Palo Alto homes and condos are leading Silicon Valley in demand due to increased employment in the area and lack of homes for sale in surrounding communities.  Of 51 residential properties now on the market (not including those in escrow), only 12 are priced under $1M (down from 18 two weeks ago). Here are Palo Alto homes and condos for sale under $1M as of August 10, 2012.  To see the MLS listing for a property or to schedule a showing, click on the property’s Price.   Price Location Bed/Bath Sq. Feet $998,000 3377 Ross Road 3/1 1,320 $985,000 685 HIGH STREET,#5E 2/3.5 1,476 $948,000 555 THAIN WAY 2/2 1,629 $908,000 4229 Ponce Dr 3/2 1,717 $899,000 3239 Maddux Drive 3/1 1,014 $895,000 101 ALMA STREET,#101 3/3 1,478 $899,000 1129 TUOLUMNE LANE,#51 2/2.5 1,130 $849,000 800 CHARLESTON ROA... 08/10/2012

Palo Alto residential lots are scarce as general inventory of homes in the area are leading Silicon Valley’s housing market recovery.  If you’re looking for a home site to build on in Palo Alto, we can help. Here are Palo Alto residential lots and land for sale as of August 9, 2012.  Click on the property’s Listing Price to view its MLS listing, request additional information, or to schedule a site visit.   Location Price Acres Notes 5061 Skyline Blvd $588,000 11.04     Check back next week for updates or subscribe to this ePublication. Lot sizes are approximate and use of the land is subject to local government regulation and approval. Are you an active real estate investoralways looking for great opportunities?  Click on Contact Us and tell me what you’re looking for.  I’ll make sure ... 08/09/2012

The Secret City of London within the City of London, England by Michelle Carr Crowe, Silicon Valley guide and real estate consultant So with all of the Olympics coverage from London, why didn't we see anything about the Secret City of London within the city of London, England? This creative, brief and fascinating video about the Secret City of London within the City of London is a fast-paced and entertaining romp through both the City of London and the city of London, England. You'll learn something and even like it. Click the link to watch the video: The Secret City of London within the City of London. Or visit http://youtu.be/LrObZ_HZZUc. Curious about Silicon Valley Market Values? Get a FREE online estimate at www.SiliconValleyValue.com. Need to consult with me right away? Click here... 08/08/2012

Palo Alto homes and condos are leading Silicon Valley in demand due to increased employment in the area and lack of homes for sale in surrounding communities.  Of 57 residential properties now on the market (not including those in escrow), only 14 are priced under $1M (down from 18 last week). Note: There were 80 properties on the market in Palo Alto last week – now 57 – and 6 properties from this list went into escrow this week. Here is this week’s list of Palo Alto homes and condos for sale under $1M as of August 3, 2012.  To see the MLS listing for a property or to schedule a showing, click on the property’s Price.   Price Location Bed/Bath Sq. Feet $985,000 685 HIGH STREET,#5E 2/3 (2/1) 1,476 $948,000 555 THAIN WAY 2/2 (2/0) 1,629 $925,000 3728 Feather Lane #12 3/3 (2/1) 1,629 $899,... 08/03/2012

Investors, here are northern Silicon Valley multi-family properties for sale with 5 or more units as of August 2, 2012.  This area includes the towns of Atherton, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Woodside, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale. This is the lowest sales inventory of units in a long time, due primarily to increasing home prices and rents throughout Silicon Valley.  If you would like to be contacted immediately when a property that fits your investment criteria comes on the market, drop me an email. Click on a property’s Location to view its MLS listing, request additional information, and to schedule a site visit.   City Price Location Units Notes Mountain View $2,500,000 1187 Boranda Ave 8   Mountain View $2,200,000 1720 Wright Ave 9   Mountain V... 08/02/2012

Palo Alto residential lots are scarce as general inventory of homes in the area are leading Silicon Valley’s housing market recovery.  If you’re looking for a home site to build on in Palo Alto, we can help. Here are Palo Alto residential lots and land for sale as of August 2, 2012.  Click on a property’s Listing Price to view its MLS listing, request additional information, or to schedule a site visit.   Location Price Acres Notes 0 Alpine Road $1,149,000 0.77   5061 Skyline Blvd $588,000 11.04     Check back next week for updates or subscribe to this ePublication. Lot sizes are approximate and use of the land is subject to local government regulation and approval. Are you an active real estate investoralways looking for great opportunities?  Click on Contact Us and tell me what you’re... 08/02/2012

Silicon Valley small unit residential properties of 4 units or less often provide a great starting point for new investors or the opportunity to cost-effectively build an existing property portfolio.  There are five new properties on the market this week.   Here are this week’s northern Silicon Valley small multi-family investment properties for sale as of August 2, 2012.  This area includes Atherton, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Woodside, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale.   Click on a property’s Location to view its MLS listing, request additional information, or to schedule a site visit.   City Location Price Units Notes Palo Alto 657 Channing Ave $2,299,800 3   Menlo Park 265 Waverley Street $2,198,000 4 + Palo Alto 2288 Williams Street $1,549,000 4 ... 08/02/2012

Hobbs Herder Gateway Pros, Cons & Experiences by Michelle Carr Crowe, Silicon Valley guide and San Jose real estate agent I am signed up for the San Francisco, Calif. Hobbs Herder Gateway 3-day seminar. I'd love to hear other ActiveRain professionals opinions on the pros, cons, and any personal experiences with them and their system(s). I am aware they have a "personal marketing program" that costs about $10K. Another colleague from By Referral Only said he did it, by the letter and it did not have the promised results. This seminar is focused on branding especially throughout social media. I'd love to hear your thoughts. 07/31/2012

In Palo Alto from Jan 1, 2012 until June 30, 2012 there were: 1 closed short sales 3 closed bank owned homes Total sales during this time period were 284 Total % Short Sales: .3% Total % REO Sales: .9% Total Percentage  Palo Alto Distressed Properties: 1.2% 1.2% of all Palo Alto sales being distressed properties is not enough to even comment on. The price of homes have in Palo Alto is now up to pre 2008 prices in the $2,500,000 price range and the homes over $2,500,000 usually do not have loans that are a very high percentage of their value so anyone who is having financial problems can generally sell and be made whole. So if you are looking for a bargain, look outside of Palo Alto. If you have any questions about short sales or foreclosures in Santa Clara County please feel free to con... 07/30/2012

Sure, price is important if your resources demand that you invest in properties within a certain price range - that's elementary.  But when it comes to analyzing the investment potential of a property, price plays second fiddle to the most critical factor - return on investment (ROI).  It's not that price isn't important.  In fact, price is a component of ROI - price is the "I" in the equation.  But let's look at the top three features of a property that contribute to ROI.  These are demand, acquisition cost, and management. 1)  Demand.  Demand for a property is based on location and features.  Features can be changed with remodeling or replacement, but location is fixed for eternity.  OK, the value of the location may adjust over time based upon neighborhood influences, government acti... 07/29/2012

Palo Alto homes and condos are leading Silicon Valley in demand due to increased employment in the area and lack of homes for sale in surrounding communities.  Of 80 residential properties now on the market (not including those in escrow), only 18 are priced under $1M (down from 21 last week). Here is this week’s list of Palo Alto homes and condos for sale under $1M as of July 27, 2012.  To see the MLS listing for a property or to schedule a showing, click on the property’s Price.   Price Location Bed/Bath Sq. Feet $985,000 253 ADDISON AVENUE 2/1 (1/0) 1,164 $985,000 685 HIGH STREET,#5E 2/3 (2/1) 1,476 $948,000 555 THAIN WAY 2/2 (2/0) 1,629 $925,000 3728 Feather Lane #12 3/3 (2/1) 1,629 $899,000 4112 THAIN WAY 2/2 (2/0) 1,541 $899,000 1129 TUOLUMNE LANE,#51 2/3 (2/1) 1,130 $899,000 1004... 07/28/2012

Home buyers - have you ever submitted an offer, had it accepted, opened escrow, then received inspection reports that reveal hidden problems with the property?  This happens all the time.  The problem could be plumbing, electrical, or very often termite damage that can only be discovered by a professional inspector.  When the damage must be repaired as either a condition of getting final mortgage approval or to simply bring the property up to the condition you thought it should be in when you made your offer, what do you do? There are several options available when faced with new information about problems with the condition of the property that must be repaired prior to closing escrow. 1)  Walk away from the purchase.  If you're within the inspection contingency period you generally ca... 07/27/2012

Five Fun Facts About U.S. History in July By Michelle Carr Crowe, Silicon Valley guide and San Jose real estate agent I love history and discovering fun, unique facts. It can be enjoyable for my own amusement or a great icebreaker when meeting someone at a REALTOR® Trade Show, Keller Williams convention or even a San Jose Lynbrook High open house. Here are five fun facts about U.S.history that happened in the month of July-three of them on the same day, July 1st. July 1 U.S. postage stamps went on sale for the first time. (1847) July 1 Taxes were first withheld from paychecks. (1943-now that’s another day that should live in infamy) July 1 Postal Zip codes are first put into use. (1963) July 2 The Lawrence Welk show premieres on television.(1955) July 9 Dick Clark hosts American Bandsta... 07/26/2012

Silicon Valley small unit residential properties of 4 units or less often provide a great starting point for new investors or the opportunity to cost-effectively build an existing property portfolio.   Here are this week’s northern Silicon Valley small multi-family investment properties for sale as of July 26, 2012.  This area includes Atherton, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Woodside, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale.   Click on a property’s Location to view its MLS listing, request additional information, or to schedule a site visit.   City Location Price Units Notes Palo Alto 657 Channing Ave $2,299,800 3   Palo Alto 2288 Williams Street $1,549,000 4   Mountain View 30 Church Street $1,399,000 2   Sunnyvale 501 Granger Terrace $1,298,500 4 + Mountain V... 07/26/2012

Investors, here are northern Silicon Valley multi-family properties for sale with 5 or more units as of July 26, 2012.  This area includes the towns of Atherton, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Woodside, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale. This is the lowest sales inventory of units in a long time, due primarily to increasing home prices and rents throughout Silicon Valley.  If you would like to be contacted immediately when a property that fits your investment criteria comes on the market, drop me an email. Click on a property’s Location to view its MLS listing, request additional information, and to schedule a site visit.   City Price Location Units Notes Palo Alto $3,495,000 251 Middlefield Rd 6   Mountain View $2,500,000 1187 Boranda Ave 8   Palo Alto $1... 07/26/2012

Palo Alto residential lots are scarce as general inventory of homes in the area are leading Silicon Valley’s housing market recovery.  If you’re looking for a home site to build on in Palo Alto, we can help. Here are Palo Alto residential lots and land for sale as of July 26, 2012.  Click on a property’s Listing Price to view its MLS listing, request additional information, or to schedule a site visit.   Location Price Acres Notes 0 Alpine Road $1,149,000 0.77   5061 Skyline Blvd $588,000 11.04     Check back next week for updates or subscribe to this ePublication. Lot sizes are approximate and use of the land is subject to local government regulation and approval. Are you an active real estate investor always looking for great opportunities?  Click on Contact Us and tell me what you’re... 07/26/2012

Can I buy a home a few months after foreclosure if due to hardship? (Inspired by a Trulia question.)   Can I buy a home a few months after foreclosure if due to hardship? The short answer is Yes. You have three other options, however all will involve higher interest rates:   1) owner financed properties. An individual seller may be willing to lend to you. 2) rent-to-own properties: typically a portion of your rent is going to the down payment 3) option properties; you may be renting with an option to buy set for a date in the future when you can again get a traditional loan. 07/22/2012

The inventory of Palo Alto homes and condos for sale has been lagging relative to buyer demand in recent months, resulting in multiple offers and over-bidding for many homes.  But in the week from July 13th to July 20th, inventory increased dramatically from 58 to 80 homes on the market (not including those in escrow), a rise of 37%. Silicon Valley home listing inventories have been light in many communities, as sellers patiently await return of home values and the accompanying equity needed to either sell or refinance.  This past week’s inventory increase will be a test of whether recent improvements in employment and IPO activity are truly creating a sustained housing market recovery.  Late July and August are months when many buyers and sellers traditionally take action prior to the ... 07/22/2012

Palo Alto homes and condos are leading Silicon Valley in demand due to increased employment in the area and lack of homes for sale in surrounding communities.  Of 80 residential properties now on the market (not including those in escrow), only 21 are priced under $1,000,000.  Note: there were only 58 properties on the market last week, not including those in escrow. Here is this week’s list of Palo Alto homes and condos for sale under $1M as of July 20, 2012.  To see the MLS listing for a property or to schedule a showing, click on the property’s Price.   Price Location Bed/Bath Sq. Feet $999,000 360 EVERETT AVENUE,#2B 2/2 (2/0) 1,762 $985,000 253 ADDISON AVENUE 2/1 (1/0) 1,164 $985,000 685 HIGH STREET,#5E 2/3 (2/1) 1,476 $948,000 555 THAIN WAY 2/2 (2/0) 1,629 $899,000 4112 THAIN WAY 2... 07/22/2012

Palo Alto residential lots are scarce as general inventory of homes in the area are leading Silicon Valley’s housing market recovery.  If you’re looking for a home site to build on in Palo Alto, we can help. Here are this week’s latest Palo Alto residential lots and land for sale as of July 20, 2012.  Click on a property’s Listing Price to view its MLS listing, request additional information, or to schedule a site visit.   Location Price Acres Notes 4155 Old Adobe Rd $3,298,000 1.17 Price reduced from $5,300,000 5061 Skyline Blvd $588,000 11.04     Check back next week for updates or subscribe to this ePublication. Lot sizes are approximate and use of the land is subject to local government regulation and approval. Are you an active real estate investoralways looking for great opportuni... 07/22/2012