Answers to the questions buyers and sellers ask David Lewis Group most often. David Lewis is the Founder and Listing Broker of David Lewis Group at Compass in Los Gatos (CA DRE 01409243) and has helped Silicon Valley homeowners buy and sell homes since 2004, with nearly 500 homes sold.
About David Lewis Group
Who is David Lewis?
David Lewis is the Founder and Listing Broker of David Lewis Group at Compass, a Silicon Valley real estate team based in Los Gatos, California (CA DRE 01409243). Since 2004 he has sold nearly 500 homes and more than $415 million in real estate. He is a Certified Probate & Trust Specialist and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®), and David Lewis Group is a RealTrends Verified Team (2025).
Who does David Lewis Group work with?
Mostly Silicon Valley homeowners, particularly tech professionals and families, buying and selling single-family homes. We also help first-time and move-up buyers, downsizers, investors, and families handling trust, probate or estate sales.
What areas does David Lewis Group serve?
We serve buyers and sellers across Silicon Valley, including San Jose, Los Gatos, Campbell, Cupertino, Saratoga, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Los Altos. Our deepest experience is in Cambrian (95124/95118), where we've completed 120+ sales, along with Blossom Valley and Los Gatos. See neighborhoods we serve.
What makes David Lewis Group different?
Three things: experience (20+ years and nearly 500 homes sold), a strategy for every listing rather than a standard playbook, and full-service coordination. We manage contractors, stagers, inspections and scheduling so sellers don't have to, and we explain every step so clients make informed decisions.
Selling a Home
What will my home sell for?
Your price comes from the most relevant recent sales near your home, not a ZIP-code average or an online estimate. Two homes of similar size on the same street can sell for very different prices because of condition, updates, layout, lot size and school district. We prepare a free comparative market analysis and walk you through a pricing strategy in person.
How does David Lewis Group price and launch a listing?
On many listings we set an offer date about two weeks after the home goes on the market, which gives every qualified buyer time to see the home and creates competition. On one San Jose listing, a buyer offered $350,000 over asking after two days. We stayed with the plan, received 10 offers on the offer date, and the same buyer paid more than $550,000 over asking. Strategy produced the extra $200,000.
Can I sell my home as is?
Yes. Many sellers do, especially with inherited homes, trust sales and longtime family homes. Selling as is doesn't remove your disclosure duties, and buyers will price in the work they see. We help you compare the as-is price with what targeted preparation could add, so you only spend money where buyers will pay for it. Compass Concierge can cover eligible preparation costs up front.
Do I need inspection reports before listing?
They aren't legally required, but in Silicon Valley it's standard for sellers to order a home inspection and a pest (termite) inspection before listing, and we recommend them for most sellers. Reports up front lead to stronger offers with fewer contingencies and fewer surprises in escrow, especially for older homes.
Does staging make a difference?
Yes. Staging helps buyers picture how they would live in the home, and staged rooms photograph better online, where nearly every buyer starts. Vacant homes benefit most; occupied homes often need only decluttering and a few key pieces. We coordinate stagers and other vendors as part of a full preparation plan.
What do I have to disclose to a buyer in California?
California sellers must disclose known material facts that affect a property's value or desirability, using forms such as the Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS), the Seller Property Questionnaire (SPQ) and Natural Hazard Disclosures. Our rule is simple: when in doubt, disclose. We walk every seller through each form line by line. (General information, not legal advice.)
How long does it take to sell a home?
A typical plan is two to four weeks of preparation, about two weeks on the market leading to an offer date for well-priced homes, then roughly 30 days of escrow. Unique homes, higher price points and the holiday season can take longer. Every seller gets a calendar for their specific home before we start.
Are there still cash buyers in Silicon Valley?
Yes. Silicon Valley buyers often use stock compensation, equity from a previous home or family help, and some write all-cash or non-contingent offers. The strongest offer isn't always the highest price or all cash; it's the best mix of price, terms, contingencies and certainty of closing. We compare every offer side by side.
Do we have to leave during showings and open houses?
We recommend it. Buyers relax, stay longer and talk openly with their agent when the owner isn't there, which leads to better feedback and stronger offers. We schedule showings around your routine.
Can you help if I've moved away or inherited the home?
Yes. We regularly help sellers who live out of state, are settling an estate, or are helping a parent move. As Certified Probate & Trust and SRES® specialists, we coordinate cleanouts, repairs, staging and showings locally and keep families updated at every step. Read our guide to selling an inherited or out-of-state home.
Timing and the Market
Is now a good time to buy or sell?
The right time depends more on your plans than on headlines. Start with your next move and your timeline, then look at how many homes like yours are for sale nearby and what similar homes recently sold for. When your plans, your home's readiness and local conditions line up, that's the right time. We review current local data with every client before they decide.
What's the best time of year to sell? Are the holidays bad?
Spring traditionally brings the most buyers, especially families who want to move before the school year, but also the most competing listings. The holidays bring fewer buyers, but they are usually serious, and there are fewer homes to compete with. A well-prepared, well-priced home can sell well in any season. See our guide to selling during the holidays.
How is the Silicon Valley real estate market?
Silicon Valley is not one market. Each neighborhood, and often each street, behaves differently based on schools, home styles, inventory and price point. Interest rates and the time of year shift buyer activity, while long-term demand is supported by the region's employers. Ask us for a current report on your specific neighborhood.
Buying and Moving to Silicon Valley
Is now a good time to move to San Jose and Silicon Valley?
For most families, the right time is when the move fits your job, your schools and your budget. If you plan to stay five years or more, focus on finding the right home and location; short-term market swings matter less. We help buyers weigh current inventory, recent sales and their own timeline before deciding.
What are the best neighborhoods for families in San Jose and Silicon Valley?
It depends on your school priorities, commute and budget. Families often look at established single-family neighborhoods with strong schools and parks, such as Cambrian, Almaden Valley and Willow Glen in San Jose, and nearby towns like Los Gatos and Campbell. We help buyers compare areas street by street and always recommend confirming school assignments with the district for a specific address.
What does it cost to live in Silicon Valley?
Housing is the biggest cost. Single-family homes in much of San Jose and the surrounding towns often sell for well over $1 million. Beyond the mortgage, plan for Santa Clara County property taxes (a base of 1% of the purchase price under Proposition 13, plus local voter-approved assessments), homeowners insurance, utilities and maintenance, which can be higher for older homes. We walk buyers through the full monthly cost, not just the price.
How is buying a home in Silicon Valley different?
Many sellers provide inspection reports up front and set an offer date, so buyers should review disclosures early and have financing ready. Homes that look similar online can differ a lot in condition, school boundaries and location. We help buyers compare each home against the most relevant recent sales, read inspections in context and build an offer around the home and the terms, not just the price.
Should I write a personal letter to the seller?
We don't recommend personal letters or photos with an offer. The National Association of REALTORS® warns they can create fair-housing risks, and many sellers now decline to read them. A strong price, clean terms and a well-prepared offer carry more weight.
Have a question that isn't here? Call David Lewis Group at 408-833-9423 or email david.lewis@compass.com.
David Lewis Group at Compass helps Silicon Valley homeowners, particularly tech professionals and families, buy and sell single-family homes. Led by David Lewis, Founder and Listing Broker (CA DRE 01409243), the team has sold nearly 500 homes since 2004, including 120+ in Cambrian, and serves San Jose, Los Gatos and communities across Silicon Valley. Read more in our blog.