Lauren was so helpful in helping us purchase a home for the first time! As first time buyers, the…read moreprocess was daunting and completely foreign to us, but Lauren explained everything with clarity and patience, and provided us with all the tools and resources we needed to be successful. In this market you have to be nimble, and Lauren was incredibly responsive and available when we needed her. It was so reassuring to work with such a dedicated agent. What was really helpful was how well Lauren understood the market and her help with valuing listings. When it came time to submit an offer, she was so engaged and active in the negotiation and helped us get into contract on the first offer!

We worked with Yesenia Beatriz on the daunting task of buying a single-family home in SF. It seemed…read moreimpossible considering the enormous difference between asking and closing prices. Yesenia helped us understand where the market was at in different neighborhoods, so we could zero in on properties within our budget. Once we found the home that checked all our boxes, Yesenia worked overtime to arrange/attend a private viewing in the afternoon, then put together and submit the offer the following morning. Because of her keen knowledge of the market, we came in strong and were in contract that afternoon. Closing timelines in SF are very short, with a lot that can potentially go wrong and delay the process. Yesenia was on top of it the whole way. She regularly reminded us of things we needed to do, and when necessary, she talked directly to our loan and escrow offers to course correct and keep the closing on track. Since closing, Yesenia has stayed in contact and helped us with post-closing questions and issues (such as tracking down a missing key). To sum up, our purchase was successful because Yesenia is knowledgeable, responsive, and effective. She was dedicated to making our purchase a success, and we felt valued as clients.

This is a cross posting / summary version of the review I wrote for Laus Investment Group, which is…read morethe same group of people as Good Earth Realty (I rented 777 5th Ave, "Good Earth Realty" advertising sign was on the building and "Laus Investment Group" was on the lease). I sincerely hope that you are reading this review BEFORE signing a lease. Based on my experience, the people involved in this business are at best grossly incompetent and at worst purposely manipulative and irresponsible. When my roommate and I moved in, nothing was cleaned, a lot of things were broken, and there was even a dirty ladder left in the room (see photos). Long story short, no one answered the phone number on the lease, Laura Costello (the leasing agent) blamed Kennan Lau (the landlords' son), Kennan blamed Laura, and the landlords did not answer my calls or emails until I threatened to break the lease and sent certified mail of details of the issues with the place. As an aside, Laura said the landlords are very old and don't use email, but turns out the landlords were plenty fine at using email, at least when they wanted money from us: one month when our rent hadn't arrived in their bank account by the second to last day of the month, they emailed us asking about it. My overall impression of Ms. Lau (one of the landlords who became the main point of contact) is that she is very manipulative and stingy. I'll highlight two of the many exchanges we had: - When we first moved in, the apartment was so filthy. We weren't able to get in touch with Ms. Lau until the 3rd day (due to the whole Laura-Kennan blame game) and when we finally got in touch with her, she said that her cleaning lady was too busy to come clean due to COVID-19 increasing demand for cleaning. This was a ridiculous excuse as we know that there was no one occupying the unit for at least 3 weeks before we moved in based on when we viewed the apartment, and it was frustrating that she still didn't prioritize the cleaning. I asked her if we could find our own cleaner and get reimbursed, and she gave us a budget of $80. There is no legitimate cleaner who would clean 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen for $80!!! We eventually haggled to $150 and that amount only covered the kitchen and the bathroom. - We were given only one set of keys for two people on the lease. When I pointed this out to her she said "you can just make a copy" and when I asked her if she would reimburse us for it she answered "it's not a big deal, just do it yourself." The missing set of keys was one of the smallest problems compared to everything else so I let this go, but I think this exchange sheds some light onto how she does business. Time skip to the end of our lease: trying to get our security deposit back. We took photos and videos of the whole place when we moved in so that we couldn't be blamed for any damages that already existed. Ms. Lau tried to blame us for floor scratches, missing curtains, chipped paint, and other damages that already existed when we moved in. I tried to reason with her, showing her the initial condition photos and videos that I took to prove that we did not cause the issues, and then she said, "Look, there's no point in fighting about these details, just tell me how much you think is reasonable for you to pay." After we settled on a number, she found a different way to withhold a lot of the security deposit: a whole years' worth of shared utility bills, and she said she would "waive" the damages fee as if she were being super generous. No one ever billed us while the lease was ongoing, and the shared bills were calculated to be split among the number of occupied units rather than the total number units in the building even though the garbage and shared PG&E would be the same total amount no matter how many units are occupied. With only half of the total units occupied, our portion was insanely expensive. Tldr: Only rent with Laus Investment Group if you are ok with losing your security deposit and paying ridiculous amounts of your time, money, and effort dealing with people!

Sell your building on 4th and balboa so the neighborhood blight gets better…read more Units have been vacant for 10+ years with no signs of even showing to renters. Hopefully the city starts fining you.

Samantha and her team for the job done for us!…read more Before any referrals, by chance we met Samantha at an open house while we were in our window shopping phase. We were impressed with her approachability and professionalism. It crossed our mind to work with her as our exclusive buying agent then. Later, we found out several of our friends also successfully bought with Samantha in San Francisco so we decided to reach out. The process was simple, we met on a zoom call and shared what our preferences and deal breakers were. Four months later and we closed in the sunset district! We never felt pressured and Samantha kept us positive and kept us engaged as the market competitiveness can be disheartening at times.

Samantha helped me through every step of the process of selling my home and purchasing a new one…read more Thanks to her expertise and strategy, my house sold for $170K over the asking price in less than a week after listing. She also helped create professional marketing videos and promoted the property on social media, which brought in great exposure and strong offers. On top of that, her team was incredible , they helped refresh and prepare my house within just a few weeks before listing, making it look its best for buyers. I truly feel blessed to have had Samantha as my agent. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to sell or buy a home. Her professionalism, dedication, and amazing team made the entire experience smooth and successful.

Janice was extremely helpful with assisting with my grandmothers estate in San Francisco. We had…read moreinherited it but didn't know what to do. She presented options, gave us personal as well as professional insight and made sure we were comfortable in our choices. When all was said and done, we walked away pleasantly surprised and more than happy with the services rendered. I can heartily recommend her

Janice Lee - Highly Recommended Realtor This is my first…read moretime writing a review about a realtor -- or anyone, really. I worked with Janice Lee and had a great experience. She's professional, calm, and never pushy. Janice offers thoughtful suggestions and knows how to negotiate effectively without any pressure. What I appreciated most is that she respects your independence -- she doesn't try to babysit you. She'll give clear advice, encourage you to visit open houses on your own, and once you find something you like, she'll step in and do her best to make it happen. Highly recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable, honest, and experienced realtor who truly looks out for your best interests. -- Leung

Simon got me the ideal house for my parents in Oakland. Close, but not too close. Super crazy…read moremarket now but he knew what to put the offer in to get the deal done. He was always willing to drive to the east bay and was quick and responsive. Highly recommend.

Simon is professional, personable and a great planner. Our family found him quick and responsive…read more Since he grew up in San Francisco, he knows the area intimately and can serve as a guide to any neighborhood. That's an asset to someone like us who are not from Northern California. When you work with him, you will get results.

My wife and I spent 15 years in the East Bay dreaming about moving back to San Francisco, but when…read morewe finally decided to make it happen, we came to the search pretty unfocused. We knew what we wanted (classic SF character, water views, a walkable and vibrant neighborhood) but had no clear sense of where to find it all or how to think about our budget. We needed more than a real estate agent; we needed someone who could help us find the dream itself. Danielle Lazier at Vivre Real Estate became our buyer's agent, and she was exactly that person. She listened carefully, zeroed in quickly on what would feel like home to us, and brought real clarity to how our budget aligned with home values on the ground. She was direct and always available, without ever making us feel rushed. We found a stunning co-op apartment in Russian Hill with breathtaking views. Danielle's strategic pricing advice helped us craft a winning offer, and her expertise navigating the additional complexities of a co-op transaction was invaluable. She connected us with excellent vendors, guided us through contingencies, and kept us calm through closing. If you're a home buyer trying to navigate San Francisco's uniquely complex real estate market, there is no one more qualified to have in your corner. She turned a vague old dream into our actual home, and we couldn't be more grateful.

We recently purchased a home in San Francisco's Inner Richmond with Josh Ortiz and Danielle…read moreLazier's team, and I can honestly say Josh changed my perception of what a great buyer's agent should be. Before choosing an agent, I spent a lot of time researching transaction histories and interviewing teams. From a previous home purchase, I learned that the difference between an average agent and a great one often comes down to negotiation. Many agents can "win" a house by telling clients to keep increasing their offer. That's easy. The real challenge is helping clients win without overpaying. From our very first meeting, Josh stood out. We told him our dream was to buy in Inner Richmond, but we assumed it wasn't realistic within our budget. Rather than pushing us toward properties or encouraging us to stretch financially, he took the time to understand exactly what we wanted, educate us on different neighborhoods and market dynamics, and help us build a thoughtful strategy. Throughout the process, Josh was incredibly disciplined. There were plenty of homes we could have chased, but he never pressured us to make offers that didn't make sense. In a market where homes regularly sell hundreds of thousands--and sometimes more than a million dollars--over asking, that level of restraint and honesty is rare. About four months into our search, Josh brought us an opportunity before it officially hit the market. The situation was complex, and the sellers ultimately decided to list the property publicly. Josh helped us navigate every step, carefully managing timing, strategy, and negotiations while keeping a close pulse on competing interest. The result? We ended up buying a home we love in the exact neighborhood we originally thought was out of reach. Even better, the bank appraisal came back significantly higher than our purchase price, confirming that we had secured exceptional value in one of the most competitive housing markets in the country. On top of that, Josh connected us with a lender who successfully navigated our complex income situation, secured a great rate, and closed our loan in just 14 days. What impressed me most was that Josh always acted like an advisor rather than a salesperson. At every stage, his focus was on helping us make the right decision, not simply getting us into a transaction. If you're looking for someone who knows the San Francisco market, negotiates strategically, and genuinely looks out for your interests, I highly recommend Josh and Danielle's team.

I have known Paul Hwang for over 12 years and have used his services exclusively for all of our San…read moreFrancisco condo purchases and unit rentals. I trust him and his team at Skybox completely. The Skybox team are professional, diligent, and honest. In my experience, Paul does keep the best interest of his clients in mind, driving and negotiating for the best possible price on both ends of buying and selling. His insight on the SF housing market and advice have been a tremendous resource for us. Skybox has the best resources, people, and connections to make the transaction happen when the time and price are right for you.

Very disappointing experience working with Lynette Douangvongsa for a condo showing. She came…read moreacross disengaged, dismissive, and rushed throughout the entire interaction, even when I was simply asking basic follow-up questions about the property. I requested an application in person during the showing and was told it would be sent to me, but neither my follow-up text nor my partner's email received any response. Two days later, she suddenly claimed they were moving forward with other applicants because they had received other applications first -- despite the fact that I had already asked for an application at the showing itself. The lack of communication and overall unprofessionalism was frustrating and a waste of time. I would caution others to be prepared for poor follow-through and dismissive treatment.

5 stars for Myoko! She was wonderfully helpful and responsive and I KNOW I would not have secured…read morethis beautiful apartment without her help. 4 stars overall because the brokerage fee was charged to the tenant (should be the property owner) and I had to pay 1 month rent, security deposit, and brokerage fee via wire transfer (which also costs money) BEFORE the owner approved my application. Kind of weird, but it worked out for me. Also, the person showing the apartment didn't really know anything about the unit.

This place is a scam…read more They charge insane "broker fees" that are over 1 months rent ($5500+) but don't know anything about the property and the fee is whatever they can get away with. When we toured the apartment it didnt even have electricity, AND the listing falsely said it included garage parking. Dont rent from them. They will try to exploit you as much as possible.

After relocating to Washington, we worked with Kevin and his team to sell our condo in NoPa -- and…read morewe couldn't be more grateful. We were introduced to him through a close friend who had worked with him before, and I can see why they recommended Kevin's team. Kevin is highly organized, ambitious, and one of the hardest-working people we've ever met. From the start, he came to us with a clear vision: make thoughtful improvements to maximize appeal to buyers. He handled the entire process seamlessly, managing every detail and going above and beyond to keep expectations aligned every step of the way. If you're buying or selling in San Francisco, we'd recommend Kevin without hesitation. He truly puts his heart into his work.

Kevin goes above and beyond as a realtor. During the home search process, he toured potential…read moreproperties and recorded videos highlighting all the relevant details, giving me a thorough preview of each home. When evaluating a property, he prioritized investigating every detail--sometimes literally digging around--to make sure it was safe and sound. He took the time to understand my priorities and helped me purchase a property I'm truly excited about. The property needed some updates and changes, and Kevin helped with the heavy lifting by making a list, identifying the key issues, and helping prioritize the work that needed to be done. When I shared everything Kevin was helping me with, friends were surprised. They said their realtors were no longer involved after the sale. Kevin clearly loves the process of matching homes with buyers. I'm grateful for his help and support.

Aaron and team were great from start to finish! We started during the slow season and they told up…read moreto be patient and we would find our dream place! Sure enough a few months later things started to pop up and Aaron was able to work his magic and get us positioned to win our offer! We are so excited to be in our new place! Thank you,

Michael and Aaron were absolutely top notch. I was blown away by their presentation when it came…read moretime to sell my place in San Francisco. I had spoken with a few other agents beforehand who didn't seem very enthusiastic, but Michael and Aaron came in with energy, preparation, and a clear strategy. They gave amazing recommendations on what upgrades and fixes would actually make a difference before listing. Even better, they helped coordinate the work and got everything done quickly, within budget, and exactly as promised. I also worked with them to purchase another property outside the city, and that experience was just as smooth. Professional, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable throughout the process. I'd absolutely recommend Michael and Aaron if you're buying or selling in the Bay Area.