From Meryl Bennan’s perspective, real estate isn’t transactional so much as transitional. She is both a steady rock and an enthusiastic guide for her clients as they move into the next stage of their lives and is relied upon for her creative and strategic approach; negotiating prowess; and the stabilizing, rewarding, and memorable experience she provides.

 

After graduating from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Meryl moved to Sun Valley, Idaho, to pursue a career in hospitality and then came to SF to step it up a notch. Meryl’s focus on personalized service is ever-present, whether she’s preparing listings, hosting open houses, or searching for inventory with buyers. Resourcefulness and responsiveness are essential. During her subsequent advertising and marketing career, Meryl honed the communication skills that have since become her signature, proving especially effective in creating eye-catching real estate listings and launching her buyers into contracts.

 

Her defined expertise doesn’t end there: Clients navigating SF’s educational landscape for their children can look to Meryl, thanks to her heavy involvement in PTA boards and her own children’s attendance in public, private, and parochial schools. Regardless of their background or real estate needs, Meryl is thankful for her clients, the energy they inspire in her, and their ultimate praise, which is referring her to others for the way she takes care of people.

 

When Meryl isn’t buying or selling houses, she can be found at ODC’s Rhythm and Motion, the slopes of Kirkwood, McLaren Park’s pickleball courts, or hiking around the city with her husband and two English springer spaniels. Meryl expresses her care for the community by filling up grocery bags at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s pop-ups and serving on the boards of directors for the San Francisco Arts Education Project and the Or Shalom Jewish Community.

 

In addition, she marks the end of every escrow with a donation to a local nonprofit or school of her client’s choice. And in the name of sharing, she even lets others in on her San Francisco secrets on her blog, WestPortalish.com.