Realtor’s Corner: Joe Velasco

REGIONAL COVERAGE Realtor Joe Velasco works with his team serving clients throughout the Peninsula and into southern Santa Clara and San Benito counties. Photo: Michael Hawk

What does being a successful Realtor mean to you?

A successful realtor to me means, someone who is an expert in the marketplace and who has a proven track record. It also means having expertise in presenting the home in the best way possible—online, in print media and in person.

In what ways do you look out for your clients?

I primarily cater to sellers, and how I look out for them is by continually keeping them informed of the marketplace, their home and neighborhood activity, such as what has gone active, pending and sold. If a home sold for less than others—why? I ask the same when a home sold for more than others.

I also look out for buyers by being an expert in the area that they are buying. I make sure they are not overpaying and I have a very good idea of what it will cost to remodel and expand. I always make sure they are educated on the public schools, local economy and shops. I require all my buyers to get home inspections and have other experts in that field including roofers, home and termite inspectors let us know the current condition of the home.

How did you become involved in real estate?

My sister Marcella worked for a local brokerage as a receptionist, she let me know how lucrative real estate sales were, and how fun it was to sell homes. It immediately caught my interest.

What’s the best part of your job?

My favorite part about my job, is the art of the sale. Convincing my prospective clients to sell or buy, then negotiating with another agent to accept my offer and making that buyer’s dream come true is very fulfilling. It’s also fun to break real estate records for the highest price per square foot sold for the neighborhood—so I really enjoy that as well.

How do you spend your time when you’re not working?

I have two amazing daughters I adore, a 2-year-old named Jolene and 6-year-old named Jocelyn—when I am not selling real estate I enjoy vacationing and having fun with my beautiful wife and kids.

In what areas do you concentrate?

My team works primarily the Silicon Valley from Portola Valley which is north of Palo Alto down to Gilroy and Hollister. I have a team of five agents and two full-time assistants at Intero Real Estate and work with all level of buyers and sellers from luxury home sellers to the first-time buyers.