By: Matt Emma

Traci Hornbaker didn’t set out to disrupt the real estate industry. She simply chose to lead with honesty, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to her clients’ well-being. Over more than $50 million in sales and thirteen years based in Silicon Valley, this seasoned real estate professional has become the kind of agent people don’t just hire, they trust.

Bringing Innovation to Bay Area Real Estate

Traci’s journey into real estate began with working alongside leading teams, where she built her foundation in the industry. But she didn’t stop there. Before turning 30, she co-founded a groundbreaking real estate auction firm, demonstrating early on that she possessed the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that would define her career. When she moved to Silicon Valley over 13 years ago, she brought that same pioneering energy with her, eventually landing at Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno in Burlingame, where she continues to bring her passion for excellence to her clients every day, serving the San Francisco Bay Area.

A Market Expert Who Educates

What truly sets Traci apart in the competitive Peninsula real estate landscape isn’t flashy marketing or empty promises; it’s education. “I educate my clients on how the market works and provide them with the data to back it up, so they can make the best decisions for their journey, whether buying or selling,” she explains. This philosophy permeates everything she does. She custom designs marketing plans for each of her seller clients, working tirelessly to expose their homes and fully saturate the target buyer markets.

For her buyers navigating a notoriously competitive market where single-family homes routinely receive multiple offers, Traci becomes their guide and advocate. She helps them understand pricing models, strategies, and actual market values so they can make informed decisions. “It is not about me, it is about my clients and their needs and how I can help them achieve their goals,” she says with conviction.

The Agent Who Cares Like It’s Her Own

Traci’s sellers know what they’re getting: a partner who treats their home with the same care she’d show her own. She spends considerable time and effort preparing homes for the market, remodeling when necessary to help ensure sellers maximize their asset value. For many of her clients, their home represents far more than a transaction; it’s their nest egg, their legacy, their future. Traci understands this deeply. “If you do every deal like it is your own, you care about your client and the outcome on their lives,” she emphasizes.

Credentials That Matter

Her dedication extends beyond transactions. Traci holds both the NAR Green Designation and the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) credential, providing clients with expert guidance on sustainability, energy efficiency, and strategic home buying decisions that align with their long-term goals.

Community First

Beyond real estate, Traci is a dedicated community supporter and parks advocate. Her employer, Christie’s Sereno, aligns with her values, and the company donates 1% for Good to local charities, currently ranking in the top 20 for Bay Area corporate philanthropy. Local nature retreats and thriving communities are near and dear to her heart, and she walks this talk personally.

A Life Well-Lived

When she’s not helping clients achieve their real estate goals, Traci embodies the Bay Area lifestyle she knows so well. She enjoys barefoot runs along the Bay Trail, hot yoga, and kiteboarding on the San Francisco Bay near the San Mateo Bridge. These aren’t just hobbies; they’re extensions of her philosophy: live authentically, pursue excellence, and invest in what matters.

For Traci Hornbaker, real estate isn’t about transactions. It’s about helping people find not just a house, but a home that aligns with their lifestyle, values, and long-term goals. With over $52 million in total sales volume currently in contract, she’s demonstrated that this approach works for her and, more importantly, that it may change lives.

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