combination of experience, integrity and intuition

"I have been buying and selling homes for over 40 years- some to live in and some as investments. Mark is the first REALTOR in all those years with the combination of experience, integrity and, most important, intuition to understand my needs. He has the ability to sort through available properties or clients as to not waste time on mismatched and fruitless offers. Mark has been my REALTOR for years. In those years he has assisted me with sales and purchases of our family home and investment property. He is, bar none, the BEST. Forever Grateful,"
— Larry Bucher, Buyer - Seller - Investor

over 20 bids on the house... went above and beyond

"My wife and I hired Mark to assist us in purchasing our first home. After looking for several weeks we found a foreclosure that we loved in the Bouldin Creek area. There was over 20 bids on the house but with Mark's expertise and suggestions we were the winning bid! After months of lender issues and bank issues due to the foreclosure we finally closed on the house. Through it all Mark stuck by our side and was always positive and reassuring even when we wanted to give up. He went above and beyond what a normal Realtor does in a transaction and was continually calling the bank and lenders and doing everything in his power to ensure we closed. If you are looking for a professional and knowledgeable Realtor Mark Strub is it!"
- Corey Dulimba, Buyer

great guy and great results!

"Mark is extremely knowledgeable and always professional. We moved out of Central Austin and hired Mark to help us sell our home and purchase a home in another area of Austin. Although he is an expert in Central Austin, he is open to researching all surrounding areas. We felt confident Mark provided us with the information we needed to make an educated decision for our family. Great guy and great results!"
— Cynthia Smith, Buyer - Seller

wouldn’t have this house if I didn’t have Mark as my Realtor

“I met Mark when I was a renter – he was my landlord’s agent when she decided to sell. I worked nights at that time and he went out of his way to be respectful of my weird sleeping hours. As disappointed as I was to have to move, Mark made it as painless for me as possible. When I mentioned being unsure about buying instead of renting again, he got my email address, did a personalized analysis of which would make the most sense for me and sent it the next day. Considerate, professional and an all-around nice guy. Fast forward a couple years when I was finally ready to buy for the first time. I made the HUGE mistake of using two other (lesser) agents over the course of a year trying to buy. This was not only a frustrating experience but also an abysmal failure. After making offers and missing out on several great properties, I called up Mark. What a difference it made to have Mark working for me. He helped me find a perfect house on a big, wooded lot in an area I never thought I’d be able afford (78704EVER!). The first day it went on the market I drove by. Cars were parked everywhere and lots of people walking around outside. The next afternoon, Mark and I went to look at it together even though I didn’t think I had a chance. I was sure it was already under contract. But when I told him “I want it”, he went to work immediately. He knew just how to structure an offer that would be accepted and like magic it was under contract for me that very night. Between contract and closing he did everything for me. He met me back there anytime I wanted to look around “one more time”. Arranged all the inspections, surveys and helped me counter-offer the seller when we found things that needed work. The process for me was essentially effortless. And a lot of fun for a change. I can say without a doubt that I wouldn’t have this house if I didn’t have Mark as my Realtor. He saved me money and got me a place I never thought I would find. I recommend him to everyone I know that is looking to buy or sell. Mark will be my Realtor if I ever decide to sell or buy anything else.”
— Heath Marr, Buyer  

one of the best business partners I have ever worked with

Another positive review for Mark Strub. Yes, I have now used Mark 3 times. The first time, the inspection on the house fell through. And the 2nd and 3rd time was earlier this month. Mark helped us buy an amazing new condo, and oh by the way, was able to pre-lease our current residence so we didn't have to break our lease to move (at no charge)...

Mark was always available whenever I had a "beginners question" or to consult me before heading back to the negociation table. I would go as far as saying that Mark is not only the best Realtor I have ever had; but that he is also one of the best business partners I have ever worked with as well... 

As Mark has said, clients become friends and vice versa. I couldn't agree more. Great job sir and thank you!
-Dustin Sandoval, Buyer

buying your first house in a new city is a really big deal.

"Buying a house is kinda a big deal. Buying your first house in a new city is a really big deal. 
From the start, Mark was helpful, informative and relaxed even switching from showing us houses to driving us to different apartments to find our temporary landing spot in Austin on our first meeting with him. From then on, we decided to stick with Mark throughout the process of finding our first home together. Throughout, Mark was patient and observant helping us hone in on our ideal location and eventual home. After we pulled the trigger he has continued to be helpful in recommending contractors for remodeling projects, advising us when we considering renting and just overall continuing to happily provide assistance long after we purchased the home.
Mark truly understands how important building and maintaining relationship are to running a successful business. Because of this he helps take some of the stress out of buying and even owning a home."
- Ananda Christopher, Buyer

this is going to sound "over the top"

"This is going to sound 'over the top,' but Mark really helped changed our family's life. Due to unforseen circumstances we had to move out of of our home in the Austin area, and found ourselves in a situation where we the reluctant owners of two homes (and two mortgages). After a failed attempt at selling our Austin home with another REALTOR, we rented the house out for about a year. During that time I somehow stumbled across some reviews of Mark on Yelp, and after exchanging some emails with him, decided that he was exactly who we needed to help sell our house.


We kept in contact via email for the year that our house was rented out, and when the tenants moved out we called him (in somewhat of a panic) and said we needed to sell the house now. Carrying two mortgages by ourselves was not an ideal situation. He gave us realistic and honest advice about price and what needed to be modifyed in the home. He helped refer us to professionals to help get the needed work done, and even offerered to be there onsite, when needed, since we no longer lived in the Austin area. Mark was always available by email, phone call, or text to answer our questions or provide us any info we needed.  


We followed all of his advice, and from the date our house went on the market until the date we closed with a very fair offer, only 60 days passed.  It was amazing.  Since we had already had a failed attempt at selling our home, we knew what an amazing accomplishment that was.  


Our family no longer has the burden of a home we no longer needed, but we do now have a REALTOR that we would recommend to anyone.  As others have said, he also is such a great guy that he becomes your friend.  We are forever grateful.
- Summer Hull, Seller

dedicated to his work and his clients

“After living in Milago for 5 years deciding to sell our condominium wasn't an easy decision and neither was finding the right realtor to represent it; until my wife and I met Mark. We luckily came across his business card and asked him to meet with us at our home to get an idea of his selling style and feedback about the property. My wife and I couldn't have been happier after that first meeting-Mark's approach was personable, detail oriented, well organized and above all else he had exceptional marketing strategies to get the property the exposure it needed to find the right buyer. The offers started rolling in just four days after we listed and Mark made the transaction easy and seamless. 
He's very dedicated to his work and his clients and was great about keeping us informed throughout the entire process. In addition Mark helped us find our new home which wasn't an easy task since we had specific needs and a short time frame to do so. His flexibility for short notice showings, honest advice and endless patience were paramount, and he provides his clients with essential resources most realtors don't commonly share. 
We were fortunate to find and work with Mark Strub and have referred him to our friends in the community as a stellar real estate agent in Austin, TX.”
- Scott Blount, Seller

REALTOR who can excel no matter what the market is like

"Mark Strüb is the best of the best. I've used him to sell a house, buy a house, rent a house, and research the market - and in every single situation he has provided me with excellent service and insightful advice. 


He's the kind of realtor who can excel no matter what the market is like, because he's: 1. Brilliant and creative 2. Extremely personable and friendly 3. Unbelievably hard-working. 


I've recommended Mark to everyone I know, and once they start working with him, I inevitably get a message saying, 'Where did you find this guy? He's amazing!' etc. Every. Time."
— Nathan Hanners, Investor

Christy worked tirelessly for us in one of the most insane real estate markets out there

Christy Strüb of Strüb Residential could not have come at a better time in our lives.  Recently engaged, my fiancé and I were on the fence about whether or not we should buy property in Austin.  When we met with Christy for the first time as our realtor, she explained things in great detail for us, taking us step-by-step through the looking, lending and buying process, and really helping us figure out our wants and needs in relation to the current market.   Having Christy as our realtor immediately made us feel relaxed and confident as first-time homebuyers to take a bite out of Austin territory. 

Once we started the search, Christy worked tirelessly for us in one of the most insane real estate markets out there.  Christy would be out at 8 am looking at two or three houses with me, and then turn right back around at lunchtime to look with me again at a promising house that just came on the market.  We would call her late at night and on the weekends, and she always made us feel like a priority,  and that she truly wanted the best first house for us to call home.

With Christy by our side guiding us through one of the toughest buyers’ markets out there (bidding wars, houses pending within 24 hours, anemic inventory) we were able to find our first home within a month of searching!  By the time we closed on the house, it had only been two months from the time we had our first conversation with Christy about buying.  Some of my friends had horror stories of spending six months or more in an exhaustive and unfruitful home search, and I truly feel like I owe everything to our wonderful realtor with her smart strategy and keen eye.  She is so hardworking, dedicated and focused, and someone I consider a dear, dear friend.  Down the road when it’s time to start thinking about real estate again, she will be the first person I call!

Sophie Pearson, EH (Ecstatic Homeowner)

Mark is a one-of-a-kind realtor, the only one you should consider

I'm not generally a fan of realtors.  In the past, I've lumped them in the same bucket as the worst of the worst of used car salesmen.  I can genuinely say that Mark completely changed my opinion and showed my husband and I just how valuable an excellent real estate agent can be.  

Mark took the time to help us figure out exactly what we were looking for.  He was patient with us and provided helpful insight as we worked through our different ideas of our 'dream home.'  Beyond that, he was always available to show us new listings; and the few times that he wasn't, he found another colleague who was.  We always felt like we were a priority for him.  He was so accommodating to our many questions and went above and beyond to do analysis and pull reports of different areas.  After months of looking, he knew exactly what we wanted.  So, when the right house came on the market, he helped us jump on it and get our offer in first. Within 24 hours, there were seven other offers.  He came up with a great strategy to ensure our offer was chosen and thoroughly outlined all of our bargaining options. 

He didn't stop there, though.  Mark was a great asset throughout the buying process and even after.  He has continued to provide support even after we moved in and got settled -- from finding a painter to plumbers to electricians, he has a network of solid people with excellent references to call on.

In my opinion, Mark is a one-of-a-kind realtor and the only one you should consider working with if you're buying in the Austin area.

Kara Norwood - Buyer

you need a realtor you can trust

Woo-hoo! We're all moved in! I found Mark through a close friend who had also used him to relocate back to Austin. I live in Austin, but was ready for a change and a new address. I give Mark props because he met with us back in September/October and stuck with us through all the trials of getting my former house ready to sell, driving me all around town looking for the right neighborhood that would be just as good as my old one and finally when it was time, helping me to make an offer and find the right buyer for my house as well. It is not easy to sell your house, while living in it, and find a new one all at the same time, but somehow we made it all work. Mark was so encouraging, honest, and knowledgeable about the market. Buying and selling your home can be one of the most stressful things you'll ever do, and that's why you need a realtor you can trust. Mark definitely fit the bill! I highly recommend working with him, whether you're moving to Austin, or just moving across town. 
- Sarah Clark, Seller - Buyer [move-up]

a ton of knowledge of the city

Mark did an awesome job for us. We had limited time to find a home in Austin and Mark went above and beyond to find us exactly what we were looking for. In less than a week he showed us many homes throughout Austin and honed in quickly on the areas and homes that we really liked. He spent time after hours (and before hours) to accommodate our limited timeline. We have now lived in our home for a year and couldn't be happier with it. Mark approached our search with professionalism, a ton of knowledge of the city and with impressive efficiency. After our purchase Mark has been a great resource for any questions we have had and has done a great job following up with us to be sure we are happy with our new home. Also, Mark has been very helpful in helping us locate possible investment opportunities in the form of rental properties. Our experience with Mark was fantastic and we would highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell homes or properties in Austin.

— Anonymous, Buyer - Seller - Investor

one of the most dependable Realtors in Austin

one of the most dependable Realtors in Austin. I have known Christy for several years and have found her to be one of the most dependable and extremely professional Realtors in Austin, Texas. She takes excellent care of her clients and is proactive on every detail of the transaction.

Attentive and Thorough

Attentive and Thorough. I was very pleased and completely impressed with Mark's knowledge of the current housing market and the greater Austin area. He listened to my needs and was very thorough with the properties he brought to my attention. It was a long process and he never gave up the search. Always responsive to my phone calls and inquiries, meeting any day of the week, he gave me the feeling my search would be successful‎.

never high-pressure and always flexible

Mark was the seller's agent when we bought our first home.  He was so helpful to us after the contract was written and after the purchase was complete (see previous review) when our own agent went MIA. We decided then that he would be our guy if/when we decided to sell and buy something new.  Mark was so helpful in giving us advice about the best time to put our home on the market.  He was also patient with us as we went back and forth on deciding what we wanted to do!  He's never high-pressure and always flexible with your needs.  He listens and communicates well.  Not only is he professional and caring, but he's just a downright nice guy whose humor was just what we needed in the sometimes stressful process of selling and buying.  I walked away from this deal feeling like he's a friend.  I hope we never move again, but if we do he's the guy I trust!  Thanks, Mark!

— Cheryl V.,

got what I needed/wanted immediately

Fabulous!. Christy was my real estate agent when I moved to Austin, TX. She was fabulous to work with, got what I needed/wanted immediately and went the extra mile(s) to find it for me. She was personable, very well-informed and excellent at her job. I love the house she found and she made the entire transaction smooth and pleasant.

— Marjory Hawkins

more knowledge, passion and confidence

I hired Christy Strub as my real estate agent to sell a home in the Central Austin area. Her responsibilities included assessment of the home, sales and marketing strategy, pricing guidance, staging recommendations, and marketing and overall management of the entire real estate selling process.  Hiring Christy Strub to be my real estate agent was an easy decision. While Christy had not yet sold hundreds of homes in Austin, she had more knowledge, passion and confidence than dozens I had interviewed and encountered when preparing for this decision. The Strub group had previously advised me against a sale less than two years prior, recommending that I wait for a pending market change. What great advice, because when they did proactively call me with market insight, the overall experience was very positive (I believe) for both the buyer and seller. Christy's professional manner and organizational skills make her an excellent real estate agent. She was able to assess the home and make recommendations (coordinating actually - since I am a busy business traveler) the efforts to get the home sales ready. She definitely went above and beyond what is common for an agent. The marketing materials, reporting and pricing guidance were above my expectations. The process she managed, leaving me out of all the nitty gritty details, was exceptional. At the end of the day the seller's real estate agent was also very pleased to work with Christy. Closing went perfectly, and I was a happy home seller. I highly recommend Christy, the team she brings behind her and their experience and wish I had more homes for her to sell. Christy will be my realtor for life! 

— Erin Hindman - Seller

went WAY above and beyond

Unfortunately, Yelp doesn't allow 6-star reviews. 

My wife and I are relocating in Austin so I can attend the business school at UT. Mark spent several days with us in the competitive central Austin housing market and we found a wonderful house. 

We had an absolutely awful time with our lender, but Mark was with us every step of the way and went WAY above and beyond the call of duty to get us into our house. 

If you're looking for an agent who is kind, courteous, professional, unbelievably helpful, tenacious, and willing to do whatever it takes to make your deal work for you, Mark Strub is your man. Honestly, I can't recommend him highly enough. He is a WONDERFUL agent and he, no doubt, will be our agent for any deal we ever make in Austin.

— Ryan Talbot, Buyer

always stood out above the others

My company has been performing home inspections for Mark Strub for many years. While we work with numerous realtors, Mark has always stood out above the others. He goes above and beyond for has clients again and again. His integrity and professionalism are above reproach. 
Mark would be a tremendous asset in your home search and has my highest recommendation. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call me.

— Terri Rivera, Home Inspector

a real pro and great to work with

I thought it was worth it to make sure others know that Mark Strub is a real pro and great to work with. I am not "really" in the market to buy right now, but found a place that caught my eye.  He was recommended by a friend so I called him. He showed me 4 condos that next day (on a Saturday).  He gave me his full attention and time. He was so knowledgeable about certain condo financing structures as well as the Austin market in general. It's just refreshing to meet a broker/agent that makes you feel like a priority, that you immediately trust and enjoy.  I know...I have not completed the purchase process yet, but sometimes you just get a vibe from someone that they are an honest, caring, qualified professional - and it deserves telling others.

— Kelly Zarbock, Buyer

a gift for knowing how to find the perfect home for his clients

If you are looking for a real estate agent in Austin, TX, Mark is the best! Not only does he work hard but he has a gift for knowing how to find the perfect home for his clients. I was also impressed with Mark's local charity work and his committment to improving the quality of life in the Austin community. 
- Bianca Bentzin, Buyer

compelled to shout it from the rooftops

I'm not a huge "Yelper" but I felt like I would be doing a major disservice to any Austinite interested in buying or selling their home that didn't know about Strub Residential. After my experience with Mark and his team, I felt compelled to shout it from the rooftops. 

Strub Residential is definitely the more modern approach to home buying. You wont find their faces wrapped on Chevy Tahoe's or Lincoln Town Cars. Mark and his team's creative and personal approach to home buying make you feel like more than just a client - I felt like Mark was really "fighting" for me and wouldn't allow me to settle for just a mediocre place. 

THANK YOU MARK!

BEST. REALTOR. EVER. 
— Andrea C.

did a great job

Mark did a great job for us. He worked with us while we searched in several different neighborhood to find the perfect home. 



— Stuart McIntire, Buyer

amazing to partner with

If you have had the pleasure of working with Mark, then you won't need any details to back up the fact that he is amazing to partner with. Mark took a calculated, but cool approach to helping my wife acquire our first home together. There were tons of factors at play and he helped us navigate the great abyss with ease and confidence. The support doesn't stop at the closing table either, he left us with materials custom made for us and our purchase that I have referenced many times. I now turn to Mark for any and all real estate questions. For me, there is no better approach to dealing with the market here in Austin.

— Tyler Woodall, Buyer

service doesn't stop at the closing

Mark Strub has been our "Uber" agent since June 2012. My wife and I lived in my college condo, 600 sq ft, for approximately 3 years while we saved for a home. We decided to put the condo on the market and had been on the market for 1 year prior to us finding Mark. Well Mark actually found us, he listed and sold the condo right next to mine which was cosmetically equal to ours but we had a brand new AC system, $3,000.00. Once I noticed that Mark had sold that condo I immediately gave him a call. He came by, I removed my listing with my previous realtor, and then he went to work. It took Mark two months to sell our condo! He sold it for the price I wanted and helped ensure the entire process went smoothly. He was great. 

That wonderful experience forced me to call him back once we were ready to purchase a home. Mark is a central austin expert, he walked us through the search process and eventually the loan/closing of purchasing our new home. He was extremely thorough in helping us find experts to inspect the home prior to move in and make the necessary contractual negotiations to obtain some of these repairs from the seller. The home we purchased was exactly what we were looking for and most importantly in the area we desired. We got the keys to our home yesterday! 

The best thing about Mark is that his service doesn't stop at the closing. Mark has been instrumental in helping us with renovation ideas and obtaining bids for some projects we wished to complete prior to moving into the house. Right now we already have everything in place to ensure our floors, bathrooms, and some electrical work is done prior to moving into the house. 

All in all a great experience and we would highly recommend.

— Sergio Tristan, Buyer - Seller

he stuck with us and found us a great house

Wohoo is right. I've dealt with other Realtors and he is the best. He is extremely professional and goes the extra mile. Even through a failed house search the first time, he stuck with us and found us a great house. He was patient and we never felt pressured through our decision making process.

— Jen Sims, Buyer

very genuine person

We met Mark when he was the Realtor for the family we bought our first home from.  Shortly after we signed our buyer's contract our own realtor went MIA and it was like pulling teeth to get questions answered after all was said and done.  I ended up contacting Mark to answer questions and he was always super helpful and kind even though there was absolutely nothing in it for him. 

Since the purchase of our home, he's answered other questions for us about our home value, house upgrades, and property taxes.  He even sent a detailed spreadsheet to help us fight our property tax battle this year (which we won!).  He's a very genuine person who knows what he's doing in real estate.  Needless to say, he will be our Realtor next time around!

 Thanks, Mark!

— Cheryl Vaughan, Buyer - Seller

attentive, knowledgeable, and helped us snag a highly sought-after house

I can't imagine a better experience.  Mark was very attentive, knowledgeable, and helped us snag a highly sought-after house (7 offers in 48 hours!) in SW Austin. When I screened realtors at the outset of our (first) house-hunting, I asked Mark why I should choose him rather than representing myself in the process (I'm an attorney, but don't practice RE law). He responded by explaining how he'd add value in excess of the commission-split I'd theoretically earn. Looking back after several months, I know he was 100% correct.

— Marc Druck, Buyer

understands your lifestyle and passions

Having a realtor is kind of like having a therapist. House shopping can make you pretty neurotic and sometimes even depressed but Mark Strüb was always calm and collected as he listened to me voice all my concerns and "rationalizations". He was always there to answer questions or if I just needed a sounding board - even when I would email or text him in the middle of the night... um, but don't do that. And most importantly, he was enthusiastic throughout the entire home buying process. He never broke his charisma or let his passion for helping me find my home die.

Strub also "gets" the homeowner that wants to live in central Austin for different amenities and lifestyle reasons. This may be the most important quality you'll want to find in a realtor. You want a realtor that understands your lifestyle and passions which in many cases is much more important than just understanding your budget or real estate policies and procedures.

I started off not really knowing what I wanted. I can't count the number of houses we saw or how many times I changed my mind or expanded my budget (or how many phone calls that ended in "let's go see it just ONE LAST TIME"), yet he was very patient and let me find my way on my own time. His knowledge of Austin culture, businesses and neighborhoods helped me quickly identify which houses to check out and which to not bother with which helped tremendously as I finally narrowed down what I was looking for (which we usually will all learn is that it's really location) He also has a lot of connections and was really great at finding the right broker for me after the first one didn't work out too well. I also really loved the home inspector he paired me up with.

I've happily recommended Mark Strub and his team to a handful of house-shopping friends and everyone has been delighted with his enthusiasm and dedication!

— Yi May Yang, Buyer

will be referring all my friends and family to him

I found Mark through yelp and decided to go with him for the purchase of my first home.  I'm pretty particular about things, and I wanted to find the best realtor to guide me through this daunting process and Mark was the right choice.  Mark was informative, patient, and extremely helpful. He helped guide me through the process from start to finish, and went out of his way on several occasions. Mark was thorough and attentive, even for someone like me who can be pretty demanding!  We had a pretty short time to close on the house due to outside time contraints, but thanks to Mark we met our deadline and At the end of it all I closed on a beautiful new home!!! I couldn't recommend Mark more and will be referring all my friends and family to him if they are ever in the market for a home.

— Vinh Ngo, MD - Buyer

worked with him on both sides of the buying and selling process

Really excellent experience working with Mark, he is very attentive, engaged and works hard for both the buyer & seller. We worked with him on both sides of the buying and selling process and couldn't be happier. He's the best!

— Mary H., Buyer - Seller

I highly recommend him!!!

I would give Mark 10 stars if it were an option. I was completely new to the home buying process and had no idea what I was doing. Luckily with Mark, I didn't have to. He walked me through the entire process and made it SO much easier than I ever thought it would be. He's very no-pressure and totally understands the emotions behind finding the home that's right for you. I highly recommend him!!!

— Anne Pratt, Buyer

straight, fast and honest answers

My husband and I found Mark through yelp and chose him because of the great reviews he has. (Thanks by the way to all the reviewers, your feedbacks were very helpful to us.) After working with Mark for a couple of weeks, without any hesitation, we subscribe to every single positive review posted below and to more. He is very professional, organized, well-informed, very efficient, patient and friendly. Only after a couple of days from our initial meeting, we managed to get pre-approved for a loan and started our search. His guidance and recommendations (e.g., mortgage lender, potential renovation costs, location, resale value, schools, etc.) were extremely valuable. We appreciated very much his straight, fast and honest answers and are grateful for everything Mark taught us along the way. We absolutely enjoyed working with him and if we had to grade him on my favorite 1-10 scale, we would have definitely given him a 10+. There is no doubt that Mark will be our agent for any real estate deal here in Austin and we highly recommend him to anyone looking for an excellent realtor.

Thank you Mark so much for everything!

— Noemi Petra, Buyer

skip the 'interviewing a bunch of agents' ...Just hire Mark

If you're like me and a little uncertain about how this whole house-buying thing works, let alone how to survive this insane market, let me save you a step. You can skip the 'interviewing a bunch of agents to be sure you're finding the best representative' part. You can probably also skip the 'home buying for dummies' books, unless you're the curious sort. Just hire Mark and know you've made a genius decision. We had a very specific dream house - one that's extremely hard to find in Austin in our budget range (Craftsman bungalow, original built-ins, great lot, great neighborhood, etc.). So when our house came on the market, Mark had us in to view it in, like, an hour. He submitted an offer for us within the next ~3 hours. Over the fraught bidding war days, he built a good relationship with the seller's agent. So while our best and final offer was pretty awesome, it is Mark's work with the sellers that set us up as the obvious choice. BTW, there were ten offers. 10! Madness! This is why you hire Mark - he not only helps you navigate a really intense process, he helps the sellers *know* that selecting your offer is right for them. We actually met the seller's agent a few weeks after buying our home, and he specifically mentioned how impressed he had been with Mark!

So it's probably enough to know that Mark is the guy to find and get you that one-and-only dream house despite a crazy housing market. But I also need to mention that Mark has great contacts and recommendations across all remodeling trades, advice when you ask for it, an unflappable and friendly demeanor, deep knowledge about Central Austin neighborhoods, a stellar reputation, and in general is just a great person.

If we ever get the bar unpacked, we're going to invent a cocktail called the "überSTRUB" in his honor. It will taste like triumph.

— Penelope Hyslop, Buyer

made it a breeze to cut through the legal and bureaucratic jungle

There are few things more daunting than taking on a new and challenging job, moving to a new city and buying your first house. Now try doing all that within about three months. The new job is to be dealt with by oneself, there are moving services for moving, and, thankfully, for buying the house, I had Mark. I will be forever grateful for his assistance with navigating the quiet neighborhoods around Central Austin in the quest for the perfect place. Once said place was found, Mark made it a breeze to cut through the legal and bureaucratic jungle required to take ownership of it.  Hyperbola aside, Mark was punctual, a great communicator, had fantastic attention to detail, old-world manners and possessed a near-encyclopedic knowledge of the city. Our dialogue was open from the start and I quickly arrived to rely on and trust his judgment. These are, of course, all the traits that one would look for in an excellent real-estate business partner. However, there were a few things that, in my mind, truly set Mark apart from other (admittedly few) real estate professionals that I have worked with in the past: 

1) An uncanny ability to LISTEN (versus TALK): he has helped me articulate my preferences and my needs, and was quickly able channel our efforts from what initially seemed like a wild goose chase to a focused and meaningful search. He did this in very few iterations with minimal waste of time. 

2) Balance: he has always pointed out both the advantages and the flaws of all the properties we have seen, without ever trying to conceal the bad or overemphasize the good. In this sense, he has been, as pointed out above, a trusted business partner rather than a sales agent. 

3) Patience: one of my favorite Mark quotes is "don't worry, we will find it."

4) Finally -and most importantly - vision and perspective: Mark has been in this business for a long time. Long enough to observe, absorb and understand trends, rather than try to glean them (or pretend to do so) from sales data. He has a deep understanding of the evolution of the city's neighborhoods and of their future prospects (whether bright or less so), which means that the perspective that he provides will help you make a good home investment rather than a simple home purchase. 

In summary, Mark has elevated the notion of service to an almost telepathic connection with the customer. I am glad I did business with him, I am glad to refer to him my friends and professional acquaintances who are considering a home purchase, and will gladly ask for his help in the future. He receives my highest possible recommendation.

— Michael Baldea, Buyer

(client) interests are protected first and foremost

As first-time home buyers, we were very careful in selecting our real estate agent.  Mark was referred to us by a colleague.  Once we met him, he made an excellent case to hire him, and we did.  Great decision!   We knew exactly what we wanted in the house.  Once we found a house that matched 85% of our requirements, Mark worked really hard to get us that house.   Throughout the entire process, Mark made sure that our interests are protected first and foremost:  if we were to walked away from the deal, Mark gave us his full support.   

There were many hurdles and big decisions to make in short time regarding this specific house purchase: structural weakness, the work that needed to be done before closing, and foremost arrogant and uncooperative seller's camp.   Our family liked the house (and still does) a lot, Mark fully supported our decision, and took the challenge in stride. He focused on hammering a great deal for us, and making the best out of impossible situation.  

Almost, two years later, I can confirm that this house purchase worked out really great for our family.  We plan to use his agency in the future, if the need arises.  Thanks Mark!

— Nebojsa Stanic, Buyer

really gets people and helps them find THE ONE

My husband and I have used Strub Residental to purchase a primary home and investment property.

Over the past two years Strub Residential has help my husband and me find our home and our first investment property. We first dealt with Mark. We moved to Austin from Iowa and not only did Mark find us our eventual home, but he also took the time to look at apartments and helped us find temporary housing while we were house hunting. Mark is unassuming and laid back, but really gets people and helps them find THE ONE. Mark really made the process painless and demonstrated an immense amount of patience, knowledge of Austin and the different neighborhoods and ability to be upfront while dealing with two newbies who were nervous and distrustful of the whole process. He never made us feel ridiculous or stupid, even with our numerous questions and requests. My husband is somewhat of a demanding type, and Mark handled him with ease. When we decided to enter the investment property arena we of course knew we would use Strub Residential again. Christy worked us and at first we were nervous because a) we had already built a working relationship with Mark and b) we knew she was newly minted realtor. She proved our fears unfounded, helping us to find the perfect rental property and going above and beyond to set up inspections, meet with inspectors and get the property on listed for rent before we even closed. Christy is detailed, eager and really seems to enjoy what she does. Both Mark and Christy have the ability to make a business relationship feel like you're working with friends. They also really get that the key to a successful business is service and that service doesn't end when you sign on the dotted line. We plan on purchasing many more properties with Strub Residential.

— Ananda Christopher, Buyer - Investor

Impressive customer service and great communication

Worked with Mark on too many transactions to count. He's really organized and dedicated to his clients. Makes for a smooth real estate process every time. Impressive customer service and great communication. Doesn't leave anyone hanging. Highly recommended.

— Dana Price-Leaman, Mortgage Professional

made it happen within my budget, on schedule, and with style

The people at Strub Residential consistently went above and beyond the call of duty to make my home purchase possible. My situation was an especially difficult one; with a less competent realtor, I couldn't have done it. Mark and his team made it happen within my budget, on schedule, and with style. As a foreigner unfamiliar with local neighborhoods, and with little credit history, many realtors would have told me that buying a home during my first year in Austin was impossible, but not Mark. He was up for the challenge, and succeeded with flying colors. Mark and his team have always been quick to respond to even the most unorthodox of questions, and cheerful in the face of my thirst for knowledge about the process of buying a home, financing my purchase, different neighborhoods, house construction, and anything else that came to mind. Whenever I called to check on progress, they were already on to the next issue. Strub Residential is especially attuned to the needs of young home-buyers, such as budget and location specifications. They also use technology very effectively to keep the lines of communication open. The Strub Residential team is truly concerned with providing a quality real estate experience. They followed through with me even beyond closing to make sure that I was fully satisfied. I would not hesitate for a moment to recommend Mark and the Strub Residential team to my closest friends, and to any homebuyer or seller who enjoys working with competent, intelligent people. I look forward to working with them again when it comes time to sell my home.

— Jenn Nielson, Buyer

very professional and knowledgeable

We moved to the Austin area from out of state, and Mark was very professional and knowledgeable of the area and found us the perfect house. I would use his services again and recommend him highly.

— Barbara Scott, Buyer

worked very close with me

Mark Strub listed my condominium and was diligent, professional, and very thorough in his communication with me through the entire process. Mark also worked very close with me to see that it was priced appropriately in order to attract the strongest buyer.

— Randall Harrelson, Investor

competent, fair, respectful, and did a great job

Mark represented a buyer when I sold my house FSBO. He was competent, fair, respectful, and did a great job for his client. He stood out among the floods of bad realtors that a FSBO tends to attract. Since then I have consulted with Mark several times on real estate questions and he has always courteously and promptly responded every time. I have recommended him to several people and they have always been satisfied with his services and professionalism.

— Ross Henderson, Seller - Investor

close ties with several good lenders and titles companies

Mark helped my wife and I look at a multitude of houses. We were looking for something near to downtown. He helped us narrow down what and where we were looking and showed us a lot of very interesting and unexpected options. Mark has close ties with several good lenders and titles companies providing options and finding you the best option for your needs.

— Shaun Cassells, Buyer

he worked really hard to get us that house

Mark helped us buy our first home in the summer of 2011. We knew exactly what we wanted, and once we found a house that matched 85% of our requirements, he worked really hard to get us that house. The negotiation process with the seller was difficult. If we did not like the house as much as we did (and do now), we would have walked away from the deal, with Mark's full support. Throughout the entire process, Mark made sure that our interests are protected first and foremost, and it worked out really well for us. Thanks Mark!

— Jelena Tesic, Buyer

Mark helped find our home...and then to sell it for a great profit two years later

Mark exhibits all of the positive attributes that were listed. I picked great results, expert and high integrity because I feel like these best describe the reasons why we’re so pleased to be able to find our home with Mark and then to sell it for a great profit two years later. He was not only patient during our search process but supportive during our renovations -- offering contractors names and advice. 

When we decided to sell our home, I asked him what he thought our list price might be. Without pulling comps or doing research, which he clarified up front, he gave us a conservative but reasonable estimate to consider. When we finally met officially and listed it a few months later, we were able to list and sell the home for above that price and our house had a "fatal flaw". He was there for us every step of the way -- from staging to what we should cosmetically do before we left. 

Not only is Mark a consummate professional but also a really great person - personable, kind and very organized. I recommend him to all my Austin friends!

— Gabby Dannemiller, Buyer - Seller