Meet Us

Tom
BREZSNY
Terry
BALLANTYNE
BREZSNY
Daniel
Wolford
Scarlett
WOLFORD
Dax
Nollenberger
Natasha Mingay
Tom <br />
BREZSNY

Meet Tom

Professional Realtor a.k.a Life Transition Facilitator, Agent of Change, Dream Home Catcher, Business Shaman, Righteous EsCrower, Psychic Housecleaner, House Whisperer

  • Licensed In 1990
  • Award-Winning Sales 1993-present
  • Industry Accolades & Acknowledgements
  • Best Realtor in SC, Metro Poll 1997
  • Author & Columnist, Real Estate of Mind
  • Host, KSCO Radio Real Estate Talk Show
  • Founder Sanctuary Fund (Charitable Giving to Homeless Families and Children)
  • Community Service Award, Assoc. of Realtors
  • Joined Sereno Group 2013
  • $70 million sold in 2020 and $50 million sold in 2019
  • Recognized Real Estate Thought-Leader

Previous Incarnations/Other Lifetimes

  • Degree in Russian History
  • Restaurant Janitor/Performance Artist
  • Community Member/ Social Activist
  • Owner/Chef, India Joze Restaurant
  • Began International Calamari Festival
  • Executive Director SC Restaurant Ass.
  • Small Business Consultant
  • Professional Copywriter
  • Weekly Columnist, The Good Times
  • Weekly Columnist, The Sentinel
  • Advertising & Public Relations
  • Youth Basketball Coach
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Terry <br />
BALLANTYNE <br />
BREZSNY

Meet Terry

Choosing a Realtor to work with is very difficult. Since you buy or sell infrequently and often with a lot of life distractions, it is hard to know what qualities matter to you.  What do you look for to insure you have a seamless, drama free, high quality experience when you buy or sell?

What really matters?

Technology?

Psychology?

Geography?

Determination?

Kindness?

Life Experience?

Local Knowledge?

All of that. And more.

Intangibles that I couldn’t explain if I had a year. Think about your career? Could you really explain the minor nuances that drive your industry to someone outside the industry? Probably not, so finding someone you trust and someone competent is so important.

Someone who is respected by peers, someone steeped in local knowledge, someone who communicates openly and in terms that make sense to you. Someone who keeps you informed and maybe even someone fun to be around ! Cringing at the sight of your Realtor’s car in the driveway is a bad sign!

I am proud of the work I do. I put the needs of my clients first, which is why I work at Sereno Group. We don’t have a sales board, we don’t even talk about sales. We talk about successful escrows. Successful for the people involved, not us.

I am also proud of being the co-chair for our 1% For Good Campaign. I championed the cause within the company and we have now been honored by the San Jose Business Journal as one of the top donors  in corporate philanthropy.

And importantly, we don’t give our corporate profits, we are giving our personal income, 1% of our fee on each transaction to local charities. It’s about our home town, it’s not about a write off.

I hope you will call and see if I am the right person to help you. I may not be.

But let’s see. I would love to hear from you.

“Excellence isn’t about meeting the spec, it’s about setting the spec. It defines what the consumer sees as quality right this minute, and yet,  tomorrow, if you’re good, you’ll reset that expectation again.” -Linchpin

Professional

  • 21+ years practicing in Santa Cruz County
  • Holds Brokers License
  • Graduate of Real Estate Institute
  • Community Service Award 2010
  • Co-chair 1% for Good launch
  • Recruited for Leadership at local independent firm
  • Author of Navigating Olderhood.com
  • Founder of Brown Bag Lunch Co. business catering Santa Cruz
  • Founder of Paradise Avenue Floral, celebrity floral and plant design firm Santa Monica, Ca

Personal

  • Resident of Santa Cruz County since 1988
  • Ambassador to Chopra Center; former meditation teacher
  • World-wide hiker
  • Extensive Understanding of Social Media
  • Superior Skills in Presentation, from paint to paintings, closets to carpets, lights to landscaping. EVERY detail matters
  • Loves wild places, Baja, Sierras, desert
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Daniel <br />
Wolford

Meet Daniel

In a distracted world, everyone needs a backstop to keep things moving along seamlessly. Some people just have innate gifts that come naturally to them. They don’t break a sweat! That’s Daniel.

Daniel has an uncanny eye for details, whether in his photography, copy-editing, or drafting contracts. Even the humble email is elevated under his watchful eye. Besides his Spock-like efficiency, Daniel possesses a sunny, warm demeanor that instantly puts one at ease. Whether meeting Daniel for the first time, or are one of his childhood friends he treasures, he is open and approachable.

Daniel supports and helps build context around the complex and dynamic real estate market in Santa Cruz. He simplifies the process and makes one feel comfortable and involved every step of the way—whether it is buying or selling a home.

Daniel is a valued member of Brezsny Associates, a close-knit real estate team, comprised of four family members working under the brokerage banner of Sereno Group. Daniel oversees all marketing aspects and specializes in the Matterport VR tours, e-flyers, print materials and social media. In today’s market, having a high-quality digital presence is extremely important, and Daniel ensures that each property is presented in its best light.

In 2019 Brezsny Associates were responsible for forty transaction sides totaling $50 million in closed sales volume and in 2020 they closed fifty one transaction sides totaling over $70 million in sales volume. He would be honored to help you in such a huge life transition.

Daniel grew up in Marin and graduated with honors from Sonoma State but now calls Santa Cruz home. Whether it’s beach walks, forest hikes, fishing or beach cruising, Daniel and his wife Scarlett, along with their daughter, Stella, love living the special lifestyle that Santa Cruz has to offer.

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Scarlett <br />
WOLFORD

Meet Scarlett

Scarlett Wolford grew up in Santa Cruz and has a deep love for the community and the special sense of place it fosters. She is thrilled to help clients fulfill their dreams of owning a home by the beach in this small corner of paradise found.  Real estate is a complicated process but Scarlett’s noteworthy communication skill and seemingly effortless ability to translate difficult concepts helps to make it simpler and easier for her clients. Her determination and commitment to getting results is reflected in her clients’ many successes and continued referrals. Her relationships are based on trust, integrity, and follow-through and the best interests of her clients are always her highest priority.

Scarlett is an integral part of Brezsny Associates, a close-knit real estate team comprised of four family members working under the brokerage banner of Sereno Group. Together they have more than 60 years of active experience in residential real estate in Santa Cruz and the Central Coast.  In 2019 they were responsible for 40 transaction sides totaling $50 million in closed sales volume and in 2020 they closed 51 transaction sides totalling over $70 million in sales volume.  She would be honored to facilitate your next life transition and guide you into the next chapter of your life with ease.

Before joining Sereno Group and the Brezsny team, Scarlett served as VP and Business Development Officer for TMC Financing where she helped small businesses secure commercial real estate financing. Prior to TMC, Scarlett spent a number of years working in the title and escrow industry in a variety of roles. She has worked in the real estate and finance industries her entire career.

Scarlett graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is proficient in Spanish. Scarlett and her husband Daniel, along with their daughter Stella, love living in Santa Cruz! There’s no place quite like it.

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Dax<br />
Nollenberger

Meet Dax

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, CA. Dax Nollenberger has deep-rooted ties to the community he calls home. Growing up, he was highly active in all things Santa Cruz from Junior Lifeguards, and Little League, to exploring the famous Santa Cruz surf spots and the beautiful redwood forest. Because Dax appreciates the special nature of the Santa Cruz community, his ability to give back through the 1% For Good campaign was a driving force behind his decision to join Sereno.

Dax studied business management at the University of Arizona allowing him to gain valuable insight into the processes that make for successful management of the complex tasks related to buying or selling your biggest life purchase. Prior to the University of Arizona, Dax studied locally at Cabrillo College and was a member of Cabrillo’s football team.

Post-graduation, Dax pursued a career in the NFL as an equipment manager but quickly rose the ranks to the scouting department where he helped implement and execute a hybrid scouting approach of analytics and traditional scouting that ultimately helped resurrect a franchise that had incurred 20 straight disappointing seasons. Dax’s passion for real estate was curated during his time working with the Cleveland Browns scouting department. In his spare time, he dove deep into real estate investment opportunities in the greater Cleveland area before ultimately deciding to return home and pursue his passion for real estate full time. His agility with numbers will serve you well in helping to understand market statistics.

Dax’s experiences honed his ability to think critically to solve problems, identify opportunities in the market through evidence-backed analysis, work with a variety of personalities, and create processes that ensure an efficient transaction. His clients and colleagues describe him as detailed-oriented, driven, loyal, trustworthy, and fun to be around. Dax currently resides in the Seabright area of Santa Cruz and loves spending time with family and friends, mountain biking, football, ice hockey, and cruiser rides around town.

Dax is a valued member of Brezsny Associates!

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Natasha Mingay

Meet Natasha

Natasha has over 15 years experience in the Real Estate industry! The last 9 years, focusing on Residential Real Estate in Santa Cruz County, where Natasha has earned multiple awards from the very start! After a career in fast paced Commercial Real Estate in Santa Barbara and San Francisco, Natasha obtained an art degree emphasizing design. Upon graduating, she desired a way to combine both business and art degrees with her past real estate experience, which is how she ended up working in Residential Real Estate back in her hometown of Santa Cruz 9 years ago. Natasha is a 2nd generation Realtor and comes from a family of Realtors spread throughout the country. Her very first year as a Realtor, Natasha earned Rookie of the year in Santa Cruz County! Since then, Natasha has received various accolades; the Sterling Society award for her production, and most recently 2020 Excellence in Client Service and 2020 Homesnap’s Most Prominent Agent Award. She holds special designations as a Pricing Strategist, e-Pro agent, (SCCP) Santa Cruz County Pro and (C2EX) Commitment to Excellence – from the National Association of Realtors, enhancing the highest levels of professionalism in the industry. In 2019, Natasha obtained her California Broker’s license as well, a designation that is the highest level of certification you can achieve in the real estate industry.

Some real estate markets can only be described as special and call for more than the customary attention to detail and skills. A good example is the red-hot market in Santa Cruz County.  For real estate markets like this, you need a competent, caring, knowledgeable real estate professional.  Someone who knows not only values and property availability, but who can also control the very complex process of buying and selling in California.

What I Love About Santa Cruz County
While Natasha can provide real estate services to the entire Bay Area, her special focus is what she truly loves; Santa Cruz County. This real estate market is actually a collection of individual, unique and endearing communities, each with their own ambiance, amenities and housing opportunities.  As a long- term resident of Santa Cruz, Natasha knows them all.  From the quirky winding streets, breathtaking views and fabulous social and restaurant scenes of Santa Cruz to the quiet wind-swept beauty of its coastline, Natasha knows this place, this is where she lives, works and plays. This is her backyard. She recognizes that part of its charm is it’s access to everywhere you want to be: about an hour to Silicon Valley and the scions of innovation in the digital age, shopping in San Francisco or skiing at Lake Tahoe, this is one of the few places on earth where you can surf in the morning and snow ski in the afternoon.  All this while retaining its small-town ambiance and friendly hometown reputation.

What I Do For My Clients …
As a seller, you can rely on Natasha’s keen advice.  With a degree in Design and a passion for art and beauty, she has an innate ability to discern color, line and especially the potential of your home.  Frequently even minor changes combined with Natasha’s UniqueMarketing Plan and strategic marketing campaign can attract multiple offers from qualified buyers.  Natasha can also provide you with a resource list of stages, subcontractors and tradespeople to simplify the process for you.

As a buyer, Natasha’s sense of potential can help you envision how to best preview a prospective property purchase. She can also coach you on property values and writing a strong offer based on her special market knowledge.  With Natasha’s reputation for honesty, integrity and fair play, she can locate “off market” properties for your preview, so necessary in this highly competitive real estate market.

Natasha Mingay has processed over 250 million in real estate transactions. Her skill at process management and negotiation assure that you have chosen not only a highly competent REALTOR® but also an advocate on your behalf.  Her tireless hard work, ethics and determination give her the ability to channel her enthusiasm, energy and experience toward making her client’s goals a reality. Natasha has wisely chosen to work at Sereno for their predominate market share, strong leadership, current relevant market data and elegant marketing materials representative of the value of your property.  Make your first call your best call and call Natasha Mingay today!

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