San Mateo County Market Update December 2025

Rumana Jabeen • December 8, 2025

What makes working with Rumana successful...

Bay Area real estate market trends and negotiation strategies for home buyers and sellers in Foster City, San Mateo, and surrounding Peninsula communities.


The 2025 real estate landscape has been marked by unique challenges and incredible opportunities. I am immensely proud to share the stories of my clients—both sellers and buyers—who achieved remarkable success this year. Their triumphs are a direct result of a partnership built on strategic planning, rigorous attention to detail, unwavering commitment to my clients' interests, and tenacious negotiation. My professional philosophy centers on providing clear, proactive guidance, ensuring that every transaction is not just successful, but smooth, secure, and financially advantageous for the person I represent.

For Sellers: Maximizing Value and Security

What makes working with me successful? I serve as your dedicated advocate, meticulously managing every facet of the sales process from preparation and pricing to closing, ensuring we attract the highest quality offers and achieve top-tier financial results, all while mitigating risk and eliminating unexpected complications. My success is measured by the return on investment and peace of mind I deliver to you.


1. Strategic, Tenacious Negotiation

My approach to negotiation is based on a deep understanding of buyer motivations and market dynamics, allowing me to secure prices and terms that consistently exceed expectations.


  • 1361 Ribbon St, Foster City. This property sold off-market, as-is. Leveraging my insights into the buyer's motivation, I engaged in multiple, intense rounds of negotiation. I successfully navigated the dialogue, pushing the single offer well above the seller's initial target price and securing the specific terms we desired. I do not back down when your financial interests are on the line.


2. Bringing in Qualified Buyers and Upholding Fiduciary Duty (No Dual Agency)

My commitment to your success means I only represent you, the seller. This strict dedication allows me to negotiate purely on your behalf, maximizing your sales price. My reputation for being detail-oriented and meticulous also precedes me, signaling to buyer agents that my listings are transparent and well-documented. This confidence encourages them to bring their strongest, most qualified offers forward.


  • 2627 Ohio Avenue, Redwood City. My listing strategy immediately generated significant interest, resulting in seven offers, all at or above the list price. Because I uphold a strict no dual agency policy, every interested buyer was represented by their own agent. This allowed me to negotiate them against one another, avoiding the compromise inherent in dual representation and ultimately securing a sales price that significantly exceeded my client's expectations.


3. Proactive Planning: Eliminating Unpleasant Surprises

My detailed-oriented methodology is fundamentally proactive. I work to identify and address potential hurdles before they impact the transaction's momentum. This includes a rigorous review of all incoming offers, ensuring every detail is correct, and a meticulous investigation into the financial strength of prospective buyers through thorough lender interviews.


  • 675 Edna Way, San Mateo. This was an As-Is Trust sale. While the sellers were exempt from filling out disclosures, I advised and executed a full preparation strategy: ordering pre-listing inspections and preparing comprehensive disclosures based on the seller's knowledge. This level of transparency gave buyers the necessary information to write stronger, non-contingent offers, simultaneously protecting the seller from future legal issues. We received 11 offers, and my negotiation strategy resulted in a sales price far beyond what the sellers had anticipated.


4. Robust Marketing: Engaging Every Possible Audience

A premium result requires premium exposure. I utilize a powerful combination of traditional outreach, aggressive digital marketing, direct community engagement, and specialized, catered events—such as twilight tours—to ensure your property is seen by the largest possible pool of qualified buyers.


  • 2929 Monterey Street, San Mateo. My robust marketing campaign successfully drew hundreds of prospective buyers through open houses and agent showings. The resulting competition led to multiple offers, all exceeding the list price. I then negotiated the highest offer even further upward, achieving a final price that surpassed my sellers' goals.


5. Consistent, Transparent Communication

Effective communication is the lifeblood of a smooth sale. In any market condition, consistent, candid feedback is essential. My sellers are continuously informed, prepared, and confident in the strategy we execute together.


  • 1102 Burke Lane, Foster City. Selling a townhome or condo recently required patience and strategy. During the sale of Burke, I maintained constant, detailed communication, providing timely feedback from every open house and showing. This kept my client informed about market perception every step of the way. When we received an offer below the asking price, my client was prepared and confident in my recommendation. We successfully negotiated that single offer above the list price, securing a favorable outcome despite increased days on the market.

For Buyers: Winning and Investing Wisely

My goal for buyers is not just to "win," but to win the right home at the right price, with complete confidence and security. I lay a solid, detailed groundwork at the start of our partnership, allowing you to move swiftly and decisively when the right opportunity arises.


1. Due Diligence and Attention to Detail

From the outset, we establish a comprehensive strategy. When a property is under consideration, I conduct an in-depth review of all disclosures and reports with you. This meticulous scrutiny ensures the home aligns perfectly with both your lifestyle and long-term financial objectives, safeguarding your investment.


  • 1361 Ribbon St, Foster City. The seller had not provided a formal foundation report, only a contractor’s repair bid—which is insufficient security. I advised my buyers to include a specific contingency for a foundation inspection. This due diligence protected them, ensuring they fully understood the scope and cost of the required work before committing to the purchase.


2. Strong Community and Agent Reputation

My reputation within the real estate community as a professional who brings serious, qualified buyers is one of your most powerful assets. When I present an offer, listing agents know they are dealing with a strong contender. This often leads to exclusive opportunities that competitive buyers rarely receive.


  • 200 Loon Court, Foster City. Despite not having the highest initial bid, the listing agent invited me to submit a private, quiet counter-offer, providing my client the critical chance to win.


  • 384 Sunfish Ct, Foster City. In this highly competitive situation, my reputation led the listing agent to extend a direct invitation to improve our price, securing the property for my clients.


3. Unwavering Loyalty: No Dual Agency Commitment

As your dedicated buyer's agent, my focus is solely on securing the best possible price and terms for you. I do not engage in dual agency because I believe an agent cannot simultaneously represent both the seller's desire to maximize price and the buyer's desire to minimize it. My loyalty is singular and absolute.


  • 370 Bramble Ct, Foster City. The sellers initially received multiple offers, all of which eventually backed out. My client was still interested. By maintaining patience and working exclusively in my client's interest—free from the incentive to push for a quick closing on my own listing—I allowed the market dynamic to shift. I secured the home for my client at a significantly reduced price. I never pressure my clients into a contract; my focus is finding the right home at the right price, not just any home.


4. Clear and Consistent Communication

The buying process can be dynamic and require endurance. Regular, transparent, and proactive communication is essential, especially when complex negotiations or unique market situations require time.


  • 370 Bramble Ct, Foster City. Following the initial offer not being accepted, I maintained a consistent channel of communication with the listing agent. This regular follow-up over several weeks proved crucial. It kept my client top-of-mind and allowed us to be perfectly positioned when the sellers became motivated to accept a drastically reduced price.


5. Team-Based, Coordinated Transactions

Purchasing a home is a collaborative effort. I operate as the nucleus of a skilled professional team, working closely with top-tier lenders, title/escrow officers, and inspectors. I manage these relationships proactively, keeping all parties coordinated to ensure the transaction moves smoothly and efficiently toward closing with no last-minute issues.


  • 370 Bramble Ct, Foster City.  The seller's only documentation for a foundation issue was a contractor’s bid, not a full inspection report. I immediately flagged this for my clients, insisting on securing an inspection contingency to ensure an expert investigation. This teamwork allowed us to fully understand the repair cost and, based on the findings of our inspection report, we were able to successfully negotiate an even better final purchase price.


6. Efficiency: Maximizing Time and Minimizing Frustration

Chasing the market by writing numerous failed offers is not only emotionally exhausting but also financially detrimental, costing you valuable time and equity. My focused, strategic approach means my clients spend less time pursuing the wrong homes and more time building equity in the right one.


  • Avelino. This buyer secured their home with their very first offer. In fact, all five of my key buyers this year achieved success within their first or second attempt—three at the absolute most. By getting my clients into a home quickly, they gain immediate equity and avoid the inevitable higher costs associated with chasing a continually rising market.


7. Strategic Negotiation: Securing Exceptional Value

My negotiation skills are utilized to achieve both the win and the best possible price. By analyzing the market time and seller motivation, I craft an offer and negotiation strategy designed to maximize your financial advantage.


  • 714 Comet Dr, Foster City. The home had been on the market for an extended period, which allowed us to make a strategically aggressive, low initial offer. While the sellers did negotiate, my persistence secured a truly exceptional deal. A comparable floor plan in the same community had recently sold for approximately $200,000 more than my clients ultimately paid.




Looking Ahead


The success stories of 2025 are not accidents; they are the result of deliberate planning, experienced navigation, and unwavering advocacy. Whether you are aiming to achieve a top-tier sales price or secure the perfect home in a competitive environment, your strategy starts now.


In real estate, timing and precision are everything. As I always say: “The best time to start your strategy was yesterday. The next best time is today.”

Don't wait to turn your real estate goals into reality. Let's build your success blueprint together.

Contact me today for a private consultation to discuss your 2026 buying or selling strategy.

Connect with Rumana
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