Service Areas
About John Pestalozzi Jr
John Pestalozzi Jr. is the Founding Partner of Westward Real Estate and one of Tampa Bay's most experienced and trusted real estate professionals. A Tampa native with more than 23 years of experience, John has successfully closed 800+ homes and surpassed $500M+ in career sales, consistently ranking among the top 2% of agents nationally. He serves clients throughout Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Westchase, Odessa, Lutz, and the surrounding communities.
Known for his strong communication, strategic approach, and deep local knowledge, John provides a level of service that goes beyond the typical real estate experience. His approach is highly personalized, combining data driven pricing, modern marketing, and hands on guidance from the initial consultation through closing and beyond. Clients consistently value his responsiveness, attention to detail, and ability to navigate complex transactions with confidence.
Unlike larger teams where clients are often passed between agents, John works directly with his clients every step of the way. He listens closely, communicates clearly, and advocates strongly to ensure his clients are positioned for success whether buying, selling, investing, or relocating to the Tampa Bay area.
With extensive experience across a wide range of property types including new construction, waterfront homes, condominiums, and investment properties, John has become a trusted resource for both local clients and out of state buyers seeking expert guidance and a smooth, well managed process.
A graduate of the University of Tampa and Jesuit High School, John is a lifelong resident of the area who brings both professional expertise and a genuine passion for helping clients find the right home and community. When he is not working with clients, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children, volunteering with the Little League Challenger Division, and enjoying everything the Tampa Bay area has to offer.
If you are looking for a real estate professional who combines proven results with a high level of service and local expertise, John Pestalozzi Jr. and Westward Real Estate are ready to guide you every step of the way.
Community Involvement
HOBBIES/INTEREST
FAMILY
Credentials
LICENSE
Designation
Counselors of Real Estate
CLHMS (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist)
Military Relocation Professional
ePro
ABR (Accredited Buyers Representative)
Real Estate Investing
Certified Negotiation Expert
Licensed Realtor
Seller Representative Specialist
Top Producer
REALTOR
Specialties
- Buyer's Agent
- Listing Agent
- Property Management
- Relocation
Awards
-
2026
TOP AGENT
Odessa, FL
2026
TOP AGENT
Indian Rocks Beach, FL
Loading recent sales...
John Pestalozzi Jr's Reviews & Ratings
- Professional
- Knowledgeable
- Communicative
- Responsive
- Outstanding
- Trustworthy
- Available Remotely
- Excellent negotiator
- Hard working
- Attentive
Dad7771787
Thankful for his assistance and professionalism! Working with John was one of the best decisions we made when purchasing our new construction home in the Angeline community. Many people think buying directly from the builder means you don't need a Realtor, but that couldn't be further from the truth. John negotiated excellent terms with the builder that we never would have achieved on our own, and his guidance more than paid for itself. From the day we signed the contract until closing, John was there every step of the way. He coordinated inspections, connected us with reliable vendors, kept us informed throughout the process, and made sure every detail was handled. Whenever we had questions, he was quick to respond and always had our best interests in mind. What impressed us most was how much he genuinely cared. He wasn't just there to get us to closing. He wanted to make sure we made informed decisions and had a great experience from start to finish. If you're buying a home, especially new construction, I highly recommend having John represent you. His knowledge, professionalism, and dedication are second to none, and we're truly grateful for everything he did for us.
Lllmiller4
John was by far the best realtor we have ever used! We came to FL looking for a second home and was unfamiliar with the area. John was so through and so knowable and he took so much time showing us homes and the area around, it was a wonderful experience! Highly highly recommend John !!! Thank you John!
Ellemijo7
Words do not even fully begin to encapsulate John's value as a real estate agent. His extensive knowledge of the market, paired with his expertise when it comes to evaluating the condition of a home, are truly unmatched. Our family has worked with John on several real estate transactions - both as buyers and sellers. He will listen to your needs, and then dedicate himself to helping you weigh out the pros and cons of the home and give informative suggestions on how to proceed. After several years of his continued support, we grew to feel incredibly confident and even cocky at times, knowing we had him representing, negotiating, and advocating for us along the way. He has a way of taking the pressure off the home buying process, and goes to extreme lengths on the back end, to make sure his clients are positioned to bring the best offer or counter offer to the table. You will NEVER find an agent in the Tampa Bay area that is better than him! He will answer your every question, keep you informed throughout, and representing you in a way that makes it look easy when you know it's anything but! We are so incredibly grateful to have worked with him over the last several years and we HIGHLY recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell a home. John, we sincerely thank you for not only your business but the kindness you have brought to this process. We know you will continue to find success and wish you the best in all future business endeavors!
Amy B.
John provides excellent service and is very knowledgeable about all real estate needs. We have used him several times for both purchasing and selling our homes many times and will use him again without hesitation. He is truly an expert in his field!
Zuser20160101161512113
We have worked with John twice in our search for a vacation home in Florida. We have found him to be extremely responsive, and his knowledge of the real estate market is very deep. He is a very good negotiator, and I have no doubt he has saved me money during those critical negotiations when making offers. If I have future needs in the local market, John would be the first person I would call. He is a very trusted advisor, and I appreciate his efforts on our behalf.
Petestony
This is my third time using John and I came back because everything was smooth with no surprises. He is very thorough and communicates constantly. He even suggested a lower bid on my new place than I was planning on and it was accepted. I have friends that have used him also and we were all more than satisfied. All I can do is recommend this guy and I really don't think you would be disappointed........
JasonPfeiffer1
John is a true partner! John's helped my family purchase several properties and each time he exceeds expectations. His patience, knowledge of the market as a whole as well as local areas, is truly unmatched. He's goes above and beyond and ensures you understand the in's and out's all along the way. He's a true partner, who makes things happen.
SusanSallier0
Thank you John! Excellent service, very knowledgeable and highly professional. Our home sold for ropmprive amd John was there every step of the way! We highly recommend John! Best regards, The Salliers
Apayan842
John has been excellent to work with and will be my go-to advisor for all future things real estate. From the very beginning, John listened carefully to our criteria and provided us with valuable analysis and insights based on our specific needs. He seamlessly navigated us through some unusual challenges that quickly emerged and was very responsive no matter what time or day of the week it was. We were out of town for about half of the time between offer and closing, and John was able to keep a close eye on the entire process and step in for us when we were required to attend to things. I had a great experience with John and look forward to working with him in the future.
User65535364
Selling the home we built 40 years ago where we raised our boys and had so many wonderful memories was very difficult and emotional, finding a new home where we would be happy was not an easy job. Johns guidance and support helped us along the way through this transitional time in our lives, and we are very happy with the outcome. John was always available with advice, helping us make the right choices, recommending capable and reasonable service people for anything that needed to be repaired, altered or added. John was super patient with my aEURoeperfectionistaEUR? personality of inspecting and analyzing every home we considered purchasing. My husband and I trusted John fully and recommend him to everyone looking for a new home, or selling their dream homeaEUR|John will be there for you physically and emotionally to hold your hand through the tough decisions in the kindest and most professional style you hope to find in a realtor. Thank you John, we will always be grateful for all you have done helping us through this not so easy journey.
Wendy R.
I hired John because I knew in these tough market conditions, I needed an agent who was seasoned and has been through these challenging times before. I knew a new agents would not be able to navigate this season we are in with the economy. Sure enough, we came accross also some other HOA and appraisal issues that only a seasoned professional could have navigated real solutions to keep us closing on time. I also knew my property had challenges we would face along the way before I even listed it, and I did not think twice about who I would choose to see me through this process. He always texts and answers calls and had alot of patience with my concerns. He is on top of the scenario start to finish and makes you feel like your a priority.
Live2bfit37
I hired John because I knew in these tough market conditions, I needed an agent who was seasoned and has been through these challenging times before. I knew a new agents would not be able to navigate this season we are in with the economy. Sure enough, we came accross also some other HOA and appraisal issues that only a seasoned professional could have navigated real solutions to keep us closing on time. I also knew my property had challenges we would face along the way before I even listed it, and I did not think twice about who I would choose to see me through this process. He always texts and answers calls and had alot of patience with my concerns. He is on top of the scenario start to finish and makes you feel like your a priority.
Dad7771787
John professionally guided us through the many steps required to get our home properly positioned to fetch top dollar once it hit the market. John made helped to make the selling process so much easier through his guidance and real estate expertise. We appreciated all of his suggestions and hard work that led to us closing successfully for well over our list price in a very short amount of time. John is so professional and so personable that the whole process was a pleasure. I would highly recommend John to anyone considering buying or selling a home.
Fissicar
John was able to make the sell go smoothly and quickly! The many steps getting the home ready to put on the market were made so much easier with John's expertise and guidance.We appreciate so much all of his suggestions and hard work. John is so professional and so personable that the whole process was a pleasure.
Headman27
We had the fortunate opportunity to work with John Pestalozzi for both the selling of our existing home and purchase of our new home. John played an important role in both transactions. We received more than asking price (with multiple offers above asking) with John taking the time to review the pros and cons of each, to ensure we accepted the offer that was right for us. When purchasing the new home (builder new construction), John reviewed all paperwork, participated in negotiations and disputes with the builder, and took the lead on all correspondences and communications. I do not intend on using another realtor other than John for any future real-estate needs and recommend that others do the same.
Geoffrey L.
We relocated to Florida from Illinois during the COVID pandemic. John took on our home search late in the process from another realtor. John's communication was clear and concise. We saw 10 homes on a 3 day trip to Florida and made an offer on the last day. John helped us in many ways, setting us up with strong financial agency, thorough home inspector and managing the seller repairs prior to closing for us since we were out of state. John was a safety net in discussions with sellers and even during our closing. Moving is not easy, and moving across the county is even harder. It was great to have John in our corner.
Vanessa N.
We have dealt with John multiple times with multiple homes. He has helped us with both the buying side and the selling side and we have never been disappointed. John is extremely knowledgeable and professional. He always works diligently on his clients behalf. John responds in a timely manner and we are so grateful to have a realtor that is dependable and trustworthy. Highly recommend John Pestalozzi.
JerameyJohnson
John was great to work with. We moved from St. Louis, MO to Tampa and was very upfront with John from the very beginning. John took the "must haves" and showed up exactly what were were wanting. John was amazing during the entire process and was available anytime I called or emailed him. We will definetly recommend John to anyone we know who is looking to buy in the Tampa market.
Justinadsit
John was instrumental in helping us sell our house. Not only was he helpful in preparing for our house to go to market but he helped manage the sales process (inspection, repairs, etc) while we had already moved out of state. John went above and beyond to ensure a seamless transaction and I would recommend him to anybody looking to buy or sell in the Tampa area.
Debbielawrence66
Our experience with John was top-notch! If you are looking for someone who knows the area (he is a Florida native) and is AWESOME to work with, call John! We were beyond impressed with his service. He made us feel like we were his only clients. Very responsive, very knowledgeable, and just a super great guy to work with. We highly recommend John for your real estate needs!
Mltampa
John was referred to me by a neighbor after I experienced 4 horrible months with my home on the market and one misstep after another. I had built a new home and was putting my existing home on the market. In my very first phone conversation with John, he added immediate value by telling me about portability and homesteading and how to save on my property taxes on the new home. When we first met in person, it was obvious that John had done his research on my home, the comparable, and a lot of other things. I was impressed with his breadth and depth of knowledge of the Westchase market. At that point, it was a "no brainer" to pick John to represent me. He helped me navigate through the entire process from beginning to end. John is very good about communicating what to expect, when to expect it, etc. He was also very honest and gave me a "to do" list of things I should do to improve the appeal of the house for showings. After just one week on the market, John found a buyer who ended up closing on the property a few months later. Again, John helped me navigate through challenges with the inspection and appraisal, and is a superior negotiator. If I have reason to sell another home, I would definitely choose John in the future and will be referring him to friends and neighbors. Overall, I would describe John as extremely knowledgeable, approachable, transparent, savvy, and a great communicator.
User4626086
John is the best Real Estate agent I've ever had!! He's incredibly knowledgeable and he walked me through each step from start to finish. He even helped me find renters for my investment property before I even took ownership of the property. I would and already have recommended him to all my friends and family.
Rene C.
John was awesome to work with. He got every penny of our homes value in the selling price plus helped us negotiate on our brand new construction home. I would highly recommend JP if your are looking to sell or purchase in the Tampa Bay Market.
Nick S.
Working with John for a second time was again a great experience. His deep knowledge of the local market and the fine details of the process, combined with his responsiveness and flexibility, his willingness to assist with anything that comes up, and his clarity of communication make him an invaluable resource for our family.
Kfp847
We have worked with numerous real estate agents over the years, in several different states...and John is BY FAR the most exceptional agent we have ever had. From the very first phone call to even after we moved into our new home, he exceeded our expectations so many times that my husband and I felt like we were always saying to each other: "Wow, this guy is amazing!!!" And I will admit that we are not the easiest people to please. Although he was outstanding in every aspect, the two areas where John most stood out were service and expertise. Service-wise, John was remarkably communicative, and we always felt like he was 110% on top of everything. He responded to us FAST, made appointments for us at the spur of the moment, moved his schedule around to accommodate us, worked diligently to get us quick answers and continuously made sure everything was in order for us. Most importantly, even though we know that John is a busy and in-demand agent, he always made us feel like we were his top priority. In terms of expertise and experience, John has an incredible understanding of the Tampa market and a wealth of knowledge about processes, procedures and homes in general. Another review we read about John before choosing him described him as a walking Wikipedia...and now having worked with him, I would say that is an entirely accurate description. John was just so incredibly knowledgeable about anything we asked him. Touring homes with him was like having a home inspector along with us for each home. John also brought many things to our attention that we hadn't thought of or that we wouldn't have known to ask, even though we are not inexperienced home buyers. Because of his depth of knowledge and attention to detail, we were able to avoid making a mistake that we surely would have regretted in the future. Overall, we feel very lucky to have had John represent us. Looks like five is the max, but I would give him 10 stars if Zillow would let me!
Dw R.
John was a pleasure to work with. He was professional, knowledgeable and aggressive when we relied upon him for action. He was always available by cell or email. I am relieved I decided to use John as my realtor
Celia27
WOW!!! John handled everything from start to finish to secure us a high quality tenant for our rental property. I was so impressed with John's attention to detail and follow up. I own several rental properties and have always personally found tenants etc. This time I decided to use a professional and I am so happy I went with John, I have 18 years experience in dealing with renting out my properties finding prospective tenants etc. John took all the hassle out of everything and handled it all. I was so IMPRESSED!!!!! He earned every bit of his commission. I wrote that check with pleasure.
Robert D.
John was a phenomenal real estate agent, and a pleasure to work with. I have several close friends who have worked with him before me, and they said hands down I should go with him. This was my first purchase, so it was great that he was really patient, and took the time to explain all my questionsaEUR|and even answered questions I didnt even know I had yet. Most importantly, he provided a zero-pressure experience for the entire year I was looking for a house. He never once made me feel like I should go for a specific property over anotheraEUR|really, I could tell that he wanted to find the right fit for me (and I'm pretty picky). I had to travel for a couple of months in which I stopped actively seeing properties, and in the meantime, he provided just the right balance of checking in with me for any questions/interest I had, and also understanding that I was busy with work. In addition, you could tell that he has done A LOT of deals, and really knows his job. From knowing different neighborhoods, to fair market value, to potential upgrades, to future neighborhood plansaEUR|you name it, he made me feel like I had an expert on my side. Especially as a first-time home-buyer, it was HUGE to be able to have an agent I could trust. I will definitely use John again for any of my future real estate needs, and also will actively tell all my friends and acquaintances that he is a great asset to have throughout the process!
Vanessa N.
John has been fantastic. He is extremely knowledgeable and easy to work with. He is always available when needed. I would highly recommend John Pestalozzi to anyone needing to sell their home quickly and efficiently.
J25mcdowell
My husband and I were relocating to Florida and John was our realtor. He an outstanding realtor who had genuine interest in helping us find our new home. He had great knowledge of Tampa and surrounding areas and knew exactly what we wanted in a home. He made buying our home an easy and enjoyable experience. He is an amazing person and realtor and I highly recommend him.
Jdcortina1
I live in New York and was looking to purchase a home in Tampa for getaways and eventual retirement. John was recommended by a friend of mine and as it turned out, he was an excellent choice. We first talked on the phone discussing the general areas of Tampa and what I was looking for. John was very informative explaining the pros and cons of the areas I was interested in. He sent me many listings of homes that fit my criteria. I flew down a few times and he set up viewings of the homes I picked out. Although none really hit me the way I wanted, I eventually narrowed it down to one development and asked him to keep an eye out for a specific model that might be available. It wasn't long before he contacted me with exactly what I was looking for. Since I was back in New York, he did all the legwork for me. He did a thorough walk through, took his own pictures and even video taped the walk through, narrating as he walked into every room. An offer was made, accepted and now I have exactly what I wanted. John was a huge help with all the paperwork, setting me up with a mortgage broker, getting house inspected and finally closing. I would definitely use John again for any future real estate endeavors.
Carly92
John went above and beyond to help us close on the perfect home for our family of 5. He was present every step of the way and did not do anything to rush the process, he was very patient and examined every detail leaving no questions unanswered. The experience of working with him was great all the way around. Could not have asked for a better person to guide us through such unfamiliar territory. Thank you John!
Dandrewbyrne
John is one of the best realtors I have worked with. He was honest, knowledgeable, and unfailingly responsive. We had to leave town before our sale was final and John took over and handled everything!
John M.
John did a great job. We were relocating with our family from Seattle to Florida and he provided great local expertise. In one weekend we saw many houses in many neighborhoods. In that first weekend we found the house we wanted. From there John navigated us through the real estate process with ease. We closed on time with the house we wanted at the right price. I strongly recommend John.
George H.
Thank you so much John for your patience, persistence and guidance during the sale of our house. You've made what can be a very challenging and stressful process manageable, and always made Lisa and me feel like we were your top priority. You are a true professional and we have very much enjoyed working with you and getting to know you.
Georgejhaag
Thank you so much John for your patience, persistence and guidance during the sale of our house. You've made what can be a very challenging and stressful process manageable, and always made Lisa and me feel like we were your top priority. You are a true professional and we have very much enjoyed working with you and getting to know you.
Aaugator
John assisted me with the purchase of my home. Over the course of the home buying process, I found John to be extremely knowledgeable and very patient during the decision making process. He always responded to me in a timely fashion and was on top of things from start to finish. I know he is a busy agent; however, I always felt I had his undivided attention. He always personally appeared for each showing, took as much time as needed to answer questions, and I never felt rushed. I recommend John enthusiastically and without the slightest hesitation.
Bob R.
We interviewed several agents to assist us in selling our home, the first thing John did was listened to us, he got a complete understanding of what we were seeking and the timeline that would work for us. All phases of the experience we 100% professional, accurate and informative. Our home sold in the timeline that we were planning and most importantly the selling price hit the target! John was very educational in all of the areas that if one is not a realtor one would have no idea the requirements to meet all the needed items to close successfully. We would very highly recommend John as he exceeded our expectations! Thank you, Bob & Karla Raymond
Kjladriere
We loved working with John. He is very professional and extremely knowledgeable in his field. We felt comfortable working with him and knowing that he always had our best interests in mind. We would (and do!) highly recommend John to anyone looking for a realtor in the Tampa area!
Louis R.
John is the most thorough professional I have ever encountered. He assisted us in purchasing our home in Tampa before we moved there by acting quickly on our behalf when we finally found a house that suited all out needs, and provided us exceptional guidance when it came to selling our house as we left. We were incredibly informed throughout the entire process and John helped us understand every step of the way, from analyzing the market to signing the contract. John promptly responded to all our questions and concerns. He provided a level expertise not often found, with his attention to the details and nuance of the home buying process. We could not have been happier with our real estate experience with John!
Linda I.
ROCKSTAR REALTOR!!! We needed to sell two homes to coincide with our new home that is under construction. John Pestalozzi, Jr. is a true professional in every sense of the word. His knowledge and skill of all aspects of the industry is unmatched. From the top notch quality of the listing photos to the day of closing, we could not have asked for more. John stayed on top of every detail, always kept us informed and responds to phone calls, emails and texts immediately (this is huge for me)! As soon as our homes were listed on MLS we immediately started getting showing requests. John sold our rental property in just HOURS...for FULL LIST PRICE. Our other home sold in just weeks for more than I thought was possible. Can't recommend him enough!!!
Lmele213
Me. Pestalozzi was professional, compassionate and understanding during the difficult process of selling my home. He was there with assistance and advise whenever it was needed. He also was a tremendous asset in assisting me to find a rental right down to the wire of the closing on my home. Thank you so much for all the support, encouragement and expertise! Couldn't have done this without an agent like John Pestalozzi.
Mbstaples
My name is Michael Staples, I've purchased homes in New Mexico, Missouri, and Michigan. I've had business with real estate agents in California, and Toronto Canada, so when I say that John is the very best agent I've had the pleasure to work with, you mow know that statement carries a ton of weight. John is very knowledgeable of the Florida real estate market, knows the Tampa area inside out, all the neighborhoods, the hidden gems, the up and comming areas, ares on the down swing. John works not only for you, but with you. Jojn treats you like you're his only client, family, his best friend. John keeps you posted throughout the entire process, all your questions are answered in a very timley manner, John even presents situations to you that you didn't even know about. John is on top of the process, helping you the buyer/seller feel free and relaxed. At my closing, all I had to do was sign, get my keus and go. It was a great closing, thanks to Jonn and how he handled our business. I will use John for all my Florida real estate needs.
User8162966
I would highly recommend John to assist in selling your home. I have worked with agents in the past and I was clear during our first conversation - I needed somebody to "sell" our home not just "list it." He was extremely knowledgeable about the market and offered sound advice for our situation. John provided solutions and guidance to help navigate through the process of selling a home with tenants and the challenges of living out of state. Real Estate transactions can be an emotional and stressful experience and John was always calm, professional and understanding. We enjoyed working with him and truly believe we got the most out of the home because of his guidance and persistence.
Zuser20160101161512113
John is very knowledgeable about flood insurance and the various laws as they apply to the particular Florida market he covers. This was a huge help as we were coming from out of state and needed that local touch.
Pamhssi
john assisted in buying new home. john has expertise in more than just real estate. he has true knowledge on every aspect buying a home. john is much more than a realtor. john has so much knowledge and experience in his profession that he able to guide and suggest important steps the buying process in addition to taking the time to research of the physical house/property. he guided me in every step starting with tips on putting in a suitable offer for the seller to accept down to guiding me with inspections and closing of the sale on the property.
Dandrewbyrne
If you want a real estate professional who is honest, will tell you the absolute truth about the market and the property even when it does not serve him best to do so, and is completely knowledgeable about the market, hire John. Without question one of the best real estate professionals I have ever worked with.
Bkendell21
John is a honest and respectful real estate professional. He made sure the home looked presentable and was on top of all coordination with potential buyers.
User9020608
John was a wonderful resource for all of our home selling and home buying questions. He discussed in length all of our options and ultimately sold our home quickly and found us our dream home. We had a tight schedule and he made it happen. I would highly recommend John as a realtor and resource for anyone making the very important decisions coming with buying and selling.
User2141808
This was my first home buying process and John was very helpful in assisting and educating us along the way! We also greatly appreciated how patient he was with us, as it took us over a year to find the perfect home!
Available Listings View All
View All Listings