Leticia & Alberto Sotomayor Named 2026 Best of Chino Valley Gold Winner for Real Estate Team

Some awards recognize your work. Others remind you why you do it. This one reminded us what HOME really means. ❤️

We received an email we weren't expecting.

And when we opened it, we honestly couldn't believe what we were reading.

Leticia & Alberto Sotomayor – Real Brokerage had been named the 2026 Best of Chino Valley GOLD WINNER for Real Estate Team! 🏆

WOW!

What an incredible surprise.

We were excited, humbled, and overwhelmed with gratitude.

But after the initial excitement, something else hit us.

This recognition came from the very community we've called home, raised our family in, and proudly served for more than 20 years.

And that makes it incredibly special.

Because Chino and Chino Hills aren't simply two cities where we sell real estate.

They're where our roots are.

They're where we've raised all five of our children.

They're where we've built friendships, supported small family-owned businesses, attended community events, and created a lifetime of memories.

We didn't just build a real estate business in Chino Valley. We built our lives here.

And today, we want to share why this award means so much to us.

1. What Is the Best of Chino Valley 2026 Gold Winner Award?

The Best of Chino Valley recognition celebrates businesses and professionals serving the Chino Valley community.

For 2026, Leticia & Alberto Sotomayor – Real Brokerage received the Gold Winner recognition in the Real Estate Team category.

When we talk about Chino Valley, we're talking about the communities of Chino and Chino Hills, California—two places that mean the world to us.

We didn't expect this recognition.

We weren't sitting around waiting for an award.

We were doing what we've been doing for more than two decades: helping people navigate one of the biggest financial and personal decisions of their lives.

And then this email arrived.

It's difficult to put into words how meaningful it feels to receive recognition connected to a community that has given our family so much.

To everyone who voted, supported us, referred us, trusted us, or simply cheered us on:

THANK YOU. FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS.

2. Chino and Chino Hills Aren't Just Where We Work. They're HOME.

This is probably the most important part of the entire story.

When people hear that we've been in real estate for more than 20 years, they often think about the houses we've sold.

But when we think about Chino and Chino Hills, we think about so much more.

We think about raising our five children.

We think about the schools, parks, neighborhoods, and local businesses that have been part of our family's life.

We think about the people we've met over the years.

The friendships that started with a simple conversation.

The local restaurants and family-owned businesses we've enjoyed supporting.

The community events.

The familiar faces.

The people who wave hello.

And the families we've watched grow.

This community isn't just part of our business. It's part of our family's story.

And that's why this award feels different.

It's not simply recognition for the number of homes we've sold.

It's recognition connected to a place we genuinely love.

3. More Than 20 Years in Real Estate. Nearly 900 Families Helped. Countless Stories.

When we look back at our real estate journey, one thing stands out.

It's never been just about the houses.

Yes, we've helped nearly 900 families throughout our career.

Yes, we've worked through changing housing markets, shifting mortgage rates, challenging negotiations, and complicated transactions.

But behind every transaction is a person or family with a story.

We've helped first-time buyers who weren't sure they'd ever own a home.

We've worked with families who needed more space as their children grew.

We've helped homeowners relocate for new jobs and opportunities.

We've helped retirees downsize and begin their next chapter.

We've worked with families selling homes after losing a loved one.

And we've helped homeowners navigate transactions that were anything but simple.

Some homes were beautifully updated.

Others needed a tremendous amount of love.

Some transactions moved smoothly.

Others required patience, problem-solving, and difficult conversations.

But every family mattered.

Because a home isn't just a piece of real estate. It's where life happens.

It's where birthdays are celebrated.

Where children take their first steps.

Where holidays become traditions.

Where families gather around the dinner table.

And where memories are created over decades.

Being trusted to help someone sell a home filled with those memories—or purchase a place where new memories will begin—is a responsibility we've never taken lightly.

4. The Real Reward Has Always Been the Relationships

One of the most rewarding parts of being in real estate for over two decades is seeing what happens after the transaction closes.

A client becomes a friend.

A first-time buyer becomes a growing family.

A homeowner we helped years ago calls because they're ready for another chapter.

Someone recommends us to a coworker.

A past client trusts us to help their parents.

Or a family reaches out because they remember how we treated them years earlier.

Those moments mean everything.

We don't take referrals for granted.

We don't take repeat business for granted.

And we certainly don't take the trust people place in us for granted.

When someone invites us into their home to discuss selling, they're often sharing much more than their property's features.

They're sharing their plans.

Their concerns.

Their financial goals.

Their family circumstances.

And sometimes their fears.

We believe those conversations deserve honesty, compassion, and respect.

Real estate is about relationships first. The transaction comes second.

That's a philosophy we've tried to carry with us throughout our career.

5. Why Experience Matters—Especially When Real Estate Gets Difficult

One thing we've learned over more than 20 years is that not every real estate transaction goes according to plan.

Sometimes the buyer requests $25,000 in repairs.

Sometimes an appraisal comes in low.

Sometimes financing falls through.

Sometimes a title issue appears unexpectedly.

Sometimes a homeowner needs to sell quickly because of a relocation or family situation.

And sometimes the most important thing we can do is have an honest conversation that isn't easy to hear.

We've always believed that being a trustworthy real estate professional doesn't mean telling clients only what they want to hear.

It means helping them understand the facts.

Explaining their options.

Having the difficult conversations.

And helping them make informed decisions.

That's why experience means so much to us.

Not because it makes us perfect.

Not because every transaction is easy.

And certainly not because we can guarantee an outcome.

But because experience teaches you how to prepare, communicate, adapt, and respond when challenges arise.

We've written more about this in our article “When Selling Your Home Gets Complicated, Experience Matters,” available on our real estate website.

Experience isn't about never encountering problems. It's about knowing how to respond when problems happen.

6. Supporting Chino Valley Means Supporting the People and Businesses Who Make It Special

We believe a strong community is built by the people who show up for one another.

That's one reason supporting local businesses has always been important to us.

We love seeing small businesses succeed.

We love discovering new restaurants, coffee shops, and family-owned establishments.

We love sharing what's happening around Chino and Chino Hills.

And we love encouraging people to support the businesses that make our communities unique.

Because behind every small business is a story, too.

Someone took a chance.

Someone invested their savings.

Someone put in long hours.

Someone had a dream.

And someone is working hard to build something meaningful for their family.

We understand that.

Building a business takes dedication, consistency, and support from the people around you.

That's why we believe in shopping local, eating local, and supporting the entrepreneurs who contribute so much to Chino Valley.

When local businesses thrive, our entire community benefits.

And we're proud to be part of that community.

7. Local Real Estate Is About More Than Knowing Home Prices

People sometimes ask what makes working with a local real estate team different.

For us, local knowledge goes beyond knowing the latest comparable sales.

It's understanding that different neighborhoods can attract different buyers.

It's recognizing that homes in Chino and Chino Hills vary significantly in age, design, lot size, amenities, and condition.

It's understanding how a homeowner's timeline, property condition, and competition can affect the selling strategy.

And it's knowing that a family selling a home they've owned for 30 years may have very different priorities than someone relocating for a new job.

Some sellers want to maximize their net proceeds.

Others need a predictable timeline.

Some want to make repairs before listing.

Others would rather sell in the property's current condition.

There isn't one strategy that works for everyone.

That's why we believe the process should begin with listening.

What are you trying to accomplish?

Why are you moving?

What concerns do you have?

And what would a successful outcome look like for you?

For homeowners preparing to sell, we recently shared “Selling Your Chino or Chino Hills Home? Ask These 10 Questions Before Hiring a Real Estate Agent.”

It's an important reminder that choosing an agent should involve much more than comparing suggested listing prices.

You can explore that article and other homeowner resources at LeticiaAndAlberto.com.

The right real estate strategy should fit the homeowner—not the other way around.

8. This Award Belongs to More Than Just the Two of Us

Although our names are on the recognition, we know we didn't build our real estate journey alone.

There have been so many people who have supported us along the way.

Our family.

Our friends.

Our clients.

Our colleagues.

Our business partners.

And the many people who have trusted us with their real estate needs.

Some have been part of our lives for decades.

Others we've met more recently.

But every relationship has contributed to our journey.

To our past clients who have referred friends and family members:

Thank you.

To the people who have followed our journey and supported our business:

Thank you.

To our local businesses and community members:

Thank you.

And to everyone who voted for us in the 2026 Best of Chino Valley awards:

THANK YOU!

This recognition is something we're proud to share with the people who helped make it possible.

9. What Does Being Named a Gold Winner Mean for Our Future?

It means we're grateful.

It means we're motivated.

And it reminds us of the responsibility that comes with earning people's trust.

But here's what it doesn't mean.

It doesn't mean we're finished learning.

It doesn't mean we've accomplished everything we want to accomplish.

And it doesn't mean we can stop working hard.

If anything, this recognition inspires us to keep improving.

To continue learning.

To continue serving.

To continue supporting local businesses.

To continue sharing helpful information with homeowners.

And to continue being involved in the communities we love.

Because while an award is a wonderful honor, the real measure of our work is how we treat people when they trust us with an important decision.

That's what matters to us.

And that's what we intend to keep focusing on.

10. To Everyone in Chino and Chino Hills: Thank You for Making This Home

There are places where you live.

And then there are places that become part of who you are.

For our family, that's Chino Valley.

We've watched our children grow up here.

We've built friendships here.

We've supported local businesses here.

We've celebrated milestones here.

And we've had the privilege of helping families throughout this community buy and sell homes for more than two decades.

When we think about what this Gold Winner recognition represents, we don't just think about real estate.

We think about the people.

The relationships.

The memories.

The trust.

And the community that has supported our family for so many years.

You can't put a price on that.

And we hope you know how much it means to us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the 2026 Best of Chino Valley Gold Award for Real Estate Team?

Leticia & Alberto Sotomayor – Real Brokerage were named the 2026 Best of Chino Valley Gold Winner in the Real Estate Team category.

What communities are included when we refer to Chino Valley?

In this article, Chino Valley refers to Chino and Chino Hills, California, the two communities at the heart of our family's story and real estate business.

How long have Leticia and Alberto Sotomayor been in real estate?

Leticia and Alberto Sotomayor have more than 20 years of experience helping buyers and sellers throughout Chino, Chino Hills, the Inland Empire, Orange County, and surrounding Southern California communities.

How many families have Leticia and Alberto Sotomayor helped?

Throughout their real estate career, Leticia and Alberto Sotomayor have helped nearly 900 families with their real estate needs.

What brokerage are Leticia and Alberto Sotomayor with?

Leticia and Alberto Sotomayor are a husband-and-wife real estate team affiliated with Real Brokerage and associated with Rise Chino.

Do Leticia and Alberto help homeowners outside Chino and Chino Hills?

Yes. In addition to Chino and Chino Hills, they serve homeowners and buyers throughout the Inland Empire, Orange County, and surrounding Southern California communities.

What types of homes do Leticia and Alberto help sell?

They have experience with traditional residential sales, homes requiring repairs, inherited properties, trust sales, relocation situations, downsizing, and other circumstances. The appropriate selling strategy depends on each property's condition and the homeowner's goals.

How can I contact Leticia and Alberto about selling my home?

Visit LeticiaAndAlberto.com to connect with Leticia and Alberto and discuss your real estate questions, goals, and timeline.

Final Thoughts: Some Awards Recognize Your Work. This One Reminded Us Why We Do It.

When we opened that email announcing our 2026 Best of Chino Valley Gold Winner recognition for Real Estate Team, we were genuinely surprised.

And incredibly grateful.

But the more we've thought about it, the more we've realized why this award feels so meaningful.

It's because of where it came from.

HOME.

The place where we've raised all five of our children.

The place where we've built our friendships.

The place where we've supported family-owned businesses.

The place where we've spent more than 20 years helping people through some of the biggest moments in their lives.

Chino and Chino Hills have given our family so much.

And being recognized by this community is an honor we'll never take lightly.

To our clients, friends, family, neighbors, local businesses, and everyone who has supported us:

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS. ❤️

We are proud to call Chino Valley home.

And we're looking forward to continuing to serve this wonderful community for many more years.

Because at the end of the day, we've always believed something simple.

Real estate is about more than houses. It's about people, relationships, family, and community.

And we're grateful to be part of yours.

With love and gratitude,

Leticia & Alberto Sotomayor
2026 Best of Chino Valley Gold Winner – Real Estate Team
Rise Chino | Real Brokerage

Serving Chino, Chino Hills, the Inland Empire, and Orange County.

Visit LeticiaAndAlberto.com

Award information is based on the official 2026 Best of Chino Valley winner notification. This article reflects our personal experiences, appreciation, and commitment to the community.