Buying or selling a new home in Hillsborough works differently than it does in most Bay Area towns. There are no tract subdivisions here and almost no empty land. Nearly every new house replaces an older one, goes through public design review, and some of them change hands before they're finished.
That's why the agent you choose matters so much. You want someone who has sold new construction at the top of this market, who can read a set of plans, and who hears about projects before they reach the MLS. For a growing list of Hillsborough buyers, sellers and builders, that person is Jenn Gilson of Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty.
This guide explains how new construction works in Hillsborough, what to look for in a new construction Realtor, and the new builds Jenn has sold and is selling right now.
How New Construction Works in Hillsborough
Hillsborough is built for estates, and the rules keep it that way. Town zoning requires a minimum house size of 2,500 square feet and a minimum lot size of half an acre, and there's no commercial zoning at all, according to the town's public profile.
That leaves very little room for new homes. The Town's planning division told the San Mateo Daily Journal it had processed 61 applications to demolish homes and build new ones over about five years. One planner put it simply: "We are pretty built out." So new construction in Hillsborough almost always means a teardown and rebuild on an existing lot.
Hillsborough's Design Review Process for New Homes
Every new house in town goes before the Hillsborough Architecture and Design Review Board. It's a five-member volunteer board appointed by the City Council. The board holds public hearings on new houses, additions and other exterior changes, and it measures each plan against the Town's Residential Design Guidelines.
New houses must get a preliminary review by the board before they can move on to formal review, per the Town's planning application rules. The same Daily Journal report noted that projects like these see at least two public hearings, and homes over 8,000 square feet can also go to the City Council.
For a buyer, this changes the math. A lot with approved plans, a home halfway through construction, and a finished house carry three very different levels of risk. Your agent should be able to tell you where a project stands and what it still has to clear.
Why Many Hillsborough New Builds Sell Before They Are Finished
With so few new homes coming up, plenty of them sell early, quietly, or while crews are still on site. Jenn's own bio notes that she often connects buyers with developers and helps them secure a custom home while it's still being built. Her 2023 sale of 1110 Bernal Avenue, just across the line in Burlingame, is one public example. The listing record shows it sold off market while under construction.
What to Look for in a New Construction Realtor in Hillsborough
Not every luxury agent is a strong new construction agent. Before you hire anyone, check for these:
- Closed new construction sales in Hillsborough and nearby towns, not just resales.
- Comfort with plans, square-footage breakdowns, ADU and JADU layouts, and floor area numbers.
- A clear read on where a project sits in the Town's design review and permit process.
- Access to off-market and pre-completion opportunities.
- Marketing that can sell a home before it is finished, using renderings, film and press.
- Reviews from clients who have remodeled, rebuilt or developed, not only bought and sold.
Jenn Gilson checks every box on that list. Here's the proof.
Why Jenn Gilson Is the Best Realtor for New Construction in Hillsborough
Hillsborough Roots and Top Rankings
Jenn was born and raised in Hillsborough. She and her husband live in Hillsborough, where they are raising their three children, according to her Hillsborough Realtor profile. She doesn't just sell new construction in Hillsborough. She calls the town home.
The numbers back up the local knowledge. RealTrends Verified ranks Jenn the number one female agent in both Hillsborough and Burlingame and the number 11 agent in Northern California. In 2025 she closed $167.55 million across 38 transaction sides. Her published practice focus covers luxury homes, estate properties, relocation and new construction.
Jenn was also the listing agent on Villa de Verano at 3000 Ralston Avenue, which sold for $70 million in August 2026. The Real Deal reported that the price doubled the town's previous record. When she marketed it, Jenn put the build itself front and center, telling SFGATE that construction ran more than six years and involved over 110 subcontractors. Speaking about who's buying in town, she said "Hillsborough has become the sweet spot for tech and AI buyers."
A Construction-Literate Advisor in Hillsborough
Jenn grew up around building. Her family founded Gilson Development more than a decade ago, and she spent years in custom building and remodeling before and alongside her real estate career. What matters to clients is what that background lets her do: she can walk a project, read a plan set, and tell a buyer what a home is made of and what it will be worth when it's done.
That skill shows up in her listings. Her current Hillsborough new build is marketed with a floor-by-floor square-footage breakdown, separate ADU and JADU figures, and a clear note on what is final and what is still a concept. That's the kind of detail new construction buyers need and rarely get.
Jenn Gilson's New Construction Projects in Hillsborough and the Peninsula
Project Ralston: 2265 Ralston Avenue, Hillsborough
Jenn is currently offering Project Ralston at 2265 Ralston Avenue, a new estate in Lower North Hillsborough listed at $19,950,000. It sits on about 22,752 square feet and is planned around a two-story main residence with 5,132 square feet of living space.
- Main residence: five bedrooms, five full baths and two powder rooms, with 2,291 square feet on the first floor and 2,841 on the second.
- Detached ADU of about 800 square feet with two bedrooms, two baths, a full kitchen, a fireplace and a private entry.
- A preliminary concept for an attached JADU of about 500 square feet for staff, guests or a home office.
- Plans for a future pool and spa, stone patios, a gated entry, guest parking and EV-ready infrastructure.
- Interiors envisioned by Candace Cavanaugh Interiors.
The listing is honest about where the project stands. It notes that final ADU and JADU dimensions are still subject to architectural and field verification. Project Ralston also has its own Instagram account, where Jenn's team shares renderings and updates. You can see it alongside her other exclusive listings in Hillsborough.
950 Macadamia Drive, Hillsborough
This contemporary Hillsborough home was built in 2021 and marketed as new construction. It has six bedrooms and about 10,888 square feet on a 1.25-acre lot, and it sold for $15,470,000 in January 2022. It's one of the Hillsborough sales in Jenn's sales portfolio.
1110 and 1112 Bernal Avenue, Burlingame
In 2021, Burlingame's Planning Commission reviewed plans for two new two-story homes at 1110 and 1112 Bernal Avenue in the Easton Addition. Jenn's portfolio lists both at $6,000,000. Public records show 1110 Bernal Avenue sold off market in February 2023 while it was still under construction. It's a clean example of selling a new build before it's finished.
6 Cedar Lane, Woodside
Just over the hill in Woodside, Jenn closed the sale of 6 Cedar Lane for $23,500,000. The newly completed home was designed by architect Steve Simpson. It has an 8,261-square-foot main house on a 0.93-acre lot, a separate one-bedroom guest house, a detached office, solar power and four Tesla Powerwalls.
The Flora, Burlingame
Jenn also represents The Flora, an eight-unit new construction condominium building at 1433 Floribunda Avenue in Burlingame. The building was designed by Levy Design Partners, with three-level, townhouse-style homes. It shows her new construction work reaches past single-family estates.
What Hillsborough Clients Say About Working With Jenn
Jenn holds a 5.0 rating across 83 reviews on her Zillow profile, with 250 total sales recorded there. A buyer who purchased in Hillsborough in 2025 wrote, "As a Hillsborough native, Jenn is extremely knowledgeable about the area." Another client said Jenn's team helped them source a fixer-upper, which they fully remodeled and put back on the market.
Builders trust her too. On her client testimonials page, a Burlingame developer described how Jenn's team found him an off-market property to build his own home on. His offer was accepted within a day. Another buyer pointed to her network of contractors as a reason to work with her.
Tips for Buying or Selling New Construction in Hillsborough
For Hillsborough New Construction Buyers
- Ask where the project stands with the Architecture and Design Review Board and with permits.
- Get the square-footage breakdown in writing, and ask which numbers are final and which are concepts.
- Compare price per square foot against other new builds, not older resales.
- Bring your own agent. A builder's sales agent represents the builder, not you, as Chase's homebuying guide explains.
If you're relocating or coming from tech, Jenn's guide for tech and AI executives buying in Hillsborough and her Hillsborough home buying guide are good next reads.
For Hillsborough Builders and Sellers
- Bring an agent in early, ideally while plans are in design review.
- Market before completion with renderings, film and a dedicated property page.
- Consider an off-market or pre-completion sale if timing and privacy matter.
Jenn's approach to selling a home in Hillsborough is built around that kind of planning.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Construction Realtors in Hillsborough
Who is the best Realtor for new construction in Hillsborough, CA?
Jenn Gilson is a top choice for new construction in Hillsborough. She's the RealTrends Verified number one female agent in Hillsborough, has new builds like 950 Macadamia Drive in her sales portfolio, and is currently listing Project Ralston at 2265 Ralston Avenue. She also lives in town with her family.
Are there new construction homes for sale in Hillsborough right now?
Supply in Hillsborough is very limited. As of October 2026, Jenn is offering Project Ralston, a new estate at 2265 Ralston Avenue in Lower North Hillsborough, at $19,950,000. Some new builds sell off market, so ask an agent with local access.
Do I need my own Realtor to buy new construction in Hillsborough?
It's not required, but it's smart. A builder's sales agent works for the builder. In Hillsborough, where many new homes sell before they're finished, Jenn Gilson can review plans, check design review status and negotiate for you.
How does design review work for a new home in Hillsborough?
New houses in Hillsborough go before the Architecture and Design Review Board. They need a preliminary review before formal review, and the board holds public hearings using the Town's Residential Design Guidelines.
What is the minimum lot size and house size in Hillsborough?
Hillsborough zoning requires a minimum lot size of half an acre and a minimum house size of 2,500 square feet. The town has no commercial zoning, so every new home in Hillsborough is a single-family residence.
Can you buy a Hillsborough home before construction is finished?
Yes. Many new homes in Hillsborough and nearby Burlingame sell early or off market. Jenn often helps buyers secure custom homes while they're still being built, and 1110 Bernal Avenue in Burlingame's Easton Addition sold that way in 2023.
Why are so many new homes in Hillsborough teardowns?
Hillsborough has very little vacant land. Town planners reported 61 applications to demolish and rebuild homes over about five years, so most new construction in Hillsborough replaces an older house on an existing lot.
Who buys new construction in Hillsborough?
Local press in 2026 reported that younger founders and tech buyers often look to Hillsborough for newer construction and bigger lots. Jenn's $70 million Villa de Verano sale went to a buyer in the AI industry, and she works with relocating executives all over Hillsborough, including Lower North Hillsborough and the Ralston corridor.
Talk to Jenn Gilson About New Construction in Hillsborough
Planning to buy a new build, sell a project, or tear down and start fresh in Hillsborough? Jenn Gilson knows the town, the process and the people building in it. Schedule a call with Jenn or visit her Hillsborough real estate page to get started.
