From Olympic Team to Real Estate Excellence: Why Blake Russell is Your Monterey Peninsula Expert
Nearly 25 years ago, Blake came to the Monterey Peninsula to train for the Olympics and never left. The beauty of this area, its active lifestyle, and its sense of community captured her heart. Today, as a full-time real estate professional and top producer, she brings the same dedication and drive that helped her make the 2008 Olympic marathon team to helping clients achieve their real estate goals.
1. What makes the Monterey Peninsula such a desirable place to live, and how do you help clients find homes that fit their lifestyle?
The Monterey Peninsula is one of the most desirable places to live in California, offering stunning coastline, coastal trails, vibrant small towns, and a strong focus on health, wellness, and outdoor living. One of the most surprising things for many buyers is how different each community feels—even when they’re only a few miles apart. Pacific Grove, for example, offers a charming, walkable lifestyle with ocean access, while nearby towns provide very different day-to-day experiences.
As a Pacific Grove realtor, I help clients look beyond the house itself and focus on the lifestyle they want to live. Some clients arrive knowing exactly what they want, but more often it takes thoughtful conversations, targeted showings, and time to truly refine priorities.
I recently worked with first-time home buyers who initially found a home that “worked,” but didn’t excite them. We decided to pause their search so they could save more and ultimately buy closer to both of their jobs—one of their top lifestyle goals. About a year and a half later, we closed on a home they both truly loved. Patience and clarity made all the difference.
I enjoy helping clients discover what they value most. Buyer fatigue is real, and I always remind clients that seeing homes—even ones they quickly rule out—is part of honing in on the right fit. Every showing brings us closer to the perfect match.
2. What’s one insider tip you’d give to sellers who want to maximize their home’s value before listing?
Preparation is everything. Just like training for the Olympics, success in real estate comes from planning and execution. As a Pacific Grove real estate agent, I guide sellers through strategic preparation that includes professional staging, high-quality photography, and targeted improvements that deliver strong returns.
Recently, I listed a home with great curb appeal, but the front porch felt tired. We refinished the hardwood floors inside, then focused outside—fresh paint on the porch, a power-washed fence, a new mailbox, and hanging plants. These relatively small updates transformed the first impression and made the home feel warm and inviting.
First impressions matter, especially in competitive Monterey Peninsula markets, and they don’t always require major expense.
3. How do you make the buying or selling process stress-free in today’s competitive market?
My approach is built on discipline, organization, and clear communication—qualities shaped by my career as a professional athlete. I provide clients with a clear roadmap, including timelines, spreadsheets, weekly updates, and step-by-step guidance from pricing and marketing through closing.
As a full-time realtor serving Pacific Grove and the Monterey Peninsula, I make myself available and actively problem-solve when challenges arise. Some transactions are smooth and straightforward, while others involve more emotion or complexity. I believe almost every situation can be resolved with transparency, collaboration, and a positive mindset.
Strong relationships with fellow agents also matter. In a current transaction, we needed a loan extension due to unexpected complexity. Thanks to mutual respect and cooperation, all parties are working together toward a successful close. At the end of the day, real estate is a team effort.
4. What trends are you seeing in the luxury real estate market right now?
Luxury buyers on the Monterey Peninsula are highly informed and very selective. They’re prioritizing lifestyle features such as outdoor living spaces, home offices, proximity to nature, wellness amenities, and walkability—key factors in communities like Pacific Grove.
We’re also seeing buyers willing to walk away rather than overpay. For sellers, this makes accurate pricing critical. Overpriced “tester” listings often sit on the market longer and ultimately sell for less.
I provide detailed market data for Pacific Grove neighborhoods and surrounding cities so buyers and sellers can make informed, confident decisions.
5. What sets you apart from other Monterey Peninsula realtors?
My Olympic career taught me perseverance, focus, and attention to detail—qualities I bring to every real estate transaction. After 20 years of professional racing, I now help clients plan long-term goals, whether that’s finding the right Pacific Grove home, planning for retirement, or adapting to changing lifestyle needs.
I’m calm and steady until it’s time to act—then I’m fully focused and all in. Clients choose me because I’m a full-time Pacific Grove realtor, a top producer, and a local expert who combines market knowledge with genuine personal commitment.
Ready to Buy or Sell with a Pacific Grove Realtor You Can Trust?
Let’s make your Monterey Peninsula real estate goals a reality.
Blake Russell
Sotheby’s International Realty
📞 Call/Text: 831.917.9886
🌐 blakerussellrealty.com
📩 [email protected]
DRE 02188622
