I have reviewed the October MLS statistics for Single Family Homes in Los Gatos, California. Please listen to my podcast to learn about the key trends and indicators in this area. If you have any questions about the market, feel free to give me a call at 408-829-4141 or e-mail JohnPinto@jvpinto.com Thank you, John V. Pinto 11/12/2007

For 2008 Halloween Events in Silicon Valley, please click here:Halloween Events in Silicon Valley ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Are you looking to find the Halloween fun? Activities for kids and adults? At my Live in Los Gatos blog, I've compiled a list of events and activities in and near Los Gatos (west valley area of Silicon Valley, near San Jose). Please stop by and check out the list! And if I've forgotten one, let me know and I'll add it.And while I'm suggesting sites, there's also my haunted real estate page and haunted real estate blog!http://www.hauntedrealestate.com/http://www.hauntedrealestateblog.com/ The blog includes stories from real estate professionals who've encountered "a little something spooky" in their visits to homes on the market. Stop on by - and again, feel free to... 10/19/2007

I have reviewed the September MLS statistics for Single Family Homes in Los Gatos, California. Please listen to my podcast to learn about the key trends and indicators in this area. If you have any questions about the market, feel free to give me a call at 408-829-4141 or e-mail JohnPinto@jvpinto.com Thank you, John V. Pinto 10/09/2007

I have reviewed the September MLS statistics for Condominiums & Townhomes in Los Gatos, California. Please listen to my podcast to learn about the key trends and indicators in this area. If you have any questions about the market, feel free to give me a call at 408-829-4141 or e-mail JohnPinto@jvpinto.com Thank you, John V. Pinto 10/09/2007

I think my current fascination with old hotels probably had its roots in my childhood.Growing up in Los Gatos, I distinctly remember the Lyndon Hotel on the corner of Santa Cruz & Main Streets. When I began high school, the hotel was mysteriously demolished. I had no idea why this occurred & still don't know. In researching history in the Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, and Santa Cruz Mountains, I am amazed how many truly grand hotels & resorts there once were.Strangely, many old hotels were reported to have burned down. I am curious why that would be the case. Most old houses did not burn down (evidenced by the fact they are still standing!), but most hotels did. Why?Another unanswered question I have has to do with the reporting of these events. The literature I have read usually states that a... 09/21/2007

I have reviewed the August MLS statistics for Single Family Homes in Los Gatos, California. Please listen to my podcast to learn about the key trends and indicators in this area. If you have any questions about the market, feel free to give me a call at 408-829-4141 or e-mail JohnPinto@jvpinto.com Thank you, John V. Pinto 09/12/2007

I have reviewed the August MLS statistics for Condominiums & Townhomes in Los Gatos, California. Please listen to my podcast to learn about the key trends and indicators in this area. If you have any questions about the market, feel free to give me a call at 408-829-4141 or e-mail JohnPinto@jvpinto.com Thank you, John V. Pinto 09/12/2007

For several years, I have been interested in local history. I have done a bit of research and have written several articles for my newsletter, as well as blogs on AR and Word Press, where I have another blog http://debsbeachblog.wordpress.com (which I hardly use anymore since becoming active on AR).The other day, I was driving from my home in Santa Cruz, through the Santa Cruz Mountains on my way to Los Gatos. I often go "the back way" through the mountains to avoid traffic. It suddenly struck me how absurd it was that the rich history of Los Gatos, where I grew up, was never even mentioned in school, and how fascinating and meaningful it would have been if we had been taught the history that permeated and surrounded us. I homeschooled my grandson for two years and during that time, par... 09/07/2007

I have reviewed the July MLS statistics for Single Family Homes in Los Gatos, California. Please listen to my podcast to learn about the key trends and indicators in this area. If you have any questions about the market, feel free to give me a call at 408-829-4141 or e-mail JohnPinto@jvpinto.com Thank you, John V. Pinto 08/22/2007

I have reviewed the July MLS statistics for Condominiums & Townhomes in Los Gatos, California. Please listen to my podcast to learn about the key trends and indicators in this area. If you have any questions about the market, feel free to give me a call at 408-829-4141 or e-mail JohnPinto@jvpinto.com Thank you, John V. Pinto 08/22/2007

The town of Los Gatos enjoys interesting architecture and an equally fascinating history that really impresses upon its residents the unique character of the area. One of the more colorful individuals was the inordinately surprising Charley Parkhurst, a stagecoach driver with a secret kept 'til death. (This is not the same person as Mountain Charley, though they did live at the same period in time. They are often confused as both had tussles with grizzly bears.)If you'd like to learn about this amazing person who "made history" in the late 1800s, please visit my Live in Los Gatos blog. History is full of surprises! 07/28/2007

Last week, my daugher and I had the pleasure of patronizing an apparel store in downtown Los Gatos. We were in search of clothes for my 16 year old to wear to a family wedding next month. Naturally, my idea of "what to wear" to a Church wedding & evening reception and hers were not exactly identical.The gals at this shop really went the extra mile. Mission accomplished.It happens that I had my digital camera with me that day. I was so impressed that as I was handing over my credit card, I asked the owner if she'd mind if I blogged about my experience and included a few photos. She said that was fine (free advertising!) and I snapped a few pics. The store is Infiniti Boutique, located on 120 W. Main Street, Los Gatos. If you'd like to learn more, see more photos etc, please visit my Live... 07/18/2007

Today's the final day of the Project Blogger Contest, so a lot of the apprentices (and some of the mentors) are looking for some kind of closure as they wind down the efforts that will "count" in the competition. This is not goodbye! For most of us apprentices, it's more like a small graduation day. But we're not packing off to college - we're just getting out from under the microscope, stepping offstage. I think most of us are ready for the pressure part of this great adventure to be over. We have learned a ton, and I think so have the folks who were running this contest for the first time!Judges, please don't zap points from me for "blogging about blogging". There is a loose end that the contest required be addressed. Something we were instructed to do, but I haven't seen anyone else ... 07/15/2007

If you love tree-lined residential neighborhoods with comfortably large Queen Anne Victorian homes, visiting the Edelen District of Los Gatos is a must-see! Located just a few steps from the charming Old Town area, this area was first developed in the late 1800s and remains one of the true gems of Los Gatos. To have a look at some photos of some of these elegant homes and to learn more about the ever-popular Edelen District, please visit my Live in Los Gatos blog. There you will also find references for learning more. With warm regards from Silicon Valley,  Mary Pope-Handy, Realtor,  CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, ASP, RECS, CNHSHelping Nice Folks to Buy & Sell Homes Since 1993Co-Author: "Get The Best Deal When Selling Your Home In Silicon Valley"Intero Real Estate Services, Los Gatos, CA  (Sil... 07/12/2007

Los Gatos has been drawing people to itself for a variety of reasons since the early 1800s. The town got help in a 1905 British medical journal that asserted that Los Gatos was second only to a place in Egypt as having the most healthful climate around. And in 1924, the Southern Pacific Railroad called Los Gatos the "Gem City of the Foothills" in a PR piece that expounded on the town's scenic beauty and pleasant climate.And now we have the internet, so nothing's a secret.People email me (and sometimes even call) to discuss relocating here. Most often, there's a lot of confusion before they arrive. To help, today's post on Live in Los Gatos addresses some of the top areas of misunderstanding for those contemplating or planning a move here. Also, resources are given that may help those mo... 07/07/2007

Statewide, California sales are way off from a year ago. This is true for the Silicon Valley area generally too (mostly comprised of places near San Jose in Santa Clara County). But what about Los Gatos?The Cats seems to be holding its own. It is a mild buyer's market overall, but it does not appear to be deepening, Homes are selling if they're priced and staged and marketed well.If you'd like to see the data, you can read up on the absorption rate, list price to sales price ratio, and many other factors on my Live In Los Gatos blog. Or contact me, Mary Pope-Handy, for a personalized analysis of your Silicon Valley home or neighborhood! 07/05/2007

At my Live in Los Gatos blog, I wrote a 3 part series on my family's recent trek to the beautiful Northwest... Part 1 detailed the trip to and in/around Spokane. Part 2 recounted our fabulous time in Seattle. And Part 3, today's entry, relayed our experiences in Portland and Ashland, Oregon. Travelling is such a growing experience - and I'm not talking about the food to exercise ratio exactly. Gaining insights as to what people value and enjoy and simply experience on a daily base is enlightening and creates an interesting window through which to judge our own lives.I love the northwest. Part of it is because I attended college in Spokane, Washington, and part of it is because I have so many friends in Oregon and Washington. But there's also a real "otherness" to it. There's a definite ... 07/04/2007

My family and I enjoyed a 10 day road trip in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, visiting Spokane, Seattle, Portland, and Ashland in late June. In my Live in Los Gatos Blog, I share our experiences and reflect back on how these areas are similar to, and different from, our home of Los Gatos (and Silicon Valley generally) in a 3 part series.Part 1 involved the drive to, and visit in and around, Spokane.Part 2, today's entry, discusses Seattle and our fun there.  Part 3, coming out tomorrow, will address our experiences in Portland and Ashland, Oregon.We loved the trip, seeing so many friends and some relatives, sight-seeing, taking in the scenery and geography, and visiting colleges and universities (our excuse for the journey).  Seeing other places is fun, but it can also provide insights... 07/03/2007

A couple of days ago we returned from a 10 day road trip to the Pacific Northwest. I'm always ready to take a trip (well, almost always ready), and by the end, I'm usually ready to be home. Travelling reminds me that homes are not all as outrageously priced as they are in my neck of the woods (but I try to not notice that too much). But it also reminds me of how lucky we are to live in Los Gatos, such a pretty part of such a great valley (Silicon Valley, once known as The Valley of Heart's Delight). Today I did a post reflecting on the trip's first stretch (Silicon Valley to Spokane). I invite you to take a look at my Live in Los Gatos blog and get to know that part of the country a little better, and how it is a bit different than my part of the US. 07/02/2007

Do you love movies? Los Gatos has provided the backdrop for about two dozen films over the years, particularly back in the days before the "talkies". Recently I spent some time researching this fascinating history, discovering who came to town (Charlie Chaplain among them), when they were here, and what caused one major film production to move on (hint: El Nino).Want more information and a bunch of links on all of it? Please visit Live in Los Gatos, a blog with information on current events and historical ones, real estate, neighborhoods, local businesses, and the town's issues. 06/25/2007