Visit a Historic Home in Mountain View!

Long before television shows such as "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" existed, the City of Mountain View tackled the daunting renovation of a ruined, but historically significant house. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the public dedication of the Rengstorff House, Mountain View's oldest home.

Looking at the beautiful, Italianate architecture today, it's hard to imagine this home as being abandoned and in such severe disrepair that demolition seemed inevitable. It narrowly avoided destruction and now stands restored, appearing much as it did in 1867. The Rengstorff House has 12 rooms, 3,955 square feet of living space, and 144 years of history.

The story starts with Henry Rengstorff, who in 1850 at age 21, immigrated to California during the gold rush. He arrived too late to find  gold, but he found success through hard work, thrift, and the purchase of real estate. Once a farm worker in Santa Clara Valley, Rengstorff saved his money and eventually purchased the rights to 290 acres in San Jose.

The astute Rengstorff doubled his land holdings three years later. A true pioneer in what would become known as the Silicon Valley area, Rengstorff was an agricultural entrepreneur, operating in San Mateo and Los Altos. His later forays into the shipping industry contributed to the development of Mountain View.

Rengstorff  built his impressive Mountain View home in 1867. It remained in the family until it was sold in 1959. This began the steep decline of the Rengstorff House. After being abandoned, it was purchased by the City of Mountain View in 1979. The restoration project would take many more years and over one million dollars to complete.

Experience this restored Mountain View home by visiting the Extreme Home Renovation Exhibition, open to the public from now until May 30th. If you love history, or simply appreciate Victorian-era homes, you'll enjoy exploring the Rengstorff House.

Every home has a story. Why not begin a legacy of your own? As your Silicon Valley real estate professional, I can help you explore Bay Area real estate, and together we'll find the home you've been looking for. Contact me today for the best in client-first service!

Shannon Rose
Silicon Valley Real Estate Expert
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Celebrate Spring in Silicon Valley!

Spring is in full bloom in Silicon Valley! The San Francisco Bay Area is a great place to live no matter the season, and springtime brings out the best in our gardens and parks! Community events are also budding up throughout the area, giving you and your family plenty of things to do.

Here's just a sampling of the spring events coming up in Silicon Valley!

Mountain View proudly presents "Mountain View in Bloom" on Saturday April 23 from noon to 3:00 p.m. This family event begins with a parade starting at Castro and Villa street that continues to Pioneer Park. Outdoor activities will be featured at the park, along with games, crafts and music. Come see the beauty, relaxation and fun that Mountain View parks provide to the community!

San Jose celebrates spring, Earth Day, and the great outdoors with "Spring in Guadalupe Gardens", Saturday April 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Over 40 vendors will be on site offering plants and artistic garden accents. Information on alternative energies and healthy living will be offered, along with plenty of fun and free music.

The City of Sunnyvale hosts the 12th Annual Health & Safety Fair on April 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Gear up for spring and summer fun with free bike tune-ups and a U.S. Soccer Foundation clinic. Test your agility with rock wall climbing, or turn the kids loose in the popular bounce-house. Take advantage of the free health screenings and visit over 50 vendors providing health and family resources. 

The San Mateo Farmer's Market is an ongoing Saturday event that's especially attractive in the spring, when local floral producers showcase fresh-cut and potted flowers that will brighten your home. With 85 farmers and producers attending, the San Mateo Farmer's Market is one of the best in the Bay Area. Visit the market on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for fresh, locally produced food and live music.

The pride in our Bay Area communities shows in our many parks, gardens, and family events. The pride of Silicon Valley home ownership shows in our creative landscaping, gardens, and exterior design! Spring is a wonderful time of year to be a homeowner, when outdoor relaxation is a special pleasure.

If you're thinking of buying a Silicon Valley home, now's the time to shop! As your Silicon Valley real estate professional, I can show you the newest listings and share the latest market information. With my client-first philosophy, I'll help you navigate the Bay Area real estate market and help you throughout the buying process.

Contact me today, and I'll spring into action for you!

Shannon Rose
Silicon Valley Real Estate Expert
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Home Sale Sets Record in Silicon Valley!

In my prior blogs I've shared reasons why Silicon Valley is a great place to buy a home. I've also shared demographic info that supports the case for long-term rising values in Bay Area real estate. Another example to add is the recent purchase of a 100 million dollar home in Los Altos Hills by Russian investor Yuri Milner.

Milner is no stranger to Silicon Valley. He is the founder of Digital Sky Technologies, a Russian investment fund which holds stakes in companies like Facebook and Twitter. His purchase of the 18-acre, 25,500 square foot mansion has made him the owner of the most expensive single-family home in the United States.

The 100 million dollar price tag has caused sticker-shock response around the country. In today's market, why would Mr. Milner pay so much for a luxury home?

Maybe he knew a bargain when he saw one. Los Altos Hills has had a median price range of anywhere from $2,435,000 to over $3,000,000 in recent years. A quick look at luxury properties for sale in Los Altos Hills today shows a home on the market for $20,500,000. The least expensive home on the market in Los Altos Hills is a condo offered at $549,900.

As a professional investor, Milner has a knack for choosing young tech companies with strong growth potential. His success in venture capital placed him on the Fortune magazine list of the 50 Most Prominent Business People in the World for 2010.

Given this glimpse of Yuri Milner's professionalism, his 100 million dollar foray into Silicon Valley real estate should be recognized as a significant personal investment. No stronger vote of confidence could have been made. Certainly, his ongoing interest in Silicon Valley bodes well for the future of our high-tech start-up companies. It also bodes well for real estate!

The record home sale has put Silicon Valley in the spotlight once again. The price has amazed quite a few people! The good news is, if you're looking for a home in the San Francisco Bay Area, there are wonderful communities to choose from, and affordable homes in many price ranges.

Why not contact me today and take a look? As your Silicon Valley real estate professional, I have access to all the latest market data for Mountain View, San Jose, Palo Alto, and more! With my client-first philosophy, I'll provide you with the very best in service and information.

Shannon Rose
Silicon Valley Real Estate Expert
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Things to do in Mountain View!

Silicon Valley is well known for its high-tech image and high-profile employers. It’s natural to think of Silicon Valley as the unquestioned center of evolving technology. But with all the attention paid to the corporate and financial prowess of the area, it’s easy to overlook another benefit it has. Namely, it's a great place to live!

The communities of Silicon Valley offer a quality of life that suits every type of household, from the urban professional, to the growing family, to the retiree. The diversity of social and cultural opportunity offers something for everyone.

To show you an example, let’s take a look at Mountain View. The smart growth of this progressive city has enabled it to retain the original charms of its vineyards and orchards, while lacking nothing in modern amenities. This is just a sampling of what Mountain View living has to offer:

·         Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts: a beautiful, state-of the-art facility featuring performances by the nationally acclaimed TheatreWorks organization and the Peninsula Youth Theatre.

·         Shoreline Golf Links Division: a scenic, 18-hole championship level golf course, open 364 days a year.

·         Bay Area Bicycle Trails: connection to the vast San Francisco network of bicycle trails, encompassing several counties and 240 miles.     

·         City-wide WiFi: free wireless internet services are provided throughout most of the city, courtesy of an agreement between Mountain View and Google. 

·         Mountain View Skate Park: a skateboarding and rollerblading haven featuring a trick ramp, quarter pipes, and fun for all ages. 

·         Mountain View Senior Center: an all purpose facility offering programs and services for adults 55 and over, providing recreational, social, and educational opportunities. 

Additionally, Mountain View residents enjoy the use of a 70,000 square foot library, and have access to 32 city parks! And for a great experience in shopping and dining, there’s no better place to start than Mountain View’s pedestrian-friendly downtown.  

There is more to do in Mountain View than what I can list here! As your Silicon Valley real estate agent, I can tell you all about the great communities and wonderful homes in Santa Clara County. When you’re looking to buy or sell real estate in Silicon Valley, contact me, and let my knowledge of the area work for you! 

Shannon Rose
Silicon Valley Real Estate Expert
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Opportunity is Knocking in Silicon Valley!

Sales of single-family residential homes are on the upswing. The resurgence of Santa Clara County real estate is being led by the areas of Mountain View, Santa Clara, Campbell, Gilroy, and Cupertino, per year-to-year comparisons reported by the California Association of Realtors.   

Of these areas, Mountain View leads the way with a mere 63 days on market and a respectable median sales price of $891,000.

Not to be outdone, single family homes in Los Gatos priced under $2,000,000 are selling at two months on market or less, according to current data from Taketa, Miller & Associates. Meanwhile, higher-end homes in Los Altos Hills priced at $4,000,000 or more are also seeing improved market activity.

Naturally, there is variety in the Santa Clara County sales data depending on the property locale and the price range. What we are seeing is a gradual improvement in residential sales prices coupled with a reduction of days spent on market. When you add the current statistical trends to the historic strength of the Silicon Valley real estate market, it shows a sunny forecast for Spring home sales!

It’s no surprise that the demand for housing in Silicon Valley remains strong and will continue to grow.  While no area of the country was immune to the effects of a national recession, Silicon Valley has unique advantages over other markets.  Here’s just a few of the reasons why:

• Silicon Valley and the surrounding Bay Area ranks first in high-tech jobs nationwide, with 387,000 related positions.
• Silicon Valley has the highest concentration of high-tech workers in any metropolitan area, amounting to approximately 30% of its workforce.
• The average salary of a high-tech Silicon Valley employee was $144,800.00, according to a 2008 survey.
• Silicon Valley benefits from the favorable employment laws of California, which attracts highly-educated, highly-skilled workers.   
• The dynamic culture of Silicon Valley encourages start-up companies, who in turn have access to numerous venture capital providers.

All considered, it’s a good time to buy or sell a home in Silicon Valley!  As your Silicon Valley real estate agent, I understand the value of high-tech, but my business is built around personal service.  I invite you to review the testimonials from my prior clients.  Better yet, contact me today, and see for yourself how I can help you with real estate opportunities in Silicon Valley!

Shannon Rose
Silicon Valley Real Estate Expert
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Mountain View Dining Means Never Getting Bored

You can't think of Silicon Valley, California without thinking about food, restaurants, and food lovers. It has become known for some of the finest restaurants in the world, most of which capitalize on the fact that variety is the spice of life. Castro Street in Mountain View, California is home to a treasure trove of diverse restaurants - from fine dining to unusual eateries. One thing is for sure, living in Mountain View means never getting bored of your neighborhood menu...

Cascal
400 Castro St., Mountain View CA 94041
For anybody who has ever enjoyed tapas before, you know that it is all about an intimate atmosphere, good company, and small portioned plates. Cascal has all the necessary elements and is sure to impress even the most discerning Spaniard. The tapas menu grants credit to the tried and true old world recipes, but also does not shy away from trying something different. From the Brazillian Shrimp and Rice Croquettas to the Duck Confit Gorditas, you will have to try everything at least once.
http://www.cascalrestaurant.com/

Sakoon
357 Castro St, Mountain View, CA
An indian restaurant may not be the first place you would think of to go to happy hour, but Sakoon is the talk of the town come 5 o' clock on Friday. The upstairs lounge area is plush and stylish and makes you feel as if you've found your own private room. Try the incredibly fresh naan, the delectable butter chicken, or one of their famous cocktails.
http://www.sakoonrestaurant.com/

The Kitchen Table
142 Castro Street, Mountain View, CA
This restaurant is the perfect example of a place that you can only find in Silicon Valley. This California Contemporary restaurant only serves Kosher cuisine. Dairy-free, peanut-free, and kosher meat they actually make themselves, the Kitchen Table is definitely one-of-a-kind and as fresh as it gets. Meat lovers and vegans alike love it here because of the specially catered dishes. While they are known for their pastrami sandwiches, their veggie burger is also a best-seller.
http://www.thekitchentablerestaurant.com/tkt/

Ristorante Don Giovanni
235 Castro St., Mountain View CA 94041; Tel. 650.961.9749
You'll have to pinch yourself when you walk through the doors of Ristorante Don Giovanni, otherwise you'll think you'd just arrived in Italy. This dining masterpiece is everything Italian from the knowledgable and polished wait staff, to the elaborate decor, to the lively dining room filled with loud and happy patrons. Homemade Gnocchi, Veal Saltimbocca, Risotto al Funghi Salvaggi, pasta dishes with mouthwatering homemade sauce - you really can't go wrong with anything on this menu.
http://www.dongiovannis.com/

Whether you are brand new to the Mountain View area, or are already familiar with the area and ready to buy a new Mountain View home, there is always more to learn about the area. It is such a rich and diverse place, you will need a tour guide who understands the area, the Santa Clara County market, and where to go to find the best pasta dish in Silicon Valley. I am a Silicon Valley real estate agent who is happy to answer all of your questions and give you the grand tour. I am available whenever you need me.

Shannon Rose
Silicon Valley Real Estate Expert
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The Glory of Silicon Valley Real Estate

Silicon Valley. The famed southern part of the San Francisco Bay area that has become known to all as the high-tech capital of the United States (and possibly the world). Silicon Valley is home to the city of San Jose, the southern Peninsula, the Southern East Bay, and all of the Santa Clara Valley.

You know Silicon Valley for its venture capitalism, dot-com bubble, and prestigious Universities (Stanford, University of California, Carnegie Mellon), but do you know Silicon Valley for its real estate, beautiful homes, and picture-perfect neighborhoods? If not, here is a little introduction to one of Silicon Valley's best areas, Mountain View Real Estate...

Mountain View sits at 12 square miles and is home to just under 74,000 residents. One of its most admirable qualities would have to be the lush orchards and vineyards that have stood the test of time through the high-tech revolution. It remained a primarily agricultural town all the way through the 60's, and even when it did transition along with the rest of Silicon Valley, it kept its natural beauty.

It is no surprise that this already attractive town slowly gained California real estate value as it added neighborhood parks and playgrounds, recreational facilities, a top notch education system, and shopping facilities throughout the years. Today, Mountain View real estate is a highly sought after commodity. The icing on the cake is when it earned the AAA credit rating, recognizing it for its diversified tax base, strong financial operation and a low debt burden (an honor afforded to only two other cities in California).

Ever the stable community, Mountain View was able to hold its own through the housing market ride over the past few years. It has shown the most stable market compared to other Silicon Valley neighborhoods. Its median sales price was able to go up instead of down during the 2009 market slide, and even now has been able to safely sit at $900,000 for single-family homes.

Natural beauty. A good education system. Affordable housing. A stable economy. What's not to love? If you would like to learn a little bit more about Mountain View Real Estate or are just curious about Silicon Valley and all its glory, please contact me. I'm always available to answer your e-mails or your phone calls.

Shannon Rose
Silicon Valley Real Estate Expert
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Welcome to the Silicon Valley Real Estate Blog!

This blog is your resource for Silicon Valley Real Estate. Here you will find a wide variety of useful information and resources designed to help you buy or sell a home more effectively in the Cambrian and Willow Glen areas of San Jose as well as Mountain View and Palo Alto in the Peninsula of Santa Clara County. From information on the local community, to advice about finding a mortgage or preparing your home to sell, it's all available here on my blog!

Shannon Rose
Silicon Valley Real Estate Expert
Visit My Silicon Valley Real Estate Website
Find Silicon Valley Area Listings