Choosing a Real Estate Agent in Sunol, CA
By Matthew Martinez
Sunol is a small, unincorporated rural community in southern Alameda County, set in the canyon country between Pleasanton and Fremont along Interstate 680. Sales are infrequent and properties vary widely, from homes near the village center to acreage with private roads, wells and septic systems, so the agent you hire should be comfortable with County rules and rural due diligence.
This guide is published by Diamond Real Estate Group, one of the brokerages listed. Our broker is listed first; other agents are in alphabetical order. The order is not a ranking, and inclusion is not an endorsement.
How to use this agent guide
Start with the property questions below, then compare the publisher and five regional candidates. Public profiles and licensing records answer different questions: a license establishes regulatory status, while a profile describes claimed service areas. Neither establishes local sales experience, quality of service or suitability for your transaction. Some candidates name neighboring communities or the county rather than Sunol itself; the profile evidence is shown explicitly. Interview more than one agent and ask for recent, relevant examples.
Sunol housing in numbers
Sunol is too small for reliable Census Bureau estimates. The QuickFacts page for the Sunol census-designated place did not load when we checked, so we have not listed figures here. For pricing, ask an agent for recent sales of comparable rural properties, adjusted for acreage, access, water source and condition, and see our rural home comparable sales guide.
An unincorporated community under County rural rules
Sunol is listed among the unincorporated communities in the Alameda County city directory, so the County, not a city, handles planning, permits and code enforcement. The County’s general and area plans page says unincorporated land outside the Eden and Castro Valley areas makes up East County, which is governed by the East County Area Plan. Ask County planning to confirm which plan and zoning apply to a specific parcel.
Voter-approved Measure D restricts development on rural land outside the urban areas, so a large Sunol parcel may allow far less building or subdivision than its size suggests. Our guides cover parcel jurisdiction and services, private roads and site access, rural water and wastewater and the acreage ownership budget. For more, see our Sunol real estate guide.
Costs and rules specific to a Sunol purchase
- Transfer tax. Sunol is unincorporated, so no city transfer tax applies; the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder collects the county tax of $0.55 per $500 of value, about $1,100 on a $1 million sale. Our California transfer tax guide explains who usually pays.
- Rural development limits. Measure D and the East County Area Plan can limit splitting land, new homes and some uses. Confirm what is allowed before you pay for future potential.
- Wells, septic and private roads. Many rural properties rely on private or shared systems and access. Ask for well and septic records, any shared-well or road maintenance agreements, and recorded easements during escrow.
- Fire hazard zones. Check the State Fire Marshal’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps. In High or Very High zones, sellers may need to provide AB 38 defensible space documentation, and insurance quotes should come early.
- Hazard disclosures. The natural hazard disclosure report summarizes mapped fire, earthquake, landslide and flood hazards. Check flood status on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
Agent profiles to compare for a Sunol transaction
Matthew Martinez, Diamond Real Estate Group (publisher)
Matthew Martinez is the Founder, CEO and Managing Broker of Diamond Real Estate Group, based in Sonoma County. Contact him to discuss representation for your specific property and location. Contact Matthew · Broker #01869679 · Diamond Group Estates Inc #02163490.
Five regional interview candidates
These profiles are drawn from the local and broader county research. The final column records the location evidence in each public profile; a nearby town or county reference does not establish completed transactions in Sunol. Ask each candidate to demonstrate relevant experience before hiring them. This is an interview starting point, not a ranking or a claim that every agent specializes in this community.
| Agent / public profile | Brokerage as described by the profile | DRE record | Geographic evidence in the source profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dave Adams (licensed as David Adams) | Coldwell Banker Realty, Castro Valley office | Salesperson #01740758 | Castro Valley and surrounding areas; Alameda County |
| Natalie Bianco | Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno | Salesperson #01290549 | Sunol country properties, Pleasanton, Livermore and the 580/680/880 corridor |
| Leslie Faught | Compass | Salesperson #01027778 | Sunol, Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, Fremont, Union City, Castro Valley and other East Bay cities |
| Tess Santos (licensed as Teresita Nepomuceno Santos) | Coldwell Banker Realty, Castro Valley office | Salesperson #01172628 | Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties; Castro Valley |
| Mustafa Afzali | Coldwell Banker Realty | Salesperson #01514891 | Fremont office |
For a wider comparison, read the county agent guide. Verify current license status and brokerage affiliation on the linked DRE record, and agree on representation terms in writing.
How to vet a Sunol agent
- Ask about rural sales they have handled. A good Sunol agent should be able to describe how they priced and marketed acreage, not only tract homes.
- Ask how they confirm what the land allows. Ask whether they check zoning, the East County Area Plan and Measure D with County planning before listing or writing an offer.
- Ask about wells, septic and roads. Ask what inspections they recommend and how they handle shared-well and road agreements.
- Ask about fire zone and insurance timing. Ask when they get insurance quotes and AB 38 documentation started in escrow.
- Ask for comparables adjusted for land. Sunol has few sales; ask how they adjust for acreage, access, water and outbuildings.
- Verify the license yourself. Look the agent up on the DRE site and confirm the responsible broker matches the brokerage they name.
Sunol questions we hear
Is Sunol a city?
No. The Alameda County city directory lists Sunol as an unincorporated community, so County government handles planning and permits.
Does Sunol have a city transfer tax?
No. Only the county tax of $0.55 per $500 applies, collected by the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder. Confirm the total on your escrow estimate.
Can I split or build on a large Sunol parcel?
It depends on the parcel. Measure D and the East County Area Plan limit development on rural land. Ask County planning before you rely on any split or building plan.
What should I inspect on a rural Sunol property?
Beyond a home inspection, ask about well yield and water quality, septic condition, road access and maintenance agreements, and fire zone status. See our rural water and wastewater guide.
Should I interview more than one Sunol agent?
Yes. Interview at least two or three, ask each about rural sales and County rules, and compare how they would handle water, access and land-use questions.
Sources & notes
- California DRE public license lookup (individual records linked in the table)
- Agent profiles at Compass, Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno and the Coldwell Banker Realty Castro Valley office roster
- Alameda County Clerk-Recorder: real property transfer tax
- Alameda County city directory
- Alameda County general and area plans, including the East County Area Plan
- Alameda LAFCo Measure D review (March 2022)
- State Fire Marshal: Fire Hazard Severity Zones
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- Census QuickFacts for the Sunol CDP did not load when we checked, so no Census figures are shown.
- License records checked October 2026 on the California DRE public lookup. Last reviewed October 2026 by Matthew Martinez.
Related: Sunol real estate guide · Sunol home valuation · Alameda County agents guide · 20 tips for choosing a real estate agent
License-status update: the linked California DRE public records were checked November 2, 2026 and showed "Licensed." Public profile research retains the dates stated above. Names on DRE records may differ from public profile names; verify status and brokerage before selecting an agent.
