DeLeon Insight- September 2025 Cover Page

The DeLeon Insight – September 2025



Referral Fee Transparency Gets a Kickback

By Alexander Lewicki, Esq., Director of Listings “Referral fees,” “incentives” or “kickbacks” (i.e., payment to another individual for the referral of a client) have long been present in the real estate industry. These fees, which often…

What’s Really Happening with Real Estate Commissions?

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,…

Agents Push for “Pocket,” “Private,” or “Exclusive” a.k.a. Hidden Listings

Beyond Silicon Valley: A New Kind of Upgrade

By David J. Tobener People sell their homes for a variety of reasons – whether to diversify their portfolios, pursue new investment opportunities, or simply change their lifestyle. However, a growing segment of homeowners in Silicon Valley is choosing…

Experience the DeLeon Tahoe Express: A Pilatus PC-12 NGX

By Michael Repka It’s no secret that many affluent Silicon Valley homeowners have been severing their California tax nexus and relocating to states with lower or no taxes, such as Nevada, Texas, Tennessee, Florida, and Arizona. While taxes are…

July is a Great Time to Sell Real Estate

By Michael Repka Buyers often express a desire to buy and move into a new home after their children finish one school year, but before the next one begins.  Similarly, many sellers prefer to wait until after their children finish school before selling…

Seller’s Bill of Rights

Court Ruling Fails to Halt Commission Collusion and Price Fixing in Real Estate