Pacific Century Realty

After 17 years of enjoying life in Los Gatos, we decided it was time to downsize.  Actually it took us about 3 years to finally make the break with a home that had so many good memories for us.  After 17 years, "Memories" translates into a lot of things to to manage.  Stuff to be sorted through, people to involve, records to find, updates to things we hadn't noticed for awhile.  
We interviewed several agents and were lucky to find some very sharp ones - each had some strengths but not the whole package.  We liked Dan for his 26 years of experience in real estate, his broader view of the selling process, his ability to develop the best strategy - but revise if needed to get to our goals.  We were a bit nervous at first about his focus on the Peninsula - but it turned out he either knew or became more knowledgeable about the Los Gatos market and the buyers looking in our price point and area.  
Daniel Berman goes by the philosophy that just as good customers get preferred rates in other areas e.g. insurance - so should good customers in real estate.  In order to meet the first bars for performance, you have to have bought and sold before, be literate and at ease with heavy use of phone and internet, be ready to buy or sell, not have been involved in litigation - there are a few more but those are the ones I remember.  He does tend to work with mid to high end clients.  Either way, he doesn't just do a prezo and give you a paper to sign.  He asks questions about your situation, your plans, your needs, your strengths, your expectations.  Yes, we had much of that with others - but none hit all the points with the same degree of thoroughness. 
We had some challenges given this market (who doesn't?), having lived there so long, health/energy issues - he worked with that.   We were also nervous about privacy, disruption and safety - not thrilled  to have strangers going through the house at odd hours and times.  He worked with that.  Then there was completely unexpected family and long term "guest" drama.  He quietly and professionally worked around that.
He made sure we had Section 1 items completely taken care of as well as the items from a whole house inspection.  This aided in disclosures that he could put online - which was very efficient for both buyers and us. 
 He found and vetted the best buyers to show the house to while we were preparing to go on MLS - while making sure we did the important things in the right way.  We took to calling him "Sensei" - he does not miss a detail and he is kind but firm about teaching - - he knew s what our particular buyers would care about - and what we cared about in the transaction -  and combined all that into  what would make it easiest for all of us  to sign and carry through on the best scenario 
You can tell much about your realtor by the vendors he recommends - We found both the building inspector and the title company to really show customer service in action.  Often way beyond the call of duty.  
Bottom line, in a still difficult economy, we had over 200 people attend the weekend open house, (over Labor Day Weekend!) received over a dozen above asking  offers within 2 days of the open house. We closed within 60 days of our first meeting with an excellent offer package.  Absent factors beyond his control (kid/guest drama), it would have been even higher and sooner.
 But it wasn't just about price - it was about experience.  In computer programming, the word "elegant" is used when the engineer writes a program that covers all the bases and performs consistently well and above expectations with a minimum of waste or fuss.  This was elegant.  
If you choose to request to work with Dan - Because he will decide whether or not to choose you too -  Be sure that you are ready to (a)Go and keep going (b) Follow suggestions (just do it - you can trust that he has the best approach) (c) Have integrity - because he really doesn't like deceit (d) Sane - No real estate transaction is without its moments - but he has a value  to keep life simple and serene.  No nonsense, no games, no deceit, no going forward into logically high risk albeit tempting offers.   
Highly recommend.