Leilani Serrao-Baker
Founder, Civitas Realty | Top 1% Orange County Realtor® | Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE)
Leilani Serrao-Baker leads with a simple philosophy: “It’s not about how many homes I sell—it’s about how many people I help.” As Founder of Civitas Realty, she blends boutique service, uncompromising standards, and a deep commitment to community to deliver a white-glove real estate experience defined by precision, empathy, and results.
Originally from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Leilani’s roots in hospitality run deep. After studying sales and marketing, she spent 23 years as a flight attendant, mastering first-class service. She later launched a flight-attendant training company and a luxury body-care line—featured in national magazines—and earned Beauty Industry West’s 2002 Entrepreneur of the Year. These experiences honed her ability to anticipate needs, navigate complex situations with grace, and provide elevated service long before real estate.
After renovating several homes in LA and Orange County, Leilani transitioned into real estate, blending her passion for design, marketing, and client care. Today, she ranks in the top 1% in Orange County, the top 3% nationally for selling homes quickly, and the top 10% for securing full price or above. With her Certified Negotiation Expert designation—held by fewer than 1% of Realtors—she brings Fortune-500-level strategy to every transaction. She also specializes in probate, trust, and complex seller scenarios, including Short Sales and Foreclosures (SFR®).
Guided by a boutique philosophy, Leilani is known for showroom-worthy staging, unmatched digital marketing, and a white-glove experience from consultation to close. Her listings consistently outperform the market, and her design-forward preparation helps sellers achieve exceptional results in any climate.
A proud Dana Point resident of 16 years, Leilani is deeply rooted in the South OC community. She and her husband support the local arts, and their daughter is both a musician and performer. Outside of real estate, Leilani loves yoga, hiking, boating, working out, and refinishing furniture. True to the Civitas ethos—Civitas means community—she sponsors beloved neighborhood traditions, including the annual Sea Canyon garage sale, holiday Santa events, and pet-adoption days.
Warm, strategic, and service-driven, Leilani embodies boutique real estate at its finest—and continues to redefine what a personalized, first-class real estate experience can be.
Home Types:
House, Condo, Townhouse, Co-op
Years of Experience:
15
Education:
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Kapiolani Community College
