Providing Value to Buyers

You might think buyer agents only show homes and write offers, and some of them do. But if you want the best value for your investment, we’re here to provide you with maximum return!

CHIC (Pearl)

We always meet for a buyer consultation before getting started so we can align on the best strategy and communications plan for the entire process. Getting to know you helps us better understand what you want and cater our services to fit your needs. Our goal is to offer objective advice and help you evaluate the pros and cons of different properties without being so prescriptive with our recommendations that we forget why you’re in the market in the first place.

GEEK (Kevin)

Value is all in the numbers. First and foremost, we won’t make any moves without settling on your budget. We’ll collect market data in real time from colleagues on the front lines at the neighborhood level and advise you on potential offer strategies that reflect current conditions. We’ll work with experts to give you a proper report card for the property to aid in our negotiation. And we’ll review every timeline and document to make sure it all adds up.

Buyers in Brief

Last week, we shared a snapshot of sellers on the market in 2023 from the California Association of Realtors. Now it’s time to take a look at buyers braving the waters.

Contrary to what you might guess, it’s the Millennial Generation in the driver's seat on the buyer bandwagon, with nearly half the buyers coming from that age bracket. All told, it’s also an experienced cohort. Buyers have a median age of 45, nearly two in three are married, and 64% are repeat buyers.

See the infographic below for more numbers.

Are you asking the right questions?

There’s no such thing as a stupid question, especially when it comes to selling your home. But it’s hard for a seller to know the right questions to ask if they’ve never done this before. That’s why it’s important to pick an agent who knows the answers. 

CHIC (Pearl)

Beyond the basics of price and commission, it’s important to ask an agent about their marketing strategy. How can they ensure your property gets maximum exposure in a crowded market? Related to this is timing. Is now the best time to put your property on the market? If so, why? If not, why not, and what would be a better time? And there’s nothing wrong with asking an agent directly why they are the best person for the job. If they can’t answer that question, it’s a big red flag!

GEEK (Kevin)

As a numbers guy, it’s important for me to know about valuation and pricing. How will the agent get you top dollar without scaring off potential buyers? How do they plan to handle a bidding war? Can they guarantee none of the buyers will walk away before you get the offer you want? And what will the agent do to mitigate your risk by avoiding contingencies in the contract? A successful sale requires attention to detail, and your agent should reflect that.

Chic's Picks: Solar Homes

Have a look at these hidden gems in the heart of Silicon Valley with solar already built in. Want to learn more about properties in your neighborhood or around the Bay Area? Contact us today!

451 Virginia Ave

San Mateo, CA 94402

4 Beds | 3.5 Baths | 3,174 sqft | $3,298,000

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1150 Hollyburne Ave

Menlo Park, CA 94025

2 Beds | 1.5 Baths | 970 sqft | $1,299,888

646 Ehrhorn Ave

Mountain View, CA 94041

4 Beds | 3 Baths | 2,862 sqft | $3,695,000

Geek's Number Talk: Strong Finish/Hot Start

The tables below reflect market statistics and values for Q4 2020. It’s no surprise that we saw a hot finish to 2020 as final quarter numbers are often starkly different from stats for the full year. It’s also not unusual for more expensive markets to have softer supply and demand statistics — such as higher average days on the market and lower percentages of listings accepting offers within the period — though this is certainly not always the case.