BUYING
BUYING WITH CLAUDIA
It begins with listening
I listen carefully to your wants and needs for your future home. I create an experience that empowers you to succeed on your own terms. Before our first meeting, whether virtual or in-person, I provide buyer education materials to help you get started. During the initial meeting, I ask detailed questions about your budget, priorities, and non-negotiables for your ideal home.
Once your goals are clear, I guide you through the essentials of the offer process, sharing strategies, potential pitfalls, and opportunities tailored to your waterfront home, view home, golf community or South Puget Sound property search.
During home tours, I highlight inspection considerations, return-on-investment opportunities, and details about the property and neighborhood. Depending on your needs, I can recommend additional experts such as architects, contractors, or waterfront property specialists to help you make the most informed decision—whether moving forward with an offer or deciding a home is not the right fit.
LET THE SHOPPING BEGIN
You’re in the driver’s seat. Everyone has their own pace and schedule and I will keep in close contact, sending potential listings and market updates. When you find a home you want to see in person, I will coordinate the appointments.
As you tour homes together, I will point out potential inspection issues, return on your investment opportunities, and details about the property and neighborhood. Depending on your needs, I may also suggest and bring in additional experts like architects, general contractors, and waterfront specialists to help you make the best-informed decision—whether that means going ahead with an offer and paying for a home inspection or deciding early on that it’s not the right fit.
REAL TIME PROPERTY TOURS
This is always my first recommendation. If it’s your first time to the area we’ll do an overview tour spending half of the day looking at the various locations I think you may gravitate towards. If you’re familiar with the area already we’ll tour the home or homes that you’ve had your eye on. Statistically over 90% of all home buyers have looked at the homes they want to see on the internet first. It’s important to see them and the surrounding neighborhood in person to make sure its all the best fit for you.
VIRTUAL SHOWINGS
For buyers outside the area (or those who simply don’t have time to drive to a showing), I also offer real-time property tours via FaceTime.
This personalized, guided tour is a convenient way to see a home, ask questions, and get a full tour of a listing from without making the trek until you are certain you'd like to see the home in person.
CUSTOM VIDEO SHOWINGS
Online listings don't always show every detail inside the home or the surrounding area. If you have a question about a listing or would like to see a specific part of a property, I am happy to send you a custom video via phone or email.
YOU FIND THE PERFECT ONE!
I will guide you through the entire offer process. I aim to ensure that you feel confident with all the information at hand. Together, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of different offer terms, balancing your budget, risk tolerance, and goals to shape a successful offer. I will also provide you a market analysis of current listings and sold properties so that you can make an educated sound offer. Once we’ve strategized together, I’ll draft the offer, send it to you for review and signing, and present it to the listing broker as your advocate. With over 25 years of experience and strong relationships with other brokers, I have successfully negotiated 100's of sales, creating win-win situations for everyone involved. No two two offers have been crafted alike so we will all work together to create one that works for you and leads to a successfully mutually accepted outcome.
YOUR AGREEMENT IS ACCEPTED
Once you and the seller agree on a price and terms, your home’s status reaches “pending inspection” and once negotiated through this, “pending”. My team of experts, inspectors, lending, appraising, title, and escrow, and I will ensure every hurdle is covered before proceeding after the inspection and on through closing. I will keep you updated throughout the signing, fund transfer, closing process, and key delivery.
THE KEYS ARE YOURS BUT YOU'RE NOT ALONE!
Every buyer receives a complimentary home warranty, so if the fridge or hot water heater decides to give out six months later, you’ll have peace of mind. I will continue to be available to answer questions, whether you need a referral for a landscaper or a general contractor. I take pride in being a lifelong real estate consultant and resource for my clients, no matter where life takes you.
WHY PARTNER WITH A DEDICATED WATERFRONT SPECIALIST LIKE CLAUDIA GENTZKOW?
In the high-end waterfront real estate scene, properties are more than just homes; they're about legacies, lifestyles, and big investments. That's why the connection between a client and their advisor is so crucial.
I’m all about helping buyers and sellers navigate the unique details of these transactions. Whether it’s the cozy bays of Gig Harbor, the stunning views of Fox Island, or the peaceful stretches of the Key Peninsula, I focus solely on these special areas.
Once closed I'm I look forward to being your resource for all things real estate with needed referrals and property information.
PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE FROM START TO CLOSE
When you work with me, you engage with one experienced professional who oversees your entire journey. From the initial market analysis and property curation to negotiations, inspections, and closing, I am your single point of contact. This ensures continuity, accountability, and a seamless experience: no handoffs, no miscommunications, no diluted attention. Every detail reflects your priorities, not a team’s volume-driven agenda.
A CURATED NETWORK OF TRUSTED SPECIALISTS
Rather than relying on an internal team, I collaborate with a select group of vetted industry partners such as top surveyors, marine engineers, environmental consultants, luxury stagers, photographers, and legal advisors, who are brought in on an as-needed basis. These professionals are chosen for their excellence in waterfront specific challenges that may arise like dock permitting, shoreline stabilization, view preservation, and tax implications. You will benefit from elite expertise without the overhead or bureaucracy of a large operation.
DEPTH OVER VOLUME
Large teams often prioritize scale, dozens of listings, layered staff, and standardized processes to sustain high transaction counts. While this model serves some, it can leave clients feeling like one of many. My practice is deliberately focused as I accept a limited number of listings each year, allowing me to devote exceptional time and strategic insight to each property. This results in superior preparation, targeted marketing, and stronger outcomes, whether achieving a record sale on Fox Island or structuring a seamless 1031 exchange for a Key Peninsula estate.
PROVEN RESULTS, PERSONAL COMMITMENT
I've spent years focusing on Southern Puget Sound’s waterfront corridor, and my track record shows just how effective personalized service can be. My past clients often mention the advantages they experienced, like having direct access to decision-making, proactive communication, and results that come from a deep understanding of the market instead of just a cookie-cutter approach.
When it comes to waterfront properties, precision, trust, and discretion are everything. Partnering with a dedicated specialist means that your vision for your waterfront property will be realized with clarity and care. I'm here whenever you're ready to chat about your current property or the next one on your mind.
Luxury Real Estate Advisor
Direc: (253) 732-4663
Office: (253) 514-8294
claudia@saltwaterhomes.com
Windermere Professional Partners
Gig Harbor Downtown | 3111 Harborview Drive, Suite 200A
Gig Harbor Soundview | 5801 Soundview Drive, Suite 101
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
MARKETING AFFILIATES & ACCREDITATIONS
