Finding Your Dream Home Made Simple

A member of the National Association of REALTOR’s 2024
class of 30 Under 30 and a 2022, 2023 and 2024 RealTrends Best Real Estate Professional

Buying a Property?

Selling a Property?

When people think about selling, they assume renovations automatically mean stress and paying out of pocket.
In this video, we break down how sellers can still aim for top dollar, even without renovation funds upfront.

It’s not about doing everything.
It’s about knowing what actually moves the price.

In some situations, renovation costs can be fronted and settled at close of escrow, so sellers aren’t carrying that burden themselves.
The goal is simple: help sellers net more, make smarter decisions, and reduce stress along the way.
That’s how we approach selling at Reframe. 🏡✨

I took my friend @ocfeed on a tour of one of the most unique properties I’ve seen in Orange County, a home with an incredible amount of land, multiple living spaces, and a layout that really makes you rethink what “space” can mean here.

t’s not just the size of the land or the price tag, it’s the flexibility, multiple living spaces, a true guest house, a pool house that feels like its own home, and room to grow without feeling boxed in. Homes like this don’t come up often in Orange County, especially with this much usable land, and once you see it in person, you understand why buyers start looking past just square footage and into lifestyle. It’s one of those properties that doesn’t photograph the same way it feels, you have to walk it, stand in it, and imagine how all the pieces actually work together.

Listed by Blair Borne DRE #01393318, Coldwell Banker Realty

Orange County isn’t building the way it used to, and there’s a reason for that.
Land is limited, infill is tight, and builders are responding with more condos, townhomes, and tri-level layouts.

That doesn’t mean buyers are out of options.
It just means the strategy has shifted.

If you want that 2 level stucco home, then buying a well-built 90s home and upgrading what actually matters to you is the move!

These parents didn’t just buy a house. They created a core memory.
Amy and TK already had the keys, but they waited to bring the kids in.They set up the kids’ rooms and surprised them with a space that was already designed for them!
Moments like this are why homes matter more than just square footage. 🏡💛

We toured this fully remodeled single-family home in the City of Orange, about 2,000 square feet, sitting on a lot that’s over 12,000 square feet, which honestly changes the whole conversation.

The open concept works really well, tons of storage, natural light everywhere, and a layout that actually makes sense when you think about how people live day to day. You can tell the remodel was done with intention, from the finishes to the details, not just quick flips, but thoughtful choices that hold up over time. And when you step outside and really see how far the lot extends, you start realizing how rare this kind of space is in this area. This could be the greatest starter home or move up home for a buyer who is looking for more land!

If you’re curious to see the full details, comment “Orange” and I’ll send you the listing 🍊

Listed by Martin Mania DRE #01799007 from Keller Williams OC Luxury Realty

I brought my sister to see my new Airbnb for the first time.
This is Chiara seeing it for the first time, the back house, the layout, the vision… all of it.
And yes, she definitely has opinions 😅

Can’t wait until we can do a full house tour!

Orange County is running out of land, and new construction is changing because of it.

More infill projects.
Smaller footprints.
And more condos than ever before.

In this conversation, we talk about what that actually means for buyers, not just what’s being built, but how people feel living in it.
Condos and townhomes aren’t going away.
The question is whether buyers are truly happy with where new construction is headed.

Because when land disappears, the market adapts.
And buyers have to adapt with it.
Curious where you stand on this. 🍊🏡

Buying in Orange County in 2026 looks very different depending on your budget, your lifestyle, and what you actually want long-term.

Where couples should start if they’re looking for a starter home? The answer isn’t just one city, it’s about matching the right area to the right stage of life.
Newer condos and townhomes in South County can mean fewer issues and easier ownership (as long as you’re not in a fire zone), while buyers with bigger budgets might want to look at more established, owner-occupied neighborhoods.

And if space, schools, or lot size matter, there are still pockets in OC that people overlook all the time, but that’s where some of the best value lives.

If you’re planning to buy in Orange County or Southern California and want clarity before you start touring, this is where those conversations really matter 🍊

I brought my picky influencer sister Chiara to judge every design decision in my Airbnb 🫠
Everything is already paid for, irreversible, and emotionally damaging if she says “pass”… so obviously we played Smash or Pass.

From checkered tile and arches to wallpaper arguments and surprise compliments, this turned into way more chaos than expected.
Smash or pass, sibling edition... Let’s do it💥😂

Sometimes it’s the small details that make you stop and go… why 😅
You walk up to the front door and there’s a gutter right here.
Could’ve gone to the side, could’ve gone to the back… but here we are.

Would this bother you, or nah?
Comment your thoughts 👀

Builders do the funniest things - like cut a tile short because that’s the standard builder height, when it would look better to keep the full tile longer.

What do you think?

My Realtor roots are absolutely coming in clutch when it comes to furnishing my Airbnb. Hearing buyers tell me what they like and don’t like gives me a sense of what is the most important when it comes to a home!

What do you think about my furniture picks?

This is what a properly modernized ranch-style home in Tustin looks like.
Built in the 60s, but brought into today the right way, with permits, smart upgrades, and a layout that actually works for modern living.

Over an 8,000 sqft lot, refreshed landscaping, fruit trees, and a clean open-concept layout that wasn’t common back then.
Warm gray tones (not the cold flip gray), Taj Mahal quartz, new windows and doors, and a functional flow throughout the home.

One thing I really appreciate, a true half bath, which a lot of homes from this era don’t have.
Primary suite feels bright and spacious, plus a reconfigured bathroom with a walk-in shower and still a tub, best of both worlds.

This is the kind of renovation buyers should look for, thoughtful, permitted, and done for long-term livability, not just looks.

Would you live in a modernized ranch-style home in Tustin?
Comment “Modern” and we’ll send you the details. 🍊

Listed by Daniel Ji @daniel.ji1 DRE #01991256 - Sung Joon Ji, Broker

A modern Spanish-style home always hits.
This Costa Mesa home was fully remodeled, but they kept the character of this home with warm tones, plaster walls, arches, and just enough modern touches to make it feel fresh, not flipped.

High ceilings, skylights, tons of natural light, and a kitchen that actually feels like it was designed for someone who cooks.
Two primary suites (yes, two), great flow throughout the house, and an outdoor space that feels made for hosting, pool days, and slow OC evenings.

You don’t see many Spanish-style homes like this in Orange County, especially ones that balance character and modern design this well.

Would you live in a Spanish-style home?
Comment “Spanish” and our team will send you the details 🍊

Listed by my friend, @christinemorganrealestate DRE #01839037
and Michelle Wahler DRE #01964152 from @marterrarealestate

I’ve seen this layout so many times this year, and it never fails.
This one is in Luna Park at Great Park, Irvine.

It’s a townhome in Orange County, and it honestly feels more open than a lot of single-family homes I’ve walked through.
It’s bright, it flows well, and it actually feels easy to live in.

So what would you choose,
4 beds for about $100K more,
or 3 beds with more open space?

Comment “Luna Park 2” and I’ll send you the details.

POV: touring a home and this view unlocked childhood memories 👀🎢🍊

Emma walked us through her room, her desk, her Pokémon cards, and the plushie she’s had since she was a baby.
Then she proudly showed us her brother’s room, the mini table, the colorful rug, and all the little details that already make this house feel lived in.

This isn’t just a house.
It’s a home their parents chose for them.

Mom and dad did really well 🤍

This Costa Mesa home has been almost fully remodeled, not just cosmetic, but the things you don’t see too.

The kitchen is really the heart of the home, big island, open layout, new KitchenAid appliances, clean European flat cabinets, and honestly a ton of storage, which matters more than people think.

You’ve got a good dining space, a living area that’s actually ready for a TV setup, and a half bath with a custom vanity. The primary suite feels finished, real closet, double sinks, walk-in shower, soaking tub, and yes, a window, which is a big deal for a lot of buyers.

The two other bedrooms share a Jack and Jill bath with good storage, and outside is where it gets fun, a private pickleball court, space to hang out, plus the option to add a 725 sqft ADU that’s already pre-approved.

Would you pay around $2.18M for this home in Costa Mesa?
Comment “Pickleball” and I’ll send you the details.

Listed by Amin Vali DRE#: 02104474 from Together Realty

One of the best model townhomes I’ve seen lately in Luna Park, Irvine, Orange County.
This is Lennar’s best-priced unit in the community, and honestly… they did a really good job.

You’ve got a bedroom on the first floor, big open living space, a kitchen island (because OC), and rooms that actually feel spacious.
Upstairs is just two bedrooms, but both are BIG, which makes the layout work really well.

Tons of light, good flow, move-in ready, nothing you really need to change.
Would you buy this home in Orange County for a little under $1.3M? 👀

Comment “Isla 1” and I’ll send you the details.

Congratulations to Amy and TK!
High ceilings, great light, a couple extra nooks for fun! 😄
Watching families step into a home that fits their season is the best part of what I do.
So happy for this family and it was just in time for the holidays 🎄✨

This is JLTM Furniture, one of my go-to spots in OC when I’m looking for pieces that are high quality for a great price. My sister and I love furniture shopping together. I love it becuase I get to use her eye for design and she loves it because the older sister always pays!

Every chair got judged, every couch needed a vibe check, and somehow she still found a ton of furniture she liked.
But that’s why I keep coming back here, good selection, solid quality, and prices that make sense.

Furniture shopping with a Gen Z sister is chaotic…
but at least we agreed on one thing, the deals were good.

Happy Furniture Hunting!

Wrapping up our third year at Reframe, and somehow this year felt even fuller than the last.

From champagne poppings, client events, team retreats (the desert + Bali), to photoshoots, pumpkin patch, and a lot of moments in between… it was busy in the best way.

We showed up, we tried things, we learned.
Grateful for this team, these clients, and everything 2025 brought.
Onwards to everything we will accomplish in 2026! 🤍

This Broadmoor home is fully remodeled from top to bottom- fresh finishes, updated everything, and ready for you to move right in. I loved tourning this home in Tustin! What do you guys think? Is this your next move?

Listed by Christine Kfoury, DRE #02091458 at Real Broker

North Orange County buyers… if you had to pick one city, where are you going? 🍊
Brea under $1.2M, Fullerton if you’re going bigger, Yorba Linda for luxury new builds.
Every area has its own personality, so the real question is… which one fits your life right now?

Buying new construction can feel like a rollercoaster… and Sue & Flora definitely lived through all the twists and turns.
Four months after signing, their builder released a surprise promo that lowered the rate and offered credits, and because we kept tracking pricing, interest rate shifts, and construction delays, we were able to help them secure it 💸
This home was worth the wait 🤎

Irvine has been the wild card in Orange County real estate this year.
Inventory doubled, outside buyers came in, and we saw homes sell way below comps, sometimes more than 10%.
Every other OC city stayed pretty normal, but Irvine is it’s own market!

If you’re buying or selling in OC right now, this is the one city you really need to understand.

Buyers at Pineridge in Fullerton told me they prefer townhomes over single families, so we went to see why.
The living space feels bigger than expected, the dining area works, and there’s a lot of storage.
Bedrooms and bathrooms are smaller, which makes sense for a townhouse, but the layout is comfortable and functional.
If you’re shopping in Orange County real estate, which one would you pick?

POV: You’re checking a flip in Orange County real estate, and the garage tells you everything.
I always check the trim. Metal Schluter instead of plastic usually means the flipper put extra effort into this flip.
Small detail, big green flag.

Most 50–100 year old houses don’t have the electric panel labeled at all, which makes it harder for buyers to understand what controls what.
So when a seller takes the time to label everything, it’s a green flag.
It tells you the home was cared for, not rushed.

Little things like this help you feel confident in the property you’re buying.

POV: You just closed on your home in Anaheim
Final walkthrough hits different when it’s your first place together.
The garage, the kitchen, the bedrooms,... everything suddenly feels real.
So happy for these two and this new chapter 🤍

Hearing Sue & Flora share their story made my whole week 🥹💛
We didn’t even meet in person until six months into the process, everything started through social media while Sue was working abroad.
But this is exactly why I love what we do. Real people, real stories, and moments like today… closing on their first home together in Orange County. 🏡✨

Why is choosing countertops so stressful? 😭
Printed quartz looks perfect, but the edges, durability, and how it ages honestly matter more than the pattern.
If you’re picking finishes for your home, always look at samples in your actual lighting.
Save this before you choose your countertops!

If you’ve been dreaming about Old Town Orange,
this is what under $1.5M looks like when someone actually reimagines the space.
Open sight lines, huge windows, and a real backyard.
Listed by my friend, Racquel Hedin @sellwithracquel DRE #02005822 at Compass

We just closed on this home
and found this giant thing in the backyard 😭
Do we keep it, paint it pink, or make it an Airbnb feature? 😂

After selling 300+ homes in Orange County real estate,
I realized my forever home isn’t about “features.”
I want a kitchen island, a walk-in pantry,
a cozy room I’ll turn into a library,
and a dining area that can handle messy dinners and loud dogs.

What would you look for in your forever home.

It’s always the smallest details in a bathroom 👀
the tile spacing, the drain, the shelf placement…
little upgrades that make the whole space feel elevated ✨
Would you do these in your home?

There’s something about custom work in a kitchen…
the oversized island, the backsplash built into the shelf, the tall cabinets,
none of it screams “look at me,”
but together they make the space feel elevated and intentional.
It’s less about luxury and more about how the home lives with you. ✨

This $3.5M flip shows why so many families look at Villa Park when they’re shopping Orange County real estate.
The kitchen has space you’ll actually use, storage everywhere, an in-law suite on the first floor, and a backyard that works for real life, not just photos.
Homes like this make sense if you’re planning to stay long-term.

Listed by Eddie Cervantes - DRE #01506039 - Supreme Legacy Homes

There are really two versions of Tustin in Orange County.
Tustin Legacy is the newer one: more parks, new schools, walkable amenities, and developments that actually feel planned.
A lot of people mistake it for Irvine at first, and honestly I get it.
It has that “Irvine-lite” energy without the same price point.
Curious which Tustin you’d choose?

🚨 My foot is finally healed, and I wanted to take you along to explore Tustin Legacy today! 🚨

When you see tape all over the walls of a new construction home, it isn’t a red flag, it’s quality control.
Paint touch-ups, drywall fixes, cabinet handles, doors…
all the tiny details get marked so the builder can make it right before you move in.
It’s one of those behind-the-scenes steps that makes a home feel finished, not rushed. 🤍

🚨 my foot is no longer broken but I wanted to make sure I show this killer house tour with you!🚨
A $2.2M home in Tustin Legacy that actually feels livable.
Spacious rooms, a real bedroom downstairs, and a backyard well designed!
Listed by Dan Choi at Coldwell Banker DRE #01792771

This new construction home by Lennar in Fullerton has so much flexibility. You can make this one 3, 4, or 5 bedrooms depending on your needs! It’s so important to have a home that can grow with you. Love what they are building at Pineridge!

We bought most of our SoCal properties during Q4, and it paid off!
People slow down, plans get real, and you see who’s genuinely ready to move. Less buyers and competition, more negotiation power.
That’s how we’ve found some of our best deals! Would you focus your house hunt during the holidays? ✨

It might be the smallest model at Pineridge in Fullerton, but Lennar did design this one to feel spacious and functional! This one is listed at $1.5M - would you buy this OC new construction home?

I love when a developer makes a space multifunctional!
This room could be a full bedroom with just one added closet,
but honestly, the arches, the light, the layout… it makes such a beautiful office ✨
Would you keep it as an office or turn it into a bedroom?

Tile shopping for my ADU today, and with tile installation being so expensive, finding good pricing really matters.
Spanish and Italian tiles are usually the best quality, so when they drop from $5 to $4 per sq ft, that adds up fast.
Small savings, big impact on a long-term project.

Nearly 6,000 sq ft across four levels, with panoramic views, skylights, multiple balconies, and natural light throughout.
Spacious, thoughtfully laid out, and one of the best price-per-square-foot values in Orange County.
What do you think of this $2.1M home? ✨

Listed by Sheila Alvarez with Nation One Realty Corp

LVP has been the go-to flooring for years, but lately we’re seeing more builders switch to waterproof laminate with a wood-grain look.
It feels more real, it’s durable, and it’s becoming a big trend again.
Do you think laminate is the next wave, or will LVP stay on top? 🤔

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

@realtorkina

Helping You Make Your Best Move

Having served over 400 Buyers and Sellers in the past 5 years, we work hard to make each transaction as smooth as possible. From First Time Home Buyers to investors, our team has the operational experience and the passion to make your real estate goals happen. We treat each sale as if it were our own home that we're buying or selling.

We put extra care into helping clients understand the process of buying a home and making sure your offer is accepted on your dream home. Southern California is a competitive market and every step in the process matters. Text us anytime (949) 537-2537

Thank you for considering us in your home buying and selling journey.

Warmly,

Kina De Santis

Founder and REALTOR at Reframe

Buyers Guide

Seller Guide

Let's connect!

About

Kina De Santis

Kina implements innovative tools to create a seamless process for her clients. Because most of Kina’s clientele comprises first-time buyers and sellers, she walks them through every step of the transaction to ensure they understand what they need to know to invest wisely. She even shares educational videos and breaks down contracts, making sure her clients are clear about what they’re signing and what that means for them long-term. With additional expertise in renovating and remodeling homes, Kina’s able to gauge the scope of essential projects, enlisting a team of professionals to transform homes, both presale and post-purchase.

Her company, reframe, is redefining the real estate landscape by dominating the social media sphere, turning renters into homeowners, and celebrating its clients’ wins in a big way.

Let's find your next home

CLIENT
TESTIMONIALS

As first-time buyers, we couldn’t have asked for a better partner in the home buying process than Kina! She was always engaged, supportive, knowledgeable, and kind throughout the process. More than finding us a home, she sought to understand our needs as a couple and was always willing to adapt according to what we needed. When we found a home a lot faster than we anticipated, her and her team were quick to help us put in an offer, schedule inspections, and communicate with the seller. In every decision we felt that Kina and team were looking out for our best interests. If we had to do it all again, we wouldn’t hesitate to work with the Reframe team!

Maria C

Rob C

Kina and her team are always fantastic. We have worked with Kina many times and our experience is always great. Her team is very professional and on top of things. I recommend her to anyone looking.