Mandarin-Speaking REALTOR® on the SF Peninsula

Languages: English and Mandarin Chinese. Not Cantonese or Taishanese.
Where: San Francisco, Daly City, Millbrae, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo, Foster City, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Atherton, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and Half Moon Bay.
Who: Buyers and sellers, including families with parents or children overseas, people relocating to the Peninsula, and owners selling a long-held home.
Brokerage: Keller Williams Peninsula Estates, 1430 Howard Ave, Burlingame. California DRE# 02439552.
Reach me: Text or call (650) 866-9266 · WeChat elaineli7 · WhatsApp · elaine@disencai.com

What working in Mandarin covers

Everything, start to finish. The documents themselves are in English: California purchase contracts, disclosures, inspection reports, and loan papers. What changes is how we go through them.

Search and touring. Neighborhood trade-offs, school assignments by address, commute, and what a home is likely to sell for, explained in whichever language you think in.
Disclosures and inspections. I read the disclosure package before you write an offer and walk you through the pages that matter: the pest report, the seller’s answers, permits, and city point-of-sale reports.
Offers and contracts. Price, contingencies, deposit timing, and what each choice risks, in Mandarin, before you sign anything in English.
Lenders, escrow, and inspectors. I work with them in English on your behalf and explain what they need and why, so nothing gets lost in translation.
Selling. Pricing, preparation, and marketing that reaches both English- and Mandarin-speaking buyers, with weekly updates in your language.

For legal and tax questions, I’ll tell you what to ask and point you to a qualified attorney or CPA. I’m a REALTOR®, not a lawyer or tax professional.

Families across time zones and languages

Joint calls in both languages. When parents help with the decision, or a spouse prefers English, we can talk together and nobody has to translate for anyone.
WeChat, WhatsApp, and video. I tour homes live on video, send disclosure packages ahead, and keep the conversation in the app your family already uses.
Money from overseas. International transfers take time, and lenders usually want to see where funds came from. Plan early. My cost guide covers deposits, closing costs, and what to set aside; the Chinese version says the same in 中文.
Selling from abroad. Notarization, withholding (including FIRPTA for foreign sellers), and wiring proceeds safely. See selling from out of the area.

Guides for each town, in English and 中文

Town	English guide	中文指南
Millbrae San Mateo County	Millbrae guide	密尔布瑞买房指南
Burlingame San Mateo County	Burlingame guide	伯林格姆买房指南
Hillsborough San Mateo County	Hillsborough guide	希尔斯堡买房指南
San Mateo San Mateo County	San Mateo guide	圣马特奥买房指南
Foster City San Mateo County	Foster City guide	福斯特城买房指南
Belmont San Mateo County	Belmont guide	贝尔蒙特买房指南
San Carlos San Mateo County	San Carlos guide	圣卡洛斯买房指南
Redwood City San Mateo County	Redwood City guide	红木城买房指南
Atherton San Mateo County	Atherton guide	阿瑟顿买房指南
Menlo Park San Mateo County	Menlo Park guide	门洛帕克买房指南
Palo Alto Santa Clara County	Palo Alto guide	帕罗奥图买房指南
Half Moon Bay San Mateo County	Half Moon Bay guide	半月湾买房指南

I also work in San Francisco and Daly City; there’s no separate guide for those yet. Comparing towns? Start with the relocation map or the Chinese 学区与城市对比 table.

Questions people ask

Do you speak Cantonese or Taishanese?

No. I work in English and Mandarin Chinese (普通话). If Cantonese or Taishanese is the language your family is most comfortable in, tell me on our first call and we’ll talk honestly about whether I’m the right fit.

Are the contracts and disclosures in Chinese?

No. California purchase contracts, disclosures, inspection reports, and loan documents are in English. I walk you through each one in Mandarin before you sign, and for legal or tax questions I’ll point you to a qualified attorney or CPA.

Can you help if we’re overseas or in another state?

Yes. We can talk on WeChat, WhatsApp, or video. I tour homes live on video and send disclosure packages ahead. Most documents are signed electronically, and escrow will tell you how to handle the few that must be notarized where you are.

Which towns do you cover?

San Francisco, Daly City, Millbrae, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo, Foster City, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Atherton, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and Half Moon Bay. I live in San Carlos and my office is in Burlingame.

How do I get started?

Text (650) 866-9266 or add me on WeChat (elaineli7) and tell me whether you’re buying or selling and which town. We’ll set up a 15-minute call in English or Mandarin.

Start with a 15-minute call, in English or 中文.

Text me what you’re thinking about, buying or selling, and which town. I’ll reply, usually within a couple of hours, and we’ll set a time.

Text Me for a 15-min Call → WeChat: elaineli7 (tap to copy) WhatsApp

Prefer a video call? Pick a time.

Fair housing: I show every home to every client and give the same information to everyone. Language is a service I offer, not a filter. I don’t steer anyone toward or away from a neighborhood based on national origin, race, religion, or any other protected characteristic. Equal Housing Opportunity.

A Mandarin-speaking REALTOR® for the SF Peninsula.

What working in Mandarin covers

Families across time zones and languages

Guides for each town, in English and 中文

Questions people ask

Start with a 15-minute call, in English or 中文.