I highly recommend Catherine Black to any buyer or seller in the San Diego area. She is a one-of-a-kind realtor who goes above and beyond to help you accomplish your goals. I was looking for an investment property in North Park or Pacific Beach and Catherine did everything in her power to help me find the right property for me. The first time I met Catherine, we clicked right away. She is completely genuine, highly knowledgeable, very personable, and quite frankly, just really fun to be around. On our tour of property #1, she provided honest and direct feedback that was not all positive...she was more interested in having me find the best investment for me, as opposed to just making a quick sale. After that first showing, she set me up on her Collaboration Center so I could look at everything in my desired location and price range. I ended up finding the perfect condo in a fantastic neighborhood in North Park and knew it would go very quickly. I called Catherine's amazing team to schedule a showing and they made it happen...the next morning, which happened to be Easter Sunday. While we were still mid-tour, Catherine got in touch with the listing agent, and by that evening, wrote up an offer. We were not the highest offer but the sellers chose us, in large part, because the listing agent had worked with Catherine on another deal and knew how fabulous she is. Even after having our offer accepted, Catherine continued to show me other properties so I had a frame of reference and better understanding of the real estate market in the San Diego metro area. These tours further solidified two things for me - first, I was purchasing the right property, and second, Catherine truly had my best interest in mind. She genuinely wanted me to feel comfortable with my decision and was very patient with all my questions and concerns. Not only was she always completely accessible via text, phone, and email, Catherine and her awesome team were constantly in touch with me to make sure we were staying on top of everything that needed to be done throughout the entire process. They even helped me find resources I am using now as I get ready to rent out the property. I will always go to Catherine for any future real estate needs and will recommend her to anyone looking to work with the best realtor in San Diego! read more

A Fantastic Journey with the Perfect Real Estate Agent I had a clear goal in mind when I set out on my property search - to find a place that not only fit my needs but also offered the opportunity to generate revenue by renting out a part of my house. Little did I know that my journey would be made incredibly smooth and successful, all thanks to the exceptional assistance of my real estate agent. From the moment I started working with my agent, they demonstrated a keen understanding of my requirements and objectives. Not only did they listen attentively to my vision of renting out a portion of my property, but they actively searched for homes that met this unique criterion. Their dedication to fulfilling my dream was truly commendable. One of the highlights of my experience was their ingenious idea to connect me with the talented interior designer, Julie Joinson. Julie's expertise in renovating and decorating spaces for Airbnb rentals was a game-changer. With her artistic flair and attention to detail, she transformed my property into an inviting haven that exuded both comfort and style. This collaboration was a pivotal turning point that allowed me to attract guests and achieve the revenue goals I had envisioned. Throughout the process, my agent showcased their commitment to ensuring I made the best financial decisions. They tirelessly shopped for the most competitive quotes for my loan, engaging multiple lenders to find the optimal solution for me. Ultimately, it was my preferred lender, Cooper Mclauglin, who secured the most favorable loan terms. Their dedication to helping me secure the financial foundation for my investment was truly remarkable. In summary, my real estate agent went above and beyond my expectations to ensure every aspect of my property search and investment plan was meticulously executed. Their attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and invaluable connections in the industry set them apart. I couldn't be more grateful for their support in turning my real estate dreams into a reality. If you're looking for a real estate partner who is not only knowledgeable but also deeply invested in your success, I wholeheartedly recommend their services. Thank you for making this journey an unforgettable one! Than you Catherine! read more

Catherine Black and her team have done an incredible job to sell our 2 properties in Chula Vista and Bonita for a total beyond our expectations. Prior to hiring Catherine Black, our property in Bonita was on the market for over 6 Months with another Brokerage my brother hired. The best offers for the home were under the value of just the land. I decided then to hire Catherine Black and she got the property in Escrow in just 2 weeks for almost 30% more than the previous offers. Despite the challenge of having one of the lot not recorded with the city, Catherine was able to get Title experts involved who guided the buyers on how to correct the situation after the close of Escrow, and the transactions closed in a timely manner. Because of her outstanding job, I decided to sell my property in Chula Vista that consisted of one lot with my residence and a second lot just next to it. The plan was to sell both lots separately in order to get a higher price. Years ago, I went through the process of splitting the lots. Thanks to Catherine's due diligence prior to listing the home, we discovered that some easements were recorded on the wrong lot. Catherine was able to package the two lots in such a way that we were able to sell the home and the lot to the same Buyers at the highest price! Catherine is very well connected and resourceful and helped with stagers, getting a pre inspection so there were no surprises for potential buyers and left nothing to chance. She went above and beyond to verify all information about our properties prior going on the market and to make sure we made some repairs and remodeling to sell for top dollar. The investment of time and money was well worth it, and Catherine got both our homes in Escrow within 2 weeks for a purchase price we did not believe we would ever get! If you are looking for a Realtor who is a true Professional and excellent negotiator and that truly care, look no further, Catherine is your Realtor! Catherine you are incredible!!!! David D. read more

In 1995, following the conclusion of my service in the U.S. Navy, my wife and I left San Diego with the hope that one day we would return to the city we had always considered home. Earlier this year, we decided it was finally time to make that move. I first met Catherine in April during an open house she was hosting in the very neighborhood where we ultimately purchased our home. I was immediately impressed by her professionalism, deep knowledge of the market, and genuine approach. Upon returning to Houston, I reached out to Catherine and asked if she would assist us with our search, even though our originally planned move to San Diego wasn't until early 2026. Despite what we thought would be a long lead time, Catherine got to work right away. I had specifically asked her to keep an eye out for listings in that particular community--and within just a few weeks, she informed me about a home that was about to return to the market. Since we were unable to travel back to San Diego on such short notice, Catherine conducted a thorough virtual tour for us and offered candid, insightful feedback. Based on her assessment and our growing trust in her expertise, we decided to move forward and submit an offer--without ever having physically visited the home. Thanks to Catherine's guidance, we secured what has truly become the perfect home for us. What I hadn't realized when I first asked Catherine to represent us was the strength of the team supporting her. Julie and Milan were exceptional--professional, responsive, and instrumental in navigating several challenges throughout the process. Carrie and I are deeply grateful for the dedication, care, and professionalism that Catherine and her team brought to every step of our journey. We wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone searching for their next home. read more

We met Catherine at one of her open houses and felt instantly at home with her. We had met with other agents in the past and could tell that Catherine really knew how to navigate a challenging market. She got to know us and learned what we were looking for. We could tell she understood what we needed in a home to be happy. She was always keeping her eye out for properties we might like, sending them to us as soon as they came on market. If we wanted to view a property, she and her team made it happen quickly. Once we found homes we wanted to offer for, Catherine and her team made sure we had all the information needed to make a smart decision on price and to know about the special circumstances, like buying a home with tenants or sellers who wanted to rent back. We knew she always had our back in negotiations and was supportive if we changed our minds. She communicated with the sellers' agents to see what was needed. Catherine was amazing at finding the perfect special something that made our offer stand out and be strongly considered each time. Once we found "The One" she negotiated for us and helped us present an offer so great, we beat 10 others! When our offer was accepted, Catherine and her team stepped up again through the closing process. We needed big repairs and they got them, even though the seller was hesitant at first. We needed inspections and they were scheduled with knowledgeable professionals. When the closing was pushed back, Catherine made sure we were covered with contingency extensions and encouraging words. We felt like Catherine was family and our kids loved seeing her at showings because she always listened to their opinions too. This is an amazing group of women and we are so grateful to Catherine and her team for helping us find Home. read more

If you'd like to rest assured you got the most money out of your house when you sell to fund your next chapter, definitely work with Catherine! She's highly knowledgeable, works hard on your behalf, has a wonderful team, gives it to you straight, and goes above and beyond on the marketing of your home (which has a huge bearing on what you ultimately sell for - something we hadn't fully appreciated before we went into the process). We sold our Mission Hills home with Catherine after a dear friend recommended her (she'd helped my friend buy a house - so, while I can't speak to a buyer's experience, I have no doubt she's wonderful on that front, too). Catherine helped us understand the process and what would be worth doing/fixing before we listed to ensure we got the highest price for our house. She also went to work marketing our house like crazy. And man oh man, did it all pay off with the house selling way above asking. Not only that, but after getting the house all ready to be sold, we moved out and moved to another state. Catherine managed the staging and showings of the house without us there - and we trusted her entirely to care for the home. Everything went smoothly, and given we were moving with two small kids and setting up our new life elsewhere, we can't tell you how much we appreciated it. In addition, when we got all the offers in, she gave us great advice when it came to which buyer to strongly consider and helped us minimize any risk of the sale falling through by doing solid due diligence. Finally, anyone can only be as strong as their team. Catherine has great, responsive teammates who make sure you're never left without an answer for long. All in all, we can't recommend her enough. read more

I highly recommend this tenacious and trustworthy woman to anyone buying or selling! When we purchased our house in Santee 7 years ago, one mortgage agent cautioned us that we would have a hard time re-selling it. While it is a beautiful house, it is close enough to the San Diego river that it requires (very expensive) flood insurance. On top of that, we had a complex property line issue. Thankfully, we have a friend who recommended his realtor, Catherine Black. Catherine met with us (for hours) discussing every last detail of the house. She devised a strategy and meticulously executed it. She had professional photos taken that were exceptional. She held a huge open house and we soon had multiple full-price offers. Unfortunately, after a few days the buyers changed their minds (due to the property line issue) and we were super disappointed. Catherine remained positive and proactively leveraged her extensive Sothebys network to help us navigate the process of approaching our neighbor to discuss the property line. Following their guidance, we reached an agreement on a modification to our title to clarify the property line. She held another open house and we quickly had other offers. After some skillful negotiation, we settled on a full price offer. Throughout the transaction, Catherine recognized the importance of establishing trust with the buyers and was honest and straightforward at every turn. We were extremely impressed with her attention to detail and her level of professionalism. She guided us through many ups and down, coaching us to remain positive and trust in her expertise. She flawlessly closed the deal and we walked away absolutely thrilled! read more

We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have had Catherine as our guide throughout the home buying process. We met her at an open house she was hosting. From the moment we stepped in, we were charmed by the warm welcome and inviting ambiance Catherine had set up. This initial interaction led us to entrust her with our real estate needs shortly after our recent move from India. As a family striving to find the ideal home in San Diego, complete with excellent schooling options for our daughter, Catherine's team delivered a level of service that truly stood out. Throughout the process, they navigated us through each phase, introducing us to off-market properties and exclusive Compass Private homes that perfectly aligned with our requirements. Even in the face of stiff competition and our limited credit history, Catherine's expertise played a crucial role in securing the acceptance of our offer. Her expansive network of dependable professionals, ranging from the Home Inspector to skilled contractors, proved to be an invaluable asset. Catherine's recommended Lender, Cooper McLaughlin, proved invaluable during the daunting process of securing a mortgage, especially considering our status as first-time home buyers and newcomers to the country. In what could have been an intimidating experience, Catherine worked her magic to transform it into a seamless journey toward our dream home. Her unmatched knowledge, far-reaching network, and unwavering dedication undeniably position her and her team as the premier choice for a real estate experience that's not only successful but also remarkably smooth. Thanks a lot Catherine and team for everything! read more

Catherine Black is hands-down one of the best realtors I have ever worked with, and I highly recommend her to anyone in the market looking to buy/sell a home. We bought a condo earlier this year during the pandemic when prices were skyrocketing, and she managed to get an offer accepted for us BELOW asking in an up-market, which was unheard of at the time. The transaction went so well that we decided to do a second deal with Catherine to sell a rental property of ours 2 months later, which was a tough transaction since it was still occupied by a tenant. Catherine was great with coaching us through the complexities of selling an occupied investment property, and got it sold for a great price too. Since working with Catherine I am constantly referring her to friends and colleagues in the area because she's such a smart, professional, and motivated agent and we were so impressed with how she managed to close TWO deals with us in the span of 3 months. One of our friends we referred her to made several competitive offers on properties as well, and Catherine stuck with him and he ended up getting an amazing condo in a great area too. In my experience, good agents are hard to come by, but Catherine proved to us that there really are GREAT agents out there that want to help people find their new homes. Catherine is AWESOME!!! -Brian & Nick, San Diego, CA read more

When we moved to Poway, we knew it was the area we wanted to be in--but not yet the home of our dreams. Coming from Phoenix during Covid, house hunting in California was no easy task. But even then, Catherine was already working miracles for us! Fast forward a few years, and I found myself consistently searching, knowing we wanted to stay in the community we had grown to love. Inventory was low, and finding something that checked all our boxes felt impossible. Then, one magical night, the house appeared--and I just knew it was meant to be. I called Catherine (we hadn't even listed our home yet!), and without missing a beat, she said, "Ok, let's make it happen." And that's exactly what she did. Catherine and her team went into full-on overdrive--coordinating every detail, offering constant support, and doing absolutely everything to turn our dream into reality. We made an offer that day, had it accepted the next, listed our home, sold it, and are now living in our dream house. We're forever grateful to Catherine and her amazing team. If you're looking for someone who will truly go above and beyond, look no further. They don't just help you buy or sell a house--they help you find home and everything that needs to happen in between! read more

We were looking for an investment property. Catherine Black was referred to me by a friend, also a realtor in the bay area. The first thing I noticed when I talked to her was how real, fun and truthful she is. She's such a wonderful human person, I knew we would spend a nice time together. Then, I discovered how good she is. She has a very good knowledge of the San Diego area and an impressive instinct about properties. She was passionate about helping us discover the right place at the right price. She didn't rest until we were happy. She'll tell any red flag she sees and investigate any that she suspects. She trusts her amazing team to do all the behind the scene magic and they don't disappoint. I was mostly in contact with Julie and she made my life so much easier! She's efficient and nice at the same time! On Friday, a new property popped up on Catherine's portal. I asked if she could visit it for us. She did it on a Sunday. Our offer was ready a few hours after and we won it on Monday! The process was so smooth thanks to her. And other realtors know they can trust her and her team, which adds a lot of weight to any offers. Now that we have closed, I'll miss them and am hoping for new projects with them in the future! read more

As a member of the U.S. Navy, finding the time and the perfect home seemed like such a daunting challenge but finding a reliable, knowledgeable real estate agent who truly understands those unique pressures isn't always easy. That's why I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with Catherine Black. From day one, Catherine and her team made the home-buying process smooth, efficient, and stress-free. They were all flexible with our schedules, patient with our questions, and always one step ahead--coordinating inspections, navigating VA loan requirements, and ensuring every detail was handled with care. Most importantly, we felt like we had an advocate in our corner. Catherine didn't just want to help us buy a house--she wanted to help us find the right home. That level of dedication made all the difference. Catherine fought for us to get the home we wanted and despite the sellers receiving multiple offers on this home, the sellers chose us thanks to Catherine's guidance and advice. If you're in the military or just looking for someone who genuinely cares about your needs, I highly recommend choosing Catherine Black to get you into your dream home. Nina and Yarelly read more

Catherine Black of Compass Realty did an extraordinary job of guiding our family through the real estate process to sell a downtown San Diego condominium. Our parents, both 91 years old, moved into Assisted Living, giving up their beloved condo in which they had lived for over 20 years. The process included an overhaul of the unit in appearance from used to brand new. Catherine's awesome team coordinated the cleaning, appliance upgrades, a new floor installation and more. Next came a magnificent staging job and skillful advertising which attracted full value buyers amidst a downturn in the market. Our family put complete trust in Catherine Black and we are so grateful and happy that we did. Catherine's positivity and undying enthusiasm kept us feeling secure and moving forward. Catherine and her competent crew successfully navigated us through all the necessary tasks and documents. Catherine's professionalism, foresight, and the genuine care she took to bring this sale to a successful completion made for a smooth transition and a high value sale. Thank you, Catherine, and crew! We highly recommend Catherine Black and her team at Compass Realty. read more

Catherine Black and Team were tremendous! We first met Catherine when she was selling a neighbor's condo and we were really impressed with her approach to the sale so when it came to sell our place Catherine was the first person we called. The whole sales process was great from beginning to end. We had a sensible initial meeting to discuss sales pros and cons and potential prices that would bring in enough interest while generating a solid result. The Team generated fantastic sales documents, videos, computerized walkthroughs etc that really showed the property at its best. Catherine ordered a pre-marketing inspection to make sure everything in the condo was in good shape and organized a couple of contractors for some fix ups. When we got our offer Catherine worked well with the other realtor and buyers to reach a mutually agreed price that was a win-win for all parties and led to a very smooth closing. We have bought and sold a dozen times over the last 45 years and this went so smoothly. Catherine Black and Team are exceptional - thank you! Howard and Gayle M. read more

I met Catherine at an open house she was hosting and I loved her energy and enthusiasm, and I instantly connected with her. I was a first-time homebuyer and I was clueless and had no idea where to begin. Catherine and her team walked me through every step of the way making the process so easy and seamless. Catherine was able to win several bids for me but when I had second thoughts, she was incredibly supportive and we backed out right away. It was important to her that I was completely happy with the place and she encouraged me to look at more places with her to ensure I find my dream home. I didn't have a lot to spend but Catherine and her team always made me feel I was their #1 priority and client. They were so patient throughout our house hunt, gave me great input, answered every question I had, and helped me find my lovely condo within 3 months of our search. I had such a wonderful experience with Catherine that I had referred her to friends and they, too, were very impressed with her and shared the same sentiment. read more

Well where do I begin in our home selling adventure with Catherine Black? She entered our home with a whirlwind of energy and brimming with confidence. We were immediately excited by her energy and enthusiasm. She made suggestions for making the smoothest transition possible for selling our home where we had lived for 32 years. She listened, she never pushed and we came to trust her completely. She sold our home for 175,000 over asking price and the escrow only lasted 11 days! The transition was so smooth. Aside from her vast real estate knowledge, she is truly a magician with seemingly endless resources. We had a patch of drywall needing repair and she was able to provide a drywaller the next day. She would meet workers at the house if we had to be out of town. I could call her with the tiniest question and she would always take the time to answer. Also a shout out to her amazing team Milan and Julie. With them behind her, Catherine shines. We would recommend her without reservation! read more

We have been working with Catherine to find the perfect home for us. Throughout this process thus far, Catherine and her team have been impeccable, detail orientated, clear and consistent communicators, and have been a joy to work with. Catherine and her whole team including Julie, Natasha, and Moreno are more than we could ever ask for! Catherine and her team are highly skilled and the best in their field. They go above and beyond to take the time you need, explain all aspects thoroughly, and make sure you are getting the best deal and situation for you! Catherine has impeccable connections and relationships and goes above and beyond for her clients. She is honest, authentic, kind, personable, extremely motivated, dedicated, and hard working. As first time homebuyers she has made this process a breeze. You will not find a better realtor! Catherine is phenomenal and has exceeded all of our expectations! -Rachel and Renee, La Mesa, Ca read more

My husband and I are French and moved from France to San Diego 2 years ago. We fell in love with the city and decided to buy our first house here. We got introduced to Catherine by 2 couples of French friends who already worked with her; "She is the best!" they said. Oh YES she is ! We started looking and got enrolled in the process very smoothly with Catherine, she introduced us to all her team who are very responsive, profesional and engaged. We trusted her and as a result we are now owners of a Craftsman house in San Diego that we really love. Catherine goes the extra mile in every client case and her team took care of the process which can be very complex as first time buyer. I would also highlight for the French Community that, dealing with a French realtor helps to better understand the American real state market which is very different from Europe. Huge thank you to, Catherine, Julie and Milan ! Mathilde & Edgar read more

Catherine Black and her team were extraordinary in helping me sell my uncle's home after he passed away. During what could have been an overwhelming and emotional process, Catherine handled everything with professionalism, compassion, and incredible attention to detail. She and her team went above and beyond to prepare the home for the market -- coordinating furniture removal, cleaning, repairs, and staging so that the property showed beautifully. Thanks to Catherine's expertise and hard work, we received multiple offers and went into escrow within 24 hours of listing. The home ultimately sold for $140K over the asking price and closed in just 10 days. Catherine delivered far beyond my expectations. I am deeply grateful for her guidance, care, and outstanding results, and I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for an exceptional realtor. read more