The number one complaint about people in Real Estate is that they have poor followup, and Mike with Foundation Homes fits that unfortunate character flaw. I called Mike about a rental in Tiburon, as my husband and I are initially looking for a rental since his firm is moving us to Marin and we will be new to the area. Mike has a property listed that looked interesting to us, and I set up a time to see the property. He sent me the viewing instructions, which were to send the numbers on the lockbox when I arrive at the home, and I would receive the lockbox code. When my husband and I arrived at the home, we texted the numbers on the lockbox, and the automated system kept responding with a message to only send them the info requested. What?? So, we sent the numbers again. Same glitch message. I then called Mike's cell, twice, and got his voice mail. I then texted him to ask for entry help and to let him know about the glitch. He never responded. One day later, and still no response. That is really poor customer service. read more

Attended a rental viewing followed up with question. I was informed there were no pending applications or interested tenants for the home. Filled the application process. paperwork was directed to a different person not the one whom show us the property. I am proud to state I have perfect credit, and surpassed the requirements for the rental property. Called the office many times due to no communication on the process itself. My credit got hit as I received notification through my Union. My calls kept getting bounced around by staff with no answers. After over 3 weeks of waiting time and me calling in texting and trying to communicate they informed me the property owners decided to go with another applicant. OVER 3 WEEKS! Very disappointing service and not professional at all. read more

I am sharing this experience so others can be aware of the risks of working with Shawn Walker and Foundation Homes Property Management. On October 30, 2025, Shawn emailed confirming that my wife and I were approved as tenants. His exact words were: "Actually, just heard from the owner and congratulations. We would love to have you as our tenants. I'll be drafting a lease today and hope to have it out to you at some point tomorrow for signature." There were no conditions, no mention of other applicants, and no indication that the approval was not final. We trusted this written commitment. We signed the lease on November 1, and wired $21,000 on November 4 at Shawn's direction, after he followed up multiple times to ensure the funds were sent. Relying on this agreement, we broke our existing lease and began preparing our move. Then, on November 6, after the signed lease and full payment, we were informed that our tenancy was being revoked because the owner decided to accept a higher offer. This was the first time we were told that our approval could be reversed. As of this review, the $21,000 has still not been returned, and our current housing is uncertain during a time when we are actively working to grow our family and need stability, not sudden displacement and stress. This experience severely damaged our trust. When a signed lease and full payment can be undone without warning, it calls into question the reliability and professionalism of the people handling the transaction. I have filed a formal complaint with the California Department of Real Estate, alleging: §10176(a) Misrepresentation: Failure to accurately disclose the true status of the application and failure to clarify any contingencies. §10176(b) False Promise: Providing an explicit confirmation intended to induce action and financial commitment, without ensuring the promise was final. §10177(g) Negligence/Incompetence/Unprofessional Conduct: Failing to safeguard consumer funds, and failing to act with reasonable skill and care in handling the transaction. Based on my experience, I would strongly advise anyone considering working with Shawn Walker or Foundation Homes Property Management to proceed with SERIOUS caution. read more

Our experience with Foundation Homes and broker Shawn Walker brought unexpected chaos and significant emotional stress. The situation upended our plans and created immense anxiety. After a week-long, outdated background check, our offer was accepted, and my husband and I signed the lease. We wired tens of thousands of dollars in deposits and began planning the move--scheduling movers, packing, and breaking our current lease. Then, after a couple of days of silence and unanswered logistic questions, Shawn called to say the owner had not countersigned and would instead accept a higher offer, asking if we would match it. At no point did he disclose that other offers were being considered or advise us to wait before sending money. By that time, our moving preparations were underway, making this sudden change emotionally and logistically very challenging. The deposits were not returned promptly, and neither Foundation Homes nor Shawn Walker offered any apology or acknowledgment of their misconduct. We strongly caution property owners and renters to think carefully before working with Foundation Homes or Shawn Walker, as their practices are unpredictable, unreliable and unethical, and potential illegal. DO NOT TAKE THEIR WORD, IT CAN'T BE TRUSTED. read more

Foundation Homes is a fabulous property management company with five-star professional services and a terrific team behind it. I worked with Heather Sorber, who facilitated a seamless rental process from start to finish, and has been so responsive and helpful to me during my first few weeks in my new place. Miguel and Aldo have also been great team members, answering questions related to the highly professionalized portal system that manages all maintenance requests, payment processes and everything else involved with my property. I am really pleased with the overall service of Foundation Homes and very grateful to Heather, Aldo and Miguel for their professionalism and grace in making me and my son feel very welcome and at home. read more

It is with the greatest enthusiasm--and deep personal gratitude--that I write this review in strong endorsement of Heather Sorber and the team at Foundation Homes Property Management. Over the course of nearly two months, I had the privilege of working closely with Heather as I navigated the journey toward renting a beautiful home in Novato, California. The journey wasn't always easy - some potential roadblocks arose on my end, and yet, through it all, Heather remained a paragon of grace, patience, and professionalism. From the very first showing to the final signatures - and even beyond - Heather was present, engaged, responsive, and proactive. She served as a vital conduit of communication between myself and the property owners, advocating not just for a deal, but for a mutually beneficial relationship built on clarity, fairness, and respect. She balanced diplomacy with determination, elegance with efficiency. Her ability to manage expectations while still delivering outstanding results was, in a word, masterful. To be blunt: if it were not for Heather Sorber, my family and I would not be living in the home we now cherish. I have had the unique opportunity to live and work globally over the span of more than four decades - Chicago, San Francisco, New York City, London, Paris, and Tokyo among them - and I have never encountered a property manager or leasing agent quite like Heather. She is, quite simply, the sine qua non of real estate professionals. And Foundation Homes is, without a doubt, one of the finest management companies I've worked with anywhere in the world. Their attention to detail, maintenance oversight, and responsiveness is second to none. Heather turned what could have been a long and complicated process into something deeply human - thoughtful, collaborative, and even joyful. She didn't just help us secure a house - She helped us come home. Heather, from the bottom of our hearts--thank you. Warmest regards, Frank read more

Very professional and efficient. As tenants, Adrian at Foundation has been very helpful and responsive in any small issues we have had with our rental. We are happy having Foundation helping us while we lease this home. Thanks! read more

drew did an amazing job getting my house rented within 2 days. he put in a fair amount of work in on his day off to get this over the finish line. very professional. read more

Shawn Walker and Aldo Lopez are phenomenal professionals. They were incredibly helpful and friendly throughout the process from touring to applying and finalizing my lease for the property I wanted. Everything about my experience was so positive, I highly recommend working with them. read more

I have been working with Foundation Homes for over six and and I highly recommend them. They screen potential tenants well and take care of everything so that I can enjoy my life. read more

I certainly recommend Foundation to handle all aspects of renting one's property. From the start, they exhibited professionalism and attention to detail that made the process easy to navigate. They are upfront about fees and costs. Once everything was in place, my house rented out in a matter of days. Couldn't have asked for a better outcome. read more

Foundation is just the best. I've worked with 3 leasing management firms in the past, 2 of which were competent (and 1 not), but Foundation is just a cut above. Proactive, trustworthy and knowledgeable. Have done 2 leases with them now and nothing but satisfied end to end through the whole process. read more

Finding out about Foundation has been a gift after working with several sub-standard management companies. The Foundation team excelled in every aspect of filling my vacancy. Dee Marotta is such a great leasing agent, she has all the bases covered. She carefully screened the applications , pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of each one, and then crafted the lease agreement to cover every detail , leaving nothing ambiguous. It's a great benefit to both the tenant and the owner! Thank you Dee read more

User friendly easy to work with Dee is helpful and combinative. We would recommend her to anyone looking for a property manager read more

Working with Foundation Homes has been a delight. Shawn was very kind and helpful throughout the rental process. He responded to our questions quickly and helped make the renting process go by smoothly. read more

We moved to San Rafael in 2021 and leased a home via Foundation Homes. First off, the house we leased is maintained really well and does not have significant issues. In cases where we have had minor maintenance issues, their service is prompt and impeccable from initial response to follow up after the work is addressed. I'd like to especially call out Tania and her team who've been nothing but great partners in ensuring their residents are happy in their homes. Anyone looking to lease from Foundation Homes shouldn't think twice. read more

Dee Marrota was great to work with in leasing my new home. She is very professional and knowledgeable. From my first visit with her to look at the property to the conclusion of the lease, she maintained excellent communications and guided me through the entire process which I am entirely new to. She was kind, understanding and always available to help with all myriad details I needed clarification on. Thank you so much Dee, I am loving my new home. Eve read more

we worked with Shawn to rent our new home, and his friendly and knowledgeable approach really made a difference. Thank you for all the great communication, it helped us select the best property for our needs. read more

This rental management co required me to upload a state photo id before scheduling an appointment to see the property. The place seems really nice and we'd be a great fit for it. But ethically I think this practice is problematic given the history of redlining in the US. Why would you need to see someone's photo/address/dr license # before booking an appt? Plus all the security issues around this are a nightmare read more

I am a tenant in a property that Foundation manages. I find them to be very responsive, professional and thorough. Repair work often completed within a few days. Their vendors are terrific. They don't cut corners. Adrian has been our main contact at Foundation. He's far exceeded our expectations. Terrific guy. read more

We recently worked with Chad of Foundation Homes to lease a rental property in Mill Valley. Their service along the way was responsive and professional. read more

My wife and I worked with Dee Marotta from Foundation Homes and had a very pleasant experience. Dee was totally professional and helpful from start to finish. We didn't feel any pressure from Dee, and that she was a great intermediary between us and the landlords. Our lease was particularly long, but all of our questions were responded to clearly and promptly, plus signing was very easy with Docusign. It couldn't have been a smoother process. Very satisfied. read more

We recently worked with Dee on renting our home in Mill Valley, CA. Dee is absolutely professional, responsive, personable and efficient. It was clear she was really invested in making our project a success. I was referred to Dee by my brother, who was also extremely happy with her work for him in San Rafael. We would (and will) recommend Dee to our friends who are looking for a pro rental agent. Thank you Dee, and look forward to working with you again! read more

I worked with Dee recently on renting a new apartment in the Larkspur, CA area when having to move out of the current one I was living in. She was wonderful. Warm and personable but very professional and super responsive in all our communications. Dee guided the process every step of the way both with the Property Management firm and with the actual landlord who owned the apartment. She was very knowledgeable about all the nuances of the application process and then the lease paperwork, and $$$ deposits required. I would highly recommend Dee to anyone looking for a new living situation whether that be a rental or a purchase since the customer service, professional acumen, and guidance she provided in the process with me was invaluable!!! Aloha, WavenDean PS: this is her contact information. Dee Marotta c. (415) 686-3410 Leasing Strategist Foundation Homes Property Mgmt. read more

Shawn from Foundation did a terrific job leasing out our property. He communicated well with us and got us a great offer. Have used other property management companies in the past and have found Foundation to be superior to the rest. read more

Dee Marotta was friendly, professional, and provided me with all the information I needed to rent my perfect home. She made the leasing experience quick and relatively easy. read more

I worked with Dee to rent our new home and she was fantastic. Very responsive and helpful. She made the process easy and I appreciated her professionalism. I would 100% worth with her and Foundation again! read more

Dee Marotta was really great to work with, kept me well informed of the process, and was very helpful. I appreciated her and all she did to assist me very much. read more

I worked with Dee and Kandise to rent out a townhouse in last year. They were both amazing with their communication and speed in getting the listing online. Dee showed the house to several interested parties, and we received two highly qualified applications ONE DAY after the listing went live. The rest of the leasing process went very smoothly as well. Dee diligently prepared the lease and helped facilitate the move-in process with the new tenants. I look forward to working with Dee, Kandise, and the rest of the team at Foundation Homes again in the future! read more

Dee Marotta was extremely helpful, attentive, and wonderful to work with. She made the process so easy and I felt her guidance throughout the entire process. She was quick to respond whenever I had a question or concern, and was very patient with all parties as we worked through all the details. Thank you so much, Dee! read more

Dee with Foundation Homes was able to find new tenants for our condo in record time and handle all the paperwork.

Dee Marotta went the extra mile and created "stillness" in the midst of housing chaos - start to finish. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for rental housing in Marin! Thank you, Dee! 10 Stars not 5! Peter & Stephanie. read more

Foundation has been extremely helpful and responsive during the COVID-19 process. It has provided updates, videos and webinars and has offered access to an insurance policy geared toward potential rental income loss. Highly recommended. read more

Absolutely fantastic in every way! They listed my fairly expensive rental and it was rented in 8 days! Shawn and the entire crew were just fantastic. Could not possibly hope for more. We had been talking with the other 'big' agency and they were simply not responsive. Changed to Foundation and BAM! The best! read more

Working with Shawn was a delight! He was extremely responsive, informative and helpful throughout the process. We were able to secure our lease in a matter of days, not weeks. Highly recommend working with Shawn and the Foundation Homes Property group! read more

We worked with Matt to rent our home and the process was easy and smooth!

Shawn was terrific to work with, very responsive, honest and helpful. Highly recommend working with Foundation Homes again.

We leased a single family home in Novato, CA at the end of April 2022 from Foundation Homes. Shawn was very responsive to our inquiry via Zillow and accommodated our schedule to visit the home while being respectful of the current tenant. I was surprised how involved the application process was, but Shawn helped us get it done quickly and got approval from the owner within 24-48 hours. I would recommend Foundation Homes based on their professionalism, responsiveness and home search tools. read more

Dee was a great. Patient, knowledgeable, and a great guide to have during my leasing process. I couldn't recommend her more. Excellent service! read more

We started using Foundation Homes to manage our property this year, after friends recommended them. We actually had to approach them a couple of times over a period of a couple of years as our plans kept changing and we kept having to pull out. And every time they proved helpful, very informative, totally up front about all the costs and issues involved and very friendly. When we were finally ready to move and rent out our property, Chris was so professional and reassuring in walking us through the process. I feel that they cover every angle of all the things you need to think about. And Heather Sorber, our property manager, found us a family immediately and has been so helpful in advising us about getting the property ready, getting quotes and finding reliable gardeners and workpeople etc. I really trust Heather and the management team and that is so reassuring. We definitely would recommend them, and in fact already have recommended them, to friends just as we were recommended. That says everything. read more