buy · boyenga team at compass
Buy in Silicon Valley with the Property Nerds®
From your first search to the keys: early access to Compass Private Exclusives, every open house live from the MLS, a disclosure review on each home you're serious about, and offers built on data, not guesses.
Prefer to talk now? (408) 373-1660 · (650) 383-8606 · homes@boyenga.com
- helping buyers since1996
- homes sold2,520+
- in home sales$2.6+ billion
- google rating · 37 reviews4.9 ★
how buying works with us
Eight steps from first search to keys
Every buyer gets the same playbook, tuned to your budget, your timing and the neighborhoods you're weighing.
Strategy call
Goals, budget, timing, commute and must-haves. We map which cities and neighborhoods fit.
Financing
Get pre-approved with a local lender who knows jumbo loans and Silicon Valley timelines.
Search and alerts
Saved searches with instant alerts, plus Compass Coming Soon and Private Exclusives.
Tours
Open houses on your list and private showings on your schedule, in person or by video.
Due diligence
We read the disclosure packet with you: inspections, pest report, permits, HOA documents.
Pricing
Comps from the last few months, adjusted for condition, lot and layout, so you know what it's worth.
Offer and negotiation
Price, terms and timing that fit the seller's priorities without overpaying.
Escrow to keys
Appraisal, loan, insurance and final walk-through, coordinated through closing day.
buyer toolkit
NextGenAgent™ tools for a smarter search
The tools we use with our own clients, free to start. When something catches your eye, a Property Nerd can tell you what the listing doesn't.
- updated automaticallyOpen houses, live from the MLSEvery open house this week by city, with one-tap Google Calendar and directions.See open houses
- before they hit the mlsPrivate Exclusives & Coming SoonCompass listings that buyers working with Compass agents can see first.How early access works
- every listingSearch with instant alertsSave a search and get new listings and price changes as they happen.Start a search
- map + commuteNeighborhood explorerCompare places on a map and check the drive or transit time to work.Open the Nerd Portal
- real pricesRecent salesSee what homes actually sold for, not just what they asked.See recent sales
- boundariesSchool district lookupsDistrict maps and links to confirm the assigned schools for any address.Look up districts
- architectureEichler & mid-century homesTracts, builders and what to inspect in a post-and-beam home.Explore Eichlers
- by the numbersZIP code guidesSanta Clara and San Mateo County ZIP codes with homes for sale in each.Browse ZIP codes
- relocating?Moving to Silicon ValleyRelocation help, from leasing first to buying when you're ready.Moving here
payment calculator
What would the monthly payment be?
Plug in a price and your lender's quoted rate. California property taxes reset to the purchase price when you buy, so they belong in the math.
Property tax: 1% base plus local bonds and assessments; check the listing's tax bill for the exact rate. Loans above the local conforming limit are jumbo loans with their own rules.
estimated monthly payment
Estimate only, not a loan offer. Your lender sets the rate and terms; taxes and insurance vary by property.
Get a lender introductionwinning offers
How we write offers that win without overpaying
In Silicon Valley the strongest offer isn't always the highest price. It's the one that gives the seller certainty on terms they care about.
Before you write
- Read the disclosure packet and inspection reports with us
- Price the home from recent comps, not the list price
- Ask the listing agent how offers will be reviewed and when
- Line up your pre-approval, proof of funds and deposit
Terms that make a difference
- A close date and rent-back that fit the seller's move
- Contingencies sized to what the reports already show
- An appraisal-gap plan when the price runs ahead of comps
- A clean, complete package the seller can say yes to
city guides
Where do you want to live?
Neighborhoods, homes for sale, market trends and school district links for each city.
faq
Buying in Silicon Valley: questions we hear most
How much do I need for a down payment?
It depends on the loan program and the lender. Some conventional loans allow less than 20% down, while jumbo loans often ask for more. A pre-approval tells you exactly what you need, and in a competitive situation a larger down payment can strengthen an offer.
Should I get pre-approved before I start touring?
Yes, ideally. Sellers here usually expect a pre-approval letter with your offer, and knowing your numbers keeps your search focused on homes you can actually buy.
What is an offer date?
Many listings set a date when the seller reviews all offers together. Some sellers will also consider a strong offer before that date. We confirm how each listing agent is handling it.
When do I see the disclosures?
Sellers here commonly provide a disclosure packet, with seller disclosures and inspection reports, before offers are due. We review it with you before you write and flag anything worth a closer look.
How are property taxes set after I buy?
Under Proposition 13 the home is reassessed at your purchase price. The base rate is 1% plus local voter-approved bonds and assessments, and you'll receive a supplemental tax bill for the change in assessed value after closing.
Can I see homes before they're on the MLS?
Sometimes. Compass Private Exclusives and Coming Soon listings can be shared with buyers working with Compass agents before they go public. We'll set up alerts so you hear about them.
Who pays the transfer taxes?
It's set in the purchase contract and can be negotiated, and customs vary by city. We'll tell you what's typical where you're buying.
talk to a property nerd
Start with a buyer strategy call.
Tell us what you're looking for. We'll map the neighborhoods that fit, set up your alerts, and tell you what it takes to win here right now.
Tell us what you're looking for
