ABOUT RED OAK REALTY

Red Oak realty started out in a garage in Berkeley in 1976. Today Red Oak is one of the largest independent real estate brokers in the East Bay.

Red Oak doesn't have the most agents. Or the most offices. But we're serious about paying personal attention to every single person that comes to us. And we have the statistics to explain every square foot of every neighborhood in the East Bay. In the end, we think that matters more than size, any day of the week.

NicolePaez.jpg

Nicole Paez

Nicole, an Oakland native, decided there was no other place on earth she and her husband, Mike wanted to raise their three boys. In fact, she lives 5 minutes away from her folks who are still in the house she was raised in.

Nicole's mom instilled a love for real estate in her years ago. She is the ultimate real estate buff in both investing and carefully tracking the market. Having parents remaining in the same property for nearly 5 decades and owning her home in Chabot Park Estates for nearly 2 decades, Nicole understands the importance of purchasing the right home.

Nicole is a great listener and has the patience to fully understand what her clients need in a property. She also has a deep understanding of the Oakland and San Leandro neighborhoods and works tirelessly to pair her clients with the best property for their needs and budget.

When she is not out touring homes or attending inspections, you may find her in the gym or en route to Bishop O'Dowd where her youngest two attend.

Family, food, and all things home have been very important to her and she has dedicated the last two decades to raising her three boys: Angelo, Antonio and Alessandro. Being involved in their schooling and activities and preparing healthy home-cooked meals was a priority. Creating a warm and loving environment for them was her full-time job.

Fun facts about Nicole…

  • Her first job was Santa’s helper in the mall

  • She has taken 1 year of golf lessons but never has played a single round

  • Nicole was a fitness competitor with a couple of wins under her belt

  • Loves Italian food (cioppino is her favorite dish) and farmers’ markets

  • Attended the Academy of Art for fashion design

  • Favorite time of year is Christmas! (Maybe because of that first job)

VANESSA BERGMARK: OWNER & CEO

  • Over 15 years running sales teams and operations of residential brokerages in the East Bay

  • Certified in conflict resolution and mediation

  • B.S. in Law and Justice from Penn State University

  • Provides agents and clients with expert guidance in complex transactions

  • Named one of 2013, 2014 and 2015’s 101 Most Influential People in Real Estate by Inman News Group

  • Named one of 2016 and 2018’s Top Social Influencers Nationwide on social media platforms by T3 Sixty

  • Featured industry speaker nationwide

  • Named one of 2017’s top 100 Women-Owned Businesses in the Bay Area by SF Business Times

  • A 2020 and 2019 RISMedia Real Estate Newsmaker

  • 2020 Swanepoel Power 200 and one of 2016/17’s top Social Influencers on social media platforms by Swanepoel Power 200

MELISSA BUSH: SVP OF SALES & BROKER OF RECORD

  • Over 10 years of real estate industry experience in Contra Costa and Alameda counties

  • Diverse knowledge of the real estate industry from operational management to sales and investing, led sales management effort locally since 2015

  • Oakland Association of Realtors Chief Executive Officer, 2011-2014

  • Worked with National Association of Realtors and California Association of Realtors, serving on the Association Executive Advisory Committee and Consumer Communications Committee

  • B.A. in Art History from SFSU, M. Lit. in History of Art & Connoisseurship from University of Glasgow

  • Trained with Christie’s and Doyle New York

JENN KELLY: CREATIVE DIRECTOR / GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Jenn works closely with Deidre to develop unique marketing pieces and maps for Deidre’s listings in addition to the creative work she provides for Red Oak. A second-generation Oaklander, she has studied graphic design, fashion, letterpress printing, and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Academy of Art University. After joining Red Oak in 1999, she was hired as the company's first Designer/Marketing Coordinator, climbed the ranks to her current position of Creative Director, and has helped make Red Oak Realty what it is today.