The Cornerstone Journey

At Cornerstone, our Vacaville-based real estate and loan team has been assisting clients with the care and dedication of family for over 50 combined years.

1988 - The Beginning

Carmen Rodriguez, inspired by her father, her faith, and her journey as a young immigrant, obtained her real estate license. She quickly built a reputation in the industry for putting her clients’ needs first, guided by a commitment to respect and exceptional customer service.

2003 - A Pivotal Year for Joel

In 2003, Joel obtained his Salesperson license and began working alongside his mother, Carmen, at Century 21 as a Realtor. One evening, while diligently canvassing the phonebook and reaching out to potential clients, Joel realized that Carmen had already built a strong reputation and didn’t require the backing of a large real estate corporation.

Recognizing the opportunity to support Carmen’s clients, Joel seized the opportunity to become her loan officer. As he shifted to the mortgage industry, he brought his expertise to enhance the services Cornerstone offers.

2004 - Cornerstone is Born

In 2004, Carmen and Joel took a bold step to revolutionize the real estate industry. Inspired by a vision to create a one-of-a-kind real estate and mortgage company, they founded Cornerstone Real Estate and Home Loans. Their goal was to combine all aspects of real estate services into a seamless, first-of-its-kind One-Stop-Shop.

This innovative approach was designed to make it easier for buyers, sellers, and borrowers to navigate the previously fragmented and disjointed industry. By integrating real estate and mortgage solutions under one roof, Cornerstone set out to provide a smoother, more efficient process for all their clients, marking the beginning of a new era in real estate services.
2005 - Expanding Expertise

Maggie, Joel’s wife, initially joined the Cornerstone team as a mortgage broker, strengthening the company’s comprehensive services. After leaving to raise her family, she returned in 2017 with a psychology degree from Mills College. Her unique blend of industry knowledge and academic insight allows her to offer compassionate and practical assistance as she transitioned into real estate and property management, further broadening Cornerstone’s scope. Together, Carmen, Joel, and Maggie form a powerhouse team dedicated to serving the Northern California community.

2021 - Establishing a New Home Base
In 2021, Cornerstone reached another significant milestone by purchasing a building in downtown Vacaville at 543 Merchant Street. The new location symbolizes Cornerstone’s growth and dedication to providing top-notch real estate and home loan services to its clients.

Growing with the Community

Over the years, Cornerstone continued to grow, helping thousands of families buy, sell, refinance, and manage their properties. The company’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology and a network of trusted lenders ensures clients receive the best possible outcomes.

Today - Continuing the Legacy

Cornerstone remains a family-owned and operated business, deeply rooted in the values Carmen established. The company is proud to have made a significant positive impact on the Northern California community, with a mission to keep growing and helping more families achieve their real estate dreams.

Making a Lasting Impact in Northern California

We are committed to enhancing the lives of Northern California residents through our comprehensive real estate and home financing services. Over few decades, we have made a significant positive impact on local community.

We’ve helped over 1,000 first-time buyers find their dream homes, sold more than 1,500 properties, and enabled hundreds of locals to move up the property ladder. Our refinancing services have improved financial stability for 1,000 families, and we’ve assisted hundreds more in modifying their homes for free.

Helped

2000+

First Home Buyers Find A Home

Sold Over

2500+

Northern California Properties

Helped

2000+

Local Families in Refinancing Their Mortgages

With Over

50+

Years Of Experience in Real Estate

Meet The Team

Joel Rodriguez

Cofounder, Broker and Loan Officer

(DRE Broker # 01381692, NMLS ID 351781)

Maggie Rodriguez

Lead Realtor

(DRE # 01493863)

Bertha

Executive Assistant

Jessica

Lead Insurance Agent

License # OK59258

Joel Rodriguez

Cofounder, Broker and Loan Officer

(DRE Broker # 01381692, NMLS ID 351781)

Born and raised in Vacaville, California, Joel has dedicated over 20 years to his career as a mortgage broker. Unlike those who chase commissions for major banks, Joel has committed himself to working directly with homebuyers throughout his career.

Joel prides himself on his ability to guide clients through the often confusing and complex mortgage landscape, helping them achieve their dream of buying or keeping their family home. He has a passion for assisting a diverse range of clients, from first-time buyers who have been unfairly rejected by banks to military veterans needing funds for home repairs. Joel is dedicated to ensuring that everyone in Northern California has the opportunity for homeownership.

With over 2,000 loans secured in Solano, Contra Costa, Yolo, and Sacramento Counties, Joel’s impressive track record speaks for itself. He is committed to making the dream of homeownership a reality for his community.

Maggie Rodriguez

Lead Realtor

(DRE # 01493863)

Maggie began her journey in residential real estate as a loan officer in 2005, transitioned to a practicing real estate agent in 2016, and now serves as the lead realtor at Cornerstone.

Under the mentorship of Carmen, Maggie has mastered the art of helping local families buy and sell homes the right way. She is dedicated to making the path to homeownership smoother for young families, hardworking immigrants, and military veterans.

Maggie goes above and beyond to ensure her clients are fully informed throughout the entire process and confident in their decisions. Her dedication is rewarded each time she sees the joy on a homeowner’s face as they step into their forever home.

Bertha

Executive Assistant

Originally from Lima, Peru, Bertha entered the real estate field driven by two major passions: her love for handling escrows and her lifelong dedication to helping people.

As the Executive Secretary at Cornerstone, she gets to pursue both of these passions every day. With years of professional experience under her belt, Bertha efficiently manages escrows and oversees daily administrative tasks. While no two days are the same, her patience, integrity, and unwavering commitment to Cornerstone’s mission remain constant.

Bertha takes great pride in contributing to the process of helping people find and purchase their dream homes in California, playing a crucial role in making their homeownership dreams come true.

Jessica

Lead Insurance Agent

License # OK59258

Born in Manzanillo, Mexico, and raised in Fairfield, Jessica has been a licensed property and casualty broker since 2015. She became part of the Cornerstone family in 2011, serving as an Insurance Agent.

Jessica’s professional focus is on helping new homeowners secure cost-effective insurance coverage that offers protection during uncertain times. Like the rest of the Cornerstone team, her favorite part of the job is interacting with clients.

She enjoys getting to know each client and their family, and she takes pride in providing affordable insurance solutions that ensure long-term peace of mind and stability.

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