Inhabit Collective Real Estate

Inhabit Collective Real Estate Locally owned, design-forward real estate brokerage serving San Clemente, Dana Point, SJC & all of Coastal Orange County. We are not a big box brokerage.

Inhabit Real Estate was founded on a simple but powerful idea: the experience of buying or selling a home should feel as thoughtfully designed as the home itself. We’re a locally owned, independent collective based in San Clemente—built by people who live here, give back here, and plan to stay. Our roots run deep, and so does our responsibility—to our clients, our agents, and the community we call

home. We are boutique by choice. Design-forward by nature. Service-led by values. Our agents are supported, not pressured. Empowered to grow their business authentically, they’re backed by structure—not scripts. Whether focused on one neighborhood or spanning multiple markets, they’re equipped with the tools, marketing, and mentorship to thrive with integrity. We believe in hands-on guidance, local expertise, and relationships over transactions. Our marketing is elevated. Our service is personalized. Our culture is collaborative. We reinvest 1% of all profits back into the San Clemente community—supporting local nonprofits, schools, and small businesses that make this place special. Our headquarters sits on North El Camino Real in the historic office that once housed San Clemente Real Estate—the brokerage where our story began decades ago. Today, Inhabit carries that legacy forward with care, craft, and deep local knowledge. This is Inhabit. All in, always.

Happy birthday to Seth. ❤️⁠⁠If you know Seth, you know there’s rarely a shortage of enthusiasm. For a person, a song, an...
09/05/2026

Happy birthday to Seth. ❤️⁠

If you know Seth, you know there’s rarely a shortage of enthusiasm. For a person, a song, an idea, or something he believes in, Seth is all in.⁠

He’s funny, gregarious, relentlessly positive, and one of the most natural champions of other people we know. He shows up. He encourages. He connects. And he has a way of making you feel like whatever you’re doing is worth getting excited about. We’re especially lucky that he brings that same energy to Inhabit and believes so wholeheartedly in what we’re building here.⁠

That enthusiasm comes with a serious side, too. Seth has thrown himself into real estate with a genuine desire to understand it at a deeper level. He studies the market, follows the data, asks questions, and keeps learning because he wants to be really good at what he does and really useful to the people who trust him. His market videos are only the part everyone sees. Behind them is someone who has done the work, thought about what it means, and cares about getting it right.⁠

And beside him in all of it is Vanessa, his wife and partner in real estate. Spend any time around the two of them and you notice the way they look at each other. There’s so much love and respect between them, but they also just have so much fun together.⁠

And then there’s music. Seth may be the biggest music lover we know, and some of his proudest moments happen from the audience. He travels to see his nephew, Max McNown, perform, and now gets to cheer on his daughter, Isla Rose, as she begins a music career of her own. And whether it’s Isla, Jude, Vanessa, family, friends, or one of us at Inhabit, Seth is a guy who shows up for his people. Fully.⁠

Seth, we love your big personality, your curiosity, your positivity, your support, and the energy you bring to this little Inhabit family. Things are simply way more fun when you’re around.⁠

Happy birthday. Here’s to another year of good people, great music, and plenty to talk about. ❤️

New to Market: A fresh take on Spanish modern living, 21 Calle Ameno brings together timeless architecture, contemporary...
09/03/2026

New to Market: A fresh take on Spanish modern living, 21 Calle Ameno brings together timeless architecture, contemporary design and the easy rhythm of coastal Southern California life. Soaring 10-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows fill nearly 5,000 square feet with natural light, while designer lighting, fresh flooring and thoughtfully selected materials bring warmth and character to the home’s clean, modern aesthetic.⁠

Open house: Sat 9.5 | 1-4pm

At the heart of the home, the kitchen balances sophisticated design with the way people actually live, with an elegant marble backsplash, waterfall island and plenty of room to cook, gather and entertain. Morning light arrives with sunrise views toward the Cleveland National Forest, while two staircases lead upstairs to a window-wrapped bonus room with peeks of the ocean.⁠

Five bedrooms and five baths are thoughtfully finished throughout, with the primary suite offering a particularly serene retreat. Marble flooring leads to custom closet cabinetry, a freestanding soaking tub and polished nickel fixtures, creating a space that feels considered without feeling overly formal.⁠

Outside, covered dining, a spa and built-in barbecue extend life into the open air, while a three-car garage makes room for the surfboards, e-bikes, golf carts and gear that come with living here. Spanish-inspired architecture, natural materials and polished contemporary updates come together in a home that feels refined but relaxed, and distinctly at home in San Clemente.⁠

21 Calle Ameno, San Clemente | $4,495,000⁠
5 bedrooms | 5 bathrooms | 4,950 sq. ft. | 7,776 sq. ft. lot⁠

Listed by Sydney Kohler Allen⁠
Inhabit Collective | DRE #021000957⁠

Happy one year, Ben. ❤️⁠⁠We first met Ben at a property. He represented the buyer on one of our listings, and somewhere ...
09/02/2026

Happy one year, Ben. ❤️⁠

We first met Ben at a property. He represented the buyer on one of our listings, and somewhere in the course of that transaction, we started paying attention. He was newer to real estate, but there was something special there. Smart, charismatic, candid and clearly invested in his clients. More importantly, we had a feeling he was our kind of people.⁠

A year later, that instinct was right.⁠

The thing about Ben is, what you see is what you get. He has a presence without needing to command the room. He’s confident but humble, completely unguarded and refreshingly himself. He’ll tell you what he thinks, probably make you laugh while he’s doing it, and has a way of putting people at ease almost immediately.⁠

That ease with people is part of what makes him such a good agent, but it’s backed by substance. His background in construction gives him a deep understanding of how homes are actually built, and when something gets complicated, Ben digs in. We’ve watched him navigate some complex situations this year with patience, persistence and a lot of care. He gathers the information, works through the problem and makes sure his clients understand what’s happening along the way. No drama. No shortcuts. Just steady follow-through and fair, honest dealing.⁠

That same character shows up everywhere else in his life. His faith matters deeply to him. His family does too. He’s a devoted husband to Marissa and dad to four kids, a loyal friend and someone who genuinely cares about this group and the people in it.⁠

But really, Ben is just a good human. No hidden agenda. He doesn’t hold much back. There’s an openness to him that’s rare. He’s easy to trust, easy to root for and even easier to love.⁠

We saw something in Ben during that first transaction. One year later, we’ve had the chance to see exactly what it was.⁠

Happy one year at Inhabit Collective, Ben. We’re grateful you took a chance on us, and really glad we took a chance on you. ❤️

September, around here. ☀️⁠⁠The calendar may say summer is winding down, but the coast has other plans.⁠⁠September is on...
09/01/2026

September, around here. ☀️⁠

The calendar may say summer is winding down, but the coast has other plans.⁠

September is one of those months that reminds us how much of living here happens beyond our own front doors. Downtown streets close for classic cars. Tall ships return to Dana Point Harbor. Music fills The Casino courtyard and Doheny. Skateboarders take over Ralphs Skate Court. And somewhere in between, there’s a neighborhood party at Goody’s where someone will inevitably end up in the dunk tank.⁠

Some of these traditions have been around for decades. Some are still becoming traditions. Together, they’re part of the rhythm of September here and the little things you come to know when you’ve lived somewhere long enough.⁠

And there’s a lot worth showing up for this month.⁠

Swipe through for our September calendar across San Clemente, Dana Point + San Juan Capistrano. Save it for later, share it with someone who needs weekend plans, and head to the link in bio for the full guide.⁠

Real estate rooted in people + place.®⁠

𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 $𝟐,𝟕𝟗𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎. A new opportunity to experience one of the rarely available Plan 1B residences within the gua...
08/28/2026

𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 $𝟐,𝟕𝟗𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎.
A new opportunity to experience one of the rarely available Plan 1B residences within the guard-gated enclave of Las Piedras in Covenant Hills.⁠

Hidden on a private cul-de-sac and hand-selected for its privacy, abundant natural light, and sweeping sunset views, 9 Sandalo Court captures the quiet romance of an old-world European villa. Intimate courtyards and six flowing fountains create a sense of retreat, while architecture, landscape, water, and light exist in quiet harmony.⁠

Offering 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 1 powder room, and a detached second-floor casita, the thoughtfully designed floor plan pairs enduring craftsmanship with everyday livability. Honed marble floors, hand-scraped hardwood, handcrafted plaster fireplaces, Walker Zanger stone, and beautifully curated outdoor spaces give the home a character increasingly difficult to replicate.⁠

▪ Rarely available single-level Plan 1B with detached second-floor casita⁠
▪ Quiet cul-de-sac within guard-gated Covenant Hills⁠
▪ Three private courtyards with six fountains throughout⁠
▪ Sunset valley views, covered loggia & saltwater spa⁠
▪ Walker Zanger stone, honed marble & handcrafted plaster fireplaces⁠
▪ Whole-home audio, water filtration, reverse osmosis & oversized 3-car garage⁠

9 Sandalo Court, Ladera Ranch | Now $2,795,000⁠
🔗 Link in bio for more details + photos⁠

Listed by Douglas Echelberger⁠
Echelberger Group | DRE 01176379⁠

08/28/2026

The highest list price doesn’t always lead to the highest sale price. In fact, pricing too high at the start can quietly cost a seller the very thing they were trying to protect: value.⁠

A home receives its greatest wave of attention when it first enters the market. That’s when buyers are watching, agents are sharing, and a new listing has something that becomes increasingly difficult to recreate with time: momentum. Price beyond where buyers see value, and many won’t negotiate. They simply won’t engage.⁠

Then the days begin to accumulate. Questions replace urgency. Leverage starts to shift. And a price reduction later may bring new attention, but it can’t completely recreate that first impression.⁠

That’s why we don’t view pricing as a number pulled from comps. It’s a positioning decision informed by the competition, current buyer behavior, property condition, demand, and what is happening in that particular neighborhood and price point right now. **The goal isn’t to see how high you can list. It’s to position the home so the market responds.**⁠

In our latest 𝑰𝒏.𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 journal entry, we explore the hidden cost of overpricing and why the first days on market matter more than many sellers realize.⁠

Read: The Hidden Cost of Overpricing Your Home⁠
Link in bio.⁠

Happy one year, Catrina. ❤️⁠⁠There are people who make an impression quickly, and Catrina is one of them. Confident, int...
08/27/2026

Happy one year, Catrina. ❤️⁠

There are people who make an impression quickly, and Catrina is one of them. Confident, intelligent and inherently cool, but spend any real time with her and you realize there are a lot of layers underneath all of that.⁠

Catrina knows her stuff. Data and knowledge matter to her, but so do instinct and emotional intelligence. She can read a situation, solve a problem and give you the advice you actually need. Direct, steadfast and protective, she isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said or stand firm when it matters.⁠

This woman has your back.⁠

Her roots here run deep. This isn’t simply a market she works in. It’s her community, and she genuinely cares about the people in it. That carries through in the way she works, collaborates and generously shares what she knows. Beyond real estate, there are even more layers. A strong mother. A great friend. An ocean lover who would happily spend the day fishing. Incredibly stylish. Friendly, real and completely comfortable being exactly who she is.⁠

We admire her strength and the way she carries it. Powerful without needing to prove it. Direct while still deeply caring. Confident, but always real.⁠

One year in, Inhabit is better with Catrina in it. We’re grateful for everything she brings to this company and equally grateful for the friendship that has come with it. ⁠

Happy one year at Inhabit Collective, Catrina. We’re really glad you’re here. ❤️

𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 | 𝐎𝐟𝐟-𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭. ⁠⁠When a longtime client was ready to make a move into Southwest San Clemente, there was one signif...
08/26/2026

𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 | 𝐎𝐟𝐟-𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭. ⁠

When a longtime client was ready to make a move into Southwest San Clemente, there was one significant challenge: almost nothing was available. Rather than wait for the right home to hit the market, Doug Echelberger and Hannah Torok began looking beyond what was listed.⁠

They reached into their local network and database to uncover potential opportunities, connecting with a family they had been speaking with about selling in the future. The owners agreed to a private showing, and the home turned out to be exactly the kind of opportunity their buyer had been waiting for.⁠

From there, Doug and Hannah worked together to negotiate an off-market transaction that made sense for both sides. With the seller living in Northern California, hands-on local representation became especially important. Every detail was closely managed throughout the process, giving the seller confidence from afar while helping the buyer secure a home in one of San Clemente’s most sought-after coastal neighborhoods.⁠

The result: a smooth $2.35M off-market sale, a happy seller, and a past client now getting to trade limited inventory for an entirely new way of life in Southwest San Clemente.⁠

Congratulations to both clients on a successful close. We can’t wait to see what the buyers make of this special home and watch them settle into the beach lifestyle.⁠

📍137 Trafalgar Ln, San Clemente | $2,350,000⁠

Seller represented by Douglas Echelberger⁠
Buyer represented by Hannah Torok⁠
Echelberger Group | DRE 01176379

Address

407 N. El Camino Real
San Clemente, CA
92672

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