Neal Johnson
Owner - Certified AppraiserMain Phone: (714) 863-4043
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License: AR #021036
Neal entered the real estate industry immediately following graduation from Cal State Fullerton in 1991. Along with his degree in Real Estate Finance he obtained his appraisal license the following year. In 1997, Neal and his partner opened their own appraisal company and in 2006 Neal’s interest in the business was brought under the Freedom First Properties umbrella. The appraisal division continues to successfully operate today.
Neal’s evaluation experience is extensive and includes valuing property for traditional loan purchases, relocations, new construction projects, bankruptcy and tax purposes, as well as legal proceedings for divorces. He has also provided expert witness testimony in court. His current clientele includes asset valuation management companies, major lenders and mortgage brokers such as Wells Fargo, Citibank, and JP Morgan Chase and local family law, probate and trust attorneys.
Neal’s evaluation experience is extensive and includes valuing property for traditional loan purchases, relocations, new construction projects, bankruptcy and tax purposes, as well as legal proceedings for divorces. He has also provided expert witness testimony in court. His current clientele includes asset valuation management companies, major lenders and mortgage brokers such as Wells Fargo, Citibank, and JP Morgan Chase and local family law, probate and trust attorneys.
Melinda Johnson
Owner - Broker - Realtor® - AttorneyMain Phone: (714) 863-5485
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License: DRE #01764472
Following her graduation from UC Riverside with a degree in Economics, Melinda continued her studies at Pepperdine School of Law. She served as managing editor of the Law Review and graduated Magna Cum Laude with Amjur awards in real property and in wills, trusts and estates. Melinda spent the next twelve years in the legal field most notably as in house Counsel for Boeing Capital Corporation.
In 2006, Melinda obtained her broker’s license and helped her husband, Neal, launch Freedom First Properties with the thought that her legal and business skill set would provide a distinct client advantage. Recognizing this, local attorneys seek Melinda’s assistance and she continues to be recommended, selected and even court appointed in divorce, probate and trust administration cases. Most importantly, Melinda believes she has found her true passion which is reflected in her success.
Melinda is ranked in the top 3% of real estate agents nationwide.
In 2006, Melinda obtained her broker’s license and helped her husband, Neal, launch Freedom First Properties with the thought that her legal and business skill set would provide a distinct client advantage. Recognizing this, local attorneys seek Melinda’s assistance and she continues to be recommended, selected and even court appointed in divorce, probate and trust administration cases. Most importantly, Melinda believes she has found her true passion which is reflected in her success.
Melinda is ranked in the top 3% of real estate agents nationwide.
Allison Kean
Realtor®Main Phone: (951) 313-7604
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License: DRE #01902344
Allison is a graduate from Cal Poly Pomona where she received a bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Sales. In 2010 she decided to pursue real estate and become an agent with Freedom First Properties. It gives her the right mix of working independently but being supported by a team of professionals who make it easy to provide exceptional service to her clients.
As a Southern California native, Allison is knowledgeable with all of Orange County and the Inland Empire areas. Besides doing real estate she loves event planning and spending time with her family.
As a Southern California native, Allison is knowledgeable with all of Orange County and the Inland Empire areas. Besides doing real estate she loves event planning and spending time with her family.
Carmen Priestley
Realtor®Main Phone: (714) 307-2585
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License: DRE #01990845
Carmen has been an entrepreneur since the age of 19 which has given her vast business experience. She has been self employed her entire career. With licenses in both California and Nevada, she believes that real estate is a family’s greatest investment. Embracing any challenge, Carmen is dedicated to providing her client’s with exceptional service and always works relentlessly on her clients real estate goals. She prides herself on giving 100% each and every time. She places a high degree of emphasis on the care and needs of each client and maintains constant communication with them throughout the entire buying or selling process. She measures her success in real estate through the satisfaction of her clients.
Christin Gonzales
Realtor®Main Phone: (714) 401-7801
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License: DRE #02038710
Christin brings over a 20-year history of successful, executive level sales and business experience to her real estate transactions. As an account executive in the cosmetics industry, Christin has managed and helped develop their California businesses while conducting seminars, sales classes, industry trend shows, and master classes that focus on empowering women of all ages. She is a wife and proud mother of three and is excited about bringing her business and sales experience, as well as her enthusiasm, to her real estate career with Freedom First Properties.
Dan Brough
Realtor®Main Phone: (714) 400-2814
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License: DRE #01715103
A powerful husband and wife duo, Dan and Stephanie Brough work as a team on their client transactions. In the Real Estate business since 2005, Dan first joined Freedom First Properties in 2009 because he valued the company’s entrepreneurial approach, client focus, and access to an in-house attorney and appraiser for the benefit of his customers. Stephanie joined the team in 2011.
Dan and Stephanie both have a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from UC Riverside. Together they enjoy seeing different properties, exploring design and architecture, and working with clients to help them successfully navigate their real estate transaction.
Dan and Stephanie both have a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from UC Riverside. Together they enjoy seeing different properties, exploring design and architecture, and working with clients to help them successfully navigate their real estate transaction.
Diane Greenbaum
Realtor® - Hablo EspañolMain Phone: (714) 694-3827
Second Phone: (760) 275-4848
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License: DRE #01912414
A married mother of two, Diane has a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from CSU Chico and a master’s degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University. She had a successful career in education before making the decision to follow her other interest and become a real estate agent. Diane brings ten plus years of experience buying and selling property and she’s a true professional who puts her clients first by working hard to earn their business. Together with the support and services provided by Freedom First Properties, Diane feels she has a winning combination for any client. Diane focuses on properties in Orange and Riverside counties and the Desert communities.
Hannah Dalton
Realtor®Main Phone: (951) 314-0522
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License: DRE #02094308
Hannah is a recent addition to the Freedom First Family. She realized her love for real estate by attending open houses and spending hours online looking at properties recreationally. Hannah loves finding people their future homes and enjoys building forever friendships with her clients. She spent over 7 years with the Walt Disney Company where she traveled the world and has experience many walks of life.
Hannah comes from a huge family, being the youngest of 6 and an aunt of a plethora of little ones. She enjoys spending time and making memories with her family. Hannah is very welcoming, personable, patriotic, loves to make people laugh, and always has a smile on her face.
Hannah comes from a huge family, being the youngest of 6 and an aunt of a plethora of little ones. She enjoys spending time and making memories with her family. Hannah is very welcoming, personable, patriotic, loves to make people laugh, and always has a smile on her face.
Jennifer Paino
Realtor®Main Phone: (805) 807-6061
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License: DRE #01874092
For 12 years, Jennifer worked in the medical industry. She graduated from UC Riverside with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. Real estate began as a hobby through personal investments and in 2009, Jennifer decided to make a career change and become a full time real estate agent. Since then she has worked at Freedom First Properties and enjoys the autonomy that comes from an independently owned brokerage with unlimited access to appraisal and legal expertise. Jennifer enjoys helping families in their search for homes or to assist in making real estate investments. The most rewarding experience is navigating from the start of a property search to closing escrow…and handing a client the keys to their new property.
Jo Leachman
Realtor®Main Phone: (310) 864-9905
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License: DRE #01775662
Jo brings a multidimensional level of education and work experience to Freedom First Properties. She joined the company in 2014 and is a realtor, real estate stager, organizer and paralegal. Her career started in earnest in the film industry where, as a producer, Jo developed negotiation and problem solving skills by concurrently dealing with multiple issues, personalities and projects. She has learned to be efficient and resourceful in finding solutions to even the most challenging of situations.
These skills have served her well in real estate. Jo knows how to listen and work with a client to find them the right home. She can add value in the sale of a property assisting with home organization and staging in order to achieve the desired result, and get the home sold. Jo has a bachelor’s degree in History and a Paralegal certification from USC.
These skills have served her well in real estate. Jo knows how to listen and work with a client to find them the right home. She can add value in the sale of a property assisting with home organization and staging in order to achieve the desired result, and get the home sold. Jo has a bachelor’s degree in History and a Paralegal certification from USC.
Justin Roach
Realtor®Main Phone: (714) 299-8126
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License: DRE #0197630
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Katie Dvorak
Realtor®Main Phone: (714) 323-7844
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License: DRE #02095130
Katie Dvorak is a graduate from California Baptist University where she achieved a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Real Estate Management. During her time at CBU, Katie grew a passion to pursue real estate and property management. She became an agent with Freedom First Properties in 2019 and took a full time role in our office as Director of Operations following her graduation from university. Katie enjoys serving both the property management and sales sides of the industry, and loves to work with people from all walks of life in the process. Working with Freedom First gives Katie the opportunity to do what she loves alongside an exceptional team of professionals.
Born and raised in Southern California, Katie has lived in six different cities between Orange and Riverside county. Outside of real estate, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and traveling to the many different terrains California has to offer.
Born and raised in Southern California, Katie has lived in six different cities between Orange and Riverside county. Outside of real estate, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and traveling to the many different terrains California has to offer.
Kelsey Simas
Realtor®Main Phone: (714) 420-3872
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License: DRE #02078783
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Marc Smith
Realtor® - AppraiserMain Phone: (714) 305-2409
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License: DRE #01956931 | AL #043579
Links: Website – Blog – Yelp – Zillow – Trulia
In 2006, Marc began working in real estate. He joined the valuation division of Freedom First Properties in 2012 as a licensed appraiser and expanded his capabilites in 2014 with a Realtor’s license. Marc enjoys interacting with people and doing property appraisals because it gives him the opportunity to be out in the community and meet new people every day.
For Marc, honesty and integrity are essential components to both his personal and professional relationships. It is what brought him to Freedom First Properties along with the opportunity to work and learn the appraisal business from owner, Neal Johnson. Marc received his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Cal State Fullerton.
For Marc, honesty and integrity are essential components to both his personal and professional relationships. It is what brought him to Freedom First Properties along with the opportunity to work and learn the appraisal business from owner, Neal Johnson. Marc received his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Cal State Fullerton.
Stephanie Brough
Realtor®Main Phone: (714) 943-5624
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License: BRE #01187976
A powerful husband and wife duo, Dan and Stephanie Brough work as a team on their client transactions. In the Real Estate business since 2005, Dan first joined Freedom First Properties in 2009 because he valued the company’s entrepreneurial approach, client focus, and access to an in-house attorney and appraiser for the benefit of his customers. Stephanie joined the team in 2011.
Dan and Stephanie both have a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from UC Riverside. Together they enjoy seeing different properties, exploring design and architecture, and working with clients to help them successfully navigate their real estate transaction.
Dan and Stephanie both have a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from UC Riverside. Together they enjoy seeing different properties, exploring design and architecture, and working with clients to help them successfully navigate their real estate transaction.
Terri Howard
Realtor®Main Phone: (714) 794-8156
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License: DRE #02007951
Terri Howard has lived in Southern California for most of her life except early childhood years in the central coast and in Arizona. Terri is a former ad agency exec who has worked for global agencies managing clients like P&G, Kia Motors, Toyota Motors and Iams & Pedigree pet food brands. She has also provided sales and experiential marketing expertise to retail fashion boutiques in Socal; and launched art events in the US successfully bringing awareness to artists from Latin America. Terri decided to bring all of her marketing experience to the business of Real Estate leveraging her skills in client and business management, branding, design and styling. While not selling real estate, Terri enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Christina Friesen
Referring AgentMain Phone: (714) 595-2500
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License: DRE #01149363
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Audrey Holloway
Escrow OfficerMain Phone: (800) 957-6377 ext. 2
Second Phone: (951) 236-4460
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Audrey has been in the real estate business for over 20 years. She joined the team in 2012 to manage in house escrows for Freedom First Properties. As an escrow officer it is Audrey’s job to make sure the real estate transaction proceeds on schedule and all legal documentation is received and properly executed. Audrey does a fantastic job keeping all the parties in the transaction up to date, and on task, even when challenges arise during the process. With the complexity of real estate, a good escrow officer like Audrey is a critical component to a satisfied client and a successful transaction.
Deby Casterline
Real Estate Services ManagerMain Phone: (714) 720-3691
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In 2012, Deby joined Freedom First Properties to run the Property Management division. Her responsibilities include preparing leases, managing client accounts, and addressing tenant requests in a timely manner.
Deby loves the flexibility and variety of the job plus she enjoys the personal interaction with her clients. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Cal State Fullerton and worked in human resources before getting into property management.
Deby loves the flexibility and variety of the job plus she enjoys the personal interaction with her clients. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Cal State Fullerton and worked in human resources before getting into property management.
Tiffany Chahine
Office ManagerMain Phone: (949) 235-6000
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Tiffany has worked at Freedom First Properties since 2010. She is responsible for managing the company’s back office operation and is the go-to person when someone needs help getting something done. She loves the diversity of her job and the fantastic work environment that allows her to tackle any challenge presented during a real estate transaction.
Tiffany graduated with a business management degree and she received a lifetime achievement award from the National Parent Teacher Association where she has served as President and Treasurer.
Tiffany graduated with a business management degree and she received a lifetime achievement award from the National Parent Teacher Association where she has served as President and Treasurer.
