She can’t recall a time when she wasn’t interested in real estate, often scouring and studying property listings in home magazines even as a kid. Although her education and earlier careers took her in different directions, she eventually took the path her younger self often indulged in. No longer seeing the business through the filter of glossy publications, Carissa views real estate as a service industry career, determined to be present for her clients in as many capacities as possible, even after closing.
Growing up in Greater Los Angeles, Carissa earned a B.S. in kinesiology from California State University, San Marcos. Her previous jobs took her from the bank and nonprofit management to pharmaceutical sales to construction project management and interior design, with the latter two providing her first foray into real estate. She also honed her skill set — including customer service, multitasking, marketing, and communication — in every role, which proved vital for her current career. Carissa obtained her license in 2015 for more flexibility in caring for her newborn daughter. She began helping friends with their housing needs before going full-time in 2017.
In addition to nearly a decade of experience as a real estate professional, Carissa earned her broker license in 2020 and gained top producer recognition. It’s no surprise: She’s full-service in every sense. Understanding the financial and emotional weight of such a life-altering transition, Carissa does all the heavy lifting for her clients so they’re free to focus on their lives. She walks her buyers through the entire process to ensure their comfort and confidence and coordinates all aspects of her sellers’ properties, including vendor management, so they’re market-ready. She loves what she does, evident in her day-and-night work mentality. Carissa’s clients most often note that her unwavering honesty and willing responsiveness were key in making their experience exciting instead of stressful.
Carissa loves staying active with yoga, running, golf, soccer, and beach volleyball. A mom of two, she’s involved in her kids’ school, sports, and other extracurricular activities. Carissa is also very passionate about philanthropy and being involved in the South Bay community; she’s an associate member of Sandpipers, which serves those in need throughout the South Bay.