Answers to common questions.
Important real estate decisions naturally come with questions. Here are straightforward answers to some of the questions we hear most often
Working With d'Vero...
Buying a Home...
Selling a Home...
Life Transitions...
Representation & Advisory...
Fees & Engagement...
Privacy & Security...
What makes d’Vero different from a traditional real estate brokerage?
d’Vero is built around advice before activity. We begin by understanding the decision, the circumstances surrounding it, and what the client is trying to accomplish. When representation is appropriate, that advice becomes the foundation for the transaction strategy. Our institutional approach is explained more fully in The d’Vero Method.
Is d’Vero a brokerage or an advisory firm?
Both descriptions are relevant, but they refer to different things. d’Vero | Real Estate Advisors is a California real estate brokerage. Our advisory model describes how we approach the work: advice is the product; representation is the service; a successful transaction is the intended outcome. Brokerage representation and advisory-only engagements are offered within their applicable scope and written agreements.
Do I have to sign a long-term agreement?
Not simply to have an initial conversation with us. If you decide to engage d’Vero for representation or a defined advisory service, the scope, compensation, duration, and other terms will be set out in the applicable written agreement before the engagement begins.
Will I work directly with Matthew Murillo?
Matthew Murillo is d’Vero’s Founder & Managing Principal and also works with clients. d’Vero, however, is structured as an institution rather than an individual-agent practice. The Advisor responsible for a particular engagement will be identified as part of the engagement process, and appropriate institutional oversight applies based on the Advisor structure and scope of work.
Do you have a physical office I can visit?
d’Vero is remote-first. We do not presently market a public walk-in office. Meetings and consultations are arranged through the appropriate client pathway.
What areas do you serve?
Our primary service area is the Inland Empire in Southern California. Whether we can accept a particular engagement depends on the property, location, circumstances, and our ability to provide the level of service the matter requires.
How do I get started?
Start with a private conversation. Tell us what you are considering and what you are trying to accomplish. The initial conversation is intended to determine whether and how d’Vero may be able to help; there is no obligation to transact.
Do you represent home buyers?
Yes. d’Vero provides residential Buyer Representation. Our work begins with the objectives and decision criteria, then continues through property evaluation, offer strategy, negotiation, contract, due diligence, coordination, and closing as applicable to the engagement.
Do you provide a public property-search portal?
No. We intentionally do not operate a public MLS-search portal on the d’Vero website. When property search is appropriate for an engaged client, search and collaboration occur through the approved private client-search platform.
Can you help me decide whether I should buy before I start looking at homes?
Yes. In fact, that can be one of the most useful times to begin the conversation. Understanding timing, objectives, constraints, and tradeoffs before property tours begin can help create a clearer search and decision process.
Do you work with first-time buyers?
Yes. d’Vero serves residential buyers, including first-time buyers, when our advice-led approach and service model fit the client’s needs.
Can you recommend lenders, inspectors, or other professionals?
When appropriate, we may identify professionals or service providers for a client to consider. Clients remain free to choose their own providers, and a referral should not be understood as a guarantee of another provider’s work or outcome.
Do you represent residential sellers?
Yes. Seller Representation can include strategy, property preparation, positioning, market exposure, negotiation, transaction coordination, escrow, and closing within the agreed scope.
When should I speak with d’Vero if I am thinking about selling?
Ideally, before you feel pressure to put the property on the market. An earlier conversation creates room to evaluate timing, preparation, alternatives, and the broader decision before the transaction dictates the schedule.
Will you tell me what my home is worth?
We can provide market-based pricing analysis and discuss positioning as part of an appropriate real estate engagement. Market value is not a guaranteed sale price, and actual results depend on the property, market, terms, timing, and buyer response.
Do I have to make improvements before selling?
Not necessarily. Preparation should be strategic rather than automatic. We evaluate the property, likely buyer expectations, timing, cost, and potential benefit before recommending what—if anything—should be done.
Do you guarantee a sale price or timeline?
No. Real estate outcomes depend on market conditions, property characteristics, pricing, terms, buyer behavior, and other factors. d’Vero does not guarantee a particular price, timing, or transaction outcome.
What do you mean by a life transition?
Real estate decisions often accompany larger changes: retirement, downsizing, changes in family circumstances, an inherited property, or another significant personal or professional transition. The phrase describes the context surrounding the real estate decision; it is not a separate legal or financial service.
Can d’Vero help with an inherited property?
We can advise and represent clients regarding the real estate aspects of an inherited residential property when the circumstances are appropriate. Questions involving probate, trusts, estate administration, tax, title rights, or legal authority may require advice from the appropriate attorney, tax professional, or other professional.
Do you provide estate or trust legal services?
No. d’Vero does not provide legal services. Any legal services, including estate or trust matters, are outside d’Vero and require a separate relationship with an appropriate law firm. No relationship with another business should be understood as sharing client records, duties, authority, or professional engagements.
Can you help coordinate a sale and purchase that need to happen around the same time?
Yes, when the engagement and circumstances permit. Coordinating the timing of a sale and purchase requires careful planning around financing, contingencies, possession, market conditions, and practical constraints. We begin by mapping the decision before recommending a sequence.
What is Real Estate Advisory?
Real Estate Advisory is a defined engagement for significant residential real estate decisions when full brokerage representation is not presently the right scope. The specific work, deliverables, duration, and compensation are established in writing before the engagement begins.
How is advisory different from representation?
Advisory focuses on defined real estate decision support. Representation involves acting as the client’s real estate brokerage representative in a purchase or sale under the applicable written representation agreement. The appropriate path depends on what the client needs and what d’Vero is being engaged to do.
Can an advisory engagement later become representation?
Potentially. If circumstances change and both the client and d’Vero decide that representation is appropriate, the relationship can move into the applicable representation structure through the required written agreement. The change should be documented rather than assumed.
Do you work with real estate investors?
Investor representation and investor-focused advisory are not part of d’Vero’s current service model. Our work is focused on residential buyers, sellers, and individuals or families navigating significant residential real estate decisions and transitions.
Do you provide relocation services?
No. Relocation services are not part of d’Vero’s current service model.
What are your minimum fees?
d’Vero uses minimum engagement thresholds so the scope of work, level of attention, and compensation can be established clearly at the beginning of the relationship. Our current minimum fee for Buyer Representation or Seller Representation is $8,000. The current minimum for a full Real Estate Advisory engagement without representation is $5,000. The actual fee and compensation structure for a particular engagement are disclosed and agreed in writing before the engagement begins.
Are your fees negotiable?
Real estate brokerage compensation is negotiable and is established by agreement between the client and brokerage. d’Vero has an institutional fee framework and minimum engagement thresholds; any approved engagement terms are documented in the applicable written agreement.
When will I know what I will pay?
Before you enter the applicable paid engagement. Compensation, scope, and material engagement terms are documented in writing so you can review them before deciding to proceed.
Does d’Vero hold client deposits or other trust funds?
No. d’Vero does not accept trust funds. When a transaction requires funds such as an earnest-money deposit, funds are handled through the appropriate authorized third party in accordance with the transaction instructions and applicable requirements.
What happens to information I submit through the website?
Information submitted through the website is handled in accordance with d’Vero’s Privacy Policy and the systems used to receive and manage inquiries. Website submission alone does not create a brokerage representation relationship.
Do you share information with Griffin, d’VINCI, Empresario Roast House, or other affiliated businesses?
d’Vero operates separately. A relationship among businesses does not mean that client records, finances, professional duties, authority, or data are automatically shared. Any disclosure or transfer of information must have an appropriate basis and be handled in accordance with applicable law, professional obligations, consent requirements, and the relevant privacy practices.
Does submitting a form make me a client?
No. Sending an inquiry, scheduling an initial conversation, or communicating with d’Vero does not by itself create a brokerage representation relationship. Representation begins only through the applicable written agreement.
Should I send sensitive documents through the website inquiry form?
No. Please do not send sensitive personal, financial, legal, or transaction documents through a general website inquiry unless d’Vero has requested that information through an appropriate process.
Don’t see your question?
Start a private conversation and tell us what you are considering.
Working With d'Vero...
Buying a Home...
Selling a Home...
Life Transitions...
Representation & Advisory...
Fees & Engagement...
Privacy & Security...
What makes d’Vero different from a traditional real estate brokerage?
d’Vero is built around advice before activity. We begin by understanding the decision, the circumstances surrounding it, and what the client is trying to accomplish. When representation is appropriate, that advice becomes the foundation for the transaction strategy. Our institutional approach is explained more fully in The d’Vero Method.
Is d’Vero a brokerage or an advisory firm?
Both descriptions are relevant, but they refer to different things. d’Vero | Real Estate Advisors is a California real estate brokerage. Our advisory model describes how we approach the work: advice is the product; representation is the service; a successful transaction is the intended outcome. Brokerage representation and advisory-only engagements are offered within their applicable scope and written agreements.
Do I have to sign a long-term agreement?
Not simply to have an initial conversation with us. If you decide to engage d’Vero for representation or a defined advisory service, the scope, compensation, duration, and other terms will be set out in the applicable written agreement before the engagement begins.
Will I work directly with Matthew Murillo?
Matthew Murillo is d’Vero’s Founder & Managing Principal and also works with clients. d’Vero, however, is structured as an institution rather than an individual-agent practice. The Advisor responsible for a particular engagement will be identified as part of the engagement process, and appropriate institutional oversight applies based on the Advisor structure and scope of work.
Do you have a physical office I can visit?
d’Vero is remote-first. We do not presently market a public walk-in office. Meetings and consultations are arranged through the appropriate client pathway.
What areas do you serve?
Our primary service area is the Inland Empire in Southern California. Whether we can accept a particular engagement depends on the property, location, circumstances, and our ability to provide the level of service the matter requires.
How do I get started?
Start with a private conversation. Tell us what you are considering and what you are trying to accomplish. The initial conversation is intended to determine whether and how d’Vero may be able to help; there is no obligation to transact.
Do you represent home buyers?
Yes. d’Vero provides residential Buyer Representation. Our work begins with the objectives and decision criteria, then continues through property evaluation, offer strategy, negotiation, contract, due diligence, coordination, and closing as applicable to the engagement.
Do you provide a public property-search portal?
No. We intentionally do not operate a public MLS-search portal on the d’Vero website. When property search is appropriate for an engaged client, search and collaboration occur through the approved private client-search platform.
Can you help me decide whether I should buy before I start looking at homes?
Yes. In fact, that can be one of the most useful times to begin the conversation. Understanding timing, objectives, constraints, and tradeoffs before property tours begin can help create a clearer search and decision process.
Do you work with first-time buyers?
Yes. d’Vero serves residential buyers, including first-time buyers, when our advice-led approach and service model fit the client’s needs.
Can you recommend lenders, inspectors, or other professionals?
When appropriate, we may identify professionals or service providers for a client to consider. Clients remain free to choose their own providers, and a referral should not be understood as a guarantee of another provider’s work or outcome.
Do you represent residential sellers?
Yes. Seller Representation can include strategy, property preparation, positioning, market exposure, negotiation, transaction coordination, escrow, and closing within the agreed scope.
When should I speak with d’Vero if I am thinking about selling?
Ideally, before you feel pressure to put the property on the market. An earlier conversation creates room to evaluate timing, preparation, alternatives, and the broader decision before the transaction dictates the schedule.
Will you tell me what my home is worth?
We can provide market-based pricing analysis and discuss positioning as part of an appropriate real estate engagement. Market value is not a guaranteed sale price, and actual results depend on the property, market, terms, timing, and buyer response.
Do I have to make improvements before selling?
Not necessarily. Preparation should be strategic rather than automatic. We evaluate the property, likely buyer expectations, timing, cost, and potential benefit before recommending what—if anything—should be done.
Do you guarantee a sale price or timeline?
No. Real estate outcomes depend on market conditions, property characteristics, pricing, terms, buyer behavior, and other factors. d’Vero does not guarantee a particular price, timing, or transaction outcome.
What do you mean by a life transition?
Real estate decisions often accompany larger changes: retirement, downsizing, changes in family circumstances, an inherited property, or another significant personal or professional transition. The phrase describes the context surrounding the real estate decision; it is not a separate legal or financial service.
Can d’Vero help with an inherited property?
We can advise and represent clients regarding the real estate aspects of an inherited residential property when the circumstances are appropriate. Questions involving probate, trusts, estate administration, tax, title rights, or legal authority may require advice from the appropriate attorney, tax professional, or other professional.
Do you provide estate or trust legal services?
No. d’Vero does not provide legal services. Any legal services, including estate or trust matters, are outside d’Vero and require a separate relationship with an appropriate law firm. No relationship with another business should be understood as sharing client records, duties, authority, or professional engagements.
Can you help coordinate a sale and purchase that need to happen around the same time?
Yes, when the engagement and circumstances permit. Coordinating the timing of a sale and purchase requires careful planning around financing, contingencies, possession, market conditions, and practical constraints. We begin by mapping the decision before recommending a sequence.
What is Real Estate Advisory?
Real Estate Advisory is a defined engagement for significant residential real estate decisions when full brokerage representation is not presently the right scope. The specific work, deliverables, duration, and compensation are established in writing before the engagement begins.
How is advisory different from representation?
Advisory focuses on defined real estate decision support. Representation involves acting as the client’s real estate brokerage representative in a purchase or sale under the applicable written representation agreement. The appropriate path depends on what the client needs and what d’Vero is being engaged to do.
Can an advisory engagement later become representation?
Potentially. If circumstances change and both the client and d’Vero decide that representation is appropriate, the relationship can move into the applicable representation structure through the required written agreement. The change should be documented rather than assumed.
Do you work with real estate investors?
Investor representation and investor-focused advisory are not part of d’Vero’s current service model. Our work is focused on residential buyers, sellers, and individuals or families navigating significant residential real estate decisions and transitions.
Do you provide relocation services?
No. Relocation services are not part of d’Vero’s current service model.
What are your minimum fees?
d’Vero uses minimum engagement thresholds so the scope of work, level of attention, and compensation can be established clearly at the beginning of the relationship. Our current minimum fee for Buyer Representation or Seller Representation is $8,000. The current minimum for a full Real Estate Advisory engagement without representation is $5,000. The actual fee and compensation structure for a particular engagement are disclosed and agreed in writing before the engagement begins.
Are your fees negotiable?
Real estate brokerage compensation is negotiable and is established by agreement between the client and brokerage. d’Vero has an institutional fee framework and minimum engagement thresholds; any approved engagement terms are documented in the applicable written agreement.
When will I know what I will pay?
Before you enter the applicable paid engagement. Compensation, scope, and material engagement terms are documented in writing so you can review them before deciding to proceed.
Does d’Vero hold client deposits or other trust funds?
No. d’Vero does not accept trust funds. When a transaction requires funds such as an earnest-money deposit, funds are handled through the appropriate authorized third party in accordance with the transaction instructions and applicable requirements.
What happens to information I submit through the website?
Information submitted through the website is handled in accordance with d’Vero’s Privacy Policy and the systems used to receive and manage inquiries. Website submission alone does not create a brokerage representation relationship.
Do you share information with Griffin, d’VINCI, Empresario Roast House, or other affiliated businesses?
d’Vero operates separately. A relationship among businesses does not mean that client records, finances, professional duties, authority, or data are automatically shared. Any disclosure or transfer of information must have an appropriate basis and be handled in accordance with applicable law, professional obligations, consent requirements, and the relevant privacy practices.
Does submitting a form make me a client?
No. Sending an inquiry, scheduling an initial conversation, or communicating with d’Vero does not by itself create a brokerage representation relationship. Representation begins only through the applicable written agreement.
Should I send sensitive documents through the website inquiry form?
No. Please do not send sensitive personal, financial, legal, or transaction documents through a general website inquiry unless d’Vero has requested that information through an appropriate process.
Don’t see your question?
Start a private conversation and tell us what you are considering.
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A residential real estate advisory firm serving clients throughout California in markets where its Advisors are appropriately licensed and able to provide representation.
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