Hector & Vanissa + James

BEACH HOME BUYERS: Hector & Vanissa - MARRIED COUPLE

Current Home: San Antonio, TX

Beach House Hunting In: Corpus Christi, TX

Beach Home Budget: $500,000

Vanissa and Hector’s journey began in San Antonio, where a Navy IT specialist caught the eye of a pretty gal who would one day follow him around the world. Hector’s 20-plus years in the military took their family abroad, with several years living in Spain and several years in Korea. They were able to raise their kids in new countries, soaking up new cultures and new experiences. Vanissa admits it wasn’t easy at first, but what started as a big adjustment turned into the adventure of a lifetime.

Now Hector’s military career has wrapped, and after a decade overseas, the family is ready to put down roots in Texas for good. The choice came down to returning to landlocked San Antonio or chasing a brand-new coastal lifestyle in Corpus Christi. Hector, who dreams of slipping away to fish campaigned hard for the coast. Vanissa, a self-proclaimed “river and lake girl” wasn’t convinced at first but now she’s warming up to seaside living and willing to give the coastal bend of Texas a try.

With a budget of $500,000, they’ve got some serious must-haves: a backyard big enough for their active kids, a pool (dealbreaker for Vanissa, who lived in a tiny-pool-less apartment while in Spain), and a spacious kitchen to spreadout and test her worldly culinary chops. Style-wise, they’re opposites: Vanissa is all about farmhouse-chic and vintage, while Hector dreams of Spanish arches and enclosed courtyards. The clash usually ends with Hector giving in, but he jokes that if it has room for a grill and a breeze, he’s happy.

This house hunt marks more than just a move, it’s their very first real estate purchase and a chance to stop living out of boxes. After decades of packing up every few years, they want a forever home where the kids can grow up, family from San Antonio can come visit, and Hector can finally trade deployments for fishing poles. It’s a fresh start, a place to plant roots, and hopefully the last stop in their long journey.

Real Estate Agent: James, Corpus Christi, TX

Born and raised on the sunny (and slightly tough) streets of Los Angeles, James Sandoval grew up sharing a tiny apartment with his family, an experience that grounded him in humility, empathy, and grit. Before real estate, James cut his teeth in retail, where he built the sales chops and people skills of a seasoned pro. Fourteen years ago, he made the move to Corpus Christi for a better life and found paradise by the coast. Today, James is the co-owner of Prime Real Estate and ranks in the Top 1% of Realtors in the South Texas MLS. Known for his big personality, unmatched people skills, and deep local connections, James doesn’t just sell houses he sells lifestyles. He helps clients figure out what they really want, whether it’s a cottage near the sand, a canal-front spot for their boat, or a city-side pad with quick commutes (and trust him, Corpus traffic doesn’t even count as traffic if you’re from LA). With a team of 70+ agents and a reputation for outworking the competition, James brings humor, honesty, and a competitive edge to every deal.When he’s off the clock, he’s in his Bronco with his wife and three kids, soaking up the Corpus sun and living the dream he now helps others achieve.