Christina Castillo, a Realtor with Ensemble, grew up in Texas, attending Sunday open houses with her dad, studying floor plans and imagining how people might live in those spaces. “I took drafting in high school, studied architectural engineering and eventually built a 16-year career at Starbucks corporate, working in strategy, marketing and operations; leading cross-functional teams; and implementing programs,” she says. Her experience taught her how to navigate complicated systems, bring people together and keep a lot of competing priorities moving in the same direction.
When Castillo decided to change careers in 2021, real estate felt like a natural place to apply those skills. A West Seattle resident for 22 years now, she assists buyers and sellers in the Seattle metropolitan area.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Castillo is passionate about advocating for an equitable and inclusive real estate experience. She leverages her business to prioritize service providers throughout the transaction that are LGBTQ+, BIPOC or woman-owned. “I’m a proud queer Realtor, and I want LGBTQ+ clients and allies to know I understand that buying or selling a home can look different for everyone, and I will create a process where they feel respected, informed and supported.”
Castillo knows buying or selling a home is a huge financial and emotional decision, and she loves being the person who can make that process feel more understandable and manageable. “My brain loves the strategy — positioning, building a smart plan and negotiating,” she says, “and my heart loves the people — the trust, the stories and making sure they feel confident throughout the process.” Castillo adds that she’s a long-term home advisor, rather than someone who disappears once the keys are handed over.
