DeLeon Insight- September 2025 Cover Page

The DeLeon Insight – September 2025



Why Do Agents Love Off-Market Sales?

By The DeLeon Team The Hidden Cost to “Pocket” or “Office Exclusive” Listings Off-market listings have always appealed to real estate agents for one simple reason: control. Double-sided commissions, minimal prep, lower marketing costs, and…

Top Full-Service Brokerages in Silicon Valley in 2026

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…

Why Your Neighbor’s Home Sold for More Than Expected

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…

Judge Makes Ruling on Zillow/Compass Injunction

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,…

Enhancing Home Value by Updating the Garage

By the DeLeon Design Team Before and After the Garage Update In California, a garage is a highly valued feature, yet for many homeowners, it hasn’t felt the warmth of a car tire in years. Many Californians take great pride in the appearance of…

Winning Offers in 2026: What Buyers Are Doing Differently

By Louisa Brunner, Buyer Specialist If there is one word that defines the 2026 Silicon Valley housing market, it is intentional. Buyers are no longer rushing into decisions or reacting emotionally to headlines. Instead, they are informed, strategic,…

The DeLeon Team Leads the Way in Organized Real Estate

By DeLeon Staff The DeLeon Team is proud to congratulate Francis Lopez and Alexander Lewicki on their election to leadership roles within two of California’s most influential real estate organizations. Francis has been elected 2026 President of the…

Tapping into Two of Silicon Valley’s Most Powerful Buyer Pools

By Audrey Sun, Director of Listings Silicon Valley remains the epicenter of the tech world, drawing elite talent from across computer science, engineering, law, and venture capital. The buyer pool remains dominated by the best and the brightest from…

The Latest Successes from the Integra Law Group, LLP

By Colette R. Thomason At DeLeon Realty, one of the ways we earn our commission is by providing sellers with free legal services through the Integra Law Group when they run into issues with a buyer while in escrow. These issues jeopardize closing and…

Marketing Across Cultures: Insights from Our Work with Chinese Buyers

By Pamela Tao, DeLeon Chinese Marketing Specialist The San Francisco Bay Area has long been a prime destination for international homebuyers—including an important and growing Chinese population. With world-class universities, a strong tech economy,…