About Kip and Tam | Barnard Group: Top San Jose Re
Ranked in the top 3% of San Jose real estate agents per FastExpert, Kip and Tam Barnard serve Cambrian and Willow Glen with a seller-first approach built around pre-sale strategy, Compass Concierge, and access to Compass Private Exclusives. With 35+ years of combined experience, more than $1.3 billion in Silicon Valley residential transactions, and 18 average closed transactions per year, they bring the experience and market insight sellers need to achieve top dollar. Kip is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, California Broker Associate (DRE #01428934), and longtime SCCAOR board and ethics committee member. Together, they have earned 36+ FastExpert five-star reviews and 163+ five-star reviews across Zillow, Google, FastExpert, and Yelp, while their YouTube channel has surpassed 1.2 million views. Call (408) 515-8277 or visit kipandtam.com.
Community Involvement
Kip is committed to supporting the San Jose and Silicon Valley community through his service on the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors Ethics Committee and Board of Directors. We also value supporting our daughter's school community at Presentation High School in San Jose.
HOBBIES/INTEREST
We enjoy staying active through fitness, sports, and travel, and we especially love exploring California's beautiful destinations. From skiing in Lake Tahoe to relaxing in Santa Cruz or enjoying the coast in Monterey and Carmel, we value time outdoors and time together as a family.
FAMILY
Family is at the center of our lives. We're proud of our daughter and love supporting her in her school, sports, and activities.
1. What advice would you give a buyer trying to purchase a home?
Start by getting clear on your budget and loan options—before falling in love with a home. In today’s market, being pre-approved and financially ready gives you leverage when the right property comes up.
Also, focus on value, not just price. A home that needs a little cosmetic work might actually be your best opportunity to build equity quickly.
Lastly, don’t go it alone. Work with an agent who knows how to position your offer strategically, protect your interests in the contract, and help you navigate inspections, contingencies, and negotiations. We do this every day in San Jose—and it makes all the difference when the stakes are high.
2. What advice would you give a seller trying to sell their home?
Preparation and pricing are everything. Homes that are clean, staged, and move-in ready sell faster—and for more money. We often guide sellers through light cosmetic updates using Compass Concierge with no upfront costs, which can lead to a significant return.
Equally important: pricing it right from the start. Overpricing can cause your home to sit, get stale, and ultimately sell for less. Underpricing leaves money on the table. We analyze current trends, buyer behavior, and hyper-local data to strike that perfect balance.
And finally, choose an agent who knows how to market—not just list. Your home needs to be everywhere buyers are looking, with compelling photos, video, and a strong story behind it.
3. What types of clients have you worked with?
We work with a wide range of clients, including first-time buyers, move-up sellers, downsizing seniors, investors, and families navigating complex life transitions like divorce, probate, or tenant-occupied properties.
Many of our clients have owned their homes for 20+ years and are looking for guidance they can trust—without pressure. Others are busy professionals who want a full-service team that can handle everything from staging to closing.
No matter the situation, our focus is always the same: honest advice, smart strategy, and a personalized experience that makes you feel taken care of from start to finish.
4. Describe a recent transaction you are fond of. How did it go?
We recently helped a seller in Cambrian who felt completely overwhelmed. She didn’t know where to start, didn’t have a budget for home prep, and was worried her house wouldn’t show well. We stepped in with a clear plan, using Compass Concierge to front the cost of improvements—everything from fresh paint and updated lighting to full staging and landscaping.
Once the home was ready, we launched a targeted marketing campaign with professional photography, video, and digital ads to maximize exposure. The results spoke for themselves: multiple offers in the first week and a final sale price well over asking.
She went from anxious to thrilled—and told us afterward she never imagined it could go so smoothly or end so well. Helping sellers like that is what we love most.
5. How did you get started in Real Estate?
We both grew up in Silicon Valley and have always had a deep connection to the community—but real estate started as a way to combine our love for people with our backgrounds in business and negotiation. What began as a passion quickly became a full-time career, and over the past 20+ years, we’ve helped hundreds of families buy and sell homes across San Jose and the surrounding cities.
Our journey includes everything from personal investing to managing top-producing real estate offices. That unique blend of experience allows us to offer clients not just local knowledge, but strategic guidance they can trust.
6. Do you have any special education or training that will benefit your clients?
Yes, and it’s a big reason clients choose us. In addition to being licensed Realtors, Kip is also a licensed real estate broker and attorney—giving our clients a powerful advantage when it comes to contracts, negotiations, and risk management.
Kip also served for over a decade on the Ethics Committee for the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors and was elected to its Board of Directors, helping uphold professional standards across the industry. On top of that, he previously managed an office for the #1 brokerage in the country, overseeing billions in residential sales and mentoring hundreds of agents.
That depth of experience means our clients don’t just get good advice—they get strategic, informed, and ethical guidance from professionals who’ve seen nearly every scenario in Bay Area real estate.
Contact Information
Location
Minnesota Avenue #1133 San Jose, CA, 95125
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Kip and Tam | Barnard Group: Top San Jose Re's Reviews & Ratings
38 Reviews
(5/5)
Note: Reviews may include other agents on their team
What clients say about this agent....
Responsive
Communicative
Professional
Knowledgeable
Trustworthy
Outstanding
Hard working
Great for new buyers
Attentive
Available Remotely
Berg D.
Review for Member: Kip and Tam | Barnard Group: Top San Jose Re
November 26, 2025
Local Knowledge
Process Expertise
Responsiveness
Negotiation skills
ZillowVERIFIED
We had the privilege of working with Kip and Tammara Barnard on both the purchase of our new home and the sale of our townhouse, and we could not be more pleased with the experience. From start to finish, their professionalism, market knowledge, and attention to detail were exceptional. Kip and Tammara provided expert guidance throughout every stage of the process. They took the time to understand our goals, offered thoughtful advice, and ensured that we were well-informed when making important decisions. Their communication was outstandingaEUR"they kept us updated regularly, responded promptly to our questions, and made complex steps feel manageable and clear. What truly set them apart was their ability to combine strategic insight with genuine care for their clients. They navigated negotiations skillfully, coordinated seamlessly with all parties involved, and delivered results that exceeded our expectations. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and expertise, and we would enthusiastically recommend Kip and Tammara Barnard to anyone seeking trusted real estate professionals. Whether buying or selling, you will be in excellent hands with them.
Max B.
Review for Member: Kip and Tam | Barnard Group: Top San Jose Re
September 5, 2025
Local Knowledge
Process Expertise
Responsiveness
Negotiation skills
ZillowVERIFIED
Great experience all the way around. We called Kip more than 5 years ago and asked for an appraisal on our home we needed at the time. He was so good we kept him in mind when it was time to actually sell the home. Kip and Tam were a great team. Tamara was fundamental in getting the house in "ready to sell" shape. It was on old house with unique construction. So there was a lot of work to do. Once the house was on the market Kip was fantastic at keeping us updated on all the showings and market trends. He was also crucial in helping us negotiate and got us a last second offer of a $100k more than the current offer we were negotiating. It was a pleasure for us to use Kip and Tam at the Barnard group. I highly recommend them!
Jonathandlowe7
Review for Member: Kip and Tam | Barnard Group: Top San Jose Re
June 26, 2025
Local Knowledge
Process Expertise
Responsiveness
Negotiation skills
ZillowVERIFIED
Kip and Tam were in it for the long-haul. We initially met Tam during/after COVID. After a few false starts over several years, they helped us finally close on our new home. We were picky and quick to eliminate many listings, but when we found one we wanted they were quick to jump into action and guide/lead us through the process all to way from initial offer to final possession. Many complaints could be said about the home buying process, dealing with sellers, and a new(old) home, but none of them were with Kip and Tam.
Karen B.
Review for Member: Kip and Tam | Barnard Group: Top San Jose Re
June 1, 2025
Local Knowledge
Process Expertise
Responsiveness
Negotiation skills
ZillowVERIFIED
Tam staged my home for sale, and transformed everything into an eye catching environment. She knew exactly what to do to spruce things up, and I'm sure she was responsible for the excellent price we were offered.
Shushulica
Review for Member: Kip and Tam | Barnard Group: Top San Jose Re
March 31, 2025
Local Knowledge
Process Expertise
Responsiveness
Negotiation skills
ZillowVERIFIED
Kip helped us purchase an investment property. His advice was very valuable in find the right property for us. Kip guided us through all the closing details and was able to quickly resolve all the little gotchas that came up. He is very responsive an always able to help.