Burlingame homes don't wait around. As of August 2026, the median home here sold in 14 days, and sellers got 107.4% of their list price on average, according to Redfin.1 At that pace, the agent you hire shapes your price and your terms.
Nationally, 91% of sellers and 88% of buyers used an agent or broker, per NAR's 2025 profile.2 Picking the right one is the hard part.
Below are 20 questions to ask a Realtor in Burlingame before you sign anything, with why each matters and what a strong answer sounds like. Bring the same list to every interview so you can compare answers side by side.
Burlingame's Market in 30 Seconds
Here's the backdrop, from Redfin's Burlingame housing market data.1
| Burlingame metric (as of August 2026) | Figure |
|---|---|
| Median sale price | $2.8 million, up 1.8% year over year |
| Median days on market | 14 |
| Average sale-to-list ratio | 107.4% |
| Homes sold above list price | 68.1% |
| Homes with price drops | 19.1% |
Every question below is shaped by that pace. For a deeper read on prices and trends, see the Burlingame real estate market in 2026.
Two Quick Checks Before You Interview a Burlingame Realtor
Check the License First
California's Department of Real Estate runs a free public license lookup. You can search by name, company name or license number.3 The DRE also warns that some unlicensed people use real licensees' names and details.3 Its advice: "consumers should always verify the license of a salesperson or broker by using DRE's Verify a License tool online."4
Know What You'll Be Signing in Burlingame
Sellers sign a listing agreement, and buyers now sign one too. California has required buyer-broker representation agreements since January 1, 2025.5 Ask each agent to send a blank copy before your meeting so you can read it without pressure.
10 Questions to Ask a Listing Agent in Burlingame
These are the questions to ask a listing agent before you hand over your keys. This section is about judging the agent. For the prep, pricing and staging advice itself, read our 10 tips for sellers in Burlingame.
1. How many homes have you sold, and can you show me homes like mine that you've marketed and sold?
Why it matters: This is the question that tells you the most. Burlingame is a small city with distinct neighborhoods, like Burlingame Hills, Easton Addition and Burlingame Park.6 A career total shows experience. Comparable sales show if the agent knows how to price, prepare and market a home like yours, on streets like yours.
A strong answer: Numbers you can verify yourself on RealTrends and Zillow, plus specific Burlingame addresses with the home type, condition, price and result. Ask for sold homes, not only active listings, and ask what the agent did to get each one sold.
Jenn Gilson's numbers are public. RealTrends credits her with $167.55 million in 2025 sales volume across 38 transaction sides, ranking her #2 in Burlingame by volume, and RealTrends Verified lists rank her the number one female real estate agent in Burlingame.7 Her Zillow profile shows 250 total sales.8
Jenn Gilson's recent Burlingame sales include 2896 Hillside Drive, a completely remodeled home with a 1,100 sq ft ADU and Burlingame Hills views, listed at $5,600,000, and 1129 Killarney Lane, a full remodel listed at $4,000,000.9 1144 Bernal Avenue is coming soon, and two units at 1433 Floribunda Avenue are pending.9 Her exclusive Burlingame listings page shows the rest.
2. How do your days on market and sale-to-list ratio compare with Burlingame overall?
Why it matters: You have a city benchmark to hold them to: 14 median days and a 107.4% sale-to-list ratio as of August 2026.1
A strong answer: Their numbers next to the city's, with context. Good agents also explain a listing that took longer.
3. How will you price my Burlingame home, and what if week one says we're wrong?
Why it matters: Even here, 19.1% of homes had a price drop as of August 2026.1 A price that wins the listing isn't always the price that sells the home.
A strong answer: A clear method built on recent nearby sales and condition, plus a set date to review buyer feedback.
4. Walk me through offer day. How do you compare Burlingame offers?
Why it matters: 68.1% of homes sold above list as of August 2026.1 The offer process matters as much as the top price.
A strong answer: They explain offer deadlines, how they handle a pre-emptive offer, and how they weigh cash versus financing, contingencies and close dates. Not just "highest number wins."
One Burlingame seller summed up their result with Jenn on her site: "Sold our place in 2 weeks with a record price. All cash purchase."10
5. What Burlingame-only steps do we need before closing?
Why it matters: The city has a point-of-sale sewer lateral test ordinance. It applies when a property changes hands and its buildings were built more than 25 years before the transfer.11 The test must be witnessed by a City representative, and video inspection isn't accepted.11 Any repairs must be "completed and approved by the city prior to transfer of title."11
A strong answer: The agent raises it first, knows the owner hires a contractor or plumber for the test, and knows a passing certificate lasts 10 years.11 They schedule it early so it can't delay closing.
6. Which disclosures will you prepare for my Burlingame sale, and when?
Why it matters: California law requires a Transfer Disclosure Statement for most sales of 1 to 4 unit homes.12 Sellers also owe a smoke detector compliance statement, a water heater bracing certification and a Natural Hazard Disclosure.12 Carbon monoxide devices are part of the disclosure forms as well.13
A strong answer: Disclosures are ready before offers come in, so buyers can write cleaner offers.
7. Will you ever represent the buyer too?
Why it matters: That's dual agency. A California broker can act for both sides only when both parties know and consent.14 A dual agent also can't tell a buyer the seller would take less than list price without the seller's written consent.14
A strong answer: A clear policy in writing, and what would change about their advice.
8. What's your commission, and what exactly does it include?
Why it matters: Broker fees are fully negotiable and not set by law.15 Since August 17, 2024, offers of buyer-agent compensation can't appear on the MLS, though sellers can still offer it off the MLS.16
A strong answer: A specific fee, a written list of what it covers, and a clear plan for buyer-agent compensation.
9. Who will I work with day to day on my Burlingame sale?
Why it matters: In a 14-day market, a missed call can mean a missed buyer.1 Ask who answers calls, runs showings and attends inspections.
A strong answer: Names and roles, not "the team." You should know exactly who your single point of contact is, and who handles paperwork, staging and open houses behind them.
10. Can I see a written net sheet before I sign?
Why it matters: A net sheet shows what you'll walk away with. It should include San Mateo County's documentary transfer tax of 55 cents per $500, or $1.10 per $1,000.17 On a $2.8 million sale, that's $3,080. If you're 55 or older and buying again, ask about Prop 19's base-year transfer rules. Eligible owners can transfer their tax base up to three times, to a home anywhere in California bought within 2 years of the sale.18
A strong answer: A line-by-line estimate before you sign, plus a referral to a tax professional for Prop 19 or 1031 questions.
10 Questions to Ask a Buyer's Agent in Burlingame
11. What will our written buyer agreement say?
Why it matters: Under California law, you must sign it no later than when you make an offer.19 NAR's rules also call for a written agreement before you tour a home, in person or by live video.15 The term can't exceed three months, which the DRE defines as 90 calendar days.19 Any renewal must be in writing, dated and signed by everyone.5
A strong answer: A term of 90 days or less, no automatic renewal, a clear list of services and a simple way to end it.
12. How are you paid if the seller doesn't cover your fee?
Why it matters: The agreement must state the amount or rate in objective terms, like a flat fee or a percentage, not something open-ended.15 Your agent also can't collect more than that amount from any source.15
A strong answer: One number, and a plain explanation of what you'd owe if the seller offers less.
13. How many Burlingame buyers have you helped win in the last year?
Why it matters: When most homes sell above list, an agent's win rate says more than their sales total.
A strong answer: Offers written versus offers won, with recent examples.
14. How do you help me compete when Burlingame homes sell over asking?
Why it matters: With a 107.4% average sale-to-list ratio, list price is a starting point.1
A strong answer: They estimate the likely sale price from recent sales and help you set a walk-away number before offer day.
15. How do you advise on contingencies in Burlingame's multiple-offer market?
Why it matters: The purchase contract sets deadlines for inspections, appraisal and loan approval. Giving any of them up carries risk.
A strong answer: They explain each contingency and what you'd risk by shortening or removing it.
16. How do I get inspections and disclosures reviewed before a Burlingame offer deadline?
Why it matters: Seller disclosures like the Transfer Disclosure Statement and Natural Hazard Disclosure tell you a lot about a home.12 In Burlingame, the sewer lateral result matters too.11
A strong answer: They read the packet fast, flag issues in plain words and bring in an inspector when needed. An agent with construction experience can also spot remodel quality and likely repair costs early.
17. If I fall for one of your brokerage's listings, how is dual agency handled?
Why it matters: The consent rules in question 7 protect buyers too.14
A strong answer: A clear written process before you tour.
18. How well do you know Burlingame's neighborhoods and schools?
Why it matters: The city has its own Burlingame School District.20 Burlingame High is part of the San Mateo Union High School District.21
A strong answer: Street-level knowledge of Easton Addition, Burlingame Park, Burlingame Hills and downtown, plus a reminder to confirm school boundaries with the district.
19. How fast can you get me into a new Burlingame listing?
Why it matters: Redfin says the average Burlingame home sells for about 7% above list price and goes pending in around 14 days. Hot homes can sell for about 15% above list price and go pending in around 9 days.1 Both figures cover the three months ending August 2026. On a hot home, waiting for the weekend open house can mean missing it.
A strong answer: Same-day or next-day showings, a plan to have your financing and offer terms ready before you tour, and a network that hears about coming-soon homes early.
20. Can I speak with two or three recent Burlingame clients?
Why it matters: Past clients tell you how an agent works day to day.
A strong answer: "Yes," plus public reviews you can read yourself.
Jenn's Zillow profile holds a 5.0 rating across 86 reviews.8 A seller who sold their mother's home wrote on Zillow in 2025: "From day one, she was incredibly communicative, organized, and compassionate."8 You can read more Burlingame real estate agent reviews on her site.
Things to Look Out For When Interviewing Burlingame Agents
Good questions to ask a Realtor in Burlingame only help if you listen closely. A few answers deserve a second look:
- No agency disclosure, or no buyer agreement before you write an offer.19
- Calling the commission "standard." Fees are negotiable and not set by law.15
- No mention of the sewer lateral test when you're selling an older home.11
- A list price that sounds great but has no recent sales behind it.
- A license number that doesn't match the DRE lookup.3
How to Compare Your Burlingame Realtor Interviews
Hiring a real estate agent in Burlingame, CA comes down to five areas. Rate each agent on a 1 to 5 scale right after the meeting.
| Area | What to listen for |
|---|---|
| Local results | Recent Burlingame addresses, days on market, sale-to-list |
| Process | Offer day plan, disclosures, sewer lateral timing |
| Rules and fees | Clear agreement terms, fee in writing, dual agency policy |
| Communication | Who answers your calls and how fast |
| Fit | Did they ask about your goals, or only pitch? |
The best fit is usually the agent with the most specific answers.
Jenn Gilson's Background in Burlingame
Jenn Gilson of Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty was born and raised next door in Hillsborough.22 Her family founded Gilson Development over a decade ago, a firm that remodels and custom-builds homes on the Peninsula and in Silicon Valley, so she reads a remodel the way a builder does.22 That shows in her Burlingame record, which leans on fully remodeled homes like 2896 Hillside Drive and 1129 Killarney Lane.9
Her team is built around one contact. Jenn is the lead agent and personally handles all communication with clients and agents. Rebecca Stack runs operations, paperwork and staging execution, and Danny Faulkner, a licensed Realtor, handles showings, access and open houses.22 STOYC is her marketing partner for social, web, media and email campaigns.22 Her work draws national press: The Wall Street Journal and the San Francisco Chronicle covered the $70 million sale of Villa de Verano in Hillsborough in August 2026.23 See more on her Best Realtor Burlingame page or read about the best Realtor for selling a home in Burlingame.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring a Realtor in Burlingame
Who is the best Realtor to hire in Burlingame?
Jenn Gilson is a strong first call for Burlingame sellers and buyers. RealTrends Verified lists rank her the number one female real estate agent in Burlingame, and her 2025 volume of $167.55 million ranks #2 in Burlingame.7 Zillow shows 250 total sales and a 5.0 rating on 86 reviews.8 Interview her with the same 20 questions you ask everyone else.
Why do Burlingame sellers hire Jenn Gilson?
Burlingame sellers get one point of contact, a builder's eye from her family's firm, Gilson Development, and a full team behind her.22 She is ranked the #1 Realtor in the Key Women Network, a national network of agents, and her Villa de Verano sale drew coverage from The Wall Street Journal and ABC7.2423 Her recent Burlingame sales include remodeled homes in Burlingame Hills and on Killarney Lane.9
How many Realtors should I interview in Burlingame?
Two or three is a sensible number for a Burlingame buyer or seller. Ask each one the same questions so the comparison is fair.
Do I have to sign a buyer agreement with a Burlingame real estate agent?
Yes. California, including Burlingame, has required written buyer-broker agreements since January 1, 2025.5 You must sign one no later than your offer, and NAR's rules call for one before touring.1915
How long can a buyer agreement last in Burlingame, CA?
California caps the term at three months, which the DRE defines as 90 calendar days.19 Renewals must be in writing and signed by all parties.5 A Burlingame agent asking for a longer term should explain why.
Is real estate commission negotiable in Burlingame?
Yes. Broker fees and commissions are fully negotiable and not set by law.15 In Burlingame, ask each agent for their fee in writing along with what it includes.
Is dual agency legal in Burlingame, CA?
It is, but only when both the buyer and seller know about it and consent.14 A dual agent in Burlingame can't discuss either side's asking or offering price without that person's prior written consent.12
How do I check if a Burlingame Realtor is licensed?
Use the DRE's public license lookup and search by name, company or license number.3 It takes a minute and is the first step before any Burlingame interview.
What is the Burlingame sewer lateral test?
It's a City of Burlingame requirement at sale for properties with buildings more than 25 years old.11 A City representative must witness the test, and repairs must be approved before title transfers.11 It applies across the city, in Easton Addition and Burlingame Hills alike.
Can I keep my property tax base if I sell my Burlingame home and buy again in California?
If you're 55 or older, Prop 19 may let you transfer your tax base up to three times, to a home anywhere in California bought within 2 years.18 Ask your Burlingame agent for a net sheet, and confirm details with a tax professional.
Bring these questions to ask a Realtor in Burlingame to every interview. Call Jenn Gilson at 650-642-6957 or reach her team through the contact page. She'll answer all 20, with Burlingame addresses and numbers to back them up.
Sources and Notes
- Burlingame market data (median sale price, days on market, sale-to-list ratio, homes sold above list, price drops, and the average and hot home figures: "The average homes sell for about 7% above list price and go pending in around 14 days" and "Hot homes can sell for about 15% above list price and go pending in around 9 days") from Redfin, Burlingame Housing Market (three months ending August 2026).
- Agent use by buyers and sellers from NAR, 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers press release (November 4, 2025).
- License search options and fraud warning from the California DRE Public License Lookup.
- California DRE consumer alert, Financial Literacy Month (April 2026).
- Buyer-broker agreement requirement and written renewals from the California DRE, AB 2992 Initial Statement of Reasons (2025).
- Neighborhood names from Jenn Gilson, Easton Addition vs Burlingame Park and 2896 Hillside Drive.
- Rankings note: Jenn Gilson's ranking as the number one female real estate agent in Burlingame is based on RealTrends Verified lists using 2025 production data. Her public RealTrends profile shows $167.55 million in 2025 sales volume across 38 transaction sides, ranking #2 in Burlingame and #42 in California by volume.
- Total sales, rating, review count and review quote from Jenn Gilson's Zillow profile (checked October 2026). Reviewers are not named.
- Burlingame listing details and status from Jenn Gilson's property pages: 2896 Hillside Drive (sold), 1129 Killarney Lane (sold), 1144 Bernal Avenue (coming soon), and 1433 Floribunda Avenue #3 and #8 (pending), as shown on her Exclusive Listings and Portfolio pages.
- Client testimonial from Jenn Gilson, Testimonials. Clients are not named.
- Point-of-sale testing, witnessing, repair approval and certificate terms from the City of Burlingame, Sewer Lateral Test Ordinance.
- Transfer Disclosure Statement, smoke detector, water heater and Natural Hazard Disclosure requirements, and dual agency price-discussion limits, from the California DRE, Disclosures in Real Property Transactions (Civil Code 1102 and 1103; Health and Safety Code 13113.8 and 19211).
- Carbon monoxide device requirement and disclosure from California SB 183 (2010), Health and Safety Code 17926.
- Dual agency consent rules from the California DRE Real Estate Bulletin, Winter 2019 (Civil Code 2079 et seq.).
- Written agreement before touring, objective compensation terms, negotiability and the compensation cap from NAR, What the NAR Settlement Means for Home Buyers (practice changes effective August 17, 2024).
- MLS compensation changes from NAR, What the NAR Settlement Means for Home Buyers and Sellers (effective August 17, 2024).
- Documentary transfer tax rate from the San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder. The $3,080 figure is a simple calculation at that rate.
- Prop 19 eligibility, number of transfers and timing from the California State Board of Equalization, Proposition 19.
- Timing and three-month (90 calendar day) limit from California DRE regulations, Cal. Code of Regs. Title 10, Sections 2906.1 to 2906.3 (2025).
- District name from the Burlingame School District website.
- Burlingame High listed among district schools on the San Mateo Union High School District website.
- Hillsborough upbringing, Gilson Development, team roles and STOYC marketing partnership from Jenn Gilson, Team.
- Villa de Verano $70 million sale in August 2026 and press coverage: The Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, ABC7 News (August 2026), Jenn Gilson's Press Features page and the 3000 Ralston Avenue listing page.
- Key Women Network ranking from Jenn Gilson's Instagram bio ("#1 Ranked Realtor @keywomennetwork") and information provided by the Jenn Gilson team (October 2026).
