Our Story
Venema Homes is the Tri-Valley’s most recognized luxury real estate team, founded on a simple belief: every client deserves excellence. We’re not just real estate professionals. We’re your neighbors, your advocates, and your partners from first conversation to closing day.
Pleasanton’s Premier Real Estate Team, built on relationships, driven by results
Venema Homes is the Tri-Valley’s most recognized luxury real estate team, founded by Pleasanton-based Realtor Liz Venema and built on a simple belief: every client deserves excellence.
With over $1 billion in total sales, 1,200+ households served, and a ranking of 77th among all Realtors nationwide, our team has earned the trust of buyers and sellers across Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, Danville, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek.
We’re not just real estate professionals. We’re your neighbors, your advocates, and your partners from first conversation to closing day.
A concierge who was already in the business
Liz began at Keller Williams in downtown Pleasanton as the office concierge. The office sat directly on Main Street, where neighbors, friends, contractors, business owners, and longtime locals passed by daily.
What quickly became obvious was this: people naturally gravitated toward Liz. They trusted her. They opened up to her. Real estate conversations were already happening constantly — she simply did not yet have a license attached to it.
“Real estate is a relationship business, and Liz already had the relationships.”
It was Deanna Armario who first recognized what was already there. With encouragement from Steve and from her father, Liz earned her California real estate license and stepped into the business. The rest followed naturally.
Building Armario Venema Homes and dominating the Tri-Valley market
Deanna initially offered Liz a buyer’s agent role. Liz had a larger vision. She did not want to simply work inside a business — she wanted to help build one. The two agreed to a six-month trial partnership, with the understanding that if it worked, they would move forward as equals.
It worked immediately. Liz brought in nearly $10 million in volume within her first month. The momentum was undeniable.
Armario Venema Homes was officially founded in 2013 and quickly became one of the dominant forces in Tri-Valley real estate, building an extraordinary business rooted in deep community relationships, aggressive work ethic, strategic marketing, and an unwavering commitment to clients throughout Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, and San Ramon.
In 2018, Liz’s daughter Alexis Venema joined the team after earning her license, bringing a new generation of marketing instincts, lead generation strategies, and client experience innovation. Two families, building something significant together.
A difficult decision made with intention and integrity
In 2020, during the uncertainty of Covid, difficult conversations were happening inside businesses across the country. Attorneys, accountants, and advisors were encouraging business owners to reevaluate legal exposure, liability structures, and long-term protection for their families.
After thoughtful conversations with Steve, Alexis, and legal counsel, Liz made the difficult decision to separate the businesses so that each family could move forward independently under its own foundation.
“The intention was never conflict. The intention was stewardship, protection, and clarity for the future.”
Like many transitions involving people who have built something meaningful together, the separation carried emotion and sadness. Liz will always respect the years that were shared. Both businesses have continued on successfully — which is exactly how it should be.
Even during the year of transition, combined production volume exceeded $100 million, a reflection of the scale, consistency, and foundation that had been built.
A luxury real estate legacy that accelerated from day one
When Venema Homes officially launched, nearly the entire team chose to stay with Liz. They stayed for the same reasons clients had trusted her for decades: the energy, leadership, loyalty, integrity, relentless work ethic, and genuine care for people.
That first year independently, Venema Homes closed nearly $130 million in volume. Alexis brought in the team’s highest listing to date at $4.85 million, a sign of where the company was headed.
The trajectory only accelerated. In 2025, Alexis closed a $6.5 million sale, and the team represented one of the region’s most significant luxury listings at nearly $13 million. Alexis was also named a National Association of Realtors 2026 30 Under 30 Final 50 honoree, placing her among the top young real estate agents in the country.
Today, Venema Homes has surpassed more than $1 billion in career sales and stands as one of the Tri-Valley’s leading luxury and downsizing real estate teams, recognized throughout Pleasanton, Ruby Hill, Castlewood, and the surrounding Bay Area luxury markets.
Trusted by over 1,200 households across the Tri-Valley
The principles behind every transaction
Every decision is filtered through one question: is this what’s right for the client? Not what’s easiest, not what’s fastest — what’s right.
We treat every client the way we would want our own family treated. Their interests are protected at every step, without compromise.
The results that matter are earned through preparation, persistence, and a refusal to settle for less than the best possible outcome.
Reputation is built over decades and lost in moments. We protect ours through honesty, transparency, and doing exactly what we say we will do.
Real estate is ultimately about the lives people are building inside the homes they buy and sell. We never lose sight of that truth.
Pleasanton is not just our market — it is our home. The trust earned here over 40 years is something we protect and honor every single day.
Searching for Armario Venema Homes?
If you are searching online and finding references to Armario Venema Homes, old reviews, or past listings connected to Liz Venema — you are absolutely in the right place.
That was a real and meaningful chapter in Liz’s professional story, and she remains proud of the work accomplished during those years. Today, Venema Homes stands independently as the continuation and evolution of that legacy.
For clients buying or selling in Pleasanton, Ruby Hill, or anywhere throughout the Tri-Valley Bay Area, Venema Homes is the team built to guide that next chapter.
Let’s write your next chapter together
Whether you are buying, selling, or simply exploring your options in Pleasanton, Ruby Hill, or anywhere throughout the Tri-Valley Bay Area, the Venema Homes team is here to guide you.