Gretchen Castorina

Gretchen knows about being a newcomer to a town. A native of the northeast, Gretchen has managed several relocations for her own family. For clients new to the area, she is a source of abundant and client-tailored information. She quickly turns outsiders into insiders. When working with long-time North Carolina residents, Gretchen enjoys showing fresh perspectives. 

Using her background in economics and as an NYC-based commodity analyst, she believes clients deserve more research, accountability, and access to data. She listens carefully to identify clients' needs and priorities. She helps them develop the knowledge and confidence to make sound real estate decisions. Teaming with top industry specialists, Gretchen ensures smooth and successful transactions. 

Whether marketing a property for sale or guiding a buyer in a purchase, Gretchen's goal is to exceed clients' expectations. When working for clients selling their home, she takes a hands-on approach. The property is attractively positioned in front of the right buyers and agents to generate more interest, traffic, and showings. For buyers, her extensive research and review of the local market enable her to identify opportunities, understand property values and negotiate effectively. 

Gretchen is well versed in the towns and communities in Orange, Chatham, and Durham counties, with a special focus on golf course communities. She gives back to the communities she serves through the Orange County and Durham County Habitat for Humanity groups; The Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC, and the Durham Rescue Mission. 

Gretchen's hard work, positive attitude, integrity and client-centric focus result in happy clients -- who are the real source of her success.  In 2021, she closed $22.8M in residential properties, representing 16 seller clients and 13 buyer clients.  Over 50% were personal referrals and 30% were past clients. In 2022, Gretchen was grateful to represent clients with her highest listing price of $3.3M, which was sold off-market. Of her nine sellers, six were past clients. and two referrals from her sphere. Among her six buyer sales, one was a past client and three were personal referrals. In 2023, Gretchen's highest buyer sale was a $2.6M condo in downtown Chapel Hill that she found off-market for out-of-town clients. Her highest closed listing ($2M) was also in downtown Chapel Hill, within easy walking distance of the University of North Carolina. 

When not focused on real estate, Gretchen enjoys spending time with her husband Ed, twin daughters, Fiona and Liv, and their Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Eden.   Gretchen and Ed also have fun exploring restaurants and wine tasting with happy clients who have now become friends. The family loves international travel, taking advantage of her husband and daughters' dual U.S. and Italian citizenship and love of foreign languages.