Newport Beach History & Untold Stories | Bill Lobdell, Historian Laureate (Copy)
In this episode of Duffy Chats, Newport Beach Realtor Katie Machoskie cruises the harbor with us to discuss community, career pivots, Newport Beach real estate, the evolution of One Ford Road, and family life.
Katie shares how she unexpectedly found her way into real estate after spending 16 years in nonprofit management while raising a growing family. What started with friends in her One Ford Road community getting their real estate licenses eventually led to a successful career in Newport Beach real estate.
The conversation also dives into what it was like to be one of the original homeowners on One Ford Road, why Katie and her husband chose the neighborhood early on, and why they’ve remained there for so many years. From raising a family to building lifelong friendships, Katie reflects on the sense of community that continues to define the neighborhood today.
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Welcome aboard Duffy Chats. Today we’re excited to have Katie Machowski, a luxury real estate specialist here in Newport Beach, on board with us. Welcome.
Katie: Thank you. It’s wonderful to be here.
Thanks for joining us today. We’re going to jump right in. We know you’re a Southern California native and a graduate of University of California, Los Angeles.
What brought you to Newport?
Katie: My aunt and uncle moved to Newport in 1969, so Newport was always part of our family. We’d come down during summers, swap cousins, stay for weeks at a time, have Fourth of July parties, tug-of-war contests — it became like a second hometown for me.
After college, I was freelancing as an entertainment and corporate publicist. I kept getting work in Orange County, and eventually it just made sense to move down here full time.
At the time, my LA friends were asking, “Why would you move there? It’s so sleepy.” But I loved it the second I arrived.
Most people know you now as a real estate agent. What drew you into that career?
Katie: I literally fell into it.
I’d spent 16 years in nonprofit management as an executive director raising money for great causes. But I kept having babies and I was exhausted.
One night, I was sitting around with neighbors in One Ford Road having tacos and margaritas. Several women were getting their real estate licenses the next day, and my husband basically said, “Why don’t you go with them?”
Fast forward — I’m the only one still actively doing it.
And honestly, everything I’d done before led perfectly into real estate: the PR, the marketing, the psychology, the negotiation, the relationship-building. I absolutely love it.
You mentioned One Ford Road. Why did you choose that community, and why have you stayed so long?
Katie: I always joke that it’s my husband’s fault — but he was right.
At the time, the neighborhood was basically dirt lots and a few model homes. I was pregnant with our third child and finally just picked the largest lot because it had one of the only views.
It turned out to be one of the best decisions we ever made.
Being one of the first owners in a new development is special because everyone’s new. You build community together. Many of our original neighbors are still there.
What makes One Ford Road so special?
Katie: It’s the sense of community.
Yes, the amenities are incredible — three pools, a fitness center, basketball courts, volleyball, croquet, holiday events, snow at Christmas, Easter egg hunts — it feels like a resort.
But more than that, people know each other. You walk your dog and end up in 30-minute conversations. Kids ride bikes and play together. It’s gated, safe, warm, and welcoming.
And the gates themselves are hand-forged in Czechoslovakia by one craftsman. The entire neighborhood was modeled after one of Henry Ford’s estates — that’s where the name “One Ford Road” comes from.
You’ve watched Newport real estate evolve for decades. What’s changed the most?
Katie: The development of Newport Coast was huge. That entire area came out of nowhere in the ‘90s.
But one thing I love is Newport has somehow maintained its small-town feel despite growth.
Neighborhoods like the Port Streets have evolved dramatically. Many original 1970s homes have been completely reimagined.
And Newport still offers something unique: this incredible variety of waterfront lifestyles and neighborhoods all within one community.
If you were introducing someone to Newport Beach for the first time, where would you take them?
Katie: First, I’d spend time learning what matters to them.
But generally? I’d start with Crystal Cove and that iconic view coming down Jamboree overlooking the harbor.
Then I’d take them through Balboa Island because it’s one of Newport’s most iconic communities. Marine Avenue feels like a tiny downtown.
Then you have to take the ferry across and finish at the beach.
The beaches are just as beautiful now as they were when I was a little girl.
What’s the most underrated neighborhood in Newport?
Katie: There’s this fascinating unincorporated area along Irvine Avenue near Costa Mesa where the city lines twist back and forth.
I think there are really good opportunities there for renovation and redevelopment.
And outside Newport, I’d watch Westside Costa Mesa closely. Eastside Costa Mesa already had its renaissance — now that energy is moving west.
If you could change one thing about the real estate industry, what would it be?
Katie: The MLS rules around private listings.
Sometimes sellers want privacy — maybe they’re public figures or going through life events — but MLS rules force agents to eventually put listings on the system or face heavy fines.
I believe sellers should have more control over how their homes are marketed.
Broad exposure is still usually best for maximizing value, but clients should have options.
You’ve probably seen some wild things touring homes. Any memorable stories?
Katie: One day, we toured a house with chickens in the yard, then immediately went to another house where a pig was running around the backyard.
It became “the pig house.”
Those funny moments create incredible camaraderie with clients.
What’s been the most emotional moment in your career?
Katie: A man who washed our cars every Saturday asked if I’d help his family buy a home.
They had several kids and had always lived in apartments.
On closing day, their youngest child stood at the front door ringing the doorbell over and over. His mom apologized and said, “He’s always wanted a doorbell.”
That absolutely destroyed me emotionally.
It reminds you that homeownership is deeply meaningful.
Have you ever saved a deal that almost completely fell apart?
Katie: Yes — while literally in labor.
I had a complicated transaction where one buyer kept threatening to cancel. So I quietly lined up a backup buyer ahead of time.
Sure enough, the first buyer canceled the day I went into labor with my daughter Molly.
I was in contractions at Hoag Hospital calling agents from the fifth floor, getting paperwork signed and putting the backup buyer into escrow.
Everyone ended up visiting me in the hospital afterward.
That’s real estate.
What’s the strangest “must-have” request you’ve gotten from a buyer?
Katie: A client with an extensive black-and-white photography collection wanted a very dark house.
Most people want bright and airy homes. He wanted the opposite because sunlight would damage the art.
We eventually found the perfect home with lots of foliage and low natural light.
There really is a lid for every pot.
How do you recharge outside work?
Katie: Family is everything to me.
I coached soccer for 19 years because it gave me time with my kids.
We cook together constantly, hike, walk dogs, have dinner together every night at the dining room table.
I’m also a huge reader — I was an English literature major — and I’ve written two children’s books.
And I’m obsessed with the IFIT treadmill app. I “travel” the world on it. I’ve virtually climbed Everest, Kilimanjaro, hiked Vietnam, the Grand Canyon — all from my treadmill.
What are your favorite local restaurants and hangouts?
Katie: We love trying new places.
We love Sugarfish — absolutely exceptional sushi.
For lunch, I love the Newport Beach Country Club because it’s such a community gathering spot.
And for happy hour, we’re constantly at Gulfstream.
They even brought me a straw for my red wine when I had braces.
What’s your favorite old-school Newport spot and favorite newer spot?
Katie: Old-school would be the old Arches restaurant. My husband literally went there for food while I was in labor with Molly.
That place had incredible history — John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Errol Flynn — everybody went there.
For newer spots, we love Nick's Newport Beach. The katsu salad is unbelievable.
And yes — I met my husband at the Blue Beet.
You met your husband there?
Katie: I did.
He wrote me a letter afterward because we had unknowingly lived on the same street at different times.
Thankfully, he wasn’t an axe murderer.
Final question: If you had a Duffy boat, what would you name it?
Katie: Probably something punny like “Real Estate.”
Or maybe “Location, Location, Location.”
But honestly, probably “Makers,” which is a word made from our family initials.
Katie, thank you so much for joining us.
Katie: Thank you for having me.