Let us be your secret weapon!

/

The real estate market can sometimes feel like the Wild West, with high stakes hanging on every decision and competition lurking around every corner. In this constantly evolving environment, a good agent is like your secret weapon — the savvy sidekick who saves you money, time, and a whole lot of headaches!

CHIC (Pearl)

From day one, we are here to help you get the home you need at the price you want. A good agent can save a buyer as much as $100,000 on the listing price. It isn’t magic or luck or some kind of secret sauce. It’s just hard work. We dive deep into the data, providing detailed market analysis and playing out every possible opportunity. And when it’s time to negotiate, we are relentless advocates for your bottom line. Like seasoned diplomats, we know how to work with listing agents to get the best deal possible. The road to homeownership can be rough. We’re here to smooth out the bumps.

GEEK (Kevin)

And the road doesn't end at the sale. We’re like the friend who sticks around after the party to help you clean up. Whether it's recommending a painter for final touches at a 30% discount, planning and budgeting for major updates, or rolling up our sleeves and pitching in on a DIY project, we’re in it with you for the long haul — or at least as long as you’ll let us stick around! Let us be your secret weapon, the maestro conducting your orchestra, ensuring every instrument hits the right notes, on time, and within your budget, so you can focus on the excitement of starting a new chapter.

Another Look at New Laws

/

Let’s take a deeper dive into state legislation coming on the books this year that will impact the real estate industry.

CHIC (Pearl)

Thanks to AB 968, which takes effect July 1, if you sell a property with one to four dwellings within 18 months of acquiring the title, you’ll need to disclose information about any repairs or renovations you’ve had done, in addition to contact info for your contractors and any permits you obtained. Most of this is already covered under existing disclosures in the Seller Property Questionnaire (SPQ), which may be updated to add specific disclosures for flippers.

GEEK (Kevin)

AB 1033 allows for ADUs (aka Accessory Dwelling Units or “Granny Flats”) to be transferred as stand-alone properties, separate from the main dwelling. The property must be classified as a condo, and each lienholder must consent to establishing the condominium. Making matters more complicated, if the property lies in an HOA, the HOA must also approve the condo classification. Fwiw, experts don’t expect this law to be used too often.

The Big Picture

/

It’s always important to consider the “big picture” before making any financial decisions, and especially when it comes to real estate. This is particularly true in the Bay Area, where a home is not just a lifestyle choice but also a long-term investment. Here are some dos and don’ts for home buying in an uncertain market.

CHIC (Pearl)

I’ll take the Do’s. First thing’s first: Ignore the noise. Back-of-the-napkin analysis or one set of data should never dictate your next move. If you’ve made a financial plan, stick to it. Wait for the right moment, and make your best offer. And it never hurts to rebalance your investment portfolio to insulate yourself from market fluctuations. Like the meme says: Keep calm, and carry on.

GEEK (Kevin)

Looks like I get the Don’ts, which is only one letter away from donuts, so now I’m hungry. But seriously: You can’t time the market, so don’t even try. Don’t panic because of something you read online (even our emails). As the market continues to recover, you can make significant gains simply by holding steady. Hang on to your investments for the long haul, and your patience will pay off.

Collaborate without ego.

/

We make it our mission to treat clients like family, and they return the favor by welcoming us into their homes for holiday drop-ins! But the best holiday gift we could receive is your referral. And we even offer a special bonus. When you refer a friend, colleague, client, or family member to work with us, they’ll get world-class service AND we’ll donate $500 to the local charity of your choice!