First time home buyers, now first time home owners checking in! Now that the dust has settled we wanted to share our feedback about working with Robert and Gecko Realty. Some background: we were looking for a renovation project with great potential but not a knock down fixer. We work long hours so we were only available on nights and weekends, and we were on a tight budget in a competitive sellers market. As novice home buyers, we were unaware of the risks in older properties or hastily flipped houses and completely unprepared for the emotional attachment and roller coaster of putting an offer on a dream home, finding out we would be in over our heads, and making the call to walk away. In short, we were difficult clients with high expectations and no regard for our realtor's work-life balance :) In spite of all this, Robert knocked it out of the park and exceeded anything we could have asked for. Robert brings a unique skill set into the home buying process. In addition to being a real estate guru, he is a former electrical engineer and housing inspector. And at times a therapist. As we entered seemingly perfect homes, he coached us to see through the veneer of creative staging and cosmetic workarounds and to really see the potential (or pitfalls) of each house, including projected costs of renovation. We were aware that knocking down walls for open concept living was not cheap, but Robert pointed out structural issues, electrical issues, and code violations that turn dream home projects into nightmares. Just as Robert steered us away from disaster, he pointed us to potential good fit homes and was supportive through tough negotiations, difficult sellers, and bidding wars that seemed to always end in heartache. Until finally, we found our home! Robert dropped everything to meet us in Escondido at a hot new listing (bit of a trek from his home base near Mt. Helix) so he could walk us through the house, coach us through the bidding process, help us draft a letter to the seller, and ultimately craft an offer that the seller accepted over several competitors. He was our rock through the inspection process and repair negotiations, and he always kept us cool even when stress levels were high. After nightly calls with us, our lender, and our seller's realtor, he was there to give us the keys with champagne to celebrate. Unbelievable job from Robert, and 6 months later we are so happy where we are at and where we will continue to grow. We cannot thank him enough for his unbelievable work! On a closing note, we should mention that we before this experience we were not aware that there is a much more personal relationship between buyer and realtor compared to typical vendor interactions. Many hours are spent together in the car, at properties, and on the phone, all during which stress and emotions run high as you evaluate serious life decisions. We are pleased to report that not only is Robert a top notch professional, but also he is a great guy to hang out with, crack jokes, and share beers with. The process could have been miserable but Robert kept us laughing the whole time and we are pleased to report that we still keep in touch. read more

Robert made the home buying process for us as easy as you possibly can make it. Finding the right realtor is a huge deal- we were taking a loan out for hundreds of thousands of dollars and rooting ourselves in a new area. My wife and I were both excited and nervous ("rightfully worried" and "skeptical" about every single aspect of the process would be another way to put it). Robert put our minds at ease- he is extremely accommodating, helpful, polite, and relaxed. He truly has your interest at heart. He will guide you step by step through EVERYTHING and his response time is very fast (e-mail, phone, text). We started with building a list of potential homes to view through his MLS website where you will get daily updates on new listings. Robert will then send you a google maps link of all the homes you will view with him in a logical order. When you arrive, he'll state the facts and then let you be. He does not push or try to sell anything. Robert has been a realtor for a long time and knows San Diego very well: the "good" areas, where the future gentrification and growth will be, etc. If you are searching for a Condo, he is intimately familiar with all the ins and outs of HOAs (he's been on his HOA board for over a decade). He will go through all those documents with a fine tooth comb and let you know if there are any red flags and the overall health of the HOA (activity, reserve funds, etc). Honestly, we bombarded Robert with probably a million different questions from home insurance to recommendations on home repairs, and he happily answered them. I don't usually right long reviews, but we were extremely happy with Robert!! read more

Working with Robert to buy our first home was a wonderful experience! From the beginning, he was thoughtful, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive, making an overwhelming process feel smooth, manageable, and genuinely enjoyable. Robert has an exceptional eye for detail, consistently noticing things we never would have caught on our own and proactively bringing potentially important considerations to our attention. Whether evaluating a home's condition, considering the practical implications of a decision, or identifying details that could meaningfully affect our experience as homeowners, his thoughtful perspective was invaluable. We always felt confident trusting his guidance as he helped us navigate important choices and find the home that was truly best for us. He was never pushy or focused simply on closing a sale. Instead, he took the time to understand what we were looking for and was fully committed to helping us find the right home, no matter how long it took (thankfully only a couple months!) Beyond being an excellent realtor, Robert is a genuinely kind person who clearly values the relationships he builds with his clients. His guidance and support throughout the process meant so much to us. We feel very fortunate to have had him by our side for our first home purchase, and we would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a realtor they can trust. We would absolutely work with him again! read more

Over the last 20 years, my family has worked with Robert on multiple real estate transactions. He remains the first person we call when anything real estate related comes up. His expertise (and background) is much broader than just being an agent and he has assisted us with aspects of financing, inspection, insurance, etc. -- the list goes on and on. Robert orchestrated a recent purchase of a highly desirable home in South Orange County. He used every possible avenue to make sure the seller and listing agent knew my family and how much we wanted the home. He made sure to keep in constant communication with the other agent, gathering information that helped us craft the "clean" offer (not just the dollar amount) that the seller wanted. The property had multiple bids (5+), likely some for more money, however our offer was ultimately viewed as the best due to all the nuances Robert included in the bid. We closed on the home a month later. Robert stuck with us through the entire process and beyond, available via email, text, and phone. He really takes care of his clients at every step. While picking up the keys to the home, the listing agent made it a point to tell us just how well Robert had managed the transaction, adding that "Robert is just awesome!". We couldn't agree more. read more

I do not write many reviews or testimonials, but I must tell you about my exceptional experience with Robert Boerner of Gecko Realty. The real estate transaction was selling property held in a trust. The property went up for sale at end of 2022 during the busy holiday season and when the real estate market was down due to rising mortgage rates. It seemed like a bad time to list, but the property needed to be sold. Robert provided me with a clear explanation of the entire sales process. With Robert's thorough planning, preparation, experience, and knowledge, we had many people attend the open house and received multiple offers within a couple of days! The sale went quickly and smoothly. The property sold for $25,000 over the listing price and escrow closed less than 60 days after listing. Robert was always on top of things, even ahead of the game. He was always available to respond to my texts/phone calls and to take care of anything that needed his attention. Plus, Robert is truly and simply a nice guy! He is kind, has a positive vibe, and has a fun sense of humor. Robert is a wonderful real estate agent and I highly recommend him! I am very grateful for everything Robert did to make the sale of the trust's property go so smoothly and painlessly. Thank you, Robert! read more

Robert is one-of-a-kind, with a heart of gold and a true passion for and dedication to his profession and to his clients. His easy-going disposition is a blessing and his knowledge of the industry is unsurpassed. Robert helped my sister and parents with several transactions and we felt confident he would meet our high expectations. Quickly, we came to realize that Robert is a man of integrity, competence, and kindness, and is available to his clients at every turn, even loaning us storage totes to pack our memories of 26 years to aid in our initial showing! His reassurance and reason calmed my nerves and I came to trust his judgment, and how blessed the outcome! And even during COVID, we sold our home and purchased our new home within weeks, and he also watched our dog during the interim (long story...). Robert went above and beyond his call of duty when the seller's agent's oversight caused a delay in closing on our new home. He performed his outstanding duties to assure our "homelessness" would be remedied with the least stress possible. There are so many reasons to recommend Robert Boerner of Gecko Realty, and I offer my highest praise to him and his service! read more

I couldn't have done it without him. My mom in San Diego died suddenly, and we had to sell her house. I had just had major surgery and could not travel to San Diego from Washington state for at least 12 weeks. Robert handled the whole thing for me. From installing fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to finding a cleaning crew, to attracting potential buyers and creating a 3D tour of the house. He kept me abreast of everything that was happening, and went over every document with a fine tooth comb. He explained every page to me, even if it took 2 hours on the phone. Believe me, you need a realtor who will take the time to do this and who knows all the real estate laws because people like to try and sneak things in the offer (at your expense) that might not get caught of you don't read every word. He had my back through the entire thing, while respecting my feelings of loss as mom's death was so sudden and unexpected. It is impossible to put into words how wonderful dealing with Robert was, what a stupendous job he did and how I and my family will be forever grateful to him. By the way, he sold the house for a great price in record time. read more

Robert Boerner is just an exceptional human being. We were neighbors until recently and when my wife and I decided to move, we committed to another real estate agent before we even knew Robert was a realtor. We bought a house working with that other agent (who was excellent), and one day while I was in my garage preparing for our move, Robert backed into our driveway in a truck with a friend of ours, hopped out, and said he had lots of boxes we wanted to give me for our move. I was just about out of the expensive Home Depot boxes I had purchased so this kind gesture saved us both time and money. Then he said he wanted to help with the move, and sure enough, he showed up at our old house the morning of our move and worked hard helping us move all day long. I literally did not even know his last name at the time. His generosity and helpfulness was extraordinary. I can only imagine what a tremendous real estate agent he must be. I highly recommend Robert Boerner to you! read more

My husband and I were interested in purchasing a property near our daughter's college, but had little knowledge of the market in San Marcos. We chose Robert to assist us with our property search and to guide us through the purchase process. Robert was incredible to work with. He showed us properties that fit our need and budget. He worked tirelessly behind the scenes to do all the research on the property history and to explore any possible red flags. Robert was very knowledgeable and kept us completely informed on details that could possibly affect our buying decision. Robert was willing to meet with us several times at the property and assisted with every step along the way and even took the time to take complete pictures and draw floor plans for us. Time after time, Robert went above and beyond for us. We are so pleased with the service Robert provided. We will recommend Robert to all our friends and family. He was simply outstanding! read more

After working with Robert, we would never use a different realtor. Robert helped us buy our first home. He was respectful of our budget, proactive with showing us listings, and eager to support us through any showing we asked for. He communicated with us quickly and consistently throughout the entire process. Robert was comfortable and knowledgeable with the process, and in turn made us (as nervous first-time home buyers) feel comfortable, too. He listened to what we wanted and helped us find houses within our budget and preferences. Robert went above and beyond every step of the way. He was always happy to hop on the phone to chat, jump in the car to show us a last-minute listing, or answer any question and explain any detail so that we would understand. He even helped us move! He never made us feel like we were bothering him or that he was too busy for us - We felt like he truly cared about us and our experience. read more

I do not know where to begin. Robert was referred to us by a family member. We recently lost our Mom, and having to sell her home and belongings was a heavy burden during the grieving process. Robert took the wheel and made this process as easy as possible. I do not know what the actual definition of a realtor is, but Robert far surpassed what we expected. Robert was hands on. He loaded his own truck with our Mom's belongings and delivered them to a donation center. I feel it was my responsibility to clean out our Mom's house, but he was right there with me. As a matter of fact, he went back and cleaned items out when I wasn't there. He also arranged for items that weren't sellable or donatable to be hauled off. I would recommend Robert to family, friends, and even strangers if given the opportunity. This man is a rock star! read more

Honestly, I was very skeptical of buying a home. I thought it would be the hardest, most daunting thing I have ever done. Just the thought of the paperwork and negotiations alone gave me heart palpitations. When my husband and I prepared to start looking for our first home, we got connected with Robert and the rest is history. I cannot believe how easy, even fun, he made house shopping and ultimately buying. He took care of EVERYTHING. I legit had him on speed dial. I felt comfortable calling him at literally anytime, with any concern no matter how silly or small. He always handled everything with the utmost professionalism, endearing kindness, and obvious passion for helping people of all walks of life find their perfect home. We cannot thank you enough Robert. We have found a forever realtor and friend in you. read more

Robert Boerner is a real estate professional with many years of experience. His expertise, passion and dedication to his clients is above par. My wife and I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Mr. Boerner on two real estate transactions and words cannot describe what we think of Robert Boerner, but we can say that he goes far and beyond and remains highly involved through the whole transaction process making it easy for his clients by giving the peace of mind one has when being represented by a person with such ethics is priceless. Although purchasing a home is a stressful time, in our experience it was very smooth thanks to Mr. Boerner being ahead of the timeline and anticipating any events. He is always well prepared, meticulous, highly organized, and can handle all the details of the transaction. read more

I found Gecko Realty, specifically Robert Boerner, through a friend and neighbor that sold his condo which was located in the same complex as ours. Robert is a very professional, knowledgeable and personable agent that achieved results beyond our expectations. Robert not only helped us sell our condo the first weekend it went on the market but also assisted in preparing the property in the final weeks leading up to the listing. He is pro-active and has a very reliable and professional network of people that he works with. He walked us through the entire selling process, step-by-step, from start to finish. He kept us well informed throughout the procedure of prepping, listing, negotiating offers, and title transfer documentation that are required for a successful sale. Thanks so much, Robert! Bryan W. read more

Robert Boerner- Gecko Realty, Is at the top of his game! He knows what is best for his client, and how to get there! He sold my moms townhouse this past month, with just a little paint, moving of furniture & change up of art on the walls. On the market the first day with 3 showing & 2 offers, & just like that sold! Thank you Robert for your excellent service & preparation of getting my moms house on the market & sold! Our Family highly recommends Robert Boerner at Gecko Realty for sell or buying your home in the future! Take the worry out of selling or buying your next home, Robert Boerner will get it done from beginning to the very end!! Thank you Robert you are truly the Bestselling agent we have ever had! The Jensen Family read more

Not a lot of decisions in life are bigger than buying and selling a home. This most important part of this is having the right real estate agent. I have watched Robert Boerner of Gecko Reality work and have seen his results. After contracting with him to sell my home, he went to work and was non stop. There was never a time he wasn't immediately available. EVERY step of this process was flawless. His personal communication skills are unmatched. It makes you feel great when the sellers agent of the house you buy compliments and give accolades to your agent. Sellers agent stated they have never worked with a more professional and and responsive agent. Robert Boerner is first class. read more

Robert Boerner my family and I thank you for all you have done in the preparation of selling my townhome. So grateful for you going out of your way and helping us get through this big ordeal. You made it for a smooth transition from beginning to end. From check lists, to friendly phone call up dates, your hard labor, and always a happy disposition and eagerness to get the townhouse sold. It's more than I could ever have expected. Robert you know your job and how to get it done, with superb excellence. You are a true blessing to me and my family!! Thank you Sincerely, Gloria Jensen read more

Robert is the only agent I trust! His service is excellent! His attention to detail is unmatched. Robert recently sold my house. Not the easiest task to take on considering the age and condition of the property. He made it happen and I am so happy! He was my agent in the past for both a sale and a purchase. He was amazing then and is still incredible now. He knows the business inside and out and works hard for his clients. Robert is ethical, professional, and caring. Robert goes above and beyond for his clients. I recommend him to anyone who is in need of an agent. read more

Robert has helped my family into two residences, first into a condo and most recently into our current home. He was great to work with and helped us get everything we were looking for in a home. We looked at a lot of different properties with many different pros and cons until finally focusing on the house we wanted. This was a short sale which added complexity and a stress to the transaction, but Robert helped us through the process with ease. I will continue to use Robert whenever I have a real estate need and recommend him to anyone looking for a realtor. read more