Kim Senecal, the affable and highly successful broker/owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Realty in Rancho Cucamonga, died Jan. 20 from a brain aneurism. She was 71.
Senecal was a longtime Prudential Real Estate network member and her brokerage was among the first Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices companies in California. Though she operated California Realty, Senecal never stopped selling real estate and just received the rare, 25-Year Legend award. To earn this distinction, Senecal placed among the top 2% of all network agents for GCI and/or units in 25 different years. Her daughter Arika will be accepting the award on her behalf at Sales Convention 2017 in Phoenix.
Yet Senecal wasn’t just forging a trail on her own. She led her brokerage to consistent success year after year and today California Realty dominates the Rancho Cucamonga marketplace as a perennial top producer in closed sales volume. She enthusiastically helped her agents develop their business skills as her door was always open. Her work ethic, business sense and positive spirit guided the brokerage through good times and challenging ones.
Senecal is remembered fondly by her daughters, Laura Bautista and Arika Senecal, the latter of whom serves as California Realty’s marketing director.
“My mom wanted to work every day for the rest of her life,” said Arika, recalling the drive and motivation her mother so passionately instilled in others. “She always said do your best and the returns will come in buckets.”
But it wasn’t just her inspiring mindset and can-do attitude that set Senecal apart in the real estate industry; the broker’s life story was both singular and spectacular.
Kwang Ja “Kim” Senecal, born in Korea in 1945, emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 21. Hopping all over the map—she lived in Washington, D.C.; Lafayette, IN; Louisville, KY; and Oahu, HI—Senecal finally settled with her family in Rancho Cucamonga in 1985. It was here she lived—and thrived—for 30 years, earning a real estate license in 1986 and in 1991, purchasing a building in the heart of the town that would serve as the headquarters for her burgeoning real estate business.
“I bought the building to provide my agents with a stable, comfortable working environment no matter what the economy was doing,” Senecal once said, reinforcing the idea that this titan of real estate led others with her mind and heart.
“She was as compassionate as she was charismatic and kind,” said Gino Blefari, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “Kim embodied the highest standards of professionalism and was an outstanding brand ambassador. She will be sorely missed.”
Her dedication to the network and her agents is a lasting legacy Senecal’s daughters pledge to uphold. “My mother built something really special at our brokerage,” said Arika, who will now serve as brokerage president. “I will honor her wishes and keep this great thing going. It’s my duty.”
Thoughts on Leadership 
Deepest sympathies to Arika, Laura and the California Realty team!
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A very sad day for our BHHS family. Kim was an inspiration to us all. Our thoughts are with her family.
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Our deepest sympathy to you all…..Kim will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.
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A very special talented woman, industry’s loss. RIP
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May God bless and comfort this family. Kim will be missed a real estate pioneer.
Lou Vera Ross
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My prayers and sympathy to you, Arika and family. It was an honor to work with your mom as a manager for a season under Prudential. She was a kind and caring woman.
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Very said that we lost not only an Icon in our industry, but a loving mother and friend.
Our heartfelt prayers go to her kids, grandkids and dear friends and family.
She will be missed.
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It is very hard to believe that Kim is gone 😢
Kim was not just our boss, she was an incredible woman was not only a mentor but also a great friend too!
I loved her kick butt classes and her wonderful advices too. Kim might be gone but her spirit and memories will always be with me and my family too!
love you Kim, Rest in Peace ❤ ❤
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A great human being, my deepest condolences to the family.
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I was shocked after learning she left us. I’ve known her over 30 years. She will be missed.
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Our industry lost an icon, you will be missed Kim
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Kim was a wonderful mother grandmother and well known Realtor she will truly be missed in our industry.but always remembered with great admiration She truly was one of a kind. I am so glad I was able to know And work with her thru the past 25 years
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For those that were privileged to work with Kim knows the loss our industry has had ! A wonderful human being as well as Realtor.
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Dear Arika, I didn’t know your mom, but the words I’ve just read make it apparent she was in a class of her own. Wish there were many more like Kim! Best wishes to you and thank you for continuing your mom’s legacy – I can tell you will make a difference, just like she did! Warmest wishes, Martha Osborn, BHHS in Lancaster, PA – N Pointe office
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Sending our deepest sympathies to her family, friends, California Realty Team and our BHHS Family.
Missy Nord
Closing Agent / REALTOR
The Michael Kaim Team
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty
Mentor, Ohio
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Kim was the gold standard of real estate! God Bless!
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Kim
Was a very special Women!
I worked with her when i was in Home
Warranty. You will be missed but not
Forgotten. Bless you!
MaryAnn Prudhomme
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