“I’ve always been interested in real estate,” says Nicole “Nikki” Rodriguez, a third generation Salinas native.  “I love looking at properties and seeing the layout of houses, especially the old ones with history.  I like to imagine the families that lived and made memories in them. If you think about it, a home is a very intimate space and to be invited in is such a privilege.”  She also loves helping others.  “It makes me feel good to help people through the process,” she adds. “Buyers are always so happy and excited when you hand them the keys.” She is spreading the joy of homeownership, one client at a time. 

As someone who enjoys problem solving, Nikki really listens to her clients, guiding them and negotiating on their behalf. A fun-loving person, Nikki got her real estate license in 2006 and worked part-time. 

“Things were a lot different back then,” she explains. “I didn’t really do much, I had a couple of listings.” She worked full-time at Pacific Valley Bank. “My husband, Paul, and I were starting a family and the baby was my main focus, also during that time, the market crashed.” Her license expired during the Great Recession and Nikki waited until 2021 to try again. 

“I knew being a real estate agent part-time wouldn’t work for me,” she admits. “I had to go ‘all in.’” She got her real estate license in February 2021, eager to give real estate her all. The pandemic presented a hot market and Nikki was ready to soar in real estate. 

Nikki attributes her success to the support and camaraderie she experiences as part of the Scott Craig team at Keller Williams Coastal Estates, which she describes as a family. “Scott is awesome,” she raves.

Starting a new career isn’t for the faint of heart, but Nikki is resilient and resolute. A former national champion in martial arts, she is able to overcome challenges physically and mentally. When Nikki approaches transactions, she finds them as learning experiences, eager to embrace the challenges that come with them. 

“It’s something new every time,” she comments. When she faces a new problem, Nikki confronts each challenge with an optimistic attitude. “That’s one of the reasons I love real estate. It’s fresh, not boring. I roll with the punches and take them as they come.”

A people person, Nikki defines success as “connecting with people.” She explains, “I’m not a surface type of person. I like to get in and see what makes people tick.” She loves people, getting to know them, and helping them along the way. 

When Nikki isn’t working, you can find her cherishing time with her husband of nineteen years, Paul and their two boys, Jeremy (14) and Jude (11). 

As a family, they love camping and traveling. “We go to Mexico annually for our family vacation along with extended family,” explains Nikki. It’s a time that they can reconnect with one another. 

“I also like golf,” adds Nikki. “I’m new at it, but it’s fun to get out there.” She loves being outside and it’s also great exercise. “The boys like to drive the golf cart,” she adds. Other pastimes include visiting the beach for fun in the sun and simply hanging out with her family. 

To Nikki, real estate isn’t about profit and sales goals. It’s about people. “I care about the people I work with,” she says. She listens to them and gets their needs met. Her ability to handle any challenge that comes her way, combined with her strong connections with people, make her a valuable asset to the Scott Craig team and a trusted advisor to her clients.