October 1, 2025
Real Estate
Why a Solid Consultation Matters
Your Goals Come First
Data‑Driven Neighborhood Insights
Laying Out the Clear Process
Real‑World Examples & Proof
Two‑Way Q&A: Your Questions Answered
Red Flags to Watch For
How to Book Your Block Change Consultation
Conclusion
A strong consultation sets expectations, builds trust, and prevents surprises. It turns uncertainty into clarity—so you can decide whether to buy, sell, or wait.
A trustworthy realtor begins by asking:
What’s your timeline? (e.g., move before school starts)
What’s your budget or price range? (mortgage pre‑approval level)
Which neighborhoods or schools matter most? (Evergreen vs. Silver Creek)
What features can’t you live without? (yard size, ADU potential)
How to apply: Come prepared with your top 5 priorities. Insist the agent tailor every recommendation to that list.
Generic “San Jose market is strong” isn’t enough. Demand local stats:
Median Sale Price by Zip: Compare 95148 vs. 95123.
Days on Market: How long homes linger in each enclave.
Pending vs. Active Ratios: Buyer demand heat map.
School Ratings & Rent Trends: Impact on resale and rental ROI.
How to apply: Ask the agent to show you a one‑page market summary for Evergreen and Silver Creek—with charts or tables—during your meeting.
Your agent should walk you through each step, for example:
Pre‑Approval & Financial Review
Neighborhood Tours & Property Shortlist
Offer Strategy & Negotiation Plan
Inspection & Disclosure Review
Escrow & Closing Checklist
Post‑Close Support
How to apply: Request a printed or emailed “roadmap” with milestones and expected timeframes.
A credible realtor backs up talk with evidence:
Case Study: “We listed in Silver Creek, had 5 offers in 3 days, closed $150K over ask.”
Testimonials: Short quotes from past Evergreen clients.
Neighborhood Stats: Before/after pricing data on similar homes they’ve sold.
How to apply: Ask for 2–3 brief client references and one local success story that mirrors your goals.
You should feel free to ask about:
Tax impacts: Prop 13 transfers, ADU income.
HOA items: Dues, CC&Rs in Silver Creek Country Club.
School boundaries: Evergreen Elementary vs. nearby alternatives.
Local regulations: ADU permit process, zoning quirks.
How to apply: Keep a list of your top 10 questions and ensure each is addressed with clear, sourced answers—no “I’ll get back to you.”
Overemphasis on Listings: If they push you to “look at what I have” before hearing your needs.
Vague Market Talk: No hard numbers or local specifics.
No Clear Timeline: Uncertainty about next steps or who does what when.
Pressure Tactics: Phrases like “you must decide now” rather than “here’s your analysis.”
How to apply: Trust your instincts. If the meeting feels rushed or scripted, it’s a sign to step back.
Fill out your goals & preferred times
Receive a confirmation & pre‑meeting questionnaire
Meet your dedicated Evergreen/Silver Creek specialist
A great first consultation transforms uncertainty into a confident plan. By insisting on goal‑first agendas, hyper‑local data, transparent roadmaps, and real success proofs, you hold your realtor—and yourself—to a higher standard.
At Block Change Real Estate, we welcome the toughest questions, the deepest data dives, and the clearest process maps, because your trust is our foundation.
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