Most people think a buyer’s agent just opens doors and writes offers—but there’s so much more behind the scenes. From analyzing market trends and spotting red flags in disclosures to negotiating repairs and coordinating with lenders, I handle the details that make or break a deal.  My job is to protect your interests at every step—often before you even know there’s something to worry about.

Here are a number of important ways I add immeasurable value in your home buying process:

Provide Deep Market Insight

I’ve spent years immersed in the real estate markets of Silicon Valley, the Bay Area, and Santa Cruz. I study the data, track the trends, and sense the value of properties in this rapidly evolving market - both current value, and where they're likely to be some years down the road. I know the neighborhoods inside and out, including the ones most agents overlook. I also understand the upside potential, or lack thereof - which is critical to understanding the true value proposition of any property in the area.

Off-Market Opportunities

Not every great home hits the MLS. Through my extensive network, I often learn about off-market or coming-soon listings you won’t find online. I also have access to untold thousands of properties on the Compass Make Me sell platform. That edge can make all the difference in a competitive market.

Property Curation & Triage

You're busy, and you may even live far from the neighborhood where you're looking to buy.  How do you know what properties would be a waste of time to visit, and which ones you need to jump on right away before they are scooped up by another buyer?  I'll create a curated Compass Collection for you, into which I will put only those properties that I feel check enough boxes that so that they warrant your attention - and some of these properties may be coming soon, private exclusive, or other off-market opportunities you won't find anywhere else.  And when there's a property you're interested in, I frequently preview the property for you and provide a "candid video" of the property, showing you the all the angles and things they're not showing you on the listing's marketing photos and video.  This will help you determine if a property one you need to get in to see personally, and soon - or if it's not worth your time.

Powerful Negotiation

When it’s time to write an offer, I know how to make it stand out. I craft compelling offer packages, build rapport with listing agents, and use smart tactics that position you as the buyer sellers want to work with. I know when to push, when to hold, and when to advise you to walk away. Often times, you won't only be negotiating with the seller; you will be negotiating against other buyers - because if this is a home you love, it's more than likely that other buyers will love it too, and you'll not only have to craft an offer that the seller finds acceptable, you'll also have to make an offer that beats out the competition.  This is often harder than it sounds, since the seller is not required to disclose anything about any other offers which they may have received - not the price, terms, or even if they have any offers at all. It can be thought of as a "blind auction" and those can be difficult to win.

Leverage Trust from Reputation and Experience

I also bring my decades of reputational value as your agent.  Listing agents prefer to work with buyer's agents of long experience and sterling reputations, because they know they'll be dealing with someone who has a reputation to protect and will work in good faith to make sure that the buyer is holding up their end of the deal.  Sellers want certainty, and working with an agent of long service and an excellent reputation offers them considerable assurance they have a ready, willing, able, and credible buyer for their property.

Guidance & Support Through Every Step

I help you understand disclosures, coordinate inspections, manage contingencies, and make informed decisions at every point in the process. I help you navigate the emotional ups and downs of the journey and always keep your long-term interests in mind. In almost every transaction, there are curveballs and unexpected challenges, delays, and discoveries that threaten to derail the transaction, or may lead to a wrenching decision about weather to walk away, renegotiate, or to plough through them, and I'll be there to advise and make sure your best interests are always protected.

Concierge-Level Support

Need a lender? A contractor? An insurance agent? I’ve got a trusted network. But more than that, I'm your eyes and ears on the ground, meeting the specialists and professionals you may need at the property, taking notes and pictures, to help you interpret what their findings mean - what's actually important, and what really is just a mole hill.  And if follow up is required from any professional consultations or estimates you obtain?  I'm there for that too, making sure everything is attended to so you don't have to worry about it.

Why Work with Me Specifically?

I approach this business differently. I’m definitely in sales, but I'm not a high-pressure sales guy. I’m a straight shooter who believes in clear communication, smart strategies, and extreme ownership. When you work with me, you’re not passed off to a junior team member or handed a brochure. You get me—a seasoned, deeply experienced, full-time REALTOR® who’s personally invested in your outcome.

I’m deeply analytical but also intuitive. I know when something’s off in a deal, and I know how to fix it. I’m relentless when it comes to protecting your interests and ensuring no detail gets missed. I bring calm in the chaos and clarity in the confusion.

And I don’t disappear after closing. My clients often become lifelong friends because I stay in touch and continue offering support long after the transaction is complete. I’m in this for the long haul!

How I’m Paid as Your Buyer’s Agent

Let’s talk money, because this is important. Traditionally, the seller has paid the commission for both their own agent and the buyer’s agent. That’s still the case most of the time—but recent industry changes mean we need to be more intentional and transparent about compensation.

In California, we now use a form called the Buyer Representation and Broker Compensation Agreement (BRBC). This form formalizes the relationship between buyer and agent. It spells out what services I’ll provide, the duration of the agreement, and how much I’ll be compensated.

If we'll be working together on an ongoing basis, we'll want to get this form signed to clarify the services I'll provide and the geographic area in which we'll be searching for your next home. The duration of the agreement cannot extend past 90 days, so we may need to sign this form more than once.

For new buyer clients who haven't yet sat down for a formal consultation and want to see a property with me quickly, there’s also the PSRA (Purchase Agreement and Seller Representation Agreement) which is used as a "one-off" showing and representation agreement.

The PSRA, or Property Showing and Representation Agreement, is a form created by the California Association of REALTORS® to address situations where a buyer wants to tour a property but isn’t ready to sign a full Buyer Representation and Broker Compensation Agreement (BRBC). It provides a limited agreement between the agent and buyer, allowing the agent to show one or more specific properties while staying compliant with new industry rules that require a signed agreement before showing homes.

The PSRA outlines the scope of representation, clarifies that the agent isn’t obligated to continue working with the buyer beyond the showing, and may include a discussion of compensation if the buyer ends up purchasing a property. This form is especially useful for agents working with new or hesitant buyers who want to tour a home quickly—such as a lead from a sign call, online inquiry, or open house—without making a long-term commitment. It’s a practical solution for staying compliant while keeping the door open for future representation.

Here’s the bottom line: in virtually all cases, the seller still pays the buyer’s agent, because they are about their net proceeds, and not so much how much they're paying for agent services. And any offer that I write for you - unless you want to pay me yourself - will specify that the seller is to pay me the amount of compensation that's been specified either in the BRBC or PSRA form we've signed.  If the seller is unwilling to pay the agreed upon fee, and you don't want to either, you will be released from any representation agreement with me as relates to that specific property.

Final Thoughts

Buying a home in Silicon Valley is a high-stakes, high-reward journey. It helps to have a guide who knows the terrain. Someone who’s got your back, who tells it like it is, and who treats your purchase like it was their own.

That’s what I offer. That’s who I am. If you’re thinking about buying a home, let’s talk. I’d be honored to help you make a smart, successful move.