Franck & Sara Werner Costa- Vanguard Properties

I had been contemplating selling my place for quite awhile, but as we all know the real estate market is so crazy. To further complicate matters, I needed to sell my place first before I could buy my next place. So, I talked to different realtors throughout the year when friends would send over a recommendation. The process just seemed so daunting and impossible that I would give up the idea and the cycle repeated itself… at least 4x.
The minute I met Franck, I was instantly put at ease. He had connections, creative ideas, and the quiet confidence to make me think… I might actually be able to do this. Franck really listened to me, and knew what I wanted — more space, a den/​study, parking, in the SOMA/​South Beach area for easy commuting. I was prepared to compromise because of the insane market, but I got everything on my wish list. Franck found me the perfect property and the perfect seller who was willing to work with my contingencies which is completely unheard of!
Once my offer was accepted, Franck had just a few days to market my place and get it on to MLS as it was getting close to the holidays. Everything was executed flawlessly, and he made it look easy — and I know it wasn’t. After the first open house we had an offer that was above asking price. By the time the offer came to me, Franck had quietly negotiated with the seller’s agent everything I wanted and more… including 30 day rent back.
Less than two months after that initial meeting with Franck, I am days away from moving into my new, dream home! It should be noted, that Franck also surrounds himself with the best people: fellow realtor Gretchen who has just as much dedication and attention to detail — they are a flawless team together, as well as a mortgage team that is well connected and understands this market and its time sensitivity.
Both properties closed almost a month ago, and I am still relying on Franck. He has provided numerous recommendations on contractors, painters, and closet organization (yay, Closet Factory!) — all of which have been on point for my specific needs. And, he still checks in.
Franck is well connected, organized, and the epitome of being client centric. I will be his client for life.

I embarked on the daunting task of buying a home in SF in the fall of 2012. A friend recommended Sara and I’m so glad he did. I recall giving Sara my home buying criteria during our first meeting — Victorian with original period details, Hayes/​Lower Haight, 2 unit building with both units vacant (for condo conversion), parking, etc. Needless to say, Sara hinted that I might have to compromise on my very lengthy wish list. Well… no compromise necessary. I found a bank owned (past foreclosure) property for a steal. Sara guided me and my co-​buyer through every step of the process from offer (we beat out 9 other offers without overbidding!) to escrow close.
My purchase transaction was by far the most challenging transaction that Sara had encountered at that point in her career — fixer upper with no disclosure package, 3R report that misrepresented the legal property type, appraisal with issues that weren’t approved by mortgage company, and so forth. Words cannot express how grateful I am for Sara’s perseverance and determination to close the deal. Purchasing a bank owned property is a roller coaster ride. It was a 6 month escrow process. Most real estate agents would have lost interest given the imbalance in deal size relative to effort. Sara never complained. She treated each obstacle as a challenge and took it head on. I can honestly say that don’t think I would have ended up with my dream home if it hadn’t been for Sara. As others have mentioned, she become more of a friend than my real estate agent after working with her for 6 months.
Fast forward 2 years… I went to Sara in the spring of 2014 for a mortgage agent recommendation during the condo conversion refi process. Not only did she provide a stellar referral, she personally reached out to the mortgage agent when things started to go awry in the loan refi process. Mind you that Sara was getting no commission since this was a refi only. This didn’t stop Sara though — she came to the rescue once again! Sara is beyond rock star quality. I will continue to work with Sara for all my SF real estate needs.

Sara is absolutely as good as it gets in real estate. She can talk you through every aspect of buying a home in the Bay Area, has great connections across the industry, and is a joy to work with. When my wife and I started talking to Sarah we didn’t know when or where we wanted to buy and she could not have been more generous with her time and advice. You won’t regret working with her.

This review is long overdue, Sara and her team have helped us with no less than 3 separate real estate transactions over the last 4 years and I am only just writing this now which is ridiculous given how amazing they have been but maybe given how much we have had going on maybe she will forgive us:)
I met Sara and Franck at an open house which we were looking at with no intention to buy and thought they were amazing — exactly what you hope for when visiting, helpful and not at all dismissive to clear non buyers. When it came time for us to get a realtor we interviewed several (including «the best» in SF… who it turned out were not unless you are a high net worth client) but were so impressed again by Sara that we wanted to work with her. It turned out Sara did not specialize in the area we were looking but that didn’t stop her referring someone amazing who we then worked with.
Time came for us to sell a condo — Sara was on it in a flash with more amazing recco’s. Not only is Sara amazing she has great referrals who like her are passionate, helpful, committed and oh so importantly in the SF market make it happen with no mistakes in the all too quick 30 days. Sara’s response time is sometimes uncannily fast! Every single time I have asked Sara for anything no matter how obscure she has come up trumps. (I even asked for a referral for a Canadian agent and she nailed it).
I cannot recommend Sara and her team enough. If you are looking for integrity, knowledge, can-​do attitude all served with a smile, a passion for real estate and a genuine desire to help you have found it here.

Sara and Gretchen are nothing short of amazing! They held our hands through the entire process as first time buyers. They both respond to emails /​calls immediately, are extremely knowledgeable and very well networked/​connected in SF (which can be the most important part to set yourself apart in a city where most homes get Many offers!)
They made us feel like we were truly their only clients (which is hardly the case:) we had so much fun working with them and couldn’t recommend more!
Amazing, efficient, hard working, super kind professionals!

Sara is wonderful. She’s a fantastic real estate agent, who is supremely passionate about her job, and about helping people through what can be a brutal process, of finding a home for themselves. She’s patient, thorough, well-​connected, fearless and on another level, she’s also really fun and warm — which helps a lot when you’re navigating the purchase of a home! We bought a home through Sara — with a big assist from Franck, her husband and partner in their realty business — and we’ve since rented it out through them, with help from Gretchen. They’re all pros, super well versed in a tricky market, and we’ve always felt like Sara was more of a partner and friend, than a «realtor», if that makes sense. I’d recommend her without reservation.

If you are looking for the best real estate agent in San Francisco, then look no further, Sara Werner Costa is your girl.
First things first, I have to be explicit in saying that Sara and her team were the most amazing people to work with when my fiancé and I were searching for our first home. We could not have been happier with the entire experience.
We were referred to Sara by a mutual friend of us both. A quick email later, we were in contact and it was all but written in stone that we would be working together.
After completing the First Time Homebuyer Workshop through CCCS (Consumer Credit Counseling Services), which really helped us understand the whole buying process, we were ready to start looking at properties. We knew what we wanted; 2 bedrooms, natural light, move in ready, hopefully a parking space, East of Masonic, North of Ceasar Chavez and it had to be close to public transportation as well. Not too picky right? We went to a few properties, nothing great. So we waited another week, a few more properties, still not hitting the mark. After about five weeks of watching the market and attending open houses we were starting to lose faith.
BUT THEN, out of the blue, our dream home emerges from the fog and that was it! We wanted it, we had to have it. And I can happily say, WE GOT IT in no small part thanks to the miraculous professionalism, insight and hard work of Sara Werner Costa and her wonderful team!
She knew the market, knew the competition and knew this was going to be a tough one to land, especially in the Spring of 2013 when the market was starting to really bounce back strongly. We put in our offer and a few hours later, we got the call that the place was ours and we would be starting escrow in the morning! Luckily for us, Sara is so good at what she does, and so well respected by her peers that the seller’s agent went out of his way to work with her instead of others because of her reputation.
Obviously we could not have been happier. Let me be clear, this was our FIRST OFFER and it was accepted largely do to Sara’s reputation, as apparently the other offers were virtually identical to ours.
ELATION!
Escrow is where Sara’s expertise really started to shine. The multitude of paper work, property inspections, money transfers, legal documents and signatures that needed to happen were overwhelming, and our escrow was incredibly short, only 2 weeks. Sara explained everything to us in language we could understand and was eager to clarify any questions we had. She was available at all hours of the day, and I mean ALL, and was speedy in her replies. Two weeks and hundreds of pages later, we had the keys in our hands and the thing was over!
I can honestly say that we could not have done it without Sara. She made us feel like we were a real team, in this thing together, our success was her success. Her overall enthusiasm and optimistic attitude kept us excited to keep going even when our spirits were down.
Throughout the process she was the most professional, knowledgeable, courteous, funny, kind and genuine person. My fiancé and I truly feel like we gained a friend and not just a business partner in the end, and could not recommend her more highly.

Sara will get it done. In this fierce market, you need someone who knows the market and how to get a deal done. Sara and Franck worked hard to get us the home we wanted and we are forever grateful. I highly recommend them as real estate agents in SF.

I bought my second home with Sara, and the difference between my first real estate agent and her was night and day. My first agent was basically there to arrange the signing of documents and to get her commission, so when Sara actually took an active interest in knowing what I wanted/​needed in my second home, took me around to actually see homes during open houses, and gave honest feedback when saying a certain home wouldn’t meet my criteria for X and Y reasons, she really earned by trust and I knew that she wasn’t just interested in earning a commission, but that she really wanted to find me a home that she knew that met my needs and that I would love.
At the time, I was so ready to move out of my former condo with so much construction going on around me that I think it might have been easy for any other real estate agent to find me any ol’ place to move into. And although there were some decent options there, she would point out little things that she knew wouldn’t make the home ideal for me. For instance, Sara knew I have elderly parents (because she actually took my parents and me out for an Open House tour!), and in an observant way, she asked whether my parents would have trouble climbing the stairs of a place I really liked (there were about 30 to the entrance). She was right! It meant a lot to me that she kept my interests (and those of my family) in mind.
Even though we were in a competitive buyer’s market, and even though I was desparate to move out, Sara was so patient so thoughtful, and knew it was important to get me into the *right* place rather than any place. In the end, I found a place that I love love love. And when we went through the bidding process, she gave me great advice, and I didn’t once feel I had over bid. When we got the *huge* packet of seller’s documents, we sat through and talked about what they all meant, and she was great in answering all of my questions.
In short, Sara’s awesome, and her positive warm energy is infectious. I couldn’t recommend her more!

I worked with Sara when she listed my condo in San Francisco. It is rare to find someone with the level of passion and integrity Sara brings to her work. She is incredibly hard working and sensitive to her client’s needs. Above all, she, and her husband Franc are just wonderful and caring people. It is rare to find someone like Sara and I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone interested in buying or selling a house or condo.

I must admit, as a first time homebuyer, I was fairly cynical about the need for a real estate agent; especially as a buyer. I even flirted with using some company that doesn’t pay by commission and gives you 1% of it back. I am humble enough to admit I was wrong, and am VERY grateful to the friend who introduced me and my wife to Sara. I firmly believe we would not have gotten our house without her. We have since referred her to 2 of our friends; and both of them have successfully purchased houses in San Fran. The bottom line is that Sara closes deals!
Sara knows the home buying process inside and out and is happy to explain every step. She is VERY responsive and responds to phone calls and emails immediately. We were able to meet with her when it suited our schedule; and not hers. She is very personable and a pleasure to work with! She gives insights when it comes time to propose that very important number of how much you’re willing to bid. She uses comparables from the area, and can caution against too high a bid in certain situations. She also has the patience required for the SF market. My wife and I probably looked for about a year, interrupted for a few months for our wedding and honeymoon, before we closed on our house.
Sara understands that as soon as an initial offer is accepted, the clock starts ticking and there are a number of things that need to happen ASAP in order to fit them in before a deal can close. As a first time homebuyer, I did not fully appreciate this until I experienced it myself. If your agent can not execute, then you miss the deadlines and contingencies and lose the deal. Sara is on top of it! She has contacts she can refer you who are like minded and are meticulous on details. We used her referral for our mortgage and were able to get things processed in lightning speed at the rate we wanted.
Let’s face it, San Fran is a very competitive market. If you get an initial offer accepted, you don’t want to lose the deal because you couldn’t get your paperwork done in time. Because Sara has a reputation for closing deals, other agents know they can count on her when she is on the other side of a deal. This is just my perception, but one of the reasons why I now appreciate the value that a GREAT agent like Sara makes all the difference in a competitive market like San Fran. She made several suggestions during the process that I would not have thought to do myself; and they turned out to be critical in the end to us winning.
If you are going to buy in a competitive market like San Fran, you need a competitive agent. Sara plays to win, and I’m glad she’s on my team. Whenever it comes time to dip my toes back into the real-​estate market here, I would be foolish not to call Sara.

Sara is really as good as they come. My wife and I were picky, finicky, first time home buyers who barely knew what we wanted. We were demanding and Sara never once flinched at a request or question of ours. Through her research and thoroughness, she gave us the confidence that what we were purchasing was the right decision at the right time. Because of Sara’s diligence and hard work, we are proud owners of a beautiful, spacious, Edwardian single-​family-​home in desirable north-​slope Bernal Heights with a backyard garden full of trees and a hot tub. Without Sara, it’s doubtful we would’ve been able to make such a fine purchase at an excellent price. We will be calling Sara when it’s time for us to buy our second home. Thank you Sara!

If you read all the reviews, they are true. Sara and her team are truly phenomenon.
I was referred to Sara by a good friend. As first time homebuyers, I had no clue where to start. Sara and Gretchen were very helpful, resourceful, reliable, professional, personable, and friendly. They gave me a lot of useful information to get started. They listened and paid attention to what I was looking for. They made great strategic suggestions, full with insights. These are just some of the things that you generally don’t get anywhere else. They came from years of experiences; and they added a lot of value in my decision process.
The market was very competitive when I was looking in 2013. With Sara and Gretchen’s hard work and responsiveness, I was able to become an owner of a very lovely single-​family-​home in Bernal Heights with very cool backyard. It was my first time buying and was my first bid. In a way I’m thankful to get what I love within such a short timeframe without having to go through the long and never ending house buying process. I have Sara and Gretchen to thank for putting together a package and cover letter that speak to the previous owner.
The story doesn’t end there. I then had to relocate aboard for work. Sara, Gretchen, and Franck came back in the picture and help me find the right tenants. They’re always willing to help. Sara and her team have my highest recommendation.

My husband and I met with Sara and Gretchen in June of this year to begin what we thought would be a long and difficult journey toward homeownership. We were apprehensive first-​time buyers who’d heard our share of horror stories about buying in San Francisco.
Much of what we’d heard was true — prices here are high, inventory is low, and things sell fast. In a market that’s intimidating for first-​time buyers, Sara and Gretchen provided us with the perfect balance of comfort and realism which put our fears to rest. They were honest about what we could afford and steered us toward properties and neighborhoods that worked for our budget and family.
After we found the perfect house, it became clear that our out-​of-​area lender wasn’t going to be able to close quickly enough. With less than 24 hours before offers were due, they put us in touch with a local lender who was familiar with the market and was able to push our loan through, and at a much better rate. During the escrow period Sara and Gretchen worked hard to keep us calm, informed, and to assuage our anxieties.
Less than four months after our first meeting, me and my husband are in our new home. We’re both amazed at how quickly it happened, and how painless it was compared to our expectations. We’re so happy to be home owners and are grateful for the team that helped us get here.

If you live in SF and are looking to buy in this competitive housing market, then contact Sara and Franck Costa. That’s what we did after they came highly recommended by a close friend and we have absolutely no regrets.
As first time homebuyers, we were intimidated. Inventory is limited and there are too many foreign buyers with way too much cash laying around. But with Sara and Franck’s help, we now own a beautiful condo in one of the most sought after buildings in San Francisco.
Both Sara and Franck are so personable and it’s clear from going to all the open houses and broker tours that they are well liked by their peers. They have an extensive network of connections which always helps in a market with little to no inventory. Both of them are extremely hard working but they always make time for their clients and when they are with you, they have your undivided attention.
Not only are Franck and Sara good realtors, they are good people who have your best interest in mind.

I have so much respect for Sara — she is one of a kind. As a rellow real estate professional myself, whenever my team or I need a go-​to professional to refer to in the San Fransisco area, we turn to Sara first because of her knowledge, service, professionalism and infectious attitude. She’s simply the best!

Sara is the hardest working realtor in the Bay Area. From her willingness to meet us at 10pm on a Sunday for our first meeting, to the thoroughness with which see approached each detail of the home buying process, to the personal care and patience she provided to two new home buyers, we just can’t thank Sara enough. Just looking back in my Gmail, we must have a string over 100+ emails, with Sara always making the extra effort to make sure we understood the process, so that we were confident we were making a decision in our best interests.
In our situation, speed was essential. Our dream house was re-​listed on Saturday, we viewed it again on Sunday and called Sara for the first time that afternoon. She met us at 10pm that night because of our crazy schedules, stretching until after midnight. Knowing there were several packets out and competing bids coming in, we placed a bid (our first ever) on Monday morning, which was accepted on Tuesday.
Even though we were incredibly lucky to have our first bid accepted, Sara still worked so diligently throughout the entire closing process. More importantly, all of Sara’s advice on bidding and negotiating was right on target. She was absolutely right on everything, and because of it we bought our dream house.
A year later, when people ask us about our home buying process, my wife and I always cut-​in to see who can sing Sara’s praises first. We now consider Sara a personal friend and we can’t thank her enough. Sara, you’re the best!

I highly recommend Sara if you are looking for a realtor who is a rock star! Sara is a bright light in the world. She has a great personality and a winning smile. She is super friendly, helpful, smart, professional, resourceful, thorough, and attentive to her client’s needs. At our first meeting Sara provided me with a «Buyer’s Guide to San Francisco Real Estate» that she had prepared with a ton of useful information on the market, financing options, the buying process, and more.
She really listens to what her clients want and works hard to help them achieve their goals. Real estate is more than a job to Sara. It is her passion and she truly cares about finding people the perfect home and making sure that they are happy throughout the entire process.
Sara was a pleasure to work with as we toured countless open houses. She was knowledgeable, informative, responsive, energetic, and always had a positive attitude. She emailed articles to me on planned improvements in my chosen neighborhood, and even shared useful contacts for design firms, retailers, and handymen.
Sara works tirelessly and is great in responding to emails and voicemails. She consistently answered all of my questions and even anticipated questions that I had not yet thought of and explained what I needed to know.
Sara never dropped the ball. She made what was a sometimes challenging loan approval process much easier and was right there every step of the way from submitting my offer until the day I got my keys. As an added bonus she brought me bubbly to toast my new digs at closing. Be sure to contact Sara if you are looking for an amazing realtor to help you with your home purchase. You will be happy that you did.

My husband and I had spoken with a couple of other real estate agents. None of them made us excited about finding our first home. Than we met with Sara who told us exactly what we needed to hear, and gave off such confidence while not being condescending. She truly enjoys/​loves her job. So much fun to work with someone who has such a positive attitude.
We put down three offers with Sara, and she took the time to go over all of the paper work, all of the financials, all of our odd questions. If there was a question she didn’t know the answer to (rarely happened), she always found out so quickly.
We always felt like the most important clients, and the most loved :)

I’ve known Sara for 10+ years. I refer Sara to all my closest friends who are interested in real estate in the SF area. I know they will be well taken care of in Sara’s hands. When it comes to Real Estate, she knows her stuff — hands down. Sara has the proclivity to understand the needs of her clients and consistently exceeds expectations. her heart is in it to help her clients find *THE* home that best meets their needs. Becoming a homeowner is such a huuuge investment — she is someone who will make sure her client’s needs are met and questions are answered. Sara’s second to none, and I dare anyone to challenge me to think otherwise.
Here’s my take on Sara as a professional —
Sara’s greatest strengths are as follows: the ability to pick things up quickly, adapt to changes with grace, ability to be proactive about risks and address them before they become problematic, and ability to collaborate effectively with others. Sara is enthusiastic about Real Estate — she lives and breathes it. She’s detail oriented, thrives on a fast pace work environment, and is very capable of juggling a million things simultaneously while meeting her deadlines. Without a doubt, she is a superstar performer.