A Fun Holiday Fact

Who says people don't buy homes during the holidays?

There were 5 sales in Santa Clara County during the week of December 22-December 26.

Where you ask? Alviso, Campbell, Morgan Hill, Palo Alto, and Downtown San Jose. None were actually on Christmas day.

A Willow Glen Steal $277,400

444 Fuller Ave, Willow Glen

2/1, 924+/-SF, 5,227+/-Lot

Listed for $277,400 - where will it sell? Probably close to $350,000.

Bank-owned, nicely remodeled, a very neighborly street complete with a association (no dues), a park with bocce and horseshoes. Located off Bird Ave it's worth a look.

Bank owned properties are becoming better and better deals (steals?). Many communities that have held their values through 2008 are now seeing bigger (some double digit) dips (Willow Glen, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Cupertino, Sunnyvale).

2009 looks poised to present great opportunities both in home prices and interest rates.

Tracy Pina

FindYourNextHome

FindYourHomeValueNow

Another one under $1MM in LG

**Pending**

234 Almendra Ave, Listed at $995,000 3/2, 1740+/-SF





Did it sell under $1MM?? Doubtful. Wednesday this home received the dramatic price reduction and was re-shown on Broker tour, Thursday it went under contract. This is exactly how to get a home sold right now - price it to sell - make it a screaming deal that everyone (agent?) looks at.

To see more homes for sale, go to www.FindYourNextHome.info

To see what your home may be worth in this market, go to www.FindYourHomeValueNow.info

Hot News from the Feds!

The Fed’s announcement released today was different from past announcements, with the Fed calling for a targeted range for the Fed Funds Rate of between 0.00% and 0.25%.

The Fed’s announcement was unanimous, which was not expected at the start of the meeting.

In addition to lowering rates, the Fed made several additional statements in addressing the economy and their future direction. The Fed stated, that it is prepared to keep interest rates at these low levels for some time, and that they are also prepared to move to stimulate the economy through the open market by increasing their balance sheet to high levels and expanding their plan to acquire both Agency and Mortgage Backed Securities as conditions warrant.

There was also a statement that the Fed will evaluate acquisition of long term Treasuries, but the definition of “Long Term” could be 2, 5 or 6 year bonds, not necessarily 30year.

Best of Los Gatos Broker Tour

Now listed under $1 million, 48 Chester Street is definitely worth a second look. 936+/-SF. 2bd/1ba.

Tracy Pina

Best of Los Gatos Broker Tour

My favorite listing this week was 241 Arroyo Grande Way. This home is nicely updated, has great space, and is located in a great family neighborhood. 1649+/-SF, 3bd/2ba - priced right!

Tracy Pina

Best of Los Gatos Brokers Tour

Most Spectacular is 15289 Top of the Hill Road, listed by Todd Hill - custom masterpiece set on Top of the Hill - gorgeous features, imported stone from Italy, views, terraces, pool, a perfect place to call home. I would love to live here! 3981+/-SF, 5bd/2.5ba All around "Best Of" goes to 16330 S Kennedy Road for price, home, and location. Amazing Home, Amazing Lot - This home will go fast! 2,686+/- SF, 4bd/2.5ba

Tracy Pina

Senate Passes It's Own Bailout Package

"The Senate package would add $100 billion in tax breaks for businesses and the middle class while temporarily raising the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.’s cap on coverage of bank deposits from $100,000 to $250,000. " More at...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26953481/

Tracy Pina

Best of Los Gatos Broker Tour Today

WOW! This one has it. Stunning beautiful single level home with incredible yard/pool/outdoor living space, built in bar/BBQ - no detail missed at this home. I personally loved the big oak tree in the large front yard with the circular driveway around it. And that it's a flag lot - talk about privacy! It was the most impressive home on tour today. To see more visit www.17055pine.com . List Price: $5,495,000. 5413+/-SF, 5Bd/4+Ba. Stunning!

And for the best value, I choose 110 Ann Arbor Ct. Listed at $1,435,000. A great price for a great neighborhood. This is a great location in Los Gatos. This particular home delivers a cul-du-sac location, near the back walking entrance to Hillbrook School, and is moments to Lundardi's and Starbucks. 1872+/-SF, 3Bd/2Ba.

Tracy Pina

Hot New Listing (Saratoga)

18803 Afton Avenue, Saratoga
STUNNING HOME * BEAUTIFUL OPEN FLOOR PLAN

MOMENTS TO:
QUITO VILLAGE
EL QUITO PARK
GENE'S GOURMET MARKET
EL PASEO, WESTGATE SHOPPING CENTERS AND SARATOGA CINEMAS

Built in 2001, this beautifully appointed home features an open floor plan with hardwood floors, crown moulding, recessed lighting and high ceilings. The home exemplifies an open floor plan with spacious rooms, a wide hall and light pouring in from all angles. Enjoy your backyard retreat, beautifully landscaped and complete with several fruit trees. Situated in a wonderful neighborhood, this home is within the award winning Marshall Lane Elementary School District.

View this home at http://www.18803afton.info/

Tracy Pina

Is Your Money Safe Right Now?

Some folks are wondering if their money is safe in banks – sure, they’re insured up to $100K, but what if you have more than $100K? Spreading it around can be an onerous task – the Wall Street Journal has some suggestions:

‘POD’ accounts are catching on. These are ‘Payable on Death’ accounts, working much like an informal trust account. ‘POD’s’ are insured $100K per beneficiary – the more beneficiaries, the higher the limit FDIC will insure

Brokered CD’s - Buying multiple certificates of deposit at once through a brokerage firm provides a fast way to spread out money across different institutions, capturing the full FDIC protection.

CDARS. This deposit-placement service, short for Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service, disperses deposits into different individual CDs of up to $100,000 each, up to a maximum covered amount of $50 million. Customers deposit their money with a participating bank, and CDARS -- which is run by the Promontory Interfinancial Network LLC in Arlington, Va. -- disperses the deposit in individual CDs up to $100,000 in 2,350 member banks across the country.

Retirement accounts. Money deposited in IRAs, Roth IRAs and certain other retirement plans is insured up to $250,000.

Joint accounts. Deposit accounts owned by two or more people are insured up to $100,000 for each account holder listed.

Credit unions. Deposit insurance for credit unions works in much the same way as FDIC insurance does for banks and thrifts, except that the funds are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund.

Revocable trusts. Under this estate-planning strategy, the owner assigns beneficiaries but retains control of the assets during his lifetime. The FDIC insures the interests of each beneficiary up to $100,000 each. Some are formal trusts, which are typically set up by an estate attorney. Others, such as POD accounts, can be created when the account owners add certain terms and the names of the beneficiaries to the bank's account records.

-Submitted by Monique Stanford, The Loan Source (408) 357-5718 mstanford@theloansource.com

Thanks Monique!! With Gold jumping $84 yesterday (highest in history) I was certainly more than curious.

Tracy Pina

Willow Glen Twilight Tour - Thursday Sept 11, 2008

Eight Beautiful Homes located in Willow Glen will be on a special tour tomorrow evening from 4-7PM. Look for the Intero Open House Signs - each home will have a map to all the homes on tour.

I will be at 1055 Laurie Avenue, a newly constructed beautiful home - all the bells and whistles. Listed at an incredible price of $1,645,000.

This is a GREAT opportunity to come out, see and HEAR what the market is really doing. Each home will be staffed by a knowledgeable Intero Real Estate Consultant ready to answer your questions.

Tracy Pina

Best of Los Gatos Real Estate Broker Tour

My Pick for this week's "Best of home tour in Los Gatos" is 16505 Englewood Drive. List Price is $1,099,000.

This home is cute right now at 888SF+ cottage and with a remodel you're set for a $2++MM price tag.

This one will go fast. Great neighborhood, great lot, great price.

Tracy Pina

Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac Update

Well, it’s done. The US (taxpayers like you and me) has officially committed to bailing out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In fact, this is good news for real estate and lending. Bad news if you own regular shares of Fannie and Freddie (since the plan calls for issuance of “senior” preferred shares which will water down regular share holders).

This should stabilize the companies and allow them to continue to offer liquidity to the mortgage industry. This should also ease upward pressure on interest rates, also good news for buyers and refinancers.

If you have further questions I'm happy to help. tpina@interorealestate.com

MARKET UPDATE: Home Sales Spike at August End

Our hottest markets of Los Altos and Mtn View cooled last week while the other markets saw a jump from their average sale numbers from the last several weeks. What we are seeing in the Los Gatos and surrounding markets is a pick up in activity due to everyone being back from summer homes/summer vacations and getting back to searching and buying.
Sellers: It’s a good time to list.
Buyers: Get focused, good ones are going fast.

Best of Los Gatos Broker Tour

My pick for today:

100 Belhaven Drive
Los Gatos
$1,279,000

Great floor plan, fabulous backyard, beautiful front yard - all around a great home for a good price. Plus, Belgatos area offers hiking trails and a neighborhood park - worth checking out!

The Client Appreciation Party (I Love Los Gatos!)

A big thanks to all of my clients who were able to make it to my Music in the Park Client Appreciation party last weekend. The weather was beautiful, the crowd was large, and the music was great! Congratulations to Jim and Chrissy Burroughs for winning a custom box of Chocolate Courier chocolates in this year's raffle. For those of you who couldn't make it, I hope to see you next time! Thanks again for all of your support and referrals!

Thanks For Coming Out - Great To See Those Who Made It!

Today's Best of Los Gatos Home Tour

Several noteworthy properties for sale in Los Gatos were on tour today. My best of tour pick is,

16829 Farley Road. It's a great house and a great value. I expect this to sell quick and for over list given the strong demand in this price point currently. Offered at $1,249,000.

For the high end, 101 Angel Court was a show-stopper. Incredible backyard - not fully visible in the photos. The home makes you feel like you're on vacation. So much space, privacy and comfort. Offered at $4,389,000

Best of Tour: Homes for Sales this week in Los Gatos

Los Gatos Real Estate saw an increase in high-end homes for sale this week. Broker Tour had 7 homes for sale listed at or over $2MM. Pick of the Week goes to...

56 Bayview Avenue, downtown Los Gatos.

All remodeled two story craftsman walking distance to downtown - beautifully done and priced right a $2,199,900. A Gary Schloh Designed Home.

To see more homes for sale in Los Gatos, you can visit my web site at www.tracypina.com and select "Homes for Sale."

A Must See Los Gatos Home for Sale

If you've ever been curious about how small a home could actually be, this is one to check out. So much fun I had to add it in as a Best of Show.

304 Nicholson Ave, Downtown Los Gatos

514+/- Square Foot Home on a 871+/- Square Foot Lot - The official smallest home on the smallest lot in Los Gatos. For only $855,000 you can own a piece of Los Gatos right in Almond Grove.

Best of Broker Tour: Los Gatos Homes for Sale

There were several homes in the <$1.3MM range on tour today. My pick for best of tour particulary in that price category is 45 Whitney Ave. It's a great opportunity for a single person or young couple wanting some extra income off the rental in the back (with completely seperate entrance/yard/privacy). Needs some good ideas and good remodeling to make great use of the 3 bedrooms - but very charming and in a great location. List price is $1,198,000.

Runners up for best of today's tour are: 250 Vista Del Monte at $1,875,000, 25 Walnut Ave at $1,370,000 (plans for a 3200SF home come with), and 126 Alpine Ave, $3,492,000 (offers privacy and nice spacious floor plan).

To view my most recent listings visit, www.tracypina.com or www.15055gardenhill.info or www.16128escobar.info or www.1883lakebird.info

Best Home For Sale on Los Gatos Broker Tour Today

There were several new listings for sale in the sub- $2.0MM price range today on Los Gatos Broker Tour. Best in show goes to:

16808 Leroy Ave, Los Gatos. http://www.16808leroy.com/

This understated Los Gatos home sits on a beautiful large, private lot with mature landscaping. It's a comfortable home with high ceilings, skylights and the perfect balance of charm and upgrades - just a great space overall. This one is priced right - it's a great opportunity for a family looking to get into a home in Los Gatos and stay there - 4 bedrooms, 3 baths- a perfect place to raise your kids. Though it may not look like much from the street wait til you get inside. You'll love it.

Best Real Estate For Sale in Los Gatos: 105 Lancewood Place, Los Gatos

Best Value in Los Gatos - I love this townhome and can't beleive it's still on the market. You will see appreciation here -the high water mark in this complex is $1.1MM. - This updated townhome is in the Los Gatos school district – a stunning, contemporary home located near Courtside Club and La Riconada Country Club in Los Gatos. Bright and spacious end-unit, built-ins throughout, tons of natural light, 2 car garage, patio and gated courtyard.

Offered at only $880,000 this townhome is an awesome value!
3 bed/3 bath, 2122+/- SF

If you’re interested in this property, please let me know. Or, to view my listings, please visit www.TracyPina.com

Best of Los Gatos Broker Tour Today: 16334 Robie Lane

On tour today, a beautiful, newly constructed contemporary home in Los Gatos. This home has an incredible amount of open space and high ceilings. It features a very nice floor plan, with a huge family room that is perfect for entertaining guests or a family with kids.

Outside you'll find a beautifully manicured backyard with a great water feature!

Offered at $2,499,000. 4,387+/SF, 11,775+/- SF Lot

If you're interested in this property, please let me know. Or to view my listings, visit http://www.tracypina.com/

Newest Los Gatos Listing ($1.59MM)

For those that are looking for a big house and a big yard but don't necessarily have the big budget, I've got a new listing in Los Gatos. It's new construction, 3,000+/- SF, 14,000+/-SF Lot - www.15055GardenHill.info

$1,590,000 - yes it backs up to Lark Ave, but where else are you going to get new construction at this price in the school district (and no power transformers above you!)

It'll be open this weekend, Sat & Sun 1-4PM. For other listings of mine, visit www.TracyPina.com