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Los Altos, CA Real Estate News

By Francis Rolland, - Since 1985
(Coldwell Banker)
The number of homes over a million dollars dropped a bit in December 2010, but the median sale price of luxury properties inched higher, according to Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. A total of 158 homes sold for more than $1 million in Santa Clara County in Dec., down 8.1 % from Dec. 09. However, the median sale price of million-dollar properties rose to $1.35 million, up 2.5 % from the previous month and 3.6 % from the year before.Los Altos had the highest number of luxury sales in the county at 35, up from 30 a year ago, and the most expensive sale last month at $3.61 million.Two other key market indicators were higher as well in December: the "days on average" of million-dollar properties (on the market until they were under contract) came down, and sellers received 97% of the...
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By Francis Rolland, - Since 1985
(Coldwell Banker)
How does the activity compare with the previous years, in the 5 combined Cities of: Menlo Park, Los Altos, Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Los Altos Hills?   The inventory of all homes for sale stands at 330, with 181 homes over $1 million, and 78 over $2 million. Exactly a year ago, there were 370 homes for sale, with 231 homes over $1 million, and 118 over $2million. Exactly 2 years ago, there were 485 homes for sale, with 292 homes over $1 million, and 118 over $2 million.   Clearly there are fewer homes for sale, which traditionally fosters a rise in home prices.   Week-end open houses see a lot of traffic, with many pre-approved buyers ready to buy "right now". There are also a lot of people who are just starting their search. (I would say about 50%).   The best properties (showing w...
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By Francis Rolland, - Since 1985
(Coldwell Banker)
As I meet clients, I like to sometimes touch on a few little known facts of the real estate market in our state - which I have experienced myself first-hand in several cases in our local Cities of Mountain View, Los Altos and Palo Alto. One of these facts is that buyers continue to face in many instances a competitive market, as evidenced by the following graph, showing that nearly half of properties sold attracted multiple offers:In 2010 the percentage is expected to still be over 50%.Also, the number of all cash sales typically is around 8 to 10%, year after year. It is now around 20%. (a preference for real estate investment, over other types of investments, which may be perceived as too volatile?) However, it is also true that the net cash to sellers has seen big changes:This inform...
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By John Souerbry, Homes, Land & Investments
(Cordon Real Estate)
An early morning breakfast at Rick's Cafe accomplished, I cross State Street in the soft autumn rain and glance west.  A gift of light that transforms a new day to living art. Los Altos, California November 23, 2010   "nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands" E.E. Cummings
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By Anne Arjani
(Keller Williams)
This article provides tips and tricks to maximize your enjoyment of the Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade, particularly if you have young children. The parade is traditionally held the Sunday after Thanksgiving. If there is rain it is automatically cancelled and is held the Sunday following. The Parade  route (scroll down for map)  is in downtown Los Altos on State and Main Streets.   This year's theme is  "A Child's Holiday Fantasy". Los Altos CA homes hold their value due to excellent community events and outstanding school scores such as this parade and many other Los Altos Village Association events.    Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade: Tips and Tricks Prior to the event, make plans with other families or relatives to hang with: make it a full afternoon/evening event! Make a re...
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By Grace Keng, CRS, CDPE (408) 799-8887
(Keller Williams Realty Cupertino)
  What is the current Real Estate market in Los Altos California? If we compare from August 2009 to August 2010, you will find some interesting changes:  1). The home inventory has gone down from last year’s 89 to this year 65 but the numbers of sold homes has gone up from last year`s 24 to 29 this year.  2.) The average Los Altos home sales price is higher. In August 2010 sales price is $1,120,948 vs last August’s $1,855,968 the median sales of August 2010 is $1,750,000 which has gone up from last August’s $1,667,500. 3.) Last August took average 53 days to sell a home however this year will need 52 days to sell a home.  This real estate trend is the same as last month. In the August of 2010 there are 23% less home inventory but 21% more the Los Altos homes get sold. The average Los A...
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By Grace Keng, CRS, CDPE (408) 799-8887
(Keller Williams Realty Cupertino)
Los Altos CA Real Estate Trend   What is the current Real Estate market in Los Altos California? If we compare from July 2009 to July 2010, you will find some interesting changes:  1). The home inventory has gone down from last year’s 99 to this year 79 but the numbers of sold homes has gone up from last year`s 30 to 39 this year.  2.) The average Los Altos home sales price is lower. In July 2010 sales price is $1,628,597 vs last July’s $1,753,822 the median sales of July 2010 is $1,480,000 which has gone down from last July’s $1,539,500. 3.) Last July took average 58 days to sell a home however this year will need 38 days to sell a home.  This real estate trend is the same as last month. In the July of 2010 there are 20% less home inventory but 30% more the Los Altos homes get sold. T...
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By John Souerbry, Homes, Land & Investments
(Cordon Real Estate)
Join us at the 31st Annual Los Altos Art & Wine Festival on July 10th & 11th in beautiful downtown Los Altos!  Art, wines from local vintners, and fantastic food from local restaurants and caterers.  Click on the link below for more information. http://www.downtownlosaltos.org/events/aw_main.html  
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By John Souerbry, Homes, Land & Investments
(Cordon Real Estate)
Here's an update on multi-families currently on the market in Los Altos/Los Altos Hills, CA.  They can be great starter properties for new investors. Los Altos/Los Altos Hills is not an "apartment-rich" environment.  It's primarily a high-end single family home and condo community.  Few properties come on the market and only three multi-family properties have sold in this market in the past 12 months. Here is the only property currently on the market:             2 units; $1,125,000; 68 days on market There are currently 12 single family homes, condos, and townhomes on the market in Los Altos/Los Altos Hills for under $1M.  For more information on these properties as potential investments, keep watching for my next blog. For Los Altos/Los Altos Hills investment properties, contact me at...
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By Alex Valentino, Founder
(SOLARIT®)
Search Homes for sale in Los Altos, CA Overview Maps Photos Description Virtual Tour Contact us for pricing Other Property TypeFor Sale Main Features Location Neighborhood TourLos Altos, CA 94022 Bay Area Prime Real Estates, Inc. Bay Area Prime Real Estates(415) 415-904-2500abraham@PrimeRealEstates.comhttp://PrimeRealEstates.com Our recent listings Other Property Type for $ in Telegraph Hill San Francisco, CAOne Rincon Hill Condo For SalePacificHeightsMansion.comSilicon Valley MansionCondominium for $595,000 in San Francisco, CA Subscribe to our listing feed See more Los Altos, CA real estate for sale
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By Alex Valentino, Founder
(SOLARIT®)
Search Homes for sale in Los Altos, CA Overview Maps Photos Description Virtual Tour Contact us for pricing Other Property TypeFor Sale Main Features Location Neighborhood TourLos Altos, CA 94022 Bay Area Prime Real Estates, Inc. Bay Area Prime Real Estates(415) 415-904-2500abraham@PrimeRealEstates.comhttp://PrimeRealEstates.com Our recent listings Other Property Type for $ in Telegraph Hill San Francisco, CAOne Rincon Hill Condo For SalePacificHeightsMansion.comSilicon Valley MansionCondominium for $595,000 in San Francisco, CA Subscribe to our listing feed See more Los Altos, CA real estate for sale
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By MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900, Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years
(Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty)
Los Altos Supports FUHSD with Passage of Measure G By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe At 7:00 pm tonight we were surprised when the home phone rang. A Fremont Union High School District student called to remind my husband to vote on Measure G tonight. Our daughter who attends high school in the district had also made calls like this, so we were familiar with the campaign. We'd talked to another volunteer this past weekend in fact. They weren't taking any chances, even with just an hour to go, volunteers were putting full effort forth. Their persistence paid off in terms of gaining majority, with 59 percent voting yes. However, Measure G required 2/3 in favor for approval, so it did not pass. Whether you live in Cupertino, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale or Los Altos, your property's value benef...
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By Grace Keng, CRS, CDPE (408) 799-8887
(Keller Williams Realty Cupertino)
This photo is my Los Altos listing - 1456 Ranchita Court Los Altos asking 1.468 Millions and was sold in May 2009.  What is the current Los Altos Calif  Real Estate market? If we compare from May 2008 to May 2009, you will find some interesting changes: 1). Home inventory rose up from from last year's 78 to this year 124.  The numbers of sold homes has dropped from last year 41 to 22 this year. 2.) The average Los Altos home sales price is lower.  This May sales price is $1,560.373 vs last May's ' $1,980.409 The median sales of May 2009 is $1.500,000 which is a drop from last May's $1,738,888. 3.) Last May took average 27 days to sell a home however this year will need 61 days to sell a home. This real estate trend is the same as last month. In the may of 2009 there are 58.9% more home ...
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By Grace Keng, CRS, CDPE (408) 799-8887
(Keller Williams Realty Cupertino)
An overview of Los Altos Single Family Real Estate market of April 2008 compared to April 2009 shows some interesting economic changes: 1.) The Los Altos homes inventory rose to 132 this year from last year’s 65. The sold homes are a little less then last year. Last April sold 24 homes and this April is 11. 2.) The average Los Altos homes price is still on the down turn. This year’s sold price is $1,574,000 vs. last years’ $2,050,114. The median sales onLos Altos homes has dropped also from $1,760,404 to this year $1,500,000. 3). It would take 60 days this year to sell a Los Altos home but last year would be only 29 day. From all the numbers we can tell there are more homes for sale and less of them actually sold. The home prices have modestly drifted downwards. Los Altos continues to a...
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By Grace Keng, CRS, CDPE (408) 799-8887
(Keller Williams Realty Cupertino)
This morning I received a call out of blue.."Is this Grace? I want to know t the status of your listing so and so? I said:" It is fine!" I asked :" Are you an agent or a buyer?" He said "Buyer." He continued on:" Instead of wasting your time, Can I ask you to write an offer for $1.2 Million?" I was shocked! " You want discount $268,000. No way! It is below the comps." He said: "What is comps? It does not mean anything!" Of course we end the conversion quickly. The buyers call the listing agent to offer a ridiculous low price and wish to get home for about 20% lower than the asking price. I was speechless... 1st point: All real estate offer needs to be in writing to be effect. 2nd point: There is no such a easy flip opportunity under the sun. 3rd point: Buyers who intend to hire the lis...
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By David Blockhus, Los Altos Realtor and Silicon Valley Real Estate Pro
(Coldwell Banker - Downtown Los Altos Office)
The economy is soft and money is tight yet there continues to be a lot of construction occurring in Los Altos and it's surrounding communities. On my street alone, there are five homes under construction. Check out the short video below and see the demolition of one of my neighbor's home.  It probably took a year to build, was lived in for over a half century, yet took just 75 minutes to tear down.   If you enjoy watching a large excavator smash into a wooden framed house, you'll love the video. 
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By David Blockhus, Los Altos Realtor and Silicon Valley Real Estate Pro
(Coldwell Banker - Downtown Los Altos Office)
Los Altos single family home sales were down in January 2009.  However, given the state of home financing and consumer confidence, I expected the numbers to be even worse.  Below is an 11 year history of Los Altos single family homes that have sold in the month of January.     A quick calculation shows that the eleven year average for home sales in January is 18, new listings is 35 and inventory is 52.  In January 2009, we were at 7 sales, 41 new listings and 76 homes in inventory.   The trend of fewer sales and more inventory continues... The chart below shows the average and median sales prices for homes sold in Los Altos in the month of January.  It appears that sales prices for homes sold in January peaked in 2008.  2009 prices are falling.  I wouldn't use these numbers as gospel be...
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By David Blockhus, Los Altos Realtor and Silicon Valley Real Estate Pro
(Coldwell Banker - Downtown Los Altos Office)
The Multiple Listing Service is our most efficient means to sell a home and the most reliable source of local market information.  The following information was taken from our local MLS and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.  According to our local MLS provider (ProMLSlistings.com), there currently are 65 single family homes for sale in Los Altos.  Of these, 10 are under contract.  That leaves us with 55 homes that are actively being marketed for sale on the MLS.  I anticipate many of last year's listings that did not sell will come back on the market within the next two weeks.   Above is the October through December (4th Quarter) sales statistics for Los Altos single family homes since 2004.   As one can see, over the last five years, listings have averaged 72 and sales have averag...
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By David Blockhus, Los Altos Realtor and Silicon Valley Real Estate Pro
(Coldwell Banker - Downtown Los Altos Office)
Sue McAllister had an interesting article in the San Jose Mercury News.  The topic of the article focused on who is buying homes in our declining real estate market.  Her conclusion; first time home buyers and investors made up the majority of today's home buyers.  Below is an example detailing one investor's reasoning for purchasing a single family home in Los Altos as an investment.    I represented the seller of a property in south Los Altos that closed escrow in December  2008.  The buyer completed a 1031 exchange, selling two properties in southern California and "trading up" and purchasing a single family home as an investment property in Los Altos.  Each of the properties in southern California had good cash flow and a reasonable rate of return (apparently, he owned them for quit...
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By Marcy Moyer, Probate, Trust, and Investment Specialist
(eXp Realty of California Silicon Valley Probate, Trust, and Investment Sales)
Forbes.com just released a list of the 20 cities with the highest medium income in the country and our own Los Altos came in third, with a medium income of $158,745. They came in behind South Lake , Texas and Darrien, Connecticut. Saratoga came in thirteenth with a medium income of $137,270 and Danville came in twentieth with a medium income of $126,797.   Besides having many owners with great incomes, Los Altos has very few renters, not too many smaller condos, and most homes are on very large lots. Since land value is so much higher than house value it costs more to buy a home per square foot in Los Altos than in many places like neighboring  Palo Alto which tends to have smaller lots. For example, many tracts from the 50's in Los Altos are on 10,000 square foot lots, while similar tr...
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