Selling Your Bay Area Home with a Homeowners Association: Three Tiny Tips with Big Impact

Understand Your HOA Rules

Before planting that 'For Sale' sign in your yard, it's vital to be well-acquainted with your HOA's rules and regulations. These often cover restrictions on advertising, guidelines for home improvements, and specific procedures for selling. Knowing these rules, as well as your morning coffee routine, is key to avoiding complications during the sale.

Illustrative Tale: Take the case of a homeowner who replaced their carpeted floors with hardwood in violation of their HOA's regulations. During an open house, this unauthorized change was noticed and reported by a neighbor, forcing the homeowner to revert to carpeting. This resulted in significant delays in the selling process.

In the Bay Area market, where buyers are sensitive to how long a property has been on the market, such delays can be detrimental. I recall a buyer who lost interest in a property due to similar issues revealed in the disclosure.

Your task, along with your realtor, is to thoroughly understand your HOA rules to avoid any delays in selling your property. Although your listing agent may take the initiative if your HOA manager is cooperative, you might need to be actively involved as well.

Highlight the Benefits of HOA

Living HOA communities often feature attractive amenities like pools, gyms, or clubhouses. It's important to showcase these perks in your listing to attract buyers. Also, emphasize any HOA services, such as lawn care, attractive to those seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle.

Consideration for Savvy Silicon Valley Buyers: Buyers in Silicon Valley are discerning and will weigh whether the range of amenities justifies the HOA fees. If they find certain amenities unnecessary or undesirable, the associated HOA fees might seem wasteful to them.

Thus, this can be a strong selling point if your HOA provides fewer amenities but charges lower fees. Many of my clients seek townhouses or condos with HOA fees under $300 per month, preferring to access amenities like pools, gyms, or clubhouses in their neighborhood if needed. Lower HOA fees can make them feel their money is being spent wisely.

Prepare HOA Documents in Advance (14-21 days) Prospective buyers will likely want to review the HOA's covenants, conditions, restrictions (CC&Rs), and other relevant documents such as meeting minutes or financial statements. Therefore, it's advisable to gather these documents well ahead of time to expedite the selling process.

Compiling these documents can be time-consuming; HOA management companies typically need 7-10 days to process and generate these documents, and this period may extend further during holidays or special circumstances. Consequently, I recommend applying for HOA documents at least 14-21 days in advance.

My Final Thoughts

In summary, the key tips are to know your HOA thoroughly and prepare early. This approach can help you avoid many potential issues.

Of course, there are other considerations when selling a property with an HOA. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am always happy to assist with your queries.

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What’s this Blog for?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards selling and buying houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there, but those are not catered specifically towards the Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight.

Who Am I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2016, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting over one hundred real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them start their new chapter and make their vision a reality.

What Is My Promise?

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

If you are interested in buying a house, again as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted advisor to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - feel free to reach out. I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478

Three Tips for Selling Your Home in the Bay Area – No.1

In June 2023, while assisting my clients with their home sales, I identified three simple yet often overlooked factors that significantly impact the sale result. Our focus on these elements led to the highest sale price in 2023 for similar properties in that community.

1. Emphasizing Natural Lighting

Prioritizing natural lighting is key.

Ensuring an abundance of it can transform the interior of your home, making it appear brighter and more spacious. This creates a coveted indoor-outdoor ambiance, especially sought-after in the current Bay Area real estate market.

To maximize natural light, consider removing heavy blinds, curtains, or privacy films. However, it's wise to use semi-translucent privacy film to temper the direct afternoon sunlight from the southwest.

These are the best steps you can take if you’re selling a townhouse or condo, where you’re only authorized to adjust the interior of the property.

In cases where the homeowner has already moved out, as in our scenario, it becomes easier to manage. (Next time, let’s talk about coordinating in cases where the owner lives in the property while selling.)

For single-family homes, additional steps like removing external awnings or trimming trees can further enhance natural lighting.

2. Minor Repairs and Touch-ups

​

This step involves smaller scale repairs, not extensive renovations like replacing cabinets, countertops, or flooring, or repainting the entire house.

Simple fixes can include addressing issues identified in inspection reports, removing and repainting over wall shelves or wallpapers, and replacing broken light bulbs or LED fixtures.

These minor repairs, often overlooked due to their simplicity, are crucial. They signal to potential buyers that the home has been well-maintained.

The cost of these repairs is relatively low, typically ranging from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars for condos or townhouses.

In my experience, my clients often rest easy knowing I collaborate with skilled professionals to handle these repairs efficiently, ensuring a good return on investment and avoiding costly services like those found on platforms like Yelp!, which can be up to 1.5 times more expensive.

3. Strategic Staging Furniture Layout

The impact of staging on a property's sale price cannot be overstated.

I encourage those who rely on intuition to visit homes both with and without staging to see the stark difference it makes. For those who prefer data, the National Association of Realtors reports that staged homes sell for 6% more than their non-staged counterparts. Considering that staging costs range between $3,000 to $5,000, it's a worthwhile investment.

However, it's important to choose your staging wisely. Avoid realtors who skimp on staging costs, using worn-out or mismatched furniture, as this can negatively impact your home's selling price.

The Result?

The property we focused on not only achieved the highest price for its type in 2023 but also recorded the highest price ever paid by buyers for a similar property when considering interest rates.

If you're curious about my other home-selling strategies and client satisfaction, I invite you to read the testimonials from my clients. Feel free to choose any, and I'll facilitate a conversation with them. They are always eager to share their experiences.

For real-time updates and insights on real estate, don't forget to follow my Facebook page.

Sold Properties

Client Testimonials

Prefer TEXT?
(650) 739-9796

What’s this Blog for?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards selling and buying houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there, but those are not catered specifically towards the Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight.

Who Am I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2016, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting over one hundred real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them start their new chapter and make their vision a reality.

What Is My Promise?

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

If you are interested in buying a house, again as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted advisor to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - feel free to reach out. I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE# 02177478

Reflections on the Houses We Left Behind 10 Case Studies

Purchasing a home is a journey of either winning some or learning some. Often, it’s not the properties we successfully close on that teach us the most, but rather, the ones we decide not to bid on that offer valuable insights. This series aims to share such experiences.

In this article, we’ll explore 10 cases of properties in the Bay Area, that my clients and I decided not to bid on, breaking down our reasons by specific neighborhoods.

The emphasis is on the ‘why’ of not placing a bid, as often, it’s not about right or wrong but what suits the client’s needs.

For instance, a corner lot in Palo Alto may have limited potential for an investor due to its setback restrictions. Still, for a family eager to have their children attend Palo Alto schools and desiring more natural light, it might be the perfect fit.

As realtors, our duty is to inform our clients about how such properties are viewed in the market, their pros and cons, and the extent of possible improvements.

For example, while Palo Alto is a highly sought-after city (partly due to realtors’ promotions), it is crucial for a realtor to be knowledgeable about the city's land use and building regulations.

Let’s delve into the 10 cases

1. City & Neighborhood : Palo Alto, Midtown

Reason for Not Bidding : Corner Lot with a Stop Sign

This property is situated at the intersection of two roads, classifying it as a corner lot. For this investor client aiming to renovate and resell, the extra setback on one side posed a potential issue. Additionally, the noise from cars stopping and starting at the stop sign, especially at night, was a concern.

2. City & Neighborhood : Mountain View, North Whisman

Reason for Not Bidding : Superfund Site

Concerns known for its proximity to a Superfund site, we advised against bidding for safety reasons and potential market value impact.

3. City & Neighborhood : Los Altos, North Los Altos

Reason for Not Bidding : Property Located on a Main Road

The risks associated with living on a main road, such as noise, dust, and safety concerns, led us to decide against placing a bid.

4. City & Neighborhood : Palo Alto, Palo Verde

Reason for Not Bidding : Flood Zone

The property’s location in a flood zone, with potential risks and building restrictions, was a significant deterrent.

5. City & Neighborhood: Santa Clara, Central Park West/Hampton Place

Reason for Not Bidding :

Lack of Attic and Crawl Space The house’s structural limitations and potential issues with insulation and renovations led us to pass on this opportunity.

6. City & Neighborhood : Foster City, Beach Park/Bay Vista

Reason for Not Bidding :

Airplane Noise The property’s location within the flight path of San Francisco Airport, resulting in significant noise, was a deal-breaker.

7. City & Neighborhood : Burlingame/Burlingame Terrace

Reason for Not Bidding:

Proximity to Gas Line The close proximity of the house to a gas line raised safety concerns, steering us away from placing a bid.

8.  City & Neighborhood : Belmont, Cipriani

Reason for Not Bidding :

Foundation and Drainage Issues Significant structural issues and potential for future movement, alongside costly required repairs, led us to decide against bidding.

9.   City & Neighborhood : Palo Alto, Crescent Park

Reason for Not Bidding :

Flag Lot with Height Restrictions The property’s location on a Flag Lot with strict height restrictions limited the potential for adding a second floor, impacting our decision.

10. City & Neighborhood : San Jose, Lincoln Glen

Reason for Not Bidding :

Poor Renovation Quality on an Old House Concerns about the quality of renovations and lack of post-renovation living validation influenced our decision to not bid on this property.

My Thoughts

Through these 10 case studies, I hope to provide valuable insights and considerations for potential home buyers in the Bay Area.

It’s crucial to look beyond the surface and understand the implications of various property features and locations to make informed decisions.

Sold Properties

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Prefer TEXT?
(650) 739-9796

What’s this Blog for?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards selling and buying houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there, but those are not catered specifically towards the Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight.

Who Am I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2016, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting over one hundred real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them start their new chapter and make their vision a reality.

What Is My Promise?

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

If you are interested in buying a house, again as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted advisor to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - feel free to reach out. I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE# 02177478

How do you choose a realtor to sell your property?

A friend planning to sell his house in Seattle asked for my opinion. However, he didn't want a direct recommendation for a local real estate agent; instead, he asked, "If you were to sell your own house, how would you choose a real estate agent?"

I pondered and identified three key points—

"Sufficient Time," "Aligned Interests," and "Unique Aspects."

I found these criteria applicable not just in Seattle but also in the Bay Area/Silicon Valley. So, if you're planning to sell your property, this post should help.

▍ How Much Time Can They Invest in This Case?

Selling a house involves numerous tasks: preparing and explaining various documents, setting up signings, and double-checking document completeness, all of which require utmost caution. An overlooked detail can have serious consequences.

For house preparation, if the owner wants to renovate, it involves deciding whether the renovation style aligns with market trends, communicating with the contractor, and comparing prices of various materials.

In marketing, formulating strategies, writing and printing copy, deciding where to publish various advertisements, and negotiating after receiving an offer are all crucial tasks.

Additionally, the agent must contact vendors such as stagers, photographers, and cleaners and organize the schedule seamlessly to save the seller's time. If the homeowner still lives in the house, coordinating potential buyer visits is another task. Moreover, the agent must be prepared to deal with all sorts of unexpected situations, like a buyer's agent accidentally losing the keys, a cleaner not showing up, etc.

These tasks are just an overview. Therefore, an agent not investing enough time in selling a house will produce poor results. So, we usually do not consider part-time agents rather than full-time. Another situation to avoid is an agent with too many cases, making it impossible to focus on your case and potentially damaging your interests.

▍ Are Their Interests Aligned with Yours?

This section assesses whether an agent prioritizes the client's interests over their own during a transaction. Surprisingly, an agent can choose to align their interests with the client's, but the critical factor is whether they disclose this.

Consider the "Double-Ending" scenario. Double-Ending occurs when an agent represents both the seller and the buyer in the same transaction. This practice is illegal in many US states but legal in California.

For an agent, Double-Ending is lucrative because it allows them to earn double the commission. Some agents even offer discounts to homeowners during contract signing to persuade them to enable Double-Ending.

However, Double-Ending undermines the homeowner's interests. For example, if you tell your agent, "I'll be satisfied if the house sells for 2 million," the agent can inform the buyer of your price, revealing your lowest acceptable price. Yet, the agent hasn't broken any rules since you agreed to Double-Ending, in which case they can only act as a middleman, not a negotiator, for you.

Some people might find this acceptable. However, a significant issue is that many agents intentionally avoid mentioning this during contract signing or, when questioned, falsely claim that other agents do the same. Essentially, this agent plans to engage in Double-Ending without your knowledge, which you should know.

▍ Are There Any Unique Aspects in Preparing the “Product” or in Marketing?

The two critical aspects of selling a house are preparing it (the product) and informing people that it's for sale (marketing).

Typical preparation involves decorating, staging, professional photography, advertising on MLS, distributing flyers, and putting up a yard sign.

However, every agent undertakes these tasks, so it's crucial to determine what distinguishes them. Can they secure a more affordable contractor to minimize renovation expenses? Do they have the expertise to identify areas that don't necessitate renovation yet yield the same impact? What strategies do they employ to captivate potential buyers? How impactful are their advertising efforts?

(Please be careful if an agent claims their unique marketing approach involves advertising in newspapers, magazines, or on TV.)

▍ Conclusion

Choosing the right real estate agent is crucial for a successful property sale. I'd like to point out that finding an agent who invests enough time, aligns their interests with yours, and offers unique services is essential. Please ask these critical questions before selecting an agent to ensure you choose one that fits your needs and helps you achieve the best outcome.

Good luck!

You might wonder who wrote this post. My name is Chiuho Lin. I’ve helped over 100 clients buy/sell their properties. Before we talk, feel free to check my client’s reviews on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/3OPzBmT). I can provide their contact details with their permission so you can directly ask about their experience working with me.

Sold Properties

Client Testimonials

Prefer TEXT?
(650) 739-9796

What’s this Blog for?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards selling and buying houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there, but those are not catered specifically towards the Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight.

Who Am I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2016, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting over one hundred real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them start their new chapter and make their vision a reality.

What Is My Promise?

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

If you are interested in buying a house, again as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted advisor to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - feel free to reach out. I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE# 02177478

STAGING

One of the things you have probably heard about when it comes to selling a home is a very important process called “staging.” Staging is what you do to make your home as presentable and appealing as possible to the potential buyers.

The first question home sellers usually ask me is, “What do we do to stage and how much does it cost?” How much it costs depends on your home and what it needs but typically it is a minor investment. Let me give you an example: Mary loves wallpaper and has used it in the living room and the kitchen. Odds are, very few people are going to love Mary’s wallpaper. It will need to be removed and the walls freshly painted in neutral colors. Jane painted her kitchen and living room seven years ago and the colors are very deep and bold. Again, the odds of the potential buyer liking Deep Forest Green and Wild Moss in the kitchen are minimal. The rooms will need repainted in soft, neutral colors. Both Mary and Jane need to freshen their living rooms and kitchens. Mary’s will cost more because of the wallpaper removal. What staging will cost depends on the home but the cost is typically minimal compared to the benefit of a higher sold price.

Neutral colors, soft whites, light greys are the most popular colors to repaint because the light color makes the room seem bigger and brighter and allows the buyer to add their own touches.

As for what to do to stage the home, the two biggest things you can do to give yourself an advantage are 1) de-clutter and 2) de-personalize.

Years ago there was a famous writer who lived in Washington D.C. and wanted to sell his home. As his Realtor was walking through his home to give him tips on what to do, the Realtor saw a picture of the man and his wife shaking hands with the President. It was definitely a proud moment in their lives. The Realtor pointed to it and said, “Put that out of sight.” The seller objected, “But we are meeting the President!” The Realtor responded, “Exactly. And if a buyer likes the President, they will like the picture. If the buyer dislikes the President then they will dislike the picture. But in either case, the buyer is now thinking about the picture and not your house. Your house is where we want their attention.”

That is your number one guiding principle: Do what you can to keep the attention on the home.

So go through your house and remove anything that will divert the seller’s attention. Family pictures, interesting art, items from travel excursions. . . all should be put away.

We see with two eyes and that gives us depth perception. The best way to see clutter is to look through the lens of a camera, or by looking through a tube held up to one eye with the other eye closed. Looking without depth makes clutter more evident. Once you see it, remove as much as possible from countertops and visible shelves. Put away those piles of things. Get rid of the old boxes stacked in the corner. Make sure the sink areas have minimal objects left in sight. (Soap is okay).

Toys put away. Clothing put away. Clothes closets as empty as possible. Any overly large pieces of furniture removed from social rooms to make them appear bigger. These are all things that will allow the buyer to see their possessions in place and make your home more appealing.

Staging is in essence showing off the best attributes of each area. Make sure that furniture is not oversized for the room it is in. That makes the room look smaller. Adding fresh flowers in pots to the entrance, making sure the lawn is neat and trimmed, making sure appliances are spotless in the kitchen and laundry areas. . . these are all things that should be done to make your home more fresh and attractive to the buyer.

These are general guidelines. I always walk through with my sellers so that we always highlight the best parts and remove anything negative that might detract from the home’s appeal. It may seem drastic on paper but the goal is NOT to empty the house. (You never want a completely empty house). Our goal is to make everywhere the buyer looks to be the most attractive visually and emotionally as it can be.

As much as we want your home to be as bright and spacious as possible, we need some things present for the buyer to have perspective. (And for you to still live comfortably).

Staging a room is what you do to show off its best characteristics but if you cannot (like in an empty home) and you do not want to hire a professional staging company, adding a few pieces of furniture should be your least effort to help the buyer see themselves in your home.

In an empty living room the buyer has no idea (from looking) what they can do. But if you add just an easy chair, a side table and a standing lamp, the buyer can visually imagine their sofa as the same size as three chairs and place the sofa where it might go. I had a empty master bedroom once that when we added a queen sized bed it became evident that a king would easily fit. Furniture, sometimes even one piece, will give needed perspective.

One thing to bear in mind when it comes to staging, or any other part of the sales process, is that when you deal with me and the One Bay Area Agent Team you are dealing with professionals who will guide you every step of the way to make sure your home will sell in the fastest way and for the highest amount the market will allow.😎

Sold Properties

Client Testimonials

Prefer TEXT?
(650) 739-9796

What’s this Blog for?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards selling and buying houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there, but those are not catered specifically towards the Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight.

Who Am I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2016, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting over one hundred real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them start their new chapter and make their vision a reality.

What Is My Promise?

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

If you are interested in buying a house, again as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted advisor to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - feel free to reach out. I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478

Four Teenage Girls Who Helped Create America

There is nothing to compare with the courage of ordinary people whose names are unknown and whose sacrifices pass unnoticed. – Aung San Suu Kyi

The United States of America was founded on the ideas of no taxation without representation and for each person in the country to have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That means we, the people of this country, have a voice in how we are governed.  And we have the liberty to better ourselves and the lives of those we love. As we sit back some 246 years from our Declaration of Independence and look at what we have in this country it is easy to forget that it was because of others back then that we have what we have today.

One of the strongest desires of any parent is to have a home that is a safe and comfortable place to raise your family.  The early colonists of this country came here seeking a better place for their families.  A place where they could have a home and raise their children on the value of freedom. Back then, I do not think the heroes and heroines of the Revolutionary War considered the gift they were giving to us.  They were fighting for their rights and their liberties.  And every victory they scored helped lay the foundation for this great country we call home.

There are probably more, but I know the stories of four teenage girls who helped create America.  And I am forever indebted to their parents for raising them so well.

Things had not been easy between England and the colonies of New England.  In 1770 British soldiers killed 5 men in Boston. This became known as “The Boston Massacre.”  There were other skirmishes as well and in 1773 when Boston citizens disguised as Native Americans boarded British ships and tossed 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor, the British passed a series of acts and taxes aimed at reasserting their dominance over the colonies. 

The First Continental Congress met in 1774 and sent a message to Britain and to Parliament that they were not going to pay taxes without some type of representation.  And that the colonies were not going to maintain British armies they did not consent to having.  In response, the British landed troops in Boston harbor on the evening of April 18th, 1775 and began a march to nearby Concord, Massachusetts in order to seize a Patriot weapons depot.

That was the night that was made famous by Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott when they made their 16 mile ride through the countryside alerting militiamen of the invasion.  If the length of Revere’s ride was what was impressive. . . or the way they did it – riding at night to alert the citizens of the colony –  then the story of Betsy Dowdy’s journey should have surpassed Revere’s. However, very few people seem to know about her.

In December of 1775, eight months after Paul Revere’s ride, Lord Dunmore had been booted out of his governor’s seat in Virginia, moved his troops south, captured Norfolk and decided to take his troops further and invade North Carolina, shutting off the colonist’s trade routes.  On his way he burned down homes, slaughtered people and destroyed their livestock, then freed their slaves to make them soldiers.

Betsy Dowdy was 16 years old when one evening a visitor came to her house to speak to her father about a serious matter.  She overheard how Dunmore was advancing, burning farms and killing livestock to prevent colonists from being able to transport and sell their goods. Worse yet, he had taken control of the Great Bridge on the Virginia side and shut off the main supply route between there and North Carolina. The visitor said that Colonel Howe was on his way to recapture the bridge but he probably did not have enough troops to defeat Dunmore.  The only soldier group strong enough to defeat them was 50 miles away.  Someone would need to alert them. No one was available and Howe would probably be defeated.

In the quiet of the night  Betsy snuck out of the house, saddled her horse, crossed a river, rode through a swamp and then rode over 50 miles to reach General William Skinner.  Skinner quickly marshaled his men and they marched two days to the Great Bridge.

On December 9th, Dunmore ordered what he thought would be a surprise attack on the Patriots.  As Dumore’s men crossed the bridge they did not see any resistance.  Suddenly, some 80 Patriots rose up, took aim, and quickly thinned Dunmore’s ranks.  Their captain fell just feet from the Patriots and the men turned and fled back to Virginia.  In 25 minutes the first decisive battle of the south was over with 120 British troops dead and one Patriot with a small cut on his thumb. . . all because of 16 year old Betsy Dowdy and her midnight ride of over 50 miles.

Two years later in Putnam County New York, on April 26th, 1777, Sybil Ludington, the oldest daughter of Colonel Ludington climbed onto her horse in the dark of night and rode over 40 miles in driving rain, banging on shutters with a stick, alerting 400 militiamen to assemble because the British were burning Danbury, Massachusetts, just over the border. 

She arrived back home the following morning soaked and exhausted.  The men were ready to march.  The men could not save Danbury that had been burned the night before, but they were able to join the Continental Army the next day and together they forced the British Governor of New York and his troops back onto a ship in the harbor. She was personally thanked by General George Washington for her bravery.

The Bloody Scouts were a group of men commanded by Bill (Bloody Bill) Cunningham.  They went throughout South Carolina murdering Patriots and burning down homes.  Cunningham was known as a very cruel man who enjoyed killing Patriots.  His men would invade a home where the men had left for the war and demand food and lodging from the women and children or they would burn the house down.

The Bloody Scouts arrived at 15 year-old Dicey Langston’s home one day. She heard them talking about how they planned to attack the Elder Settlement at Little Eden the following morning. Dicey’s brother held a small group of soldiers there to protect the settlement and Dicey knew they would not be able to win against the Bloody Scouts. She waited until it was the middle of the night to sneak out. She made her way to the river swollen by the rain and nearly drowned trying to cross it. Then she made her way 5 miles through woods and fields to the settlement to alert her brother James and his men about the attack. Then she made her way back home before anyone knew she was gone. Had she been caught the men would have killed her and her mother and destroyed their home.

When the Bloody Scouts arrived the next morning the settlement was empty.  She had saved her brother and hundreds of lives.

Susanna Boling is known as “The Girl Who Saved The American Revolution.”  It was common in those days for the British to arrive at a plantation where the men and boys had left to join the militia and demand shelter and information about the men who had left.  In May of 1781 British General Cornwallis arrived at the Bolling plantation and demanded food and shelter for his men.  He spoke freely of his plans on the next day to track down and capture American ally and Washington’s closest and most trusted officer, General Lafayette.  Lafayette was at Half Way House in Chesterfield between Petersburg and Richmond.  It was about 10 miles away.    Susanna knew if Lafayette were captured the battle for freedom would be lost.

She left her home through an underground tunnel that led to the river.  At the river she took a canoe and paddled across as quietly as she could.  If she was caught she knew that she and her mother would be hung and their home burned to the ground.  She borrowed a neighbor’s horse and rode as quickly as she could to Chesterfield.  Luckily she found Lafayette and warned him and was able to be home and back in bed before anyone knew that she had gone.

Lafayette got away.  And it was in September that by Lafayette’s planning Cornwallis and his men were trapped at Yorktown and held under siege by General Washington until he surrendered. The American Revolution had been won.  That might not have happened if it was not for a very brave 16 year-old girl named Susanna Bolling.

As we celebrate the 4th of July I think we should understand that each of the girls; Betsy, Sybil, Dicey, and Susanna, was just a teenager raised in a family home by parents who taught them principles and courage and love. 

I believe our freedom will stay with us.  But if it is ever challenged I also believe it will be our children who will help save and then continue on this great democracy.  Let us celebrate our freedom this 4th of July and also our children who will be its guardians.

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What’s this Blog for?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards selling and buying houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there, but those are not catered specifically towards the Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight.

Who Am I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2016, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting over one hundred real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them start their new chapter and make their vision a reality.

What Is My Promise?

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

If you are interested in buying a house, again as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted advisor to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - feel free to reach out. I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478

A Good Father Always Wants His Daughter to Make Her Mark in the World

I love that sound that just happened – the sound of a chair being moved in the kitchen. It is getting moved so that my wife can reach the ceramic pot on the top shelf of the cabinet for a special dish we will share with my family tonight. That sound says to me, “you’re home.” That sound makes me stop my concentration and think of the comfort of home and my beautiful wife. . . our life together. The next image in the background that it draws in, is family. I am blessed to have a multi-generational family here and it helps to anchor my history through family bonds and stories passed from parent or grandparent to child – and sometimes the grandparent’s child. (You are never too old to learn).

I sometimes wonder what explorers millenia from now will think if they come across remnants of me and my family and our life here. In a way I hope they will be kind of like us here trying to look back at others to figure out, not their world, but who they were as people.

As I look at the past there is one family I think about. I have no idea what their names would be. And no idea what language they spoke. I can’t tell you much about them individually, either. Well with the exception of one little girl – I don’t know if she had other brothers and sisters or not – and her father. She is about 5 and he, well I am guessing here, but I like to imagine him to be about my age. Maybe a little younger.

I know that technologies were changing all around them. Women were helping to change society. Fashions were changing. And people were reveling in the arts.

In my mind the father and the daughter somehow communicate and I cannot quite hear his words but I see him as a great storyteller and able to excite her sense of adventure. And as I said, I don’t know much about her but she reminds me of a girl I once knew so I am calling her, “Claire.”

What I know about Claire’s family is from the art they left behind.

Claire was a five year-old girl who lived in France in the Rouffignac cave system about 328 miles south of Paris and slightly to the west.. She lived in what we call “The Latest Stone Age” or the Upper Paleolithic era. That was somewhere between 50,000 to 10,000 years ago and we know that Claire and her family were there about 13,000 years ago. It was a long time ago and we can’t really narrow it down to exactly when then like we can today. There were no “months” or even”years.” It was “eras” back then. It was a time when new tools, more complex ones, were being figured out and women were learning to weave cloth. Great migrations of humans spread from Asia through Europe. (The Neanderthals had disappeared somewhere around 33,000). And it was a time just before the widespread practice of agriculture.

Females have their index (second) and ring (fourth) fingers about equal in length. Males have a longer ring finger than the index finger. And width can tell you a child’s age. Leslie Van Gelder is an archeologist who has studied the finger flutings of the cave. “Finger Flutings” are marks left by people who repeatedly dragged their fingers over the limestone ceilings of the caves. She figured out that the finger flutings in one area of the cave system were made by about eight to ten people. Four were children and out of them there was a five year old girl whose artwork covered more area than anyone else. Her work is on ceilings that are about 45 minutes from the main area and in an area where they would have had to go through bear dens and cramped passages before entering the area of relatively high ceilings, higher than she could have reached by herself.

Claire’s father enticed her to travel deep into a cave and then held her up as a small flame lit the ceiling and he helped her create the art she imagined in her head. Not once but many times.

Our physical location gives us a sense of place and our family gives us a sense of being. The desire to have our own place is, dare I say it, near an instinct. And it is a comfort to know that parents encouraging their children, helping them grow, and helping them become creative is a part of humanity – that is as old as the hills, or in Claire’s case, the caves.

John Gregory Brown, the American author, once said, “There’s something like a line of gold thread running through a man’s words when he talks to his daughter, and gradually over the years it gets to be long enough for you to pick it up in your hands and weave it into a cloth that feels like love itself.”

That is the gift I get from Claire’s father and one I want to someday be able to present to my daughter. And I hope that the millenia explorers will find my gift, my love, to my daughter, lasting as long as his has to Claire.

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What’s this Blog for?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards selling and buying houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there, but those are not catered specifically towards the Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight.

Who Am I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2016, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting over one hundred real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them start their new chapter and make their vision a reality.

What Is My Promise?

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

If you are interested in buying a house, again as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted advisor to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - feel free to reach out. I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478

To Choose The Right Realtor for Selling Your Home

According to the National Association of Realtors, 47% of people selling for the first time and 35% of people who had done it before and were doing it again used a Realtor they knew or one who was referred by a friend or neighbor.  Thirty-one percent of repeat sellers used a Realtor they had used before.  If you don’t have a referral, what else is there?

There are a large variety of other ways to find a Realtor.  Open Houses, searching on the internet, real estate newsletters, promotional advertising like bus benches or one of those calendars people stick on the ‘fridge, and even just walking into an office and asking who is available. . .  are all options people use.  

I have a slight advantage of being in the business and I already know a few people; however, no matter which avenue I would take (being in the business or not) I would still want the same things from my Realtor.  The first and foremost characteristic would be that the agent is honest and trustworthy and has a good reputation.  Another would be the agent’s level of experience and ability to negotiate.  If those criteria are not well met there is no reason to go further.

How do you find out those things?  One of the easiest ways is to interview the Realtor you are looking at and, this is important, ask questions to figure out how committed that person is with their clients.  

Some Realtors work part-time.  I want a real estate agent who has this occupation as a full-time career. I want someone who has time for me and my needs.  I would ask for references and testimonials from past clients.  A good agent has a track record of satisfied clients.  I would want someone who listens well and communicates the way I like to get my information.  If it is important, I want a phone call.  If it is general information an email to text will do for me. Your needs may be different but regardless, the agent needs to do what is best for you.

During the interview, I would ask the agent to cut their commission. I have no problem paying for good service.  As a matter of fact, I want to.  If I ask, “What is your commission?  Will you cut your commission?” and the agent says, “Here is the cost.  And I am sure we can. . . “ I would not want them on my team.  

I want a good negotiator.  I am going to need one as we get ready to go under contract.  If the person across from me cannot justify their commission, how strongly can they negotiate my listing price?  

What kind of marketing will the agent do?  A listing on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is a given.  What else?  About 90% of home buyers start off online. Professional photos make your best first impression.  Does the agent use an architectural photographer?  Ninety-eight percent of buyers report that the pictures were the most useful part the listing.  Someone with a cell phone is not going to cut it.  

There are other ways to get the information on my home out there.  There are video channels, virtual tours, interactive 360 floor plans, direct mail, TV, radio, internet sites, newspaper and real estate magazines available.  What are the Realtor’s plans for me and why those?  

I want a Realtor who can look at my house and notice what needs spruced up or changed to be more contemporary.  A lot of times it is simple things.  I want someone who knows how to stage the home so it has the best visual appeal – or at least where I can find a good stager.

The same goes for contractors and handyman services I might need.  A good Realtor knows honest and fair service people who can help.

And while my Realtor may never bring me the buyer for my house, I want them committed to the idea of selling my home. If another one of their clients wants my house, I want to know about it.  I would also expect the agent to refer the buyer to another qualified agent because, as I said before, I want a negotiator. 

 As you can see, there is a lot to consider in choosing a real estate agent.  I haven’t covered all of it but if I was looking, these would be the points I consider the most important. 

Experience has taught me that the nicest thing about real estate is that no two properties are exactly the same.  And my job is to make your home shine so it gets the most attention and the best offers.

The worst thing about real estate is that no two properties are exactly the same and I want the buyers who don’t get your home to feel disappointed.  

So what questions do you have?  If I was looking for a Realtor these are the things I’d look for and want.  If these characteristics are what you want your answer is simple. . . call me.  Let’s get together so I can show you the best opportunities for selling your home and how we can work together to make your plans into a pleasant reality.

I am Chiuho Lin with Keller Williams Palo Alto. (650) 739-9796, OneBayAreaAgent@gmail.com

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Client Testimonials

Prefer TEXT?
(650) 739-9796

What’s this Blog for?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards selling and buying houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there, but those are not catered specifically towards the Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight.

Who Am I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2016, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting over one hundred real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them start their new chapter and make their vision a reality.

What Is My Promise?

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

If you are interested in buying a house, again as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted advisor to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - feel free to reach out. I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478

How to Determine Your Asking Price in the Bay Area Housing Market

So, you want to sell a house. You discuss your asking price—sometimes called a list price—with your real estate agent to determine the ideal amount to request. Often, discussing the list price is a topic which can result in serious discussion, even arguments.

From the home seller’s point of view, it’s generally assumed that the asking price should reflect the amount they want to be paid for their house. In several markets, a seller may decide his house is worth $1 million and consequently list his home for at or just above a million dollars.

Don’t. Do. That.

Why?

In the Bay Area housing market, the transaction price of a home is always higher than the asking price. While this is not the same in other parts of the country, the Sold/List Price Ratio for the Bay Area is statistically above 100% in most housing transactions over the pact few decades.

The buyers in these areas are used to transaction prices being higher than the asking price, so the seller may think, “If my asking price is $1 million, then the buyer will bid $1.05 million, or even $1.1 million!”

It’s not that simple.

Most buyers are using a buyer’s agent who will provide them with a comparative market analysis which equips them with the value of the house. If they know the house is worth $1 million, why then would they pay more?

Consider also the steps involved in buying a house. Several buyers utilize search software such as Redfin, Zillow, or their agent’s program to sort through their home search and find the best fit for them. One such way to search is to filter by price, which makes setting an appropriate asking price even more important.

Although a buyer might have a budget of $1 million, knowing that houses will sell above the asking price, they may limit their search to homes that are listed at $950K or lower. This will eliminate the home listed at $1 million from the search, and the seller has lost a potential buyer.

The solution

Consider your asking price as a piece in your marketing, and list lower to capture the higher-paying buyer.

If you have purchased a home in the Bay Area, you have most likely experienced the frenzy and irrational activity of a multiple-buyer scenario. Sellers wish for and anticipate this scenario as they sell their home, but how do they attain it?

The answer is simple: Lower the asking price below the ideal transaction amount.

If your target price is $1 million, list your home at $950K. As we discussed, a large number of buyers will expect an asking price below the selling price, and you will attract buyers with budgets as low as $950K while also attracting your higher-paying buyer. You receive the lower offers, and those become leverage for countering and creating a buyer frenzy. Your potential buyers experience the fear of missing out and a manic bidding contest begins to win your home. In their determination to beat out the other buyers and win the bid, you will very likely see buyers put in final bids above your asking price. That $950K asking price has garnered you a $1.08 Million home sale!

Disclaimer: Remember, when formulating an asking price, analyze the specific area first. For example: from Burlingame and Millbrae down to Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Los Altos, most people set an asking price just below the expected selling prince. In Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and other South Bay Area cities, the asking price may be set much lower than the market price. Contact a realtor for best selling strategies and an optimal asking price.

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Client Testimonials

Prefer TEXT/CALL? (650) 739-9796

WHAT’S THIS BLOG FOR?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards buying and selling houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there on REDFIN or Zillow, but those are not catered specifically towards the San Francisco Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight!

WHO AM I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2015, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting hundreds of real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them find their new home. A home is an essential aspect of people’s lives where families make happy memories together. I am so glad that as a real estate agent, I can help make their vision a reality.

WHAT IS MY PROMISE?

If you are interested in buying a house, as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. Once again, I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

 As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted adviser to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - please feel free to reach out! I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478

Understanding MLS

MLS stands for Multiple Listing Services. It acts as a system for realtors to post information, and its primary function is to allow listing agents to share homes for sale. The buyer agent can check the MLS system to see if there are properties which suit their buyer’s needs.

Nowadays, real estate websites commonly used by buyers, such as Redfin and Zillow, draw data from MLS to display real estate listings.

MLS is often considered the most important marketing tool for those selling properties. You may decline doing an open house, and you can skip broker tours, but you must ask your realtor to include your property’s information on MLS.

(image from pixabay)

Sold Properties

Client Testimonials

Prefer TEXT/CALL? (650) 739-9796

WHAT’S THIS BLOG FOR?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards buying and selling houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there on REDFIN or Zillow, but those are not catered specifically towards the San Francisco Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for Many years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight!

WHO AM I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2015, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting hundreds of real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them find their new home. A home is an essential aspect of people’s lives where families make happy memories together. I am so glad that as a real estate agent, I can help make their vision a reality.

WHAT IS MY PROMISE?

If you are interested in buying a house, as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. Once again, I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted adviser to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - please feel free to reach out! I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478

Think About These Three Key Questions Before Meeting Your Realtor

I mentioned in the A 10-Step Guide to Buying a House in the San Francisco Bay Area that by thinking about the key questions in advance, you and the agent will be on the same frequency, and the quality of the preliminary discussion will be good. What questions should you anticipate?

Question #1: WHAT’s YOUr IMAGINATION?

A respected mentor once taught me, as a broker, the most important thing to finding a solution is imagination. This also applies to customers – since you have to pay for a house, what do you imagine it can be?

describe the best-case scenario for the home you will love.

"I hope that children can run in the courtyard! On weekends, friends can have a place to barbecue and party."

"I hope to be close to my company, I am a workaholic!"

"I hope there is a Vaulted Ceiling."

Yes. This is what you imagine it can be like. It takes time to understand the complexities of the Bay Area real estate market. After meeting with your real estate agent, your image of what is possible will likely change - but it’s okay. Start with what is ideal in your mind and slowly layer in the realities of the current market.

Question #2: WHY?

Often the imagination of our new home is somewhat related to our motivation to buy a home. Simply put, what are the reasons you want to buy a house? (Why are you moving?)

"Children are going to school, but the original school district is not good enough!"

"I want to have a home that can live in for a long time."

"I don't want to bargain with the landlord for rent!"

Ask, what is the deepest reason? Can you solve it with a house? This is another question we should discuss when we meet.

Question #3: How is IMAGINATION consistent with REALITY?

There is a saying in the Bay Area real estate circle, “Buying a home is not a choice of selection, it's a process of elimination.” In the real estate market, there are always three restrictions: Location, Condition, and Price.

"Hey, I want to buy a house in Palo Alto!" (Location)

"So, what is your budget?" (Price)

"One million!" (Price)

"Okay, then we want two bedrooms and one bathroom or one bedroom and one bathroom Condo!" (Condition)

"No, no, I want a three-bedroom, two-bedroom bungalow SFH!!" (Condition)

"Well, then there you need some adjustments in the location. There may be some opportunities with San Jose" (Location)

"No! I must live in Palo Alto!" (Location)

This is a typical situation where imagination is inconsistent with reality, changing any of these restrictions: location, condition, or price, will make it possible to imagine again. These three restrictions make up the blueprint for decision making in the home purchase and can be used to make a clear decision.

(image from pixabay)

Sold Properties

Client Testimonials

Prefer TEXT/CALL? (650) 739-9796

WHAT’S THIS BLOG FOR?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards buying and selling houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there on REDFIN or Zillow, but those are not catered specifically towards the San Francisco Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for Many years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight!

WHO AM I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2015, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting hundreds of real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them find their new home. A home is an essential aspect of people’s lives where families make happy memories together. I am so glad that as a real estate agent, I can help make their vision a reality.

WHAT IS MY PROMISE?

If you are interested in buying a house, as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. Once again, I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

 As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted adviser to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - please feel free to reach out! I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478

A 10-Step Guide to Buying a House in the San Francisco Bay Area

I work with customers coming from all over the world to purchase properties in the Bay Area.  They have many questions.  Can I borrow money oversee to purchase a home in the United States?  How do I calculate my taxes on the purchase?  Is the housing market favorable right now?

Relax!

Let’s start with the basic steps to making a successful home purchase.  Whether in San Francisco, San Jose, Sunnyvale, or Palo Alto you can follow these same 10 simple steps.

STEP 1: FIND A HOUSING AGENT OR REAL ESTATE AGENT

When purchasing a home, the first step is always the same – find a good real estate agent (Realtor®).  A real estate agent will guide and assist you through each step in the process.  They will teach you along the way, help you avoid mistakes, and can even introduce you to other professional partners such as property lawyers, accountants, and loan brokers.

STEP 2: HAVE A DISCUSSION WITH THE REAL ESTATE AGENT ABOUT YOUR OBJECTIVES FOR THE HOME PURCHASE

After finding a real estate agent you like, you will want to discuss your motivations and objectives for the purchase.  For example, why you want to purchase a house?  Will you live in the home or rent it out?  Are you looking for a tax advantage with the purchase or a primary residence?  Discuss with your agent your budget and possible financing options.  Discuss your preferred timing.  Are you looking for something in the next month or the next year? It will be important to convey your desires for a living environment.  Do you like fast-paced city life or something quieter and more serene?

For additional information about keys questions to ask yourself, please read this article: Think About These Three Key Questions Before Meeting Your Realtor

Also, everyone is welcome to a free face-to-face consultation

STEP 3: OBTAIN A PRE-APPROVAL LETTER FROM A LOAN BROKER

In a hot real estate market, like the San Francisco Bay area, you will often need to move quickly to get the deal you want.  It is a must to have a Pre-Approval Letter from a loan broker.  This tells the buyer that you are serious and qualified – not just looking around.  Your agent can recommend a qualified loan broker.  You will need to provide income and credit information to the broker.  Your credit score will have a direct impact on interest rates. 

To learn more about maintaining and improving your credit score, please read this article:
To learn for about pre-approval letter, please read this article:

STEP 4: START LOOKING FOR THE HOME THAT YOU LOVE

At this stage, your real estate agent will help you set up screening or filtering criteria so you can see only those homes that meet your needs.  When you find some homes you are interested in, your agent will make arrangements to go with you to see these homes.  Through this process, you will learn even more about what is available and affordable in your desired area.  As always, communication with your agent is the key.  He will need to know what you see that you like and what you don’t like. 

STEP 5: READ THE SELLER REPORT (DISCLOSURE REPORT)

You’ve found a home you want and think you’re ready to make a bid.  Wait just a minute!  In Silicon Valley, or just about anywhere in the United States, the seller is required to provide a Disclosure Report.  You will want to read this report thoroughly.  It contains important information that you need to know.  For example, if you like to entertain friends, watch for information about street parking in this report.  If you’re looking to rent the home out, look for restrictions on rental units in the area.  Information about earthquake and flooding zones will also be included in the Disclosure Report.

STEP 6: DEVELOP A CONTRACT AND BID

You have finally decided to bid on a house.  As a buyer, you will want to start drafting a contract.  You are dealing with a large amount of money so you will need to decide the best way for you to make this purchase.  Do you want to make an all cash-deal?  Maybe you want to finance all, or part, of the purchase.  There are other conditions as well.  Do you want a Property contingency ? What about Loan Contingency  There is always more than just the price to consider and you need to be guided by an experienced agent about these terms to your advantage.

STEP 7: COUNTER-OFFER

After the seller receives your offer he may be satisfied with some conditions and dissatisfied with others.  This is where the negotiation starts.  The seller may make a counteroffer.  This counteroffer will probably affect some of the conditions like revising the time requirements for a house inspection or removing some contingencies and will likely attempt to negotiate the final price as well.  After reviewing this counteroffer, you and your agent can decide to hold fast to your original offer, walk away from the deal, or submit a second counteroffer or final counteroffer.

This cycle of offer – counteroffer could continue forever.  In practice, however, for the Bay Area, it is not uncommon to see up to three iterations of this process. More often, due to the multiple-offer situation, you don’t even get a chance of counter-offer from the seller.

STEP 8: ESCROW AND PROCESS THE PURCHASE CONDITION (MEET CONDITION & CONTINGENCY)

If the seller accepts your final counteroffer the transaction enters Escrow.  Escrow is where an impartial third-party (the Escrow Company) investigate title deeds situation and other transfers from the seller.  They will receive and disburse the funds from the buyer on the day of purchase.

Once in Escrow, the both parties will proceed to meet the terms of the contract. Usually, this is when the loan broker will actually apply for a loan on behalf of the buyer. 

STEP 9: REMOVE CONTINGENCY AND FUNDS IN PLACE

When all the contingency conditions are met, the buyer will then remove the terms so the process can continue.  This is when the down payment will be transferred to the Escrow company.  The Escrow company will verify that all contractual conditions have been met.

STEP 10: COMPLETE THE TRANSFER (CLOSE OF ESCROW)

If the conditions promised by both parties are met, Escrow will proceed with the transfer. On the day of transfer, the seller’s homeowner gets the money and the homebuyer gets the house.  Congratulations you are now the new homeowner!

If reading this article has made you dizzy, don’t worry.  Let me explain it all to you in person

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR FREE CONSULTATION

(image from pixabay)

Sold Properties

Client Testimonials

Prefer TEXT/CALL? (650) 739-9796

WHAT’S THIS BLOG FOR?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards buying and selling houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there on REDFIN or Zillow, but those are not catered specifically towards the San Francisco Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for many years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight!

WHO AM I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2015, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting hundreds of real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them find their new home. A home is an essential aspect of people’s lives where families make happy memories together. I am so glad that as a real estate agent, I can help make their vision a reality.

WHAT IS MY PROMISE?

If you are interested in buying a house, as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. Once again, I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

 As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted adviser to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - please feel free to reach out! I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478

Out with The Old and In with the New: Use of the Internet Sells Your Home Faster

One of the first steps to selling your home is searching for that stellar Realtor who will work in your best interest to sell your beloved abode quickly and at top dollar. You may not know what makes a great Realtor; however, if you do your research, you will find that marketing is crucial!

A real estate agent that knows today’s modern market and how to promote the sale of your home is essential. The crazy fun world of social media, websites, and apps are more than just a pastime. These innovative features create an opportunity for far-reaching advertising and promotion.

My passion is to sell your home, and I am a firm believer in using the Internet as a useful tool to do so. In fact, my clients get buyers making offers, just because those buyers seeing the ads that I run on Facebook/Instagram. As a Realtor in the Bay Area, I want to reach as many people as I can to present your home and attract buyers right to your front steps.

The Methodology Behind My Internet Marketing

The broad scope of my marketing plan with every home I list for sellers just like you: feature your property like it is my own. Showcase it in as many areas online that I can. I may not have big secrets to my strategy, but I use the tools in front of me to every advantage.

The Proof is in the Numbers

It may seem obvious to some, but many do not realize how significant internet marketing is when it comes to selling a home. The new generations rely on the Internet for much of what they do. They work, they play, they buy, and they browse on the Internet often for a variety of reasons.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the Internet, in 2017, ranked at 49% as the method in which buyers found their new home. (NAR Profile of Homebuyers and Sellers) What could be better than that? The traditional ways such as newspapers and for sale signs only ranked at 1% and 7% respectively. That’s a significant difference.

Facebook/Instagram

 Facebook/Instagram is a great platform to promote homes for sale. With many followers and by way of Facebook ads, your home is put in front of more viewers than classic advertising has ever done. I like to create posts about your home, share the photos and description and at the same time engage possible buyer’s that want to see your home. It is easy to get a hold of me on Facebook/Instagram, and all my information is there, so when I post your home, and someone is interested, the process is quick and straightforward to set up a showing.

 When I feature your home on Facebook, I do so professionally and strategically. Choosing the best times to post, using the best photographs and descriptions, you can be assured I take care in all of my Facebook/Instagram promotions.

You’re probably curious how many potential buyer I could reach

Website & Internet Real Estate Sites

Not only do I have a personal website, but my broker has an awesome one as well. Your home will receive attention by way of listing an advertisement on our website. We will use great photography to catch the attention of a multitude of the high traffic that visits the site each day.

Also, when we create your listing, your home will automatically load to real estate sites such as Redfin & Zillow. My agency has a special relationship with Redfin & Zillow, so when someone sees your home and is interested, they will get to me, not just anyone. So, you know with our powerful web advertising, your home is in trusted hands.

For those unique Showcased properties, I can also list them on Realtor.com which has been known to elevate clicks more than other real estate sites. In addition, when a potential buyer wants to inquire about your home, they will receive my contact information so I can help them directly and work to accept an offer for your property. The advantage of Realtor.com’s platform is the ability to showcase more photos and even upload a virtual tour which creates more attraction.

Conclusion

The importance of finding a real estate agent who knows how to market your home to sell it fast and for top dollar is genuinely a significant factor in the selling experience. You can easily find peace of mind with my promotional strategies. Your home will be featured in places that buyers spend time looking in this new age of the Internet, including Facebook/Instagram, and popular real estate sites.

(image from pixabay)

Sold Properties

Client Testimonials

Prefer TEXT/CALL? (650) 739-9796

WHAT’S THIS BLOG FOR?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards buying and selling houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there on REDFIN or Zillow, but those are not catered specifically towards the San Francisco Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight!

WHO AM I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2015, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting hundreds of real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them find their new home. A home is an essential aspect of people’s lives where families make happy memories together. I am so glad that as a real estate agent, I can help make their vision a reality.

WHAT IS MY PROMISE?

If you are interested in buying a house, as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. Once again, I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

 As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted adviser to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - please feel free to reach out! I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478