With more than 23 years of experience in the residential real estate industry, Cristina Silva brings a distinctive combination of practical brokerage knowledge, regulatory enforcement experience, investigative expertise, and professional education to real estate consulting.
As the Principal Broker and Owner of Real Estate by Referral, Inc., Cristina has spent more than two decades navigating residential real estate transactions, contractual obligations, disclosure requirements, brokerage responsibilities, negotiations, and complex transaction disputes.
Her professional background extends beyond traditional real estate brokerage.
Cristina previously served with the Utah Division of Real Estate as an Investigator and Enforcement Manager, gaining valuable experience evaluating complaints, examining evidence, identifying potential regulatory violations, and assessing professional conduct against applicable laws and industry standards.
Cristina has served on the Grievance and Professional Standards Committees with the Salt Lake Board of REALTORS®, as well as the Grievance Committee at the Utah Association of REALTORS®. These roles provided valuable experience reviewing ethics complaints, evaluating professional conduct concerns, and applying the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics within the professional standards process.
Cristina also serves as an Ombudsman Representative for the Salt Lake Board of REALTORS®, assisting with communication and informal dispute resolution. This experience reinforces her belief that many disagreements can benefit from early intervention, a clearer understanding of the facts, and constructive communication before escalating into formal proceedings.
Cristina is also an approved real estate instructor, teaching industry professionals about residential real estate contracts, legal responsibilities, and professional practices. Her experience as an educator strengthens her ability to explain complicated real estate matters in clear, understandable terms.
Having worked within both the private real estate industry and state regulatory enforcement, Cristina understands the difference between an unfortunate transaction, a professional mistake, a potential regulatory violation, and a situation that may warrant further legal evaluation.
Today, Cristina offers independent professional consultations, residential real estate dispute assessments, brokerage practice reviews, and expert witness services to buyers, sellers, real estate professionals, and attorneys seeking experienced industry insight.
Her philosophy is simple: Understand the facts, evaluate the options, and make informed decisions before committing to an expensive course of action.
