Our backgrounds differ, but our standards never waver—dedication, high ethics, and genuine care for the people we serve.
Winnie: Real estate chose me long before I chose it. Back in eighth grade, a teacher asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. I didn’t know, but my auntie said, “Tell them you’ll be a real estate agent.” I wrote it down without much thought—yet here I am, living that exact path.
Before real estate, I built a thriving career in retail management. That experience taught me the essentials I still carry today: how to deliver exceptional customer service, manage complex projects under pressure, and solve problems with creativity and care. Still, life kept nudging me toward something new. Friends suggested real estate—probably because they saw how much I loved tagging along on their home-buying journeys. The idea clicked, and in 2012, I took the leap and shifted into real estate sales in New York and found myself exactly where I was meant to be. After too many cold winters, I brought my career west to San Francisco, where I fell in love with the city’s energy and possibilities.
What sets me apart? My blend of marketing savvy, business discipline, and true dedication to people. I understand that buying or selling a home isn’t just a transaction—it’s a life-changing milestone. My clients know me as someone who listens deeply, advocates fiercely, and makes the process clear, organized, and even enjoyable.
In 2017, I met Gabrielle, who became a trusted colleague. Over time, our collaboration grew into a true partnership, and today she is not only my business partner but also one of my closest friends. Together, we bring double the insight, double the availability, and a shared passion for helping people find their place in the Bay Area.
Looking back, every experience shaped me for this career. What started as a casual suggestion in middle school has evolved into something much deeper: a commitment to my clients. Whether they're buying their first home or selling a cherished property, I'm dedicated to providing the expertise, attention, and advocacy they deserve.
Gabrielle: You could say I had an unusual path into real estate. I studied biology, minored in psychology, and love learning – I am currently studying both Spanish and French. After earning my B.S. I went on to law school in San Diego. For eight years, I worked as a real estate litigation attorney, specializing in real estate. I initially began my career representing home builders whose work needed to be redone, and later I represented homeowners who lost their residences in wildfires. While I found the work intellectually engaging, I realized I was on the “negative” side of real estate—helping people navigate and resolve crisis. I wanted to shift to the positive side, working with clients excited about buying and selling property—and genuinely happy to see me. That led me to earn my real estate license eleven years ago.
In 2014, I moved to San Francisco and had the privilege of learning under a strong mentor. As a team, we closed $28 million in sales in just one year. A few years later, I crossed paths with Winnie while also stepping into management, which came with its own leadership opportunities.
A pivotal part of my training came from volunteering with the California Association of REALTORS®. I dedicated roughly 200 hours serving on several committees: Ethics, Education, Managers Council, Government Affairs, and Standard Forms. The Form committee creates the contracts used city-wide in San Francisco and coordinates those contracts with the broader forms used across the state of California. I even drafted sections still in use today. I then taught agents across brokerages about contract changes and ethics. What began as a learning opportunity became seven years of service, including time as both vice chair and chair of the Forms and Ethics committees—an incredible experience working alongside twenty of the sharpest minds in real estate.
With that foundation—and Winnie’s grit and efficiency—I knew we’d make a strong partnership. Together, we’ve closed over half a billion in sales. While business keeps us busy, we still make time to hike, ski, travel, and explore new restaurants—we’re both foodies. Winnie is a fan of hot yoga and fostering senior dogs. I have a special place in my heart for veterans as both my father and my brother-in-law have served, and it’s a community I hope to support even more as we continue to grow our business.
As a team, we ensure clients are always supported—if one of us is away, the other steps in seamlessly. Our shared culture of hard work drives everything we do, and we take pride in providing a client experience that feels collaborative, empowering, and deeply personal.
Whether clients are local or relocating from out of state, they benefit from our depth of knowledge of the Bay Area and our hands-on approach. We take the time to listen, understand each client’s priorities, and present thoughtful options without pushing our own agenda. Buying or selling a home can feel overwhelming, but we break down the process with patience and clarity, so clients always feel confident and in control. Winnie adds depth to the team with her background in investment and property management. Drawing on her own experience as an investor, she evaluates properties with a discerning eye and offers clients a balanced perspective on both opportunities and challenges.
At the core of our work is integrity, proven expertise, and a genuine passion for guiding clients through one of life’s most meaningful milestones.
Sincerely,
Gabrielle Bunker Winnie Lai