Sometimes the biggest changes come with no guarantees. I chose to step into the unknown and put myself in a position where failure wasn’t an option—because when you have to make it work, you find a way.

 

When my husband and I packed up our life in California and moved to Salem in 2018, it wasn’t just about finding a new place to live. It was about choosing the kind of life we wanted for our family. I had just come off my strongest year in real estate. Business was thriving, our roots were deep in California, and walking away from that to start over somewhere completely new was no small feat. We were ready for a change — a slower pace, a stronger sense of community, less time in traffic, and more time together.

 

The move was a big decision, but in many ways, it mirrored the one I had made years earlier when I stepped away from a corporate career as a buyer. I’d spent years working first in homebuilding as a buyer, then retail, and I loved the strategy and structure of it. But after I had my daughter, I realized I wanted more balance and flexibility. During maternity leave, I studied for my real estate license, looking for a career that could support my family life instead of competing with it. I never went back to my old job. Real estate started as a practical shift, but quickly became something I genuinely loved, and it gave me the freedom to be both fully present at home and fully committed to my work.

Just as real estate was a natural fit, Salem was too. What stood out most was how much there was to do. We could hike to a waterfall, spend an afternoon at the coast, visit a vineyard, or take our daughter berry picking. There were flower farms, rivers, concerts in the park, and so many hidden gems to discover. It didn’t take long to realize that moving here wasn’t just a change of scenery; it was the foundation for the kind of life we truly wanted as a family.

 

When we arrived, our daughter was 5 and about to start school. From the start, my husband coached her soccer team, and I’ve sponsored it ever since. That one simple decision connected us to so many families and opened the door to a larger community. Almost every weekend, we find ourselves at a fundraiser, charity dinner, or local event. That’s the kind of place Salem is. People show up, people care, and there’s a real sense of shared investment in the community.

 

Even though I had to rebuild my real estate business from the ground up, it didn’t feel like starting over. I knew how to focus on people, do great work, and stay consistent. I lead with relationships, connecting, listening, and showing up for people. I’ve been a top producer every year since we moved, and I don’t take that for granted. It’s all built on the trust and support of the people I’ve been lucky enough to serve.

 

I’ve helped clients buy and sell everything from small starter homes to large estates and farmland. But what I love most is helping people find their version of home. Real estate is personal. It’s about stability, possibility, and building a life that works for you. That’s always been my focus when helping my clients into the next chapter.

 

We love being busy as a family—going to soccer games, community events, and finding time for workouts and date nights together. Through all of it, I’ve come to appreciate how much finding the right fit, whether it’s a home, a neighborhood, or a lifestyle, can shape your entire experience. That understanding guides everything I do in real estate. Because when it’s right, it doesn’t just change your address. It changes your life.

 

I’ve helped clients buy and sell everything from small starter homes to large estates, farmland, vineyards, and even investment properties. I also often work with seniors who are downsizing and families relocating for a fresh start. What I love most is that every transaction is different, and I get to tailor my approach to each client’s needs and goals. Real estate is never one-size-fits-all, and that’s exactly what makes it rewarding.

 

With a background in economics and years of experience as a buyer in homebuilding and retail, I bring strong analytical skills, market insight, and a deep understanding of negotiations to every deal. I know how to spot value, how to time the market, and how to help people make smart, confident decisions. I’m hands-on, detail-oriented, and fully invested in each transaction as if it were my own. My goal is to ensure you feel supported from beginning to end and know that even after the transaction, I am here to help with anything you may need as your REALTOR® for life!

 

Sincerely,

 

Marta Guajardo

REALTOR®

971-600-4893

martamarieg@gmail.com

www.salemhomesbymg.com