Thursday, February 6, 2025
The Hal Knopf Team at Compass has been named the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year for 2025, an honor that reflects the real estate agency’s commitment to the community and its long-standing legacy of excellence.
The team will be recognized at the chamber’s installation dinner at Temple Avodah on Feb. 13.
“As a board, we collectively brainstormed businesses in town that go above and beyond for the community,” said Brittany Humes, secretary of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce. “There were many on the list and in the end, there was only one option, and it was the Hal Knopf team. They continue to support the children and the families within the community any way that they can. Anything that is asked upon them, Cory and her whole team are always the first ones to say, ‘Yes, how can we help?’”
R. Cory Knopf, a lifelong Oceanside resident who leads the Hal Knopf Team as the associate broker, called the recognition a tribute to the hard work and dedication of her late father, Hal, who founded the business 43 years ago. Knopf, 53, a realtor for 30 years, has led the business with the same passion and integrity that her father instilled in her. She credited her parents as inspirations for her career, adding that her father was a mentor to many in the local real estate industry.
“I feel more like it’s an honor for my father than for me,” she said. “But of course, I appreciate it very much and someone that kept it going, but I think it’s very well deserved. My father worked his entire life, for the community. And I think that recognition is wonderful.”
The Hal Knopf Team has deep roots in Oceanside, both professionally and personally. Cory Knopf’s parents were both brokers, and her brother worked as a mortgage lender, creating a tight-knit family business. Over the years, the team has grown to include agents with decades of experience, some of whom have been with the office for nearly 40 years.
“I grew up in the real estate world,” she shared. “After college, I had a job I didn’t love, and my father encouraged me to try real estate. Within my first year, I absolutely loved it. I’m one of the lucky few who can say they truly love their job.”
Discussing the changing real estate climate over the years, she said Oceanside has transformed from a quiet beachside community to a more corporate environment due to the rising cost of living and taxes. However, Oceanside has remained more affordable compared to nearby areas, making it attractive for buyers seeking good schools and proximity to the beach. The pandemic led to an influx of city residents, further increasing housing demand and prices.
The team has supported numerous local initiatives, including Bethany House and the annual toy drive run by EGP Oceanside General Manager Brianna O’Hagan. Knopf herself is deeply involved with the PTA at her son’s school, and as the mother of a 9-year-old, she feels a deeper connection to the community and is motivated to contribute more meaningfully.
“One thing I realized is there are so many Oceansiders that are really dedicated to the community, and I’m excited to become more a part of that,” she said. “I was much older when I had my son and once you have kids, it really changes everything. You start caring so much more about the community and realizing what a community really means.”
One of her most significant contributions is her support for Oceanside’s Jewish community. Her family has long supported Temple Avodah and Chabad of Oceanside, actively contributing financially and through volunteer efforts.
“The Chabad has been like family to us,” Knopf noted, highlighting the importance of community ties.
She also reflected on the evolution of Oceanside over the years, transforming with the times from a quaint, beachside community.
“It’s not unlike other small towns across America,” she said. “The rise of corporate stores has replaced many mom-and-pop shops, and the real estate market has seen incredible growth, especially during and after Covid.”
Knopf emphasized that Oceanside remains a unique and desirable place to live, praising its institutions, particularly the Oceanside Library, which she called “fantastic.” She credited the library’s leadership for its success and sees it as a vital resource for the community.
“The library and Oceanside Park are examples of what makes this town special,” she said, while advocating for continued renovations and improvements to further enhance the area.
“It’s my hometown,” she said of Oceanside. “I’m very proud of our town. I can’t think of a better place to raise my child.”
