Taking a calculated risk, I left behind a steady career in biotech to build something of my own—driven by service, data-backed strategy, and relationships.

 

It was a pivotal time in my life. My wife was seven months pregnant, and we had made the decision that she would stay home to raise our kids. At the same time, I made the call to leave a steady paycheck, full benefits, and the stability of a corporate sales career to go into real estate full time.

 

I earned my license in 2019 while still working in medical sales. At that point, it was a side hustle—driven partly by curiosity, and partly by watching my mom, who had spent nearly two decades building a successful career in the business. The flexibility and long-term potential appealed to me, and once I took on a few clients, I saw how well it fit the way I work.

 

 I grew up in Santa Clara County and know the area well—from the character of each neighborhood to how different pockets of the valley meet different lifestyles. After high school, I moved to Florida for college, where I majored in biology and minored in chemistry. I had a strong interest in the natural world around me, sparked by scuba diving in high school, and originally thought I’d take my biology degree into healthcare. But the closer I got to graduation, the more I realized I didn’t want to spend another four years in school before starting my life.

 

When I came back to the Bay Area, I spent a brief period working in plumbing and heating before landing at a biotech diagnostics company. I started in a support role and worked my way into sales, which quickly turned into a great fit. I liked the challenge, the pace, and the variety. I spent six years in medical device sales—first in the veterinary space, working closely with small, family-owned clinics, where they loved getting into the science of it.

 

Then I went on to sell glucose meters to hospitals, which meant getting multiple departments on board, each with different concerns. IT needed to know the device integrated with hospital systems. Nurses wanted to improve workflow. Finance wanted to see long-term savings. Lab directors, often MD/PhDs, wanted to see peer-reviewed studies that proved clinical accuracy. I had to tailor the conversation for each stakeholder, address their specific priorities, and build trust across the board. Then I had to bring everyone to the table and close the deal. 

 

When I stepped into real estate full time, that background gave me a serious advantage. In Silicon Valley, the average home price is around $2 million, and many of my clients are engineers and data-driven professionals. They don’t want opinions—they want information. I help buyers evaluate comps, review disclosure packets line by line, and make offers based on facts, not emotion. That approach has led to a high success rate, with many of my clients getting their first offer accepted.

 

On the seller side, I handle the entire prep process—identifying which updates will bring the most value, managing contractors, and getting the home market-ready. If a client doesn’t  have funds available upfront, I can front the renovation costs and get reimbursed at closing. I also work in the property management space, which helps me stay sharp on long-term value, cash flow, and market timing.

 

Real estate has also changed my personal life, giving me more time with my three boys, Henry, Theo, and Zeke, and my wife, Andrea. I get to be home and make breakfast for them every morning, don’t have to travel 3 days out of the week for work, and can be very involved as they get into school and sports. I also enjoy being a mentor in college ministry at my church, mentoring young adults as they navigate early career and life decisions.

 

Through real estate, I get to show up for my clients, for my community, and for my family. That’s the real win.

 

When I got into real estate in 2019, my goal was to help people make smart, data-driven decisions about their investments. My role is to interpret the numbers, point out potential concerns, and give my clients a clear understanding of what they are getting into. That includes identifying what makes a strong offer, where someone might be overpaying, and what kind of appreciation they can reasonably expect.

 

For buyers, I focus on comps, walk through disclosure packets line by line, and help them write competitive offers based on actual market activity. That approach has led to a high success rate, with many of my clients getting their first offer accepted.

 

For sellers, I manage the entire preparation process. I evaluate which upgrades are worth the investment, oversee contractors, choose finishes, and make sure the home is ready to list. If funds are tight, I front the renovation costs and get reimbursed at closing. I also work in the property management space, which gives me long-term perspective on value, cash flow, and timing.

 

This market moves quickly, and the stakes are high. My job is to make sure every move my clients make is not only smart but aligned with their needs and goals.

 

 Sincerely,

  

 

Blake Hunter

Broker-Associate | DRE# 02080766

Call/Text 669.251.0162

bhunter@intero.com

BlakeHunterRE.com