MEET THE TEAM

RUSS KATZ

Broker

(206) 284-7327 | russkatz@windermere.com

Russ has always been a firm believer in treating people the way you want to be treated. Committed solely to his client's interests, Russ will lead and guide you through the process to ensure a successful real estate transaction. Russ is hardworking, patient, ethical, creative, and he has a positive outlook, a necessary attribute in the real estate business. Rest assured, Russ will treat all parties with integrity and professionalism!

Born and raised in the Pacific NW, Russ graduated from the University of Washington in 1996. Russ was the sports editor for the school newspaper (The Daily) for 2 years during college before running and operating a sales and marketing telecommunications business for nearly eight years. Russ has effectively built a strong reputation for providing quality service in the Seattle marketplace. Russ is married to his high school sweetheart, Mindy, and together they are proud parents of sons Jesse and Will. Russ enjoys all sports, travel and is an active member of several local organizations.

By enlisting Russ' services for your real estate needs, and working together throughout the process, you will develop an inter-active working relationship. After all, buying or selling a home is a very personal decision. As your real estate agent, Russ knows the market and has access to all the information you need, and can assist you in all aspects of the transaction from marketing to financing to closing. The one-on-one relationship you will create will reduce your legwork. Buying or selling a home does take time and in some cases patience, but together Russ will assist you with getting the desired results.

DANNY SCHMIDT

Licensed Transaction Manager

(206) 353-9296 | dannyschmidt@windermere.com

After working as a newspaper reporter for more than seven years, Danny made a career shift to real estate in the summer of 2020. He began his career as a Realtor® and licensed assistant to Russ Katz, a top broker in Seattle. Danny has already assisted in the closings of more than 30 transactions of residential homes, working directly with buyers, sellers, fellow brokers, developers, title and escrow agents, lenders, and vendors.

Danny, a Seattle native and graduate of Ballard High and Central Washington University, is knowledgeable of the Emerald City’s various neighborhoods, schools, parks, vibrant restaurant scene and more.

As a recent first-time homebuyer, Danny understands how overwhelming the process can be. Partnered with Russ, Danny will guide you through a smooth transaction, whether you're buying, selling, or just considering the possibilities. Outside of real estate, Danny loves to try new (and old) restaurants, run, play and watch sports, and binge-watch Netflix.

Danny is eager to be a partner and a real estate consultant to you or anyone you know who might be interested in buying or selling in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Debbie Woodruff-Smith

Licensed Operations Manager

(425) 387-2318 | debbiews@windermere.com

I'm a firm believer that you "get out, what you put in". My real estate career on the Russ Katz Team has grown out of 20+ years in the Travel & Construction industries. I’ve had the opportunity to help my clients visualize and create, whether it be the trip of a lifetime or the home of their dreams. I will do the same as we work together to construct the blueprint of the buying and selling plans that are uniquely YOU!

Purchasing or selling real estate is not just a transaction but also one of the most significant life decisions. As your advocate and real estate resource, I will ensure that you are consistently informed, educated, and positioned throughout the real estate process. Growing up in the Seattle area, I fully embrace the PNW culture. I love the diversity, appreciate the unique vibe of our neighborhoods, and can utilize that familiarity to your benefit.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling with my husband of 25 years, Mark. Spending time with our kids, Soren & Sienna, both of which have inherited the travel bug. As well as, visiting the local dog beaches with our Golden Retriever, Aspen, volunteering at local theater & music venues, non-profit organizations, and exploring the many wonderful breweries & wineries that our slice of the world has to offer.

I value people and recognize that we all walk through this world together and can contribute and learn from one another. So why wait? Call or email me now, and let’s successfully walk through this home experience together!

$0+Million Dollars in Sales

0+Years in Real Estate

0Star Rating

"Russ Katz went above and beyond to support, educate, and communicate with us throughout the buying of our new home and selling of our previous home. His extensive local knowledge of Magnolia, understanding of the current market, and how to navigate the many steps of the process allowed us to have complete confidence in each decision that had to be made. We truly appreciated Russ’ professionalism, constant communication, and compassion for those anxious moments. We highly recommend Russ, couldn’t have been happier with our experience, and will definitely work with him again in the future."

Seller & Buyer | Magnolia, WA

"Russ was a tremendous agent for us, bringing a wealth of local knowledge as well as valuable advice as we sold our home under a tight timeline in the face of international relocation for work. He was a great listener and used his experience to help us navigate the selling of our home with care and efficiency. Would recommend him to anyone!"

Seller | Magnolia, WA

"Russ knows the Seattle market well. He helped me both buy my house and sell my house over the years. In both situations, he’s helpful in sharing industry knowledge and leveraging his local contacts. I would highly recommend him!"

Seller & Buyer | Queen Anne, WA

"Very helpful through the whole process. Our first time selling a house so there were a lot of questions (and I'm a fairly detailed person) and he willing to answer them all. Provided some helpful contacts for a few items needing attention prior to sale. Very happy!"

Seller | Fremont, WA

"We were looking for a home in an unfamiliar city (Seattle = crazy housing market) from Japan. Russ did a great job of offering a balanced perspective on potential neighborhoods. His familiarity and history with Seattle is an asset when trying to understand where would be a good fit for our family. Throughout the entire process, I felt like Russ provided great support and expertise. Highly recommend!"

Buyer | Admiral, WA

"Russ helped my family find our 'just right' home and relocate back to the PNW after living out of state for over 15 years. Russ demonstrated extensive knowledge about the greater Seattle area and was extremely patient as we navigated a variety of different areas, school districts, and houses. He was also quite savvy negotiating offers in this incredibly intense, fast-moving housing market. Russ continued to be very helpful throughout the closing and was super supportive getting us up and running in the new house."

Buyer | Mercer Island, WA

"Russ handled all the details, awesome realtor! He had all the necessary resources to sell our house quickly, at his fingertips. All details went smoothly."

Seller | Magnolia, WA

"Great depth of knowledge and service. Would recommend Russ both for buying and selling a home. Russ has good insights and data that helped us make informed decisions."

Seller & Buyer | Magnolia, WA

"Russ was extremely helpful from the initial planning phase through closing on the sale of our home. He has a wealth of knowledge of the Seattle market and professional contacts to aid in home prep. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Russ to anyone."

Seller | Fremont, WA