Ruth is pure magic. We had been casually looking to buy a home in Oakland for a few years before we decided to take our search more seriously. For us, this meant moving beyond dropping into open houses and instead doing research for a realtor that could meet our specific needs. We had a clear set of criteria and neighborhoods in mind, but more importantly, we were looking for a realtor that represented the same values we had. We found everything and more in Ruth. From our first conversation, we felt that "click" that signals you've met one of your people. Her intentionality and thoughtful questions illustrated how seriously Ruth takes the buyer/agent relationship. Through the search, we felt like a true team. Many people can say they listen, but Ruth shows you how well she listens. Within days, she was sending us listings that were perfect matches as well as interesting options that were worth consideration. As first-time home buyers, she was also a wealth of knowledge when it came to educating us on standard items or unconventional quirks, and she helped put a number of things in context so we could better evaluate what mattered. Because of Ruth, we were able to look at off-market opportunities as well as published listings. We had given ourselves a six-month window to find a home, yet we closed on our dream home within a month of working with Ruth. She's kind, creative, direct, hilarious, scrappy, and a savvy deal evaluator and negotiator — everything you could want in a realtor (and friend!). We love our home and we love Ruth.