4th of July in Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley is full of life, preparing for its 4th of July holiday weekend! Just as the Silicon Valley Real Estate market bursts to life during the summer, so do festivals, concerts and parades. To make sure you don’t miss any of the events happening all over Santa Clara County this weekend, I’ve put together a list of where to watch fireworks, listen to live music, view a parade and savor festival foods. As your Silicon Valley Real Estate agent, I want you to enjoy the Silicon Valley area as much as possible!

Fireworks

If you enjoy fireworks, then you’ll be glad you live in Santa Clara County! You could enjoy fireworks Saturday through Tuesday if really want to go all out. Otherwise, numerous shows are available for you to choose from.

• California’s Great America theme park will host fireworks on Saturday and Sunday in honor of the holiday. However, if you miss them this weekend, they continue to shoot them off every Saturday night through August.

• Sports fans have the option of combining their love of the game with their love for fireworks! The San Jose Giants will shoot off fireworks after their July 4 and July 5 games against the Modesto Nuts.

• If you’re looking for good old-fashioned firework fun, head to Milpitas Sports Center Football Field for fireworks on July 4, which will coincide with music, or check out the San Francisco Symphony Shoreline Amphitheatre, which will feature fireworks and patriotic performances.

Concerts/Live Music

The 4th of July is a celebration for our country. There’s no better method of getting into the spirit of the holidays than by dancing, swaying or singing along to live music!

• Blackberry Farm is hosting a swimming, grilling and live music listening party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which will leave you with plenty of time to prepare for fireworks that night. The barbecue lunch is available for the first 800 attendees, so get there early! The Groove Kings will perform from noon to 3 p.m.

• For a more traditional July 4th concert, listen to the San Jose Wind Symphony perform, beginning at 1:30 p.m. on the Los Gatos High School front lawn. The show will include a combination of notorious patriotic songs, along with current favorites. It’ll even feature a grand finale, complete with cannons during an 1812 Overture.

Parades

What’s the 4th of July without a parade, right? They manage to squeeze music, performers, local businesses, political figures, costumes, decorative floats and lots of candy into one unforgettable event!

• Memorial Park begins their holiday celebrations with a pancake breakfast at the Quinlan Community Center’s Cupertino Room from 7 to 11 a.m. A flag will be raised at 9 a.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial and the Children’s Parade begins at 10 a.m. After the parade, The Peelers will perform at the Memorial Park Amphitheater.

• For a more official parade, head to Morgan Hill for the Santa Clara County Independence Day Parade. This celebration has been running yearly since 1876! With more than 2,500 participants, you’ll be sure to enjoy the float designs, band performances, horses and antique cars in the procession. Bring water to stay hydrated!

Festivals

Summer and festivals go hand-in-hand, and a holiday weekend is the perfect excuse to throw a fest full of food, entertainment, cocktails, games and plenty of community socializing.

• The highlight of the 30th Annual Summer Festival and Chili Cookoff in Palo Alto is the chili! Twenty teams will compete for the title of “Best Chili” at 1:30 p.m., while guests enjoy chili tasting, food booths, beer and margaritas, live music and children’s activities. The festival runs from noon to 5 p.m. at Mitchell Park.

• Kevin Moran Park in Saratoga will present a traditional fest from 9:30 to 11 a.m., honoring our country and everyone in it! A Color Guard will present a flag, a band and a youth chorus will perform patriotic songs and costumed individuals will be walking around as historical American figures. It’s entertainment and education all wrapped into one! Everyone will leave with a stomach full of free popsicles, and children will leave with a free flag. Wear red, white and blue!

Now that you know where all the 4th of July excitement is this weekend, go out and enjoy the holiday! But as your Silicon Valley Real Estate agent, I request that you let me know what events you went to and what the highlights of your weekend were. Once the excitement dies down, we’ll dive back into selling your Silicon Valley home or buying you a Santa Clara County home. You don’t want to miss out on the Silicon Valley Real Estate market while it’s hot! Happy 4th of July weekend, readers!

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

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
Visit My Silicon Valley Real Estate Website
Find Silicon Valley Area Listings

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
Visit My Silicon Valley Real Estate Website
Find Silicon Valley Area Listings

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
Visit My Silicon Valley Real Estate Website
Find Silicon Valley Area Listings

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
Visit My Silicon Valley Real Estate Website
Find Silicon Valley Area Listings

Home Inspection Tips for Silicon Valley!

In today’s Silicon Valley real estate market, buyers want to have confidence in their home purchase. Sellers want to be sure they’re getting a good price. Whether you are buying or selling a home in Silicon Valley, you can benefit from a home inspection.

It may not occur to home sellers to order a home inspection before putting their property on the market, yet the strategy has merit. If a home inspection is performed by a buyer as a purchase contingency, you could end up with a surprise if an issue is discovered.

In the worst case scenario, a problem found in a home inspection may lead to a withdrawn offer. Why wait until the middle of the sale for a home inspection? It makes better sense to know up front if your home has any issues. Then you can determine if you should address those issues before placing the home on the market. Or you could decide to adjust your asking price accordingly.

In any case, disclosing known issues pertaining to the condition of your home is your obligation as a home seller. While a home inspection report does not replace your obligation, it shows you’ve gone the extra mile. This may help put a buyer at ease, and in turn, he or she may look upon your home more favorably.

Per a 2009 survey by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, up to 80% of all homes for sale nationwide had pre-purchase inspections. As the use of home inspections became commonplace, the number of “home inspectors” grew dramatically. But just as real estate sales professionals like me have organizations like the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® to separate them from the crowd, home inspectors have their own associations and credentials. 

The California Real Estate Inspection Association, or CREIA, has served the California real estate industry since 1976. CREIA defines a home inspection as a visual examination of the structure and systems of a dwelling. In other words, your home and its mechanicals won’t be taken apart in the process.

These are the common inspection areas identified by CREIA:

•          Overall structural condition
•          Roof
•          Foundation
•          Drainage
•          Plumbing
•          Heating System
•          Central Air Conditioning System
•          Visible Insulation
•          Walls, Windows, Doors

Home inspectors are neutral third-parties and their task is to identify visual defects. A home inspection may result in nothing more than a list of maintenance to-do's.  Or, the report may reveal a more serious issue that needs attention. As a rule of thumb, it’s seldom cheaper to fix something later; a home inspection today could save you from more costly repairs tomorrow.

Selective home buyers in Silicon Valley know the importance of a home inspection. So do well-prepared home sellers! 

Of course, the importance of a good REALTOR® cannot be overlooked. As your Silicon Valley real estate professional, I’ll be with you throughout the entire buying or selling process. If you need a market analysis on your home, or if you’d like to see what’s new in Bay Area real estate, contact me! Let my experience and dedication to service help you reach your real estate goals.

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