Two partners, one commitment to this community
We’re Daniel and Russ: a real estate agent and a licensed general contractor. We buy houses from people in hard situations, and we try to leave every family, and every street, a little better than we found it.
Between us, we know what a house is worth and exactly what it takes to bring one back.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17
How We Met
It all started on a long training run through the foothills. Somewhere along the miles, one of Daniel’s running partners began telling him about his brother, Russ. A builder, an entrepreneur, and someone who was always dreaming up his next project. The more he talked, the more it sounded like Daniel and Russ had a lot in common.
A few weeks later, a client’s project right in Auburn brought them together. What started as a working relationship to assist the property owner quickly became a friendship built on shared values, complementary skills and a common vision.
Daniel brought years of experience in real estate, helping people navigate some of life’s biggest financial decisions. Russ brought the knowledge, craftsmanship and hands-on experience to turn neglected properties into beautiful, functional homes. Together, they saw an opportunity to do something bigger than either could accomplish alone.
Their first major project together was renovating a dated home in Auburn. Through long days, unexpected challenges and plenty of hard work, they discovered that what made them a great team went far beyond real estate and construction. They shared the same faith, an unwavering work ethic and a belief that the work you do should mean something to the people around you.
That belief became the foundation of Foothills Home Buyers.
We started this company because we believe real estate can be about more than buying and selling properties. It’s about helping people find solutions during difficult transitions, restoring homes that have been overlooked and investing in the communities we’re proud to call home.
We’re two local guys who believe in hard work, doing right by people and leaving things better than we found them.
And that’s exactly what we intend to do, one home and one relationship at a time.
What each of us brings
The real estate side
Daniel Hopkins
Licensed real estate agent · DRE #02105900
Daniel has spent more than a decade in residential and commercial real estate sales, and in buying and renovating properties of his own. He knows what a house is worth, and he knows how to tell a seller the truth about it. Away from work you’ll find him out in the Sierra foothills he loves, usually deep into a long ultramarathon training run.
The builder’s side
Ruslan “Russ” Trach
Licensed electrician & general contractor · CSLB #1062188
Russ grew up in the trades, working alongside his father, an electrician. He went on to become a licensed electrician and general contractor himself, with more than 10 years of experience on residential and commercial projects, including state and county work. When Russ walks a house, he sees exactly what it needs and what it will take to make it right.
How we do business
Our faith isn’t a slogan. It’s the standard we hold each other to on every deal.
Straight answers
We show you how we arrived at our offer, and we’ll tell you if another option would serve you better.
Fair offers
We make offers we’d be comfortable explaining to our own families.
We keep our word
If we say we’ll call, we call. If we agree to a closing date, we’re there.
Neighborhoods first
We want the houses we buy to become good homes again, and the streets around them stronger.
We’d be glad to hear your story
Tell us about the house and what’s going on. There’s no cost and no obligation.