Today we’d like to introduce you to C.J. Vigil.
Hi C.J., we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up working in my family’s plumbing business, so I was around homes and hands-on problem solving pretty early on. Being in and out of people’s homes also gave me a respect for how personal a home is. It’s not just a structure, it’s where people live their lives.
I went to UC Santa Cruz and got a B.S. in Geology because I’ve always been interested in science, especially earth science and field geology. With that foundation, I’ve found I can keep satisfying that curiosity as a hobby.
After college, I went back into plumbing and got more involved on the sales side. Working with clients, having conversations, and helping solve problems. That’s when I realized I had a natural interest in that side of things.
Around that time, my now fiancée Maia’s mom, who has been in real estate for a long time, had been nudging me in that direction. I eventually gave it a shot and it clicked pretty quickly. It felt like a good mix of everything I enjoyed: homes, people, and problem solving.
Early on, I decided I wanted to build my business around relationships and being involved in the community. That’s led me to serve on the Parks, Recreation & Beautification Commission, host neighborhood park events and clean-up days, and stay involved with groups like Rotary, the Central Coast Exchange Club, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of SLO County.
The goal has been to build a strong foundation through those relationships and operate mostly by referral, although I’m always happy to help anyone who reaches out.
Recently, I earned the Silver Award with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, which puts me in the top 20% of agents in the brand. I’m proud of that, but more than anything it reflects the support I’ve had from the community around me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. It’s been by far the most challenging endeavor I’ve taken on.
One of the biggest challenges early on was building trust. When you’re trying to be involved in the community and do good things, it takes time before people see that as genuine and not just something tied to real estate. That was something I had to be patient with and just stay consistent.
It’s also an incredibly competitive field. There are a lot of agents, and it can be tough to find your footing and build momentum, especially in the beginning.
I’m very thankful for the support I’ve had along the way, especially from my fiancée Maia, who really helped us get through those early stages. Having that support made a big difference.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a real estate agent, but the way I approach the business is a bit of a mix between old school and modern.
On one hand, I still believe in a lot of the traditional ways of building a business — having real conversations, getting out into the community, connecting with local business owners, and staying consistent with people over time. A few business owners have actually described my approach as “old school,” which I take as a compliment.
At the same time, I’m very intentional and targeted in how I go about it. I enjoy the strategy side of the business — thinking through where to spend time, how to build relationships, and how to create something that’s sustainable long term.
Most of what I’ve built has come from just being myself. I’ve tried to stay consistent with that from the beginning, whether that’s through community involvement, hosting local events, or working with organizations that support kids and families.
If there’s anything I’m known for, it’s probably that combination — being genuine, being involved in the community, and having a solid understanding of the market and the process.
One of the challenges early on was making that connection clear — people would know me from community work or events, but not always immediately associate that with real estate. Over time, that’s come together more naturally.
I also think real estate agents are in a unique position. We have the ability to build a business while also doing a lot of good in the communities we’re part of, and that’s something I try to be mindful of in how I operate.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Probably running around in the neighborhood during the summer.
Pricing:
- I work 100% on commission only if a transaction is successfully accomplished. By law, commission is negotiable, which is important for the consumers to understand.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cjsellsthecoast.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cj.vigil_gb/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cj.vigil.2025
