DeLeon Insight- September 2025 Cover Page

The DeLeon Insight – September 2025



Open House Liability: The Risk and Benefits of Open Houses

By Audrey Sun Although I have been with DeLeon Realty for over four years, I still remember my time as an independent contractor agent working at a big brokerage. At my old firm there was always a push for open houses. However, much of what I heard…

A Snapshot of Some Real Estate Related Propositions on the November Ballot

By Michael Repka, Esq. It is easy to tell when an election is coming up—just watch the countless television commercials paid for by special interest groups. However, every proposition seems to be either the greatest idea ever or pure evil, depending…

Hidden Dangers to Arbitration in Real Estate Contracts

By Michael Repka, Esq. When looking to buy or sell real estate, many clients ask their real estate agent whether they should initial the arbitration provision. If initialed by both sides, this provision binds the parties to arbitrate most disputes…

Expansion of Property Tax Transferability

By Michael Repka, Esq. (LL.M. (Taxation) — NYU School of Law) Since the passage of Prop 13 in 1978, California property tax on newly acquired property has been calculated based on the value of the property on the date of purchase. Although this value…

Air Traffic Impact on Real Estate

By Michael Repka, Pilot As a licensed pilot and Silicon Valley’s most active real estate listing agent, I have a unique perspective on how air traffic impacts local real estate. From this vantage point, I can see and understand the concerns of…

Wire Fraud in Real Estate Transactions

By Michael Repka, Esq. Imagine the horror of inadvertently transferring most of your life savings to the wrong account and never seeing it again. That is what has happened to many homebuyers in California and across the nation. The scams are…

Smart Home Tech Seminar – 10/23 in Palo Alto

The Comeback Kid: Joseph Eichler

By Michelle Lee, DeLeon Marketing Dept A LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF EICHLER HOMES AND THEIR RESURFACING POPULARITY Grab a piece of paper or your smartphone and jot down some of the key elements that are must-haves for your dream home. Do you favor more…

How to Prep Your Kitchen On A Budget When Selling Your Home

By Margie Fontanilla |DeLeon Interior Designer Few would question the notion that the kitchen is one of the most important areas of a home. The kitchen sees the highest traffic, incorporates the most appliances, and provides the most function.…

Long Listing Agreement Trap

By Michael Repka, Esq. In many ways, the deck is stacked against the Sellers when they sign a listing agreement with a real estate agent. Irrespective of whether the agent decides to use the Peninsula Regional Data Service (“PRDS”) form or the…