Too many round walls make ‘living’ tricky!
I showed a beautiful house in Saratoga today! New house that in my opinion was built to sell not to live in. It has a lot of wonderful features, dark floors, cool lighting and chandeliers even an arched fireplace and spiral staircase.
Lots of curves
While my clients enjoyed the details, we commented on how one would lay out furniture as most of the walls are artistically curved. Guess you would need to buy all new furniture or buy the staging furniture (darn, who wants new furniture???-yes, read sarcasm in my tone 
Three things builders and architects should to keep in mind when building a spec house:
1) Buyers want obvious places to put their furniture and ESPECIALLY their TV and family room furniture
2) Buyers like yard! They really do! Do what you can to make the yard look large and usable!
3) Master bedrooms in the back of the house- every time!
Curves are pretty, just keep it minimal and usable!
Move It Elsewhere – Great Consignment
My friends at lookiloos.com wrote about this gem of a store, moveitelsewhere.com in Willow Glen. I have been there many times and recommend you check it out!
Once you find this place, you can't help but think you might need a secret password to get in. It's only open three days a month and it's easy to drive right past without noticing. Move It Elsewhere is in an unassuming warehouse at 350 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose, just past San Carlos Street. When it's open, a sign dangles out front: "Estate Sale," it says.
It's a consignment store, actually, filled with used furnishings, pots, china, and patio furniture that owner Suzanne Comaroto acquires from her moving business. She moves senior citizens into retirement communities _ and she has an answer for what to do with all their belongings.
"Their kids don't want their stuff so I opened this consignment store," Comaroto said.
She sells it for them _ and gives them a commission. That means for three days every month, the public _ that's you and me _ get to take a look at antique dining room sets, Asian armoires, mid-century buffets, and costume jewelry. That's 15,000 square feet to wander through, mind you. (Don't miss the second floor filled with odds and ends.)
During last weekend's opening, customers seemed to be leaving by the armload. Prices are set to sell _ "50 percent off everything" the sign says.
The next opening is Sept. 21, 22, 23rd. For more information go to moveitelsewhere.com.
French Drain?
This one has a clean-out. Great idea as they do tend to get clogged
I have heard the term ‘french drain’ many times in my 7+ years of real estate. It seems to be a buzz word in my little world lately. And, I remember well digging them with my dad as we fixed up houses growing up! It is a great concept for a 10-20 year (relatively inexpensive) fix to a water problem under a house or eating at a foundation. The end of the drain is typically filled with gravel and sand and close to the end of the yard. I have seen people put portable fire-pits on top or simple bushes/ferns around the area. It is certainly not good for grass or patios as you may need to access the area every 10 years or so.
What do you think of French Drains? Any advise or suggestions are welcome!
Light-filled Tudor
Here is a cute house I saw on tour that my friends at Lookiloos.com wrote about:
Walking up to this lovely tudor cottage on Michigan Avenue in Willow Glen, I just had to ask myself: Did the owners time this Open House to coincide with their apple tree in the front yard being fully laden with ripe fruit?
It set the tone as I walked up the front steps, alongside a darling patio with comfy outdoor furniture. I could enjoy a glass of wine there, I thought, and chat with neighbors as they walked their dogs down the narrow street lined with sycamore trees.
Inside, I was surprised how this cottage, that looked so small and quaint on the outside, could feel so spacious and light on the inside. The walls had been opened up in all directions _ to the living room and dining room and even kitchen.
The house, 2,600 square feet offered at $1.5 million, had been fully renovated in the last two years, and it showed. The kitchen in particular was lovely, with cherry cabinets. There was also a back stairwell that went up to a workout room. From the family photos on the walls, it was clear this couple used the equipment _ regularly.
The bedrooms were downstairs with the master and family room on the back, with French doors opening out to the small, but charming, backyard. As I was about to leave, I overheard some lookiloos _ a.k.a. "nosy neighbors" _ remark that the house was "nicely done." I agree.
For more information, contact Valerie Mein at vmein@interorealestate.com.
Cracked Chimney
Many buyers these days are looking more closely at chimneys. Often there are hairline cracks that can be a fire breach and very dangerous. A qualified mason will need to rebuild, patch or otherwise repair. Of course some buyers opt to just not use the fireplace… Here is a new listing in the area where it sorta goes without saying… when buying a house, get inspections done and read them!
Chimney damage with the classic Willow Glen settling
New rules at the library!
I went to the Donor Reception for the Willow Glen Library today. What a wonderful community event! It was fun to see our family name in lights and see some neighbors and friends as well as an AMAZING new library that our tax dollars funded!
The library is BEAUTIFUL and is well received (well, people always seem to find something to complain about, but I am not going to get into that here).
New San Jose Library in Willow Glen
The thing that struck me besides the huge media room and beautiful art work and architecture was the fact that not only can you EAT in the library, you can BUY FOOD in the library! I remember sneaking food into the library when I was in high school (granted, that was a while ago…).
Vending machines inside the library!
Please be sure to support and patronize (not sure if that is the right word if it is FREE) your local libraries! Keep your community strong!
Community Events
Mounted police, K-9 unit, fire trucks, Ace Hardware, finger printing and local vendors! Saturday, Aug. 16 the first annual Safety Fair with P.A.L. soccer. Free event for vendors and participants! And there are a few playgrounds and restrooms for added convenience (wink).
Come check it out! Great safety information and fun for the kids!
Funny things out there in Real Estate!
Last week I was out and about previewing homes in a nice area of Willow Glen and came across this funny placard on someone’s front lawn…I had to snap a picture!
I wonder if they have a specific dog that has found an interest in their yard or they feel that all dogs have. Just finding the humor in my day and thought I would share.
What funny things have you come across in your real estate travels?
5/29/08 Willow Glen Realtor Tour
The theme of this week seemed to be 3 bedroom 1.5-2 bath in homes on busy streets. I have to say that the 1200 block Malone Rd where a 3 bed 1.5 bath priced at $829,000 in original condition is on a great part of Malone. However, the name Malone rings busy for many buyers and the rest of the agents seem to think it was a bit over priced (we shall see if we were right). Down on the busier part of Malone in the 1000 block near the corner of Lovoi the 3 bed 1.5 bath priced at $750,000 close to original condition the group of realtors seem to think it was priced well (again, we shall see!).
Here are some interesting numbers about this past week in Willow Glen’s real estate scene:
· 15 sales last week in area 10
· 225 active listings in Willow Glen this week 5/29/08
· 225 active listings in Willow Glen last week 5/22/08
210 active listings is the gold standard for a sign of a healthy market for this area. The fact that we are consistently in the 230-240 range (225 again this week!) indicates Willow Glen to be a stable market.
My pick of the week is 1798 Grace Ave. I imagine it is sold with multiple offers by now. Quiet street, FOUR car garage, priced well at $1,297,975 with good layout and recent quality updating.
Pick of the week!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LISTING RIGHT NOW?
5/22/08 Willow Glen Realtor Tour
The first home we saw was the most amazing house on market right now. It is 1252 Cherry Ave. This amazing Victorian was built at the end of the Civil War in 1865. You look out the leaded glass windows and you can feel the history, almost hear the horse drawn carriage and picture the view of miles of open land. The house is perfectly restored down to its ornate matching door hinges on every door and mother of pearl light switches. The soaring ceilings are oozing charm and history with period wall paper, stunning curtains and furniture. The current owners did a wonderful addition that make the house even more amazing and useable for entertaining and family. The house is listed for $2,475,000 with 3 bedrooms 2.5 bathrooms and 3814 sq ft on a 13,041 sq ft. lot.
I noticed a dichotomy while on tour this week. On the one hand the smaller homes on tour tended to be tight and I heard several comments about how the owners needed to remove several items to open up the space. Then we went to 1951 Peregrino Way and at 6000 sq ft. the comments were the opposite. The house was staged yet, if felt ‘empty and lacked the wow factor’ were the comments I heard. ‘The staging does not fit the style and scale of the house’ was another comment I heard. The lesson there is you have to find that ‘staging’ balance to appeal to the emotions of a buyer (and the realtor working with those buyers).
From speaking with various agents and lenders, it appears that buyers are starting to be less afraid and are starting to buy. They understand that interest rates are low and prices are low! As I tell my clients, everything is on sale, now is the time to buy!
Here are some interesting numbers about this past week in Willow Glen’s real estate scene:
· 17 sales last week in area 10
· 225 active listings in Willow Glen this week 5/22/08
· 238 active listings in Willow Glen last week 5/15/08
210 active listings is the gold standard for a sign of a healthy market for this area. The fact that we are consistently in the 230-240 range (225 this week!) indicates Willow Glen to be a stable market.
