Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about buying and selling in the East Bay, working with Jessica Kalama, pricing, new construction, and how to get started.
Common questions
Below are the questions I hear most often from East Bay buyers and sellers. If your question is not here, reach out and I answer it directly, with no pressure and no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I work directly with Jessica?
Yes. I am a solo Realtor with Realty ONE Group Elite, so you communicate directly with me throughout the entire process, not a rotating team or an assistant.
Which areas do you serve?
I serve buyers and sellers across Oakley, Brentwood, Concord, Walnut Creek, and Pleasant Hill, and I am expanding into Mountain House. I also show up in person as a Community Market Leader in Oakley.
Do I need to be ready to buy or sell before I contact you?
No. You can start with questions. A first conversation simply identifies what you know, what is still unclear, and which next step would give you useful information.
What is the Informed Decision Framework?
It is how I work through every decision with you. I help you clarify your real options, evaluate them with real information, and move forward with confidence, so you understand not just what we are doing but why.
What is the EPIC method?
EPIC is how I market a home: Equity Position, Presentation Power, Impact, and Campaign Strategy. Together they make sure your home is priced strategically, presented well, and launched with a real campaign rather than just listed and left to sit.
Do I need to be pre-approved before I start looking?
Getting pre-approved early is one of the most useful first steps. It clarifies your budget and tells sellers you are serious and financially ready, which matters when there are multiple offers.
Do I need my own agent to buy new construction?
Yes, and it matters. The agent in the model home represents the builder, not you. I review the builder's contract, explain it, and negotiate for you, and in most cases it costs you nothing to have me involved from your first visit.
How do you decide what my home is worth?
I build a pricing strategy from real comparable sales, current demand, and your home's condition, not an online estimate or a neighbor's sale from months ago. Overpricing leads to fewer showings and later reductions, so we set the number with real data.
Should I sell my home as-is or make updates first?
It depends on your home, your goals, and the market. Selling as-is is simpler and can fit investment properties or homes priced for condition, but small, strategic updates often attract more buyers and stronger offers. I help you decide what is worth doing.
How are you paid, and what does it cost to work with you?
Compensation is always agreed in writing before we work together, and I walk you through exactly how it works for your situation. Nothing about it is fixed or assumed, and you understand it fully before you commit to anything.
How do I get my home's value?
Reach out for a free, no-obligation home valuation based on real comparable sales and current demand in your neighborhood. Call (925) 354-9408 or contact me through the site.
What makes your background different?
Along with more than two decades across real estate and education, I am a California Licensed Educational Psychologist. That shapes how I work: real estate decisions are emotional first and financial second, so I validate what you are feeling before I bring you the data.
Do you help both buyers and sellers?
Yes. I work with both buyers and sellers, and I tailor the plan to your specific situation rather than running everyone through the same generic process.
How do I get started?
Tell me what you are considering through the contact page, or call me at (925) 354-9408. We start with your questions and build a plan from there.