About Suzanne
Suzanne Perkins is Santa Barbara’s preeminent real estate professional. Her record is unparalleled; her Top Agent awards and accolades are unmatched.
Representing some of the globe’s most distinguished clientele, Suzanne’s success in the Santa Barbara market has reached historic proportions. Suzanne Perkins was the #1 Real Estate Agent in Santa Barbara County for 2007 and the top agent in Santa Barbara County for the entire Multiple Listing Service. Suzanne is ranked as the #1 agent worldwide for Sotheby’s International Realty and was named #1 agent in the country for 2007 among more than 1.2 million REALTORS®.
In January 2007, Suzanne represented the sellers in the largest non-commercial transaction in California history, the El Cojo and Jalama Ranches, which were listed at a combined $155 million. In February 2007, she represented both Seller and Buyer in the highest value residential oceanfront transaction in Santa Barbara history. In 2006, Suzanne represented the seller of the most expensive residential beachfront property in Santa Barbara to that date. Suzanne is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being one of the Top 50 Real Estate Agents in the United States for the year of 2006 as number 40. She was also indentified by the WSJ for 2006 as being the top Sotheby’s International Realty Agent in California as well as the 7th top Real Estate Agent with Sotheby’s in the United States.
Suzanne originally moved to California to attend college from Germany where she attended High School. After four years at California State University, Suzanne was hired by Pan American World Airways, an opportunity she just could not pass up. Based in Seattle and then Los Angeles, Suzanne was quickly promoted to In-Flight Purser and later to In-Flight Service Director when the 747 airliner was introduced in the early 1970’s. During the early years of the Vietnam War, Suzanne volunteered for special assignment with the Department of Defense to serve as part of the specially selected crews chosen to fly monthly R&R flights in and out of Saigon, DeNang and Camron Bay. As part of that assignment, Suzanne participated in the Saigon Evacuation Flights when Vietnam fell.
For those of you who remember Pan American World Airways in its glory years will understand how working for an organization such as Pan American World Airways – whose reputation for exemplary service worldwide was unparalleled – honed the talent that would become the hallmark of her success—Service.
Her world travels led her to settle in what she discovered to be one of the most beautiful settings of all—Santa Barbara. Suzanne quickly began to establish herself in the world of Santa Barbara real estate, developing a market depth that extends from luxury homes and beachfront estates to sprawling ranches. She also began a long career of community service. Since 1992, Suzanne has served as a commissioner of the Santa Barbara County Parks Commission and is a past president of the Montecito Trail Foundation. In 2010 Suzanne was elected to Chair of the County Parks Commission. These opportunities have enriched her comprehensive knowledge of Santa Barbara real estate and land use issues.
Her integrity and worth ethic enable Suzanne to deliver a level of service to her clients that is remarkable in today’s real estate market. Suzanne utilizes a cutting edge marketing team and state-of-the-art technology to ensure that her client’s properties get the exposure they deserve. She has pricing, positioning, and advertising down to a science.
Hailing from Lexington, Kentucky, home state of the Kentucky Derby, Suzanne is no stranger to championships. An accomplished equestrian, Suzanne is a respected international judge as well as a breeder of champion show horses. Her expertise for all things equine maker her well qualified to represent the impressive ranches and equestrian properties that are reflected in her resume.
As a testament to her dedication, her clients are unanimous in her praise:
“My husband and I owned and operated for many years the premier luxury real estate firm in Santa Fe, New Mexico and I had sold the most expensive properties in that area, reaching out to the top REALTORS worldwide. When it came to selling our property in Santa Barbara, we knew that Suzanne was unconditionally the best marketer of properties…perhaps that we have ever known. As an agent, her personal service is also unparalleled. In a tough market, Suzanne only gives even more of her and gets results.” –Patricia and Michael French
“When you deal with a high end residential real estate broker you look to find someone who knows the market and the community. Once you find that general group you hope to find someone who recognizes that although it is a business transaction that there are, as always, many real human issues at work. Suzanne was highly effective on the business side and even more so on the human side. Suzanne and her team made an otherwise complicated and streamlined process (20 day escrow!) painless and extremely efficient. I recommend her without reservation.” –Ron R. Goldie, Attorney and Trustee for the Trust.
“Although Suzanne is clearly in demand, we always felt as if we were her number one priority.”
–Nancy Deville, health book writer, “Death by Supermarket,”& Dr. J.A. Davis, Harvard Business School professor
“Suzanne is the most superb in her field, extraordinarily knowledgeable of the market and the area.” –W. Kimsey, Former C.E.O. Ernst & Young Global, Ltd.
“Suzanne has closed over 35 transactions for me. I am proud to see the success that Suzanne has achieved and know firsthand that there is no one more deserving.” –S. Berman, Architect and Developer
“Suzanne Perkins is, without reservation, the most capable and competent real estate broker I have ever worked with. She truly lives the transaction and considers all aspects of the properties she represents.” –C. Kimbell, Attorney, Kimbell & Allen, LLP
Of her own Blue Ribbon career, Suzanne insists, “Every day, I am just doing what I love and enjoy. The fact that I get to represent some of the most incredible properties and people in the world, in the spectacular surroundings of Santa Barbara, Montecito and the Santa Ynez Valley, is a blessing with an exceptional bonus.”
Community Service
In February of 2008, Suzanne was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Santa Barbara Fair and Exposition Board of Directions which oversees the 19th Agricultural Association.
Suzanne was appointed in 2007 by 1st District County Supervisor, Salud Carbajal, to the Summerland Community Planning Advisory Committee, which holds public hearings every month regarding the Summerland Community Plan and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
She was appointed in 2006 as a member of the Front Country Trails Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force representing the County of Santa Barbara. Appointed members of this Task Force are National Forest Service, County of Santa Barbara, and the City of Santa Barbara. The Task Force has been conducting monthly public hearings with televised public hearings dealing with Front Country Trail issues pertaining to multiple use.
Since 1992, Suzanne has served as a commissioner of the Santa Barbara County Parks Commission and is also past president of the Montecito Trail Foundation. These opportunities have enriched her comprehensive knowledge of real estate and land use issues.
Equestrian Activities
Suzanne is also an International Horse Show Judge and Past Breeder of Champion Horses. Learn more about her equestrian activities.
Suzanne is also an International Horse Show Judge and Past Breeder of Champion Horses. Learn more about her equestrian activities.
Press Clippings and Customer Testimonials
View some of Suzanne's press clippings and customer testimonials.
Besides being Santa Barbara's top realtor, Suzanne is extremely active in the community. Learn more about her community service.
