Real Estate Broker & Owner · Crypton Realty
Kate Fomina
I don't list homes. I launch them.
Straightforward real estate guidance for Bay Area buyers and sellers. Strategy first, clear explanations, and direct communication throughout.
Credentials & affiliations
Professional memberships, certifications, and media recognition
Who is Kate Fomina?
The work, the record, and the person behind it
I started my real estate career at 23, shortly after moving to the U.S. from Belarus. I had to figure out the system on my own, and that experience still shapes how I work. I explain what is happening, tell you what I really think, and make sure you understand the decision before you make it.
For sellers, every home is treated as a marketing campaign. For buyers, the work starts with understanding value, risk, and the way each Bay Area micro-market actually behaves.
Work and experience
- ✓Real estate broker serving the San Francisco Bay Area
- ✓In real estate since 2006
- ✓Founder and owner of Crypton Realty
- ✓Named in the top 1% of Realtors in the U.S.
- ✓Sold more than $40 million in real estate in a single year
- ✓Author of a book about real estate
- ✓Mentioned in Forbes
- ✓Conducted the first U.S. real estate transaction recorded on blockchain
- ✓Member of SFAR, CAR, NAR, and the Top Agent Network
- ✓Works with English, Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian-speaking clients
- ✓Creates real estate content on Instagram and YouTube
- ✓Known for telling clients the truth, even when it is not what they want to hear
Outside the office
- ✓Born in Belarus and living in the U.S. since 2003
- ✓Lives on the island of Alameda
- ✓Owns a short-term rental in the Sierra Foothills
- ✓Wine collector and longtime California winery explorer
- ✓Has attended hundreds of rock concerts
- ✓Two senior cats
- ✓Sister to three younger brothers
- ✓Loves sushi almost as much as real estate
- ✓Sells homes in sneakers
- ✓Has walked on hot coals
- ✓Invests in ongoing coaching and professional development
- ✓Worked through the 2008 crash, the COVID market, and rate hikes, and still loves real estate
Buying or selling?
Start with the decision in front of you
For sellers
I don't list homes. I launch them.
Positioning, preparation, marketing, and negotiation built around the buyer most likely to value your home.
See how I sell →
For buyers
Buy with a strategy, not with pressure.
Understand the list price, the disclosures, the competition, and what the home is really worth before you write the offer.
See how I buy →Free guides
Start with the information most people learn too late
Seller guide · 24-page PDF
The Bay Area Home Seller's Guide
What to do before you list, so the first ten days on market actually work in your favor.
- What your home is worth right now, and why the automated estimate is off
- Pricing as a strategy instead of a guess
- The prep that pays you back, and the prep that does not
Buyer guide · 36-page PDF
The Bay Area Home Buying Guide
How Bay Area pricing actually works, so you stop losing offers you should have won.
- The full process, start to keys
- What you can actually afford, not what you are approved for
- How to read a list price, and what it is really telling you
“Kate is a top-notch professional. She operates with incredible speed and accuracy, ensuring every piece of paperwork and contract detail is handled correctly the first time.”
Dmitry Y
Full review →
“I can’t say enough good things about working with Kate. She made what could have been a stressful process feel incredibly smooth, easy, and even enjoyable.”
Ecaterina C
Full review →
“I want to sincerely thank you and your entire team, Tatiana, and Steve for the work you've done. Now that we have the keys to the house, I realize that contacting you was the perfect decision!!!!!!”
Anat O
Full review →From the blog
Clear answers to real questions
Bay Area · 2026-09-24 · 8 min read
Internet and Cell Service Checklist for Bay Area Home Buyers
Internet access can look fine during a short tour and still leave unanswered questions about the exact address, interior signal, wiring, and detached spaces. Check each layer before you decide what the home will support.
Read article →
Bay Area · 2026-09-23 · 8 min read
Bay Area Fireplace Checklist for Home Buyers
A fireplace can be a focal point and still leave practical questions about its type, condition, service history, and permitted use. Check what is visible, then identify what still needs records or a qualified opinion.
Read article →
Bay Area · 2026-09-22 · 8 min read
Flooring Checklist for Bay Area Home Buyers
Flooring can change how a home feels, functions, and fits your budget. A careful review helps you separate visible wear from questions that need records or a qualified opinion.
Read article →Get in touch
Start with a conversation
Buying, selling, or still deciding what makes sense? Tell me what you are working through. I will give you a clear next step.