For some people, buying a house is one step taken in the normal course of life. For others, it's a complete life change. I was born and raised in Minnesota. I owned a beautiful duplex that I remodeled to care for my parents in thier last years. When they passed, I decided to pull up those deep roots and move to California to be near my daughter, who lives in San Francisco.SF was far too "spendy" for me. The immediate-area home markets were also far too competitive. Stockton seemed to fit.I searched for two years with different realtors, making several trips to CA, and finally found Al Zielske at Better Homes and Gardens Realty.I explained to him what I was looking for. On the first trip, he had seven properties for me to look at, their details compiled and printed out so I could easily take notes and refer back. Three of the seven were close to what I needed, and one was perfect. We put in a bid but lost out.The silver lining was that Al had been paying attention -- he knew what I wanted and kept looking. He found a home in a great location at a price that worked. He went on his own to investigate and texted me with photos, as I couldn't take another trip out. I bought this house pretty much on his word, and I love it! Al helped me with online forms. He sent timely reminders as we navigated complex financing obstacles and setbacks. Al went above and beyond to work through difficulties with my realtor in Minnesota and contingencies of the sale there. I now live in my forever home with the fireplace, native trees, and big back yard I dreamed of. Al helped to change my life.
Mary Jo McNutt

Superb realtor in a difficult market
Positive and professional are good words to describe Al Zielske. We first met Al when he handled the sale of our neighbor’s home. When it came time to list our home with an agent, Al was our first choice. He arranged for photography and staging and helped us establish a reasonable asking price. As it happened, California’s shelter-in-place order came down the day before our house was scheduled to go on the market. The realtors’ walk-through and our open house weekend were cancelled. The public was warned to stay home, so few ventured out to see our house. Through our fears and uncertainties, Al kept a positive attitude and spoke with us regularly about leads he was following with agents and buyers. He posted a beautiful video tour of our home and reassured us that our house was sound and would sell. And he was right. We received an offer and were able to successfully close despite a market that was all but standing still, thanks to Al’s persistence, optimism, and resourcefulness as an experienced professional.

Review submitted by Frank And Judy Ingram (seller)

Al was very easy to work with. We were able to describe our needs in a house and in a very fast
manner was able to show us a large number of houses. Together we toured 3 houses and made our
decision later that week. Al was able to let us know about the area we were moving to and find a
place well within our budget . We are very thankful for him.
Joel

Talk about a "trooper"......it is the perfect definition for Al. We met each other through my childhood friends, Sheila and John Sanches, who met Al at church. That was the beginning, August-September, 2022. The recommendation was valuable. I live in Southern California; I was muddling through the emotional decision of when, how and what to do about selling the home my parents owned for fifty plus years. It was not, however, the family home. My parents had several marvelous homes over their 60 plus year marriage. So never setting eyes on me, Al and I worked through the emailing and phone calling. Not easy and not what any realtor really deserves.So Al had to endure my emotions, my fears and most of all, share my mother's emotional journey. Though "old", she has a memory that is sharp and slick. I was finally given permission to sell the/her Pleasanton house. The trials and tribulations began in February, 2023. What a mess! The house was still in tact with my mother's stuff. NOT personal stuff, like clothing and pictures. We moved her here last April, finally, with her permission. I will remind you that she is "old", 108 years old. The house was in shocking disrepair, understandably. Al can explain ALL the inspections, the meeting of people at the house with keys and garage door openers in hidden tins. Then the BOND calamity was the final blow! Al handled it; handled my frustration, and especially my dismay that even such a problem could occur! Dad, a CPA, who tracked every dollar and nickel....to have a cloud on the Title. It was a journey; I am so glad it is over. I know Al is glad it is over. And what an amazing finish: a perfect deal and new happy owners. What more could I ask or expect of my realtor? I salute you as well for having him as one of your colleagues.
Jennifer Yelland

"Al is very knowledgeable of the area in which we were looking at in purchasing a home. He was very patient and was available to answer all of our questions every step of the way. We were very satisfied with Mr. Zielske's expertise and would recommend him and Tri-Valley Realty in the future."
Dennis & Emily

Al Zielski’s is the best agent Very trustworthy honest and direct and to the point . He did exactly as I wanted in selling my home and gave no pressure I felt very confident and secure with Al. Through my experience he is the agent you would want to sell your home
Sai & Meena

I must commend you and your agency for having such people as AL. His service was excellent and he is a real pleasure to work with.
John & Sally

We give him a 10+ for client service, honest and trustworthy
Malcolm & Maria

Excellent communication skills and real estate knowledge. Never pushy.
Scott & Brenda

Always consulted with us, very patient, good in negotiations.
Kevin & Suzie

Al is great, a real asset to your company. Very professional and great communication skills. I plan to refer him to my family and friends.
Chris & Nick

Al was very patient and helpful with us. We saw many homes and put offers of 11 of them! Needless to say we met with him a lot and he never lost patience with us and allways seemed willing to heip. Thanks, Al
Lynn & Tami

I will always be so appreciative of how quickly you put in the offer for my condo and were successful in getting the offer accepted. You were totally supportive, professional, and pleasant to me throughout
Pam

I've used Al as an agent twice, to buy and sell the same house. Would recommend again to anyone.
Chris Manteca

We had a good experience using Al Zielske for selling our home in Pleasanton. He was great at communicating via text messages with myself and my sister so we were all on the same page. Al spent many hours having open houses to get potential buyers in the door. Darren Pleasanton

We are really satisfied with your professional and detail service. Definitely will refer you to relatives or friends if they needed to buy/sell a property
Petty Dublin, Ca.

Al did a great job, especially under the tight time frame
Hall Dublin

Al was an excellent resource for us first-time home buyers. Even as we changed gears mid-way through the process he was always willing to work within our requirements. We drove around looking at about 20-30 houses before we finally found one that checked all our boxes. Never once did he seemiritated or impatients with our lack of knowledge or experience with the home buying process. Al was quick to deal with issues as they came up during closing and helped keep the process moving and closing on time. We would hightly recommend Al to anyone who was considering buying or selling their home.
Jon & Celeste Manteca

We were buying our first home and had a number of questions. Al was very patient, responsive, and supportive. He answered all our questions. We didn't feel any pressure and he went at our pace so we were very compfortable. We are very happy with the service we received and would absolutley recommend him
Emily & Dennis Pleasanton

I had a smooth and trouble free experience duing my home purchase with Al Zielske handling the details. I would recommend Al Zielske to others who want a personable, no-pressure agent to assist in their home search.
Mod Pittsburg

Al made our home buying process less stressful. He was willing to work within our schedule. He was accessible and kept us informed throughout the the process. He was great to work with and I will recommend him to friends and family
Sheri & Eric Brentwood Ca

I highly recommend Al Zielske for anyone looking to buy a house in the TriValley area. I felt like I was in the hands of an experienced professional who knows how to navigate the system and kept me on top of things that needed to be done. His recommendations for inspectors and service people has been top notch. Not to mention his patience and encourgements that kept me as calm as possible through a stressful time, His research on comps and networking with other realtors also laid out am accurate picture of the competitveness of the market and helped me get my very first offer accepted at just 5K over the next highest bid. I am very grateful to have him at my side and for the role he paid in getting me into my new house!
Daniela Livermore

Working with Al Zielske made the whole relocation process easy. He helped us find exactly what we were looking forl We were able to find a house we loved early on in the house buying process. Since my husband and I were living in different statess at the time. Al Zielske made the signing process easy! Al Zielske is very knowledgeable in all aspects of real estate. My family and I are happy to have been able to work with him.
Barbara, Modesto

Al was the most curteous and responsive agent we've worked with. He was never overbearing and always gave us our space when we needed it. We would definatley recommend Al to anyone.
Jacob, Tracy

Al was excellent at communicating with us. He was agreeable to email and texts since I can't talk over the phone at work. We are very grateful for all the work Al did.
Adrian, Tracy

With just a short notice Al showed me the condo that I did purchase and came with a ready contract for me to sign so I could have been the first offer on the table. He did follow up with the other agent and the condo was offered to me. He represented me at Title which went very well. He followed up with Title when there was a "glitch" in settlement papers. He reassured me thsi is common with foreclosure purchases. I succeeded in buying my #1 choice home with Al's help. His calm reassurance was also helpful.
Pam, San Ramon

Al was amazing to have as my realtor. He would respond immediately whether it was day/night/weekend or weekday. He was willing to show me countless number of houses any day I found them. I lucked out with Al
Shawn, Lathrop

Al was very pleasanto and professional. He sold our home shortly and we were in oour new home in a timely manner, Al always responded to emails and phone calls; immediatly. We definitley apreciated that!! Thank you Al We kive the house.
Rory, Mountain House

Al was professional and courteous but has a tough time with the seller's high pressure agent and I felt that the ball sat in their "cout" most of the time. Overall a great job. We got a terrific home and are very happy. Al has a positive personality that was helpful during the process..
Harris & Lisa, Livermore

Al was always available whether it is just over the phone consultation or to see the actual property. Al is a very wonderful and nice person to work with. He is very professional and very accommodating.
Cleet & Annabelle, Walnut Creek

Al was very good about remaining calm and expaining the process. He went above and beyond to help me find a painter, carpet cleaner, carpet installer, electrician and handyman. I know he does that to all his clients
Emily, Oakland

Al always listened to me. He was great. I had a lot of specific requests and a lot of hesitation in choosing my location. But Al was patient and persistent in finding a home for me. I would use him again
Eva, Hayward

Al is professional and has great communication skills. He is an asset to your company. He is well versed in the real estat field. I plan to refer him to my faily and friends.
Christine & Dominic, San Lorenzo

Al has been exteely heklpful during the whole transaction. He is very friendly and sincere. He helped us with all the inspections and went out of his way to arrange for our carpet change and also the transfer of the key. I would definitely recommend Al to anybody I know.
Salina & Jimmy, San Ramon

Al was always cooperative and flexible. He made our first home buying experience a great one! We love the place.
Mike & Lindsay, Livermore

This was our second dealing with Al and we have selected him as our agent for the sale of our home in San Ramon. Thanks we all appreciate your honesty, integrity and hard work!
Sarah & Bob, Pleasanton

I appreciate your thoughtfullness and effort to the purchase of my condo. I am really enjoying my new home and the close approximaty to my work.
Patricia, Hayward