Chic vs. Geek: The Importance of Using a REALTOR®

While all REALTORS® have a real estate license, not all real estate agents are REALTORS®. So what makes a REALTOR®?

CHIC (PEARL)

REALTORS® are held to a higher standard of ethics, which makes all the difference when it comes to what could be the biggest financial transaction in your life. Like licensed attorneys, REALTORS® pledge themselves to a Code of Ethics and related Standards of Practice covering duties to Clients and Customers, duties to the Public, and duties to fellow REALTORS®. We are ready to serve you with the highest standards!

GEEK (KEVIN)

Did you know? REALTOR® is a trademark of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and identifies a person who has voluntarily joined the NAR and subscribes to its Code of Ethics. REALTORS® are members of a national trade association and typically members of a state and local associations of REALTORS®, and agree to abide by the bylaws, rules, and regulations of those associations.

Chic vs. Geek: Stability in Uncertain Times

Many homebuyers are hitting the pause button due to rising interest rates, inflation, and other economic fluctuations. But waiting will only make the price tag higher as long as Silicon Valley home values remain immune from market fluctuations. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why this is true:

CHIC (PEARL)

Wealth: Silicon Valley has the highest level of income and wealth inequality in the U.S., and it increased dramatically during COVID. That means fewer people can afford to buy, and those who can are ready to spend big sums to get what they want.

Jobs: Silicon Valley’s unemployment rate fell to 2.9% at the end of 2021, and tech jobs are now 5% above pre-COVID levels. That means more demand from well-paid workers, and it only deepens as cities continue to miss their housing production goals.

Employer Confidence: Google, LinkedIn, Apple, Amazon, Facebook/Meta and other tech giants made major investments in Silicon Valley real estate in 2021, which means those well-paying jobs aren’t going anywhere, and neither are the service industries that support them.

GEEK (KEVIN)

Investment Housing: The Santa Clara County Housing “Affordability Index” stands at 22%, which means less than 1 in 4 residents can purchase a median priced home. So it should come as no surprise that the share of homes sold for investment hit 9.5% in 2021.

Strong Fundamentals: The housing market boom we’re seeing now in Silicon Valley isn’t a “bubble” like 2007. With the third highest concentration of “equity rich” homes in the country, our region is fundamentally sound and hard to crack.

Future Demand: Over 4.5 million Millennials will turn 30 over the next few years and look to increase wealth through homeownership. And more than a decade of under-building, Capital Gains Tax regulations, and Prop 13 protections are sure to sustain high demand — and prices — for years to come.

It's National Donut Day!

It’s the first Friday in June, and that means it’s time to celebrate with a tasty treat, and enjoy a sweet weekend…

Chic vs. Geek: Title Insurance

Buying a home can be a risky endeavor, and that’s before you close the deal! Can investing in title insurance help you avoid a sticky situation? Let’s take a look…

CHIC (PEARL)

You may find after you purchase the property that someone else has a claim to all or a share of the title. Or perhaps you learn that a neighbor or your HOA have an easement that allows them to use your land — and limit your use of it! Title insurance can safeguard you against these surprises and give you some peace of mind that you’re the sole proprietor of the property.

GEEK (KEVIN)

One of the more common stumbling blocks with taking over the title on a home is finding out that the property is not up to code or has unpermitted improvements. Sorting this out could cost you time and money and headaches dealing with the assessor’s office and your local tax collector. So don’t cut corners on your home purchase. Invest in title insurance!

Real Estate Trivia Time!

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