Testimonials

Michael worked with me – patiently and diligently – for over 3 years. As my quest to find the perfect house faced challenge after challenge, Michael remained consistent and positive. I grew to trust his insight and knowledge while making important decisions for my future. He is professional, resourceful, honest and very kind. I recommend Michael to all my friends and know that his experience and love of the work speaks for itself.

-- Kelly Stoll

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I am writing to offer my unqualified support for Michael McDonald as your next realtor.  My wife and I worked with Michael for months of indecision, sticker shock, and apathy through the selection, negotiation, and purchase of our home in Pasatiempo.  Michael’s knowledge of the real estate market- its trends, peculiarities, neighborhood profiles, and hot pockets – is matched only by his perseverance, warmth, assiduity, and patience.  Throughout our time working together, Michael made several astute recommendations about different homes, neighborhoods, and communities, but never pressured us to consider something that made us uncomfortable. 

Having purchased a number of homes before this one, I know how unusual it is for a realtor to dedicate so much of his/her time and energy and resources to working with clients and not rush their decision making.  Michael realizes and values how important this decision is in his clients’ lives and futures, and respects them enough to allow them to make this decision in a prudent, timely, and thoughtful manner.  For this, we will be forever grateful.
 
We are so pleased to have selected Michael to represent us in the purchase of the home where we will raise our two children.  He is kind, generous, funny, and exceedingly knowledgeable.  Considering we recently moved to Santa Cruz and did not know anyone in the area, we consider ourselves fortunate to have found a realtor with such character, integrity, and generosity.  I don’t think we could have gone through this experience without him.
 
Thank you, Michael!!!

-- Nina Maisterra & Percy Abram
 
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Michael helped me to sell my father's house that had been my second home during 36 years. I was impressed by his awareness of the emotional and physical challenges I experienced during the process.The entire time Michael was able to actively pursue the sale while keeping me and my two siblings informed and involved in the negotiations. He responded to our various moods with his good nature and genuine empathy. He is professional, goal oriented and at the same time a very calm, friendly, understanding business partner. If I ever need a reliable real estate agent again it will be Michael McDonald because he respects and honors my personal feelings while producing a successful business deal to everybody's satisfaction.

-- Ingrid Ringel

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I was anxious about selecting a realtor to represent my home of 35 years; I had absolutely no experience in selling real estate, and at the same time, a lot of family members to satisfy. It turned out that the decision was much like finding a soul mate, when it happened, I KNEW.

Michael was the fourth realtor I invited to appraise my home, and we bonded immediately over my new bathroom light fixtures. That may seem trivial to some, but to me it was an indication of the attention to detail Michael would bring to the sale. And it just got better from there.
 
He agreed with me that my listing price could be exciting at $50,000 MORE than the other agents suggested. He filed the paperwork that night, and I had an offer immediately. I wasn’t prepared to make a decision before the listing hit the market, but Michael guided me through a negotiation that brought me an ADDITIONAL $41,000—$91,000 MORE than the other three agents suggested to me!
 
The physical move was excruciating—my family lived and stashed in the house for its entire 35-year history. When I faltered at the end, my angel Michael was there for me with vacuum cleaner, kitchen scrubber, muscle, general problem solving, tissues and heart. He’s not only my real estate agent; he’s also my agent of comfort and support.
 
Could you ask for anything more?
 
-- Merry Bilgere

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My admiration for Michael is unbounded. I had lived in my home for nearly thirty-eight years when I asked Michael to sell it. He immediately realized that the house had become such a reflection of my personality and tastes that its sale was going to be a profoundly emotional experience for me. At every step of the way Michael was reassuring and made the process smooth and painless. His enthusiasm and tact in dealing with everyone was absolutely remarkable. Michael recommended talented craftspeople to prepare the place for sale and arranged for staging it in a stunning manner. As a result, we received several full-price offers almost as soon as we put the house on the market.
 
Michael has become a lifelong friend, and I shall always be grateful for his sensitive approach to selling my house, every aspect of which he handled with true excellence. I recommend him with great enthusiasm!
 
-- W. Sherwood Dudley

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We met Michael when we were interviewing agents to list our West Cliff Drive home in Santa Cruz.  It took only two seconds to know that he could handle Sheila's direct manner and laugh at it.  As a former broker, she wanted an agent who would be as good as she used to be. We wanted someone who was precise, conscientious, creative, optimistic and loyal.
 
We got much more with Michael. He is a neighbor, and now he's a good friend. It was easy for us to trust a person of integrity and high standards like Michael with a multi-million dollar investment.
 
--Sheila and Vern Schmidt

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I could not recommend Michael McDonald more highly.  My husband and I have used Michael as both our buyers' and sellers' agent.  When we were looking for a new home, Michael listened to our hopes and dreams very carefully.  He screened newly listed properties for us and found us our dream home!  He then worked very hard to ensure that everything went smoothly-- from our initial offer negotiations to inspections and escrow.  He was always prompt, supportive, available, and a pleasure to work with.

On the selling side, he had great suggestions for improving the marketability of our home, but was never pushy or overbearing.  It was always evident that his biggest concern was us.  He not only did an excellent job of showing our house and getting us a great price, he also was ready with a shoulder or a paint brush or whatever else was needed.  It was a huge relief to know that he was right there every step of the way insuring that there were no major glitches or unnecessary stressors.  His attention to detail and genuine compassion made the whole process much less stressful and ultimately a huge success.  We love our new home and have Michael to thank for it.
 
--Angelee Dion
 
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Michael is wonderful!  The best!  Go with Michael!
 
He listened carefully to our requirements and dreams and quickly zoomed in on our fabulous new home, a house we might otherwise have easily overlooked.  He was very helpful with all aspects of the buying process.
 
While that purchase was in escrow, he was incredibly helpful as the selling agent for our previous house.  We had considered selling it ourselves, and now look back and laugh at the sheer folly of the idea!
 
--Jay Gunter
 
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Michael is not just a "house peddler", he is a match maker to help you find the right home for your lifestyle.  I met Michael at his own open house (a rarity!) and he actually tried talking me out of my impulse purchase.  It turned out to be my best impulse in awhile!  Michael is now also a great friend and neighbor.
 
--Judy Shao

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Michael was the seller's realtor of a fabulous ocean front house I bought. I did not have a realtor and so Michael worked the whole deal for me. He was extremely trustworthy and fair in this situation representing the parties in perfect balance. Michael also was very wired in his tools, with a terrific web site for the home all set up, things like home inspections available as a download, and very on top of email. A perfect match for me! I'd use Michael to either represent a property for me or (if I could afford it) buy another home from him! Thanks Michael!
 
-- David Bernstein