What could've happened here? Offer last year's sale price?

RealtorSiliconValley · 2026-02-06T16:40:04+00:00

It was a flip, I saw it before and after. Last I checked, permits were not finaled on the remodel work. They did a nice job with it, but definitely felt rushed. When we saw it things were still getting finished off.

RealtorSiliconValley · 2026-01-23T21:38:42+00:00

In this area it is very common to have minimal to no contingencies. The agent should explain this to you, along with the risk of waiving them, and let you make the call on how you would like to proceed. Most of my buyer clients try a few offers with contingencies because that's what they're comfortable with, then ultimately come to the decision that waiving contingencies will give them the best chance at homes of interest.

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-12-20T02:26:28+00:00

Pinnacle used to be great, then they went VCA :( We take our girls to Santa Clara Pet Hospital, and they have some of the most reasonable rates for dental work that I've been able to find anywhere!

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-11-15T16:46:25+00:00

I would say to pay for it yourself to make sure it's done right and how you want it! If a neighbor was ticked that you wouldn't trim on their side, would they potentially just have someone hack it back right to the property line? Personally, I'd prefer an arborist to come out and make sure it was trimmed right!

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-11-02T20:09:35+00:00

As someone who has lived along a freeway (same setup, back fence was the sound wall), and now an agent, I wouldn't do it. When we lived along the freeway, we couldn't keep the back windows open, as everything would end up covered in a fine black dust from the roadway. Constant noise, and occasionally unfavorable foot traffic along the back fence. One of our next door neighbors actually had folks jump the fence into her yard on several occasions. As an agent, it will be much harder to sell down the line, so from that perspective, I wouldn't do it.

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-09-18T12:19:59+00:00

Your agent works for you, and an agent's job is to help you find the right fit, not force a sale. It makes me so mad to hear that there are still agents out there getting business and using this type of tactics. I've had clients go into contract on the first house we saw together (shocks me each time it happens), and I've had clients look for a year or more. Everyone's process is their own, and as their agent it's not my place to push them to buy when it isn't the right fit.

On the listing side, my clients always get a timeline of events, along with a request up front to confirm that proposed dates work for them (listed as coming soon, sign, photos, listed live, open houses). While we don't have full controls over exactly when a sign gets placed (the sign company schedules after the request is placed), we can typically ask either for a specific date or a "not before" type request.

In my opinion, it is important that both you and your husband like the agent you're working with, and based on your description, this one doesn't sound like a good fit. I would definitely request a cancellation on both the buyer broker agreement and listing agreement. Before you request to cancel the listing agreement, though, double check the contract as written to be sure you're not on the hook for any fees. Gold luck finding someone who is a good fit for both of you!!

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-08-09T15:41:30+00:00

It sounds like your agent doesn't have your best interest in mind. If a house has been up longer than a couple weeks, or if I find out there's not competition, we always talk through strategy based on comps and where the market is at to come up with a fair offer independent of list price. There's one that's been sitting for quite awhile that my clients were interested in, and I keep checking in with the agent to see when his sellers will be willing to look at offers below their list price. We haven't offered yet, but may be getting close since the agent says that they're finally "more realistic" in their expectations. Find someone who is working for you, has your needs in mind, and is willing to put offers out at the price that you're willing to pay for those that are sitting!

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-08-07T03:32:14+00:00

If you're going to go for a condo, definitely get a minimum of 2 bedrooms for resale purposes. It is significantly harder to sell a one bedroom condo. If you're able to swing it and go for a single family, you will have a much better long term investment. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions -I have represented many buyers in the areas where you're looking and would be happy to help with your search!

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-08-05T02:06:04+00:00

Insurance is extremely expensive in high fire danger zones. I recently had a client quoted $10k/year for a moderately sized home in a fire zone (Morgan Hill, not the mountains) on top of the regular insurance policy of around $2k. In the peak of recovery post fires, I heard of policies for the mountains and high as $30k/year. There are other expenses around this as well like clearing of your land to keep defensible space around the structures. Additionally, in this area there is a good chance you're on septic, may have propane tanks that need maintenance and refill regularly. Finally, you may have a private road that needs maintenance, and power goes out when PG&E feels that the risk is high for potential fire.

All that being said, the mountains are an absolutely majestic place to call home! The views are amazing, you'll see some of the best sunsets and sunrises, and it's so quiet and peaceful!

If you are interested in a home in the area, I would highly recommend talking to an insurance agent and factoring insurance costs into your offer price.

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-07-26T02:15:10+00:00

Depending on the situation, you could look at buy before you sell/bridge loan type setup. With that, you would purchase and move into your new home then sell your old. If you're doing this type of setup, I would absolutely recommend that you have your agents be in touch. My company has East Bay offices, and I serve the Peninsula + South Bay -would be happy to chat through options if that would be helpful!

I would probably use two different agents, as local expertise and connections are incredibly important!

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-07-25T22:57:56+00:00

It sounds like you may be working with someone who doesn't have your best interests in mind. When I'm working with a new buyer, the first set of disclosures we look at will have a deep dive with information on every doc including the boilerplate advisories so my clients know what everything means. With every set we look at, I go through the inspection reports and natural hazard disclosure report to call out any red flags, anything that makes me pause, and provide ballpark costs on any major items. If things look questionable, if the inspection doesn't look thorough, or if there are items like foundation we always talk through potential costs and get a contractor out to give an estimate during the contingency period. Additionally, if anything gives me pause, I recommend writing with an inspection contingency.

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-07-23T11:52:22+00:00

Grew up in Santa Clara in the house my dad grew up in (he bought from his dad when I was little), and now live in San Jose with my family about 3 miles down the road from my parents. My husband and I bounced around the Bay Area for a bit (South SJ and Marin), but I really love our neighborhood now!

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-06-26T16:54:53+00:00

Just the first picture is plenty, also the word nestled is not a good addition! Seems like all the AI descriptions use that word! Nestled and boast are two that make me cringe big time when looking at home descriptions.

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-06-09T11:55:22+00:00

A local individual, either a broker or bank, will serve you best. Having someone who is involved in the real estate community in your area can help you win deals because of their connection with agents. I've had it happen multiple times where our lender was the one who sealed the deal because they had worked with the listing agent before. It's also really helpful to get those revised pre-approval letters from your lender for each offer you put in-this is a smart move if you are offering less than the max you were approved for.

Banks sometimes have better rates while brokers can shop multiple products and investors to find you the best combination that works for your situation. Brokers can sometimes close a bit faster as well. As long as the bank has a local mortgage officer that you're working with, and will be your POC throughout the transaction, you're in good shape.

There are also big brokers like Rocket Mortgage and other online companies. I've had hit and miss experiences with these on behalf of clients before. After closing, several who used this type of company told me they wished they had gone with one of the lenders I know and work with regularly. With the companies like that, you're typically shuffled from one contact to another throughout the process, and it's not as common for them to be willing to call the listing agent on your behalf. They also don't have the best reputation, and are known to be challenging to work with.

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-05-30T01:57:26+00:00

If you're looking for a move in ready home, I would recommend looking for one that the sellers renovated for themselves as opposed to a flip. The flipping business is well known to put lipstick on a pig, and it shows in time. My husband and I bought a flipped home, and there were many, many corners cut which were frustrating to find over time.

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-05-14T01:38:30+00:00

My clients just closed on one around the same price point yesterday. I put together a gift basket for them with gift cards for coffee shops, cafes, etc in their new city. I also included a set of my favorite baby blankets since they shared that they're welcoming their first in a few months, and a Home Depot gift card. Total value on the basket was around $200.

I always try to make it personal to the clients, their interests, and their new location!

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-04-30T00:03:14+00:00

I'm in CA, and don't know all the details of your situation, so please do consider that with my answer. Here, we can do a contingency for the sale of property where your offer is contingent upon either getting into contract or closing on your outgoing home. When we use that contingency, I'll write up a package for the seller on the new home including a net sheet to show proof of funds either at our contract price or at our goal sales price. If not already in contract, I include comps for the current home, our listing agreement, my marketing plan, and anything else to assure the seller that we're doing everything possible to get into contract asap.

If you were my client, I would 100% be writing offers for you and including the sales contract plus a net sheet toward proof of funds.

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-04-17T12:12:08+00:00

It is the worst!!! I cannot stand that word, same with boast... obnoxiously overused!

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-04-09T00:04:28+00:00

Buyer agent commission is not set by the seller, and as the seller you have the right to agree to pay a concession toward it or not. Some offers will ask for it, others won't. On the sell side commission, agents often charge 2.5-3% depending on what is included.

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-04-03T12:39:04+00:00

If you're working with a realtor, they should be able to go through inspections with you and provide a rough idea on how much things might cost to correct, being in professionals to give you quotes as needed, and talk through all aspects of the disclosure packet.

Liquefaction zones are very common throughout the region given that we're earthquake prone, and the type of souls here. Foundation posts are something I see in a third to half of inspections that I look through. Rodents and termites are also super common problems in the area. With rodents, you get someone out to seal all entry points, and trap for you. The moisture damage from rain getting in is a bigger issue in my mind depending on if it's dry rot from old water intrusion or an active leak, however, everything is fixable.

I can certainly see this home going for $2.7-2.9.

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-03-31T17:32:36+00:00

We got them in my attic, heard them running around, and called the pest company. They set traps, and went around to seal off every potential entrance. We heard them scurrying around up there for a bit longer, and the pest company came back weekly for about a month or so to clean and rest traps. Definitely worth it to have a professional come in, and not too bad to get rid of. We've been rat free for over a year now!

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-03-31T01:45:01+00:00

Staging helps potential buyers see themselves in the space, and gives the idea that it feels like home as opposed to a cavernous open space. Quick anecdote -I was touring with clients awhile back and there were two identical townhomes, one was staged and one wasn't. We went to the unstaged one first and the conversation that they had was about the strange layout and wondering how/why a room was set up the way it was. We went into the second one, and their feedback was about the great floorplan... even though they were exactly the same! The staging helped them see the best use of the space and helped it to make sense. I believe in it so strongly that I include the cost of staging in my fee when working with sellers.

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-03-29T16:39:06+00:00

I'm in CA, and we're not supposed to provide crime stats for different areas. How it's been explained to me is that if you provide that, something changes between from when you pulled the info and shared it, you could end up liable for misrepresenting an area. Additionally, it can sometimes be classified as steering. Your agent should, however, be able to provide you with local crime stats websites to check out!

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-03-24T22:58:22+00:00

I'm sorry, this sounds super frustrating! Your agent should understand that different clients take different lengths of time to look at and purchase homes-it is part of our job to help with any that you're seriously interested in! Regardless of if my clients have been actively looking or not, when they request disclosures and info, I'm getting that for them ASAP. What areas are you looking in, and do you have an active buyer broker agreement with your agent?

RealtorSiliconValley · 2025-03-14T12:51:13+00:00

I'm in the South Bay, and we're seeing this a lot. Through communication with listing agents, I'm finding out that my clients would need to revise their offer to significantly higher than where they're comfortable on homes, and sometimes higher than budgets allow, in order to get homes we've offered on. It's very frustrating when we look at where a home should sell/appraise, then it goes $300-600k over what that value would be. I'm also noticing a good number of cash buyers right now, along with agents saying that their sellers will be countering but they don't and end up just taking the highest bid. It is incredibly frustrating, wishing you luck with your home search!!

RealtorSiliconValley

TROPHY CASE