Raymond Stoklosa

"Coaching Clients Since 1978"

I'm a:	Real Estate Professional
Company:	Keller Williams Realty
Location:	San Mateo
Web sites:	Living Well in San Mateo Blog
	The RayChel Realty Group
Phone:	(650) 655-2500

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About Me

Raymond Stoklosa has been coaching clients through real estate transactions since 1978. He is the co-owner with his wife, Chela, and Managing Broker of The RayChel Realty Group at Keller Williams Realty… learning-based real estate consultants. The RayChel Realty Group represents home buyers and home sellers in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.

Raymond is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Certified Real Estate Appraiser (CREA), Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Certified Real Estate Buyer’s Broker (CREBB®), and is e-PRO Certified. He is a member of a select group of REALTORS who have developed the specialized skills and expertise to earn these elite designations. As a Certified Real Estate Appraiser, he is especially well-prepared to evaluate real property.

Education is the cornerstone of his professional skills. Raymond has taught a variety of consumer protection and professional development courses including “Real Estate Valuations,” “Real Estate Taxation and Exchanges,” “1st Time Home Sellers,” and “Smart, Savvy and Successful Home Buying” at the College of San Mateo and De Anza/Foothill College and other community education programs, corporations, consumer rights advocate organizations, adult education programs, senior citizens groups and community colleges throughout California. For real estate professionals, Raymond presents: “Seller Financing: The Ins and Outs” and “BUYER REPRESENTATION: The Art and Craft of Buyer Agency.” The author of two real estate books used by the California Community College System, A Consumer Guide to Residential Real Estate Transactions and Real Estate Valuations and Investments, Raymond has researched and written on a wide range of real estate issues important to consumers and professionals alike.

He is the former host of the KCBS Newsradio 74 Real Estate News show, a radio program focusing on real estate topics which was heard throughout northern California.

Raymond is a member of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS (SAMCAR), REInfoLink Multiple Listing Service, California Association of REALTORS, the National Association of REALTORS, National Association of Real Estate Buyer’s Brokers, Real Estate BUYER’S AGENT Council (REBAC) of the National Association of REALTORS, National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, and the Residential Sales Council of the NAR.

Testimonials

"Raymond, thank you again for everything you’ve done for us. You are a true professional and gentleman."
Remo and Kate, Woodside Sat Jun 7

"We are new homeowners thanks to Raymond. Our first-time home shopping experience was a challenging yet positive one because Raymond Stoklosa was our agent…we had a really great experience."
David and Renee, San Mateo Sat Jun 7

"Raymond skillfully and patiently guided us through all the complex steps involved in a real estate transaction. He was an effective advocate and made us feel that our desires and needs were always his first priority. With his expert assistance and knowledge of Peninsula real estate, we were able to purchase the perfect home at the perfect price. To anyone considering a real estate purchase, be it their first or their hundredth, we have only this to say: you cannot do better than to place your trust in Raymond Stoklosa."
Anne and Peter, San Carlos Sat Jun 7

"I fondly recall nervously buying my first home ever -- I thought it was nearly impossible for a single woman to buy a home in the Bay Area, but with your help, I did it!"
Joanne, Redwood Shores Sat Jun 7

"Raymond assisted us with the purchase of our two last homes. When it comes to real estate transactions, you need to trust the person representing you. Raymond not only won our trust, he also connected us to the right people for our financing needs."
Alexander Sat Jun 7

"Raymond took the time to understand what our level of comfort was financially; what type of home we needed & wanted; the neighborhoods we liked and the future value of our investment. His attention to detail on every home we visited was incredible. We won the bid on the house even though we didn’t have the highest offer. We later found out that Raymond’s organization and thoroughness of the paperwork gave the seller the confidence in our ability to close on the home despite our lower offer."
Mark, San Jose Sat Jun 7

"He helped us find the perfect house for our needs and guided us through the inspection and financing processes. We learned a lot from Raymond about real estate above and beyond our home search. We highly recommend Raymond to our friends and hope to work with him again in the future."
Julie and Marcel, Belmont Sat Jun 7

"Raymond Stoklosa’s professionalism and hard work brought us peace of mind throughout the home-buying process. Anyone hoping to buy real estate on the Peninsula needs an experienced advocate, and we could not have asked for anyone better than Raymond."
Laurie and Mark, Foster City Sat Jun 7

My Q&A View all >>

Raymond Stok…'s Questions (0)

Raymond Stok…'s Answers (10)

Do I have to get my own real state agent?

Asked Sun Oct 19 2008, 16:33 by Cris - Redwood City - Home Buying - 13 answers

Raymond Stoklosa answered:

As a practical matter buying a home directly through the seller's agent places you as a buyer at a clear and distinct disadvantage. The seller's agent is oblugated by law and the Realtors' Code of Ethics to promote and protect the seller's interest...not the buyer's. Typically in California and especially on the Peninsula, the listing agreement between the seller and the listing agent provides for payment of the commission regardless of who finds and/or represents the buyer. So working through the listing (seller's) agent gives you no benefit and in fact means no one is there to advocate and promote your interests. You wouldn't use the other person's attorney if you were being sued, would you? And, you may not be aware that any attempt to interpose yourself into the commission agreement between the seller and seller's agent may construed as contractual interference and place you in legal jeopardy.
The seller is going to be represented by a professional, doesn't it sound like a good idea to protect yourself as well? - Mon Oct 20 2008, 09:15

Santa Clara 95051

Asked Sun Aug 10 2008, 23:11 by Eichler Seek… - 95051 - Home Buying - 6 answers

Raymond Stoklosa answered:

In our home buying classes we teach people to buy the very best location they can comfortably and confidently afford. Of course, schools affect value and that is one of the reasons why when all other things are equal a home in the Cupertino School district is more valuable than one not. Here are some guidelines...look for a home in a quiet neighborhood on a low traffic street with no ugly eyesores visible and no nuisances that is served by a well performing school district. Follow these rules and the home you choose will serve you well. - Mon Sep 8 2008, 16:46

Do buyers agent really represent buyers interest?

Asked Mon Aug 25 2008, 19:44 by Xyz - 95051 - Home Buying - 11 answers

Raymond Stoklosa answered:

It appears you are describing the ultimate dilemma. What to do with a non-performing, unproductive and/or otherwise unsatisfactory agent. The answer is simple...fire him or her. I say this with some basis of experience as I was the first "exclusive buyer's agent" in northern California beginning my practice in 1982. At that time, the very notion of "buyer's agency" was heresy to the real estate industry. I've taught the art and practice of Buyer Agency to many agents on the community college level and in continuing education programs. I can say with the greatest confidence that working with a skilled and dedicated buyer's agent can be a positive, time-saving and money-saving experience, however, working with a bogus buyer's agent can be a night mare that is hard to forget and equally hard to forgive. Unfortunately, for the average lay person, recognizing the difference between the premier buyer's agents and those who only talk a good game is difficult. This may help...interview several buyer's agents and concentrate on learning what they can do for you, how they do their job and what is their business model for helping their clients get the best deal possible. The one who has the most concrete and specific program will probably be the best agent for you. Always ask how many clients they are working with and do they have the time to work with you. Remember sellers will have a professional agent to represent them, so should you. You wouldn't go into court relying on your opponents lawyer to help you, would you? Hope this helps. - Mon Sep 8 2008, 16:27

Foster City vs Palo Alto?

Asked Mon Jul 21 2008, 10:23 by Alex - Foster City - Home Buying - 7 answers

Raymond Stoklosa answered:

With 30 years of experience in good and bad real estate markets on the Mid-Peninsula I can safely assert that most people would consider Palo Alto more desirable and a stronger housing market area than Foster City. While schools are comparably rated a 10 on http://www.Greatschools.net, the public preception is PA schools are superior. That being said I recommend staying away from 1 Bedroom condos. The market for 1 BR is shallow, has limited appeal and more suseptible to market fluctuations. Typically when the condo market sours, 1 Bedroom and studio units suffer the greatest loss. and are the last to recover. There are additional considerations and a discussion of many can be found at http://www.LivingWellinSanMateo.com. Rule of thumb: Buy for the long term. If you don't anticipate owning a condo for at least 5 years, you'd be better off deferring your purchase, or look for a small house in the best location you can comfortably and confidently afford. - Thu Aug 21 2008, 18:00

is it a wise choice to buy property in foster city knowing of the earthquake and flood zone danger?

Asked Thu Aug 21 2008, 15:14 by Berston - Foster City - Home Buying - 3 answers

Raymond Stoklosa answered:

Foster City Elementary is rated a 10 by http://www.GreatSchools.net. Insofar as earthquake and flood zones are concerned the answer lies in how risk adverse you are. Clearly, there is greater risk in Foster City when compared with Belmont or San Carlos with both cities having schools rated a 10 as well. Foster City has the potential for liquifaction meaning that during an earthquake the soli turn to a "jello-like" substance due the the landfill. How well or how poorly a particular Foster City house performs in an earthquake depends on the construction quality. Discuss the risk with a Structural Engineer, then decide whether you're ready to accept the risk. Consider earthquake insurance to help mitigate your losses, but it's very expensive and has a comes with a hign deductible. Other notable concerns about FC are air craft noise, weather, wind conditions and traffic patterns and accessibility. More for insights on real estate in this area can be found at http://www.LivingWellinSanMateo.com . - Thu Aug 21 2008, 17:41

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