A Young Couple Bought a Bay Area Home Under Budget—Here’s How They Did It

Turbohome is thrilled to be featured on SiliconValley.com! The article follows two buyers who explored East Bay homes with TurboHome’s flat-fee model—and how we helped them stretch their $750K budget farther.

Most people assume you need to outspend your competition to win a home in the Bay Area. Alexa and Wilmer proved that’s not the case.

This East Bay couple didn’t just find a house under their $800K budget—they made a below-asking offer and helped the seller net more than they would have through a traditional agent. Their edge? A strategic mindset, a clear vision—and TurboHome.

From Renting to Rooting Down

After years of renting across the Bay—from Dublin to San Leandro—Alexa and Wilmer decided it was time for more than just a place to stay. They wanted a home they could grow into. With Alexa working in Oakland and Wilmer working remotely, they had location flexibility—but budget constraints were real.

Instead of chasing median-priced listings around $1.3M, they focused on walkable East Bay neighborhoods that offered value without sacrificing commute access. Their wish list was modest but specific: three bedrooms, two baths, and a bit of backyard. Not luxury—just livable.

Tech-Savvy Buyers Meet a Smarter Brokerage

Like many modern buyers, Alexa and Wilmer were already comfortable touring open houses, combing through listings, and researching neighborhoods on their own. What they didn’t want? Paying tens of thousands in buyer’s agent commissions for work they were already doing themselves.

That’s where TurboHome came in.

They found us through Reddit and immediately saw the fit: expert guidance when they needed it, a flat $8,000 fee, and the ability to credit unused commission back into their offer. Simple. Transparent. Built for buyers like them.

Winning With Leverage, Not Overbidding

The home they ultimately chose didn’t jump off the page. It had sat on the market for nearly 80 days, and the listing photos didn’t exactly scream “dream home.” But the potential was there—and so was the opportunity to negotiate.

Our agent reviewed recent comps, seller behavior, and market conditions. The result? We recommended offering $760,000—well under the $799,000 asking price. But the real kicker was in the commission strategy.

Instead of asking the seller to cover a 2.5% buyer’s agent fee (which would have cost them nearly $20,000), Alexa and Wilmer paid TurboHome’s flat fee out of pocket. That let the seller walk away with more net proceeds—and made Alexa and Wilmer’s offer the obvious choice.

Moving In—and Moving Forward

Today, Alexa and Wilmer are settling into their new San Leandro home. Their first order of business? Paint. Because after years of renting, nothing says “this is ours” like choosing your own wall color.

When buying a home, they made a smart, empowered decision that aligned with their values, budget, and lifestyle. And they did it on their terms.

What We Love About Their Story

It’s a perfect example of what we believe at TurboHome:
You don’t need to spend more—you just need to play smarter.

Here’s what Alexa and Wilmer got with TurboHome:

• A more compelling offer that helped the seller net $19K more
  
  
• Confidence to bid below asking with market insights from our team
  
  
• A flexible approach that let them tour on their own terms
  
  
• Support when it mattered—from strategy to closing
  
  

If you’re ready to buy in California and want to keep more money in your pocket, we’d love to help you do the same.

Let’s talk strategy

Want the Full Story?

If you're curious to see more about Alexa and Wilmer’s journey—including photos of the homes they considered and details about their decision-making process—their story was recently featured in the Silicon Valley News Group.

Read the original article here

It’s a great look at what it really takes to buy a home in today’s market—and why a modern approach makes all the difference.