Meet Hillary
I'm a Bay Area native and partner at Village Associates Real Estate in Orinda. Since 2014, I've helped hundreds of clients buy and sell homes throughout Orinda, Lafayette and Moraga, from luxury estates and golf course condos to first homes. I'm proud to rank in the top 1% of local agents by sales volume, and by design I run a boutique hands-on practice, which means you'll work directly with me from our first conversation through closing day.
Buying or selling a home is one of life's biggest decisions, and my role is to make it feel manageable. I offer calm, clear guidance and honest advice, even when it isn't what you expected to hear. Clients tell me they appreciate my straightforward communication, my strength as a negotiator, and the close attention I pay to every detail and deadline. In practice, that means you'll always know where things stand, what comes next, and that your interests are being protected at every step.
For sellers, my background is unique and beneficial to your sale. Before real estate, I spent 13 years in marketing and PR for tech start-ups and consumer goods companies in New York and San Francisco. I bring that experience to every listing: thoughtful positioning, compelling storytelling, and polished marketing designed to attract the right buyers and achieve the strongest result. I also hold a degree in Economics from UC Santa Barbara and studied Economics & Management at Oxford University, which informs how I read the market data to advise clients on pricing and strategy.
My clients also benefit from deep local roots. I began my career under the mentorship of my mother-in-law, Karen Murphy, who co-founded Village Associates in 2000. We built a long and successful partnership, and today Karen remains my trusted advisor, bringing more than 30 years of Lamorinda experience to the table alongside my own.
I understand the decision to move here firsthand. My husband Brian and I lived in San Francisco's Russian Hill before moving to Orinda, his hometown, in 2009. I'll admit I was reluctant to leave city life behind, but I quickly came to love what makes this area so special: easy access to the city, warm weather, safe neighborhoods, a beautiful natural setting and excellent schools. Most of all, it's the people. Over the years, our family has built lasting friendships and neighborhood traditions that have made our lives richer.
Our two children attend Orinda schools, and in my free time you'll find me volunteering in their activities, messing around on the golf course, skiing when I can, or indulging a growing American mahjong habit.
If you're new to Orinda, Lafayette or Moraga, I'd be delighted to show you around. It's a very special place to call home.
