For boaters in the market, house hunting isn’t just about countertops and square footage—it’s about dock space, water access, and waking up to the sound of halyards clinking in the breeze. Few agents understand that better than Kathleen Monroe, broker and founder of Luxury Coastal Realty. For Monroe, helping boat owners find the perfect waterfront property isn’t just a job—it’s personal.
“Buying a home with a dock is more than a real estate transaction,” Monroe explained. “It’s about connecting people to the lifestyle they’ve worked hard for. The right dock, the right location—it all matters.”
A Southern California native with deep roots in Long Beach and Orange County, Monroe has built her reputation on market knowledge, sharp negotiating skills, and an insider’s understanding of the unique world of waterfront living. She’s no stranger to the nuances of buying and selling along the coast, having grown up watching her father succeed as a respected real estate broker in Long Beach. When she launched her own career, Monroe quickly earned Rookie of the Year and Top Producer honors, but her success wasn’t just about family ties. Her experience building and selling a successful service business in Orange County, coupled with her background in strategic marketing and web-based exposure, has become a cornerstone of her approach.
Monroe’s specialty is clear: helping boaters navigate the often tricky process of buying or selling waterfront homes in highly desirable areas like Huntington Harbour, Newport Harbor, Naples in Long Beach, and beyond. But for Monroe, it’s not just about location—it’s about understanding the dock itself.
“All docks are not created equal,” she emphasized. “That’s why having an expert like my brother, who specializes in yacht and dock consulting, is critical when determining value for a seller or buyer.”
For Monroe, the first step is understanding a buyer’s boating needs. “Knowing what size boat or yacht they currently have—or wish to purchase—is so important,” she explained. “The waterfront home needs to have a compatible dock or slip that not only accommodates their vessel but also allows for maneuverability in and out of the slip. The kind of boat and its size really does matter.”
Too often, Monroe said, waterfront buyers underestimate the value of proper dock size or water depth—a mistake that can be costly. She recalled a recent listing in Huntington Harbour as a perfect example. “Out of eight realtors interviewed for this premier property, I was the only one who understood the true value of the custom dock, which had a unique angled configuration to accommodate a 70-to-100-foot slip on one side and a 50-to-60-foot slip on the other,” she said. “These types of docks are extremely rare, and I recognized the tremendous value this owner had. The difference in valuation? Two million dollars. No one likes to leave money on the table.”
Monroe’s expertise extends well beyond the harbors of Orange County. She frequently works with clients in Oxnard, Ventura, Long Beach’s Alamitos Bay, Belmont Shores, Bayshores, Peninsula, Naples, Sunset Beach, San Diego’s Mission Bay, Point Loma, Shelter Island, and Coronado. “Great waterfront properties are always in demand, and homes with large docks get snapped up quickly,” she noted.
Monroe’s process is detailed, patient, and tailored to each buyer. “It’s important to understand the difference between someone looking for a waterfront home and someone seeking the full yacht lifestyle,” she explained. “It feels much like looking for a needle in a haystack. You have to factor in location, the right size slip for the current or future boat, price range, and whether it’s a cash sale or financed. There’s a lot to consider.”
For sellers, Monroe says, the key to maximizing value is hiring an expert. “The Waterfront Real Estate Broker you choose really does matter,” she said. “We know how to assess the value of a home and a dock. My brother Gary is my secret weapon. There are so many things to consider—the condition of the dock, the location in the harbor, water depth—it all impacts value.”
A recent listing in Coronado’s Green Turtle neighborhood is proof of that expertise in action. The home featured two 50-foot slips—ideal for his-and-hers yachts. “An attorney made an offer over asking price, knowing how hard it is to find slips that size,” Monroe recalled. But there was a snag. “It appeared, based on title records, that the slips were originally leased from the harbor, and the lease had never been bought out. That was a deal breaker for the buyer.”
But Monroe wasn’t about to let the deal fall through. “I had my title guys with all hands on deck digging through decades of records,” she said. “They call me ‘Special K’ because I don’t give up.” The team eventually uncovered proof that the wharfage rights had been purchased, but the paperwork had never been properly recorded. “Without an expert like me, the buyer would have walked, and the house would have been significantly devalued,” Monroe said. “In the end, we protected the deal and the seller’s investment.”
Her clients affectionately call her their “real estate angel” and even a “house whisperer,” a testament to her ability to make deals happen where others fall short. Monroe’s deep knowledge of Southern California’s harbors, her understanding of dock configurations and vessel requirements, and her relentless work ethic make her a trusted guide for boaters navigating the waterfront real estate market.
“Buyers need to envision the lifestyle—pulling up to their own dock, walking straight to their home, watching the sun set over the water,” she said. “That’s what I help them see.”
For those ready to make their coastal living dreams a reality, Monroe offers the expertise—and the connections—to make it happen. As her slogan goes, “Go with Monroe and you’ll make more dough.” But for boat owners, perhaps it’s even simpler than that. With Kathleen Monroe at the helm, you’re not just buying a home—you’re investing in a lifestyle that floats your boat.
