We recently purchased a home in San Francisco's Inner Richmond with Josh Ortiz and Danielle Lazier's team, and I can honestly say Josh changed my perception of what a great buyer's agent should be.
Before choosing an agent, I spent a lot of time researching transaction histories and interviewing teams. From a previous home purchase, I learned that the difference between an average agent and a great one often comes down to negotiation. Many agents can "win" a house by telling clients to keep increasing their offer. That's easy. The real challenge is helping clients win without overpaying.
From our very first meeting, Josh stood out. We told him our dream was to buy in Inner Richmond, but we assumed it wasn't realistic within our budget. Rather than pushing us toward properties or encouraging us to stretch financially, he took the time to understand exactly what we wanted, educate us on different neighborhoods and market dynamics, and help us build a thoughtful strategy.
Throughout the process, Josh was incredibly disciplined. There were plenty of homes we could have chased, but he never pressured us to make offers that didn't make sense. In a market where homes regularly sell hundreds of thousands—and sometimes more than a million dollars—over asking, that level of restraint and honesty is rare.
About four months into our search, Josh brought us an opportunity before it officially hit the market. The situation was complex, and the sellers ultimately decided to list the property publicly. Josh helped us navigate every step, carefully managing timing, strategy, and negotiations while keeping a close pulse on competing interest.
The result? We ended up buying a home we love in the exact neighborhood we originally thought was out of reach. Even better, the bank appraisal came back significantly higher than our purchase price, confirming that we had secured exceptional value in one of the most competitive housing markets in the country.
On top of that, Josh connected us with a lender who successfully navigated our complex income situation, secured a great rate, and closed our loan in just 14 days.
What impressed me most was that Josh always acted like an advisor rather than a salesperson. At every stage, his focus was on helping us make the right decision, not simply getting us into a transaction.
If you're looking for someone who knows the San Francisco market, negotiates strategically, and genuinely looks out for your interests, I highly recommend Josh and Danielle's team.
We recently purchased our second property with Josh + team! We love his transparent and practical approach. This was our first commercial purchase, and despite the learning curve for everyone involved, Josh navigated the complexities effortlessly while being proactive, informative, and a responsive along the way. Another benefit to the team is support after purchase; contractor recommendations, tax questions, navigating HOA, etc. Highly recommend!
We just closed on our second property with Josh and team, and we couldn't be happier! This was our first dip into commercial real estate, and there was a lot to learn, but Josh handled the extra complexity like a pro. We love how straightforward and practical he is—no fluff, all clarity and expertise. He stayed ahead of every detail and was always quick to respond. His approach kept us confident and ensured a seamless process from start to finish. Highly recommend working with Josh from Danielle Lazier's office at Vivre Real Estate.
