Abio Properties Welcomes New Agents!

We are thrilled to announce that our Abio Properties family is growing again and introduce our five newest East Bay real estate experts who specialize in Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Berkeley, and Oakland homes for sale (and beyond)!

The agents joining our boutique firm are a mix of industry veterans and fresh talent. They are problem solvers, straight shooters, determined negotiators, and strong believers in putting their clients first.

Check out who’s making the real estate market sizzle this summer:

Lorraine Donovan

Lorraine Donovan  Lorraine, who has lived in Walnut Creek for 15 years, epitomizes integrity, energy, and creative service in her real estate transactions.

Lorraine’s varied experience includes graduating from UC Davis and working for 10 years in Washington, D.C., where she started as a young political appointee in the Clinton White House.

Lorraine’s deep Bay Area connections drew her back home, where she’s as passionate about community as she is about making clients’ real estate dreams come true. Lorraine’s vast local knowledge and her strong social network gives her a competitive edge in helping clients market their homes.

Lorraine also considers herself “a contract/law nerd” who grew up working in her father’s Wine Country law practice.

Why Abio? Lorraine says that after meeting Abio co-founder Linnette Edwards and learning about her boutique brokerage, Abio’s super cool and personal vibe pulled her in.

When she’s not real-estating: You’ll find Lorraine mountain biking or hiking with her four children. She also is involved in the Walnut Creek Surf Soccer Club.

Funniest/most interesting thing you found in a house for sale? The frozen top layer of a wedding cake from the original owners’ wedding 60 years ago.

Jason Ellis

Jason Ellis  Jason, who’s in his sixth year as a Realtor, has played a lot of different roles for his many clients: professional, counselor, confidant, fierce negotiator, and most importantly, friend.

Jason is an Oakland resident who lived in the area on and off for two decades, which means he has extensive knowledge about the East Bay’s unique neighborhoods.

His favorite career moments are winning negotiations for his clients and handing buyers the keys to their new homes.

Why Abio? “Knowing several of the agents at Abio, I loved their culture and the high-end boutique feel.”

When he’s not real-estating: You might catch Jason at the Portal patio in Oakland and enjoying views of Lake Merritt, delicious food, drinks, and chatting with old and new friends at the community tables.

Funniest/most interesting thing found in a house for sale: A metal box on the outside where milkmen would deposit bottles.

Leonard Lopez

Leonard Lopez   Since 2005, Leonard has dedicated himself to helping people buy and sell property all over the East Bay.

Leonard’s expertise includes working with first-time buyers and sellers. He also is known for his strong knowledge of condos and townhouse sales, including the unique issues surrounding HOAs, CC&Rs, and financing.

Leonard believes each client deserves his patience, honesty, attentiveness, and responsiveness – 24/7. He once drove all the way to Sacramento to pick up paperwork to ensure his client’s escrow closed on schedule!

Leonard moved from the Philippines to San Leandro with his family when he was 8 and he married his San Leandro High School sweetheart in 2015. They settled their little family in Walnut Creek.

Why Abio? Leonard says he fell in love with the Abio team’s collaborative spirit. Another key attraction: Abio serves both sides of the tunnel, with headquarters in both Oakland and Lafayette.

When he’s not real-estating: Leonard is passionate about travel – he’s been to 20 countries! Locally, you’ll find Leonard walking with his Shiba Inu sidekick, Tobiko, or on a quest to find the perfect cup of coffee. (Lately he’s been sipping java at States Coffee in Martinez or Philz in Walnut Creek.)

Funniest/most interesting thing found in a house for sale: A built-in antique hand crank coffee burr grinder on the wall. It looked like an elementary school pencil sharpener for a coffee lover.

Daniel Soto

Daniel Soto  Daniel, who has lived in Berkeley since 1993,  joined the real estate industry in 2016, following his love for the East Bay’s neighborhoods and architecture

His sharp skills include paying close attention to his clients’ needs and his ability to envision each home’s potential.

Daniel, who has lived in Berkeley for more than 20 years, also has a retail background, where he honed his attention to detail and customer service skills.

Why Abio? “I chose Abio because of their good reputation, their open approach to real estate, their willingness to embrace technology, and all the great agents.”

When he’s not real-estating: Raising two young children keeps Daniel pretty entertained! He also loves rock climbing, walking his old dog around the neighborhood, reading books, and watching "embarrassingly bad sci-fi." (Oh, Daniel, there is no such thing!)

Are you interested in learning more about the Abio Difference? Check out these blog posts:

• Why Boutique is Better in Era of Giant Real Estate Brokerages
• We Are Obsessed With Company Culture at Abio Properties!
• Check Out Our New Collaborative Coworking Space in Oakland's Vibrant Temescal District

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Want to meet our new agents in person, find a home for sale in Oakland, put your home for sale in Walnut Creek, or check out the rest of the East Bay real estate market?  Reach us at 888.400.ABIO (2246) or hello@abioproperties.com.