meet the team
Open House Austin runs smoothly with the help of our amazing team. we are all fueled by a passion to help people see their home-buying potential. Want to work with us? Click here to schedule a consultation.
Our CO-Founders
STEPHANIE DOUGLASS & Kristina Modares
It all started on Instagram. Kristina and Steph had both started their individual investing journeys, but realized that they wanted to learn from and meet more women like themselves. Kristina messaged Steph on Instagram, they met for coffee, and what turned into the “best first date ever” became a partnership that has outweighed anyone’s expectations.
Now Kristina and Steph spend their time building Open House into the education hub they wish they had when they bought their first homes. From recording for the Open House Podcast to building and teaching Open House Homeschool, these ladies are busy turning our company into the go-to place for first-time buyers and investors nationwide.
Although they no longer take clients, they have trained and mentored our incredible and experienced team of agents to help you if you’re looking to buy a house in Austin!
Our Realtors
alan galinsky
Alan is originally from Temple, TX and has now lived in Austin for 15 years and still loves it here! He loves to help first time home buyers discover the power of home buying and is passionate about making them feel comfortable and confident.
He's been involved in multiple house renovations and has developed an eye for seeing potential in homes. He loves watching a home slowly transform thanks to a lot of time and effort. Because of his experience with renovations, he has a talent for helping clients find fixer upper homes with a lot of potential!
“These guys are honestly the best- they really know the housing market and totally had my back the whole time. Alan Galinsky was my Realtor and he was so sweet and knowledgeable and answered all of my texts and calls so patiently and helpfully! I was super nervous buying a house but he talked me through every step and I felt like I could actually manage it!” // Sophia S., Open House client
Jennifer Carey
Jenn came to Open House because her values so perfectly aligned with our mission to help first-time buyers and sellers. After starting her career in property management, she developed a knack for figuring out exactly what people needed to thrive in their home. Her ability to see the potential in an otherwise underwhelming situation - or space - is unmatched. She realized her true calling was to help buyers and sellers achieve their real estate dreams.
Jenn is extremely meticulous and doesn’t miss a beat so that you can rest easy throughout the process. She is our resident education junkie! She is always learning and in turn, is able to educate her clients with the most up-to-date info on contracts, the market and current real estate events.
She has two dogs, Fred and Lily, and a sweet new husband. Together, they have renovated multiple properties in the Austin area. She truly walks the walk!
“If you are a first time home buyer, a seasoned home buyer or maybe you are just a young individual with an investment mindset and goals, Jennifer Carey and Open House Austin is the absolute best route for you and all your real estate needs! Through them, you will gain an amazing support group system with like-minded individuals and even better friends! Not to mention we were able to land a property that completely exceeded all of our expectations and dreams. You will not be disappointed!” // Marissa P., Open House client
Sydney schuster
With a background in accounting and a knack for clear, proactive communication, Sydney is just the Realtor you want in your corner! With seven years under her belt as an Austin agent, she’s navigated the ups and downs of this market like a pro. She doesn’t just solve problems - she spots them before they even happen, taking the stress off your shoulders.
Beyond her day job, Sydney's got her own collection of properties around Austin, including long-term and short-term rentals. She's even got a few renovation projects up her sleeve! All this hands-on experience means she's got the investor mindset down to a tee, and she loves nothing more than sharing it with her clients.
And let's not forget about her dog, Oliver - he's just as grateful for Sydney's success, enjoying the run of several yards! Sydney's ready to make your real estate journey as smooth as possible, and she can't wait to help turn your property dreams into reality.
“My boyfriend and I worked with Sydney at Open House to purchase our first home, and we could not have asked for a more detail-oriented, well-equipped, knowledgeable, and compassionate Realtor to help us purchase in this hot Austin market. Sydney was always on top of current market trends, helping us to submit strong, competitive offers. We felt supported throughout the entire process. The whole Open House team is such a wealth of knowledge, and we can't wait to work with them again in the future.” // Open House client
Mandy mendoza
Mandy is a Native Texan, and she has lived in Austin since 2009. She is a retired restaurant and hospitality professional, and she continues to have a deep love and respect for every hand that makes those experiences possible.
Her real estate journey began when she bought a fixer upper in 2017 in the McKinney neighborhood in Southeast Austin. She DIYed all renovations and house hacked by renting out a room, mostly short-term. When she realized the value of house hacking, she knew it was her duty to get her real estate license and teach people how to do the same. Fast forward to today, and she has helped many clients become savvy homeowners and investors.
Just recently, she added a Downtown Bastrop property to her investment portfolio and is intent on optimizing the property to produce additional income. Looking ahead, Mandy dreams of one day owning a home in Mexico.
“I could not be more grateful to have Mandy as my guiding light in the house hunt. I am a young first-time homebuyer and this process can feel very daunting. Having Mandy by my side relieved so much stress because she is always quick to respond, flexible, beyond knowledgeable about every step of the process, and all in all, a delight to tour homes with! Thank you for letting me bounce ideas off of you, yet not swaying me one way or another, just reminding me to trust my gut.” // Cammie D., Open House client
Our Support Team
Katie Burbank
director of people + operations
Katie is an Angeleno living in Austin who loves pickleball, comedy shows (even the cringe-worthy ones), enjoying queso and margaritas on a patio with her pittie Ron, and finding unique events around town - Bolo Bingo anyone?!
Holly Ratcliff
marketing director
Holly is from Dallas - and if you're at all familiar with Texas, you'll know that's just code for plain ol' Plano! She leverages her background in guided storytelling to direct big-picture marketing initiatives for OHA. She is especially passionate about growing our Creative Home-Buying & Wealth-Building For Women Group to help others reach financial stability. After hours, Holly is 100% hanging out with her Australian Shepherd and significant other in their backyard - cup of hot coffee in hand.
megan prue
podcast editor
Megan is a South Carolina Native currently living in NYC. Her hobbies include brunching, listening to podcasts (when she’s not editing ours!), going to drag shows, and forcing her friends to create a TikTok/reels with her.
WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT OPEN HOUSE:
“This was my first time buying a home. Combining all the resources OHA offers, this was a smooth and easy process. OHA offers so many resources to ensure home buyers feel confident and are knowledgeable of what to expect throughout the process. The entire team was so helpful keeping me on track to know what to expect in the upcoming days and weeks and months and years. Love OHA and HIGHLY recommend utilizing any of their amazing resources from homebuying classes, OHA podcast, the book How to by a House in Austin, to their fantastic team of Realtors.” - Kendall A., Open House client