We moved to the peninsula less than a year ago and started renting with the plan to buy a house in…read morethe coming year or two. When we interviewed realtors we were drawn to Raziel because it felt like every question we had was answered and backed up by data-driven analyses. We were also really intrigued by his unconventional process that is extremely involved in the beginning. Coming from out of state we learned so much about the area and what kinds of properties we could expect for our budget in each neighborhood we were interested in. This allowed us to really hone in our search and made the process less stressful because at that point we knew exactly what we wanted and were prepared for the right house to come along. During this time Raziel also guided us through the process of understanding buying a turn-key property vs. something that would need renovations. When we found our ideal property, we were a little anxious because it was an off-market Hillsborough house. But Raziel was quick to move and get us a showing and guide us to make the right offer for the property. It was complicated, as some off-market listings can be, but it was Raziel's strong relationship with the listing agent that helped our offer prevail. We have to say that every time we saw a house and the listing agent heard we were working with Raziel they had a genuinely warm reaction that made it obvious he is well-liked and respected in his field. Also, Raziel knew our plan was to buy in the 1-2 year range and we never felt pressure to move that timeline up. Instead, for every house we considered putting an offer on, Raziel gave us a thorough discussion of all the reasons why someone would not want to buy the house, and that helped us really decide if it was the right property for us. It always felt like he truly wanted to find us the right house for our family, not just make a business transaction. We feel so grateful that we worked with Raziel and his team to find our ideal property (thank you Jenny and Angilee!).

Raziel and his team (Jenny, Angilee, Emily) are exceptional! With their support, we bought our home…read moresooner than we expected, and the entire process was incredibly smooth: our very first offer was accepted. In the Peninsula's competitive market, we couldn't believe it! As first time home buyers, we were looking for someone deeply knowledgeable who could guide us through the entire process: from understanding local neighborhoods and why buyers might choose one over the other, narrowing down our criteria along with what's realistic in our budget, doing diligence when the right house pops up, and navigating the offer process. We didn't know what we didn't know, and we really wanted an expert. Raziel was exactly who we were looking for! He has a very well-structured process that we loved - touring neighborhoods, looking at past sold homes together, and moving quickly when the right house pops up. I really enjoyed learning as much as I could from Raziel, as he has so much local knowledge that I would never have learned otherwise. For the home we ultimately purchased, he suggested bringing an engineer on-site to take a look at the house before we submitted our offer. He also flagged an unusual item in the seller's disclosure packet that he hadn't seen before and recommended reviewing it with a real estate attorney. We followed both suggestions. Everything checked out, and because of that diligence, we felt confident submitting our offer. We would not have taken those extra steps without his guidance. Raziel truly de-risked the process as much as possible. By offer day, we felt informed and prepared. We love our home and are incredibly grateful for Raziel and his team. We can't recommend them highly enough!

Julie helped my husband and I close on our dream home! We had such an amazing experience working…read morewith Julie and her team. She is extremely friendly, knowledgeable and has a great reputation in the area. We were honored to be one of her clients. We felt so cared for throughout the process and have never met a realtor like her. We would totally work with her again in the future. We can't recommend her enough! Thanks for everything, Julie.

Julie has been an invaluable part of our home-buying journey--truly irreplaceable. We are so…read morethankful that we have her expertise and guidance as first-time homebuyers. She answered all of our questions, listened to our wants, and brought an amazing network to the table. Julie was professional with voicing her opinion and was honest with it, which is a rare quality to find in an agent. She does not up sale for the sake of selling. But was smart and careful with how she strategizes and made sure we got what we needed at a great price. Julie consistently reached out to ensure we felt at ease throughout the process and made sure our goals were met without regret. She is thorough, honest and amazing to work with. We got our house at a great price and feel incredibly fortunate to have had Julie by our side every step of the way. Thanks to her, we navigated this complex process with confidence and ended up in a home we truly love.

As first-time homebuyers on a tight timeline in a very competitive market, working with Laura…read moreBryant Homes was the best decision we could have made. Our turnaround was incredibly fast. We met Laura one weekend and placed our first offer the following week. While we did not win that initial bid, the experience taught us so much and helped us refine our strategy for the next home, which ultimately led to a win. Laura and her team were exceptionally responsive and proactive. She even replied to our emails the same day while traveling internationally. As first-time buyers, Laura took the time to clearly explain every step of the process, from reviewing dozens of documents to understanding what truly mattered for our needs. She stayed ahead of updates and followed up persistently, including evenings and weekends. She guided us through pricing our offers using strong comps, flagged red flags during inspections, and never pressured us to settle on a home that was not right for us. The entire process felt supportive and genuine, never pushy or sleazy. Laura is also extremely organized and has an excellent network of trusted inspectors and contractors. We used several of her recommendations and were very happy with the results. Even while balancing work and travel, we closed on time. If you want someone who truly has your back, she is the one. Highly recommend Laura Bryant Homes.

Working with Laura Bryant on my first home purchase was truly amazing. As a first-time buyer, I had…read morea lot of questions and uncertainties, and Laura was patient, thorough, and incredibly helpful every step of the way. She explained everything clearly, guided me through the process with confidence, and consistently made me feel supported and informed. Her attention to detail, responsiveness, and genuine care made what could have been a stressful experience feel smooth and exciting. I am very grateful for her dedication and expertise. I could not have asked for a better agent to help me buy my first home. I highly recommend Laura to anyone looking for a thoughtful, knowledgeable, and hardworking real estate professional.

My wife and I partnered with Zen Coast Homes to purchase our first home, and we couldn't be more…read moregrateful for the experience. From the start, Samantha carefully considered all of our requirements and guided us through what could have been an overwhelming process. As first-time homebuyers, we especially appreciated: * Samantha's flexibility with our schedules and willingness to work around our availability * How upfront and honest she was during home tours -- pointing out both the positives and the things we needed to watch out for, which made us feel like there were no surprises along the way * The way she empowered us with knowledge throughout the process, helping us feel confident in our decisions * The team's strong connections in the local real estate network, which gave us an edge in navigating the Peninsula market * The guidance on expected price points for each home, which helped us set realistic expectations and make competitive offers * How personable and approachable Samantha and Jennie were -- they made the entire journey feel less transactional and more like working with trusted friends When we entered escrow, the process went far smoother than we anticipated, thanks to Samantha, Jennie, and the entire Zen Coast team. Their guidance made what could have been a stressful milestone feel surprisingly seamless. We would highly recommend Zen Coast Homes to anyone considering a home purchase. If we ever decide to buy or sell in the future, we wouldn't hesitate to partner with them again.

Jennie and her team were wonderful partners when it came to selling my first apartment. From the…read morefirst call, they had all numbers and comps ready with a detailed spreadsheet, and were highly responsive throughout the process. We were navigating a down market, and her recommendations helped me act on the best strategy. Rebecca delivered timely updates after every open house, an impressive IG reel for marketing, all leading to a swift escrow process. Thank you Jennie & team!

Bobby Ngo was amazing and made me feel comfortable with every step of the house buying process.read more

OWN Real Estate came highly recommended by a previous client, and it turned out to be the best…read morerecommendation we've ever received. As first-time homebuyers searching for our forever home, we were working under a tight four-month deadline--and thanks to their exceptional team, we found the perfect home in just two months. We worked closely with Wesley and Kinsey, who were both incredible throughout the entire process. They took the time to educate us on every part of the home-buying journey, helped us understand the pros and cons of each property, and answered every question and concern we had with patience and clarity. Their experience truly shows. Wesley and Kinsey are outstanding negotiators who helped us secure a great deal on our home. They were honest, supportive, and knowledgeable from start to finish, making what could have been a stressful process feel smooth and manageable. If you want honest, patient, and highly experienced realtors, we cannot recommend OWN Real Estate enough. They helped us find our forever home, and we are so grateful for their guidance and dedication.

Working with Alex and Kristle was absolutely amazing!…read more Even before our search began we had an in depth conversation on what we were looking for and they frequently incorporated that feedback whenever highlighting properties for us to view. During our search they always kept us engaged and thinking clearly since the home search can be an emotional rollercoaster. And something I was not expecting, was that even after shepherding us through the closing process, they made sure that we had everything we needed to make our new home feel like home! I would highly recommend anyone looking for an expert to guide them through the home buying process to give Alex and Kristle a call.

The Lam team was extremely supportive in helping us in every step of buying our first home -…read moreespecially in educating us on what to expect and how to think about different decisions / options since it was our first time. Thank you for a smooth and seamless process!

I wanted to share a story about how I misjudged someone…read more.. I had my doubts about Stanley Lo. If I'm being honest, I'd have to admit I had a complete aversion to Green Banker. His advertisements were ostentatious. His outfits were silly. However, after mediocre experiences working with some of the Bay Area's (alleged) top agents, my husband urged me to give Stanley a chance. So I did... From the onset of our relationship, Stanley Lo proved me wrong. At our first meeting, I was (pleasantly) surprised & (begrudgingly) impressed by his business acumen. I liked that he was upfront, experienced, well-connected, intelligent, and entirely professional. My husband pointed out that, "He answers his phone every time I call him." -- and it's true! He works all hours of the day. Despite my reservations, Stanley Lo turned out to be one of the hardest-working men I've ever met. Additionally, his dedication to selling my house was unparalleled. In his recent mailing, he wrote: "Behind every escrow is a story -- often a challenging one. This year alone, I helped many homeowners resolve issues such as: Difficult disclosure and inspection issues Appraisal and financing complications Title and permit problems Buyer and seller contract disputes Complex legal and HOA matters and other major roadblocks that could have cost clients time, stress, and significant money In every case, my mission is the same: Protect the homeowner, solve the problem, and close smoothly -- while saving clients as much money and stress as possible. When needed, I go the extra mile: researching solutions, leveraging decades of expertise, and using my unique network to resolve issues that many agents cannot." So, I am here today to attest that his claims are not just lip service; he really does go the extra mile and delivers. I can't tell you how many things he did that I'm certain no other agent would (or could) have done. For example, he arranged for an international notary to help us process an online power of attorney. He helped mediate family disputes. He relentlessly nagged stakeholders until the job was complete. And he didn't stop calling until the deal was closed. The tasks he performed were far beyond the scope of a typical REALTOR. And for that, I am incredibly grateful. Mr. Lo, I wanted to say that I am sorry that I misjudged you. I was very wrong. It's clear to me now that your success is completely well-founded and deserved. You have my utmost respect and I intend to enthusiastically recommend you from this point forward. Thank you for all you did to sell my house! You were a true pleasure to work with! Natalie Kee Johnson

Stanley is warm and caring. He has many years of real estate sales experience. His office staffs…read moreare very knowledgeable and efficient as well. It was quite pleasant office.

Ali Gilmartin Davis was our realtor partner for our most recent house search in the San Mateo…read moreCounty region, which is one of the most competitive buyer markets in CA. In short, we had an exceptional experience from start to finish, and here are just some of the highlights. DM me with any follow up questions. -strategized our lease out/contract for vacating East Bay residence which now serves as an investment property. She made the contractual process seamless. -invested a day to show us neighborhoods of potential interest to help us narrow down geo pocket shortlist to hone in on. -rolled up sleeves to get us contractor estimates during disclosure review/offer stage on several homes. This allowed us to feel comfortable in our all in costs to purchase/renovate/upgrade. -well connected with seller agents, which can be notably advantageous in multi-offer scenarios. -at 11th hour of close of escrow, we hit an unexpected bump in road that Ali was able to swiftly resolve behind the scenes while we were in the hospital for child delivery. -highly consultative and patient in the process, which for us was approx 6-8 months with so many moving pieces in our life (ie-pregnant, moving to temp home, etc) We had the pleasure of meeting a few others from the Gilmartin Group-- highly impressed with their firm and more importantly the individuals.

I hired Maureen Gilman Gilman Based on positive reviews. But I terminated the listing contract due…read moreto her conflict of interest. She brought her brother to do the carpeting job without my prior approval. Not only that she recruited my contractor to get a carpet quote for her brother who never showed simple of carpets or talked to me in regards the carpet job. And also once I told her my house was under a trust, she brought me to her husband who is a lawyer. After we arrived at his office he even read my trust. Immediately told me that I needed to redo my trust because it was too old. No matter how old the trust is, it's valid as long as the owner didn't do any changes. Maureen may think that I'm a quite older Chinese single woman and she could control me in anyway she wanted. But she didn't know that I used be a realtor and retired for A long time. I fired her

Working with Debbie and team was a masterclass in professional integrity. In a fast-paced market…read morewhere it's easy to feel like just another transaction, she consistently prioritized our needs above all else. Her transparency kept us grounded, and her focus on our comfort made a high-stakes process feel manageable. If you are looking for an agent who values your long-term goals over a quick sale, Debbie is the gold standard Colleen Pimentel

We have known Debbie for many years during which she has helped us with our various real-estate…read moretransactions (sale and purchase). She is obviously a top-ranked realtor for a reason! Her knowledge of real-estate market in the San Mateo county is unparalleled, and her extensive array of resources and connections will help the clients to achieve a good return on their investments. She genuinely cares about her clients and goes beyond the norm to help them in the process.

If you are looking for an agent to sell or buy a house, you should go to Jim or at least schedule…read moretime to meet him and you will know why everyone loves him. Jim knows the Peninsula well and sold our house. People asked why we didn't go with someone from San Carlos and it's because no one we met was better than Jim. SHORT VERSION A few words that describe Jim in no particular order: 1. Ethical 2. Professional 3. Punctual 4. Personable 5. Attention to detail - he keeps it real! LONG VERSION 1. Ethical - ex. He hired the best guys to do home inspections and would recommend suggestions on repairs vs hiding things. ex. Jim schedules time in his office for brokers to present offers to the seller, which means no funny business. The seller gets to be apart of the process. I've never done this with any other agents. 2. Professional - Jim doesn't take short cuts and explains everything to you. My neighbor mentioned 2 things when he met Jim - Professional & Nice suits. He always gives updates on what's going on so you're never left in the dark. 3. Punctual - Jim responds in a timely manner to your emails (even to say thank you so you know he read the email - I love that). He always arrives early to all his appointments with you. 4. Personable - Jim is just a really nice guy but gets the job done. When driving through Hillsborough, people were waving to him. 5. Attention to detail - You'll need this when buying a home and he will tell you if the buyers cut corners on the floors, kitchen, etc - Jim won't just sell you a home to make commission and will tell you what he really thinks the house is worth - again, he keeps it real. Jim takes the time to listen to what you want in a home and tries to find the perfect house for you. If Hillsborough is the place for you, he will not stop working until he finds something. He knows Hillsborough better than anyone, he's lived there his entire life and still lives there. Again, we couldn't be happier. He's probably tired of me telling him that I've learned so much from him and that we are so happy we met him. Also, his assistant, Lesa is amazing! She is very personable and I feel like I've known her for years. She's the best and the sweetest person you'll meet! You basically get attention from 2 realtors vs just 1! Now you can't get better than that! :)

Jim's a 5 Star guy and a 5 Star realtor. Highly recommended.read more