What Matters Most When Selecting a Realtor to Sell a Home
Selling a home in Los Altos or Los Altos Hills is a significant financial decision, and choosing the right real estate agent can have a substantial impact on the outcome. With home values as high as they are, even a small difference in the final sale price can represent hundreds of thousands of dollars.
But how should the best real estate agent be selected? Is it sales volume, years of experience, local knowledge, or a record of achieving strong results?
Having represented buyers and sellers in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills for more than 28 years, I believe all of these factors matter. Just as important is understanding what an agent personally brings to the process, from preparing and pricing a home to negotiating the final sale.
Local Experience Matters More Than Ever
Los Altos and Los Altos Hills are neighboring communities, but their real estate markets can be remarkably different.
In Los Altos, neighborhood location, lot size, condition, and proximity to downtown can influence buyer demand and pricing. Multiple offers are common, and a carefully planned listing strategy can generate substantial competition.
Los Altos Hills presents an entirely different set of considerations. Acreage, views, privacy, topography, and the distinctive characteristics of individual properties can create significant variations in value, even among nearby homes.
An agent with extensive experience in both communities is better positioned to understand these differences and develop a strategy tailored to each property.
For additional details, see my articles on 2026 Los Altos home sales and 2026 Los Altos Hills home sales.
Local Sales Experience Matters More Than Overall Volume
An agent’s sales record is an important consideration, but total dollar volume alone does not tell the whole story. Equally important is where those sales occurred. An agent with extensive experience selling homes specifically in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills brings a different level of local knowledge than an agent whose sales are spread across numerous Silicon Valley communities.
My own 2026 sales provide some perspective.
From January 1 through October 28, I represented sellers in 14 Los Altos transactions and buyers in 2 additional transactions, totaling $77.226 million in sales volume. 12 of my 14 seller clients received more than asking price.
During the same period, I represented sellers in 9 Los Altos Hills transactions and a buyer in 1 additional transaction, totaling $66.98 million. 4 of my seller clients received more than asking price.
Perhaps most significant is the concentration of my business right here in these two communities. Of the 29 transactions in which I have represented buyers or sellers this year, 26 have been in Los Altos or Los Altos Hills. The remaining 3 were in neighboring Mountain View.
This level of local specialization provides firsthand insight into buyer expectations, pricing trends, and the factors that influence successful sales in these highly competitive markets.
Consider the Agent’s Personal Involvement
Another important question is who will actually be handling the listing and sale.
Some Realtors operate within large teams, where responsibilities are divided among several agents or team members. Understanding who will be responsible for pricing decisions, marketing, communication, and negotiations is an important part of selecting an agent.
I have always believed that selling a home requires personal attention, clear communication, and accountability. Although I am supported by a licensed assistant and a project team manager, I remain personally involved in the important decisions affecting each sale. My clients work directly with me.
Preparation and Marketing Can Make a Difference
Successful marketing begins long before a home is listed for sale.
Decisions about improvements, staging, photography, pricing, and timing all influence how a property is received by prospective buyers. Some homes benefit from extensive preparation, while others require only selective improvements. My approach includes evaluating each property’s potential and determining which improvements are likely to provide the greatest benefit.
Professional marketing is equally important, particularly in the luxury markets of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, where reaching the right audience can be essential. The objective is not simply to attract attention. It is to position the property to achieve the strongest possible sale price.
A Proven Record in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills
When evaluating real estate agents, independently recognized achievements can provide another measure of experience and performance.
I have been ranked the #1 individual real estate agent in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills every year from 2014 through 2025, based on MLS sales volume.
In the 2026 RealTrends rankings, I was also recognized as the #63 individual agent in the United States.
These rankings reflect years of experience representing homeowners across a wide range of properties and market conditions. Combined with my long-standing ties to the community, they provide a foundation of local knowledge and experience that I bring to every transaction.
Kathy Bridgman | Compass Broker Associate | DRE #01189798
650.868.7677