Heather knows and understands the housing market. She gives excellent guidance and works hard for you. She really listens to her clients interests and needs. She is an excellent communicator, constantly checking in without any pressure. When we finally chose a house, she gave us great advice about the approach to take and then made it happen. We couldn't be happier with the experience or the result!
Heather worked with my in-laws over a 2 year time span, and they landed on the perfect spot. She’s not pushy at all and very helpful. She went above and beyond printing out, going over and getting wet signatures on documents along with visiting the property multiple times before it closed.
Sometimes in life you come across people who feel like guardian angels—and when that person is your real estate agent during a Bay Area house hunt, it can mean the difference between stress and frustration vs. landing your dream home. We feel incredibly lucky a friend referred us to Heather Duke, who I now call the patron saint of Alameda real estate. A few years ago, we weren’t sure we’d ever afford a home in the Bay Area. We even considered leaving California. Fast forward to today—we’re in a home we love, in a community we’re thrilled to be part of, and we’re so grateful we chose to work with Heather. As first-time buyers, we were often overwhelmed, but Heather guided us with patience, empathy, and deep knowledge. She helped us balance realistic expectations with hope and confidence, which made all the difference. Heather truly acted in our best interest, offering honest advice and never pressuring us. She respected that this was the biggest purchase of our lives, and gave us space to make the right decisions. Her expertise in the Alameda market—and strong relationships with agents, lenders, and contractors—gave us a real edge. She went above and beyond: available outside normal hours, moving fast on offers, and helping us evaluate disclosures with care. She could shift seamlessly from high-level strategy to small details—like whether to worry about an electrical issue mentioned in the disclosures. She offered invaluable emotional support and expert guidance during complex, high-stakes decisions. Amazingly, less than a month after meeting Heather, we were under contract on our dream home—within budget and never feeling rushed. She even made us feel truly welcome in the Alameda community. We can’t recommend Heather highly enough—especially for fellow first-time buyers. She’s the real deal. Thank you, Heather!
I cannot say enough positive about the knowledge of Alameda real estate market by Heather Duke. She answered every question, many times before I knew to ask. If I could give a 10 star review I would. She is professional, friendly and truly looks out for her clients best interests. My home sold and closed prior to the first scheduled open house due to the skills and vast network Heather has. The sale price far exceeded expectations and was a smooth transaction. I believe this sale was the result of Heather being honest with me about what must be done to attract the best buyers while not recommending things that would not add specific value to the property. I put my full trust in Heather Duke and she did not disappoint. I believe she will represent a buyer or a seller with knowledge and a true desire to have the best outcome for her clients.
Thank you for handling the sale of the Shop/House at 2548 Mac Arthur Boulevard in Oakland. You answered all my questions, requests although strange at times, always got back to me promptly, found someone to take care of the many details and for your honesty. I couldn't have one it without you. A top 10 Job.
Muy atento a su servicio al cliente, explica todo sobre el proceso de venta y tiene mucha información y conocimiento de lo que hace.
I recently had to sell my moms house and used Jeff Goodman from Compass. Good experience, helpful, quick, knowledgeable and it just worked out fine for us. Much appreciation to Jeff.
Highly recommend Jeff as a great Alameda broker to easily guide you through your real estate sale or purchase !
Jeff was proactive and most helpful in achieving quick sales. I recommend him highly.
I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have worked with Dave in the purchase of my first home! From the very beginning, he was incredibly patient, taking the time to walk me through each step of the process and making sure I fully understood what was happening. As a first-time homebuyer, I had so many questions, but he always provided clear, thorough answers and made me feel completely comfortable throughout the entire journey. If you’re looking for a real estate agent who is not only incredibly professional but also genuinely caring and patient, I highly recommend Dave. He truly made what could have been an overwhelming process feel manageable, and I’m so happy to have had him by my side as I purchased my first home!
I just completed both a purchase of a house and the sale of a condo. Dave Ballerni was the agent for both. I am pleased to note the following regarding his service. Friendliness: David is approachable, warm, and made me feel comfortable and valued. Constant Communication: David consistently updated me on any changes, new developments and progress. He was assertive in reaching out, responsive to questions, and always maintained open lines of communication. Realistic: David provided honest assessments of market conditions, property values, and potential outcomes. He set appropriate expectations and offered practical advice based on current data and trends. Additionally David is a long time resident of Alameda so he knows the neighborhoods, etc. I am satisfied with David’s guidance and professional knowledge on both the sale of my condo and the purchase of my house.
