By Ken DeLeon For many long-term California homeowners, Proposition 13 is one of the most valuable financial benefits of homeownership. Passed in 1978, Proposition 13 generally limits annual increases in a property’s assessed value to no more than 2 percent per year, unless there is a reassessment event such as a sale or major new […]
By Ken DeLeon When Silicon Valley homeowners choose a real estate brokerage, they should look beyond the agent’s name, marketing claims, or commission structure. The better question is whether the brokerage provides the full range of services needed to help a seller achieve the highest possible price while making the process as smooth and stress-free […]
By Ken DeLeon As market concentration grows, off-market strategies and listing control deserve more scrutiny from buyers, sellers, and regulators alike. Housing is not just another industry. It is deeply tied to the American Dream, household wealth, and to the way families live their lives. So when one company appears to be engaging in conduct […]
By Ken DeLeon Real estate in Silicon Valley has always been driven by more than square footage, school districts, and interest rates. At its highest levels, the market is powered by wealth creation. When technology companies are formed, funded, scaled, and eventually monetized, that wealth often finds its way into homes in Atherton, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los […]
By Francis Lopez, Director of Listings Six years after the onset of the pandemic, lifestyle changes persist. Many companies have adopted more flexible work schedules in a variety of ways that make remote work a possibility. At DeLeon Realty, we have seen a consistent flow of people moving outside of the Bay Area, with many […]
By Alexander Lewicki, Esq. When the Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law in July of last year, one of the more impactful tax breaks included was the increase of the state and local tax deduction (SALT) cap from $10k to $40k. In theory, the SALT deduction helps ease the burden of local taxes in […]
By Ken DeLeon and Michael Repka As the sagacious Benjamin Franklin noted, “nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” While very true, death can sometimes help lessen taxes, as your heirs receive a stepped-up basis on inherited real estate after you pass. With tax day approaching, this article highlights three strategies […]
By Audrey Sun Many homeowners assume a record sale was luck. In Silicon Valley, it rarely is; rather, it’s preparation, strategy, and careful execution. And when done correctly, it can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars in difference. It Wasn’t Luck, It Was Preparation At DeLeon Realty, preparation is the backbone of our brokerage. We […]
By Francis Lopez In late 2024, Compass gained publicity with their three-phase marketing plan for sellers. Under the plan, sellers are first encouraged to place their listings on Compass’ exclusive platform, before entering a “coming soon” phase, and ultimately going live on the market. In April 2025, Zillow and Redfin responded by announcing they would […]
