"Katy and Virginia are amazing, they help to buy the home at a good deal and sell the home at the top price, negotiating on our behalf, their insight, guidance, and advice are spot on. I continue to recommend Katy and Virginia and will always trust them.
"
"Katy and Virginia are amazing, they help to buy the home at a good deal and sell the home at the top price, negotiating on our behalf, their insight, guidance, and advice are spot on. I continue to recommend Katy and Virginia and will always trust them.
"
Danjie L.
"My husband and I have bought and sold several homes over the years. But when my brother passed away unexpectedly, we were faced with having to sell his house while going through probate - all while living in Texas! You can imagine our relief when we met and hired Katy. She and her concierge team arranged for experts to do everything: deep-cleaning the house, garage, and spa; rotor-rooting the plumbing; replacing the front door lock; just to name a few of the many tasks that needed to be done. Her marketing skills were second to none, having first-rate knowledge of the housing market on the Peninsula. We even had a few nibbles before the house was officially listed. She then got us a great offer within a week at a price we were very pleased with. We would recommend Katy and her team to anyone who wants to sell their house quickly and at a fair price!"
"My husband and I have bought and sold several homes over the years. But when my brother passed away unexpectedly, we were faced with having to sell his house while going through probate - all while living in Texas! You can imagine our relief when we met and hired Katy. She and her concierge team arranged for experts to do everything: deep-cleaning the house, garage, and spa; rotor-rooting the plumbing; replacing the front door lock; just to name a few of the many tasks that needed to be done. Her marketing skills were second to none, having first-rate knowledge of the housing market on the Peninsula. We even had a few nibbles before the house was officially listed. She then got us a great offer within a week at a price we were very pleased with. We would recommend Katy and her team to anyone who wants to sell their house quickly and at a fair price!"
Barbara A.
"We have worked with Lena twice now, once to sell our home a couple of years ago and once to buy a home recently. She’s responsive and goes above and beyond to help.
"
"We have worked with Lena twice now, once to sell our home a couple of years ago and once to buy a home recently. She’s responsive and goes above and beyond to help.
"
Asif G.
"Without Katy, we never would have been in a position to buy our dream home. She took care of us from Day 1 - giving us advice on things we could do to enhance the value of our home, then connecting us with her resources to get the modifications completed quickly. Katy has a lot of connections and when she snaps her fingers, she gets things done. For example, she was able to get our floors sanded/finished and fixtures/hardware replaced around our house in a week (while we were on vacation) - then got our bathroom remodeled another week. When we came back, the house looked incredible and in one of the most challenging times to be marketing our home, she found us a buyer and not only negotiated a great deal but simultaneously found our dream home (an off-market deal) and I can't even begin to tell you what an incredible job she did negotiating the purchase for us. Katy is absolutely fearless, is well respected, and is exactly who you want in your corner when it's time to negotiate a deal (which is her strength). We have worked with RE brokers before who take a reactive approach to their clients that you quickly forget. Katy is the opposite: her phone is never off, she's an absolute savage (in the best way possible!), and she gets done. If your experience is anywhere near ours, you will be glad you have Katy representing you. We recommend her 1000%."
"Without Katy, we never would have been in a position to buy our dream home. She took care of us from Day 1 - giving us advice on things we could do to enhance the value of our home, then connecting us with her resources to get the modifications completed quickly. Katy has a lot of connections and when she snaps her fingers, she gets things done. For example, she was able to get our floors sanded/finished and fixtures/hardware replaced around our house in a week (while we were on vacation) - then got our bathroom remodeled another week. When we came back, the house looked incredible and in one of the most challenging times to be marketing our home, she found us a buyer and not only negotiated a great deal but simultaneously found our dream home (an off-market deal) and I can't even begin to tell you what an incredible job she did negotiating the purchase for us. Katy is absolutely fearless, is well respected, and is exactly who you want in your corner when it's time to negotiate a deal (which is her strength). We have worked with RE brokers before who take a reactive approach to their clients that you quickly forget. Katy is the opposite: her phone is never off, she's an absolute savage (in the best way possible!), and she gets done. If your experience is anywhere near ours, you will be glad you have Katy representing you. We recommend her 1000%."
Matt K.
"Katy and her team did an excellent job at orchestrating the sale of my father’s home. It was challenging because I live out of state but they did a fantastic job at taking care of all the details needed to prepare the house to be sold. We got above asking and couldn’t be happier! They even helped us with a few loose ends after we closed. Great overall experience and I would highly recommend!"
"Katy and her team did an excellent job at orchestrating the sale of my father’s home. It was challenging because I live out of state but they did a fantastic job at taking care of all the details needed to prepare the house to be sold. We got above asking and couldn’t be happier! They even helped us with a few loose ends after we closed. Great overall experience and I would highly recommend!"
Maley D.
"We had a wonderful experience working with Lena, Katy, and the Straser Silicon Valley team. I don’t think we would have ever been able to buy a house without their help and support throughout the whole process. They were on top of the inventory and helped us find a house that was within our budget and also met our specifications in what we were most interested in. They helped us with every step in the process from putting an offer in to going through the contracts and even afterward with some of the furnishings in the house, flooring, and all sorts of stuff. They really hold your hand throughout the whole process which is really the best part of working with them. You’re important to them and they really want to help you with every single aspect of buying a house. We now own a house and it’s the best feeling ever and we are really grateful to both Lena and Katy for getting us there!"
"We had a wonderful experience working with Lena, Katy, and the Straser Silicon Valley team. I don’t think we would have ever been able to buy a house without their help and support throughout the whole process. They were on top of the inventory and helped us find a house that was within our budget and also met our specifications in what we were most interested in. They helped us with every step in the process from putting an offer in to going through the contracts and even afterward with some of the furnishings in the house, flooring, and all sorts of stuff. They really hold your hand throughout the whole process which is really the best part of working with them. You’re important to them and they really want to help you with every single aspect of buying a house. We now own a house and it’s the best feeling ever and we are really grateful to both Lena and Katy for getting us there!"
Mrudula P.
"Katy helped us find and buy our new house. She had a really good eye for what we wanted and it was great working with her through the process. We love the new house and are definitely looking forward to working with her on any future housing adventures!"
"Katy helped us find and buy our new house. She had a really good eye for what we wanted and it was great working with her through the process. We love the new house and are definitely looking forward to working with her on any future housing adventures!"
Vina E.
"I'm so delighted to write this five-star review and share my lovely experience with the Straser Silicon Valley Team of Compass Menlo Park. I was helping a friend who lives cross-country to settle her father's estate when he passed away and felt so daunted by the process - Katy and her team just made the whole experience so much easier and smoother and got my friend and her family a great selling price well above their asking number within less than a week. They were professional, kind, personable, responsive, and fun to work with. I can't recommend the Straser team enough!"
"I'm so delighted to write this five-star review and share my lovely experience with the Straser Silicon Valley Team of Compass Menlo Park. I was helping a friend who lives cross-country to settle her father's estate when he passed away and felt so daunted by the process - Katy and her team just made the whole experience so much easier and smoother and got my friend and her family a great selling price well above their asking number within less than a week. They were professional, kind, personable, responsive, and fun to work with. I can't recommend the Straser team enough!"
Bonnie E.
"Our house in Menlo Park was on the market for six months, and we ultimately decided to switch to a different listing agent. We researched various agents and, after reading her glowing reviews, we reached out to Katy Straser with Compass. She met us the next evening on her way back from Santa Monica, bringing along her colleague Rachel. Despite their travels, Katy and Rachel came well-prepared, presenting us with a comprehensive portfolio of comparable listings and a detailed schedule outlining the next steps, including hiring vendors to enhance our property. Their confidence was infectious; they assured us that our house wouldn't stay on the market for more than two weeks. At that point, feeling hopeless, we decided to trust their process. Katy and Rachel wasted no time taking charge. They coordinated with vendors, arranged for our previous stagers to remove their items, and brought in their own stagers to completely revamp both the interior and our spacious backyard. Remarkably, within less than two weeks, our house was transformed into a vibrant, inviting space just in time for the open house. When we officially listed the house, we received three offers on the first day of the open house, which fell on a Friday. To our amazement, Katy secured an offer that was $455K above our asking price! We are incredibly grateful to Katy, Rachel, and their fantastic team for taking care of everything from day one to the closing. Living an hour away, we only needed to stop by once to drop off the keys the day before closing. They worked tirelessly and effectively to ensure our house was ready for the market and sold for the best price. They made the entire process effortless for us and truly earned our trust."
"Our house in Menlo Park was on the market for six months, and we ultimately decided to switch to a different listing agent. We researched various agents and, after reading her glowing reviews, we reached out to Katy Straser with Compass. She met us the next evening on her way back from Santa Monica, bringing along her colleague Rachel. Despite their travels, Katy and Rachel came well-prepared, presenting us with a comprehensive portfolio of comparable listings and a detailed schedule outlining the next steps, including hiring vendors to enhance our property. Their confidence was infectious; they assured us that our house wouldn't stay on the market for more than two weeks. At that point, feeling hopeless, we decided to trust their process. Katy and Rachel wasted no time taking charge. They coordinated with vendors, arranged for our previous stagers to remove their items, and brought in their own stagers to completely revamp both the interior and our spacious backyard. Remarkably, within less than two weeks, our house was transformed into a vibrant, inviting space just in time for the open house. When we officially listed the house, we received three offers on the first day of the open house, which fell on a Friday. To our amazement, Katy secured an offer that was $455K above our asking price! We are incredibly grateful to Katy, Rachel, and their fantastic team for taking care of everything from day one to the closing. Living an hour away, we only needed to stop by once to drop off the keys the day before closing. They worked tirelessly and effectively to ensure our house was ready for the market and sold for the best price. They made the entire process effortless for us and truly earned our trust."
Jackie F.
"Lena and Katy bring unmatched attention to detail and a steadfast commitment to excellence. From the very first day, they ensure every aspect of your home sale is meticulously planned and executed. Their dedication shines through in their ability to anticipate needs, follow up with clients, agents, and vendors promptly, and leave no stone unturned in securing opportunities. With Lena and Katy, you’re not just getting a team - you’re receiving white-glove service. Their fresh, forward-thinking approach ensures that every part of your real estate transaction is seamlessly managed, giving you peace of mind. What truly sets them apart is their innovative marketing strategies and their streamlined, results-driven home-selling process. They are laser-focused on achieving the best outcomes, prioritizing your satisfaction while maximizing the value of your home. Sharp, efficient, and an absolute pleasure to work with Lena and Katy are the team you can trust to deliver exceptional results and unparalleled service."
"Lena and Katy bring unmatched attention to detail and a steadfast commitment to excellence. From the very first day, they ensure every aspect of your home sale is meticulously planned and executed. Their dedication shines through in their ability to anticipate needs, follow up with clients, agents, and vendors promptly, and leave no stone unturned in securing opportunities. With Lena and Katy, you’re not just getting a team - you’re receiving white-glove service. Their fresh, forward-thinking approach ensures that every part of your real estate transaction is seamlessly managed, giving you peace of mind. What truly sets them apart is their innovative marketing strategies and their streamlined, results-driven home-selling process. They are laser-focused on achieving the best outcomes, prioritizing your satisfaction while maximizing the value of your home. Sharp, efficient, and an absolute pleasure to work with Lena and Katy are the team you can trust to deliver exceptional results and unparalleled service."
Spencer H.
"We had the pleasure of working with Katy as our buying agent and and we cannot recommend her highly enough. Katy knows the area really well and she has been really responsive, easy to communicate with. The whole process was super smooth and we are very happy about our purchase. It was great working with her!"
"We had the pleasure of working with Katy as our buying agent and and we cannot recommend her highly enough. Katy knows the area really well and she has been really responsive, easy to communicate with. The whole process was super smooth and we are very happy about our purchase. It was great working with her!"
Amy L.
"As a fellow realtor based in Palm Springs, I am thrilled to share my experience collaborating with Katy Thielke Straser, an exceptional real estate agent in the Bay Area. Katy's energy, experience, and diligence truly set her apart, making her my top choice for referring clients who are moving to or selling in the Northern California region. Katy's boundless energy and enthusiasm are evident from the moment you connect with her. She approaches every client and transaction with a passion, ensuring that each individual's real estate needs are met with the utmost dedication. With extensive experience in the Bay Area market, Katy possesses an in-depth understanding of the local nuances, trends, and property values. Her expertise shines through as she assists clients in finding properties that align perfectly with their preferences and goals. As a realtor myself, I have complete confidence in referring my clients to Katy, knowing that they will be in the hands of a dedicated and highly competent professional."
"As a fellow realtor based in Palm Springs, I am thrilled to share my experience collaborating with Katy Thielke Straser, an exceptional real estate agent in the Bay Area. Katy's energy, experience, and diligence truly set her apart, making her my top choice for referring clients who are moving to or selling in the Northern California region. Katy's boundless energy and enthusiasm are evident from the moment you connect with her. She approaches every client and transaction with a passion, ensuring that each individual's real estate needs are met with the utmost dedication. With extensive experience in the Bay Area market, Katy possesses an in-depth understanding of the local nuances, trends, and property values. Her expertise shines through as she assists clients in finding properties that align perfectly with their preferences and goals. As a realtor myself, I have complete confidence in referring my clients to Katy, knowing that they will be in the hands of a dedicated and highly competent professional."
Paige B.
"Wow! Fast, efficient, easy to work with, kind, patient, understanding, knowledgeable and gracious! Katy Thielke Straser is the best! My house sold even before it was officially listed!"
"Wow! Fast, efficient, easy to work with, kind, patient, understanding, knowledgeable and gracious! Katy Thielke Straser is the best! My house sold even before it was officially listed!"
Pam C.
"Thank you Katy and Lena for making the sale of our house so carefree and helping us every step of the way from getting the house ready to the final sale. You were very professional. You were very easy to reach and always available to answer any questions we had 24/7. I would highly recommend Katy and Lena as they care for their clients."
"Thank you Katy and Lena for making the sale of our house so carefree and helping us every step of the way from getting the house ready to the final sale. You were very professional. You were very easy to reach and always available to answer any questions we had 24/7. I would highly recommend Katy and Lena as they care for their clients."
Cheryl S.
"I can’t say enough good things about Katy and her team at Straser Silicon Valley, Compass Menlo Park. By far, the best real estate experience I have ever had. I am a single mom with two very busy teenage boys so I had no time to get the house ready for sale and I had lived in the house for over 20 years. In my mind, it was a bit run down and a mess. Katy came over, looked at the house, told me what she thought it could sell for (An attractive 5 bedroom/4 bathroom in West Menlo Park), and then said she would take over and she and her team would do everything to get the house ready to be sold. It was such a relief to hear that. And I also needed the house to be sold in a very short time frame. Within days, Katy had contractors lined up to do work: packers to put things in storage, painters, landscapers, carpet folks, deep cleaners, floor stainers, pressure washers, stagers — anything and everything that was needed. Katy and her team did it all and got movers to move my family and me to a local apartment. The house was listed in a record 2 1/2 weeks and it looked stunning - like a brand new house! Katy showed the house for 2 weekends, had multiple offers, and then skillfully got me a price way over what I ever thought was possible. The Straser Silicon Valley team is a dream team and I highly highly recommend them to all my friends! I feel a great deal of gratitude for all their hard work and for the sweet, swift, highly intelligent, and highly professional way they went about selling my house. 5 stars from this satisfied client. Would use them again in a heartbeat."
"I can’t say enough good things about Katy and her team at Straser Silicon Valley, Compass Menlo Park. By far, the best real estate experience I have ever had. I am a single mom with two very busy teenage boys so I had no time to get the house ready for sale and I had lived in the house for over 20 years. In my mind, it was a bit run down and a mess. Katy came over, looked at the house, told me what she thought it could sell for (An attractive 5 bedroom/4 bathroom in West Menlo Park), and then said she would take over and she and her team would do everything to get the house ready to be sold. It was such a relief to hear that. And I also needed the house to be sold in a very short time frame. Within days, Katy had contractors lined up to do work: packers to put things in storage, painters, landscapers, carpet folks, deep cleaners, floor stainers, pressure washers, stagers — anything and everything that was needed. Katy and her team did it all and got movers to move my family and me to a local apartment. The house was listed in a record 2 1/2 weeks and it looked stunning - like a brand new house! Katy showed the house for 2 weekends, had multiple offers, and then skillfully got me a price way over what I ever thought was possible. The Straser Silicon Valley team is a dream team and I highly highly recommend them to all my friends! I feel a great deal of gratitude for all their hard work and for the sweet, swift, highly intelligent, and highly professional way they went about selling my house. 5 stars from this satisfied client. Would use them again in a heartbeat."
Denise M.
"Katy and her team sold my Los Altos house with just one round of open houses on the first weekend of May 2022. They made a very detailed plan and found the best contractors to make my house look so attractive that 200+ groups of people came to the 3-day open house and 5 offers were received. She did an excellent job managing this project from the planning, remodeling, moving, painting, cleaning, staging, listing, and offer-collecting to closing. Katy and her team spent lots of effort to help me put the house in perfect condition before putting it on the market. I highly recommend Katy if you want to sell the house for much more than your asking price!"
"Katy and her team sold my Los Altos house with just one round of open houses on the first weekend of May 2022. They made a very detailed plan and found the best contractors to make my house look so attractive that 200+ groups of people came to the 3-day open house and 5 offers were received. She did an excellent job managing this project from the planning, remodeling, moving, painting, cleaning, staging, listing, and offer-collecting to closing. Katy and her team spent lots of effort to help me put the house in perfect condition before putting it on the market. I highly recommend Katy if you want to sell the house for much more than your asking price!"
Wilson L.
"Katy and Zoe were an attentive, well-resourced team whose tough negotiating skills yielded extremely favorable results in the sale of our townhome. The Straser Silicon Valley experience exceeded our expectations and we would definitely turn to Katy and Zoe again for future real estate needs."
"Katy and Zoe were an attentive, well-resourced team whose tough negotiating skills yielded extremely favorable results in the sale of our townhome. The Straser Silicon Valley experience exceeded our expectations and we would definitely turn to Katy and Zoe again for future real estate needs."
Debbie T.
"I have nothing but praise for Katy and her amazing team who provided thoughtful and loyal advocacy throughout the marketing process and took the time necessary to achieve the successful sale of my San Francisco home. Katy is a special person. She has never faced a challenge she cannot solve. Even with the added complexities of this project (including the pandemic and having a remote client), she stayed positive and optimistic. Katy is honest and straightforward, and she truly loves what she does. I'm fortunate to have had her represent me. Katy also helped me on another project and did a spectacular job refreshing a large estate efficiently and effectively so it could be evaluated for sale. She has my highest recommendation."
"I have nothing but praise for Katy and her amazing team who provided thoughtful and loyal advocacy throughout the marketing process and took the time necessary to achieve the successful sale of my San Francisco home. Katy is a special person. She has never faced a challenge she cannot solve. Even with the added complexities of this project (including the pandemic and having a remote client), she stayed positive and optimistic. Katy is honest and straightforward, and she truly loves what she does. I'm fortunate to have had her represent me. Katy also helped me on another project and did a spectacular job refreshing a large estate efficiently and effectively so it could be evaluated for sale. She has my highest recommendation."
Jen E.
"As first time home buyers in the US, we were a little intimidated by the process but Katy’s knowledge, professionalism and efficiency were reassuring. We felt like we were in good hands right from the start. We fell in love with the first house she showed us and although our initial offer was not accepted, Katy persisted until we eventually got the house. Katy was awesome throughout the entire process and was a pleasure to work with."
"As first time home buyers in the US, we were a little intimidated by the process but Katy’s knowledge, professionalism and efficiency were reassuring. We felt like we were in good hands right from the start. We fell in love with the first house she showed us and although our initial offer was not accepted, Katy persisted until we eventually got the house. Katy was awesome throughout the entire process and was a pleasure to work with."
Narusha M.
"Katy and the Straser team went above and beyond to help us move out of our home, get our Palo Alto townhouse ready to go on the market (it looked amazing, by the way), and all the way through to a smooth sale. I highly recommend this quality team."
"Katy and the Straser team went above and beyond to help us move out of our home, get our Palo Alto townhouse ready to go on the market (it looked amazing, by the way), and all the way through to a smooth sale. I highly recommend this quality team."
Donna W.
"Katy's performance was exceptional. We handed her a very difficult set of requirements for our home search and through her persistence and professionalism she delivered. She crushed it beyond expectations. In addition, she made the stressful process fun and enjoyable. Working with Katy is a genuine pleasure."
"Katy's performance was exceptional. We handed her a very difficult set of requirements for our home search and through her persistence and professionalism she delivered. She crushed it beyond expectations. In addition, she made the stressful process fun and enjoyable. Working with Katy is a genuine pleasure."
Sara C.
"Katy is a wonderful agent. She partnered with us during the midst of the great pandemic. My family was looking to relocate to the Bay Area from Washington, and we were unable to travel to view the property as a result of the quarantine measures. Katy was amazing & patient as she would take us on virtual Facetime tours of properties in the area. She was a wonderful evaluator of neighborhoods and helped us understand the pros/cons of each property we were evaluating. As we were looking for a new build, Katy utilized her extensive realtor network to identify properties that fit our criteria and were fresh to market. Her relationships created an advantage during the negotiation process as our personal touch was a differentiator for us within a market that was increasingly competitive. I would highly recommend it to any prospective buyer."
"Katy is a wonderful agent. She partnered with us during the midst of the great pandemic. My family was looking to relocate to the Bay Area from Washington, and we were unable to travel to view the property as a result of the quarantine measures. Katy was amazing & patient as she would take us on virtual Facetime tours of properties in the area. She was a wonderful evaluator of neighborhoods and helped us understand the pros/cons of each property we were evaluating. As we were looking for a new build, Katy utilized her extensive realtor network to identify properties that fit our criteria and were fresh to market. Her relationships created an advantage during the negotiation process as our personal touch was a differentiator for us within a market that was increasingly competitive. I would highly recommend it to any prospective buyer."
Erin W.
"Katy, once again rose to the occasion. We have had multiple sales and purchases with Katy over the last ten years. Our latest transaction was nothing less than amazing. Katy was such an advocate for us on negotiating a winning offer which settles us into our "forever" home. We can not recommend Katy enough for her professionalism and persistence to get you the best out of the offer whether you're the seller or buyer. Go with Katy. She is a "HOME" run!"
"Katy, once again rose to the occasion. We have had multiple sales and purchases with Katy over the last ten years. Our latest transaction was nothing less than amazing. Katy was such an advocate for us on negotiating a winning offer which settles us into our "forever" home. We can not recommend Katy enough for her professionalism and persistence to get you the best out of the offer whether you're the seller or buyer. Go with Katy. She is a "HOME" run!"
Tim C.
"We handed this team a set of stringent criteria requisite in our home search. Katy nailed it. Exceptional in her professionalism and direct in communications, we remained informed and aligned on market trends and inventory details throughout our process."
"We handed this team a set of stringent criteria requisite in our home search. Katy nailed it. Exceptional in her professionalism and direct in communications, we remained informed and aligned on market trends and inventory details throughout our process."
Andrew & Sara
"They helped me buy my first house, they were lovely and really helpful, I would highly recommend the Straser team."
"They helped me buy my first house, they were lovely and really helpful, I would highly recommend the Straser team."
Baptiste V.
"Katy gave us great advice on selling our house and she did just that. She is very professional and trustworthy as an agent. My husband and I are so impressed with their excellent support in selling our townhouse quickly and at a great price."
"Katy gave us great advice on selling our house and she did just that. She is very professional and trustworthy as an agent. My husband and I are so impressed with their excellent support in selling our townhouse quickly and at a great price."
Fuyumi A.
"Lena did an amazing job as my agent for selling my single-family home. I was truly impressed by her dedication and attention to detail. She was able to sense the market right and position the home well to fetch the price I was looking for. Everything from preparing the home, staging, marketing, timing the open houses, etc. was very well managed. She went above and beyond to ensure everything was done right. I would strongly recommend using her services."
"Lena did an amazing job as my agent for selling my single-family home. I was truly impressed by her dedication and attention to detail. She was able to sense the market right and position the home well to fetch the price I was looking for. Everything from preparing the home, staging, marketing, timing the open houses, etc. was very well managed. She went above and beyond to ensure everything was done right. I would strongly recommend using her services."
Vinayak G.
"Katy, in partnership with Butch Haze, another top agent at Compass, took on the important role of preparing and selling my family's beloved childhood home. Together, they leveraged their expertise and passion every step of the process, transforming the property in ways that truly brought it to life. Their attention to detail, market knowledge, and sheer dedication sparked an incredible surge of interest, drawing in qualified buyers and generating remarkable activity in an impressively short time. Within just seven days, they successfully sold the home for nearly $200,000 over the asking price. I couldn't be more grateful for their unwavering support, skillful guidance, and seamless orchestration! Their professionalism and heartfelt approach made all the difference, and I am beyond thankful to have had them by my side throughout this process."
"Katy, in partnership with Butch Haze, another top agent at Compass, took on the important role of preparing and selling my family's beloved childhood home. Together, they leveraged their expertise and passion every step of the process, transforming the property in ways that truly brought it to life. Their attention to detail, market knowledge, and sheer dedication sparked an incredible surge of interest, drawing in qualified buyers and generating remarkable activity in an impressively short time. Within just seven days, they successfully sold the home for nearly $200,000 over the asking price. I couldn't be more grateful for their unwavering support, skillful guidance, and seamless orchestration! Their professionalism and heartfelt approach made all the difference, and I am beyond thankful to have had them by my side throughout this process."
Timothy K.
"Lena and Katy are very professional and excellent at negotiating for your best interest. I have worked with them multiple times, and they exceeded my expectations every time. They are very detail-oriented as well like they care about all the potential flaws that might impact the sale value and help me address all of them before going on the market. In general, I'm very satisfied with their service, and will continue working with them for sure!"
"Lena and Katy are very professional and excellent at negotiating for your best interest. I have worked with them multiple times, and they exceeded my expectations every time. They are very detail-oriented as well like they care about all the potential flaws that might impact the sale value and help me address all of them before going on the market. In general, I'm very satisfied with their service, and will continue working with them for sure!"
Buyer & Seller
"I am thrilled to pen down my experiences with Kathy, Lena, and her exceptional team who have demonstrated top-notch expertise and dedication in real estate. We recently had the privilege of working with Lena during a house purchase that required a bit of sprucing up. Their commitment to our project was truly extraordinary. They excelled in every step of the process, operating far beyond our expectations, and made it a point to help us comprehend all the available options, necessary disclosures, and potential issues associated with the house. Their proficient guidance was crucial as we ventured to remodel the house, which resulted in an impressive 20% appreciation in equity right off the bat. Katy and her team were instrumental in adjusting the sails just right for us to benefit the most from this venture. It's rare to find a team with such a diverse set of expertise and a singular focus on their client's unique needs and aspirations. Therefore, I wholeheartedly recommend Lena and her team for your real estate endeavors. Their unparalleled professionalism, insight, and diligence guarantee a seamless journey as you venture into the world of property ownership or investment. In fact, we are so satisfied with their stellar performance that we are eager to engage in future business endeavors with Lena and her team. If you desire success in your real estate transactions, you need not look further than Katy, Lena's extraordinary team. Exceptional service is their prerogative, and amazing results are evidently their specialty. Highly recommended!"
"I am thrilled to pen down my experiences with Kathy, Lena, and her exceptional team who have demonstrated top-notch expertise and dedication in real estate. We recently had the privilege of working with Lena during a house purchase that required a bit of sprucing up. Their commitment to our project was truly extraordinary. They excelled in every step of the process, operating far beyond our expectations, and made it a point to help us comprehend all the available options, necessary disclosures, and potential issues associated with the house. Their proficient guidance was crucial as we ventured to remodel the house, which resulted in an impressive 20% appreciation in equity right off the bat. Katy and her team were instrumental in adjusting the sails just right for us to benefit the most from this venture. It's rare to find a team with such a diverse set of expertise and a singular focus on their client's unique needs and aspirations. Therefore, I wholeheartedly recommend Lena and her team for your real estate endeavors. Their unparalleled professionalism, insight, and diligence guarantee a seamless journey as you venture into the world of property ownership or investment. In fact, we are so satisfied with their stellar performance that we are eager to engage in future business endeavors with Lena and her team. If you desire success in your real estate transactions, you need not look further than Katy, Lena's extraordinary team. Exceptional service is their prerogative, and amazing results are evidently their specialty. Highly recommended!"
Buyer
"Katy helped us find and buy our new home. She had a really good eye for what we wanted and found us our dream home. It was great working with her through the process. We love the new house and are definitely looking forward to working with her on any future housing adventures!"
"Katy helped us find and buy our new home. She had a really good eye for what we wanted and found us our dream home. It was great working with her through the process. We love the new house and are definitely looking forward to working with her on any future housing adventures!"
Buyer
"We had a wonderful experience working with Lena, Katy, and the Straser Silicon Valley team. I don't think we would have ever been able to buy a house without their help and support throughout the whole process. They were on top of the inventory and helped us find a house that was within our budget and also met our specifications in what we were most interested in. They helped us with every step in the process from putting an offer in to going through the contracts and even afterward with some of the furnishings in the house, flooring, and all sorts of stuff. They really hold your hand throughout the whole process which is really the best part of working with them. You're important to them and they really want to help you with every single aspect of buying a house. We now own a house, and it's the best feeling ever. We are really grateful to both Lena and Katy for getting us there!"
"We had a wonderful experience working with Lena, Katy, and the Straser Silicon Valley team. I don't think we would have ever been able to buy a house without their help and support throughout the whole process. They were on top of the inventory and helped us find a house that was within our budget and also met our specifications in what we were most interested in. They helped us with every step in the process from putting an offer in to going through the contracts and even afterward with some of the furnishings in the house, flooring, and all sorts of stuff. They really hold your hand throughout the whole process which is really the best part of working with them. You're important to them and they really want to help you with every single aspect of buying a house. We now own a house, and it's the best feeling ever. We are really grateful to both Lena and Katy for getting us there!"
Buyer
"I couldn't be more thrilled with the exceptional service provided by my real estate agent, Katy Straser. Her expertise, dedication, and professionalism made the entire process of selling my house and purchasing our new home smooth. Katy has a deep understanding of the local market and a strategic plan to ensure a successful sale. My house was sold over the asking price in just three days! Katy's attention to detail, effective marketing strategies, and outstanding negotiation skills truly made a difference. Within about one month, I was settling into a new place that exceeded my expectations. Her knowledge of the market enabled me to make an informed decision quickly. Throughout the entire journey, Katy demonstrated professionalism, prompt communication, and a genuine passion for her work. She went above and beyond to ensure I felt supported and informed every step of the way. Her ability to navigate challenges with ease and provide creative solutions showcased their expertise and commitment to client satisfaction. I highly recommend Katy to anyone seeking an exceptional real estate agent. Their exceptional skills, unwavering dedication, and remarkable results have made them a true standout in the community."
"I couldn't be more thrilled with the exceptional service provided by my real estate agent, Katy Straser. Her expertise, dedication, and professionalism made the entire process of selling my house and purchasing our new home smooth. Katy has a deep understanding of the local market and a strategic plan to ensure a successful sale. My house was sold over the asking price in just three days! Katy's attention to detail, effective marketing strategies, and outstanding negotiation skills truly made a difference. Within about one month, I was settling into a new place that exceeded my expectations. Her knowledge of the market enabled me to make an informed decision quickly. Throughout the entire journey, Katy demonstrated professionalism, prompt communication, and a genuine passion for her work. She went above and beyond to ensure I felt supported and informed every step of the way. Her ability to navigate challenges with ease and provide creative solutions showcased their expertise and commitment to client satisfaction. I highly recommend Katy to anyone seeking an exceptional real estate agent. Their exceptional skills, unwavering dedication, and remarkable results have made them a true standout in the community."
Emilie C.
"Without Katy, we never would have been in a position to buy our dream home. She took care of us from Day 1 - giving us advice on things we could do to enhance the value of our home, then connecting us with her resources to get the modifications completed quickly. Katy has a lot of connections, and when she snaps her fingers, she gets things done. For example, she was able to get our floors sanded/finished and fixtures/hardware replaced around our house in a week (while we were on vacation) - then got our bathroom remodeled another week. When we came back, the house looked incredible, and in one of the most challenging times to be marketing our home, she found us a buyer and not only negotiated a great deal but simultaneously found our dream home (an off-market deal) and I can't even begin to tell you what an incredible job she did negotiating the purchase for us. Katy is absolutely fearless, is well respected, and is exactly who you want in your corner when it's time to negotiate a deal (which is her strength). We have worked with RE brokers before who take a reactive approach to their clients that you quickly forget. Katie is the opposite: her phone is never off, she's an absolute savage (in the best way possible!), and she gets done. If your experience is anywhere near ours, you will be glad you have Katy representing you. We recommend her 1000%."
"Without Katy, we never would have been in a position to buy our dream home. She took care of us from Day 1 - giving us advice on things we could do to enhance the value of our home, then connecting us with her resources to get the modifications completed quickly. Katy has a lot of connections, and when she snaps her fingers, she gets things done. For example, she was able to get our floors sanded/finished and fixtures/hardware replaced around our house in a week (while we were on vacation) - then got our bathroom remodeled another week. When we came back, the house looked incredible, and in one of the most challenging times to be marketing our home, she found us a buyer and not only negotiated a great deal but simultaneously found our dream home (an off-market deal) and I can't even begin to tell you what an incredible job she did negotiating the purchase for us. Katy is absolutely fearless, is well respected, and is exactly who you want in your corner when it's time to negotiate a deal (which is her strength). We have worked with RE brokers before who take a reactive approach to their clients that you quickly forget. Katie is the opposite: her phone is never off, she's an absolute savage (in the best way possible!), and she gets done. If your experience is anywhere near ours, you will be glad you have Katy representing you. We recommend her 1000%."
Buyer & Seller
"Lena and Katy were off-the-charts exceptional. My property required a unique buyer, which they not only found but were able to solicit multiple fair offers. Any buyers of my property were pretty much limited to builders, and they had an extensive contact list, which they effectively leveraged. They also went above and beyond any reasonable efforts in getting the property ready for sale. You would have to be crazy not to use Lena and Katy. Seriously."
"Lena and Katy were off-the-charts exceptional. My property required a unique buyer, which they not only found but were able to solicit multiple fair offers. Any buyers of my property were pretty much limited to builders, and they had an extensive contact list, which they effectively leveraged. They also went above and beyond any reasonable efforts in getting the property ready for sale. You would have to be crazy not to use Lena and Katy. Seriously."
Seller
"My husband and I have bought and sold several homes over the years. But when my brother passed away unexpectedly, we were faced with having to sell his house while going through probate—all while living in Texas! You can imagine our relief when we met and hired Katy. She and her concierge team arranged for experts to do everything: deep-cleaning the house, garage, and spa; rotor-rooting the plumbing; replacing the front door lock; just to name a few of the many tasks that needed to be done. Her marketing skills were second to none, having first-rate knowledge of the housing market on the Peninsula. We even had a few nibbles before the house was officially listed. She then got us a great offer within a week at a price we were very pleased with. We would recommend Katy and her team to anyone who wants to sell their house quickly and at a fair price!"
"My husband and I have bought and sold several homes over the years. But when my brother passed away unexpectedly, we were faced with having to sell his house while going through probate—all while living in Texas! You can imagine our relief when we met and hired Katy. She and her concierge team arranged for experts to do everything: deep-cleaning the house, garage, and spa; rotor-rooting the plumbing; replacing the front door lock; just to name a few of the many tasks that needed to be done. Her marketing skills were second to none, having first-rate knowledge of the housing market on the Peninsula. We even had a few nibbles before the house was officially listed. She then got us a great offer within a week at a price we were very pleased with. We would recommend Katy and her team to anyone who wants to sell their house quickly and at a fair price!"
John A.
"Katy helped us buy and sell. She was extremely persistent and generous with her time as we looked for a house over a lengthy period, and managed to get us into opens at an early stage. She also moved very fast to help get our existing house quickly ready for sale and had great connections to help us do some painting and other improvements!"
"Katy helped us buy and sell. She was extremely persistent and generous with her time as we looked for a house over a lengthy period, and managed to get us into opens at an early stage. She also moved very fast to help get our existing house quickly ready for sale and had great connections to help us do some painting and other improvements!"
Rob S.
"Katy and Virginia are amazing. They help to buy the home at a good deal and sell the home at the top price, negotiating on our behalf; their insight, guidance, and advice are spot on. I continue to recommend Katy and Virginia and will always trust them."
"Katy and Virginia are amazing. They help to buy the home at a good deal and sell the home at the top price, negotiating on our behalf; their insight, guidance, and advice are spot on. I continue to recommend Katy and Virginia and will always trust them."
Daniel L.
"We had the pleasure of working with Katy as our buying agent, and we cannot recommend her highly enough. Katy knows the area really well, has been really responsive, and easy to communicate with. The whole process was super smooth, and we are very happy about our purchase. It was great working with her!"
"We had the pleasure of working with Katy as our buying agent, and we cannot recommend her highly enough. Katy knows the area really well, has been really responsive, and easy to communicate with. The whole process was super smooth, and we are very happy about our purchase. It was great working with her!"
Buyer
"Katy is The Bomb! Highly recommended if you want to sell your house! A true gem to work with! Her whole team was very helpful. Very responsive, knowledgeable, and just a treat to work with. She sold my house within a matter of hours! I got the price I wanted, and she negotiated a deal where I could stay beyond closing to give me time to find my next house. Her team even helped me look for a place! Thanks, Team Katy!"
"Katy is The Bomb! Highly recommended if you want to sell your house! A true gem to work with! Her whole team was very helpful. Very responsive, knowledgeable, and just a treat to work with. She sold my house within a matter of hours! I got the price I wanted, and she negotiated a deal where I could stay beyond closing to give me time to find my next house. Her team even helped me look for a place! Thanks, Team Katy!"
Seller
"Lena transformed our home from top to bottom in time for our open house, creating a favorable bidding situation in what would be a currently challenging market and securing a highly qualified buyer. After we conducted our initial search Lena & Katy were the very first team we called (based on their backgrounds and prior record home sales in Almaden Winery), and we invited them both to our home for the initial screening. We were very impressed with their presentation, pricing strategy, and the fact that they toured the home taking photos ready to get started which made our decision that much easier to select their services. It was a pleasure to cooperate with them throughout the sale process and later the purchase of a new property. I'd recommend anyone to cooperate with Lena for a real estate professional, based on our very pleasant and professional experience."
"Lena transformed our home from top to bottom in time for our open house, creating a favorable bidding situation in what would be a currently challenging market and securing a highly qualified buyer. After we conducted our initial search Lena & Katy were the very first team we called (based on their backgrounds and prior record home sales in Almaden Winery), and we invited them both to our home for the initial screening. We were very impressed with their presentation, pricing strategy, and the fact that they toured the home taking photos ready to get started which made our decision that much easier to select their services. It was a pleasure to cooperate with them throughout the sale process and later the purchase of a new property. I'd recommend anyone to cooperate with Lena for a real estate professional, based on our very pleasant and professional experience."
Alfredo R.
"We had the pleasure of working with Katy as our buying agent and I cannot recommend her enough. Not only is she one of the best knows the local market, but she's also a close friend who provided us with strong negotiation skills and was very responsive throughout the entire home-buying process. Katy was incredibly knowledgeable and understood the local market inside and out. She guided us through every step of the way and was always available to answer any questions or concerns we had. One thing I truly appreciated about Katy was her transparency. She was always upfront and honest about answering any of our questions and checked with the seller and disclosures thoroughly to ensure we were fully informed before making any decisions. I cannot express how grateful I am for all her help and support when we finally got this fantastic home. If you're looking for a buying agent who is not only knowledgeable but also honest and transparent, then I highly recommend Katy. She is simply the best!"
"We had the pleasure of working with Katy as our buying agent and I cannot recommend her enough. Not only is she one of the best knows the local market, but she's also a close friend who provided us with strong negotiation skills and was very responsive throughout the entire home-buying process. Katy was incredibly knowledgeable and understood the local market inside and out. She guided us through every step of the way and was always available to answer any questions or concerns we had. One thing I truly appreciated about Katy was her transparency. She was always upfront and honest about answering any of our questions and checked with the seller and disclosures thoroughly to ensure we were fully informed before making any decisions. I cannot express how grateful I am for all her help and support when we finally got this fantastic home. If you're looking for a buying agent who is not only knowledgeable but also honest and transparent, then I highly recommend Katy. She is simply the best!"
James W.
"Katy is an efficient, professional, well-connected agent. She listened to what I was looking for in a home, did not waste my time trying to show me properties that did not fit that profile, and was able to show me many properties before they hit the market. She was communicative yet not pushy. Above all, she was very warm in her approach, always advocated for me, and showed a high level of patience throughout my search. I highly recommend Katy if you want to get the perfect house at your comfortable price range."
"Katy is an efficient, professional, well-connected agent. She listened to what I was looking for in a home, did not waste my time trying to show me properties that did not fit that profile, and was able to show me many properties before they hit the market. She was communicative yet not pushy. Above all, she was very warm in her approach, always advocated for me, and showed a high level of patience throughout my search. I highly recommend Katy if you want to get the perfect house at your comfortable price range."
Shami R.
"The real estate market since July 2022 has been softening every day. The steep rising mortgage rates and tough underwriting requirements have caused an inordinate amount of DFTs (Deals Falling Through) while the market is heading towards the low season post Thanksgivings. While most real estate agents would likely push deals through before the winter break, Lena was our advocate representing us as the buyer's agent. She was trustworthy, diligent, meticulous, and tenacious. I found it rare to meet a Gen Z with the old-school ethics of a Baby Boomer. Lena's service to my wife and I didn't stop at COE. Instead, she followed through with the repairs so we could move in smoothly. We were in good hands with Lena and would not hesitate to recommend her to our friends."
"The real estate market since July 2022 has been softening every day. The steep rising mortgage rates and tough underwriting requirements have caused an inordinate amount of DFTs (Deals Falling Through) while the market is heading towards the low season post Thanksgivings. While most real estate agents would likely push deals through before the winter break, Lena was our advocate representing us as the buyer's agent. She was trustworthy, diligent, meticulous, and tenacious. I found it rare to meet a Gen Z with the old-school ethics of a Baby Boomer. Lena's service to my wife and I didn't stop at COE. Instead, she followed through with the repairs so we could move in smoothly. We were in good hands with Lena and would not hesitate to recommend her to our friends."
Buyer
"Katy and Zoe were an attentive, well-resourced team whose tough negotiating skills yielded extremely favorable results in the sale of our townhome. The Straser Silicon Valley experience exceeded our expectations and we would definitely turn to Katy and Zoe again for future real estate needs."
"Katy and Zoe were an attentive, well-resourced team whose tough negotiating skills yielded extremely favorable results in the sale of our townhome. The Straser Silicon Valley experience exceeded our expectations and we would definitely turn to Katy and Zoe again for future real estate needs."
Kim F.
"I have nothing but praise for Katy and her amazing team who provided thoughtful and loyal advocacy throughout the marketing process and took the time necessary to achieve a successful sale of my San Francisco home. Katy is a special person. She has never met a challenge she cannot solve. Even with the added complexities of this project (including the pandemic and having a remote client), she stayed positive and optimistic. Katy is honest and straightforward, and she truly loves what she does. I'm fortunate to have had her represent me. Katy also helped me on another project and did a spectacular job refreshing that property efficiently and effectively so it could be evaluated for sale. She has my highest recommendation."
"I have nothing but praise for Katy and her amazing team who provided thoughtful and loyal advocacy throughout the marketing process and took the time necessary to achieve a successful sale of my San Francisco home. Katy is a special person. She has never met a challenge she cannot solve. Even with the added complexities of this project (including the pandemic and having a remote client), she stayed positive and optimistic. Katy is honest and straightforward, and she truly loves what she does. I'm fortunate to have had her represent me. Katy also helped me on another project and did a spectacular job refreshing that property efficiently and effectively so it could be evaluated for sale. She has my highest recommendation."
Jennifer H.
"I'm really happy to meet Lena Gustafsson. She is a member of the Straser Silicon Valley Team. While we were buying this house, she always responded to me immediately when I asked questions. Her team helps me solve some problems, such as house prices, repairs, and dealing with utilities. Thank you - Lena Gustafsson and her team."
"I'm really happy to meet Lena Gustafsson. She is a member of the Straser Silicon Valley Team. While we were buying this house, she always responded to me immediately when I asked questions. Her team helps me solve some problems, such as house prices, repairs, and dealing with utilities. Thank you - Lena Gustafsson and her team."
Sally S.
"Katy Thielke Straser is a real estate agent who is hands above all others. Katy goes above and beyond to work for you in both selling and buying your home. We have used her for both and we are speaking from experience when comparing her to other agents. Katy is bright as a whip, has integrity in all her transactions, and creativity in negotiations. While ensuring highly ethical relationships, she is also willing to go the extra mile for her clients. While being very professional, Katy brings with her a personal warmth and confidence that instills a sense of security and trust. Whether you are buying or selling your home, we definitely recommend Katy. She works for you in getting you what you want and need."
"Katy Thielke Straser is a real estate agent who is hands above all others. Katy goes above and beyond to work for you in both selling and buying your home. We have used her for both and we are speaking from experience when comparing her to other agents. Katy is bright as a whip, has integrity in all her transactions, and creativity in negotiations. While ensuring highly ethical relationships, she is also willing to go the extra mile for her clients. While being very professional, Katy brings with her a personal warmth and confidence that instills a sense of security and trust. Whether you are buying or selling your home, we definitely recommend Katy. She works for you in getting you what you want and need."
Rubye C.
"Katy and the Straser team went above and beyond to help us move out of our home, get our Palo Alto townhouse ready to go on the market (it looked amazing, by the way), and all the way through to a smooth sale. I highly recommend this quality team."
"Katy and the Straser team went above and beyond to help us move out of our home, get our Palo Alto townhouse ready to go on the market (it looked amazing, by the way), and all the way through to a smooth sale. I highly recommend this quality team."
Seller
"Katy, once again rose to the occasion. We have had multiple sales and purchases with Katy over the last ten years. Our latest transaction was nothing less than amazing. Katy was such an advocate for us on negotiating a winning offer which settles us into our "forever" home. We can not recommend Katy enough for her professionalism and persistence to get you the best out of the offer whether you're the seller or buyer. Go with Katy. She is a "home" run!"
"Katy, once again rose to the occasion. We have had multiple sales and purchases with Katy over the last ten years. Our latest transaction was nothing less than amazing. Katy was such an advocate for us on negotiating a winning offer which settles us into our "forever" home. We can not recommend Katy enough for her professionalism and persistence to get you the best out of the offer whether you're the seller or buyer. Go with Katy. She is a "home" run!"
Buyer & Seller
