Having LIVED an worked in Santa Clara for the last 35 years I consider myself well versed concerning everything real estate in Santa Clara. Before I was involved in real estate I owned my own business in Silicon Valley for 15 years. I learned to be a tough negotiator when it came to buying and selling products because that was money that was coming out of my own pocket. I put a great deal of time and effort into helping my clients to get the most for their money. I consider myself a Professional just like a Doctor or an Attorney. You wouldn't ask a Doctor to cut his or her fees but you certainly would expect results for what you are paying for. I will negotiate either on the buyers side or on the sellers side a deal that you will be very happy with. I want you to always feel like you got way more than you paid for when you walk away from your final signing at the title company. Cheap isn't always better.

Best Wishes

Fred Raia
408-230-1119

Hi Homebuyer2009,
How did it turn out? What neighborhood was it in? Westwood Oaks? Eisenhower/Maywood? Was it an REO or a Short Sale?

Santa Clara is a nice city. The utilities are low. The city organizes many community events (Annual Fishing Derby, Free Concerts at Central Park, Art & Wine Festival, Xmas Carols, Fire Station Fun Drills Day, etc.).

Also, Santa Clara is right in the center of many high tech jobs (Intel, Applied Materials) and not too far from Sunnyvale (AMD, Yahoo!) and Milpitas (Cisco) and North San Jose (Altera, Cypress Semiconductor).

Eventually, when you move up to a bigger home, you may want to keep this one as a rental rather than selling it. Santa Clara's central location makes these homes easy to rent out to professionals. Think long term. Santa Clara is a good investment. Hang onto it.

Welcome to the neighborhood.

--Robert

- I wonder, do you honestly expect realtors to say " I'm no good at negotiating and have no interest in getting you the best deal"?
The Chase Utley of real estate commentators!
The reason I wrote that Homebuyer2009 was "too late" is this: you call in a hired gun to negotiate this one deal, hammer this seller, get you the best price . . . they don't get paid unless there's a deal. This is a problem.
Typically, when Realtors have a buyer client, that buyer client agrees to use them UNTIL they get a deal. In this case, the Realtor is being asked to drop what they're doing on the speculative hope that the Seller is amenable to "getting hammered."
This is not a sustainable business model!

Hi Homebuyer2009,

I would like to answer your question briefly, as like most of the agents are saying a phone call or contact is the best way to give you an idea as to if you would like to work with them. I have been a Real Estate Professional for the past 27 years. My office is in Santa Clara on Stevens Creek Blvd. Most of my sales this year have been in Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and Campbell.

As far as any rebates I would like to invite you to my Website: SantaClaraDreamHomes.com, there is a section which deals with Buyer Rebates I think you will find useful.

Please call with any questions and to set up an appointment to meet.

Thank You

Donald S. Hutchison
(408) 891-1916

Hi Homebuyer2009,
You have gotten some good responces, if I were you I would check out the profile and answers of at least 3 of the agents ( and mine also, please) who are local here , rather than have us email you as you would not get as good a feel for and insight into how each of us works without a lot of sale pitches. I would say Grace, Vinicius, and Bill are good choices there are others, but the above agents are very knowledgeable and I have no doubt would negotiate and represent you well.
As always feel free to contact me with any questions.
Regards,
Allyson
408-705-6578
allyson@homesbyallyson.com
DRE# 01397256

Wow, I'm obviously not from your area so I have no intention of lining up saying "pick me!"
I wonder, do you honestly expect realtors to say " I'm no good at negotiating and have no interest in getting you the best deal"?
The best way to find an agent that you want to work with is to interview in the area you are interested in. One on one interviews offer invaluable insight as to how an agent carries themselves and whether or not you actually get along with this person. You are about to make a huge investment and it is imperative that you feel comfortable with the agent who is going to help you make this happen.
Trulia can offer some insight to an agent's experience and personality if you carefully look over the posts that they have written. If they are full of self-serving advertising, stay away. If they provide useful answers and expect nothing in return, they may be worth a call.
Good luck with everything and I hope you choose a great agent who earns every bit of their commission.

Hello there
I have been working as a real estate agent in Santa Clara County for about ten years. I live in the area, know it. and I'm sure that I will give you results that you will like very much,
You can contact me at 408-509-2604 or you can email me at kaddourarashid@yahoo.com
Best regards

Rashid kaddoura
Unity Realty

Your request raises many questions that could only be answered by a one on one communication. Are you willing to take the time to do this properly, or just looking for a hired hand who will do as asked.
If you could explain how you reached this point in the home buying process without an agent I would have a better feeling for why you want one now.
Incidentally, are you aware of the significant differences between Realtors and Licensed Agents?
Bill McCord.

Good morning Homebuyer2009,

I have been helping clients since 1981. I am a Real Estate Broker with Intero Real Estate Services.

I live in Santa Clara for the past 40 years, and own rental properties in Santa Clara, as well Cupertino & San Jose areas. Most of my clients are past clients as well as referrals, but several times a year, I get lucky enough to meet new ones.

Representing a buyer or a seller is of outmost importance. I make sure that my clients are well informed so that they can make the best decision when buying or selling their homes.

I would be honored to meet with you and go over what I can offer as part of my services, and if you decide to work with me, you will get the service you deserve.

You can call me or e-mail me to set up an appointment.

Jorge E. Gosálvez
Broker Associate, GRI, SRES | DRE: 00811940
INTERO Real Estate Services
Serving Clients since 1981
10275 N. De Anza Blvd. | Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 249-3718 Direct | (408) 904-5465 Fax
Jorge@BrokersForLife.com | http://www.BrokersForLife.com

Hello HomeBuyer2009,
I list and sell property in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and Cuperitno, as well as the rest of Santa Clara County.
My primary goal when representing my clients is to protect their fiducuiary interests. That means I strive to achieve the best deal for my sellers or buyers. Each situation requires a different strategy. I would welcome a call to discuss my experience and strategies for your real estate success.
I am a full-service Realtor and do not rebate any of my compensation. However, in a recent transaction I was able to negotiate a sale price well under list price and obtained $14,000 in closing costs and a free fumigation. This client was overjoyed at what I was able to get for her.
Call so we can discuss.
Ed Bangle
(408) 218-5795

You're too late.
This is a very common question, and it reflects a certain lack of understanding of how real estate agents work.
Putting aside your very specific requirements for a negotiator in this circumstance, expert negotiators aren't hanging around like carpenters at a Home Depot, waiting to be picked up for day labor.
Expert negotiators are usually disinterested in performing "work for hire." They specialize in putting themselves in positions where they are virtually guaranteed to get paid, which means: they work for buyers who are committed to buying.
In your situation, you're asking an agent to take on your case on a contingent basis, which means that the expert agent needs to know - what's the likelihood of this buyer actually coming to terms with the seller?
On top of which, you're at least open to the possibility of discounting their fee. Gee, thanks.
Let us know how this works out.

Dear Homebuyer2009,

I live and work in Cupertino, and have represented Buyer and Sellers in all the cities you stated.
Please do check out my website, http://www.ninadaruwalla.com
and do get in touch with me if you so wish. I will take exceptional care of your Real Estate needs!
Be well and safe, regards,
Nina

Dear Homebuyer 2009,

I specialize in Santa Clara real estate and can help you understand the Santa Clara market.

Please feel free to visit my blog for more information about Santa Clara and myself.

Vinicius Brasil
408.582.3272
vbrasil@cbnorcal.com

Hello Homebuyer 2009 and thanks for your post.

I am a lifelong resident of the Santa Clara Valley, have 25 years in the real estate business, have worked with developers for the past 20 years, helped plan and manage homeowners associations, have consulted with the Department of Real Estate, have an accounting background and work as a facilitator for buyers, like you, who take the initiative to find their own homes. My job begins when you've found the home that you like and for that, I charge 1 percent of the sales price. You would retain whatever is paid to the buyers agent over the 1 percent.

For more information and to see my curriculum vitae, please contact me directly or look to my website below or my profile here on Trulia. Also take a few minutes to read my blog on "Facilitation" to learn more about how I work as a low cost facilitator for many Trulia buyers.

Sincerely,
Grace Morioka, SRES, E-Pro
Area Pro Realty
Specializing in Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Cupertino, Santa Clara and West San Jose
Tel 408-426-1616
Email: GraceAreaProRealty@att.net