Fully bilingual — English & Mandarin (普通话)

One Team.
Every Step.

Real estate expertise meets architectural vision.
Buy, sell, design, and permit — with one team who knows all four.

Who We Are

The Duo Behind the Difference

Colin Xie

Colin Xie

Realtor® · BQ Realty

LinkedIn

With a background in finance, Colin brings a sharp analytical lens to every transaction. He evaluates properties not just as homes, but as financial assets — understanding market trends, investment potential, and long-term value in ways most agents simply don't. As a licensed Realtor® with BQ Realty, Colin represents buyers and sellers across San Jose and the South Bay, guiding clients through one of the most complex real estate markets in the country.

  • Finance Background
  • Buyer Representation
  • Seller Representation
  • Investment Analysis

DRE #02289511

Rachel Liu

Rachel Liu

Architect · Designer

LinkedIn

Rachel is an architect with hands-on experience across the full spectrum of residential and commercial projects — from single-family home additions and ADUs to commercial tenant improvements and multi-unit townhouse developments. She navigates city permit processes with precision, translating complex regulations into buildable designs that add real value. Her work spans cities across the South Bay, with completed projects in San Jose, Fremont, Milpitas, and Hayward.

  • Residential Additions
  • ADU Design
  • Commercial TI
  • City Permits
  • New Development

We are fully bilingual — fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese (普通话).
We serve clients from all backgrounds and communicate with the clarity and comfort you deserve.

What We Do

One-Stop Service. Start to Finish.

Most teams can do one thing well. We do all of it — under one roof,
with full coordination between every step.

Buy & Sell

Expert representation for buyers and sellers in the South Bay.

  • Market analysis & pricing strategy
  • Property search & evaluation
  • Offer negotiation & contracts
  • Investment property guidance
  • Fixer-upper opportunity assessment

Permits & Approvals

Full city permit navigation so your project moves without delays.

  • Permit application & drawings
  • City code compliance
  • Plan check coordination
  • Inspection support
  • Multi-city South Bay expertise

Not sure which service you need? Most of our clients need more than one.

Talk to Us →

Our Work

Projects Across the South Bay

Rachel's architectural work spans residential and commercial projects throughout
San Jose, Santa Clara, Fremont, Milpitas, Hayward, and beyond.

SFH Addition

Cameo Dr

San Jose, CA

Single-family home addition expanding living space and improving layout.

SFH Addition

Arguello Pl

Santa Clara, CA

Residential addition with new bedroom and bathroom suite.

SFH Addition

Overlook Court

San Mateo, CA

Hillside home addition designed to maximize natural light and views.

SFH Addition

Belmont Terrace

Fremont, CA

Multi-room addition with open-plan kitchen and family room expansion.

SFH Addition

Blake Ave

Santa Clara, CA

Second-story addition providing additional bedrooms above existing footprint.

SFH Addition

Greenwood Rd

Monte Sereno, CA

Accessory Dwelling Unit designed to maximize rental income within city code.

SFH Addition

Rosalie Dr

Santa Clara, CA

Rear addition expanding kitchen and adding a dedicated home office.

SFH Addition

Greenwood Dr

Monte Sereno, CA

Detached ADU fully permitted and designed for long-term property value.

Commercial TI

Tiger Sugar

San Jose, CA

Premium bubble tea franchise — custom interior design and permit coordination.

Commercial TI

Bobaholics

San Jose, CA

Retail buildout with custom millwork and branding-aligned layout.

Commercial TI

R&B Tea Shop

San Jose, CA

Commercial TI with customer-first layout and efficient service flow.

Commercial TI

TK Noodle

Milpitas, CA

Restaurant buildout with kitchen optimization, ventilation, and permit approval.

Commercial TI

Yomie Rice Yogurt

San Jose, CA

Retail TI for health beverage brand with modern aesthetic and city approval.

Development

Mission Blvd Apartments & Townhomes

Hayward, CA

Multi-unit residential development — full architectural scope from design through permitting.

Insights

The South Bay Real Estate + Design Blog

Real Estate

Buying a Fixer-Upper in the South Bay: The Smart Investor's Guide

What to look for, what to avoid, and how having an architect in your corner changes everything before you make an offer.

Architecture

How City Permits Work in San Jose (And Why They Matter Before You Buy)

A plain-English breakdown of the permit process — and why unpermitted work can cost you far more than you think.

Home Value

Home Additions That Actually Add Value in the Bay Area

Not all additions are created equal. Which projects consistently return value in the South Bay market — and which don't.

Get in Touch

What's Your Home's Potential?

Whether you're buying, selling, or thinking about what your property could become —
let's have a conversation. Free, no pressure.

Send Us a Message

Contact Us Directly

WeChat · 微信 Preferred by our Chinese-speaking clients

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