Sotheby’s International Realty

Putting uncommon effort into common tasks, finding a way to do things just a little better, and asking more of oneself than anyone could possibly expect sums up Patti Cotter's attitude and approach to life.

Throughout her life, Patti Cotter has worked to help others, encouraging them to strive for more. Patti first taught pregnant teenagers who were unable to attend regular high school. She moved from there into teaching high-risk youths. For Patti, making a difference in kids' lives was a very rewarding time, motivating her to go into private practice as a marriage and family therapist.

Happily married since 1973, Patti and her husband, Jeff, first fell in love with the Santa Ynez Valley in the late 1970s. It offered a magical combination of rural charm, spectacular beauty, wonderful weather and friendly people, convincing them this was the place to live and raise their children.

Patti is an accomplished equestrian. She has enjoyed competing throughout her life. But her husband and her children, Meig and Marlo, are her greatest joys.

Looking for a way to combine her strong business aptitude with the people skills she learned during her time as a teacher and a counselor, Patti discovered real estate. She started in the industry with a very simple philosophy: to know her market, know her clients and be more concerned about her clients' needs than making a sale.

This philosophy has been the key to her success. From the beginning, she took the industry by storm and now ranks among the top real estate professionals in the Santa Ynez Valley. Her former clients have proved to be her greatest natural resource, giving her referrals and repeat business.