Hardening your home for wildfires.

The wildfires currently raging across Southern California are a stark reminder that many of our homes are tinder boxes waiting to go up in smoke. While you can’t predict when or where wildfires will strike, there are a number of steps you can take to harden your home. Here are just a few from our toolkit.

Dreaming of a new build?

We’ve all fantasized about building our dream home from the ground up, with every detail tweaked to our taste and endless possibilities for personalization. These lots on the Peninsula could make the perfect playgrounds for your imagination!

Keep reading for our tips to get you started with a pet project…

A Winding Way, San Carlos, CA 94070

  • Budget & Finance: Set your budget and secure financing for land and construction.

  • Location & Zoning: Choose the perfect spot and check zoning laws.

  • Survey & Inspection: Get a land survey and inspect for environmental issues.

65 Madera Ave, San Carlos, CA 94070

  • Permits & Codes: Obtain necessary permits and understand local building codes.

  • Utilities: Plan for water, electricity, and other essential services.

  • Team Up: Hire an architect and builder with Bay Area experience.

2821 Monte Cresta Dr, Belmont, CA 94002

  • Timeline: Set a realistic schedule and consider a project manager. (The Geek might be available!)

  • Legal & Insurance: Consult a realtor and real estate attorney and get construction insurance.

  • Resale Value: Think long-term — and realistically — about the property's value. (The Chic has an eye for the big picture!)

We are here to help you through every step of the process. Contact us to start a conversation!

Our holiday gift guide is here!

As Compass agents, we treat our clients like family, which means going above and beyond a holiday card. Have a look at this guide to find the perfect gift for someone in your life — or just to treat yourself!

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Pearl You

Pearl is a stylish woman with creative inclinations. She has great eyes for property and a nose for opportunity. She excels at creative marketing and project management, and she can negotiate with the best. She understands that real estate is really about finding the lifestyle of your dreams. It’s human nature, and it drives Pearl’s work every day.

Hit the high stuff for the holidays.

Okay, so the headline got your attention, but we’re talking about cleaning up, not vegging out. The Mercury News offers ten tips for getting your house spic and span for holiday guests.

Navigating to the Perfect Price

In a constantly evolving real estate market, setting — and getting — the right price takes a team approach. With our team, you get a unique blend of chic presentation and geek precision to help you navigate your way to the perfect price. Our data-driven insights provide you with the trust and confidence you need to make your home dreams come true!

CHIC (Pearl)

You could try throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks, but real estate pricing is more than just intuition. I focus on the aesthetic and emotional elements that influence pricing, ensuring your home is presented in the best possible light. For sellers, this means strategic staging and marketing, as well as setting a listing price that reflects both market conditions and the intrinsic value of your home. Meanwhile, buyers need a guide through the emotional journey of finding a home that feels just right. I help you understand the market landscape and craft offers that are competitive and aligned with your goals.

GEEK (Kevin)

Who wants pasta stuck to their walls? I take a deep dive into the data, going beyond the standard Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and meticulously examining market comps, historical trends, and economic indicators. Using these data-driven strategies, I calculate property values based on current market conditions, ensuring that our pricing strategy is both competitive and accurate. I also consider the local list-to-sale price ratio to get a sense of how high buyers will go. This approach ensures that our pricing reflects not only fair market value but also buyer behavior, giving you an edge over other offers in a busy market.

We can’t wait to work together with you to achieve your real estate goals with style and savvy. And don’t keep it to yourself — share our tips with your friends, coworkers, and family!