With over 18 years of experience in the San Francisco real estate market, Michelle Balog offers exceptional knowledge of the Bay Area and a thorough understanding of what makes each distinct residential enclave so special. She appreciates the region’s diverse architecture and has matched a wide variety of clients — tech entrepreneurs, single mothers, professional blackjack players, rock stars, and families — with homes that suit their unique needs. Many people find Michelle while looking for their first home in San Francisco and continue to rely on her expertise throughout the Bay as their circumstances change.

 

A seasoned agent, Michelle anticipates every possible bump in the road during the real estate process and can quickly pivot and adapt, ensuring her customers a smooth, stress-free experience. She values relationships over transactions, and her integrity, honesty, and people-first approach have led to repeat clients and referrals. Several Bay Area Realtors® have called on Michelle to represent them, which is a true honor for her, and​ m​ any consider her the “agent’s agent.”​ ​Michelle has also mentored many agents over the years and was a founding member and the Senior Sales Director of CLIMB Real Estate, a well-known San Francisco-based firm.

 

Also an accomplished photographer, Michelle’s clients have included Frankie Muniz and Julia Stiles. Before real estate, she studied photography and cinema at USC and then established a thriving photography business in New York City. Her keen eye for detail and composition have proven invaluable when producing a successful listing, from staging to photography to the overall marketing process.

 

A licensed California agent since 2001, Michelle believes that real estate has no glass ceiling and has afforded her the flexibility and ability to control her career. In an effort to support other women business owners, Michelle co-founded the networking group SKIRT (Sharing Knowledge, Information, and Resources Together) and co-authored the 2008 best-selling book SKIRTWorking: How to Network Using SKIRT.

 

Born in New Hampshire, Michelle lived in San Francisco for over 10 years and the East Bay for nearly a decade. She and her husband and son now call Alameda home. When she isn’t helping clients, Michelle enjoys planning and cooking multi-course menus for family and friends and attending concerts with her husband. She also volunteers at the local food bank and for GLIDE, which provides services to low-income and homeless persons in San Francisco.