by the kindness, generosity and great intelligence she meets along the way. Andrea loves what she does.

Anna Bellomo is the founder of District Homes, a boutique East Bay brokerage powered by tech-forward partner Side. With a background in law and international business, she brings unmatched market knowledge, sharp negotiation skills, and global perspective to every deal. Since founding District Homes in 2018, Anna has led a diverse, experienced team committed to client success. Consistently ranked in the top 1% of Realtors®, she combines business acumen with enthusiasm, responsiveness, and attention to detail. Originally from Spain, Anna is fluent in five languages and at home with clients from all backgrounds. She lives in Berkeley with her husband, a Cal professor, and their two daughters. Deeply committed to the local community, Anna has served on boards including Livable Berkeley, the CAR, and the Berkeley Rep. For Anna, real estate is more than a transaction—it’s about trust, service, and being all in, always.

I'm Chris Brown, a Las Vegas REALTOR® originally from Los Angeles, with a background in sports management and a career that’s taken me from the Bay Area to Orlando and now the vibrant Las Vegas market. After earning my Nevada license in 2019, I quickly found a passion for real estate—and a niche in lifestyle-focused content creation. Today, 90% of my business comes from social media, where I show people what it’s like to live in Las Vegas, not just buy here. My brand, CB.LasVegas, is a trusted source for relocation advice and city recommendations. I’m active on Instagram and TikTok, which I manage myself, and I’ve built a dedicated team to support long-form content on YouTube. That investment helped me monetize in under a year. I believe real estate is about more than homes—it’s about lifestyle, connection, and community. And if there's one lesson I share with other entrepreneurs: build the right team, because you can't grow alone.

David is a summa cum laude graduate of UCLA whose life experiences include European Content Manager for The Industry Standard, NYC Event Producer, Event Director, Co-founder of the 30 year old Adirondack Theater Festival in Glens Falls, NY, and Director and Lecturer at San Francisco State University. In his youth, David appeared in leading roles on Broadway, national tours, and in dozens of theatrical productions at many of the nation’s preeminent regional theaters.

During his 25 years in real estate, David has become the most successful agent in his area and in 2022, the Gunderman Group became the third-highest volume producing group in all of Keller Williams. Dedicated to the chosen family model of business, David has gathered a team with deep roots in the community—a group of highly-skilled professionals who believe that every choice, every decision, every action they take must be steeped in strategy, awareness, and respect for each client’s unique life circumstances.

With over a decade in the mortgage industry, I understand the evolving needs of buyers, agents, and partners alike. As VP of Business Development at Castle Hill Mortgage, my mission is to ensure everyone involved in the homebuying process feels seen, supported, and never like a number. Whether you're a first-time buyer, a seasoned investor, or a dedicated agent, we aim to be true partners—helping you compete, grow, and build lasting wealth through real estate. Homeownership has shaped my own life, providing both financial freedom and a future for my family—and even introducing me to my wife, a top-producing agent. Outside of work, I’m usually in the kitchen crafting handmade pasta and focaccia, exploring East Bay farmers markets, cycling the hills to burn off carbs, or traveling to Tahoe and Italy. If you ever need mortgage advice, a great recipe, or a cycling route—I’m your guy.

Raised in Albany, educated at UC Berkeley, and a homeowner in the East Bay, I know deeply what it is to build a life here.

As a 6th generation Bay Area native and the daughter of a framing contractor/home inspector father, I’ve been scaling roofs and spelunking through half framed homes since I was a child. Knowledge of construction and building is a rare skill in this industry, but one I wouldn’t practice real estate without. I educate my clients in the fundamentals of home structures as they house hunt, so they make their purchase armed with confidence and knowledge of the condition of their new home.

Faramarz Moeen-Ziai is a seasoned mortgage professional based in Berkeley, CA, with a mission to deliver expert guidance and first-class service. Since 2003, he has helped over 5,000 clients achieve their homeownership goals, earning recognition as a Scotsman Guide Top Originator. His team, The FMZ Team, is known for its speed, efficiency, and a proven track record of getting offers accepted—even when not the highest on the table. Backed by fully underwritten pre-approvals and the power of America’s #1 retail mortgage lender, Faramarz positions clients to win in competitive markets. With over a decade as a business owner, he brings a unique perspective and a results-driven approach to each transaction. Hundreds of five-star reviews on Google, Yelp, Zillow, and more reflect his team's dual focus on service and speed. Whether supporting a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, Faramarz is dedicated to helping clients succeed.

I’m Felicia Mares-Villa, your dedicated East Bay real estate agent helping everyone from first-time buyers to experienced homeowners achieve their real estate goals. My passion began with my mom’s solo journey to homeownership—facing bad advice and unfair treatment. Her resilience inspired me to enter real estate and ensure others have the guidance she lacked. With a Psychology degree from UC Davis, I offer a thoughtful approach rooted in empathy, clear communication, and market expertise. Named a Realtor Magazine 30 Under 30 honoree and California Association of Realtors Rising Star, I’m proud to be recognized for innovation and service. My partner Hazel Emlen and I founded Arlowe Homes to break the mold—building a brokerage focused on care, collaboration, and client confidence. At Arlowe, we treat you like family every step of the way.

A trilingual UC Berkeley Mass Communications grad (English, French, Chinese), Herman blends classic marketing with millennial tech savvy to deliver standout results. His rise to becoming one of San Francisco’s top agents caught the attention of the entertainment world. As an author, speaker, and TV personality, he’s been featured by HGTV, CBC, CNET, MSNBC, CNN Money, CBS, PBS, USA Today, and more—sought for his insight into real estate and beyond. While his charisma lights up the screen, it’s his relentless drive to serve clients with excellence that earns widespread praise. With deep local expertise and a proven record of success, Herman remains passionately committed to helping clients not just meet their goals, but surpass them—with style and integrity.

Jodi approaches every client relationship with mindfulness and care. With deep industry knowledge and local insight, she brings calm and clarity to the complex process of buying and selling homes. A homeowner since 1999, she understands firsthand the power of real estate to build joy and lasting value. Her thoughtful approach has earned her top recognition: she ranks in the top 1% of East Bay Realtors® and was named among Real Trends America’s Best—placing her in the top 0.5% nationwide. Clients consistently praise her kindness, authenticity, and strong advocacy. A former educator with an M.A. in Second Language Studies, Jodi blends her passion for people and place with an eye for great design and marketing. She and her team donate $500+ per transaction to a client-chosen cause. A longtime East Bay resident, Jodi is raising her family here and remains committed to local volunteer work and celebrating the diversity that makes this area home.

José has lived in the East Bay a majority of his life. He is knowledgeable, sharp, and has a great feel for the many diverse neighborhoods that make this one of the greatest places to live in the world. He volunteered for the Berkeley School Governance Council (SGC) and was a valuable conductor of process and needs for the school community. More to add, his experience running a successful, high-paced business has given him a great understanding of what it takes to get results in this Real Estate market. José speaks Spanish and has a great sense of humor.

Josh isn’t your typical broker. With a background in environmental engineering and three advanced degrees—including an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business—he brings a sharp, analytical approach to real estate. After 15 years with top environmental firms and nonprofits, and leading multimillion-dollar fundraising efforts at a major university, Josh found his calling in helping people more directly. In 2012, he founded Zip Code East Bay to combine problem-solving, community connection, and creative marketing. His engineering mindset ensures every detail is managed with care, while his Midwestern roots fuel his commitment to genuine relationships. As a successful East Bay broker, Josh is a connector and community advocate who sees real estate as more than a transaction—it’s a partnership. Whether you're buying or selling, Josh is here to guide you with strategy, empathy, and integrity.

Hello, I’m Katie Macks. Trauma Sensitive, Life and Self-Leadership Coach and I help humans like you build wildly delicious, turned-on lives that serve you and the world.

I personally know how hard and lonely it can to be judged harshly for not meeting cultural demands and expectations. The truth is, I’m untamable. 
And, maybe you are too? Once I figured that out, I stopped making myself wrong for being a bold, outspoken, highly sensitive, intuitive, and emotional human. I stopped trying to validate, justify, and prove who I was.

I dared to just be the passionate, tender, fierce, messy, honest, compassionate, audacious woman I’ve always been.

Then, I found my joy, pleasure, authenticity, and freedom.

And that is what I am here to do for you: help humans who feel like they’re too much be just that, because the world needs your too muchness.

I grew up in the late 1970s-early 1980s, when video games were either unavailable or too pricey for my welfare-dependent family. So I played board games; Monopoly was my favorite. I developed my own version of the game, with credit cards, loans, and renters, by the time I was eight. After working since age 14, and saving most of my pay, I set a goal—to become a homeowner by the time I was 25. One crack house in Oakland became “home sweet home” the day I turned 25. Three years later my boss, Moe, at the tattoo shop asked when I was going to purchase income property. I claimed not to have adequate savings. That’s when Moe taught me the power of leverage.

Loulena Miles has practiced law in California since 2003. She began in public policy with the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability in DC, then graduated top of her class at Golden Gate University. She practiced environmental law at Tri-Valley CAREs and later at Adams, Broadwell, Joseph & Cardozo, focusing on administrative law. Before moving into estate planning, she helped seniors with housing, healthcare, and finances. She co-founded Miles and Torres Associates, then launched her solo practice. A Strauss Scholar and New Voices Ford Fellow, she has presented at the UN in New York and Geneva, and at the World Social Forum in India. She holds a certificate in conflict resolution and mediation, and has earned multiple Witkin and Cali Awards. Ms. Miles is a member of East Bay Trusts and Estates Lawyers and serves on the board of Tri-Valley CAREs. In her spare time, she enjoys travel—especially to Barcelona and Hawaii.

I am a third generation native of Berkeley and a second generation UC Berkeley graduate. I focus on single-family residential listings in the Berkeley area on unceded Lisjan homelands in Huichin. Leveraging my deep knowledge of the local community, I build lasting relationships with my clients to help them achieve their goals and dreams at each life-stage. I take an analytical and consultative approach to understanding the unique needs of each client and then develop a custom strategy to meet your short and long-term objectives.

I’m a tribal member of the Seminole, Mvskoke, and Choctaw nations of Oklahoma and I apply the Seventh Generation Principle to my personal and work life which includes long-term thinking, sustainability, and architectural preservation.

When I moved to El Cerrito in 2015, I craved connection—so I started an Instagram account, The Little Hill, to document local gems and build community. It worked: the account grew to a loyal five-figure following and made me feel truly at home. During the pandemic, followers from urban areas reached out—many assuming I was a Realtor who could help them move. I wasn’t... yet. But I’d always loved real estate. I studied quietly, passed my exam in 2022, and within weeks of announcing it, I had clients. I closed my first deal soon after—and I was hooked. Since then, I’ve been honored as a California Association of Realtors Rising Star and won LaSalle Mortgage’s 2025 Community Ambassador Award. Today, I help clients navigate one of life’s biggest milestones with care, strategy, and heart. Outside of real estate, I support local events, public art, and youth sports, and love exploring the trails with my husband and two kids.

Few things in life motivate me more than helping others get along more effectively.  Since 1996, I have enjoyed the remarkable privilege of facilitating leadership development and team development experiences for thousands of people in dozens of countries around the world.  The core of everything I do rests firmly on a foundation of collaboration and collaborative problem-solving.  I thrive on helping people realize and execute ideals that might otherwise seem too idealist by employing a deeply experiential approach–grounded in the belief that you have all the wisdom you need if only given the opportunity to experience what you are capable of.

Vanessa, a Brooklyn native, has called the East Bay home for over 20 years. After earning a BS in Crime, Law and Justice from Penn State, she moved west—living in San Francisco and Marin before settling in Oakland. She fell in love with real estate after buying her first home, becoming an agent and quickly advancing to management. In 2007, she joined Red Oak Realty as General Manager, drawn to its independent, community-focused model. By 2010, she became owner and later CEO, growing Red Oak into the largest independent brokerage in the East Bay cities it serves. Vanessa is a sought-after national speaker on real estate and leadership, and in 2023 earned a Master of Law in Conflict Resolution and Mediation from Pepperdine. She is passionate about elevating the real estate profession nationally while enhancing the client experience locally. Her leadership blends strategy, empathy, and a deep commitment to community and excellence.