Like with any trade or profession, there are the professionals, i.e. those that dedicate themselves to advancing and promoting the interests of their clients over and above their own, and then there is everyone else, let's just call them the pretenders. During our dizzying, but brief foray into the SF real estate market, and then later and more recently here in the LA market, it became abundantly clear that the latter, not the former, rules the day. Not so with Dennis Otto. It is no understatement to say that Dennis is a rare and special breed, honest (to a fault), a fountain of integrity, jovial, good humored, intelligent, and an all-around great guy to be around, he won't ever steer you wrong. He is naturally endowed with the skills, instinct and judgement required to advise his clients correctly and faithfully, not just to win the deal, but win the deal prudently and wisely and end up with a home that rises above what sadly is for many a mere financial transaction. We cannot recommend Dennis enough. We value him as a friend and professional and most certainly, when we do inevitably do decide to jump back into the SF marker, he will be the first and ONLY person we call. You can trust Dennis with what is most certainly the most important and central financial decision of your life. read more

Dennis is one of my favorite realtors in SF. I have worked with him on many real estate transactions for years in the city. He is knowledge about the market trends and easy to work. He is a great resource for anyone buying or selling! read more

Dennis Otto was my savior when we sold our late mother's home in SF. Choosing Dennis and his associate, Lee Ann Monfredini, as our agents was the best decision I could have made. It was also almost the last one I had to make, as they took the entire burden of clearing, cleaning, painting, staging, etc. off our shoulders and parceled out all those tasks to reliable subcontractors. All work was done to a high standard and amazingly quickly, and really was responsible for the speed and great price at which our house sold. Dennis' judgments about what needed to be done were spot on, and you could not find anyone more professional or experienced. Huge plus: You will like him! Personable, responsive, good humored, funny! Bucks you up when you need it, soothes you when you need it, and instinctively knows when to do which. Another reviewer said she would trust his opinion on her child's name . . . no children here, but I'd certainly take his advice on cat names. In fact, our next cat just might be "Otto". Read the reviews. They are not hyperbole. Dennis Otto is the best agent you could find for either buying or selling real estate. Five stars are not enough, he's a ten-star Star. Recommend wholeheartedly. read more

COMPLETE SERVICE Realtor Complete: defined by Websters as: "thorough; lacking nothing." A simple yet straightforward word, but one that describes Dennis Otto in the most perfect way possible. And, how he handled the selling of our home--expertly! We found that Dennis was as equally invested in the process as we were. It was evident straight away that he would be with us during each step--from the initial staging, scheduling of inspections, to assisting us with minor repairs. There were times that my husband and I could not be available to meet a service person at our home, but never did we worry once that it wouldn't get handled. Dennis took care of everything...completely. His professionalism is unmatched yet he possesses the most affable sense of humor and smile. His knowledge of the profession and process of selling residential property in San Francisco left us reassured that we were in good hands. But I would be remiss if I didn't mention his associates as well: Jo Anne and Kathleen--they too are a perfect representation of professionalism and dignity. Thank you, Dennis, we hope to work with you again! read more

My husband and I highly recommend Dennis Otto. He gave us incredible advice, and told us exactly what we needed to do--he was spot-on about every single detail. We didn't lift a finger and received far more than our asking price! We knew that we were in the hands of an exemplary professional. Based on the referral of a trusted friend in real estate, we decided to let him take over and do everything he advised. He handled every single aspect of the sale of our Bernal Heights home and advised exactly what changes to make to make the property shine--no more and no less. Dennis Otto handled all the subcontractors and they did superb work very quickly, giving great value for the level of work provided. He has a warehouse full of gorgeous furniture and staged our house for a very small charge. It was professionally photographed--again by a professional that Dennis worked with often. Every step of the transaction inspired our trust and respect. From first meeting to final closing the entire process took only two months and we got much higher than asking price. Both seller and buyer got precisely what they wanted! I would recommend Dennis Otto to my family, friends and colleagues--anyone who demands the highest level of competence. This was definitely an A+++ experience. Thank you so much for your extraordinary service, Dennis! read more

I can't imagine a better Realtor than Dennis. He is extremely knowledgeable, efficient and thorough. He also has his own staging furniture so you don't have to pay a staging company an arm and a leg for that. When we put our house on the market he had someone come over to help us get organized and then provided staging after we moved, all for a very reasonable flat fee. He also forwarded mail and generally helped out after we left. If you are looking for a hassle and trouble free experience, Dennis is your man. read more

Are you looking for a realtor? Look no further -- Dennis Otto is the answer to all of your questions! We have worked with Dennis to purchase two homes. We interviewed multiple realtors the first time around and were so lucky that we were introduced to Dennis (several of our friends have worked with him as well). From a professional perspective, Dennis is incredibly knowledgeable, organized, and strategic. He understands the general market and individual neighborhoods so is able to develop successful pricing and/or bidding strategies. He has tremendous experience and an eye for detail and so can help guide you when looking at homes. He is not pushy but instead listens and works to understand your needs and wants. On a personal level, Dennis is extremely calm, kind, and has the utmost integrity. We like Dennis as a person and are always happy when we run into him (we even pop into his open houses sometimes, just to say hi). Dennis makes what can be a very stressful situation a pleasure. read more

Dennis helped me buy two homes here in San Francisco (first in 2004 and again in 2011) and he is the best real estate agent I have worked with. Dennis is extremely knowledgeable about property/buildings and gives great advice on the pro's and cons of each place and also how some of them could possibly be modified/improved to better fit requirements. His many years of experience was evident as he helped me find my ideal home and successfully steered me through both transactions without any hitches. He has an excellent network and helped with everything including: connecting me with a great mortgage broker; finding folks to help move and pack; and finding contractors to work on my new place. All the folks he connected me with were top notch. I would strongly recommend Dennis to anyone who is considering buying a home in San Francisco. read more

Dennis helped us purchase our home in the city. We gave him our "wish list" and the very next day he had several places lined up for us to visit. We bought the first property that he showed us. Dennis was almost too efficient - if that is possible! We were looking forward to spending a few weeks house shopping but Dennis found what we wanted in one day. His knowledge of the housing market, the city, and most importantly the process put my fears and anxiety during the purchasing process at ease. We are thrilled to have worked with such an honest, fun, and knowledgeable realtor! read more

Dennis, I want to thank you for helping me transition my life from Potrero to Bernal to the Castro. Who knows where next? I hope you can continue to help me find great homes and I wanted to express my gratitude in the way you've stayed in touch. Your life's work has really made my own and my friends lives so much better and I feel very fortunate to have met you. " read more

Dennis Otto needs to be your real estate agent. I highly recommend him. In fact, after Dennis helped us purchase our first home in SF, I feel that I can trust Dennis Otto to make all life decisions for me. I would trust his opinion on anything from where I should go for dinner, to what I should name my next child. Why is he so great? I never felt like he just "wanted to make the sale". He listened to us, understood our needs (even better than we did) and guided us through the entire search, bidding, negotiation and closing process. Buying a house is a huge deal and his expertise was invaluable. He educated and guided us in a professional, friendly manner. Even after his work could have "ended", he continues to provide us with insight. All of his recommendations for movers, contractors and even finishing touches on renovations have been spot on. If, or when we decide to sell or buy again we will be using Dennis Otto. We worked with another agent in the East Bay and she didn't even come close to being a Dennis Otto (he has one of those names that you always have to say the first and last). He knows the San Francisco market and when you are buying or selling a house in a competitive market you can't afford to not go with someone who doesn't have his experience and reputation. On my own, I would have never considered looking at the house that we ended up buying. Dennis Otto really understood what we wanted and found our perfect house. read more

They say that moving is one of the most stressful things one can do in life, and we all know this is true! Regardless of the circumstances, there are so many details and loose ends to manage that one can easily go nuts. Enter Dennis Otto. The most professional, calming and caring agent in town. Dennis helped us sell our home and also purchase a new one in 2011. The property for sale had its challenges and took a while to move, but Dennis stayed with us every step of the way and did an absolutely masterful job. Even when we were stressed , he kept calm and focused and kept things moving. His relationships with other agents really paid off as literally hundreds of people came to see our little home. It was staged beautifully and in the end it sold successfully thanks to Mr. Otto. Regarding the purchase of our condo, he also made things as smooth and easy as possible. The buyer's agent was less than organized and could easily have derailed the process, but Dennis kept things on track. In both transactions, Dennis and his team were amazingly thorough, organized and extremely helpful. I would recommend Dennis in an instant and wouldn't think of ever using another realtor! read more

Dennis help my husband and me sell our Noe Valley house. He took charge of the whole project--including hiring people to correct cosmetic problems in house--quickly and cost effectively. He is personable and was a pleasure to work with. He is a real pro and helps with all of the details necessary to help us make this very nerve racking deal. Thanks Dennis! read more

I am a recent first-time home buyer and looking back I can't even imagine going through this process without Dennis. He is the reason I am in the home I am in - and i couldn't be happier with the purchase. - He knows the city inside and out - He doesn't pressure you - you move at your pace - He is a listener, which seems so rare in this profession at times - He is a tremendous advocate for you with the selling agent / seller once you have found a home - He is very trustworthy and reliable - He thinks of things you never would and offers his sensible opinion when you ask for it (and you almost always find yourself agreeing with his opinion) - He doesn't disappear the day you close. He makes sure the move and transition are going well - He has a great personality and sense of humor, which makes a stressful time a lot more enjoyable Most importantly, he goes way beyond what you would expect from a realtor. He helps you with the entire process of purchasing a home - connecting you with mortgage broker, title company, inspection companies, contractors, painters - you name it. He even helps with decorating suggestions. And all of his referrals are top-notch professionals as well. I really can't say enough about Dennis. I will use him for any home transaction I ever have in SF, and I would recommend him to anyone without any hesitation or caveats. read more

Dennis Otto is an extraordinary real estate agent. When my husband and I decided to sell our home in the Mission, we spent several days interviewing prospective agents. We are so glad we chose Dennis! Not only was he exceptionally professional and attentive throughout the process, he made the entire selling process seem enjoyable! He guided us through the price-setting decision, had our home professionally staged, and always called with a full report after every open house. I am rarely so unreserved in my recommendations, but in this case it is merited. Dennis is a rare find. read more

Dennis is a true professional and one I will definitely call the next time I'm buying a home in SF. I called him to talk about selling my condo and within days he had put together a comprehensive sales and marketing strategy including an aggressive calendar and helped me set the price. Even better, he took the usual headaches associated with selling a home out of the equation. Within two weeks, he had the place prepped, staged, and ready for sale. I gave him a key and then he took care of all the details. The place looked amazing. Dennis updated me throughout the process and was incredibly responsive to calls and questions. His advice was thoughtful and based on in-depth analysis and knowledge of the market. He also listened carefully and addressed my concerns directly. I've never seen a real estate agent do so much for a client -- from start to finish. read more

Dennis is an amazing person and the best realtor we could ask for. We've been in our new home for about 6 months and couldn't be happier. He help us navigate the crazy San Francisco market and helped us put our best foot forward for an offer. After we closed, he was available to recommend movers, contractors, and other services to help us settle in more quickly. We would highly recommend him to anyone who is looking to upgrade their living situation! read more

I'm in the market to purchase a home in the city, and walked into an open house that Dennis was hosting a block away from my current place in the Castro. I admit that I didn't look my best, as I'd just got out of a workout class; but I was shocked that Dennis completely ignored me and only greeted the other, better-dressed couple that walked in a few minutes after I did. Take note, we were the only ones in the property at the time. Did I look too "underdressed" to be a potential buyer? In shock, I left promptly. I would never work with Dennis due to the unprofessionalism and blatant discrimination I experienced at that open house. Also, 3 weeks later, that condo is still on the market. read more

My wife and I were looking to buy a house in San Francisco after the 2008 crash. Dennis was recommended to us by friends. Without him I don't know what would have happened. We were definitely on the lower end in the SF housing market, but he gave us the same attention as his higher end clients. He got to know us and what we liked and what we felt comfortable spending. He found a house with lots of character that was "flying under the radar" because of poor advertisement. It was a cosmetic only fixer-upper with a solid foundation and structure, in a good location, at an unbelievable price. Dennis is not trying to make a quick deal. He is smooth in all the best of ways. He can read people, he plays hard ball when we needed someone to do this for us, and he made us comfortable through the whole house buying process. He also knows about construction. He knows the ins and outs of closing on a house and Escrow, etc. read more

Dennis is the true real-estate whisperer. He helped us navigate the complicated purchase of a TIC in 2006. We are convinced it was his grace, charm, and diplomatic negotiation that got us the place. He stayed involved even after the sale--going so far as to loan us his truck to help with the move. Just last week he sold our flat. We are now up in Seattle so he handled everything for us. From the cosmetic repairs to staging to showing the place and ultimately getting us the best offer possible. We love Dennis! read more

Dennis is the best realtor that we've ever worked with - and we've worked with some good ones. For instance, through our own bad judgment, we were caught owning an extra house during the midst of the recession in late 2008. With Dennis' counsel and legwork, we were able to make quick home improvements that would be very attractive to buyers - and get the home on the market at a reasonable price. On the first weekend, we received two offers, one all cash at full asking price. The sale closed at full asking without a hitch. And that was in December 2008, when absolutely nothing was moving- truly remarkable. Dennis was essential to us dodging a huge financial bullet. What makes Dennis so good? First of all, he used to renovate and flip houses for a living. Therefore, he has valuable insights into what improvements are possible, what they cost and what will have the highest ROI upon resale- unusual for a realtor in our experience. Secondly, he works really hard! He is involved in every step of the process - and goes the extra mile to make sure you are satisfied. He even came by several times after our sale just to check in. Thirdly, he is very professional. Even though he came very highly recommended through friends, he didn't take our business for granted, presenting a very professional proposal and valuable insight into the market. Finally, he is just a darn nice guy. Always quick with a smile or laugh, he is a pleasure not only for his clients to work with, but also other realtors, title and mortgage folks and even contractors. If you want a realtor who will really add value - Dennis Otto is your man. read more

I am confident there is no better realtor in the Bay Area than Dennis Otto. My husband and I sing Dennis's praises to all of our friends -- and we didn't even buy a house from him! If you are buying (or selling) a home in San Francisco, you cannot do better than Dennis Otto. We were first time home buyers, looking to buy in San Francisco. Dennis worked really hard trying to help us find a house in our price range that fit the needs of our growing family. He taught us all about the real estate market in SF as well as the basics of home-buying; he showed us countless houses and actually made touring the houses fun; he sifted through tons of listings and was always spot-on when he found a house he thought we would like; he introduced us to neighborhoods we were unfamiliar with; he gave us great ideas how a house might be fixed up or changed slightly to make it a lot more functional; and he gently steered us away from houses that we thought might work but weren't "the one." Dennis came to our home multiple times after hours to talk to us about the process and patiently held our hands as we prepared our first offer, explaining every detail in the enormous pile of paperwork. Dennis literally knows every real estate agent in town. Every time we went to an open house and the listing agent asked "Who is your agent?" they would say "Oh, Dennis!" when we told them he was our agent. He was able to get us into houses on short notice because of his relationships with other agents. He also had contacts with great contractors who could give accurate information about how much a certain remodel could cost. And he hooked us up with our excellent banker, who worked like crazy to get our financing in order. Dennis was also extremely thoughtful, funny, and kind. My son loved him. As a super-pregnant mom, Dennis managed to make touring houses with an almost 3 year-old in tow do-able. Dennis sent gifts for BOTH my son and my newborn daughter upon her birth (remembering the big brother was something some of my friends and family hadn't done). Dennis knows the San Francisco market inside and out. I have no doubt that if we had found the right house, Dennis would have made sure we got it, for a great price. He knows how to put together a beautiful offer and he knows what it takes to get it accepted. Here's the best thing about Dennis, though. He respected our budget and knew our needs and desires, and didn't steer us into a house that wasn't going to work for us. When we ultimately realized that our budget wasn't big enough for us to afford the kind of house we wanted in San Francisco, Dennis hooked us up with a great agent in the East Bay. And we are now happy home-owners in the East Bay. There no sour grapes from Dennis, who'd spent hours educating and preparing us, only to have another agent ultimately benefit from our home purchase. In fact, he sent us a beautiful bottle of wine to congratulate us on our purchase! Dennis is fantastic and we cannot recommend him more highly. Buying your first home, especially in the Bay Area, is a challenge and you cannot have a better guide than Dennis Otto. read more

I worked with Dennis this Spring to sell my Castro neighborhood home and am very satisfied with the process and the results. Dennis made the experience go very smoothly as he carefully guided me step by step. He puts his thorough knowledge of the San Francisco market and his extensive experience to work for his clients. Dennis' sense of humor is a bonus attribute and I recommend him whole-heartedly. -Mimi read more

We were new to the city and a bit overwhelmed by the various "neighborhoods" . We didn't have a clue what each neighborhood was known for and which ones were undesirable and which were way over our budget. We weren't sure what we really wanted but since it was a second home and we had a very specific budget we looked to Dennis to help us figure it all out. He really listened to us and understood that we had to stay within our budget and was able to show us property that really worked for us in neighborhoods that we felt comfortable. He was patient even when we peppered him with places "we found". Very responsive! He's been there for us every step of the way! read more

Dennis is a fantastic agent! He deftly and gently steered us away from putting an offer on a place that wouldn't have been quite right for us in the long run, and instead found us our dream home. That shows he not only listens carefully to what you say, but also quietly assesses your personality, lifestyle, and tastes and translates that all into a perfect home for you. He also has a keen understanding of the real estate market here and has an uncanny ability when it comes to pricing and bidding strategy. Several years after the purchase of our first home when we decided to do some remodelling, he not only connected us with excellent contractors, but he also gave us much needed advice on cost effective ideas that would improve the value of the property. read more

I have sold one house and bought another using Dennis as my Realtor. He is excellent at what he does. I have referred him to friends and colleagues all of whom have been more than satisfied with his services. Dennis is a true professional, a great guy and a great Realtor. read more

We hired Dennis based on the recommendation of both friends and family. We had a pretty ugly situation trying to sell a TIC after the market dropped. When he took us on he knew our situation was going to be complicated but he did it anyway. He was up front right from the start with what we could expect to run into with the mortgage situation. He had been there and done that and was so helpful holding our hands. In the end, we were really happy how everything worked out. He really helped us figure out what was best for us and not what was best for him. He also went above and beyond helping us get the house ready to sell after we'd already moved away (out of town). He organized the contractors, the keys, working with the neighbors, etc. It was amazing. He also has his own really nice staging furniture. He doesn't charge to use his furniture. You do have to pay a flat fee to have someone set it up and take it away but the person he uses to do it has an amazing eye. I couldn't believe our place when I saw it staged. We almost decided not to sell it!) After we moved, Dennis called regularly with updates so I always felt taken care of. I'd recommend him to anyone needing to sell. He's been in the business a long time and has sold every type of house. But his strength is working with people. He always listened and didn't act like his way was the right way. Instead he always shared his point of view and made sure we had all the information to make our own decision. Working with Dennis was very empowering. read more

Dennis is amazing! My husband and I were first time home buyers doing everything on our own....until we met Dennis. I knew right away that we wanted him to be our agent. He was friendly and easy going, unlike so many of the pushy, aggressive agents we had been meeting. We now live in an amazing condo in Noe Valley and Dennis was absolutely essential to us getting the house of our dreams. Dennis knows everything about the SF real estate market. He's very smart, orgainized, together and patient. He answered ALL of our questions (and there were a lot since this was our first home purchase). He made himself fully available to us (put in our offer while he was on vacation at 10pm on a Sunday night)!!! A lot of our friends told us that buying a home can be very stressful, especially all of the paper work/closing day etc. but I will say that with Dennis leading the way, the process was anything but stressful. It was pleasant, easy and happy, just as buying your first home SHOULD be and we owe all that to Dennis. I would recommend Dennis to anyone I know, future home buyers or sellers would be lucky to have Dennis as their agent. read more

I worked with Dennis to sell my house and he did an absolutely amazing job. He is very knowledgeable, personable and dedicated and provided outstanding advice throughout the process. He worked incredibly hard and put in extra effort time and time again to ensure a successful transaction. Dennis works seamlessly with several colleagues on every aspect of the sale process from staging to photography to marketing to open houses to showings to negotiations and ultimately the closing process. When you work with Dennis you really feel like you have a entire team of highly qualified professionals working on your behalf in a totally turn-key manner. Dennis is an excellent communicator which is one of the most important qualities for a real estate agent to possess. And Dennis' style of communication means not only providing excellent advice and insights but also listening to you and making sure that your thoughts and objectives are fully incorporated into the process. He is also very composed and reasoned which is certainly an key attribute when it comes to all of the negotiations and important decisions that are part of selling your house. Dennis' track record and consistent presence in the market provide him with a deep understanding of the key trends and developments in the San Francisco real estate market so you feel comfortable that you are working with a true local expert. Beyond all of his professional qualities, Dennis is simply a great person. He is always positive, very friendly and genuine. When working with Dennis it become very clear early on that he values building a long-term relationship much more than he does simply getting a deal done. I cannot recommend Dennis highly enough and look forward to working with him in the future. read more