Picking up my life and starting fresh taught me just how much it matters to love where you live. As I put down roots in my new community, I found even deeper purpose in helping others do the same.

Leaving Los Angeles wasn’t just a lifestyle change—it meant walking away from the business I’d spent years building. I had a strong reputation, deep connections, and a successful real estate career in one of the most competitive markets in the country. I’ve been a top five commercial real estate agent in West LA and earned multiple production awards for my work. But at some point, the chaos stopped being worth it. I spent two hours a day in my car just to get to work and surrounded by people who didn’t seem to care much about kindness anymore. Eventually, I realized the pace, the energy, and the environment were all pulling me in a direction I no longer wanted to go.

For 20 years I've yearned to live on the Central Coast, and around 2015, I finally made that happen. I moved to San Luis Obispo. Starting over in a new market wasn’t easy, but after everything I’ve already overcome in my career, I knew I could do it.

I’ve been in real estate since 1999, but the truth is, I knew I wanted to be in this industry since I was 5. We didn’t have money growing up, so for fun, my parents would take us to open houses on weekends. That’s where it all started—my obsession with homes, architecture, and having the wonderful memories that have unfolded in each house. Even then, I saw the value in homeownership, the stability, and security it brings.

Over the years, I did it all by helping people with mortgages, loan modifications (saving families from foreclosure), commercial real estate sales, and residential sales. By the time of the crash in 2008, I was one of the top five commercial agents in West Los Angeles. In 2008, I decided to obtain my broker’s license. It was devastating; offices closed, people quit, and the industry felt like it was shifting. This was my passion. Instead, I shifted gears and focused on helping people stay in their homes, specializing in loan modifications and foreclosure prevention. That work was hard, but it was also some of the most rewarding I’ve ever done.

When I moved to San Luis Obispo, I brought years of experience with me, but I knew I needed to earn people’s trust. I got involved in the community and focused on building real relationships, one at a time. My genuine love for this area made it easy to connect with people; there’s just something special about these amazing beach towns, great schools, and close-knit communities. That connection translated into quickly rebuilding my business. I joined the #1 Keller Williams team on the Central Coast for sales volume in 2021. We ranked #3 in total units sold and was part of a Top 25 Team in America on Zillow for two years straight. I’m a highly rated agent, reflecting not only the results I deliver, but also the full satisfaction of my clients.

Over more than two decades in real estate, across cities, market cycles, and nearly every corner of the industry, I’ve gained a lot of valuable perceptions and knowledge. Now I’m using those experiences to shape my own company: SLO Coast Realty. I’ve built a business grounded in everything I’ve learned, from leading with integrity to serving clients at the highest level and mentoring fellow agents in a way that sets them up for long-term success. I couldn’t be more excited to start my new chapter in life.

Outside of work, I enjoy checking out local art shows and independent films. I’m also an animal lover, with a labradoodle and a rescue cat. I’m involved with the San Luis Obispo Elks Lodge and the Chambers of Commerce in San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach.  This has allowed me to stay connected to the people and places that make this area so special.

What keeps me in real estate after all these years is simple: I care deeply about the people I serve. This work is never just about contracts or closings; it’s about helping people through major life changes with confidence, clarity, and support. I love that every day is different, and that I get to bring a calm, steady presence to a process that often feels overwhelming. That sense of purpose has never faded.

 

For clients, I take on the stress, so they don’t have to. I act as the buffer, taking care of the details behind the scenes, and letting the clients stay focused on what matters most. It’s incredibly fulfilling to turn what can be a difficult process into something clear, supported, and even empowering. I’m committed to being transparent, addressing questions before they turn into concerns, and staying fully engaged from beginning to end. Whether someone is buying for the first time, relocating, or investing, I’m absolutely committed to delivering a thoughtful, informed experience rooted in trust, care, and results.

 

Sincerely,

 

Amanda Barber