1,000+
Real Estate Transactions
$140 Million
2018 Home Sales
$2 Billion
Overall Home Sales
Top 100 Team
on the WSJ
80+
Collective Years
of Experience
$800K+ Charitable
Donations
Rick Kaluza
The Personality
A lifelong San Francisco Bay Area resident with an expansive knowledge of the ever-changing regional real estate market, Rick’s expertise and fierce negotiating skills are matched by a personality that puts clients at ease. His extensive background in multiple facets of the business, from residential to commercial sales, leasing, financing, property management and development, enables him to confidently advise clients on a broad range of real estate needs.
Known for his tenacity and diehard dedication, Rick has earned the respect of his colleagues and clients. He has been ranked a Top 10 team in San Francisco for years running and was recruited by the #1 team at Sotheby’s globally before going on to become a founding agent at Compass San Francisco.
The only thing that makes him happier than wins for the Giants, Warriors, or 49ers is when he helps a client reach their personal real estate goals. Most of all spending time with his wife Katie, daughter Vivienne, and son Crue.
DRE# 01365486
Meet the Team
Michelle Pender
The Visionary
A native San Franciscan, Michelle knows her way around the hills and microclimates of the city’s neighborhoods, as well as the intricacies of its often complex real estate marketplace. Hardworking, direct, and dedicated, Michelle’s commitment to excellence, marketing expertise, and negotiating prowess have built a clientele that refers her services often. Her enormous energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism makes life easier for her clients and team.
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The Visionary
A native San Franciscan, Michelle knows her way around the hills and microclimates of the city’s neighborhoods, as well as the intricacies of its often complex real estate marketplace. Hardworking, direct, and dedicated, Michelle’s commitment to excellence, marketing expertise, and negotiating prowess have built a clientele that refers her services often. Her enormous energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism makes life easier for her clients and team.
Currently residing in Noe Valley with her three children, Michelle enjoys the architecture, food, arts, natural beauty, and rich history of the city she’s proud to call home.
John Townsend
The Strategist
In John’s childhood home, conversations about San Francisco real estate were commonplace. Today, a deep understanding of market analytics and trends allow him to bring insight and focus to the strategic counsel his clients have come to rely on.
Consistently ranked as one of San Francisco’s top producers, John has sold more than $300 million in property since 2012 and more than $700 million in total transactions since 2006.
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The Strategist
In John’s childhood home, conversations about San Francisco real estate were commonplace. Today, a deep understanding of market analytics and trends allow him to bring insight and focus to the strategic counsel his clients have come to rely on.
Consistently ranked as one of San Francisco’s top producers, John has sold more than $300 million in property since 2012 and more than $700 million in total transactions since 2006. He’s highly active in San Francisco’s luxury property market, selling two of the city’s most expensive homes in the last two years—for $11,750,000 and $15,850,000, respectively.
He has set numerous sales records in San Francisco, including price-per-square-foot records in Noe Valley, Bernal Heights, Alamo Square, Russian Hill, and several important condominiums and cooperative apartment buildings across the city.
He volunteers as a member of The Guardsmen and is also an active member of San Francisco’s Olympic Club. He lives with his wife and two children in the city’s Richmond District.
Transaction Manager
Sydney Miller
Marketing Director
As Marketing Director, Sydney is responsible for creating all marketing content, listing marketing strategy, social media management, and continuous branding efforts. With five years of real estate marketing experience and a strong eye for detail, she takes the lead in all aspects of marketing each agent using her knowledge and skill to present the listings […]
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Marketing Director
As Marketing Director, Sydney is responsible for creating all marketing content, listing marketing strategy, social media management, and continuous branding efforts. With five years of real estate marketing experience and a strong eye for detail, she takes the lead in all aspects of marketing each agent using her knowledge and skill to present the listings and the Westward Advisory team in the best light possible. She strives to think outside the box and to provide successful marketing conversions.
Chief Giving Officer
Rick Kaluza
The Personality
A lifelong San Francisco Bay Area resident with expansive knowledge of the ever-changing regional real estate market, Rick’s expertise and fierce negotiating skills are matched by a personality that puts clients at ease. His extensive background in multiple facets of the business, from residential to commercial sales, leasing, financing, property management and development, enables him to confidently advise clients on a broad range of real estate needs.
Read more
The Personality
A lifelong San Francisco Bay Area resident with expansive knowledge of the ever-changing regional real estate market, Rick’s expertise and fierce negotiating skills are matched by a personality that puts clients at ease. His extensive background in multiple facets of the business, from residential to commercial sales, leasing, financing, property management and development, enables him to confidently advise clients on a broad range of real estate needs.
Known for his tenacity and diehard dedication, Rick has earned the respect of his colleagues and clients. He has been ranked a Top 100 agent for Coldwell Banker Northern California and was recruited by the #1 team at Sotheby’s globally before going on to become a founding agent at Compass San Francisco.
The only thing that makes him happier than wins for the Giants, Warriors, or 49ers is when he helps a client reach their personal real estate goals. He calls Cow Hollow home (and playground) with his wife and two kids.
Butch Haze
The Transformer
Butch knows that no house is perfect to begin with. Even the best properties require vision, specialist knowledge, and superior resources to market successfully. Butch sees each property’s potential and makes sure the first view potential buyers see is the best one. With more than 800 homes sold, his results testify to the wisdom of his proactive approach. “My clients, if served beyond expectations, will become lifelong advocates. Every day we set out to out-hustle and outwork our competition and it shows in our results,” he says.
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The Transformer
Butch knows that no house is perfect to begin with. Even the best properties require vision, specialist knowledge, and superior resources to market successfully. Butch sees each property’s potential and makes sure the first view potential buyers see is the best one. With more than 800 homes sold, his results testify to the wisdom of his proactive approach. “My clients, if served beyond expectations, will become lifelong advocates. Every day we set out to out-hustle and outwork our competition and it shows in our results,” he says.
Quality relationships throughout the Bay Area also position Butch and the Westward Advisory Group to be first to know about off-market sales and pocket listings, giving clients an edge in an extremely competitive market.
In his off hours, he gives back as co-creator of Dig Deep SF. The organization is the largest donator of toys in California for the Salvation Army and also supports the Raphael House and other organizations that work with families across the Bay. After living in the city for over 20 years he recently moved to Lafayette with his wife and two boys.
