Our Team
Chris Burns (LinkedIn) is the founder of Pickl and brings over a decade of experience solving complex real estate problems with empathy, creativity, and precision. He has led or participated in more than 500 transactions nationwide—as a broker, team leader, developer, and multifamily operator.
Before founding Pickl, Chris helped tenants navigate Washington D.C.’s complex TOPA law and secure their rights of first refusal for their homes. That experience taught him how to listen carefully, work through legal and title challenges, and create win-win outcomes—especially when time and trust are in short supply.
In 2024, Chris launched Pickl to bring his deep experience in legal and title-driven real estate directly to heirs and sellers who need someone willing to do the hard work of curing complicated title issues. Today, Chris leads acquisitions, shapes company strategy, and uses his skills as a licensed private investigator (DC #PAI40000043) to help the research team crack the most difficult cases.
Brandon Lentz has been working in lien resolution and title examination since 2018, developing a fluency in tracing ownership, navigating probate, and identifying title defects. Based in Florida and working throughout Texas and beyond, he works with heirs and distressed property owners across Maryland to resolve property disputes with clouded title. He excels at finding elegant solutions where others see only obstacles.
Atty. Ayla Cristobal has worked side by side with Chris since 2022, helping unlock real estate puzzles by mastering an ability to go deep into the public record across multiple states. Ayla recently passed the bar and brings not only an attention for detail, but a strong legal background that leads and supports Pickl’s research operations.
Oscar Santos is often the first point of contact for many of our clients and has a passion for being a resource and providing assistance. Oscar balances school with his responsibilities at Pickl, finding time on nights and weekends to gather information and inform individuals of their options.