We were lucky to catch up with Celine Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Celine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
It was March 2020. My husband had just graduated from engineering school and landed a job two hours from our home. The long commute quickly wore on him, so we decided to move closer to his work.
We sold our first home, found the perfect new construction within an hour of his job, and moved into an apartment while we waited for it to be completed. Then—like so many things in 2020—COVID changed our plans. Construction delays pushed our move-in date back by three months, turning our temporary stay into a longer-than-expected wait.
Just when we thought we were finally in the clear, life threw us another curveball. A week before closing on our new home, my husband was laid off. The whole reason we had moved north was for his job, and in an instant, it was gone. We were faced with a tough decision—moving back wasn’t an option since we had already sold our home, and with everything remote due to COVID, I was able to transfer within my company to their northern location. After a lot of thought (and a leap of faith), we decided to move forward with our plan and settle in Marysville. It was the biggest and best risk we’ve ever taken.
A couple of months after we moved in, I met someone who would change the course of my career—my neighbor, who is now one of my best friends. She saw something in me that I hadn’t fully recognized in myself and kept encouraging me to leave my 9-to-5 and pursue real estate full-time. At the time, I had held my real estate license for two years but had only sold two homes—both my own.
With her push, I aligned with Realty One Group Orca and started mentoring under Todd Fahlman, the owner and designated broker. Todd coached me, motivated me, and taught me the skills I needed to build a successful real estate business. I gave myself a deadline—if I didn’t sell a home by June 2021, I’d give up my license and walk away from real estate for good.
By June, I had not only closed my first two transactions, but I had so many clients lined up that I quit my corporate job and went all in. It was a huge risk, but it paid off. Now, four years later, I’m in the top 1% of my firm nationwide and have helped over 120 buyers, sellers, and investors achieve their real estate goals.
Looking back, every twist, turn, and unexpected challenge led me to where I am today. I’m beyond grateful for the people who believed in me, the risks that turned into rewards, and this incredible, fulfilling career that allows me to help others make their own big moves.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hi there! I’m Celine Williams, a real estate broker specializing in Snohomish, King, and Skagit counties. I help first-time home buyers, move-up sellers and buyers, and real estate investors navigate one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions of their lives. My goal? To be your best friend in real estate—someone you can trust, rely on, and have fun with throughout the entire process.
How I Got into Real Estate
Before diving into real estate, I spent years in Operations Management, where I was the go-to person for everything from facilities and calendar coordination to event planning, relocations, supplies, HR, and more. I thrived in fast-paced environments, problem-solving on the fly, and making sure everything ran smoothly. Little did I know, those skills would translate perfectly into real estate!
In 2020, my husband and I made a major life change, moving to Marysville, WA during a time of uncertainty. I had held my real estate license for two years but had only used it for my own home sales. That all changed when my neighbor (now one of my best friends) saw something in me that I hadn’t fully recognized in myself. She encouraged me to leave my corporate job and pursue real estate full-time.
With her push, I aligned with Realty One Group Orca and started mentoring under Todd Fahlman, the owner and designated broker. Todd coached me, motivated me, and helped me develop the skills to succeed. I gave myself a deadline—if I didn’t sell a home by June 2021, I’d give up my license.
By June, I had closed two sales and built a client base so strong that I quit my corporate job for good. Now, four years later, I’m in the top 1% of brokers nationwide and have helped over 120 buyers, sellers, and investors achieve their real estate dreams.
What I Do & The Problems I Solve
I don’t just help people buy and sell homes—I guide them through life transitions. Whether it’s a first-time buyer, a growing family, a downsizer, or an investor, I take a strategic yet personal approach to make their journey smooth and stress-free.
My Operations Management background has been a game-changer in real estate. I know how to juggle timelines, coordinate moving parts, and anticipate potential roadblocks—helping my clients stay ahead of the curve. Need a seamless plan for selling and buying at the same time? I’ve got you. Navigating a relocation? I’ve been there. Feeling overwhelmed by the process? That’s where I shine.
What Sets Me Apart
✔️ Strategic & Organized – My background in operations means I excel at keeping transactions smooth, efficient, and stress-free.
✔️ Storytelling & Marketing Expertise – I don’t just list homes—I craft a compelling story that makes them stand out, using professional marketing and social media to attract the right buyers.
✔️ Personalized & Fun Experience – Real estate should be exciting, not stressful! I bring positive energy, humor, and real talk to every client relationship.
✔️ Lifelong Support – My clients become part of my VIP circle, with ongoing resources, local recommendations, and exclusive client perks.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m incredibly proud of the relationships I’ve built and the trust my clients place in me. There’s nothing better than handing the keys to a first-time buyer who thought homeownership was out of reach or helping a family seamlessly transition into their dream home. From single moms finding stability to retirees downsizing with ease, every story matters to me.
What I Want You to Know
If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing in real estate, I’d love to help! Whether you need market insights, a game plan for your next move, or just someone to bounce ideas off of, I’m here for you.
Let’s make your real estate goals happen—and have fun doing it!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I’d say my reputation in the market has been built on four key things: trust, strategy, relationships, and consistent social media presence.
1. Trust & Client-Centered Approach
I genuinely care about my clients, and that shows in how I do business. Whether it’s a first-time buyer feeling overwhelmed, a family juggling selling and buying, or an investor searching for the perfect deal, I ensure they feel heard, supported, and confident throughout the entire process. My clients know I have their best interests at heart, and that trust has led to referrals, repeat business, and a strong word-of-mouth reputation.
2. Strategic & Results-Driven Mindset
Coming from an Operations Management background, I’m all about efficiency, problem-solving, and making things happen. I don’t just “list homes”—I market them strategically to attract the right buyers. I don’t just “help buyers”—I educate them, position them for success, and negotiate fiercely on their behalf. My clients appreciate that I take a proactive, data-driven approach to real estate, helping them make smarter, more informed decisions.
3. Relationships & Community Presence
I treat my business like a long-term relationship, not a one-time transaction. I stay connected with past clients, offer ongoing support, and create a sense of community through client appreciation events, personal check-ins, and exclusive VIP perks. People don’t just work with me once—they stay connected, refer their friends and family, and trust me as their lifelong real estate resource.
4. Consistent Social Media Presence
One of the biggest factors in building my reputation has been my consistent, engaging, and informative social media presence. I use my platforms not just to market homes, but to educate, entertain, and connect with my audience. Whether it’s sharing market insights, home-buying tips, behind-the-scenes moments, or personal stories, I show up authentically and consistently.
My social media has helped me:
✔️ Establish trust before people even reach out to work with me
✔️ Educate buyers and sellers so they feel more prepared
✔️ Showcase my expertise in a relatable, easy-to-understand way
✔️ Stay top-of-mind so when someone needs a real estate expert, they think of me first
At the end of the day, I think my reputation has grown because I truly love what I do and that energy is contagious. People don’t just want a real estate agent—they want someone who will guide them, advocate for them, and make the process as seamless (and fun!) as possible. That’s exactly what I aim to do every day—both in person and online!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
2024 was one of the worst housing markets in three decades. A staggering 71% of agents didn’t sell a single home that year. With high interest rates, low inventory, and hesitant buyers and sellers, it was a brutal market for even the most experienced professionals.
But with hard work, adaptability, and maybe a little luck, it turned out to be my best year yet—helping 35 clients and selling $24 million in real estate.
To succeed in this industry, you have to be resilient.
✔️ It’s constant rejection—people ignoring your calls, getting talked down to, or telling you they’ll work with you… only to see their home listed or bought with someone else.
✔️ It’s putting in hours, weeks, or even months of work, only for a client to change their mind—knowing that if they don’t buy or sell, I don’t get paid for any of that time.
✔️ It’s fighting to get offers accepted in a competitive market.
✔️ It’s navigating unexpected hurdles all the way to closing, making sure clients get their keys in hand.
Resilience is what has kept me going. Do I still have down moments or pity parties? Of course. But I push through, refocus, and keep moving forward—because no matter how tough it gets, this job is incredibly rewarding.
Helping people through one of the biggest transitions of their lives is worth every challenge, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://homeswithceline.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/homeswithceline
- Youtube: Homeswithceline
Image Credits
Lifenlight
My iphone