BUYING? SELLING? DOING BOTH? INVESTING?

BUYING? SELLING? DOING BOTH? INVESTING?

Most people ask the wrong questions first. I’ll help you understand the numbers, the risks, and what actually makes sense before you make a move.

I'M BUYING
I'M BUYING & SELLING
I'M SELLING
I'M INVESTING

Questions People Actually Ask

Start with the thing you’re actually worried about.

You don’t need to understand the entire real estate process today. Start with the question that is holding you up.

  • 1. Can I actually afford a home?

    Your approval amount and your comfortable payment are not the same.

  • 2. How much cash do I really need?

    Your down payment is only part of the upfront cost.

  • 3. What is my home actually worth?

    Condition, layout, and buyer demand matter more than an online estimate.

  • 4. How much will selling actually cost?

    The sale price isn’t the same as the amount you actually walk away with.

  • 5. Should I renovate before selling?

    Some improvements create leverage, while others waste money.

  • 6. Should I buy before selling my current home?

    The right order depends on your cash, equity, and risk tolerance.

  • 7. Is now a bad time to buy a home?

    Your payment and timeline matter more than market headlines.

  • 8. Is this property a good deal?

    A nice kitchen does not automatically make the numbers work.

Real estate isn’t complicated because it’s impossible. It’s complicated because nobody explains it well.

I’m not here to talk you into a house you can’t comfortably afford or promise a seller a price the market won’t support.

My job is to explain the options, point out the risk, and help you make a decision that still makes sense after the excitement wears off.

Sometimes the smartest answer is to wait.

Peter’s philosophy

Featured Educational Guides

What nobody explains until you’re already in the deal.

Straight answers to the questions that usually become expensive when nobody answers them early.

Why clients work with peter

01

I explain why I’m recommending something.

02

I point out problems before they become expensive

03

I’ll tell you when the numbers don’t make sense.

04

I care more about helping you make the right decision than forcing a quick sale

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

5.0 stars RATING on ZILLOW

The part clients remember most usually isn’t the sale.

It’s having someone explain what’s happening, point out the problems, and tell them the truth before they make an expensive decision.

  • “What impressed me most about Peter wasn’t just that he got our home sold—it was the strategy behind every decision he made. Our property had multiple challenges, and instead of reacting to problems as they came up, he was always thinking several steps ahead. Every recommendation had a purpose, every move was well thought out, and he knew exactly how to position the home to get the best outcome. Real estate is more than putting a sign in the yard, and Peter proved that throughout the entire process. His market knowledge, negotiation skills, and ability to adapt when unexpected issues came up made all the difference. If you want an agent who’s strategic, experienced, and knows how to navigate even the most complicated transactions, I highly recommend Peter. I’d trust him again in a heartbeat.”

    -Wendy, Sold a Multiple Occupancy Home in Oakland

  • “Working with Peter Ly was one of the best decisions we made during our home-buying process. After interviewing several realtors, we immediately felt that Peter stood out; and throughout the entire experience, he exceeded every expectation we had. Peter is incredibly organized, reliable and knowledgeable. No matter what came up, he was always easy to get ahold of, quick to respond and flexible when it came to meeting up or helping us navigate decisions. Buying a home can feel overwhelming, but Peter brought a level of calm professionalism and experience that made the entire process feel manageable and well-guided. What truly set him apart was how invested he was in every stage of the journey - not just the transaction itself. He was forthcoming and honest, gave thoughtful advice and supported us through everything from evaluating properties to design decisions, appliance selection and even recommending trusted professionals for renovations. His standards are extremely high and it showed in every recommendation he made and every detail he paid attention to. We always felt like Peter genuinely wanted the best outcome for us and that kind of trust is invaluable when making such a major life decision. We’re incredibly grateful for his guidance, expertise and dedication, and we would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a realtor who is experienced, responsive and truly exceptional at what he does.”

    - Jeremy, Bought a Single Family home in Alameda

  • “I had a great experience working with Peter as our buying agent. During the initial consultation Peter spent the time to give us an overview of the buying process to ensure we were prepared. Once we started browsing for homes and landed on the one we liked, things moved fast, and we were glad Peter spent the time to go over the entire process early on. Peter was excellent in providing guidance on bidding price. He walked me through the comps and why the house we wanted would cost more/less compared to the other sold listings. He never pressured us, but gave us his estimate with reasoning why, and let us make the decision on what to bid. His approach was very fair and objective. Peter was always available and responsive to our questions. He communicated well with the selling agent and got us in the ball park for the winning bid. Peter was also supportive in the closing stage and afterward, going as far as bringing his plumbing snake to clear our new home's toilets of debris.”

    - Samson, Bought a Single Family home in Hayward

  • “I’m so grateful to have been able to work with Peter in the past few months. Peter’s extensive knowledge of the real estate market, coupled with his patience and excellent negotiation skills make this process super smooth and stress-free. You can trust that he will always be looking out for your side as he consistently advocated for the best deals keeping in mind my needs and interest. I wholeheartedly recommend Peter to anyone in search of an agent who not only knows the market inside out but also invests in making the experience personal and enjoyable! Thank you Peter!”

    - Erin, Bought a Condo home in Oakland

  • “Having worked with other real estate agents, I can honestly say that Peter and his associates are a cut above the rest. Not only did they help us find our dream home, but they made a process that can often be confusing and challenging easy and transparent. Peter has a tremendous amount of knowledge about the real estate market and was so helpful, available, and responsive, walking us through the whole process from start to finish. The whole time he was patient and always answered all of our questions, no matter how simple or basic the questions were. I cannot imagine doing this process without him and cannot recommend him highly enough!”

    - Josh, Bought a Townhouse home in Emeryville

  • “Peter is so knowledgeable with the real estate world. He was patient with showing me numerous houses until I found one that was perfect for my family. Then Peter came in with his expertise and charm and won our dream home! He was able to secured extra closing costs from the other party for us! That was a plus! Peter is very easy to work with and gave us so many great advices before, during, and after! It was a very pleasant process because of working with Peter! I cannot imagine how much stress I would endured if I was working with someone who doesn’t have the experience, expertise, and knowledge that Peter has. Thank you Peter for securing our dream home for my family!”

    - Loan, Bought a Single Family home in Hayward

Buying & selling at the same time

Buying is stressful. Selling is stressful. Doing both at once needs an actual plan.

There isn’t one correct order for everyone. The right strategy depends on your equity, cash, financing, timeline, and how much risk you’re comfortable carrying.

01 — Sell first

You know exactly how much money you have available, but you may need temporary housing while you look for the next home.

02 — Buy first

You can move without rushing, but you need enough cash, income, or financing to carry both properties temporarily

03 — Buy with a sale contingency

This reduces financial risk, but your offer may be less competitive depending on the property and market.

04 — Keep the current home as a rental

This may preserve the property and create income, but the numbers, management, and financing need to make sense.

BADGES AREN’T THE REASON TO HIRE AN AGENT.

Experience still matters when the deal gets complicated.

$100M +

In closed real estate sales

Top 1.5%

Recognized by RealTrends

Bay Area
Local market experience

Business Background

More than a decade building and operating businesses before real estate

The awards and sales numbers are supporting evidence. They aren’t the reason I work the way I do.

My approach comes from years of solving problems, managing people, negotiating under pressure, and learning that clear communication usually matters more than sounding impressive.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you reach out.

Tell me what you’re considering, what’s confusing you, or send me the property you’re looking at. I’ll help you figure out the next question.

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