Martin's advice for our RSM home sale was full of insights he's gained over the years of helping sellers and buyers. We went ahead and made some key changes to our home prior to listing based on his suggestions. The results? We listed at market ($600 PSF), and received 8 offers within the first two weeks. The escrow was effortless, with Martin keeping us well informed all along the path. We closed at a neighborhood high price ($85k OVER list price!) All transactions are different. Not all sales go through. As they say, "Your mileage may vary". Given Martin's proven track record, I do know this: you will find success when working with Martin, and that's everyone's real goal here. read more

I can't believe I waited so long to leave this review for Martin! I've had the pleasure of using Martin's services for a few transactions in OC. I can honestly say that he is top notch. The best realtor I've interacted with. From our first conversation, he was super knowledgeable about the market and area. His commission structure ensures that he fights for the best price on your sale and provides rebates on a purchase. He was always available to answer questions and feel like we've become friends after working together for some time. We can easily go from talking homes to cars to NBA. He's really a class act and have referred him to several friends who have had similar experiences. If you're looking to buy in OC, Martin Mania is your guy!! read more

I am a home inspector and Martin Cares about his client's well-being. When I point out some harsh conditions in a home Martin works towards a mutually agreeable solution between the buyer and seller. read more

Selling and buying a home simultaneously is one of the most stressful time in one's life. I am very grateful to have met Martin Mania to help me in this process. Martin is smart, responsive, effective, knowledgeable and efficient. He truly CARES! He takes the time to educate me. In our introductory conversation, he said "We are rowing the boat together" and he lives that out for sure. He not only knows the market conditions, he is very well rounded, a numbers guy and a creative problem solver. He even collaborates with the lender to make sure the entire experience from A to Z is smooth sailing. He is honest, honors his word (no bait and switch) and has his clients back. I highly recommend Martin and will not hesitate to refer him to my friends. read more

I came across Martin's contact info when I was doing my own research on the housing market. I didn't know him from Adam, but there was a ton of unsolicited praise about him (outside of Yelp) and he's a big contributor of information on the internet. His experience, knowledge, and willingness to share all that information with no expectation for anything in return is what hooked me after my first conversation with him. I have personal friends and family friends who are real estate agents, so I had no shortage of resources, but fast forward a few months and I've now purchased and sold a home with Martin, as well as referred him to friends who have also purchased a home with him. He's a no frills, no drama agent who will get it done for you. You won't see his name on signs or in your mailbox, because he succeeds by word of mouth. He was invaluable in our home buying/selling process and really contributes far beyond what he earns in commission. Not to mention, his understanding of the market got me a price for my old home that really exceeded my expectations. 2020 was a tough year for everyone but Martin was always attentive through the process and there was never any pressure, so much so that my entire experience with him felt less like a business relationship and more like a friend helping a friend. Honestly, there's no shortage of agents out there, but I would strongly urge anyone to just talk to Martin to see what information or advice he has for you. That conversation could turn into something great, like it was for me. read more

This is a long overdue review but a well deserved one. My husband and I were referred to Martin through a mutual friend and we couldn't have been happier to switch real estate agents during our home buying process. After a few conversations directly with Martin, we felt reassured that he was the right agent to represent us. Not only is he very knowledgeable in the Tustin/Irvine area because he owns a few properties and even lives in the area, but he was extremely patient during our buying process. Even after our closing, we used some of Martin's contacts for our home renovation, and although we hit a few bumps on the road due to Covid, we are extremely happy with the way our home came to fruition. This was our first time renovating a house, so the fact that we had someone like Martin to recommend a trusted and reliable contractor that he also used in his home renovation made us feel comfortable moving forward. My husband also utilized Martin for any tax related questions since Martin is a CPA. It's unlikely to find a real estate agent who is knowledgeable in so many different areas. We highly recommend Martin and his agency for anyone looking to buy or sell a home. I know we will reach out to Martin again for any future properties or for selling our house. read more

Martin got us in the house of our dreams in the competitive OC real estate market and helped sell our home in LA for top dollar. I talked with a few agents about our move, but I felt like they were phoning it in. My husband read Martin's helpful comments on TalkIrvine, so I emailed Martin to set up a call. He responded quickly, and when I spoke to Martin the next day I immediately knew he would be the right agent for us. He actually listened to me and asked thoughtful questions to help us narrow down the right neighborhood and the right strategy for our price range. It didn't take long for us to get an offer accepted, even in this white-hot market. He's smart, quick, solutions-oriented, and nobody knows the OC area like him. He will definitely get all our real estate business going forward. Don't hesitate to give Martin a call. read more

Working with Martin to purchase my home was an incredibly positive experience. He exceeded my expectations of a smart and savvy relator, though he was much more of a partner than just relator. His knowledge of the market is unparalleled. That, coupled with his ability to get things done, outstanding customer service and accessibility, made for a great experience, especially as I was purchasing my home from out of state. Simply put, Marin was a phenomenal partner. I'd recommend him to anyone looking to buy a home. read more

This review is a long time coming now that our escrow is closed - I have to give credit where credit is due. A big thanks to Martin for killing it on our listing. We originally wanted to list our 2016-built 1850 sq ft Irvine detached condo at 800k for a sure thing, and Martin was adamant that we were crazy. He said we had to go at least 850k and he put his money where his mouth was by setting the target price at that price. Those who have listed with Martin know this meant he was willing to put his commission at risk. This was a huge vote of confidence for us, but we were still pretty tentative prior to the property hitting the MLS. We listed on a Sunday night and set the first showings to begin on Wednesday. Needless to say, we were shocked when we received our first offer even before the buyer had seen the home in person. After a ton of private showings and the 2 open houses, we eventually got 7 offers and sent out the counters. I remember exchanging texts with Martin, and we were joking about the insanity that would have ensued had we gone with my idea to list at 800k. "If we had listed at 800k there'd be buyers climbing the yard walls or using ladders to get a look into the house". Couple days later, he boldly said "I'm feeling it we have the velocity to get to 900k." Since we would never even dream of coming close to that number, I quietly laughed it off, while my wife mumbled "he must be smoking the good stuff". But when we finally received the highest counter of 905k via email, we were absolutely speechless. And the rest is history. For those who are numbers driven, we bought our Irvine property for $412/sq ft and Martin sold it for us at $488/sq ft after 14 months. Yes there was some post close upgrades, but raw numbers are right around 18.5% appreciation and this is 2018, not the crazy days of 2013. You can say that In all seriousness, if you want to sell your property for top dollar, look no further than Martin Mania. The stunning photos, his sage advice, and the outstanding performance during multiple offer negotiations were all above and beyond our wildest expectations. If all you care about is low commissions and try to preach using Redfin/PurpleBricks...sure you can roll the dice because it all depends which agent you get. I'm not going to take those chances on a transaction approaching a million dollars. Personally, I will attest that Martin earned every red cent of his commission and gave back so much more. There's so many situations where helped save us money or taught us a better way to approach tax-based decisions since he is a CPA. And on those grounds alone, he has definitely saved us twice as much as we paid him in commissions already since we started using him as an agent 2 years ago. Don't obsess over commissions - that's just a tip of the iceberg...ask anyone who has really used him to sell/buy a property in Irvine. I remember in the past when I would admire various previous clients reliving how they got crazy bidding wars and enjoyed well over list closings when they listed with him. Now I know how that feels first hand using him as our listing agent. If you need any type of real estate transactions (including new builds) done in Irvine or any well else in Orange County, I seriously suggest you at least contact Martin and speak with him first. I'm pretty sure you will be glad you did when you experience his work for yourself. read more

My wife and I have bought a house in Irvine with Martin about two months ago. We loved working with Martin and absolutely recommend him for any future business. Martin knows the area really well and he is on point when it comes to right pricing. In addition to being a real estate agent Martin is also a CPA so he helped us figuring out some tax-related questions regarding a house we own in another state. Another thing which sets Martin aside is that he is actually genuinely enjoying his work. He puts buyer's interest first. Unlike other agents I've seen he wasn't pushing us into buying something we weren't ready or he won't perceive as a good investment for us. All and all, a competent, knowledgeable and fun agent to work with. read more

I've used Martin for several real estate transactions in the past few years and hes been solid and reliable for each one. He's incredibly knowledgeable about the Irvine/South OC market (pretty much knows every street, floorplan, and recent comps just from the top of his head) and will give you honest advice whether it's what you want to hear or not. Whether you're looking for a primary residence or investment property he can help guide you in the right direction. He also has a very competitive commission sharing/discount system. read more

This review is so loooong overdue! Martin was our agent in purchasing our home and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. He has a through knowledge of the market, and is also a CPA, which was great in answering any tax-related questions we had. He wasn't pushy to make a quick sale and made us feel comfortable during one of the most important and stressful times of our lives. After doing some internet searches, we decided to view what is now our home and afterwards, we felt it was priced a little too high. Martin agreed, and we kept our eyes open. After a few weeks, the price dropped and we went in with an offer that was lower than their reduced price. The seller countered (there were multiple offers) and Martin advised us on what we should offer. We ended up getting the house at a great price, along with the large succulent fountain in the back patio that I fell in love with! Martin was in constant communication with us throughout escrow and even though we had a few hiccups (from other service providers), Martin was on top of it and allowed us to close escrow on time. Martin is very knowledgeable, professional and truly a pleasure to work with. Not to mention, he provides rebates to his clients, which helped to cover some of our closing costs! He also has an interior designer on his team who specializes in sustainable and eco-friendly design options, which I really appreciate in this day and age. If you're looking for a great agent, do yourself a favor and give Martin a call. I promise you won't be disappointed! read more

We recently completed the purchase of our new home that Martin has helped us find. He was never pushy and always gave us great and honest advice. It's just great to work with someone who has your best interest at mind, and not just trying to close another sale. He has guided us throughout the entire process - from the initial house hunting to closing and even post-closing. And the cherry on top is the rebate he gave us from his commission - he reached out shorty after closing and came by our house to drop off the check. He even asked to cash it in immediately - now how often do you hear someone say that? :) Thanks again Martin - it was a pleasure working with you! read more

Recently used Martin for both the sale of our condo and the purchase of our home. I'm a professional salesman so I know of no better review to write than that Martin provides the BEST value I've ever seen in a realtor. Forget the commission...sales price...etc., his ability to navigate a complex and stressful process so easily is what confirmed my decision to work with him. I highly recommend Martin for any real estate needs you may have. read more

We have used Martin to buy two houses, sell one and rent one in the last 3 years. He has always taken a lot of time to discuss all our options and provide good advice to help us make our buying/selling decisions. I've never felt like Martin was out just for the commission, even though that's obviously part of the business, but he's always made customer service and client relations a large focus of what he does so we've felt very comfortable having him representing us. Throughout the process of either selling or buying he's been very prompt with all follow up and documentations. I've worked with other agents where I'd have to call them to ask them to follow up on a offer we made, but with our latest sale he's kept us up to date on prospective buyers and all their feedback. Even in small transactions like renting out one of our properties he was detailed on giving us recommendations on how to get the best value for our property and assessing the potential applicants. I really hope to not move any time soon again as I hate packing and the whole process but if we were to buy again it would definitely be with Martin. read more

I do not know Martin personally. I just reached out to ask a question. He took the time to answer my questions and gave some helpful comments without knowing me. I found him very knowledgeable and professional. Looking forward to working with Martin one day. read more

July 2012, my wife and I decided to try our hand in real estate investment and find a rental property to purchase. Next step was finding a real estate agent that we feel would be a perfect fit for us and for our needs. Based on the reviews here on Yelp, we were drawn to Martin Mania early on and picked him to be our Realtor for these reasons: (1) my wife and I are both accounting majors so we liked the fact that he's a CPA; (2) he is a real estate investor himself and has some rental properties of his own so he can speak from experience; and (3) he knows the OC area really well and understands the current market and trends. His wealth of knowledge and well rounded experience is rare and valuable and we could not be happier about our decision in choosing him. The housing market below $500,000 in Orange County was crazy the last few months. Inventory was very low and prices were on the rise. Properties were receiving multiple offers (many of them in cash) and were scooped almost immediately after they're listed. It was an extremely frustrating real estate environment (especially for us since our price range was relatively low) but throughout the process, Martin gave very valuable, sound, and solid advice. He made sure that we were not overpaying for anything. He steered us away from situations/properties that would not be financially beneficial for us as a rental or for its long-term value. He speaks from experience and he will be honest with you. For that, we appreciate him even more. Jump forward to today, we finally closed on a property that was within our price range, in a location that we absolutely love, an area where the properties tend to hold their value, and a house/location that's perfect for a rental. We are so happy with our purchase we even see ourselves living there in a couple of years. So if you are thinking or looking to purchase, give him a call. Martin is not your typical Realtor. He has a calm cool demeanor that's a pleasure to work with, he is patient and you never ever feel pressured to make an offer, he is very knowledgeable and has no problems sharing his expertise with you. We highly recommend Martin Mania. read more

I friend of mine recommended Martin and he turned out to be a perfect match. I'm a first time buyer who wanted to diversify from the stock market and begin my real estate investment. I was looking for a place with the potential for rental investment going forward. Martin was very knowledgeable as he is also a real estate investor himself. He helped me locate a great place in a very nice neighborhood in Irvine and walked me through the entire bidding process all the way to closing. Of course, Martin also helped me run the investment numbers as a rental should I choose that route in the future. I would highly recommend Martin Mania to anyone. He is resourceful, patient, and very knowledgeable. read more

I think I can call myself a long-time, loyal client of Martin's. I've wanted to sell my place since the first month I moved in, thanks to my inconsiderate downstairs neighbor. I've been in contact with Martin since Feb of last year discussing plans to sell my home. To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive about moving forward with Martin as my selling agent, since I know that he mostly works with buyers. But after he showed me several of his previous listings and how quickly they sold, including his own condo that he quickly sold when the financial markets were melting down. At that point, I realized that he was more than just a buyer's agent. I'm so glad I went with Martin to sell my home, because he is more than just a realtor, he too had become a friend. I could write a trilogy about my positive experience, but I'll keep it simple by providing a short grocery list of my positive experiences that stand out to me: 1. He used a professional photographer to take pictures of my home 2. He coordinated a team effort between himself, his mom and his g/f to assure that someone was at my location for showing appointments as I was still in the process of moving out. 3. He was willing to sit with me to develop a sales plan including the logistics behind the plan, such as moving. 4. He went with me to several new build locations to sign me in as a potential buyer. 5. He used great service providers ranging from the escrow & title companies to the termite inspection company. 6. He went out of his way to meet my needs. There were a few times when I asked if he could go to my place to turn off my lights that some potential buyers had left on. 7. He offered his financial expertise to make the most out of my money after the sale. 8. He had a low unique variable listing commission structure that he used for my listing that saved me money. I know someone might ask was there anything that may have not met my expectations. My answer is no, but if I had to be super nit-picky the only minor gripe would be that sometime he wasn't able to speak when I called him but that was because he is a good agent that had other clients besides myself which also require his attention. He did however text me back shortly after my missed call letting me know that he was tied up and when he would be able to get back to me. I would like to also add that you'll always get a timely response from Martin, normally within an hour whether it's via text, phone call, email, etc and you won't find a more trustworthy realtor. He has definitely earned my future business and I have already recommended him highly without hesitation to my friends and family who have asked me for a realtor referral. read more

My boyfriend introduced me to Martin when I was first starting my house hunting adventures back in October 2011 and I don't think that a review can fully do him justice. I was a first time home buyer and really wanted someone who knew the OC area well and would assist me with pricing/structuring my offers competitively in a market with high demand and low inventory. I also knew that I wanted someone who was highly professional, responsive, and put the needs of the customer first. Of the many properties we looked at over the course of 6 months, Martin never once made me feel obligated or pressured to make an offer. He was extremely patient and went above and beyond in addressing any questions or concerns I had throughout the process. Though this is my first property, I have worked with and met many real estate agents during the past few years and the one thing that really sets Martin apart from the rest is the fact that he is a CPA. Martin will not only be able to help you find a property, but he will also be able to help you understand the tax implications associated with your purchase and how you decide to finance, whether you decide to use the property as a rental in the future vs. primary residence, etc. Needless to say, Martin is a wealth of knowledge! We finally closed escrow about a month ago and it was definitely a pleasure working with him. I would highly recommend Martin to anyone who is thinking or looking to purchase and will be contacting him again for any future real estate needs. read more

I recently reached out to Martin to help me with a rental for me and my family. First off, let me start by saying he has been an absolute pleasure to work with. He is kind, reasonable, and genuinely makes you feel as if he has your best interest at heart. He helped us get the rental price we wanted, the duration we wanted and the move in date we wanted. He is very knowledgeable and easy to talk to in all things realestate. He is also very savy in negotiating deals and helped advise me out of a separate unrelated poor transaction I was undertaking which would have impacted my future ability to buy a home. If your looking for a real estate agent who is honest, trust worthy and values relationships, this is your guy. read more

This is my first Yelp review. I have been using yelp a lot, and finally felt compelled enough to share our great experience. We hired Martin to help us buy our first home. Me and my wife had a very positive experience with him. I would not hesitate to work with Martin again. First of all, Martin will give you a VERY honest opinion about every property you see, and won't pressure you to buy something just so he can get the deal closed sooner or get a higher commission. He truly represents you and your interest. Overall, I give my highest recommendations to Martin, and I would (already have) recommend him to my family and friends. He made our purchase process as smooth as house buying can get. He is experienced, diligent, honest, and hard working. read more

Martin is the best Buyer's Agent you could ask for. He is very patient and takes his time to educate you so you can make the best decision possible for your family. I cannot count the number of houses we toured. He never pressures you and you honestly feel like you are working with a "friend" to puchase a house. Plus he has a ton of contacts for all your maintenance needs. Thanks Martin! read more

In an industry that seems mired in profiting off of keeping its customers in the dark, Martin's open and honest business practice is enlightening and refreshing. If you think you know what you are doing and won't benefit from a realtor, you could be doing yourself a disservice by not talking to Martin first. I generally don't trust salespeople, and therefore realtors, but I'm happy I found Martin and would work with him again. read more

Martin is a rarity in the real estate business: he truly works tirelessly on his client's behalf. I've never worked with a realtor who actually listened to what I wanted (and I'm very particular) and then showed me only homes that fit my criteria. He knows the market and won't waste your time. He'll be honest about what he can get you for your budget...this guys really knows the RE stats on Irvine and he even creates his own spreadsheets on market listings, sales and trends. The unique thing about Martin is that he not only has a real estate license, he's also a licensed CPA...and he's up to speed on all aspects current mortgage rates and policies. If you don't have a lender, he can recommend several that he's worked with before. And, after you buy, he also has tons of great referral contacts for landscaping, housecleaning, floor/window covering, you-name-it. Since he's an independent, Martin's more flexible in being able to work on his client's behalf, without having to give a big chunk of his commission to some huge RE Agency. And the best part is that he's always available any time you have a question and doesn't mind spending the time to pass on his expertise to new clients. He was the go-to guy for buying, and he'll be my go-to guy when I'm ready to sell. read more

I have worked with Martin over the past year as the Mortgage Banker on numerous transactions. I cannot recommend Martin highly enough! Not only do his clients rave about his services, but Martin is a no drama real estate agent who knows EXACTLY what he is doing! After many years in this business, Martin is my favorite agent to work with. He structure clean and organized transactions. He is extremely responsive and has yet to let me down when I have needed hard to find information in order to make a loan possible. He is extremely honest, hard working, and has his client's interest in front of his own. read more

Once every eon, when the moons and stars align in the skies, I feel compelled to write a review because of the outstanding service I received. There are so many businesses and restaurants I have been wanting to review and the reviews are all in my head but I'm a terrible procrastinator. Martin is one of the very few exceptions as because of the excellent service I received, I feel that writing a good review is the very least I could do for him. Whether you are looking to purchase your first home or are a seasoned real estate investor, Martin would serve your needs. He's very knowledgeable, patient and loves to teach a newbie the basics of home buying. One of the most important agenda for any prospective homebuyer is to get the best pricing on a home and since Martin kicks back a portion of his buying commission to the buyer, it was definitely an important consideration for me when choosing him as my realtor. I digress but referring to Martin as a realtor would be minimizing the different roles he takes on. I prefer the title real estate investment planner. He is not only knowledgeable about the real estate market, he is also a CPA in his full time job which allows him to advise you on the tax consequences of the real estate you are about to purchase. Should the home you are thinking about purchasing happen to be a fixer upper, not a problem. Martin has tons of referrals for contractors, carpeting/flooring, windows and even handy men. In a nutshell, I cannot say better things about him. Contact him and discuss with him your real estate needs and you'll be glad you did. read more

My wife and I could not be more pleased with choosing to work with Martin. He had our townhome professionally photographed and listed for rent in just a couple days. We received multiple full price offers in only two days and Martin was even able to negotiate a higher price. Martin ended up setting the rental price comp record for our floor plan in our community! He prepared our lease agreement very promptly and we had tenants signed by the end of the week. We were out of town during this whole process, so we really appreciated how Martin took care of everything for us and made the whole experience so easy. As an added bonus, he even helped us sell some of our furniture to the tenant. As a landlord himself, he provided valuable advice for us as first time landlords. Martin was always available and extremely responsive throughout the whole process. He was professional, honest, caring, and absolutely great to work with! read more