Meet Sara Black Team
At Sara Black Team, we understand that buying or selling a home is likely the single largest financial investment of your lifetime.
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At Sara Black Team, we understand that buying or selling a home is likely the single largest financial investment of your lifetime.
The Sara Black Team is an exceptional real estate group backed by more than 20 years of combined experience and a genuine passion for helping people. They value their client and peer relationships above all else, and they know that even the smallest details matter. Sara Black Team members are devoted to excellent client service and responsiveness, and their unwavering integrity and honesty have solidified a peerless reputation throughout Greater Houston.
Led by Sara Black and featuring talented agents Clayton Simms and Brian De Paulo, the Sara Black Team works with everyone from first-time buyers to savvy investors and right-sizers. With clear communication and collaboration without ego, they leverage the power of teamwork to ensure each buyer and seller feels like their only client. And, as devoted members of the Houston community, Sara, Clayton and Brian take great pride in their significant volume of repeat and referral clients and their expansive professional network. This dynamic team believes that with hard work and positivity, the sky's the limit, both for themselves and their clients.
Sara Black is a Broker Associate known for her enthusiasm and ingenuity. Her top-producing career has earned multiple industry accolades, record-setting transactions and a feature in Texas Monthly. She's a consummate people person, and for Sara, the best reward will always be the successes of her satisfied clientele.
As a veteran of demanding customer service and sales roles, Clayton Simms excels at providing the care, know-how and diligence necessary to make his clients' real estate dreams a reality. With a desire to make each transaction as seamless and successful as possible, he consistently delivers expert advice and a solutions-oriented mindset.
Brian De Paulo comes to real estate from a previous career as a licensed contractor specializing in custom homes. With that critical understanding of quality construction, he's an indispensable guide to spotting value and avoiding red flags. Creative and tenacious, Brian is a well-rounded real estate expert and a trusted advisor.
A Houston native with over a decade of experience, Sara Black is one of the most respected and acclaimed real estate agents in Texas.
Sara got her start as a trainee appraiser and immediately fell in love with the real estate industry. In 2007, she dove into her passion headfirst, obtaining her real estate license. Though entering such a competitive market at a young age wasn’t easy, Sara decided to embrace the challenges and used them to motivate her. She credits beginning her career in her early 20s with teaching her the value of hard work and ambition. Her unshakable determination paid off, and just four years later, she became a broker associate.
Having worked in the business for 13 years, Sara has seen the market at every stage and knows how to confidently predict and efficiently navigate its shifts. From guiding sellers on how to strategically price their properties to fiercely negotiating for buyers, Sara is an invaluable resource and advocate.
Sara is also an expert on the greater Houston region as a whole. Whether you need a great restaurant recommendation in the Heights, want to know about parks in Garden Oaks, or are seeking advice about the schools in Montrose, Sara’s encyclopedic knowledge is
sure to come in handy.
In addition to her expertise, Sara’s attitude and work ethic are unmatched. Clients appreciate her patient, positive, and understanding approach, as well as the amount of dedication and attention to detail she brings to each interaction. Sara’s favorite part of her job is helping her clients, and that shines through in everything she does.
Sara has accumulated several prestigious honors and accolades over the years, such as inclusion in the President’s Circle at Berkshire Hathaway and being featured in Texas Monthly. She also holds a record for the highest sale ever recorded in Eastwood, selling one of the first three homes in the neighborhood for a whopping $150,000 more than any other house has ever sold there.
When Sara isn’t working, you can find her spending time with her husband, two daughters, and two boxers. Favorite activities include traveling, exploring Houston’s bustling restaurant scene, and enjoying the great outdoors. Sara also enjoys bettering the neighborhood and its residents, frequently donating to and volunteering with the Arthritis Foundation, Sunshine Kids, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, Trees of Hope, and Travis Elementary.
Clayton Simms is a Texan through-and-through. Born in Austin and raised in Houston, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone with a deeper understanding of (not to mention love for) the area. Clayton’s passion for Houston is obvious, and through his work as a real estate agent, he is able to share this enthusiasm with others and help them find their place in this rich, diverse area.
Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, Clayton had the values of hard work and determination instilled in him from an early age, and he attributes this upbringing with teaching him the importance of state-of-the-art customer service and creating lasting relationships with his clients. Before entering the real estate industry in 2017, Clayton helped successfully create, run, and expand multiple small businesses, acquiring a valuable skillset he still utilizes in his work today.
Clayton strives for excellence in everything he does. Priding himself on being uncompromisingly diligent, punctual, and
resourceful, Clayton knows that every little detail matters. In addition to holding himself to the highest standard, Clayton also brings compassion and care to every interaction. His main objective is to help his clients achieve their homebuying goals and make the process as stress-free as possible.
Compass’ mission states that they want “to help everyone find their place in the world,” and Clayton truly embodies this. Whether working with a first-time homebuyer or seasoned investor, there’s nothing Clayton loves more than helping a client close on their dream property.
When Clayton isn’t working, you can find him enjoying Houston’s outdoors. Favorite activities include hiking, skydiving, motorcycling, off-roading, and spending time with his dog. He’s also passionate about giving back to the community and frequently donates to Preservation Houston, which promotes the conservation of Houston’s historic architecture.
Trustworthy. Tenacious. Truthful. These are just three words to describe agent Brian De Paulo. Though originally from Illinois, Brian found Houston’s sense of community and neighborhood pride irresistible and traded the Land of Lincoln for the Lone Star State.
Brian’s passion for real estate initially manifested itself in construction, allowing him to cultivate an extensive skill set—one he still constantly utilizes. After buying his first home in 2013, Brian decided to get his real estate license and immediately began forming an impressive portfolio. Brian’s experience building custom homes helped him develop a comprehensive understanding of real estate that goes beyond just buying and selling, giving him and his clients an advantage.
Brian previously worked as a general contractor and is licensed as a broker in Illinois. These experiences enriched his expertise even more, giving him a unique and invaluable perspective for his current role as a real estate associate.
Clients appreciate Brian’s professionalism and well-rounded approach. Dependable and savvy, Brian is committed to acting as a trusted advisor to everyone with whom he works. With an uncanny ability to envision exactly what his clients want, Brian prides himself on being creative and proactive, being able to make a deal when others fall short. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or estate manager purchasing a fourth home, Brian is confident he can help you succeed.
In addition to earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Brian has racked up an impressive list of other achievements over the years, including holding record-breaking listings and reaching the highest monthly sales numbers in his previous office.
When Brian isn’t working, he and his wife can frequently be found browsing Houston’s museums, art galleries, and farmer's markets. Other favorite activities include playing tennis, skiing, rock climbing, and sand volleyball.
We are committed to going above and beyond and guiding you every step of the way, and will not settle for less than complete satisfaction.