By: William Jones
Colleen and Sabrina Riley are a mother and daughter Real Estate team with Sotheby’s International Realty based on Cape Cod. Together, they have been helping buyers and sellers navigate the local market for more than 30 years combined. Their work is built on something simple: they know the area and live the life that they share every day.
Raised on Cape Cod, they know the beaches, restaurants, and small shops, but most importantly, they know the locals. They both graduated from Barnstable High School and are proud to share that the football field is named after their Grandfather, Leo Shields. That history is a tough one to teach. It comes from years of living in a place, raising a family there, and watching it change season after season.
Local Knowledge That Runs Deep
When clients come to them looking for a home, Colleen and Sabrina are not just offering listings. They are offering a window into what life on Cape Cod actually looks like. They listen to what their buyers are looking for and dig deep into the home-searching process with a clear path of communication. When buyers are coming from across the country to settle on Cape Cod, they rely on the experience and knowledge that their agent can provide. Colleen and Sabrina are with them every step of the way.
“We love sharing our local knowledge,” they said. “From our favorite beaches to our go-to restaurants and stores.”
A Record Built on Results
Their track record reflects that experience. Colleen has been named one of America’s Best by RealTrends in 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025. Sabrina was named Rookie of the Year by Boston Magazine in 2024. Most recently, Colleen was recognized in the top five percent of all realtors on Cape Cod, while Sabrina landed in the top twenty-fifth percent. In 2023, Colleen was ranked in the Top 100 at Sotheby’s.
But numbers only tell part of the story. What sets them apart is how they treat every listing, regardless of price.
Every Home Deserves Full Attention
“Every listing receives the attention of a multi-million-dollar home,” they explained. “We help our clients prepare their home for sale and add staging to enhance value.” That means professional photography, floor plans, video, and short reels designed for social media. It also means being present. Every listing is personally attended. They do not just drop a sign in the yard and wait for calls. They walk clients through the benefits of their specific location and make sure that buyers understand what they are purchasing!
Addressing the Biggest Challenge for Sellers
The biggest challenge their clients face is a common one: getting top dollar in a short period of time. Colleen and Sabrina address this by staying grounded in the data. They educate both buyers and sellers on the current market and make sure expectations are backed by real numbers. There are no empty promises, just honest assessments based on what the market is actually doing.
“We try to educate our buyers and sellers on the current market and make sure that we have market data to back up what their goals might be,” they said.
That approach has earned them respect among their peers, which in turn helps when it comes time to negotiate. Real estate is a relationship business, and the trust they have built over the years extends beyond their clients to other agents in the area.
Relationships That Last Beyond Closing
For buyers, the relationship does not end at closing. Colleen and Sabrina stay in touch, answering questions throughout the year. That kind of availability matters, especially for people who are new to Cape Cod and still learning its rhythms. They understand that buying a home is just the beginning, and they make themselves available long after the paperwork is signed.
A Bond That Strengthens the Work
Their bond with each other strengthens everything they do. A mother and daughter team brings something that other partnerships do not: a shared history, a natural trust, and the kind of communication that only comes from years of knowing someone. They keep their clients in the loop every step of the way because that is how they treat each other. That dynamic translates directly into how they serve the people who work with them.
“Our lifelong bond with Cape Cod, strong relationship-building with our clients, and knowledge of market trends are what keep our customers coming back to us,” they said.
What they offer is not flashy. It is consistent, professional, and rooted in real experience. They do not promise miracles or use dramatic sales tactics. They simply show up, do the work, and treat every client like they matter. For anyone looking to buy or sell on Cape Cod, Colleen and Sabrina Riley are a team that understands the place and the people who want to call it home.
