Mill Creek is the Vilorias’ long-dreamed of haven

Advertorial published by Mill Creek Lifestyles featuring Windermere realtor, Brenda Viloria and family shown above.

If you ask Tom Viloria he’ll tell you he met Brenda, his wife of nearly 32 years, in “Haven”—Pizza Haven that is. Native Washingtonians, Tom and Brenda grew up in Bremerton, Wash., and met during college, while both working summer jobs at the favorite local pizza hangout, noting it was “love at first slice.” Corny, but true.

The summer romance endured long distance, as Tom received his Associate of Applied Science degree from ITT in Seattle, while Brenda, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Washington State University (WSU). “Go Cougs!” exclaimed Viloria in honor of her alma mater. Married in their hometown of Bremerton, they soon after moved to Seattle and introduced their first “fur baby” Lancelot, a tabby kitten into the fold.

Once their careers were underway, Tom and Brenda bought their first home in Everett, Wash., caught the DIY remodeling bug, and welcomed their beautiful daughter Kelsie into the family. Five years later, after selling and buying their second home, their strapping son Cole was born, completing their little nucleus.

One late night while searching for an all-night pharmacy—a necessity with two kids under six—the couple stumbled across and fell in love with the community of Mill Creek, Wash. Unable to move at the time, Tom and Brenda knew in their hearts that one day they would call Mill Creek home.

“Life doesn’t move in a straight line. That’s what makes it interesting,” said Brenda. After Brenda accepted a promotion as Vice President of Sales with Verizon, the Everett clan sold their home, packed their bags to move across the country, buying their third home in the quaint New England town of Newburyport, Mass. Mill Creek would have to wait.

And that wasn’t the only adjustment they’d accommodate. Tom, a huge supporter of Brenda’s career and true family man, put his profession at Adobe on hold to become a stay-at-home dad in their new Massachusetts neighborhood. Then sadly, Lancelot crossed the “rainbow bridge” at the age of 15, prompting the adoption of two feral kittens, Chloe and Naomi—one for each child.

Determined to take advantage of all the adventure and firsts the Boston area offered, the Vilorias enjoyed baseball at Fenway Park (including the lore of The Green Monster), visited the barrier Plum Island known for the plum bushes that grow along the beach, explored the history of Plymouth Rock, tried mouthwatering lobster rolls and embarked on stunning fall foliage tours. But even with endless things to do and see, the call to return to their native Washington and make Mill Creek home beckoned. After two years, the Viloria clan bade farewell to the East Coast and trekked west to fulfill their long-held wish—next stop, Mill Creek.

For the last 16 years, the Vilorias have resided in Mill Creek’s River Crossing neighborhood. Kelsie and Cole both graduated from Jackson High School. Following in Brenda’s footsteps, Kelsie attended WSU and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Zoology. Cole, inheriting Tom’s artistic talents and love of gaming, currently is a senior in the Game Art & Design program at the Art Institute of Seattle.

While working as a hostess at Russell’s Restaurant and Loft in Bothell, Wash., Kelsie met the love of her life, Kevin Bylsma, coincidentally a fellow Mill Creek resident and WSU grad. Now a clinic supervisor with EvergreenHealth’s Neuroscience, Spine & Orthopedic Institute, Kelsie tied the knot with Kevin three years ago. And to her parents’ delight, the young couple bought a home nearby in the Mill Creek area too. Kevin works as a ComTech 4 with Comcast Business Services, out of the Bothell office. “Location, location, location,” said Brenda, now a Windermere agent, specializing in the Mill Creek neighborhood.

When not juggling their livelihoods, Kelsie and Kevin mirror her parents’ early path, working on home projects, planning a trip to Thailand and raising their own “fur baby,” Griffey, a year-old Golden Retriever whose name was inspired by the couple’s love of the Seattle Mariners and Ken Griffey, Jr. “He’s truly a heart-melter, who smiles with his whole-body wiggle,” said Brenda, “grand mum” to the pup. However, cats, Chloe and Naomi, might not share the same opinion.

Outside of school, Cole and his longtime girlfriend enjoy quality time together and he works part-time at Central Market. With big dreams for his future, he is studying to be an Environmental Artist, furnishing the gaming world with props, objects and life. “We’re convinced, one day we’ll be saying, ‘we knew him when,’” said proud mom, Brenda.

Post a 30-year career in executive sales leadership in Telecom, Brenda retired—well, not totally. Never one to let the grass grow, she parlayed her love of real estate and successful business acumen into launching her own Real Estate business with Windermere. You might have noticed her signs dotting the landscape about town and she always greets customers with a smile that will brighten your day at local open houses. “I really believe in mixing old fashioned customer service with modern marketing,” explained Brenda, determined to blend her experience in technology, sales and marketing with exceptional customer service to help her clients make their real estate dreams come to fruition. “It’s all about putting you first, so I will be your champion, your advisor, your lifelong real estate partner.”

And while Brenda focuses on Real Estate, Tom continues his more than 10-plus years as a Security Officer at Gateway Middle School. Formerly at Heatherwood Middle School, older students often say they recall his time there, offering Jolly Ranchers as a reward for anyone who helped pick up trash on the playground at recess. “Yes, I’m the Jolly Rancher Man,” Tom acknowledged with a chuckle and a smile.

Brenda chimed in, “Tom has such an amazing and unique way of connecting to students. He’s no nonsense, yet a good listener and deeply committed to protecting the children and staff at Gateway. I think that’s something parents and administrators really find invaluable, in this day-and-age.” Almost empty nesters, Brenda and Tom remain close with the kids, regularly hanging out and even dog-sitting for Griffey. Whether boating on Lake Sammamish, strolling trails behind the Town Center, summer concerts outside Central Market, Mill Creek community garage sales, re-watching favorite Star Wars movies, or vacationing in Hawaii, they are never at a loss for laughter and adventure—together. No matter what activity they’re partaking in, they value tradition and love deeply in their very own haven of Mill Creek.

Web Content: Brenda Viloria, Windermere Bio

Modern Marketing, Old Fashioned Service

With three decades of sales and marketing experience, I know how to sell. Then again, I believe in meeting one-on-one, so I can best serve you and be a lasting advocate for all your residential realty needs. It’s not just about the technology or transaction. It’s about the people—building relationships, superior customer service, negotiating project management, problem solving, finding client resources, education, and yes, in some cases even hand holding. I’ll help identify your unique selling-proposition and utilize my marketing savvy coupled with today’s technology to create a multi-channel marketing mix that will move your property quickly or help you secure your dream home, whether here in Millcreek or across the greater Seattle area.

Today’s Real Estate Market

            The Internet has revolutionized the Real Estate market. Today’s technologies and information overload can be overwhelming for clients. That’s where I come in. I take the confusion out of the experience through education, helping clients understand the processes, unique property situations, the lending and offer structures, contracts, market trends and even staging.  I’ll leverage my know-how to act as a full-service guide to find solutions for all your buying and selling needs over the long-term.

            What is it the British say? Keep calm and carry on. You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who can navigate the realty experience with such a level approach and positive attitude. Buying and selling homes can be incredibly nerve-wracking. I believe the key to mitigating that is simply to remain composed and find a way to resolve any issues that arise—you have a day job, so don’t worry I’ve got this.

About Me

            During my 30 years as a marketer, my clients have always come first. I’ve continually emphasized the importance of soft skills, cultivating connections, empowering individuals and lifting people up. Real Estate affords me the opportunity to do what I love, leveraging my sales, marketing and negotiation skills, while being my organic self—a people person.

Having grown up on the Puget Sound, when I’m not working I’m a total “water rat.” In the Northwest, water is a part of our DNA and I understand my clients want to take advantage of that just as I do. We’re so lucky to live where we do, how could we not? In my down time, my home becomes the hub for family and friends where my husband, children and I enjoy boating, swimming, entertaining and gardening, while our cats, Chloe and Naomi, lounge in the sun and the cutest “Goldie” you’ve ever seen, Griffey, keeps watch as we toil away.

A native Washingtonian with a B.A. in Communications from WSU (Go Cougs!), I’ve lived, reared my children and worked in the Mill Creek neighborhood for the past 15 years, supporting my local church, Susan G. Komen, Y-WE Lead, United Way, the Windermere Foundation and the Snohomish Food Bank.

Past affiliations include Women in Cable TV Pacific Northwest, Software as a Service Group, Sales/Marketing Executives Telecom Professionals, eMarketing Association, Washington State University Alumni and Gamma Phi Beta Alumni.

My Client Pledge

            I will marry the modern with the old-fashioned, maximizing a variety of technology and advertising methods to connect buyers and sellers, while tailoring my communication to better understand your wants and needs to quickly sell your property or find you that perfect home.

            I will be your champion, your advisor, your lifelong real estate partner. And with this vow, as my clientele are happy with their experience, their homes, their results, I am blessed they feel confident in referring me to their friends, family and community. It’s a collaboration.

            I’d be delighted to treat you to a cup of coffee sometime, to see if I might be a good match to assist you in exceeding your real estate goals. And I look forward to learning how I can help!

Block cover photo by Aaron Huber on Unsplash.