For many introverts, such as me, the corporate world offers a reassuring blend of structure, routine, and defined roles. Cubicles and home offices invite focus and solitude, while email, scheduled meetings, and hierarchical organization provide guardrails that allow one to contribute meaningfully, often without the need for continuous outward engagement. What happened when I left the familiar landscape for the dynamic, unpredictable realm of real estate, which is a field that, at first glance, seems tailor-made for extroverts?My transition is profound, marked by both discomfort and undeniable growth. It stretched my boundaries, exposed new facets of my personality, and allowed me to bring my paralegal, project management, communication skills, and more to the table. I discovered the emp... 07/06/2025

This is my fourth and final entry to the ActiveRain June Point Store Challenge. We are all in with the balance of points to make it a crime to publish real estate marketing photos with the toilet seat up. Real Estate Photography Criminalized It all began on a peculiar Wednesday morning when Senator Crappy was sipping his third cup of coffee while browsing online real estate listings. His eyes narrowed onto photo after photo of pristine living rooms, glossy kitchens, and manicured lawns. But then it happened—the image that would change the course of history forever. A bathroom. A rogue toilet. Seat up.“Unacceptable!” Mr. Crappy shouted. “This is an affront to decency and decorum and should be a crime!”Mr. Crappy’s indignation was not born of mere propriety. It was personal. Years ago, du... 06/25/2025

After years of exchanging comments on ActiveRain blog posts, endless phone calls, emails, and planning ...The day arrives – June 14, 2025. Such a historical day: Flag Day, the Army’s 250th Anniversary, Donald J. Trump’s 79th Birthday, J.D. Vance’s Wedding Anniversary, AND the day I have long waited for, the day I meet Dr. Paula McDonald.We planned to meet on the last part of their trip to California. Paula, her husband, and son drove from Southern California to San Jose to meet in person.  I'm anxious and excited, just watching the clock as I watch the Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade on television. I learned a lot about our Nation’s history watching the parade. Unknown to me, I was about to learn a lot about Dr. Paula. We meet at 6:00 pm at a Bar & Grill Paula chose from a list of sugge... 06/15/2025

Honoring Heroes and Supporting FamiliesThe Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a beacon of hope, resilience, and solidarity, offering vital support to the families of fallen first responders and military personnel. Founded to honor the heroism of Stephen Siller, a firefighter who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001, the organization has grown into a nationwide movement dedicated to keeping the memory of sacrifice alive while providing tangible assistance to those in need.The Inspiration Behind the T2T FoundationOn the fateful day of September 11, 2001, Stephen Siller, a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department, was off duty when the Twin Towers were attacked. Determined to help, Stephen drove to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, only to find it closed to vehicles. Undeterr... 06/06/2025

We are shaped by people and experiences throughout our lives. In the March ActiveRain challenge hosted by Lew Corcoran and Patricia Faeger, we are asked to share the profound impact someone had on you in shaping you into who you are today.I am the way I am largely due to how My Parents Shaped Who I Am Today, they set a strong foundation.I am not only shaped by the powerful foundation and strength my parents built but by the loving support from my son during the "Dark Night of the Soul" experience with stage 3 breast cancer", I am also shaped by people I trusted who did me wrong. My third post in this series I Know Where the Bodies Are Buried generally discusses the positive impact when people do me wrong. My fourth post in this series is about Angels in the Infield.   ActiveRain Angels ... 03/30/2025

We are shaped by people and experiences throughout our lives. In the March ActiveRain challenge hosted by Lew Corcoran and Patricia Faeger, we are asked to share the profound impact someone had on you in shaping you into who you are today.I am the way I am largely due to how My Parents Shaped Who I Am Today, they set a strong foundation.I am not only shaped by the powerful foundation and strength my parents built but by the loving support from my son during the "Dark Night of the Soul" experience with stage 3 breast cancer", I am also shaped by people I trusted who did me wrong. The people who teach and remind me of who I do not want to be must be mentioned as part of this challenge. The experiences are positively life-altering.   I Know Where The Bodies Are Buried To put this into cont... 03/23/2025

We are shaped by people and experiences throughout our lives. In the March ActiveRain challenge hosted by Lew Corcoran and Patricia Faeger, we are asked to share the profound impact someone had on you in shaping you into who you are today.If you want to know why I am the way I am today, it is largely due to how My Parents Shaped Who I Am Today, they set a strong foundation.The experiences I had, the things I feared, the things I loved, and how throughout my life I emerged from the "Dark Night of the Soul" experiences also shaped me into who I become. While the term may mean different things to people, my reference here is in the spiritual sense. "The "dark night of the soul" refers to a phase of deep spiritual crisis or emotional turmoil, often characterized by feelings of despair and a... 03/16/2025

15001 Freeman Ave,  San Jose, CA 95127 ML819960123 BEDROOM, 2 BATH, 1239 gla sf on a 7,475 sf  larger lot with RV or boating parking. Upgraded inside with view of Mt Hamilton Lick Observatory.only $1,349,888available in mid May. This is a 1031 tax deferred exchange at no cost to buyers.Contact: Sam Shueh   (408) 425-1601  SShueh@gmail.com    Beautiful home located south of Penitencia Creek Trails and Sierra Vista Preserve. Enjoy views of Mt. Hamilton. The property features a spacious side yard with convenient access. This home is just minutes from Alum Rock Parks hiking trails and the San Jose Country Club, offering both outdoor adventure and leisure opportunities. Recent upgrades include a new water heater (2020), termite treatment (May 30, 2024), and newly installed engineered wood fl... 03/10/2025

                                                                       Sam Shueh                                                              Silicon Valley Realty Home inventory and activities in San Francisco Bay Neighborhoods  Inventory Snapshot February 25, 2025 Location Avg List Price 30 Day Trend AvG Sold Price 30 Day Trend Avg DOM: active/sold 30 Day Trend No of Active Listings 30 Day Trend Alameda County, CA Single Family $943,611 +3.9% $1,085,696 +9.6% 43 / 29 -7 / -8 565 130 Luxury Single Family $2,319,488 -1.3% $2,100,033 -12.5% 36 / 15 -9 / -14 188 41 Condo/Town $560,111 -2.6% $597,614 -1.6% 52 / 47 -7 / -14 363 52 Luxury Condo/Town $1,081,881 -3.08% $1,131,171 -0.7% 35 / 22 0 / -8 120 29 Contra Costa County, CA Single Family $842,614 +5.1% $810,972 +9.1% 51 / 30 -5 / -11 63... 03/10/2025

                                                                       Sam Shueh                                                              Silicon Valley Realty Home inventory and activities in San Francisco Bay Neighborhoods  Inventory Snapshot February 25, 2025 Location Avg List Price 30 Day Trend AvG Sold Price 30 Day Trend Avg DOM: active/sold 30 Day Trend No of Active Listings 30 Day Trend Alameda County, CA Single Family $943,611 +3.9% $1,085,696 +9.6% 43 / 29 -7 / -8 565 130 Luxury Single Family $2,319,488 -1.3% $2,100,033 -12.5% 36 / 15 -9 / -14 188 41 Condo/Town $560,111 -2.6% $597,614 -1.6% 52 / 47 -7 / -14 363 52 Luxury Condo/Town $1,081,881 -3.08% $1,131,171 -0.7% 35 / 22 0 / -8 120 29 Contra Costa County, CA Single Family $842,614 +5.1% $810,972 +9.1% 51 / 30 -5 / -11 63... 03/10/2025

For this series of weekly posts throughout March, it makes sense that I start with “my parents” who partnered in their relationship.  Each had their role in the family unit. I am grateful for everything my parents taught me and everything I learned from them. My Parents: Dad was the provider. He went to work daily to support his wife and six (6) children. I am the youngest of the six. Love: Mom was what is affectionately referred to as a “stay-at-home mom”. Mom did the shopping, cooking, and cleaning. When I was in sixth grade, my mom started working an assembly job commuting to work with a neighbor. That was short-lived following a near-fatal car crash. This is when the cooking and cleaning transferred to the “girls” who were assigned daily chores that rotated weekly.   Respect: When w... 03/09/2025

                                                         Sam Shueh                                                              BRG Realty                                Silicon Valley Office, San Jose, CA 95124                                                (408) 425-1601   They say the best Christmas gifts come from the heart … but write a 3% EMD check and a gift card do wonders to a realtor and his family!    I texted Santa that you were good this year and sent him a link to your Meta account.  A Christmas reminder: Don’t try to borrow any money from elves ... they're always a little short.  Is it just me, or does Santa look younger every year?   Merry Christmas to you! Sam Shueh (408) 425-1601   Sshueh at Gmail.comYour Silicon Valley Realtor  12/14/2024

The most unique and treasured gift I have ever received is the Gift of my son's life. I recently shared that doctors have described him as a "Miracle Baby."  Following an emergency surgery, I was told I would not be able to have children. That little surprise bundle of Joy is the gift that keeps on giving.  My son knows me well and knows what is special to me.My two most treasured gifts are from my son. *************People who get to know me, even just a little, know Half Moon Bay is my happy place on earth.  I believe it was 15 years ago he gave me a framed photo of the stairs leading down to the beach off the trail at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. This cherished Christmas gift brought me to tears.  So much thought and consideration went into it.  He said, "Mom, I know how much you love it t... 12/10/2024

                                                           Sam Shueh                                                     BRG Realty Group                                                     Silicon Valley Office                                                     San Jose, CA 95124                                                       (408) 425-1601My real estate career started with a help of a person. No, he is not Mr. Tom Ferry. Mr Sears, a janitor who picked up my trash at Gerenal Electric, told me about his other job which was real estate sales.  I took the salesman exam without even knowing people need to study for it. I then bought and sold homes just like him at C21 Home Realty in Louisville, Kentucky.  My interest in real estate was interrupted needing more depend on a salary, a... 12/03/2024

It is that time of year, November, when we celebrate Thanksgiving.What do we serve on Thanksgiving?We express our gratitude and thankfulness for all the Blessings in our Lives. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, great-aunt, mother, friend, and so much more including an Independent Real Estate Broker, and Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist ("CPRES"), with a full and grateful heart for all the Blessings in my life!  ***********Life:      I could fill a book diving into life "stories" that fill my heart with gratitude. The more I live, the more I learn that everything is a blessing in one form or another. It may take time to reflect on some life events to realize it as a blessing, yet as I look back on some things (divorce, cancer, job loss) that did not feel like a blessing in the momen... 11/30/2024

It is that time of year, November, when we celebrate Thanksgiving.What do we serve on Thanksgiving?We express our gratitude and thankfulness. As an Independent Real Estate Broker, and Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist ("CPRES"), I am grateful for my clients and the friendships formed! My clients are more than the lifeblood of my business, many clients have become friends.  This Thanksgiving I will be celebrating with clients I met approximately 20 years ago when I first started my real estate career. We have completed several real estate transactions, including a referral to sell one of their homes in another state.  I am grateful for client Loyalty. I attended their daughter's wedding 4 years ago. I am honored to help their daughter, husband, and 2-year-old son find a home.  ***... 11/11/2024

It is that time of year, November, when we celebrate Thanksgiving.What do we serve on Thanksgiving?For me, as I believe is the case with all of my Active Rain friends, Gratitude is embraced and practiced Every. Single. Day. Perhaps affinity creates incredibly special and close friendships with people we have not met in person.My  Active Rain friends know that our conversations are confidential. That level of trust is a rare find in the world today yet somehow, I have found it on the Internet (of all places) in the Active Rain Community.I’ve had phone conversations with  Active Rain friends that lasted for hours. I can only imagine what it would be like to meet face to face, and enjoy a meal, and wine together. I suspect the connection would only deepen.************Friendship is not the ... 11/03/2024

                                                           Sam Shueh                                                          BRG Realty                                                        San Jose, CA  95124                                               (408) 425-1601      Sshueh@gmail.comFather dear, the years of timeAre racingBeing blown alongBy the sands of timeYour face appearsIn my dreams of yesteryearAs a boy, as a boySo young, so full of fearYour voice I hearMy eyes still seeThe wisdom carried by your handsYour voice did singHow great thou artHow great thou artFather dearI loved you soI loved you so      Allan James Saywell 06/16/2024

Half Moon Bay, California, holds a gem within its coastal boundaries — Spanish Town. This quaint downtown area, steeped in history and culture, offers an inviting atmosphere for those seeking a slice of coastal paradise. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the allure of Spanish Town, from its vibrant art scene to its bustling dining and shopping districts. Whether you're considering purchasing a home in Spanish Town or simply exploring the area, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of this charming community.Read on to discover more about Spanish Town Homes for Sale!A Slice of Coastal ParadiseSpanish Town, also known as Spanishtown, boasts a rich history dating back to its origins as a Spanish settlement. Today, it stands as a testament to the area's cultural heritage, w... 05/03/2024

San Jose Municipal Golf Course: A Historical GemNestled amidst the bustling cityscape of San Jose, California, lies a serene oasis that beckons both seasoned golfers and newcomers—the San Jose Municipal Golf Course. Renowned for its picturesque setting, rich history, and challenging layout, this beloved course has been a cornerstone of the local golfing community for decades. A Classic HeritageEstablished in 1968, the San Jose Municipal Golf Course holds a special place in the hearts of residents and visitors alike. Originally designed by Clark Glasson, a prominent golf course architect of the time, the course has since undergone renovations and improvements, all while maintaining its classic charm.One of the most fascinating aspects of the course is its deep connection to the city's hi... 03/01/2024