About Us

Who we are

Corona del Mar Luxury

Real Estate Agents

The File Group is a residential real estate team based in Corona del Mar, California, specializing in luxury homes, waterfront estates, and high-value coastal properties across Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa, and Newport Coast. Founded in 2016, our team is led by Janelle File, a certified residential appraiser and luxury real estate agent, and Brandon Goethals, our managing partner. Together, they bring a combination of appraisal-level pricing knowledge, hands-on market experience, and the kind of personal attention that larger brokerages simply cannot offer.

As the #1 Compass team in Corona del Mar and a top 1.5% real estate team nationwide according to the Wall Street Journal and Real Trends, we have built our reputation on results, not promises. Over $945 million in closed transactions speaks for itself. But what our clients will tell you is that the numbers only tell part of the story. What keeps people coming back is the way we communicate and the transparency we bring to pricing conversations.

We are not a team that spreads itself thin across every zip code in Southern California. We focus on the communities we know best and live in ourselves. That focus is what allows us to give honest, street-level advice on pricing, positioning, and timing that generic agents working across a wider territory simply cannot match. If you are looking for a Corona del Mar realtor who treats your transaction as a relationship and not a line item, you are in the right place.

Our Team

meet our

team

Janelle File

Principal | Luxury Real Estate Advisor

Janelle is the co-founder of The File Group and brings a rare combination of skills to the Corona del Mar real estate market: she is both a licensed luxury real estate agent and a certified residential appraiser. That dual background means she does not just estimate what a home might be worth; she evaluates it the way a trained appraiser would, then layers on real-time buyer data and local market conditions. Before founding The File Group, Janelle built her career in appraisal and real estate valuation, giving her a depth of pricing knowledge. She is known among clients for her responsiveness, her direct communication style, and her ability to identify the strongest positioning strategy for every property she represents.

Brandon Goethals

Managing Partner | Luxury Real Estate Advisor

Brandon is the managing partner of The File Group and the operational force behind the team's day-to-day business. Brandon's approach is built around preparation and follow-through: he tracks every showing, debriefs every open house, and makes sure clients have the real-time data they need to make confident decisions. His background spans sales, marketing, and client management, and he brings a structured, detail-oriented process to every transaction. Clients consistently describe him as responsive, honest, and genuinely invested in their outcome.

Jon Marble

Luxury Real Estate Advisor

Jon is a Laguna Beach resident with a 20-year sales background and individual annual volumes exceeding $100 million. He also brings 15 years of personal property investment experience across California and Florida, giving him a trained eye for design, renovation potential, and equity maximization that most agents simply do not have.

Bre Roberts

Luxury Real Estate Advisor

Bre has closed over $150 million in sales and holds real estate licenses in California, Arizona, and Colorado. A Verified Top Agent Network member and top 1% agent in Arizona, she is now focused entirely on Coastal Orange County, bringing data-driven market insight and a competitive edge sharpened by years in high-demand markets.

Michael Taormina

Luxury Residential and Commercial Real Estate Advisor

Michael specializes in high-value residential sales, commercial investments, and lease transactions across Orange County, Los Angeles, and Palm Springs. His early career with The Dingman Group in professional sports relocation and his financial advisory work at MB Financial Bank give him a strategic and financial perspective that is especially valuable for high-net-worth clients.

Halle Wunsch

Luxury Real Estate Advisor

Halle is a Newport Beach resident with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Real Estate and a minor in Law. She joined The File Group in 2023 and works across both the operational and client-facing sides of transactions, giving her a full-picture understanding of every deal she touches.

Alan Malkin

Luxury Real Estate Advisor

Alan brings over a decade of Orange County real estate experience and is known for matching clients not just with the right property, but the right lifestyle. His focus areas range from beachside homes to family-friendly neighborhoods with top-rated schools, and his calm, strategic approach keeps even complex transactions on track.

Nicole Caplan

Luxury Real Estate Advisor

Nicole holds real estate licenses in both California and Florida and brings over seven years of industry experience spanning residential sales, property management, home renovation, and ADU planning. Before entering real estate full-time, she served as Executive Assistant to the CEO of an international company, sharpening the operational and client management skills she now applies to every transaction.

Claudia Corzan

Director of Operations

Claudia manages the administrative and transactional workflow behind every File Group deal and is also a licensed realtor herself. As a Newport Beach resident, she brings firsthand local knowledge to the team's operations and helps ensure a seamless experience for clients from listing to close.

THE FILE GROUP
MARKET DOMINANCE

DOMINATION

IN DETAIL

Award / Recognition

Top 1.5% of Realtors Nationwide

#1 Compass Team in Corona del Mar

[Additional awards to be provided by client]

Year

[Year to be confirmed by client]

[Year to be confirmed by client]

[Year]

Source / Link

Wall Street Journal / Real Trends Americas Best

Compass Internal Rankings

[Source]

MARKET DOMINANCE

THE FILE
GROUP

DOMINATION
IN DETAIL

Our performance is measured by more than just sales—it is defined by the trust of our clients and our unwavering position at the top of the Orange County market.

#1 RANKED COMPASS TEAM

CORONA DEL MAR MARKET LEADERS

$945M+ TOTAL TEAM SALES

ESTABLISHED COASTAL EXPERTISE

1.5% TOP REALTORS NATIONWIDE

REAL TRENDS / WSJ RECOGNITION

#1 RANKED BROKERAGE

NATIONWIDE INDEPENDENT LEADER

MARKET DOMINANCE

THE FILE
GROUP

DOMINATION
IN DETAIL

Our performance is measured by more than just sales—it is defined by the trust of our clients and our unwavering position at the top of the Orange County market.

#1 RANKED COMPASS TEAM

CORONA DEL MAR MARKET LEADERS

$945M+ TOTAL TEAM SALES

ESTABLISHED COASTAL EXPERTISE

1.5% TOP REALTORS NATIONWIDE

REAL TRENDS / WSJ RECOGNITION

#1 RANKED BROKERAGE

NATIONWIDE INDEPENDENT LEADER

MARKET DOMINANCE

THE FILE
GROUP

DOMINATION
IN DETAIL

Our performance is measured by more than just sales—it is defined by the trust of our clients and our unwavering position at the top of the Orange County market.

#1 RANKED COMPASS TEAM

CORONA DEL MAR MARKET LEADERS

$945M+ TOTAL TEAM SALES

ESTABLISHED COASTAL EXPERTISE

1.5% TOP REALTORS NATIONWIDE

REAL TRENDS / WSJ RECOGNITION

#1 RANKED BROKERAGE

NATIONWIDE INDEPENDENT LEADER

MARKET DOMINANCE

THE FILE
GROUP

DOMINATION
IN DETAIL

Our performance is measured by more than just sales—it is defined by the trust of our clients and our unwavering position at the top of the Orange County market.

#1 RANKED COMPASS TEAM

CORONA DEL MAR MARKET LEADERS

$945M+ TOTAL TEAM SALES

ESTABLISHED COASTAL EXPERTISE

1.5% TOP REALTORS NATIONWIDE

REAL TRENDS / WSJ RECOGNITION

#1 RANKED BROKERAGE

NATIONWIDE INDEPENDENT LEADER

MARKET DOMINANCE

DOMINATION
IN DETAIL

Our performance is measured by more than just sales—it is defined by the trust of our clients and our unwavering position at the top of the Orange County market.

#1 RANKED COMPASS TEAM IN

CORONA DEL MAR MARKET

$945M TOTAL TEAM SALES

In only 9 years

1.5% TOP REALTORS NATIONWIDE

REAL TRENDS / WSJ RECOGNITION

#1 RANKED BROKERAGE

NATIONWIDE INDEPENDENT LEADER

Bayshores HIGHEST RECORDED SALE

IN 92663 IN 2026

MARKET DOMINANCE

DOMINATION

IN DETAIL

Award / Recognition

Top 1.5% of Realtors Nationwide

#1 Compass Team in Corona del Mar

[Additional awards to be provided by client]

Year

[Year to be confirmed by client]

[Year to be confirmed by client]

[Year]

Source / Link

Wall Street Journal / Real Trends Americas Best

Compass Internal Rankings

[Source]

THE ARCHIVE

SUCCESS STORIES

CB

Christopher B.

"Engaging The File Group was hands down the best decision we could have made when searching for our new home. Janelle and Brandon were not only super informative, insightful, patient and willing to roll with us as we figured out..."
AF

Ann F.

"Janelle is a conscientious worker and she always demonstrates a high level of integrity, professionalism, creativity, and self-discipline. She has a focused approach to developing and executing business strategies and is able to..."
LV

Louis V.

"Brandon and Janelle are the go to team in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach and the surrounding communities!! We just closed on our house and there were multiple competing offers. I truly believe we would not have gotten the home..."
PW

Pamela W.

"The File Group is extremely professional and easy to work with. Janelle's responsiveness and drive to make the best deal possible for all parties are incredible. Her appraisal background supports her pricing strategy..."
DR

Douglas R.

"Janelle helped me find a rare opportunity on Balboa Island. It was a highly sought 4-BR unit. She obtained the MLS data and the full data sheet on the same day. She also was available and got me into the place for review within..."
SK

Stefan K.

"Brandon did an incredible job guiding us through the buying process of our new home in Corona del Mar. He was accommodating, assisted us greatly in negotiation, and had incredible communication throughout the entire process..."
GM

Greg M.

"Selling our 23-year family home in Laguna Beach was a significant decision. We lovingly raised our kids in the home, did a full remodel, and had put a lot of care into details that made our home special. From our very first..."
TK

Todd K.

"Janelle and her team did a fantastic job from the listing appointment up until the day we closed. Janelle is very knowledgeable about the local RE market and it showed when we went from the for sale sign in the front yard to the..."
MB

Martin B.

"I experienced the ultimate professionalism working with Janelle and Brandon. They are not extremely professional but handled every one of my issues with great care. I highly recommend them if you want to sell or buy a home..."
B

Buyer

"Brandon and his team were absolutely the best. We met Brandon randomly at an open house about 9 months before we bought our home, but he was always responsive when we wanted to see an open house. When we found our dream place..."
S

Seller

"Their marketing and selling methodology was exceptional. Additionally, I came to like them as individuals who I knew had my best interest at heart. It wasn't about making a sale but serving my desires. I can't recommend them..."
JG

Jim G.

"Brandon is exceptionally creative with a strong business sense. He thoroughly understands partnership marketing and is a true believer in the team approach. He is enthusiastic regarding his work and has a true passion for the..."
DM

Dreyer M.

"Janelle is absolutely incredible. I originally went with the File Group because of their knowledge and reputation in the Corona del Mar Market. Not did they outshine themselves in this aspect, but Janelle and Brandon worked..."
CV

Corey V.

"Janelle and Brandon are true experts and make the home buying/selling process enjoyable. Brandon consistently made himself available for showings, always followed up with emails, and worked great with the other agents..."
GC

Greg C.

"Brandon and Janelle were extremely professional from start to finish. I would highly recommend them to help you sell your home. They sold my home in a record closing time. I am not sure any other team could have done what they..."
LU

Lindsay U.

"My experience with the File Group and Janelle was incredible from start to finish. From the first meeting where she and her husband spent time getting to know me, my needs and gave me great insight. The creative marketing they..."
CB

Christopher B.

"Engaging The File Group was hands down the best decision..."
AF

Ann F.

"Janelle is a conscientious worker and she always demonstrates..."
LV

Louis V.

"Brandon and Janelle are the go to team in Corona del Mar..."
KJ

Karen J.

Working with Bre Roberts to secure our home in Corona del Mar was a masterclass in local expertise. Because it was a brand-new construction in a highly competitive market, we knew we needed an edge. Since Bre’s team also represented the listing, her intimate knowledge of the property’s design and history was unparalleled. She provided insights no other agent could have, giving us total confidence in our purchase. Securing a stunning, brand new construction home on a popular street is no easy feat, but Bre made it happen. We couldn’t recommend Bre and The File Group more highly!

KI

Kambiz I.

I recently worked with Jon Marble and The File Group on the purchase of my home in Laguna Beach. Jon and his team were exceptional. As a Laguna Beach resident, Jon has deep, firsthand knowledge of the city’s neighborhoods and nuances, which proved invaluable throughout the process. He was consistently proactive—keeping me informed of new and upcoming listings—and demonstrated real diligence by immediately flagging a property that had fallen out of escrow, which ultimately became the home I purchased.

Jon’s patience, demeanor, and judgment truly set him apart. He understands that buying or selling a home can be stressful and approaches his work with calm, thoughtful guidance and a genuine commitment to his clients’ best interests. He offers measured, practical advice and works hard to build trust. Jon and The File Group are best-in-class, and I would recommend them without hesitation to anyone buying or selling a home.

CP

Chuck P.

Working with Jon Marble and The File Group was the best decision I could’ve made for selling my property. Jon actually lives here in Arch Beach Heights, so he really understands the neighborhood. He knew how to market the house and got us multiple offers, including one at full price. He guided me through everything, from pricing and staging to marketing and timing the listing. I truly felt supported every step of the way. I absolutely recommend Jon and The File Group to anyone thinking about selling in Laguna Beach or anywhere in Coastal Orange County.

GM

Greg M.

Selling our 23-year family home in Laguna Beach was a significant decision. We lovingly raised our kids in the home, did a full remodel, and had put a lot of care into details that made our home special. From our very first meeting with Janelle and Brandon, we felt completely supported and confident in their expertise and capabilities. Their entire team saw and felt how special this home is, and they developed a strategy and marketing plan to showcase our home's unique features. Their deep understanding of the local market was evident, and they guided us to invest in several important upgrades to the home which enabled us to price our house at the top of the competitive range.

What truly impressed us was their attention to detail, their relentless work ethic, and their marketing. They handled everything from the professional staging and photography, which made our home look absolutely stunning, to coordinating showings with minimal disruption to our lives. Their communication was exceptional – we were always kept informed of every development, and they were always available to answer any questions we had.

They skillfully navigated multiple offers and ultimately helped us secure a price that exceeded our expectations. The entire transaction, from listing to closing, was handled with professionalism, efficiency, and genuine care.

Selling a home can be stressful, but The File Group made the entire process remarkably smooth and even enjoyable. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication, hard work, creativity, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for us. If you're looking to sell your home, we wholeheartedly recommend The File Group. Their knowledge, commitment, and personalized service are truly unmatched.

TK

Todd K.

Janelle and her team did a fantastic job from the listing appointment up until the day we closed. Janelle is very knowledgeable about the local RE market and it showed when we went from the for sale sign in the front yard to the closing table in 26 days. Janelle and her team members were always available day and night to answer any questions or concerns we had. Janelle also had a great inner circle for all of our needs from painters, handymen, trash haulers and many more. I would highly recommend Janelle and her team if you are either looking to sell or purchase.

GC

Greg C.

Brandon and Janelle were extremely professional from start to finish. I would highly recommend then to help you sell your home. They sold my home in a record closing time. I am not sure any other team could have done what they did.

BP

Brad P.

Janelle was great to work with on the sale of my property. She was able to find a lot of potential buyers in a short time, and was always honest with me in communicating what the buyers felt about my property. There was absolute trust on both Janelle's side as well as mine, and that will always make any business transaction a successful one. She handled everything in an expedient, thoughtful manner, and completed the sale successfully. There is no one else I would rather work with in Corona del Mar and the surrounding area.

CH

Cyn H.

I have recommended Janelle and Brandon many times already. They are the best! Brandon takes care of any detail that requires attention right away. They contacted us 8 months after one short chance meeting when something came available we had described to them. That is now our home and it wasn't on the market. When we wanted help renting out another property, they had it done the first week end to our ideal tenant. Whenever we need a resource (handyman etc) they have a recommendation and never fail to help us. I would highly recommend them.

LV

Louis V.

Brandon and Janelle are the go to team in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach and the surrounding communities!! We just closed on our house and there were multiple competing offers. I truly believe we would not have gotten the home if it weren’t for their experience and their relationship with other agent. We couldn’t be happier with the service and the follow up. Highly recommend them!!

CV

Corey V.

Janelle and Brandon are true experts and make the home buying/selling process enjoyable. Brandon consistently made himself available for showings, always followed up with emails, and worked great with the other agents. Janelle's appraisal expertise ensured that the offer I presented was fair and Brandon negotiated the transaction perfectly. I always felt 100% supported and couldn't have asked for a better team in my corner.

CB

Christopher B.

Engaging The File Group was hands-down the best decision we could have made when searching for our new home. Janelle and Brandon were not only super informative, insightful, patient and willing to roll with us as we figured out what we wanted, but they also made the entire process as simple and streamlined as it could possibly be, from search to offer to negotiation to mortgage application to inspection to closing. And, even after closing, they consistently checked in to make sure we had everything we needed and were happy with our new home. I have regularly and confidently recommended The File Group to my family and friends — all of whom have had glowing reviews of their own.

CD

Chris D.

Our experience with Brandon and his team was near flawless. We went from discussing the market to close on our first home in under 35 days and we couldn't be happier with the way things worked out. I met Brandon several months prior to even considering making a real estate purchase with my wife. Over the course of that period of time he made a clear effort to learn about my business, connect me with other professionals, and genuinely took an interest in being of service should the need ever arise. In early June of this year, I began to evaluate our entry into the market and reached out to Brandon in an effort to make an educated decision about whether or not to pursue our first potential purchase. During that conversation, he demonstrated a clear understanding of the local area, the current financial climate, and how this purchase fit into our family's long-term goals. Beyond that, I got the strong sense that he was able to separate and prioritize our best interests over the desire to just sell us a house. In action, Brandon was a strong asset, his personal presentation and professionalism provided us with a tangible advantage in the way that other agents viewed us as potential buyers. He was thorough and rational in his evaluation of potential properties helping to keep us thinking critically about our options. Ultimately, after hearing horror stories from friends viewing hundreds of houses and making multiple offers only to be outbid by a cash offer, we got really lucky. We fell in love with a house, made a very well-educated offer thanks to Brandon and his team, and presented a very appealing package that made the homeowners comfortable with our plans for their home. Then the stressful part started. One of the best parts of working with Brandon was the incredible team behind him at Surterre. They gave us the confidence to agree to expedited closing and made sure that we did not sacrifice at all on our due diligence. He was proactive in scheduling and attending every inspection and walk-through and found great professionals that we could trust did a thorough job. We bugged the crap out of him, calling/texting constantly because we were inexperienced regarding the process and he handled our demands with patience and clearly explained everything to us. As I said, we were the lucky ones and got to enjoy the process and found a great home that we absolutely love. Thanks to Brandon, Janelle, and everyone at their office.

MB

Martin B.

I experienced the ultimate professionalism working with Janelle and Brandon. They are not extremely professional but handled every one of my issues with great care. I highly recommend them if you want to sell or buy a home. What a wonderful experience they provided us. I felt like family to them. Their marketing and selling methodology was exceptional. Additionally, I came to like them as individuals who I knew had my best interest at heart. It wasn’t about making a sale but serving my desires. I can’t recommend them highly enough as professionals and I feel fortunate that they became our friends.

DR

Douglas R.

Janelle helped me find a rare opportunity on Balboa Island. It was a highly sought 4-BR unit. She obtained the MLS data and the full data sheet on the same day. She also was available and got me into the place for review within 48 hours prior to the first weekend it was up. So I was able to put an offer in prior to the weekend. And I was selected from a number of applications. Janelle worked directly with the owner on the final terms and was present at the inspection. Very happy with her work on this - I would not have found it without her.

B

Buyer

Brandon and his team were absolutely the best. We met Brandon randomly at an open house about 9 months before we bought our home, but he was always responsive when we wanted to see an open house. When we found our dream place, he and his team were incredibly on top of their game. During the closing process, which was very daunting for a new buyer, Brandon was with us 100% along the way. If you can, work with The File Group. You won't regret it. They are amazing!

JF

Josh F.

If you are looking for an honest, professional, full-service, fun real estate agent, look no further. Janelle helped us purchase a home and facilitated a seamless, smooth process going above and beyond for us as we lived out of town. Janelle's previous clients have used her repeatedly for multiple house transactions. We feel so fortunate to have met her as we know she will help us with whatever our future housing needs in Orange County may be.

LU

Lindsay U.

My experience with the File Group and Janelle was incredible from start to finish. From the first meeting where she and her husband spent time getting to know me, my needs and gave me great insight. The creative marketing they do is impressive and helped drive the right buyers to visit. Their concierge service is wonderful and they are incredibly responsive. It was such a good experience I bought my new home thru her and sold another home.

SK

Stefan K.

Brandon did an incredible job guiding us through the buying process of our new home in Corona del Mar. He was accommodating, assisted us greatly in negotiation, and had incredible communication throughout the entire process. Brandon even coordinated with multiple contractors to ensure extensive repairs to the home would be completed by our move-in date. Working with Brandon was a delight and he delivered quality results for us.

DM

Dreyer M.

Janelle is absolutely incredible. I originally went with the File Group because of their knowledge and reputation in the Corona del Mar Market. Not did they outshine themselves in this aspect, but Janelle and Brandon worked extremely hard to sell me at a record comp and on top of everything - were an absolute pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend The File Group time and time again!

JG

Jim G.

Brandon is exceptionally creative with a strong business sense. He thoroughly understands partnership marketing and is a true believer in the team approach. He is enthusiastic regarding his work and has a true passion for the game of golf. His desire to advance the sport within the college ranks is infectious. His strategic planning and goal-oriented approach are superior to others.

AF

Ann F.

Janelle is a conscientious worker and she always demonstrates a high level of integrity, professionalism, creativity, and self-discipline. She has a focused approach to developing and executing business strategies and is able to motivate and lead her staff to accomplish established goals and objectives - all done with a smile on her face and a positive attitude.

PW

Pamela W.

The File Group is extremely professional and easy to work with. Janelle’s responsiveness and drive to make the best deal possible for all parties are incredible. Her appraisal background supports her pricing strategy. We are confident The File Group supported our needs from start to finish. We have now sold 2 homes and purchased 2 homes with their team.

S

Seller

Their marketing and selling methodology was exceptional. Additionally, I came to like them as individuals who I knew had my best interest at heart. It wasn't about making a sale but serving my desires. I can't recommend them highly enough as professionals and I feel fortunate that they became our friends.

GR

Greg R.

Brandon is a visionary, motivational leader who embodies the rare combination of unbridled enthusiasm and unyielding integrity. There is no more solid person whom I know and I am delighted to be able to provide any type of reference for Brandon at any time.

TE

Troy E.

I have known Janelle and members of her team for years. We have done business together prior to her having the courage to start her own and will say she is honest, hard-working and most of all easy to communicate with. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

AJ

Acierno J.

The entire file group was very helpful and highly professional. Would use them again! They represented both sides of the deal in a professional manner. We had some repairs to coordinate and all details were covered in a timely manner.

BS

Buyer & Seller

All I can say is "wow" ! not only did Janelle and Brandon operate with a clear, easy-to-flow process, but everything was fully transparent. I had full trust in their professionalism and ability to help us meet our goal.

PW

Pamela W.

Incredibly professional and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend The File Group to family, friends, and colleagues looking to buy or sell a home.

DC

Dana C.

Janelle is a hard-working energetic woman who knows how to get the job done.

DL

David L.

Pro's from top to bottom and you will never meet more quality individuals.

RESOURCES & INSIGHTS

FREQUENTLY
ASKED

QUESTIONS

01
Who runs The File Group?
02
What makes The File Group the best realtor team in Corona del Mar?
03
Does The File Group only work with luxury properties?
04
How many agents are on The File Group team?
05
What areas does The File Group specialize in?
RESOURCES & INSIGHTS

WORK WITH

THE FILE GROUP

Whether you are buying your first home on the coast or selling a property you have owned for decades, The File Group is here to help. As the top-rated Corona del Mar realtors with over $945+ million in closed sales, we bring the pricing expertise, local knowledge, and personal attention that high-value real estate demands. Call us at 949-500-1807 or send a message to start the conversation.
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