2027 edition · Research reviewed November 7, 2026
For San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, our 2027 editorial #1 brokerage is Kidder Mathews for a business requirement that combines industrial premises, office space and regional expansion. Borelli, CBRE and Newmark provide useful comparisons for different briefs. We assessed the nine firm criteria using current practice and personnel evidence. This is an assignment-based recommendation, not a claim that one company wins every asset class or has independently verified superior returns.
How we rank commercial real estate brokerage firms in San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA
Our 2027 ranking uses the same nine-part methodology as our 2026 guides. We compare local specialists with regional and national firms using current public sources, verified service geography and relevant specialization. We evaluate each candidate using these nine criteria:
- Experience and reputation
- Market knowledge and specialization
- Network and connections
- Technological capabilities
- Data transparency and accuracy
- Online presence and digital marketing
- Local and global reach
- Service range
- Innovation and customer focus
Using these criteria, we identify one #1 editorial recommendation for the assignment described below and compare other qualified options. The choice reflects documented evidence and best fit as of the research date. Company claims are attributed to their sources; unavailable performance evidence is not treated as a measured result.
OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION
#1 — Kidder Mathews
For 2027, Kidder Mathews is our #1 editorial recommendation among commercial real estate brokerage firms in San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA.
Best fit: Coordinated industrial and office searches
Our editorial #1 for a coordinated South Bay industrial and office search: a San Jose multi-asset practice is reinforced by the verified January 2026 industrial-team appointment.
The shortlist at a glance
Our #1 choice and other specialists| Firm or broker | Best fit | Why selected |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Kidder Mathews | Coordinated industrial and office searches | San Jose multi-asset services and a current industrial team support the assignment. |
| Borelli Investment Company | Locally coordinated property decisions | Its San Jose practice combines brokerage and operational services. |
| CBRE | Corporate and investor service coordination | The local office documents leasing and project capabilities. |
| Newmark | West Valley office requirements | Shaffer documents owner and occupier office specialization. |
#1 Kidder Mathews — a coordinated South Bay search
The San Jose practice explicitly covers industrial, office and R&D property as well as other commercial services. Kidder Mathews: Silicon Valley office Its January 2026 announcement adds an identifiable industrial team led by John Kovaleski and David Buchholz. Kidder Mathews: industrial team appointment, January 27, 2026 That combination is decisive for our choice: a client can interview asset specialists within the same regional firm. Ask which individual owns the overall brief and how office and production requirements will be reconciled before locations are shortlisted.
Borelli Investment Company — a locally integrated alternative
Borelli describes a San Jose business spanning brokerage, development and property management. Borelli Investment Company: local practice We favor an interview here when a closely held property needs coordinated decisions about physical improvements and future leasing. Establish whether the assignment involves a third-party property or one in which the firm has an interest. Local integration is potentially useful, but an owner still needs distinct responsibilities and fee schedules for each service.
CBRE — broader corporate and investor coordination
CBRE’s San Jose office identifies owner and occupier leasing, project management and investment services. CBRE: San Jose office and services It is a strong comparator when a Silicon Valley transaction is part of a wider corporate portfolio. Have the proposed team explain which resources will actually work on the engagement. A long service menu should translate into named people, usable reporting and an escalation route when construction or transaction decisions collide.
Newmark — an office-led West Valley brief
Todd Shaffer’s current Newmark profile identifies office tenant and landlord work in the West Valley. Newmark: Todd Shaffer We would compare Newmark for an office-centered mandate where familiarity with a specific competitive set matters more than offering every asset type. Request examples aligned with the building class and exact locations under review, and clarify representation conflicts before detailed negotiations begin.
How to turn the ranking into a selection
Give finalists a shared description of the business problem, not merely a square-footage target. Identify whether the search includes Santa Clara production facilities, Sunnyvale offices or San Jose investment assets. Ask for a map explaining exclusions as well as shortlisted areas. Review a sample decision memo, recent relevant references and the proposed reporting rhythm. Public sources establish practice scope more reliably than comparable client satisfaction, technology effectiveness or achieved economics. Those gaps remain interview questions under our nine criteria; they do not become invented numerical scores. For a pure retail or management requirement, use the dedicated guide rather than assuming this general recommendation controls.