James Rowbotham

James Rowbotham

REALTORĀ® | DRE# 02240717
james.rowbotham@compass.com
M: 925-808-9656

Awards

2026 RealTrends Verified Top 1.5% Ranked Agent Nationally & Locally

Specialties


CNBC & HGTV Lifestyle Host
James is a lifestyle TV host featured on CNBC and HGTV, showcasing standout properties and San Francisco Bay Area living. His media experience brings elevated storytelling and national exposure to every home he represents.
Veterans & VA Benefits
As a veteran, James has firsthand experience navigating VA benefits and specializes in helping fellow veterans utilize VA home loans. He provides guidance throughout the homebuying process and helps clients understand the benefits and resources available through their service.
About James
RealTrends Verified Top Agent 1.5% 

San Francisco Notable Sales

4234 24th Street

This Noe Valley home was SOLD for $6.225M while having a challenging layout during an economic downturn, we negotiated the buyers up $675,000 over their initial offer.
 
This Ingleside Terraces home was SOLD for $3.3M before going to market. We negotiated the buyers up $352,000 over their initial offer.

This Noe Valley home was featured on CNBC and showcased its 270Ā° panoramic views across San Francisco. SOLD this for $5.710M with multiple competitive offers within just two weeks on market. We negotiated the winning contract $410,000 above the initial offer.


Rowbotham Real Estate
   
James Rowbotham is a lifelong San Francisco Bay Area local who grew up in Alamo and knows the regionā€™s communities inside and out. He has guided clients through every stage of real estate, from first-time homeownership to working alongside prestigious developers and negotiating complex luxury transactions in some of San Franciscoā€™s most sought after residences. James also specializes in properties that require a strategic, creative approach, including homes that are unique, challenging, or difficult to sell.

James works with a wide range of clients, first-time buyers, growing families, seasoned investors, and veterans utilizing VA benefits. Regardless of price point, he brings a high-energy, hands-on commitment, personally investing himself in every deal to ensure the strongest possible outcome.

Before real estate, James spent over 20 years in public service as a U.S. Army soldier and later as a law enforcement supervisor with the Oakland Police Department. That background shaped his calm, disciplined approach to high-pressure situations, skills that now translate directly into decisive negotiations and confident client representation.

Alongside his sister and business partner, Zara Rowbotham, James co-hosts on HGTV and CNBC, sharing their expertise and passion for real estate with a national audience. Together, they are known for their high-energy approach, deep personal investment in each property, and the use of elevated, media-driven marketing, leveraging professional video, strategic storytelling, and premium exposure to position homes at the highest level.

Their negotiation results speak for themselves. An example during a luxury transaction, James worked diligently with the buyerā€™s agent to successfully negotiate a buyer $675,000 above their original offer. In another, during an off-market strategy brought in the right buyer and negotiated $352,000 above the initial offer. In a third example, James and Zara stepped in on a luxury property that had previously struggled to sell; within two weeks of taking over the listing, they sourced multiple buyers with competitive offers, and successfully negotiated the winning buyer $410,000 above the initial position. These outcomes reflect what clients receive when working with James and Zara Rowbotham: focus, persistence, and proven leverage in competitive luxury markets.

As a veteran and former law enforcement professional, James is proud to give back to veterans, first responders, teachers, and healthcare workers. Outside of real estate, he is active in the aviation community, often flying his own plane and enjoys traveling with his wife and two young sons.

For James, real estate is about more than transactions, itā€™s about energy, commitment, trusted relationships, and helping clients make confident, well-executed moves toward their next chapter.


Client Testimonials For James

ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…
"As the homebuying experience can be a relatively challenging experience, I am so grateful and appreciative to have successfully completed the process with James as my real estate agent. In addition to being extremely responsive, knowledgeable, and detail oriented, he brings a positive, energetic, and supportive approach that builds enthusiasm throughout the process. James provided invaluable insights on home types, distinguishing characteristics, neighborhoods, and key considerations that really helped navigate the wide range of locations and housing options in the east Bay Area. I would highly recommend James if you're embarking on a similar homebuying journey"! 
- Vince, Lafayette

ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…
"As one who had no experience in buying or selling real estate in California, I was very nervous when I entered this process of selling the home of our family for 58 years. I found a flyer for Rowbotham in the mail. Several other real estate businesses were recommended and I called them, but no one answered the phone. I called James Rowbotham and not only did they answer but the first visit was scheduled right away! My fear, nervousness, and anxiety, were immediately calmed with the personable and professional way information was shared, with all of my options. I could not believe that what began in November of 2024 would be such a smooth, process! All questions were answered. They were patient and understood there were so many emotions wrapped up in my growing up there. However, I never felt like I was in the dark at any point in the selling process. I do not regret working with Rowbotham and I highly recommend you to consult with them if you are considering buying or selling in the Bay Area. Borrowing the phrase of Tina Turner: THEY ARE SIMPLY THE BEST"!! 
- Cassandra, Ingleside Terraces, San Francisco

ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…
"Iā€™ve been a lender for 20 years and have worked with thousands of real estate agents. James has been one of the most competent, communicative, and knowledgeable agents I have ever worked with! He stays ahead of issues and finds solutions quickly and efficiently! Would definitely recommend him to my clients and look forward to working with him again"! - Matthew L.

ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…
"James is a very hands on realtor with a high level of integrity. I was very pleased with his representation of me as a buyer and I highly recommend anyone who is looking to buy or sell to give this man a try. You wonā€™t be disappointed'. -  Jeffrey, Discovery Bay (Veteran)

ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…
"From the moment we decided to put our house on the market, James went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. The stunning drone photography he arranged truly showcased our home in the best light, and his efforts in organizing multiple open houses were impressive.

Although we ultimately decided not to sell, the experience was exceptional, and I would choose James Rowbotham a million times over! His professionalism, dedication, and expertise made the entire process seamless. If you're looking for a realtor who truly cares, look no further!

Thank you"! - Liss, Martinez

ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…
"Dear James, Thank you so much for your service as a realtor, veteran, and law enforcement officer! We really appreciate all that you have done for us and this country. It has been such a wonderful experience working with you. We feel very fortunate we had the honor to be represented by you. Your diligence and proactiveness helped us secure our dream home. You not only helped us buy our first home but also helped us score the awesome pool table and additional furniture. W e canā€™t thank you enough for all your help. This has been the absolute best experience any first-time home buyers could have asked for. We wish you the best in your career as you keep closing those deals! Weā€™ll be rooting for you. Looking forward to keeping in touch and also taking a flight in your Cessna one of these days". - Albert & Fiona, Clayton

James Rowbothamā€™s Listings

a front view of a building with street view
a front view of a building with street
a view of staircase
a living room with furniture and a chandelier
a bedroom with furniture and large windows
a view of a city
a view of swimming pool with mountain view
a view of a large body of water with mountain
a view of ocean view with beach
a view of a city with tall buildings
a view of a terrace
an aerial view of multiple house
a view of a city
a view of a city
an aerial view of city
a picture of houses with outdoor space
$6,998,000 | 45 Montclair Terrace, San Francisco, CA 94109
$6,998,000 | 45 Montclair Terrace, San Francisco, CA 94109
$6,998,000 | 45 Montclair Terrace, San Francisco, CA 94109
1/19
Listed By Compass

$6,998,000

6
Bedrooms
10,285
Square Feet
0.12
Acres

45 Montclair Terrace, San Francisco, CA 94109

$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$2,995,000 | 95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
1/53
Listed By CompassVirtual Tour

$2,995,000

4
Bedrooms
2,451
Square Feet
0.03
Acres

95 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

a front view of a house with a garden
a view of a balcony
a living room with a bed and a window
a view of a balcony with an ocean view
a view of balcony with furniture and city view
a view of a forest with plants and trees
1/6
Listed By Compass

$1,300,000

3
Bedrooms
Unavailable
Square Feet
0.05
Acres

121 Yukon Street, San Francisco, CA 94114

a front view of a house with a yard and garage
an aerial view of residential houses with outdoor space
an aerial view of multiple house
unknown
unknown
$999,000 | 89 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
$999,000 | 89 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
1/7
Listed By Compass

$999,000

Unavailable
Bedrooms
Unavailable
Bathrooms
Unavailable
Square Feet
0.05
Acres

89 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

a front view of a house
a front view of a house with a yard and garage
an aerial view of multiple house
an aerial view of residential houses with outdoor space
unknown
unknown
$999,000 | 91 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
1/7
Listed By Compass

$999,000

Unavailable
Bedrooms
Unavailable
Bathrooms
Unavailable
Square Feet
0.04
Acres

91 Nordhoff Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
$565,000 | 5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608
1/26
Listed By CompassPending

$565,000

1
Bedrooms
1,234
Square Feet

5855 Horton Street, Unit 526, Emeryville, CA 94608

James Rowbothamā€™s Transactions

Past Sales
$6,225,000 | 4234 24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114

$6,225,000

7
Bedrooms
4,912
Square Feet
0.07
Acres

4234 24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114

a living room with furniture and a large window

$5,710,000

7
Bedrooms
4,940
Square Feet
0.07
Acres

479 28th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

a living room with furniture and a large window

$3,350,000

3
Bedrooms
2,379
Square Feet
0.09
Acres

131 Turquoise Way, San Francisco, CA 94131

$3,300,000 | 720 Victoria Street, San Francisco, CA 94127

$3,300,000

2,088
Square Feet
0.12
Acres

720 Victoria Street, San Francisco, CA 94127

$1,825,000 | 569-571 Capp Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

$1,825,000

3
Bedrooms
2,450
Square Feet
0.04
Acres

569-571 Capp Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

$1,680,000 | 720 Victoria Street, San Francisco, CA 94127

$1,680,000

2,088
Square Feet
0.12
Acres

720 Victoria Street, San Francisco, CA 94127

$1,500,000 | 2602 Pebble Beach Loop, Lafayette, CA 94549

$1,500,000

4
Bedrooms
1,610
Square Feet
0.37
Acres

2602 Pebble Beach Loop, Lafayette, CA 94549

a front view of a house with a yard and garage

$1,070,000

4
Bedrooms
2,467
Square Feet
0.22
Acres

5122 Keller Ridge Drive, Clayton, CA 94517

a aerial view of a house with a garden and plants

$895,000

4
Bedrooms
2,554
Square Feet
0.18
Acres

2325 Wayfarer Drive, Discovery Bay, CA 94505

$776,000 | 2628 Telegraph Avenue, Unit 401, Berkeley, CA 94704

$776,000

2
Bedrooms
896
Square Feet

2628 Telegraph Avenue, Unit 401, Berkeley, CA 94704

a front view of a house with a garden

$745,000

4
Bedrooms
2,402
Square Feet
0.07
Acres

2436 Sienna Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565