Revocable Living Trusts and Real Estate
As a real estate agent I am often asked for advice from home buyers on how title in real estate should be taken and “What are the implications of setting up a Revocable Living Trust?” Â Here I must defer to your CPA and/or attorney, as I am not licensed to…
Saratoga Benefit Tea May 1, 2010
On May 1, 2010 from 1-4PM, the Assistance League of Los Gatos-Saratoga will be having an intergenerational tea and boutique they call Tea & Fashions, Then and Now. Proceeds from this event will support services to children, families and seniors in the local community. Two 18″ dolls with complete handmade…
Double Dip Up to $18,000 in Homebuyer Tax Credits?
Time has almost run out for Californians to receive up to $18,000 in combined federal and state homebuyer tax credits. To take advantage of both tax credits, a first-time homebuyer must enter into a purchase contract for a principal residence before May 1, 2010, and close escrow between May 1,…
South Bay Garden Tour May 2, 2010
Do you love private gardens? On Sunday, May 2, 2010 from 10 AM – 4 PM you can visit four private gardens in Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, and Saratoga organized by the Garden Conservancy and  promoted by Heritage Tree Society of Saratoga.  You can see the private Holton Kownacki Garden, Ohlund Garden,…
Palo Alto is Bellwether For South Bay Silicon Valley
The Palo Alto real estate market is often a bellwether in advance of what happens to real estate in the south bay of Silicon Valley. Here are some recent sales activity from Palo Alto Alain Pinel Realtor Carol Li to give you a flavor of what we might expect. (note:…
Saratoga Rotary Art Show May 2, 2010
An annual event that many in Silicon Valley look forward to is the Saratoga Rotary Art Show this Sunday from 9AM to 5 PM at West Valley College on Fruitvale Ave. and Allendale in Saratoga, CA. You’ll find a wide variety of fine art: paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, photography, glassworks,…
How’s The Real Estate Market?
A blogger-friend Scott Sambucci’s recent Altos Research post, he suggests that year over year and non-seasonally adjusted house sales statistics are the most reliable indicators to answer the questions: What’s happening in the real estate market? Where is it headed? Scott affirms that the “Case-Shiller HPI is a very reliable…
School Ranking Maps Helpful For Home Buyers To Choose Neighborhoods
There are now several color-coded, graphic ranking systems that allow home buyers to see at a glance the relative ranking of public schools in Santa Clara County. One of the ones I like the best is School Performance Map (shown above) – the dark indigo color along the western foothills…
Saratoga Arbor Day April 22, 2010
Forty years ago the first Earth Day was celebrated as a challenge to corporate and governmental leaders. Now, it has become a standard part of corporate marketing in various parts of the world. According to earthday.org, the day is now commemorated by over 1 billion people in 190 countries. Saratoga,…
Saratoga Participates In Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Image by Vanessa Pike-Russell via Flickr May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Asians are an important part of our community and are the fastest growing ethnic group in Saratoga, CA. Local Saratoga, CA programs planned for May, 2010 are: Ikebana Flower Arrangement Demonstration Tuesday May 4th, 2010. 4:00 p.m…
Second Trust Deeds Coming Back In Santa Clara County
Starting Monday, April 19, 2010, Wells Fargo Mortgage will be supporting the use of second trust deeds that will now allow home buyers to have up to a 85% loan to value ratio (including a second as well as first trust deed) in Santa Clara County without having the added…
Saratoga Idol 2010 Auditions on April 17th
Saratoga Rotary is again hosting the search for this year’s Saratoga Idol – someone in Santa Clara County with special local talent who may win $1000. Applications were due last Saturday, April 10, 2010 and were open to applicants of any age and any talent and any geographic location. Auditions will…
Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA) Program
The new federal Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA) Program went into effect on April 5, 2010. This program has new guidelines intended to speed up and standardize short sale and deed-in-lieu (DIL) transactions. In a short sale, the borrower sells the home for less than the amount owed on the…
Saratoga Community Library To Have Paperback Sale April 24-25
Saratoga is blessed with a vibrant Saratoga Community Library. This is a great asset that adds to a sense of community as well as high property values. The Saratoga school system is a major draw for home buyers moving into the community and a good public library is also important. Last week…
Alain Pinel Realtors Open.APR.com Website Has Automatic Search Function
You may be aware that 80% of home buyers search the internet first to find their next home and that top real estate brokerages such as Alain Pinel are shifting their media advertising from print to online marketing functionality. However, you may not be aware that you can get good…
