Silicon Valley Realtor | Don Orason and the Silicon Valley Real Estate Team
Serving buyers and sellers across Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, and Alameda County. More than 40 cities. Over 25 years of market experience. Find your city below.
Silicon Valley real estate at a glance. The Silicon Valley Real Estate Team serves buyers and sellers across more than 40 cities in Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, and Alameda County. The team brings decades of combined market experience to every transaction, across the full range of Silicon Valley's residential markets, from the South Bay cities and Peninsula communities to the foothills, East Bay, and beyond.
What Does the Silicon Valley Real Estate Market Look Like?
Silicon Valley's real estate market spans three counties, more than 40 incorporated cities, and some of the most competitive ZIP codes in the United States. Buyers relocate here from across the country and around the world, drawn by the concentration of technology employers stretching along the Highway 101 and Interstate 280 corridors from Daly City south to Gilroy. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Santa Clara County consistently ranks among the most densely employed technology regions in the nation.
Apple, Google, Meta, Nvidia, Cisco, Intel, LinkedIn, and hundreds of mid-size firms operate headquarters or major campuses within a roughly 40-mile corridor. That density drives demand. It also makes the market unusually segmented.
Consider the contrast. A buyer searching in Cupertino for school district access and a buyer searching in Morgan Hill for lot size and newer construction are operating in fundamentally different conditions, with different inventory pools, commute profiles, and price structures. Understanding which city matches a buyer's actual priorities is the work that separates effective representation from a generic search.
Geography matters as much as city lines. Santa Clara County runs from the San Francisco Bay shore east through the Diablo Range foothills, from Palo Alto in the north to Gilroy in the south. San Mateo County sits on the Peninsula between the Bay and the Pacific, with cities ranging from the ultra-luxury estates of Atherton and Hillsborough to transit-oriented communities like Burlingame and Millbrae, both minutes from SFO. Alameda County adds Fremont, the East Bay's largest tech employment hub, and Union City, both increasingly active as buyers look for Bay Area access at more accessible price points.
Every city below has its own live search, its own market report, and its own dedicated guide, not a generic overview, but organized data for the geography that drives pricing decisions. Use this page as your entry point, then follow the city that matches your search. For questions about relocation or specialty properties, the city guide pages and the team's contact page are the right next steps. Client reviews reflect transactions across multiple cities and price points.
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County is the core of Silicon Valley, with 15 incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities across 1,300 square miles, per California Department of Finance estimates. The county stretches from Stanford's campus in Palo Alto south to the agricultural communities of Gilroy and San Martin, spanning estate hillside properties, dense urban neighborhoods, and everything between. All 16 communities below link to live property searches and market reports drawn from MLSListings MLS data.
The largest city in Silicon Valley at 179 square miles, San Jose spans ten distinct neighborhoods from Willow Glen and Almaden Valley to Evergreen and Berryessa, each with its own pricing tier and character. No other county city offers this range of options.
Home to Apple's global headquarters and consistently top-ranked schools in the Cupertino Union and Fremont Union districts, Cupertino draws buyers who prioritize education quality alongside a central Peninsula location.
A central location with quick access to Google, Apple, LinkedIn, and Yahoo makes Sunnyvale one of Silicon Valley's most consistently active residential markets. Inventory moves fast here. Buyers come prepared.
Adjacent to Levi's Stadium and home to Intel, Nvidia, and dozens of major tech employers, Santa Clara offers solid value relative to neighboring Sunnyvale and Cupertino, with diverse stock from established neighborhoods to newer condo developments.
Google's global headquarters anchors a city with a thriving Castro Street downtown corridor, Shoreline Park, and some of the region's most diverse housing stock. Ranch homes, Eichlers, and newer condo developments draw buyers across a wide price range.
Stanford University and Sand Hill Road's venture capital community define Palo Alto as Silicon Valley's intellectual and financial center. Old Palo Alto, Professorville, and Barron Park rank among the most prestigious residential addresses on the Peninsula.
Situated between Palo Alto and Mountain View with a walkable downtown, highly ranked schools across two districts, and residential character that generates consistent competitive demand. Preparation matters more in this market than in most.
An unincorporated hillside community with minimum one-acre parcels and no commercial zoning, Los Altos Hills offers rural character alongside quick Highway 280 access. Properties here are typically custom homes on wooded lots with significant privacy.
A walkable village downtown, proximity to the Santa Cruz Mountains, and competitive schools draw buyers who want character alongside convenience. Los Gatos straddles two counties and two distinct lifestyle profiles, pick your side carefully.
One of the smallest incorporated cities in California, Monte Sereno consists almost entirely of custom estate homes on generous lots, bordered by Los Gatos and Saratoga. Low turnover makes every new listing a notable event in this market.
Campbell's revitalized downtown corridor anchors a community known for strong value, active restaurants, and central access to major South Bay employers. It consistently draws buyers priced out of Los Gatos and Saratoga who want comparable lifestyle at a different entry point.
Estate properties, top-rated schools, and a quiet village atmosphere make Saratoga one of the South Bay's most sought-after addresses. The Saratoga Village downtown and proximity to the Santa Cruz foothills serve buyers who want both prestige and seclusion.
At the convergence of Santa Clara and Alameda counties, Milpitas has added substantial new construction along the BART Great Mall corridor. It draws buyers seeking newer stock at competitive prices with BART access to both the South Bay and East Bay.
South County's fastest-growing residential market offers newer construction, larger lots, and winery proximity for buyers who prioritize space and value over tight proximity to the Peninsula tech corridor. Highway 101 keeps commuting viable.
Known for its annual garlic festival and a growing tech worker population, Gilroy offers South County's most accessible entry point. Newer construction communities, strong Highway 101 access, and relatively lower price thresholds make it a consistent first choice for budget-focused buyers.
An unincorporated community between Morgan Hill and Gilroy, San Martin draws buyers seeking estate-sized parcels, equestrian properties, and agricultural land. One of the few places in Santa Clara County where acreage is still accessible at reasonable prices.
San Mateo County runs along the Peninsula between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Its northern communities, Atherton, Hillsborough, Woodside, Portola Valley, consistently rank among the highest-priced residential markets in the United States. Further south, cities like Redwood City, Burlingame, and San Carlos offer Peninsula access at more varied entry points. CalTrain and BART service connect much of the county to San Francisco and the South Bay without a car.
The 94027 ZIP code consistently ranks among the highest-income in the nation. Atherton is entirely residential with no commercial zoning, large wooded parcels, and some of the Peninsula's most private estates. Transactions here rarely surface publicly.
Home to Sand Hill Road's venture capital community and Meta's corporate headquarters, Menlo Park blends tech-industry power with established residential neighborhoods. Allied Arts, Sharon Heights, and the Central neighborhood attract buyers seeking prestige with walkability.
An unincorporated town with no commercial development, Hillsborough maintains large estate-sized lots and some of the most architecturally significant residential properties on the Peninsula. The town's lack of retail keeps its character distinctly private and residential.
Burlingame Avenue is one of the Peninsula's most active retail and dining corridors. CalTrain access and proximity to SFO make this a consistent choice for households balancing San Francisco access with a suburban setting and genuine downtown energy nearby.
Adjacent to San Francisco International Airport with both BART and CalTrain service sharing the same station, Millbrae attracts buyers who maintain strong connections to San Francisco, the Peninsula, and South Bay simultaneously, a rare transit combination.
Known locally as the City of Good Living, San Carlos sits between Redwood City and Belmont with a compact walkable downtown, strong schools, and community character that generates consistent repeat demand. Homes move quickly. Buyers rarely hesitate twice here.
Redwood City's downtown revival around Courthouse Square has made it a center of mid-Peninsula life. Oracle's nearby campus and access to both Highway 101 and 280 anchor demand across all price points, from condos to hillside estates in the Farm Hills neighborhood.
A planned community built on San Francisco Bay fill in the 1960s, Foster City offers waterfront lagoon access, strong schools, and suburban character that appeals to buyers at Visa, Electronic Arts, and other nearby employers who want a quieter Bay-side setting.
A waterfront enclave within Redwood City's boundaries, Redwood Shores is popular with tech workers at Electronic Arts, Oracle, and Bay Area life science companies. Lagoon views, condo communities, and a suburban walkability level distinguish it from surrounding markets.
The county seat offers one of the Peninsula's most diverse housing inventories, with neighborhoods ranging from historic Hayward Park to newer CalTrain-corridor developments. Its central Peninsula position appeals to a wide range of buyer profiles, with access in multiple directions across the Bay Area.
Adjacent to Palo Alto and near Meta's Menlo Park campus, East Palo Alto is seeing significant residential and commercial investment. Among the Peninsula's most closely watched markets for value-oriented buyers with proximity to Sand Hill Road employers.
A low-density residential town adjacent to Stanford, Portola Valley is known for large lots, extensive trail systems, equestrian properties, and a community actively invested in environmental preservation. Very little here resembles a typical suburban search.
One of the Bay Area's most exclusive rural communities, Woodside is home to equestrian estates, winding canyon roads, and some of the Peninsula's most architecturally significant properties on substantial acreage. The town has almost no commercial presence. That's the point.
Set in the hills between San Carlos and San Mateo, Belmont combines strong schools with easy Highway 101 and 280 access. Its hillside terrain produces varied lot types and sweeping Bay views on many parcels, a consistent high-demand market at mid-Peninsula price points.
The first incorporated city south of San Francisco offers BART access, diverse housing stock including many attached row homes, and some of the Peninsula's most accessible entry-level pricing for buyers relocating from San Francisco who need to stay close.
Between South San Francisco and Millbrae, San Bruno delivers solid value with BART and CalTrain access and diverse housing stock. A consistent choice for buyers with frequent travel needs who want SFO proximity without the Millbrae price premium.
SVRET's Alameda County coverage focuses on the southern East Bay cities of Fremont and Union City, which attract buyers drawn by more accessible price points alongside proximity to South Bay tech employers via the Dumbarton Bridge and I-880 corridor. Both cities link to live MLS searches and current market reports below.
The largest city in Alameda County and home to Tesla's primary manufacturing facility, Fremont spans several distinct districts, Mission San Jose, Niles, Warm Springs, Centerville, each with different pricing tiers and school assignments. Mission San Jose in particular draws highly competitive demand.
Adjacent to Fremont with BART access and improving infrastructure, Union City attracts buyers who want Alameda County's more accessible price thresholds alongside proximity to both the East Bay and South Bay. Dumbarton Bridge access makes it viable for South Bay tech commuters.
What Specialty Property Types Can You Search in Silicon Valley?
Beyond city-level searches, several property types require their own dedicated approach. The pages below filter specifically for buyers whose priority is the property type, not only the geography. Each property-type page maintains its own live search so results stay specific to that buyer's priority. All searches pull live MLS data.
How Do You Search Silicon Valley Homes by ZIP Code?
Every ZIP code map page provides a visual map of postal boundaries within a city alongside live active-listing searches for each individual ZIP code. These pages matter most in larger cities, where ZIP codes can mean significantly different school zones, commute profiles, and price tiers within the same city limits. County-level and Bay Area maps cover broader regional searches.
Some of the most consistent buyer demand in Silicon Valley sits inside specific master-planned, gated, and neighborhood communities rather than at the city level. The community pages below cover the developments and districts the team works in most often, each linking to its own dedicated guide with local detail beyond a standard city search.
A gated golf community in the hills above Gilroy in South County.
Pro Tip
Before touring any city, pull the market report first, the absorption rate tells you exactly how fast offers need to move, and that number varies dramatically between cities even five miles apart.
Why Work With the Silicon Valley Real Estate Team?
The Silicon Valley Real Estate Team works differently. Its founder, Don Orason, grew up in Silicon Valley and has lived in the area since age four, and he has worked in residential real estate across the region since 2001. That history runs underneath everything the team does.
Across Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Alameda counties, the team works from current inventory conditions, individual neighborhood character, and the school district nuances that quietly determine resale value. That kind of working knowledge is hard to replicate when a buyer is deciding on a multi-million-dollar purchase inside a two-week window.
For sellers, the multi-county reach matters differently. A seller in Campbell benefits from an agent who can credibly represent the home to buyers coming from Sunnyvale, Cupertino, and San Jose simultaneously. Broader market awareness drives broader exposure and typically stronger final pricing. Client reviews on the site reflect transactions across multiple cities and price points, not a single neighborhood specialty.
Relocation buyers represent a significant share of the practice. Tech workers arriving from Seattle, Austin, New York, and internationally frequently need someone who can explain the practical differences between Cupertino schools and Saratoga schools, why a Los Altos Hills property doesn't have city water, or how school assignment boundaries differ between adjacent neighborhoods. That operational knowledge is built over years. See the relocation services page for more detail on what that process looks like.
The team also covers specialty property types that require their own knowledge base. Eichler homes, NextGen and multigenerational properties, and luxury estates each have their own buyer profile, valuation approach, and representation considerations. Treating an Eichler like a standard ranch home, or a luxury estate like a standard single-family listing, typically costs sellers money. Experience with specific asset classes makes a measurable difference.
What Tools Help Silicon Valley Buyers and Sellers?
Every tool below is maintained on the Real Geeks platform and updated in real time. No registration is required to search, browse homes, run market reports, and estimate mortgage payments without creating an account. Each tool links directly to live MLS data so buyers and sellers can move from research to a specific search in a single step.
New city guides, area pages, and ZIP code maps published to the site, updated automatically as pages go live. When a page appears here, add its card to the static grid above.
Frequently Asked Questions About Silicon Valley Real Estate
What cities does Don Orason serve in Silicon Valley?
The Silicon Valley Real Estate Team serves buyers and sellers across more than 40 cities in Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, and Alameda County. That includes every major market from Palo Alto and Mountain View in the north through San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Cupertino in the central corridor, south to Morgan Hill and Gilroy. On the Peninsula, the team covers Atherton, Menlo Park, Redwood City, Burlingame, and surrounding communities. Fremont and Union City are active Alameda County service areas.
What counties make up the Silicon Valley real estate market?
Silicon Valley's real estate market spans three counties: Santa Clara County, which includes the region's tech-corridor cities from Palo Alto south to Gilroy; San Mateo County, running along the Peninsula between the Bay and the Pacific; and Alameda County, which covers the East Bay cities of Fremont and Union City. Each county operates under different market conditions, price structures, and tax environments, so the county context matters when comparing properties across city lines.
How do I search for homes in a specific Silicon Valley city?
Each city card on this page links directly to a live property search filtered by that city, showing only currently active listings updated by MLS data. The advanced property search also allows filtering by ZIP code, price range, and property type across any area the team serves. Market report buttons on each card show recent sales data for that specific market.
What is the difference between buying in Santa Clara County vs. San Mateo County?
Santa Clara County uses MLSListings as its primary MLS data source, with tax and school district structures that differ from San Mateo County. San Mateo Peninsula communities often carry premium pricing relative to comparable South Bay cities, partly due to proximity to San Francisco. Transfer tax rates and available inventory types also differ between counties. Buyers who are flexible on county should discuss the tradeoffs with their agent before narrowing a geographic search, the financial implications can be significant.
Does SVRET help with relocation to Silicon Valley?
Yes. The Silicon Valley Real Estate Team offers dedicated relocation services for buyers moving from other parts of California, other states, or internationally. Tech industry relocations are a regular part of the practice, and the team is familiar with employer campuses, commute corridors, and school districts relevant to incoming tech workers at Apple, Google, Meta, Nvidia, and dozens of other regional employers.
What are Eichler homes and does Don Orason specialize in them?
Eichler homes are post-and-beam midcentury modern residences built primarily between the mid-1950s and early 1970s by developer Joseph Eichler in San Jose, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, and Cupertino. They feature flat or low-sloped roofs, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, open floor plans, and radiant floor heating. Don Orason has specific Eichler expertise and maintains dedicated search pages for Eichlers in each major city.
Are there new construction homes available in Silicon Valley?
New construction is active across the region. The largest concentrations are in South County cities, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and San Martin, where master-planned communities continue adding inventory. In the northern Peninsula corridor, new construction tends toward infill projects or custom builds on individual lots. The team maintains a dedicated new construction search covering the broader Bay Area.
What is a ZIP code map page and how do I use it?
Each ZIP code map page provides a visual map of ZIP code boundaries within a city alongside live property search buttons for each individual ZIP. That granularity matters most in larger cities like San Jose, which spans dozens of ZIP codes with significantly different pricing, school assignments, and neighborhood character. Use these pages when you want to narrow a search to a specific postal area rather than an entire city.
Does SVRET handle multigenerational or NextGen homes?
Yes. NextGen and multigenerational homes, properties with separate living suites, attached ADUs, or dual-kitchen layouts designed for extended families, are a growing search category. The team maintains a dedicated NextGen homes page and an ADU search covering available properties across the region.
Can I find homes with an ADU or guest house through SVRET?
Yes. The site includes a dedicated search for homes with ADUs, guest houses, and casitas. California AB-68 (2019) and SB-9 significantly expanded ADU development rights, making these properties attractive for buyers who want rental income, multigenerational living, or a separate home office structure on the same parcel.
How do I get a market report for a specific Silicon Valley city?
Each city card on this page includes a Market Report button that opens a live report filtered by that city. For specific neighborhoods within a city, the individual city guide page links to neighborhood-level market reports. A custom market report search is also available for any area the team serves.
How long has Don Orason been in Silicon Valley real estate?
Don Orason has worked in Silicon Valley real estate for over 25 years, with a focus on Santa Clara County and San Mateo County. Don and the Silicon Valley Real Estate Team serve Silicon Valley and the entire Bay Area. His California DRE license number is 01319840. Client reviews are available on this site.
What specialty property types does SVRET search cover?
Beyond standard residential searches, SVRET maintains dedicated pages for Eichler homes, luxury homes, new construction, NextGen and multigenerational homes, properties with ADUs and guest houses, homes near major tech campuses, properties with large lots or acreage, and homes with pools. Each is linked from the specialty searches section of this page.
What is the best way to contact Don Orason?
The best starting point is Don's bio page, which includes contact options and background on his experience. The advanced property search lets you explore listings before reaching out, or you can request a home valuation if you are considering selling.
Property and market information referenced on this page is drawn from MLSListings and other sources deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate. Listings and availability change continually, so verify all details with the Silicon Valley Real Estate Team before making real estate decisions. Past market performance does not guarantee future results.
Don Orason
DRE #01319840 | Silicon Valley Real Estate Team
Don Orason has worked in Silicon Valley real estate for over 25 years, with a focus on Santa Clara County and San Mateo County. Don and the Silicon Valley Real Estate Team serve Silicon Valley and the entire Bay Area.
The data relating to real estate for sale on this display comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of the MLSListingsTM MLS system. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Real Estate Company are marked with the Internet Data Exchange and detailed information about them includes the names of the listing brokers and listing agents. Based on information from MLSListings MLS as of . All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.
All measurements and all calculations of area (i.e., Sq Ft and Acreage) are approximate. Broker has represented to MetroList that Broker has a valid listing signed by seller authorizing placement in the MLS. Above information is provided by Seller and/or other sources and has not been verified by Broker. Copyright 2026 MetroList Services, Inc. The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity Program of MetroList® MLS. All information has been provided by seller/other sources and has not been verified by broker. All interested persons should independently verify the accuracy of all information. Last updated .
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