Portia represented us in the sale of our Berkeley home, and we could not have been happier with our experience! The whole process, from initial preparations to the final sale ran like clockwork, and Portia provided immeasurable help each step of the way. Portia has extensive knowledge of the Bay Area real estate market, and her guidance on how and when to sell our house was invaluable. Portia also has a keen eye for design, and her advice on paint colors, room treatments, and fixtures really made our house shine. As we got our house ready to sell, and Portia was able to both recommend top notch painters, landscapers, plumbers, electricians, and cleaners, as well as directly manage those services. We always felt that Portia had everything under control. We highly recommend working with Portia, we were thrilled with the outcome! read more

Portia is an absolute pleasure to work with and helped us land our dream home in Oakland (much more quickly than we ever could have imagined!) She is deeply knowledgeable about East Bay real estate, the application and escrow process, and has a keen eye for assessing the quirks that come with unique Bay Area houses. She answered all of our questions with consideration, care, and kindness. She helped us through every step of this journey and we genuinely would not be in our new home without her. Anyone looking to buy a house in the Bay Area should try to work with Portia -- she is the best. read more

After years of searching together, Portia patiently and knowledgeably helped us find a home in Berkeley. One of Portia's mantras is "I am in your corner!" we really appreciated that as we navigated the Berkeley real estate market and eventually found our diamond in the rough. Not only did Portia skillfully help us purchase our new home, she also helped us sell our previous home more quickly than we thought possible. Purchasing and selling a home is a momentous and dynamic process, knowing we could trust Portia, that she was always looking for what we couldn't see, and that she was going to negotiate with our best interest at heart, made the process smooth and ultimately successful! We highly recommend Portia-- it isn't every day you find such a genuine, trustworthy, experienced, kind, skilled and helpful person and that is what you get, and more, when you work with Portia! read more

I'd highly recommend Portia for anyone looking to buy or sell their home in the Bay Area! As first time homebuyers, my wife and I were very new to this process and had a ton of questions. Portia was an A+ partner to us, and was always available to guide us, give us advice, and help us navigate the confusing and stressful process of buying a home! Once we found a home we liked, her market research and advice was spot on as well. We followed her advice on how much to bid and how to approach contigencies, and even though there were 4 other offers on the first home we liked and pursued, our offer was ultimately accepted. We didn't end up overbidding either, since the home's appraised value came in higher than our offer, so I give Portia a ton of credit for knowing the Bay Area real estate market and giving us stellar advice on how to navigate it. Finally, Portia has continued being a great partner and agent throughout the closing process, and even after closing on the home. She's been extremely helpful in providing recommendations of reliable vendors, and helping us budget for potential upgrades for the home. I wouldn't hesitate to call Portia if we ever needed to buy or sell another home, and you shouldn't either. read more

Portia is the most experienced, knowledgeable, patient, and kind professional we have ever worked with. She came highly recommended by a friend who had recently bought an incredible home in the Berkeley hills. This was our first experience buying a home and we had no idea what we were doing, but Portia graciously agreed to take us on anyway. We were not ready to buy right away and wanted to take our time to research our options. Portia never rushed us throughout the whole journey, which took over a year. When you meet Portia, you will immediately recognize what a warm and thoughtful person she is. She is a great listener, absorbing as much as she can so that she understands exactly what your preferences are. She is brilliant and has impeccable taste. Sometimes, we'd see a home and couldn't quite figure out why it didn't feel like the right fit. She was able to articulate exactly what it was about the house that wasn't right. At the same time, she also helped us see the potential in many homes that we would have otherwise overlooked. She would suggest ideas off the top of her head about how to improve a space including color, layout, furniture, or even down to the fine details in the trim or finish. Her expertise gave us a lot of confidence when it came down to choosing the house that we ultimately bought. When it comes to inspections, she is not afraid to get into her Carhartts and check out the foundation of a home. While Portia prioritized our opinion on a house, she would not hesitate to share any red flags she saw. She was very clear about which aspects of a home could lead to more trouble and unexpected costs down the line. She would consult her extensive list of contacts to get us a quote about potential issues. She helped us interpret inspection reports and get second opinions when we wanted to know more details about a specific issue. She even helped us put together a budget for our first year in the home based on the various repairs needed. We learned so much by visiting houses and going through this experience with her. When we found our dream home, Portia was willing to visit it with us many times. When it finally came to bidding, it was clear that she had the right strategy to get us past the finish line. She presented us with her well researched options about how to approach bidding. And when uncertainty arose on the bid date, she used her knowledge and relationships with other realtors to figure out exactly what we needed to do to prevail. Even now that she has helped us find our dream home, she still checks in and gives us advice and contacts. Whenever we speak of our experience with friends, they tell us our agent sounds amazing. We always respond that she is! She was our fairy godmother in this real estate journey and we cannot recommend her enough. Work with Portia. read more

I can't thank you enough, Portia! I was getting ready to move to Japan and had to be there for a couple of weeks during the house sales process. Portia made a timeline for planning my trip date and house sales process. She communicated with me even when I was in Japan about how things were going and what our plans were to move forward. I could rely on her and focus on preparation in Japan. I had to sell my house in the U.S. before my departure, but I got a cash offer. Portia negotiates well with contractors and a buyer. read more

Portia was not the first realtor we worked with, but it quickly became clear that she was excellent. She listened carefully to our concerns, answered our questions, and consistently provided helpful information. Most importantly her responses were thoughtful, thorough, and prompt, and she proactively ensured that we had timely information about potential properties that met our needs. We would recommend her to anyone, without reservation. read more

Portia was a phenomenal real estate agent. She was kind, prompt and accessible during the search for our first house. I appreciated the fact that she met with us before to understand our preferences and tailor our search. She was extremely responsive and quick to return email/text/call. We appreciated her experience in avoiding houses which could have issues in the future and guidance on how to make our house offer. I also appreciated the time and patience she took to teach us about various facets that go into the house buying process. She was extremely knowledge about the area, market trends and estimating house appraisals. She also helped us connect with different contractors once we had purchased the house. Overall, we were very pleased with her assistance helping us secure our first house and her continued support as we settle in. Thank you again!! read more

Portia helped my partner and I seemingly achieve the impossible - get into Berkeley in a cute and smartly upgraded craftsman in a desirable location for a great price relative to anything else available. And in only 2 1/2 months of house hunting! This would not have happened without Portia's intimate first hand knowledge of the market, her network of local connections or, had she not encouraged us to step up to an opportunity that we had initially overlooked. Throughout our house hunt, Portia readily made herself available to visit homes together, even over the holiday season. I particularly appreciated her expert ability to assess a property based on aesthetics, architectural value, design, location and also the nitty gritty of structural soundness. She didn't hesitate to crawl under the basement to examine the foundation, plumbing, look for signs of dry rot or other damage and she was quick to point out potential structural issues, potential fixes and offer her opinion on whether the property was worthwhile given its condition. She also knew when to refer us to someone with deeper knowledge on a particular issue. Portia's dedication to her work and clients really came to light when we were in escrow. We put in our offer on December 20th and were in escrow over Christmas and New Years. She devoted a lot of time and energy to helping us ensure our offer would prevail (and to calm our nerves!) In spite of the holidays and being quite sick with COVID and RSV, she was responsive, answered questions, helped us stay on top of the paperwork and made sure our loan got fully funded and we closed on time on January 3rd. In the month since closing, she has continued to offer her advice, support and provide contacts. It was my first time buying a home (second time for my partner) and she made the process as smooth, understandable and manageable throughout, even as the market and news cycles were grim and in critical high pressure moments during bidding. We quickly saw how Portia's long-time personal connections to locally based mortgage brokers, inspectors, trades people and other realtors gave us a leg up against other bidders and she knew how to tailor our offers depending on the circumstances and guide us into making the most competitive bid possible, without pushing us to bid more than we could afford. She also knew when and where to guide us and encourage us to consider options that we were initially not open to, which is how we wound up in a gem of a place in Berkeley instead of a place farther afield. And as new homeowners, my partner and I feel very supported and in good hands having Portia's continued support and her roster of vetted trades people and contacts at our disposal. We highly recommend working with Portia! read more

Summary: Down-to-earth, will work with your budget, and will fight for your offer I met Portia at a open house in the Berkeley Hills almost 4 years ago. I fell in love with a Eichler House and she was the person showing the house that day. After talking with me and understanding my house shopping needs, she was unusually honest with me. She said, "With your commute (I was worked in South Bay back then) and how this is only the first house you've seen. I would suggest you hold on making an offer." Who does that! Right? It was right then and there that I decided she would be our realtor. Fast forward 2 years and a baby later, my husband and I started browsing homes when Portia contacted us. It was the right timing for us, financially and mentally. She worked within our budget, listed the pros and cons of every location, and gave us through info of the neighborhood and how it would affect our commute. She educated us through the entire purchasing process and gave us realistic expectations in terms of doing a counter offer. As a first-time home buyer, I was scared of all the paperwork and new terms, but Portia was there to guide us each step of the way. We ended up with a house that exceeded our expectations. Thank you Portia for going above and beyond. We will definitely be working with her again. read more

Portia is an absolutely FANTASTIC realtor and I would without a doubt recommend her highly to any friend, colleague, or loved one. She goes above and beyond in every way, acting not only as a stellar realtor, but truly like a trusted friend you can count on to tell it like it is, point out easy-to-miss aspects of homes, and provide a wealth of information while she's at it. She is a true professional and operates with a high degree of integrity - we never felt pressured during the process and she was always there to answer tough questions and provide honest input. As a long-time Berkeley resident, she is extremely well-versed in East Bay real estate. She always impressed us with her expansive expertise - not only of real estate facts - but also of the more technical side of building structures and the systems they run on (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.). This enables her to provide accurate and valuable input to clients as they think through what may or may not be possible and identifying otherwise unforeseen costs in terms of renovations. As if that wasn't enough, she also somehow knew the names of all of the exotic plants in the gardens we toured, what wildlife may or may not visit, and a variety of other surprising facts. This made touring much more interesting! One of my favorite things about working with Portia was that she always made us feel like she was "in it" with us throughout the process. At the time of purchase, when I was feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of the many renovations, heating and electrical upgrades that were required, she mentioned that she'd always be happy to help think through things and even offered to come over for tea and to talk through designs with me. It means a lot when someone is there for you beyond just the "transactional" parts of their job - and that is one of the many things which make Portia a truly special and incredible partner to have alongside you during one of the most important decisions of your life. read more

We love our new home and owe it all to Portia! She is straight forward, honest and really listens to what you want/need. She also has stellar advice for new homebuyers and is extremely supportive through out the whole process. We were struggling trying to buy in this crazy market and Portia is patient and incredibly knowledgeable, she asked smart questions and got us the answers we needed. She is an awesome advocate for you before, during and after the process. Buying a house is stressful, but working with Portia is not, she's awesome. read more

Portia is a rockstar. She has helped us through two home purchases and a sale, and we're so grateful for her valuable insights and professionalism. For the purchases, she always gave us helpful insight into the competitive market and how best to position ourselves for a winning bid. Her long experience in the Bay Area and her large network always allowed us to gain helpful perspectives and insight, so we always felt educated and confident about our decisions. Portia was also always available to answer questions and walk through issues, including through the massive paperwork involved in purchases. Having her as our agent was such a time saver (she quickly got a sense of our likes and dislikes and only showed us those houses that fit our aesthetics and needs) and a calming force (she is incredibly organized, communicates timelines effectively, and is always so clear about what to expect). Most recently, we asked her to assist with managing the preparation of a sale of an investment property. She quickly and cost-effectively oversaw the renovation of all bathrooms and a kitchen, and did so with just the right touch of independence. We were always aware of what was happening, weighed in where we wanted to, and mostly sat back so she could use her amazing instincts for what would increase the value of the property. We were floored by the results; the house was beautiful and we had amazing turnout in the property during the open houses. After just two weekends, we had multiple offers beyond our expectations. Portia is amazingly committed to her work and her clients, extremely talented at what she does, and we can't thank her enough for all that she's done for us. If you're looking to purchase or sell a property, use her - she's terrific at both! We can't recommend her enough! read more

This review is long overdue.. Portia -- She is everything you would hope for in a real estate agent. She was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating with difficult schedules. There was virtually no pressure to buy during the entire process. She was kind, thoughtful, and always prepared. You can literally stop looking for another agent/broker. Portia is top tier. When we get our next spot, we're calling her. If she's not available or left the business, I suppose the only option would be to never buy another house. Seriously guys -- she's just that good. You don't believe me? Just shut it and trust me. read more

We live in the perfect home for our family (Montclair!), and it is all because of Portia's expertise and unrelenting commitment. First off, we could not have dreamed of a more kind, genuine, and thoughtful person to help us...Portia came to be a trusted partner, and continues to be. She is also a true professional, intimately knowledgeable with the East Bay housing market and all its many wonderful niches and nuances. My wife and I had very specific ideas of the home we were looking for, a mix of seemingly incompatible details- private and peaceful, surrounded by trees; yet close to work and the city; a strong local community with great schools nearby. Moreover, with our background in design and engineering the home had to have "good bones" and architectural integrity. It was a mash of hopes and dreams not easily found in a single house. Portia found us this home! And as we prepared and saved, she patiently and consistently worked with us to realize this vision... We were way too busy with jobs and raising 2 young kids to have the time to filter through long pages of listings, and spend weekends touring inadequate homes. Portia would curate a short list of homes she knew were worth a closer look and that matched our vision. If there were none on the market at the time, she would tell us that too, and suggest we wait while she kept looking for the right one. Portia's real estate knowledge is deep and goes beyond the surface numbers and pretty pictures. She can walk a house and know whether it is well built and maintained, assess the many systems-hvac, plumbing, structural, etc.- and determine if any updates may be expected or required in the future. In addition to steadfastly finding us the perfect home, helping us write a winning offer that was also financially prudent, and escorting us gracefully through the escrow period, she is also an invaluable resource for recommendations of other key contacts such as contractors, insurance and mortgage brokers. Everyone she recommended was exceptional at their craft and a pleasure to work with. Portia is a one-of-a-kind realtor and we are incredibly grateful to know her. She found us a house to call home and we love it. I'm sure she will do the same for you. read more

Portia is a marvel! She helped me to sell my home with a view to beauty, creativity, and practical know how. She shared my feeling of what there was to love about my home, and worked to emphasize that vision as we moved forward in the remodel. When I described how she assisted me with reasonably priced yet excellent referrals, from gardeners to electricians, floor samples to ceiling lights, my friends were astounded. Portia was patient, truly understanding, and yet very efficient and extremely knowledgable. She worked thoroughly and consistently...... ever present for me and all my concerns. We ended up securing a cash offer from a lovely family well above our asking price. I could not have hoped for a better outcome! read more

Portia helped us to buy AND sell our home which is a testament to her skill as a realtor and to the way that she makes and keeps long-term relationships. Her ability to connect with us and potential buyers helped us to get 10 competitive bids on our place and we broke records for price per square foot in our neighborhood. Portia is extremely gentle in her demeanor and style but has all the right competitive instincts for closing the deal. I think that the combination of experience, strong aesthetic sensibility, and deep relationships with realtors and home service providers makes her an unstoppable force on your behalf! In an industry that can feel very transactional, Portia's focus on values, quality, and integrity make all the difference. read more

My wife and I bought our house in Berkeley during summer 2017 with Portia as our broker. I really enjoyed working with her! She is calm, measured, practical, and reliable. Most importantly, I trust her - which is a rarity in the realtor world. She has been extraordinarily helpful post home purchase as well, giving us referrals and talking through some pretty complex construction matters with me. We replaced our foundation shortly after purchasing and Portia was very helpful to discuss construction strategy with. I would highly recommend her as a realtor and point of contact on all things home related! read more

Portia is an absolute BOSS! She was constantly available through a very challenging and complex buying process in the Upper Rockridge area. She laid out, at each point, a clear and detailed strategy unique to our needs while keeping us really well informed about each step we needed to take. She saved us tens of thousands of dollars through a determined negotiation period and eventually secured us a price we could not have dreamed of. From start to finish she significantly went above and beyond, exceeding our expectations and securing us our dream home at a truly unbelievable price. Her network of contractors and inspectors made our repairs a breeze. I could not recommend her highly enough, my wife and I feel very lucky to have had her represent us! read more

Portia is awesome! She is super smart and helps you every step of the way. She is incredibly knowledgeable about the housing market and knows the best people to work with in the area. Portia is a pleasure to spend time with and work with! read more

If you are looking for an outstanding agent, I highly recommend Portia. She is an exceptional agent and more importantly, a wonderful person. She was incredibly helpful in walking us through the process of buying a home and helped us sort out whether or not we could afford to buy. Portia is professional, prompt and impressively knowledgable. Even when it turned out buying was not a viable solution for us at the time, Portia went above and beyond to find rental possibilities for us. Call Portia! read more