Our Team

Photos Courtesy of Mary C Photography

main

Lauren Kolazas

REALTOR®

After two decades of working in many facets of real estate, Lauren Kolazas is recognized as an industry expert by her clients and colleagues. She is often described as kind but firm, bringing respect, understanding, and an unrelenting desire to support her clients in achieving their goals.

As seen in The Washington Post, MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, and Alexandria Living Magazine, Lauren uses her background in art and design to transform homes through inexpensive updates, interior design, and professional styling — the end product is continually exceptional!

Lauren also uses her marketing education and social media savvy to put her listings in front of as many potential buyers as possible. This multi-faceted approach to selling a home results in buyers who can’t wait to get inside, minimal time on the market, multiple offers, and record-breaking sales prices!

As a mother of three and an Alexandria homeowner, Lauren knows that buying a home in Northern Virginia is complicated. Most of her clients have purchasing constraints, such as budget, schools, childcare, and commutes. Lauren takes the time to fully understand the type of lifestyle her clients desire, then uses her intimate knowledge of the area, large client base, and Real Estate Agent network to scour both on- and off-market listings and find her clients the perfect home! Lauren began her career in real estate after graduating with honors from Virginia Tech, with a degree in Marketing Management. Her passion for marketing has never waned; she closely follows trends and technology to ensure that her clients receive the best marketing experience possible.

As a result of the personal attention given to each relationship and transaction, Lauren has excelled with consistent industry recognition, annual sales surpassing $17 million, and — most importantly — happy clients scattered throughout Northern Virginia!
main

GLORIA GRINER

Real Estate Agent

With a passion for real estate and more than 10 years of sales and marketing experience, Gloria Griner is a highly skilled and knowledgeable professional in the field of residential real estate. Her expertise includes real estate investing and portfolio management, creative marketing, and helping first time homebuyers.

As a millennial who is hooked on real estate investing herself, Gloria understands both the challenges and opportunities of homeownership and is dedicated to making the buying and selling process as smooth, stress-free, and enjoyable as possible for her clients. To empower her clients and ensure their success, Gloria works tirelessly to connect them with a trusted team of industry partners and vendors, giving them the necessary knowledge and support to make informed decisions. Personable, resourceful, and dedicated, Gloria’s approach to the process gives her clients a winning edge in the ever-competitive real estate market.  

A Washington, DC-area native, Gloria graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park. She recently moved from Fairfax County, Virginia, to Montgomery County, Maryland, with her husband, sons, and their beloved Great Dane.  

Gloria is a member of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors Cares Committee and the Realtor-Builder Forum Advisory Team. She is licensed in DC, MD, and VA.

main

LAUREN BALDI

Marketing & Listing Manager

Each property listing has a carefully orchestrated plan to see it through from start to finish. From the first meeting with a client until going under contract, Lauren oversees the completion of all tasks necessary to showcase a home. Her attention to detail and organizational skills ensure that no stone is left unturned!

In addition to managing listings, Lauren handles all of the business’ marketing needs: newsletters, flyers, postcards, emails, events, and everything in between! There is no shortage of avenues to market a real estate business, and making sure Lauren Kolazas’ name is at the forefront of the industry is paramount.

Lauren graduated from Stonehill College with a degree in Foreign Languages (German, Spanish) and Computer Information Systems. Her first job out of college was in the Boston office of Wall USA, a German outdoor advertising company. Basic administrative work turned into assisting the City Marketing Manager with proposals for street furniture placement, where all of Lauren’s work was submitted to Boston City Hall for approval. When Wall was purchased by JCDecaux NA several years later, Lauren relocated to NYC and joined the Marketing team, working directly under the Chief Marketing Officer. There, she provided Mall and Airport Sales Associates with all manner of marketing materials for their national out-of-home advertising business.

An overseas move and parenthood put Lauren’s career on hold for a few years, but her interest in real estate marketing and a chance interaction with Lauren Kolazas got her back into the workforce!

Lauren lives in Arlington with her husband, two very active sons, and the sweetest pup ever.

main

SARAH BARNES

Real Estate Agent

Military Relocation Professional 

As a military spouse, Sarah moved 16 times over 25 years, experiencing everything from base housing to buying and selling homes—and even renting abroad. After finally settling into her Alexandria dream home, she now channels that firsthand perspective and meticulous attention to detail into helping others find their place and thrive within their communities. As a REALTOR, Sarah brings empathy, clarity, and steady guidance to clients navigating the complexities of the Virginia housing market, always with a focus on confident, successful outcomes.

Deeply connected to her new hometown, Sarah loves exploring the area's history through local museums and businesses, as well as sampling the diverse cuisines Alexandria has to offer. She actively gives back by volunteering with local advocacy groups, civic association, and the HOA board of directors. A self-proclaimed lifelong nerd, Sarah enjoys reading, video games, wine, photography, and attending local comic-cons whenever possible. 

main

KIRA YEARY

Social Media Manager

Kira has been a proud resident of Northern Virginia (NOVA) for 17 years. Her journey into the heart of Fort Hunt began in 2018 when she instantly connected with the neighborhood's nostalgic charm - reminiscent of her own childhood neighborhood. With Lauren's guidance, Kira and her family seamlessly transitioned from Fairlington to their perfect home in the idyllic Stratford Landing area of Fort Hunt.

What initially captivated Kira about Fort Hunt continues to be her favorite aspects of the community—scenes of children biking to school, bustling sports practices, and the joy of neighborhood pools in the summer. As she and her family settled in, Kira immersed herself in the community, actively participating in local events at schools and churches, enjoying laid-back happy hours with neighbors while the kids played, and cherishing the abundance of outdoor spaces for leisurely strolls and fresh air.

With a background in sales and merchandising, Kira brings her wealth of experience to the dynamic team at I Heart Fort Hunt. She is thrilled to witness the burgeoning demand for homes in this vibrant community and looks forward to assisting others in discovering their own slice of Fort Hunt paradise.
agent photo

If You Lived Here Promo - Mt. Vernon

Testimonials

  • previous
  • next
  • Years before our move, we noticed that the homes Lauren was selling were thoughtfully and artistically staged—highlighting the home’s intrinsic beauty. We were impressed, as she’s a working mother of young children who is excelling in her field and has impeccable attention to detail. After nine wonderful years in Fairlington, we needed a larger home. Due to our earlier impression and the great feedback we’ve seen around the community, Lauren was the only realtor we contacted. We gave her a challenging list of requirements: we wanted to stay close to Fairlington due to family, and we needed enough space for three growing children and two home offices...
    — The Smith-Holleman Family
  • It’s hard to put into words how much we enjoyed our first home buying experience, much thanks to the expertise of Lauren. From the early phases of educating ourselves on what we were looking for in a home and what the process entails, Lauren provided a plethora of helpful insights and endless resources to answer any and every question that came up along the way. The patience, kindness, and genuine care that Lauren exudes in all that she does for her clients truly puts her in a class all her own. We more than gladly recommend Lauren to anyone we know of that is looking for a realtor in the area, knowing that they will be in talented hands. Thank you ...
    — Meghan & Matt W.
  • We found Lauren through a neighborhood Facebook group and were very impressed when we first met with her. She was quick to get us into homes for showings and really listened to our wants/needs. We enjoyed working with her because of her professionalism, kindness, patience, and honesty. She provided the perfect balance of support for us — never pushy, but always there to provide guidance when we needed it. We found our dream home, despite a crazy market, and could not be happier! We would gladly recommend Lauren to anyone searching for a realtor. She’s the best!
    — Hannah & David M.
VIEW ALL

Featured Properties

  • previous
  • next
VIEW ALL

Find Your Next Dream Home

Browse Homes

Work With Lauren

She also uses her marketing education and social media savvy to put her listings in front of as many potential buyers as possible. This multi-faceted approach to selling a home results in buyers who can’t wait to get inside, minimal time on the market, multiple offers, and record-breaking sales prices!
Let's Connect

Follow Me on Instagram

Contact Details

Lauren Kolazas

Phone

(202) 557-0311

Email

[email protected]

Address

4075 Wilson Blvd #720 Arlington VA 22203

Submit a Message

Message sent successfully!