DeLeon Insight- September 2025 Cover Page

The DeLeon Insight – September 2025



Seminar 2/9: Feng-Shui Concepts That Impact Home Values

Time to Revisit Your Trust

by Michael Repka, Esq. Historically, there have always been three important reasons why affluent California residents should establish a family trust. First, probate costs in California are extremely high and, if properly executed, a trust can…

What is an H-1B Visa and How Does it Affect Silicon Valley Real Estate?

by Audrey Sun Silicon Valley has always been known as the tech hub of the world, where many innovative and entrepreneurial tech CEOs begin their journey in some garage lacking heat but full of passion. More so than anywhere else, Silicon Valley…

2018: Year in Review

By Michael Repka, Esq. By virtually any measure, 2018 has been a turbulent year for Silicon Valley real estate despite the general local economy doing very well. Overall, businesses have been thriving but there have been some hiccups along the…

Palo Alto Preserves Historic Homes; Homeowners Benefit Too

by David Burckhard While more famous as the center of contemporary, high-tech achievements, Palo Alto is also rich in local history. Nothing better demonstrates that than the diverse and remarkable collection of its iconic homes. Locals and soon-to-be…

12 Ways to Find a Home Below Market Value with Ken DeLeon

The Importance of Pricing Your Home Correctly – By the Numbers

by Darrell Martin Soon after starting my real estate career, I was told that it was virtually impossible to underprice a home as an auction dynamic world would bring the price up to fair market value or higher. Conversely, overpricing a home can…

Risk of Using Friends & Family As Your Real Estate Agent

By Michael Repka, DeLeon Listing Team When I originally got my real estate license many years ago, a manager pulled me aside and gave me what she considered wisdom. These words were really powerful because they clearly showed me what’s wrong…

Reverse 1031 Exchanges

By Michael Repka, Esq. (LL.M.—Taxation; NYU School of Law (’01)) The federal government and the state of California provide for the deferral of tax when a taxpayer exchanges investment or business real property for other real property that…

Dishonesty in Real Estate

by Michael Repka, Esq. Dishonesty in Real Estate -- Fraudulent Marketing Techniques There are an awful lot of real estate agents out there and they all seem to be scrambling for the same potential clients. Given the low barriers of entry in the…