Chris is absolutely amazing she is the ultimate pro, the best real estate agent out there! Our search for a house in Carmel was complicated due to a number of unforeseen events, including the onset of the pandemic, that were difficult to respond to. Chris did a terrific job helping us navigate these challenges. She was always available, well informed, and consistently communicated every step of the way. Her knowledge of the Peninsula market and regulations was crucial for us to compare properties we considered for example, what features should we think about more, what can be altered easily and what would be more involved? Once we had found our dream home, Chris was very organized and efficient in helping us get us to the finish line. She also connected us with a great set of inspectors and contractors to make sure we felt really comfortable with our purchase. Finally, throughout the entire process, it was always a pleasure to talk to Chris she is just a very nice person! In sum, we had a fantastic experience and highly recommend Chris to our friends.
We met Chris at an open house in Carmel while we were still in the "entertaining the idea of buying" stage. She was immediately warm and engaging without being pushy and had no qualms about the fact that we were just lookie-loos. Even though we were not ready to buy, she was very helpful and knowledgeable, answering all our questions. She periodically sent us information on homes that matched the criteria that we originally discussed. About 18 months later we were finally ready. We thought we knew what we wanted and where we wanted to be in Carme; but, after seeing everything in one part of town over the course of two or three months, Chris convinced us to branch out. We loved many of the homes we saw but none were quite right. She was incredibly patient, friendly, and fun to tour with for the next few months. We finally hit on a house that was as far from what we originally wanted than we could have ever imagined. We made our actual purchase process more complicated than was necessary, but it was nothing new or surprising for Chris. She helped us walk back from the ledge several times. We've maintained a friendship with Chris and she has been an incredible resource for everyone from plaster contractors to plumbers to finish carpenters. If we sell (and buy something else in Carmel), she will be our first call!
This serves as my very high recommendation for Chris Babalis. She assisted my husband and me with the purchase of a second home in Carmel-by-the-Sea in 2020. I have worked with many real estate brokers and agents on several real estate transactions over the years and can say with confidence that Chris is the best agent I have ever used.
Finding and purchasing a home in Carmel-by-the Sea in 2020 was a unique and stressful endeavor. Chris's research and ability to move fast and hard was a skill I had yet seen in an agent. A master with the contract negotiations, Chris moved quickly on a home that hadn't even gone on the market yet, giving us a huge advantage. Throughout this home buying process, she also managed to sell our house for an excellent price, deftly navigating the current market situation. She knows Carmel-by-the-Sea and vicinity like the back of her hand. There is nothing that escapes Chris's attention when it comes to properties for sale in this area.
We found Chris to be a highly attentive agent, almost as if we were her only customers, although we know that was not the case. She returned all phone calls and emails the same day. We never felt neglected or unimportant. She is also highly personable with an engaging personality. Chris was honest about some minor changes that we needed to make in our 1927 Carmel Cottage to attract buyers quickly, and her advice worked like a charm.
We are pleased to recommend Chris Babalis to anyone looking to buy or sell a home. She is hands down the best in the business in our opinion and if we ever need to move again she will be our ?rst choice in real estate agents.
I worked with Chris Babalis to purchase my home in Carmel. She really was extraordinary. Chris paid great attention to detail, was always available, kept in touch and had great follow through. Anything she didn't know herself, she was able to find out quickly. I always felt confident that she was keeping on top of things appropriately. Interpersonally, she handled me very well there were a set of uncertainties for me as we went through this process and she was very good at listening and asking me the right questions and providing the appropriate positive outlook while acknowledging my concerns. Chris was very resourceful at identifying people to help with things I needed done inspections of all kinds, contractors, etc. Lastly, Chris handled the situation with the seller and other agent (difficult to say the least) extremely well. Chris in a word was outstanding and I couldn't recommend her more highly.
It still surprises me that many REALTORS® carry an air of superiority about them which can make house hunting rather daunting and quite frankly somewhat distressing. Fortunately, we had a chance encounter with Chris at an open house back in 2017 and ever since she has been a beacon of knowledge, integrity, positivity and above all else refreshingly normal. We were on the journey to find 'the forever' house in the Carmel area which was no easy task as we loved our current abode. To say we were picky is an understatement. But Chris was ever present as we traversed three phases of real estate kissing frogs, buying a home and selling a home! After many frogs and some escaped gems, we found the right home for us. So, it was 'all systems go' selling two homes and buying one in the space of just 45 days. Chris exhibited great attention to detail and ran both buying and selling process for us in Carmel leaving us no uncertainty as to what was needed to be done and by when. Chris partnered effectively with both myself and my wife throughout the process with clarity and good humor. What you really get with Chris is professionalism, authenticity and someone who cares. We certainly highly recommend Chris she went above and beyond for us and we would have no qualms in working with Chris again.
My husband and I were on the hunt for a 1031 exchange investment property in the Carmel area. I met Chris by chance at an open house. I asked her some general questions and she was extremely thoughtful with her answers. I felt an immediate connection with her, and I am thankful that I decided to rely on my gut and that we moved forward with her. Chris is smart, sincere, detail oriented and extremely professional. She guided my husband and I through the process with incredible insight. Even though we were up against a deadline, Chris helped us each remain level headed. She was determined to find the best fit. Throughout the process, we felt as though we were Chris only clients and she always put our best interest first. I would recommend Chris in an instant!
Chris Babalis is unique in the crowded field of real estate agents in Carmel. She has a background in corporate marketing in the financial services industry, an unflagging work ethic, an ability to connect with clients to understand individual needs coupled with a deep knowledge of the Carmel real estate market. She was always reachable and very communicative so we knew exactly where we were throughout the transaction. Her commitment proved extraordinarily valuable in our case which was a particularly difficult sale. I am certain we wouldn't have closed had we worked with anyone other than Chris. She went above and beyond the normal scope of her job to make things happen for us.
Chris was tireless in supporting us in the decision to move to Carmel by the Sea. She supported us in what was right for us and in the timing that was right. So, after many impromptu calls from us throughout a three year period, our decision was made, we sold our home in Menlo Park, thought we were going to rent before buying, and voila Chris found us a perfect home in Carmel by the Sea. We love the home and love the town. Chris is quite bright, kind, honest, professional, and energetic in all the right ways. I give her 10 gold stars out of 10.