One of the things I love about this business is that it requires a broad skill-set. You’ve got to have the imagination to see how a home might fit your client’s needs or how you can spruce it up to sell at the best price. You’ve got to be well-organized, detail-oriented, a savvy negotiator, and tech-literate. And besides all of that, you’ve got to genuinely enjoy people because this is a people business. Nobody’s perfect, but I believe that the broad range of professional experiences and aptitudes that I bring to my work is what sets me apart.
My background is in law: I practiced commercial real estate law for a leading San Francisco firm for seven years before deciding to do something different because life is too short. I have a broad and deep interest in real estate, going back to 1987 when I purchased my first property in San Francisco, a three unit building “in need of work” in the area now known as NoPa.
For most of us, buying or selling a home will be the largest single financial transaction we will ever make. What with all the legal paperwork, the marketing, the negotiations, the inspections and disclosures, it’s fair to say that the details really do matter. With my background in law and in business, I’m used to sweating the details while always remembering that buying or selling a home is not just another financial transaction: it’s also a highly personal and emotional one.
I joined Compass after having been an independent residential broker for over 10 years. I joined them because of their commitment to always putting their clients’ interests first. That commitment begins with using real data rather than sales hype to guide the decision-making process.
EDUCATION
J.D., UC Berkeley, Boalt Hall (1982)
B.A. (English Literature), summa cum laude, UCLA (1979)
Regents’ Scholar, 1978-79
Elected member Phi Beta Kappa, 1979
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Licensed California attorney (inactive status)*
Licensed California real estate broker
Member, San Francisco Association of Realtors®
Past Member, San Francisco Association of Realtors Technology Subcommittee
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS
Active in real estate investment since 1987
Extensive experience in residential renovations and construction in San Francisco
Developer of architecturally innovative 12 Unit Live-Work Project in Windsor, CA
PERSONAL ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS
Neighborhood Liaison at Temple Emanu-El for Noe Valley
Freelance food and travel journalism
Chess, ping pong, photography, camping, fly fishing
Food, wine, classical music
In 1995, I accidentally co-founded the gourmet fast food sensation, Chili-Up!, which grew to five Bay Area stores. My Pork ‘N Tomatillo chili is legendary.
PERSONAL
Born, Sydney, Australia.
Lived in San Francisco since 1984
Wife, Nina, involved in high-tech
Twins, Maya and Adam, enrolled at International High School, San Francisco
LANGUAGES: English, French
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS/PANELS
Professional/Real Estate: “CEB Action Guide to Commercial Leasing,” California Continuing Education of the Bar (1993)
Panelist, Global Conference Network – ‘Understanding and Negotiating Facilities Leases.” (1991-92)
Food And Travel: Economist.com – City Guide to San Francisco
“To Honor The Crab, Dismember It,” More Intelligent Life, Jan 2008
* I cannot provide legal advice when acting as my clients’ real estate agent. If legal advice should become necessary during the transaction, I can refer to you to qualified attorneys if you do not have your own.