Marketing Perspective: Identifying Selling-Points

  Most real estate agents understand the significance of marketing the strengths of a home to attract the right buyer. However, many agents simply do not have the ability or the resources to showcase every listing to its maximum potential. Our…

Tax Tips: Installment Sales and Deferred Sales Trusts

Taxes stink! No one likes paying them, especially sellers of highly appreciated Silicon Valley property. This is particularly true now that the combined federal and California tax rate on longterm capital gains can reach as high as 37.1 percent thanks…

Do You and Your Agent Know About FIRPTA?

One of the fortuitous things about running the listing side of the DeLeon Team is the exposure to the international real estate market. It is widely acknowledged that the DeLeon Team leads all Silicon Valley agents and teams in marketing to the international…

Real Estate Agent Rankings: How Can So Many People Be “Number One”?

The real estate industry is full of people claiming to be “Number One.” These claims often vary, but the variation is often nuanced. For example, the claims can range from Number One Team in America, Number One Individual Agent in Menlo Park, Number…

Surprisingly Simple Suggestions for Sellers

It is no secret that home improvements can add value to a home. While preparing dozens of home listings, we have witnessed well-prepared homes sell sooner and for more money than nearly identical homes listed concurrently. But the value is not entirely…

How to Successfully Organize Your Home

Believe it or not, organization can boost your home’s value significantly. Properly and attractively sorting your interiors will serve both to impress prospective buyers and to demonstrate the functionality of your home. Have you ever envied the…

Insider Tips to Selecting the Right Agent to Sell Your House

Choosing the right real estate agent to list your home is a big decision. Clients are often asked to enter into a long-term contract for the sale of their single largest asset with few specifics and no guarantees. That said, there are some key questions…

Negotiating Multiple Offers to Achieve the Highest Price

In Silicon Valley, multiple offers and above-asking bids are common. In fact, it is not unusual for a home to receive 10 or more offers. Naturally, agents who are representing buyers like the opportunity to present their clients’ offers directly to…

Investing in a REIT

In the early 2000s, many investors jumped onto the rollercoaster of excitement known as the stock market. However, once the stock market proved too volatile and inconsistent with forecasts, investors became less confident and looked elsewhere to invest…

Pros and Cons of Different Types of Flooring

The type of flooring in your home can make a significant difference in both its appearance and its value. As such, picking flooring materials is widely considered one of the most challenging tasks when designing a home’s interior. Learning about…