Meet Our Team

Richard Rule is a seasoned real estate, mortgage, multi-family property management and valuation professional with more than six decades of experience in the experience in real estate and financial services industries. Since the beginning his career in 1963, he has built an extensive background spanning real estate brokerage, mortgage lending, property appraisal, construction, and executive management. A graduate of Westminster High School, Richard continued his education at Golden West
College, Orange Coast College, Coastline College, and other universities, with studies emphasizing business, finance, real estate, appraisal, and education. Throughout his career, Richard has held positions with Rex L. Hodges Realty, E.W. Hoke & Associates, Rule Realty, Rule Construction, and Founders Appraisal Services. Since 1986, he has served as the Founder and Broker of Founders Mortgage USA, where he has overseen
all aspects of mortgage operations, including executive management, sales training, loan processing, escrow coordination, document preparation, loan closing, and the production
of residential and commercial real estate loans. Richard has maintained a California Real Estate Broker license since 1964 and has also held
credentials as a Certified General Appraiser, Building Contractor, and Nationwide Multi-state Licensing System (NMLS) mortgage professional. His long-standing professional
affiliations include the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, the California Association of Mortgage Brokers, and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Recognized for his longevity, leadership, and broad industry expertise, Richard has
dedicated his career to helping individuals and businesses navigate real estate transactions and mortgage financing while mentoring professionals and maintaining high standards of
service within the industry.

Cynthia Rule is the founder and Vice President of Smart One Real Estate, bringing 45 years of experience in real estate sales, property management, and investment consulting. She specializes in negotiation across all transaction types — standard sales, short sales, and REO properties — with one consistent goal: growing her clients’ net worth and turning their real estate dreams into reality. One of Cynthia’s most distinctive strengths is her talent for preparing and updating homes to achieve their highest possible sale price. From coordinating strategic renovations and upgrades to staging and presenting properties in their best light, she brings a practiced eye and a trusted network of service professionals that help sellers avoid costly missteps and maximize returns. Her work has produced results that speak for themselves. Her property management expertise adds another layer of value for investor clients, combining hands-on oversight with a deep understanding of market dynamics, wealth building, and long-term asset performance across California. Cynthia’s track record speaks for itself — 99% of her last 50 transactions reached a successful close. Built almost entirely on referrals, her business spans every neighborhood and price point from across California, a reflection of the relationships she’s earned and the results she consistently delivers.

With 10 years of dedicated experience in property management and 13 years of Real Estate Licensing, Richie Rule has built his career on one straightforward principle: an owner’s property deserves the same care and attention as their own home. Based in Huntington Beach and serving the greater Orange County area, Richie has spent two decades helping property owners maximize rental income, protect their investments, and eliminate the day-to-day stress that comes with managing rentals. His expertise spans the full cycle of residential property management — from expert market analysis and strategic pricing to rigorous tenant screening, seamless lease management, and timely maintenance coordination. Richie takes a hands-on approach to every property he manages, personally overseeing tenant relations, rent collection, and financial reporting so owners always have a clear picture of how their investment is performing. Having worked in one of California’s most competitive coastal rental markets, Richie understands the nuances that set Southern California properties apart — from coastal compliance and seasonal demand to the tenant protections unique to California law. His clients trust him not just to manage their properties, but to actively grow the value of their real estate portfolio.

Tiffany Taylor supports marketing efforts and brand communications, helping present available properties and company services clearly and professionally. She brings 5 years of experience in real estate investing as well as 4 years in Software Product Management.

Alex Rule contributes as a Business Associate, assisting with business support functions that help keep operations efficient and client service on track.