When it comes to real estate, it's more than just acquiring property; it's securing your future. That's why you need more than just a realtor; you need a navigator. Someone who has weathered many storms and can guide you through the complexities of the market, which can change in the blink of an eye.
For many of you buyers, the San Francisco Mid-Peninsula area will not merely be a place to live but will become a cherished part of your lives, enriching you and your families over the years. Choosing the right locations demands thorough knowledge of the local markets and the expertise to match your wants, needs, and desires with the right home in an area you love.
If you are selling, then buying here in the mid-peninsula, or moving to the next phase of your lives outside the area, getting the highest possible price for your home becomes our shared goal. Ensuring the coordination and timing of the sale of one home and the purchase of another will make the transaction as stress-free as possible.
Whether you are buying, selling, or both, our Initial Consultation is the process we use to listen carefully and then understand your goals, wants, and needs for your new home journey. Then, we identify the professional services we offer and craft a specific roadmap to guide you safely to your destination as successful home sellers and buyers!
How can we help?
Call or text us today to start the conversation. Our cell is +14154975414 or
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Thank you for your trust,,
Willoughby & Alan




Moving is a BIG DEAL, let alone buying or selling your home! It can be overwhelming with all the things to do. You want the experience to be easier to get where you are going. That is why we love what we do. We can clarify and simplify the process and with a well thought out plan, make it more enjoyable for you. We have helped many clients buy and sell in – San Mateo, Burlingame, Belmont, San Carlos and Redwood City. Many of our clients buy here because one works in San Francisco, the other in Silicon Valley and the commute time is split. Many buy here because the towns are cozy and love the walking & biking trails close by to relax after a full day on the job. Of course, there are the charming downtowns with shopping and cafes & restaurants where locals connect. Each town is different with different appeals. That’s why we’re here ourselves! The Mid-Peninsula is the narrower Peninsula, surrounded by water -- where the breeze is lovely, yet short on land. Homes are remodeled instead of new ones being built. That’s why our towns are cozier & more intimate. We know how to thrive in this environment when it comes to buying & selling homes. And we will help you thrive too!



Being a homeowner in the San Francisco Mid-Peninsula area is a unique opportunity. You are creating a lifetime of memories in a beautiful place.
You want more than just a house – you want to create a home and the sense of belonging, comfort, and stability it brings. You want a place where relationships are nurtured, and people feel safe and secure.
You want a place where people develop relationships with their neighbors, engage in community activities, and feel a sense of belonging to a larger community.
Creating the life of your dreams takes hard work, sacrifice, and planning.
Knowing what freedom means to you starts with asking yourself … "How can I spend more quality time with my family and friends...?"
Owning a home in the San Francisco Mid-Peninsula area is a great start!
The specific areas we specialize in are single family homes in Charming Older Redwood City West, Farm Hill Estates & Emerald Hills, Redwood City, Beverly Terrace, San Carlos, Howard Park & White Oaks, San Carlos, Cordes-Carlmont, San Carlos, Hallmark, Belmont, Southwestern San Mateo.
Please reach out if you have any questions or if we can be of any help!
Willoughby brings to real estate mental toughness and determination. Being an athlete with athletic injuries she learned the trait of never giving up, turning over every rock to find a solution. She will fight for you to get you what you want. Through her training & discipline as a chemist she learned the importance of careful procedure and focused attention. As a manager with an entrepreneurial management consulting firm, she learned to turn on a dime, be open to possibilities, have belief in others and build team spirit. She is on your team to make your dreams come true. Alan truly drives results. His dynamic role as a consulting project manager in "hi-tech" from the mid-eighties through the '90s, coupled with his exceptionable ability to engage stakeholders—from front-line staff to top management—was pivotal in successfully working with Fortune 1000 companies across the Greater Bay Area. Alan’s work ethic is “on-site and on-board”. His proactive hands-on approach ensured he led his team with precision, collaborated effectively with clients, resolved arising conflicts, while meeting timelines. This robust leadership style smoothly integrated project deliverables into existing operations, with a mantra of “on time, under budget, and defect-free”.
Is the Time Right For You?
We will not rest until we find the right home for you.
We are here when you are ready. We strive to serve every client based on their goals and timeline, provide superior service, and exceed client expectations.
Maybe at this point you just want to pick my brain over the phone, or maybe you want to sit down for a cup of coffee and discuss your options... Or perhaps you have already made a decision and are ready to get started on buying and/or selling in the San Francisco Mid-Peninsula area. Wherever you are in your process, we will meet you where you are at, and help you decide what’s in your best interest and what will help you achieve your goals.
We hope to help YOU understand the current San Francisco Mid-Peninsula Real Estate Market so you can make informed decisions.
If you see a segment of the market that you would like additional help with understanding please contact me. Or if you desire a specific Property Valuation Report that we routinely prepare for our clients, please contact us.
The offer processes we went through were all testaments to your sound knowledge and expertise - in hindsight you were spot on in all instances, helped us craft optimal bidding strategies, and ultimately guided us to a situation where we ended up with a house, we love without feeling like we overpaid. We both wanted to extend a word of gratitude for your hard work over the last couple of months. We really value how flexible you have been with our schedules and how generous you have been with your time. -- Mike & Lena
We never felt you were a realtor; instead, you were our coach and mentor in the whole buying process. At times you suggested we take a break because of all the stress and effort of buying a home - but we went ahead anyway because of our trust in you. To you and Willoughby, it did not matter if we bought on the low end or high end of our price range; you wanted us to get the right home. It was never about your commission. It was about us, our dreams, our family, and the home we wanted - and now have! -- Evan & Sheila
In the very beginning, we were impressed because you "interviewed" us -- asked us what we wanted and about our childhood homes. This gave us clarity to recognize our next home when we first saw it! ... When you sold our old home, your marketing was exceptional! Through it all, you were responsive, timely, organized, straight forward & made it easy for us. Because of that, you instilled confidence & trust in our relationship with you. In negotiations, you clearly understood the other parties & knew how to work with them to get what we wanted. -- Derek & Stacey
We moved into our first home this weekend and we couldn't be more excited! We wanted to send you a note and thank you once again for all your hard work. Because of you we now have our dream home. You were prompt in responses, quick when we made our offer, and we LOVED the beginning -- your "Initial Consultation". That's the reason we went with you. You listened, helped us determine our affordability range, & gave us strategies for negotiation, and got us the home we loved! -- Mike & Amy
What a team! With Willoughby’s intuitive perception and Alan’s analytical skills, we had the benefit of seeing the situation from all sides – it gave us confidence & peace of mind. -- Mark & Jenny
Willoughby Thorn and Alan Duncan have two very different ways of looking at things, but that’s just what makes them so successful in their marriage and as a leading real estate team serving San Mateo and the surrounding Mid-Peninsula communities. They bring the perfect blend of personalities, skills, and traits to create exceptional results. They say opposites attract. Willoughby & Alan would be inclined to agree. Their contrasting names even hint at the fact that they are two very different individuals. Yet, the differences in their personalities and approaches are balanced by their love for one another, their shared personal values, and a similar thirst for knowledge. It truly is the Perfect Blend.
As a conscientious, dedicated & award-winning real estate husband & wife team, we have helped many clients successfully buy or sell their home on the San Francisco Mid-Peninsula. We listen to what’s important to you. As your trusted advisors we arm you with valuable relevant information you need to be confident and comfortable in the negotiation process. We are locals here in the center of the Mid-Peninsula and would love the opportunity to welcome you and earn your business.
The Willoughby & Alan Partnership was founded in 2009, focused on building client relationships based on trust, collaboration, and successful results. Their mission prioritizes educating clients about the local market, and how to position them for success. They are considered trusted advisors and many of their clients think of them as coaches throughout the real estate process.
The Team offers a comprehensive approach including home buying, selling, market evaluations, and exclusive listings and buyer representations. Willoughby & Alan maximizes marketing techniques, including online social media advertisement & communication, personal outreach and direct mailing campaigns which ultimately open the market to more competition, choices and results.
Provides a monthly San Francisco Mid-Peninsula Market Speedometer Report & Local Lifesyle Newsletter.
Ben & Dana: You were patient, listened to us, We felt comfortable and your negotiation skills were superb! We won our home with 7 multiple offers. Thank you.
Neil & Ishita: You saved us money with your negotiation skills. Wonderful to work with.
Rohit & Bhavna: You showed us that you were truly representing our interest. And your ability to communicate with the other agent in a multiple offer situation to get the home for us was amazing.
Derek & Rachelle: Thank you for your patience. This was our first home, and you guided us through the maze. We are so happy with our new home!
Mark & Kerri: We didn't know we would be able to buy on the Mid-Peninsula, but we were, and west of El Camino in Redwood City no less. Thank you so much for your patience.
Ginny & Dave: We would HIGHLY recommend you to any of our friends. We felt like we were your only customers. Whenever we called you, we received an immediate answer. You were always there for us, yet we never felt any pressure during the whole process of working with you.
You went over and above the call of duty, like stepping in & assisting us with various issues while we were out of town. From the beginning, when we bought our new house to the end when we sold our old one, everything went smoothly with your ever-vigilant guidance. When it was time to sell our old home, you gave us expert tips to give us the edge on the market. You helped us price our place and get the money that we wanted. Because of your experience & knowledge, we were able to receive multiple offers at the first open house. Thanks for making the whole process of getting our dream home so easy. You guys make quite a team. Thanks a million.
Francois & Marie-Claude: Effective, resourceful & responsive. You listened, we were comfortable with you, you knew the neighborhoods & local knowledge. We appreciated that you went beyond the call of duty to investigate the schools. In the offer process you got us ready with all the details beforehand so we could focus on getting the home we wanted. You made it easy.
Jeanine: Willoughby & Alan were always my advocates - conscientious, attentive, thorough & comfortable.
Zhaozhang Jia: The team of Willoughby & Alan is very professional, caring & quickly acting with thorough understanding of the clients’ goals & local market trends...crystal clear communications…made the whole home searching & closing process very pleasant and enjoyable.
Tyler & Kristen: You fought for us, you were persistent, 'on our side', & negotiated for us. When we first met, we liked the way you asked questions. You were consultive, you followed up, and after we bought our home, you asked for 'post transaction' feedback. You are experienced, have a great network, organized, and even created a calendar for us. You held our hand when we needed it. We appreciated you pointing out in the disclosures what we needed to know.
Scott & Brittany: When we first met, you were relaxed & calm. You didn't pressure us but said “Let's find the right home." We loved the GRAND TOUR. You addressed our needs & helped us through the process. Even when we found our home (that we now own), you still wanted us to make sure so we saw others. We didn't just want a 'one-time transaction realtor', we wanted a professional that was 'relationship based' & we found that in you.
Patrick & Erin: Willoughby & Alan were a pleasure to work with. They helped us buy a home perfect for us...in a long complex short sale. They were always there for us, their efforts never waned, & they stayed in touch. We are forever grateful for their focus and perseverance & highly recommend them to all our friends!
Bryan & Megan: Alan and Willoughby have a tremendous amount of value to offer to any prospective home buyer or seller. We had the pleasure of working with them to purchase our first house. They are the perfect duo -- each offers different but complementary strengths that place them a tier above the rest. Their invaluable insight, advice, dedicated professionalism, myriad of useful tools, and sincere passion for what they do made the challenge of buying a home an absolutely enjoyable and fun experience.
At the start, Alan and Willoughby sat down and listened to us -- not just for what we wanted in a home, but also about what the perfect home meant. By genuinely wanting to know more about us, they helped us discover more about ourselves. Once on our journey, they were courteous, understanding, accommodating of our schedules (a 4mo-old added to the challenge), and really valued the importance of good communication. They promptly returned every email/phone call, and regularly checked in with us throughout the process. The fact that they both embrace technology (email/internet) was a real bonus for us to stay in touch with progress in real time. -- Bryan & Megan
As relatively new buyers, we asked a lot of questions. Even after dragging them through our roller coaster of emotions and ideas, they were patient and always eager to help. We never felt pressured, rushed, or belittled throughout the entire journey. Instead, we felt an overwhelming sense of empowerment and confidence with their leadership and in-depth analysis. We loved their "Heart and Hearth" assessment document, spreadsheets, and their insight on home values. During each phase of the process, we wholeheartedly felt that their combined strengths greatly benefited us as the buyer. Fast-forward 2 months from our close date, we absolutely love our home! -- Bryan & Megan
Thank you Alan and Willoughby for everything you've done for us. You two are beautiful people who we can only wish the best for. In this crazy, fast-moving world, it's a pleasure to work with such wonderful professionals. -- Bryan & Megan
David & Tien: At last! Thank you both so much for all your hard work and dedication through new, uncharted territory. You both acted as not only our realtors, but also our personal therapists, family & financial planners, tour guides, design consultants. . .the list goes on & on. . . and today we add an ever-important role to the list as you are granting an incredible wish for Tien & me, and our growing family; you are our magic genies. Thank you for making our Dreams come true! Until next time.
Nancy & Rudd: Buying our first home with Willoughby & Alan was a surprisingly smooth process… With their amazing negotiation skills, we were able to buy a home in our dream neighborhood below our budget. We know in our hearts, without them, we would not be in our dream house today.
Tristan & Ian: First of all, we were crazy first-time buyers. You guys stuck with us through it all - and along the way, you helped us figure out what we wanted. You were great teachers. We found you tireless, patient (you didn't pressure us, yet always worked on our behalf), and had a real personal touch. You were professional with no hiccups -- honest, loving, trustworthy -- you were not just our agents but became our friends. Don't let their exterior fool you -- Willoughby & Alan are tough negotiators & secured our home for us!
What's Special about the
San Francisco Mid-Peninsula?


















Coldwell Banker Realty
580 El Camino Real, San Carlos, CA 94070
DRE: 00904278 - DRE: 01747380
Copyright Willoughby & Alan 2025