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About Sotheby's International Realty

Innovating the luxury real estate industry with a global network of exceptional agents.

When The Stakes Are High, The Plan Matters More

We help North County San Diego homeowners navigate real estate decisions when life is changing, whether that's a growing family, a new chapter, or a home held in trust.

Most of our clients aren't moving on a whim. They're moving because something significant has changed: a family that's outgrown their house, a new chapter in retirement, shifting financial priorities, or the responsibility of selling a home held in trust or estate.

These transitions don't reward shortcuts. They reward clear thinking, careful sequencing, and experienced guidance.

We focus on the parts of the transaction that are easiest to get wrong: coordinating the timing of a sale and purchase, pricing correctly in a changing market, protecting your equity, and keeping every moving piece aligned. Our job is to bring clarity to complexity, so you can move forward with confidence.

Move-up transactions are among the most complex in residential real estate. You're not just finding your next home, you're orchestrating two transactions with competing timelines, financing considerations, and market variables.

We help clients evaluate whether to sell first or buy first, understand true affordability, and use market data, not pressure, to guide decisions. When it creates strategic advantage, we leverage Compass tools like Private Exclusives and Coming Soon marketing to build flexibility and reduce exposure on both sides of your move.

The goal isn't speed. It's control.

Learn More About The Process of Selling

Trust and estate sales carry added weight. Pricing must be defensible. Communication with attorneys, co-trustees, and beneficiaries must be precise. Legal and family timelines must be respected.

We work closely with trustees, executors, and estate attorneys to manage residential sales with a structured, process-driven approach. Our clients can expect thorough preparation, consistent updates, and a focus on protecting value while minimizing stress for everyone involved.

Learn More About Trust and Estate Sales

How It Works

No surprises, no confusion. Just clear steps from start to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

1
What makes a move-up transaction different from a typical sale or purchase?
You're managing two transactions with interconnected timelines, financing that depends on your current equity, and decisions that affect each other. A misstep on one side can create problems on the other. It requires more planning upfront and tighter coordination throughout.
2
How do you help clients sell and buy at the same time without unnecessary risk?
We build a sequence that accounts for timing, financing, and contingencies on both sides. That includes evaluating your purchasing power before you list, identifying potential leverage points, and using tools like Compass Private Exclusives when they create strategic advantage. The goal is to give you control over the timeline rather than reacting to it.
3
When is the right time to start planning- even if I'm not ready to move yet?
Earlier than most people think. A quick conversation now can help you understand your equity position, what preparation might be needed, and how long the process typically takes. That way, when you're ready to move, you're not starting from scratch.
4
How do you price a home in a shifting or uneven market?
We look at recent comparable sales, current competition, absorption rate, and what buyers in your price range are actually doing- not just what they were doing six months ago. Pricing isn't about optimism or caution; it's about positioning your home to attract serious offers within a realistic timeframe.
5
Should I sell first or buy first?
It depends on your financial position, your risk tolerance, and what the market is doing at the moment. We walk through both scenarios with you- what each path looks like, what could go wrong, and what flexibility you actually have. Most clients have a clear preference once they see the real numbers.
6
How do you protect my equity during a move-up?
By pricing correctly from the start, preparing the home strategically, and structuring the transaction to minimize carrying costs or rushed decisions. We also keep a close eye on what you're buying- making sure you're not overextending based on optimistic assumptions about your sale.
7
What does your process look like from first conversation to closing?
We start with a planning conversation to understand your situation and your timeline. From there, we build a strategy, prepare your home, bring it to market, and manage negotiations through close- keeping you informed at every step without overwhelming you with noise.
8
How are trust, estate, and probate sales different from a traditional sale?
There are additional legal requirements, more parties involved, and often a heightened need for defensible pricing. Timelines may be dictated by the court or by family circumstances. We adjust our process to meet those requirements while keeping things as simple as possible for the people managing the sale.
9
How do you handle pricing and communication when there are multiple decision-makers?
We establish clear communication channels early- who needs to be informed, who has decision-making authority, and how updates will be shared. Pricing recommendations are grounded in data so everyone is working from the same set of facts, which helps reduce friction when it's time to make decisions.
10
Do you work directly with attorneys and fiduciaries during the process?
Yes. We coordinate with estate attorneys, trust administrators, and fiduciaries regularly. Our role is to handle the real estate side thoroughly and communicate clearly, so the legal and financial professionals involved can do their jobs without unnecessary back-and-forth.

Expertise wherever you are and wherever you want to be.

Sotheby’s International Realty is the only truly global real estate brand, with a global network of residential brokerage companies. Through our personal relationships, our sellers reach a highly qualified global clientele — and our buyers receive access to remarkable properties and agents everywhere.

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Our brand. Your benefit.

The Sotheby’s International Realty® brand is built on the centuries-long prestige of the world’s preeminent auction house. Sotheby’s history and our unmatched reputation give our listings the best-in-class exposure they deserve and assures buyers they are working with a trusted partner.

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Setting the world’s highest standard.

Established in 1976, Sotheby’s International Realty has become the world’s premier luxury residential real estate brokerage. Through our vast global footprint, local expertise, and unequalled referral network, we ensure that the properties we represent receive the far-reaching and unparalleled exposure they deserve.

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A global network of exceptional agents and exclusive properties.

Our international network spans across 79 countries and territories. Find a home that suits your lifestyle by exploring all that Sotheby’s International Realty has to offer globally.

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The world we serve:

New York

Italy

Miami

Bahamas

France

Madrid

Hong Kong

Tokyo

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Real estate sold by real experts.

Meet the Team

Sotheby's Auction House

Past Transactions

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We have positioned ourselves as the “go to” agent for first time home-buyers, and it’s all due to our tenacity, trustworthiness, and experience.

CONTACT US

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Graham and Kelly Levine

(760) 421-1733
[email protected]

Address

682 S Coast Hwy 101 Ste 110
Encinitas CA 92024

Graham Levine | CA DRE# 01451755
Kelly Levine | CA DRE# 01891654​​​​​​