Experience you can trust

• Meet Top Achiever Linda Riley

Linda Riley found all her friends their houses, and that was even before she became a Realtor. Yet, soon after a move to El Dorado County from Southern California she earned her license and looks back on her 32 years of real estate experience with pride.

An avid, lifelong horse lover, Linda brought five horses with her when she and her family made the move to Cameron Park in 1980. While looking for horse property for herself, she knocked on lots of people’s doors to inquire. “Needless to say, I met a lot of people and to this day I sell a lot of horse property,” she said, laughing.

When Linda first earned her license she worked at More Company, which eventually became Coldwell Banker. She made the move to ERA Realty in 1991, a company that is now Century 21 Select in El Dorado Hills.

A 25-year El Dorado County Association of Realtors Top Achiever with numerous state and national awards, Linda said the secret to her success is simple. “I pride myself on service,” she said. “I honestly care less about commission and more about whether I’m doing a good job.” This attitude is why Linda said 85 percent of her business draws from repeat customers and referrals.

Linda’s experience and reputation have allowed her to build solid relationships. Banks tap her because of her knowledge in short sales and bank-owned properties. Many home developers have asked Linda to sell the lots in their new subdivisions, with Cameron Woods in Cameron Park being the most frequent. “I was there when they built their first phase of homes in 1988 and am still representing the developer during Phase 8 today,” she said.

One of Linda’s greatest pleasures is working with young families and first-time homebuyers. “I’ve been in the business so long that it’s been really special to sell to the kids of past clients,” she said.

And she does business just about anywhere in the western slope of El Dorado County. “From El Dorado Hills to Pollock Pines to South County,” she said, “Folsom, Roseville, Granite Bay, too.”

Linda, 62, is active in the community and believes strongly in giving back. She is a member of numerous associations, regularly serving in leadership positions. Over the years she has co-chaired an annual health fair, worked as a co-chair for Toys for Tots and has been a sponsor of local youth soccer, among a long list of philanthropic interests. Linda’s latest project was working with Cameron Park Community Services District to improve and upgrade Rasmussen Park.

When Linda isn’t with clients, she enjoys spending time with her grown daughter and two grandsons. She plays golf and the guitar, and rides her quarter horse Peppy every chance she gets. She is also a dog lover, showing her Brittanies Rusty and Jessie in dog shows “to try to win that elusive Obedience Title,” she said.

Linda Riley may be reached by calling 530-672-7826. Her Century 21 Select office is located at 4601 Post St. in El Dorado Hills.