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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Ready, Set, Sell in Silicon Valley!

News of the record home sale in Silicon Valley is a conversation starter with Bay Area homeowners. Some are asking if it's a good time to put their home on the market. Others are wondering how much work their home needs to attract a buyer. As your Silicon Valley real estate professional, I can help you with those questions!

Here's why it might be a good time to sell your Silicon Valley home:      

Silicon Valley is a unique market thanks to the opportunities presented by our technology and venture capital industries. Silicon Valley is the destination of choice for high-tech talent.

Our home buyers come from around the world. The diversity of our home buyers makes our market more resilient, more dynamic, and more competitive. There are always buyers for Silicon Valley.

The improving job market in Silicon Valley bodes well for prospective home sellers. Strengthening employment trends nationwide mean more competition for skilled labor and improved relocation activity.

Home buyers with children usually plan to move during the summer months, to minimize the disruption of changing schools. These buyers are looking for homes right now.

Mortgage interest rates continue to be modest.  

As encouraging as the above points are, it can be daunting to consider selling your home. You may be concerned about how your property compares against the market. It may be unfeasible to spend a lot money on upgrades. You may have heard that today's buyers are selective and bargain-driven.

Don't worry - there's a buyer for every home, especially in Silicon Valley! Here's how to give your home a good "first impression" to a buyer:

• Tidy up the exterior. Remove weeds, trim hedges, and remove litter. 
• Walkways should be swept clean of debris. 
• Paint or re-stain a worn front door. 
• Add a colorful welcome mat to the front step.  
• Water exterior plants, grasses and shrubs to green things up.
• Use colorful potted plants to liven up a front entrance or patio.
• Wash windows. Replace faded curtains.
• Interior floors and counters should be clear of clutter.
• Mirrors, appliances, plumbing and lighting fixtures should be sparkling clean.
• Paint using neutral colors. Accent rugs and wall decor can perk up a  room. 
• Add finishing touches such as decorative guest towels and tabletop floral arrangements.

Is now a good time to sell your Silicon Valley home? The answer depends on your personal situation. The very first step in the process is to contact me for information about the Bay Area real estate market. As your Silicon Valley REALTOR®, I have the latest sales data and the local expertise you need.

Contact me today, and see how my client-first philosophy helps home sellers in Silicon Valley!

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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Silicon Valley Welcomes the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show!

Nothing says spring in Silicon Valley like the arrival of colorful, fragrant blooms. A home garden can provide beautiful scenery to relax your senses, or supply a bounty of herbs and vegetables for your dinner table.  Bay area gardens flourish in all sizes, from windowsill boxes to patios to community plots. 

You can dig up new garden ideas by visiting the world-class San Francisco Flower & Garden Show at the San Mateo Event Center. The annual show celebrates “Life in the California Garden” and runs from March 23 through March 27.

New this year are "garden to table" cooking demonstrations by top Bay Area chefs, including Sean Baker of Gather Restaurant, Esquire Magazine’s Chef of the Year for 2010, and culinary icon Alice Waters, owner of the Chez Panisse restaurant and author of The Art of Simple Food.  

The restaurant luminary list rounds out impressively with Executive Chefs Andrea Froncillo of The Stinking Rose, Roland Passot of La Folie, and Jeffrey Stout of Alexander’s Steakhouse.

It wouldn’t be a garden show without gardens! You’ll find 20 full-size garden installations from the Bay Area’s foremost horticulture and landscape professionals. Design seminars feature notable experts such as HGTV personality Gary Gragg, and award-winning landscaper Jeffrey Gordon Smith.

Children are welcome at the show. “Sproutopia”, a special children’s area, will provide hands-on learning and fun for young, budding gardeners. 

The San Francisco Flower & Garden Show is one of the largest garden shows in the country, offering 75 seminars and films, 200 vendors, a full farmer’s market, wine tasting, book signings, and great food. It’s a fun way to grow your gardening skills in Silicon Valley!

A good garden, no matter the size, will improve your outdoor living space. A well-tended garden also shows pride of home ownership. If you have a growing interest in buying or selling a home in Silicon Valley, contact me for the best in real estate service!

 

Shannon Rose
Silicon Valley Real Estate Expert
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Protecting Your Credit in Silicon Valley!

Good credit is important when buying a home in Silicon Valley. Sometimes it takes a major purchase to make us think about our credit, but no matter your plans, you need to know what’s in your credit report. This sounds like common sense, but not everyone takes the time to review their credit. The risks of identity theft and credit fraud make it a necessity.  

Take a look at the big picture for a moment, and you’ll see what I mean. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that 9 million people each year become victims of identity theft. Undoing the damage caused by fraudulent use of your personal information can cost a great deal of time and money. Here are more facts from the FTC:

• Credit card fraud is the most common form of identity theft.
• Fraudulent new credit accounts took the longest time to discover.
• The longer the fraudulent activity continued, the higher the loss to the victim.
• 16% of fraud victims were victimized by someone they knew.
• 84% of fraud victims did not know who obtained their personal information. 
• Of the above, over half of the victims did not know how their info was stolen.
• 37% of fraud victims became alerted to the fraud by monitoring their accounts.

Our national affection for credit cards isn’t going away, however. The average American credit card holder has at least 3 credit cards, per a study conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

With these facts in mind, keeping an eye on your credit report is crucial. Fortunately, it’s also easy, and once every year, it’s free! And because I love to help Silicon Valley home buyers, I have this information handy. You can obtain a free copy of your credit report once each year at annualcreditreport.com. This website is a cooperative venture of all three major credit reporting bureaus, and is supplied as a public service.

Note that this free credit report will list your credit accounts and public records, but not your actual credit score. Still, it’s the right place to start to make sure your information is accurate.

If you wish to obtain a copy of your actual credit score, you can do so for a nominal fee by visiting MyFICO.com. FICO is the industry standard for numerical credit scoring. The site also provides useful credit tips that make it worth a visit.

Protecting your credit could help you buy a home in the Silicon Valley area. Helping Silicon Valley home buyers and sellers is my specialty! As your professional Silicon Valley Real Estate Agent, I will put my knowledge and experience to work for you. Contact me today for help with all your real estate goals!

Shannon Rose
Silicon Valley Real Estate Expert
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Luck of the Irish in Silicon Valley!

St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world. It attracts celebrants from all ethnic backgrounds, and is observed in countries you may not expect, such as New Zealand, South Korea and Japan.  

The universal appeal of St. Patrick’s Day may be in the spirit of perseverance and luck that have connotations with the holiday. In fact, the phrase “Luck of the Irish” may have originated during the California gold rush, when many Irish immigrants pursued their fortunes in the gold and silver mines of the West.

 

The Irish-American heritage in the San Francisco Bay Area is represented in one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in North America, held annually since 1852. Like St. Patrick’s Day itself, the parade evokes a spirit of inclusiveness, drawing participants of all demographics and ethnicity.  

This year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in San Francisco is expected to include 5,000 participants from all over the United States. The parade is Saturday, March 12, and will begin at 11:30 a.m., stepping off from the corner of Second and Market Street, ending at City Hall.

 

Irish-themed festivities continue throughout the day at the St. Patrick’s Day Festival at the Civic Center Plaza. This family-friendly event features live entertainment, arts and crafts, rides, cultural displays, and plenty of food and beverages.  

Whether you’re Irish or not, anyone can enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Just as anyone can enjoy having the luck of the Irish!  After all, a large part of “luck” is being in the right place at the right time – and the right place, is wherever opportunity dwells.  

That would put the Silicon Valley Area amongst the luckiest places to be found!  The opportunities for employment, business start-up, and venture capital are unrivaled. The opportunities for Silicon Valley real estate are excellent as well!   

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home in Silicon Valley, you’ve come to the right place.  Contact me to work with the right Realtor – someone who will listen to your needs and put all their experience to work for you.  By being prepared and informed, you’ll be ready to make your own luck in Silicon Valley!

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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Two Fold Benefits of Going Green in Silicon Valley

"Going green" in Silicon Valley has been happening for so long that it's not quite news anymore. This is far from a bad thing; it just puts us a step ahead of the smaller towns and neighborhoods who are just starting to take eco-living seriously. Silicon Valley residents have long been at the forefront of the Green movement - the very popular GoingGreen Silicon Valley event is about to be in its 5th year, local companies are at the top of the environment-friendly lists (such as San Jose's solar manufacturer SunPower which was ranked as #10 for clean-tech employers), and according to Popular Science Magazine, San Francisco ranks as the "2rd Greenest City in America." 

Therefore, it is no surprise that Silicon Valley homeowners are very good at putting forth green initiatives when it comes to their Silicon Valley homes.

An Eco-Conscious Tax Season

Now that it's February, we all have tax season on our mind. As responsible Eco-conscious citizens, Silicon Valley homeowners can actually be rewarded for their efforts through tax incentives.

A handful of energy efficient organizations have gathered together to form The Tax Incentive Assistance Project (TIAP). Although you may have been hearing that a lot of the incentives have expired, there are still a lot of notable tax incentives for the green-minded Silicon Valley homeowner.

Here are some of the best parts about the updates to the federal tax incentives for 2010 and 2011.

Tax Incentives are now going straight to the manufacturers. That means that when you want to buy that Energy Star dishwasher for your new Mountain View home, you can get it at a great price!

You can get up to $200 for making your windows energy efficient, $50 for efficient furnace fans, and $300 for water heater and wood heating systems.

New Silicon Valley homes can get up to $2,000 if they meet the eligibility requirements. (Please note that this incentive is for the home builder, not the homeowner).

Incentives aside, if you are living eco friendly for the right reasons, then the reward is knowing that you are really making a positive impact on our Silicon Valley community. Of course everybody wants to save money, but the great thing about living in Silicon Valley is that people have the best intentions when it comes to making the world a better place.

If you are considering buying or selling a Cambrian or Willow Glen home, then I would love to help you find what you are looking for. As an experienced Silicon Valley real estate agent, I can help you in every area of your home search. Whether its providing you with valuable information, showing you around the neighborhood, or helping you find the exact home you've been looking for. I'm always here to help, and you can contact me any time.

Shannon Rose
Silicon Valley Real Estate Expert
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Silicon Valley Real Estate: The Cold Hard Facts, with a Soft Touch

As much as I love to find you interesting stories and fun events about the Silicon Valley Area and its communities, sometimes the best source of information is the quick cold, hard facts. If you are looking for a home in Santa Clara County, maybe you don't have the time to sit and chat. You just need to know the hard statistics about Silicon Valley real estate.  So here is the breakdown from a very trusted source, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

San Francisco Bay Area Information:
Median Price: $553,620
Length of time from listing to opening escrow: 55.0
Number of months it would take to sell all homes on the market at the current sales rate: 5.2
Median Price for homes in San Jose: $400,000
Median Price for homes in Mountain View: $656,500

Santa Clara County Facts:
Located: South Bay
Size: Just over 1,300 square miles
Cities: Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Palo Alto, and San Jose, as well as the Silicon Valley

Useful Santa Clara County Websites:
http://www.santaclaracountylib.org/
http://www.sccoe.k12.ca.us/default.asp
http://www.2chambers.com/californ2.htm

Now that I have told you what you need to know, let me tell you what you want to know. After all, when it comes to living in Silicon Valley, beauty and pleasure are as much a part of the lifestyle as facts and figures...

Living in Silicon Valley means having outdoor activities like golfing, kayaking, and scuba diving at your fingertips.

Culture flows from the streets - from art galleries and museums to eclectic shopping and wineries to die for.

A great school system and a priority on community makes neighborhoods like Mountain View, California and Willow Glen, California wonderful places to raise a family, grow up, or grow old.

If you want to know more Silicon Valley facts, hard or soft, let me know. I'm a Silicon Valley Real Estate agent that values facts and information, but never discounts that being your agent means finding you a place to call home – a very personal journey. Whatever you need from me, I am here to help.

Shannon Rose
Silicon Valley Real Estate Expert
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