I have always loved design, from fashion to architecture. I have found my passion for helping others, coupled with my love of design, has manifested in my real estate career.
My real estate journey began when I worked at Bank of America in banking. I did everything from stocking vaults and learning computer systems to home loans and financing. Little did I know that for 9 years in the banking world, I was learning the key components of being a savvy real estate agent.
Life has always had its ups and downs. One thing that changed my life for the better was meeting my husband, Jeff. We started a long-distance relationship, and soon thereafter, I decided to move my daughter, Francis, and me closer to him in the Bay Area. We worked on the same street and often had lunch together. We married in 2005 and later welcomed our daughters, Taylor and Sharleen.
In 2009 the economic crisis hit, and our lives were severely impacted, but again, it only made us stronger. Over the next 10 years, I focused on my family as a stay-at-home mom.
I began my career as a real estate agent in 2018 at Berkshire Hathaway, where I won the coveted Rising Star Award. I was also a member of the Leading Edge Society, which is the top 10% of sales production for Northern California. I was also invited to join the Top Agent Network in 2019. Top Agent Network is a network of agents that may join by invitation only, and you must be performing in the top 10% sales volume for your county.
In 2019, I was invited to join Compass where I have continued to grow my business into what it is today, a boutique real estate practice highly focused on the East Bay with a high standard of customer service.
I excel at negotiation, project management, and exceeding client expectations. I set high standards for myself and those I work with and routinely exceed them. With my attention to detail and keen sense of marketing, you can trust me as the right choice to buy or sell in the Alameda and East Bay markets.
I love spending time helping clients with designing new spaces in their homes, helping my husband build his business, and of course, spending time with my family.
Real estate didn’t just give me a career—it gave me confidence, the chance to reinvent myself, and the opportunity to help others through one of the biggest moments of their lives.
I’m a relational—not transactional—REALTOR® who serves with my whole heart. My priority is protecting my clients' money, which means giving honest, strategic advice about each property’s potential risks and future return. I point out red flags during home tours and help clients avoid unwise investments. I’m also a strong project manager, overseeing every detail of the transaction from start to finish. If a remodel is needed, I walk clients through each step and connect them with my trusted network of reliable, fairly priced vendors.
I only suggest updates or changes if I know they’ll truly benefit my clients and align with current market trends; I actively seek ways to save my clients from unnecessary expenses. Because the market shifts frequently—even within a few months—I maintain regular conversations with my clients to ensure our strategies remain aligned with current conditions. When it comes to pricing a home, I use both data and insight to choose a number that’s competitive, realistic, and designed to get my clients the best possible outcome. I don’t just sell homes—I advocate, protect, and guide.
Sincerely,
Cara Cavanaugh
REALTOR® | LIC# 02053422