Cari Corbalis & Britt Austin

Cari Corbalis and Britt Austin are a mother-daughter real estate team specializing in residential sellers and buyers throughout the South Bay. Together they have decades of experience in the industry. They started their firm, Cari & Britt Properties, in 2011. 

How has your professional performance exceeded your clients’ expectations?

We always put ourselves in our clients’ shoes. Some people like to have separation between work and personal life; we tend to blur the lines. Each client is treated as if they are our own family, and we advise them as such. This is felt by every client we work with. They know they can trust us and we truly want the best for them, regardless if it results in a sale or not. 

What is the #1 thing you do to ensure your business is successful?

The majority of our business comes from referrals. We always answer our phones, and we are always honest with our clients even if it hurts us. We go the extra mile and don’t take the easy way out. It’s because of these things that we have a loyal group of clients who promote our business. It’s so gratifying. 

Why did you choose to work in this career field?

Cari: I took a real estate law class in college and thought it was fascinating. This led me to take a real estate licensing course. During the summer I started working at a local real estate company and never looked back.

Describe your leadership style. 

We don’t look at our leadership as leading as much as collaborating with our other team members. It’s important that everyone on our team is happy and feels supported. Our team is not just about work; it’s an extension of our family. 

How do you find time to fit it all in?

We have built an amazing team that allows us to maintain a high level of service as we have grown over the years. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes, and it’s important for us to make it look seamless. The goal for our clients is that the moving process is as easy as possible. With our incredible team, we do a great job accomplishing this. 

Describe a recent happening that restored your faith in humanity.

Many times a real estate transaction can get very emotional for both buyers and sellers and result in hurt feelings. We had two recent transactions that had quite the opposite outcome. When we went to a final walk-through with the buyers and sellers, there was wine and cheese and we watched the sunset together. They have since forged a friendship. We also had a client whose wife just passed away, and he is very close with the sellers of the home he bought. They keep an eye on him. It’s so gratifying when we see these friendships form because of the people we connected.

What is the best advice you’ve received?

Don’t follow the money. Work hard with moral integrity, and success will come. 

What role does your family play in your career?

Family is a huge component in our career, considering we are a mother and daughter working very closely together. We are a team both personally and professionally. If someone is at an open house, maybe the other one is preparing a family dinner. We are also lucky to have many other immediate family members in the South Bay who help support us by babysitting Britt’s kids or running errands needed to keep things rolling along. 

What advice do you give your kids?

Do what you love and are good at. Success will come. If you don’t have a direction, take aptitude tests! There are hundreds of them free online. Everyone likes to know what they are naturally good at and have a proclivity for. It’s fun and interesting!

Tell us about a few of your passions.

Because we are mother/daughter and we work together, we make it a priority to have a fun Sunday family dinner and game night each week. It gives us a chance to shed the work clothes and bond as a family. Our game nights can get very competitive. 

Tell us your favorite quote.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky

Tell us about something you recently learned that surprised you.

We just learned that Palos Verdes was the most extensive suburban community commission ever undertaken by the Olmsted Brothers, who had numerous high-profile projects including national park systems, universities and state capitols. Under their planning, Palos Verdes became a case study in thoughtful, ecologically minded design adapted to the special conditions of Southern California—very forward-thinking for a community that was planned in the 1920s. 

Who is your role model?

Britt: Cari is my role model. Growing up, I watched how hard she worked and still was able to be a spectacular mom to not only myself but my three siblings as well. She is the hardest working person I know while still having fun and maintaining a strict moral compass. I’ve never seen anyone with as much energy as my mom.