Why we recommend Valerie Upham for University City
University City homes moved quickly in the three months to September 2026: Redfin shows a median of 16 days on market in the 92122 ZIP and a median sale price of $1,019,700. Zillow's typical home value for the neighborhood was $964,541 in September 2026. When homes sell in two weeks, sellers need to be ready before listing and buyers need to decide fast.
Valerie Upham lists University City as one of her two core markets, with Carmel Valley, and a client testimonial on her Compass profile describes selling a UC house in under three weeks. Many of her clients are selling a home as part of an estate, a divorce or a move to a smaller place. That mix of local work and complex sales is why we recommend her. Treat this as our recommendation and compare her with other local agents.
About Valerie Upham
Valerie Upham's background in University City
Her DRE salesperson license was issued in January 2004, about 22 years ago. Her Compass profile notes she moved to San Diego in 1995. She leads the Valerie Upham Team, and her Compass profile says she has helped hundreds of clients, and she hosts the Aging Parent Podcast on later-life housing decisions.
Brokerage and California DRE license for Valerie Upham
The DRE public license lookup lists Valerie Rynning Upham, license 01406912, as a licensed salesperson with no disciplinary action, expiring January 25, 2028. Her responsible broker is Compass California III, Inc. (broker license 01527365) at 12860 El Camino Real, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92130. Her Compass profile shows the same DRE number.
Languages and specialties: Valerie Upham
She lists English as her working language. According to a June 2026 press release from her team, she holds the Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist (CPRES) designations, and another release adds Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert (CDRE). These cover probate court steps, dividing a home in a divorce and selling a long-held house. We did not see the certificates, so ask about them.
Valerie Upham's record: sales and reviews
The June 2026 press release, issued by her team through Newswire, says RealTrends credited her with 25 transaction sides and $28.9 million in sales in 2025, ranking her 979th in California, and reports more than 400 career transactions totaling nearly $300 million and 103 verified five-star reviews. She reports $300 million to $350 million in career sales, 24 sales worth more than $34 million in the past 12 months and 139 reviews. Because these come from the team, and the career totals differ, we treat them as approximate.
One review on her Compass profile, from Suzanne L., reads: "Best realtor in UC! Valerie sold my house for top dollar in less than 3 weeks. What I appreciate the most is how on it she was, taking a lot of stress off of me."
How Valerie Upham works with University City buyers and sellers
Buying in University City with Valerie Upham
If you are looking at a condo or townhome, compare HOA dues, reserves and any special assessments before you offer. With 3.5 months of supply in 92122 and sales averaging 98.3% of list (Redfin), buyers have some room to negotiate on homes that have sat. Ask her which recent sales support a price and how she checks an HOA's finances.
Selling in University City with Valerie Upham
Sellers handling an estate or a divorce often need court approval, several signatures or a set timeline before a home can list. Her team's press release describes a structured plan for these moves, which it calls the Home-to-Home Roadmap. Ask how she coordinates with attorneys or a probate referee, how she prepares a house for a 16-day market, and what she charges; our commission guide explains the options.
Local knowledge: University City and the 92122 ZIP
Zillow's typical home value for University City was $964,541 in September 2026, down 2.3% in a year and up 18.4% over five years. Redfin's 92122 figures for the three months to September 30, 2026 show a median sale price of $1,019,700 (up 4.85% year over year), 79 homes sold, 27.3% sold above list and a median price per square foot of $742.
The two sources disagree on direction this year because they measure different things. Read the University City neighborhood guide for homes and getting around, and use the 92122 ZIP data page for the full monthly series.
How we chose Valerie Upham
We confirmed her license and Compass affiliation on the DRE lookup, matched it to her Compass profile, and read her public reviews. We counted her focus on probate, divorce and downsizing sales as a real point of difference for an area where many homes are long held. Press-release figures are labeled as hers. Every featured agent gets the same checks; see how we choose agents.
How to contact Valerie Upham
Call the Valerie Upham Team at (858) 434-7045. The office is Compass, 12860 El Camino Real, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92130, and the website is valerieuphamteam.com. If the sale involves a trust, estate or divorce, have the relevant court or trust documents to hand for the first call.