There are those leaders who seem to be made for what they do. That’s definitely the case when you talk with Tom Skepetaris and Rebecca Mitsui.

Together, as King County’s top listing duo for homes sold, they find joy each day “making it rain” for their clients and colleagues at Alchemy Real Estate.

Tom’s introduction to real estate was, in his words, “fate.” As Tom recalls, “I was at a point in my life where I needed a fresh start in my career. One day I was looking through the Help Wanted section of the paper and came across an advertisement for a real estate career. Something inside me said I should give it a try.”

It was then that Tom joined the John L Scott real estate office in Magnolia. There he gleaned knowledge from the experienced group of brokers in the office who were mentors to him. Closing his first sale was a pivotal moment for Tom. “I knew then that I had found my thing, and that’s how it all started,” he says.

Over time, Tom’s dedication paid off. He found joy in working with first-time buyers and developed a knack for selling in new developments, often working seven days a week on large projects, which allowed him to hone his sales skills and build lasting relationships.

“I love talking to people,” Tom shares. “And in those early years, I learned how to really connect with clients.”

Eventually, Tom transitioned to Alchemy, drawn to its diverse real estate model. He knew that Alchemy’s approach to new construction sales and working with multiple developers coupled with a robust resale business was exactly what he was looking for.

Rebecca’s path to real estate started in a much different place. She was inspired by her grandfather, who worked as a chief engineer on an Alaskan crabbing boat. With his earnings, he would buy rental properties, ultimately accumulating a dozen properties over his career. One of those properties became the home for Rebecca and her brother and sister, being raised by their single mom. Her grandfather’s ability to provide a stable home for the family is something she will never forget. This early exposure seeing how real estate can change lives left an indelible impression on Rebecca, sparking her interest in the field.

Rebecca began her real estate career after being a stay-at-home mom for nearly a decade. In 2001, when her youngest daughter started kindergarten, she was drawn to do a career that would give her a sense of fulfillment. She chose real estate, realizing that her natural inclination to help people could make a difference in her clients’ lives.

“I’ve always been someone who is inspired to help others achieve their dreams,” she explains. “Real estate gave me the chance to combine that passion with a career that’s both challenging and rewarding. The best part— it’s fun!”

In 2019, having already built her team, Mitsui Real Estate Group, Rebecca was leading several agents in a successful business built mainly on referrals from her long time focus on providing service at a high level. However, she was drawn to Alchemy’s business model and reputation in the industry. She admired their ability to innovate with their land use knowledge, something that she knew would help her diversify her career further.

Eventually, she was wooed over to Alchemy, where she brought her team and her expertise in listings. “It’s funny, after 20 years in the business, I thought I knew everything,” she laughs, “but moving my business to Alchemy showed me that there was still so much more to learn, and it excited me!”

When Rebecca teamed up with Alchemy, Tom was already Seattle’s top listing broker. Together they discovered that while Tom thrived on working with buyers, Rebecca loved everything about listings— from marketing to client engagement to networking with fellow brokers. This natural balance created an organic synergy between the two, and soon they found themselves working together seamlessly.

“We complement each other perfectly,” says Tom. “Sometimes I’m the good cop, sometimes she’s the good cop; it just depends on the situation. But we’ve figured out how to leverage both of our strengths.” Rebecca adds, “It’s a yin and yang partnership.”

Working in tandem Tom and Rebecca brought their combined expertise to new construction projects, a thriving resale business, and everything in between. They built relationships with developers across King County, working on multiple listings simultaneously while ensuring that each client always felt like their only client.

“Our shared phone number and email keep us both up to date on all of the moving parts and pieces of our business,” comments Rebecca. “Our entire team works very hard to let Tom and I do what we love to do, be the 'face' of our business. We feel very lucky to be at the point in our career doing what we love most. We are able to do all client-facing interactions to keep our clients feeling pampered. Unlike other top teams, we do not hand our clients over to anyone else, that is just not who we are.”

Their collaborative approach, complemented by Alchemy’s robust infrastructure, has allowed them to navigate the often-complicated world of Seattle’s real estate market. “Alchemy specializes in the Seattle corridor,” Tom explains. “Our group understands the zoning, city codes, and has even pioneered property types in Seattle like live-work units.”

What sets Alchemy apart from other real estate companies, according to both Tom and Rebecca, is its holistic approach. 

“There’s not a company in Seattle that does it all like Alchemy,” shares Tom. “From land use to acquisitions to property management to development to retail sales, we cover all aspects of real estate. The brian power and years of experience underneath our roof cannot be compared.”

This model has enabled the Tom and Rebecca Team to provide a full spectrum of services to their clients. Their success is driven by a deep understanding of the market, the ability to navigate complex deals, and a commitment to working as long as it takes to get the job done.

“Gabe Rosenshine, the founder of Alchemy, always says, ‘lead with value,’” Rebecca notes. “That’s something we all really embrace. It’s not just about making a sale; it’s about doing the right thing for the client and creating value for them. That’s the secret sauce how we earn and keep their business”

Alchemy’s culture, which emphasizes hard work, passion, and integrity, has helped Tom and Rebecca thrive. 

“If you buy into the culture of working until the job is done and dedicate leading with value to your clients, you’ll succeed,” Tom asserts. “We call it the Alchemy Formula.”

For both Tom and Rebecca, success in real estate goes beyond making money. “It’s not about the money,” says Tom. “It’s about making sure the client feels comfortable and confident in their purchase. If I’m making a living and happy doing it, that’s enough for me.”

One of Tom and Rebecca’s most rewarding experiences involved selling a house for a couple who had gone through several real estate transactions during their 45-year marriage. 

“They told us that this was the best experience they’d ever had and they said they had so much fun with us,” she recalls. “That’s what makes it all worth it.”

As Tom and Rebecca look toward the future, they are excited about the potential for growth. While they’re open to expanding their team, they are hyper focused on maintaining the organic nature of their success.

“We’re definitely in growth mode,” states Rebecca. “That said, we want to find people who can passionately embrace the culture of Alchemy.”

For Tom and Rebecca, real estate is more than just a job—it’s a lifestyle. Their journey together at Alchemy, built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to excellence, has not only elevated their careers but also changed the lives of the clients they serve.

As Tom puts it, “We don’t even think of it as a job. It’s a fun lifestyle, and we can’t imagine doing anything else.”