Core Focus:
Home / The Practice & Team
The Practice Roster
Architecture trained our eye. Real estate taught us how to protect your equity.
Ten years in residential architecture before founding the Mara Velez Group. We analyze building envelopes, structural MEP systems, and zoning envelopes before writing contracts.
Founder & Lead Broker
Mara Velez
We founded this practice because the most critical architectural decisions occur before hiring an architect: identifying structural defects, assessing permit legality, and reading micro-market neighborhood comps. Today our team represents a focused group of discerning buyers and sellers across Central Austin. We provide candid, transparent counsel: you will know when a property is an exceptional investment, and you will know when the foundation, unpermitted addition, or topography is a liability.
The Collective
Specialized talent across every phase of your transaction.
We work as a tight, unified studio rather than a sprawling brokerage franchise. Every client has direct access to our core specialists.
Mara Velez
Founder & Principal BrokerFormer residential architect with 10+ years in design and 8+ years leading top-tier Central Austin luxury transactions. Specializes in historic estates and modern custom infill.
Specialty: Architectural Due Diligence & Seller Strategy
Julian Vance
Partner & Senior Buyer SpecialistAustin native and former commercial valuation analyst. Brings forensic comp analysis, off-market prospecting, and aggressive contract structuring for competitive buyer bids.
Specialty: Buyer Representation & Off-Market Searches
Elena Rostova
Director of Operations & EscrowOversees contract-to-close logistics, title commitments, municipal permit searches, and private client showings with military precision.
Specialty: Transaction Management & Compliance
Lucas Hayes, AIA
Architectural & Staging AdvisorLicensed architect who conducts structural walkthroughs, assesses remodel viability, and designs editorial staging palettes for our seller listings.
Specialty: Staging Curation & Remodel Feasibility
Practice Governance
Our Representation Standards
We operate under a strict code of direct representation. Unlike large team models where clients are passed to junior showing assistants, you negotiate directly with lead partners.
- Direct Principal Access
- Our lead broker and partner agents personally draft the contracts, run the negotiations, and lead the walkthroughs.
- Capped Client Roster
- We limit our active seller and buyer search roster to ensure immediate response times and exhaustive focus.
- Brokerage Affiliation
- Affiliated with Live Oak Realty Group, an independent boutique brokerage.
Let's Connect
Start a confidential conversation regarding your property.
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