Saratoga Homes Market ReportWeek ending October 1, 2011 compared to October 2, 2010There were 122 Saratoga homes, including short sales and bank owned homes in the week ending October 1, 2011.There were 134 Saratoga homes, including short sales and bank owned homes in week ending October 2, 2010. Of the 122 Saratoga homes there were 4 short sales, 2 bank owned homes and 116 traditional Saratoga homes for sale. The above graph shows the median price, the average price and the number of properties sold. Prices are represented by the bars. Sales are represented by the line. A 3-month moving average is used to smooth out month-to-month fluctuation. The 3-month moving average will show seasonal variations.Saratoga Homes Market Snapshot September 2011 Median Price: $1,547,500 = 4.4% decrease ... 10/16/2011

Only 8 Lynbrook High Homes for Sale in Saratoga, Calif. By Michelle Carr-Crowe, ABR, CDPE, SRES Cupertino Saratoga San Jose Lynbrook Homes Expert As of  Sun., October 16, a total of only 8 residential homes are for sale in Saratoga, Calif. with Lynbrook High School.   Saratoga homes can fall within three different high school districts: Los Gatos-Saratoga, Campbell and Fremont Union (aka “Cupertino Schools”). The four possible high schools include: Saratoga High, Prospect High, Westmont High and Lynbrook High. These 8 Saratoga Lynbrook High homes all fall within the Cupertino Schools area with Lynbrook High School – API 941.   To see any of these homes or obtain market research and information, Just Call 408.252.8900 to speak with the San Jose Saratoga Lynbrook High Homes experts. ACTIV... 10/16/2011

Market Report of the Median Sale Price of Homes Sold in Campbell, Cupertino and Saratoga CA each September from 1998 through 2011. The Graph shows the Median Sale Price of Homes sold in Campbell, Cupertino and Saratoga CA each September from 1998 through 2011 according to the local Multiple Listing Service (MLSListings, Inc.). The Median Sale Price of homes in all three cities has declined from their 2007-08 peak.  The current Median Sale Price is approximately equal to the Median in 2004 and 2005.  The feeling in the marketplace among Realtors is that prices have firmed.  Cupertino and Saratoga listings are experiencing multiple offers; Campbell homes are also selling well. The overall increase in Median Sale Price for these 13 years equates to an average, annual compounded increase as... 10/14/2011

Market Report of Listings and Sales of Saratoga California Homes from September 1998 through September 2011. The Graph shows the number of Listings (homes put on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) For Sale), and the number of Sales each September from 1998 through September 2011 according to local MLS (MLSListings, Inc.) records. The number of Listings of Saratoga Homes in September 2011 was a 14-year low; 39% fewer than the September average. Forty percent (8 of 20) of Saratoga home sales were for full Asking Price, or more.  All 8 had Asking Prices either slightly above the Median Sale Price ($1,547,500), or less.  Sales were also down, but not as dramatically as Listings.  Twenty-nine percent fewer Saratoga homes sold in September 2011 than average for September.   Please call or e-m... 10/13/2011

Wordless Wednesday In the Saratoga CA Garden There are hundreds of Echeveria cultivars.  I have dozens myself, and one of my favorites is this Echeveria 'Arlie Wright.' Shades of red, purple, orange and gray blend together like a water-color painting.  Notice the texture and colors of the ruffled edges of the leaves; the color is almost iridescent.  Flower buds (shown in the small picture) grow on a stalk as all Echeveria flowers seem to.  Hummingbirds love the flowers once they've blossomed. Echeveria 'Arlie Wright' need fast draining soil and temperatures above freezing.  In Saratoga CA, plant these near the house, or in a pot that can be carried to shelter in case of freezing temperatures. This plant is in our front yard and is not sheltered, but a hard freeze over several days could... 10/12/2011

Saratoga California Home Sales September 2011. The Chart and Map show all Saratoga California homes sales reported on the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS;MLSListings, Inc.) in September 2011.  Condos and townhomes are not included here.  The Averages are shown in the bottom row. Note that eight of the 19 homes were sold in fewer than 15 days ('DOM' is Days on Market).  Also, of the 13 lowest-priced Saratoga Home Sales, eight sold for Full Asking price, or more.  That has been a consistent pattern for several months.  Relatively few homes are coming onto the market For Sale, and Buyer demand has been strong.  Saratoga and Cupertino Schools continue to be a strong attraction to young Silicon Valley families with school-aged children.   Please feel free to call or e-mail me about Sarat... 10/04/2011

Should A Saratoga Home Seller Re-Carpet and Paint Prior Listing, or Provide a Credit at Closing? When a Silicon Valley home Seller needs new floor coverings and interior painting, is it better to have those items done before the home is marketed, or to provide a monetary credit to the buyer at closing?  Or, to reduce the Asking Price?  That's a question I've been asked often by Saratoga, Campbell, Cupertino or West San Jose homeowners. Many Sellers prefer to provide a credit, or to reduce the price.  That way the Seller doesn't have to guess what color paint or what style of floor covering a Buyer wants.  A credit at closing allows the Buyer to select the colors, styles and materials they like.  That makes sense.  It also spares the inconvenience of painting and installing floor coverin... 10/01/2011

Almost Wordless Wednesday; In the Saratoga Garden, Agave Attenuata When my wife and I moved from Southern California to Northern California in 1972, it was easier to leave the Los Angeles Dodgers behind than it was to leave these Agave Attenuata.  I loved both; but I could eventually replace the Dodgers with the San Francisco Giants.  Agave Attenuata weren't as easy to replace.  They're not common in the San Francisco Bay area because the winters are a little colder up here.  And these Agave Attenuata, while drought tolerant, are not cold hardy.  That's why I grow these in a ceramic bowl next to the house--they're protected.  These are the great, great grandchildren of the Agave Attenuata I brought with me from Southern California in 1972.  They're easy to start from offshoots. In Sarat... 09/28/2011

May I Sell My Saratoga CA Home 'As Is?' Yes, you may.  A Saratoga homeowner may legally sell their home in its 'AS IS' condition, without making any repairs except for the four items listed below.  The same is true in Cupertino, Campbell and all of Santa Clara County. There are four requirements which with a Saratoga Homeowner must comply prior to selling their home: There must be at least one operating Smoke Detector (more than one, in some cases--please call me); As of July 1, 2011, there must be at least one Carbon Monoxide Detector installed; The Water Heater must be strapped and braced to prevent it from falling during an earthquake; and The homeowner must disclose to prospective buyers all "material facts" known about the property.  For example, a leaky roof does not have to be re... 09/25/2011

Saratoga Homes Market ReportWeek ending September 3, 2011 compared to September 4, 2010There were 122 Saratoga homes, including short sales and bank owned homes in the week ending September 3, 2011.There were 126 Saratoga homes, including short sales and bank owned homes in week ending September 4, 2010. Of the 122 Saratoga homes there were 6 short sales, 2 bank owned homes and 114 traditional Saratoga homes for sale. Short Sales in Saratoga continue to increase. Understand foreclosure alternatives. The above graph shows the median price, the average price and the number of properties sold. Prices are represented by the bars. Sales are represented by the line. A 3-month moving average is used to smooth out month-to-month fluctuation. The 3-month moving average will show seasonal variati... 09/19/2011

Saratoga Woods Home Sales, Saratoga CA; Year-to-Date 2011 Home Sales. The Table shows homes sold in Saratoga Woods, Saratoga CA from January 1, 2011 through Sept. 14, 2011 according to the local Multiple Listing Service (MLSListings, Inc.). The location of those homes is shown on the attached map. Saratoga Woods is the neighborhood of about 400 homes bounded by Saratoga Creek and Saratoga Ave., and between Cox Ave. and Prospect High School.  Many of the homes were built by George Day nearly 50 years ago, but there are also newer homes in the Northern portion of the neighborhood close to Prospect High School.  Homes are generally  one-story California Ranch Style homes and most often they're impeccably maintained.  The subdivision is located in the Moreland Elementary School District and... 09/13/2011

Santa Clara County Real Estate Market Report; Listings, Sales & Inventory August 1998 through August 2011. The Graph shows the number of Santa Clara County Single Family Residences Listed, Sold and in Inventory each August from1998 through2011 according to the local Multiple Listing Service (MLSListings, Inc.). First definitions: A 'Listing' is what Realtors call home that's on the market For Sale.  'Inventory' is all un-sold homes on the market irrespective of when they were Listed. Inventory is counted on the last day of the month. Thirty-two percent fewer Santa Clara County homes were Listed in August 2011 than average for August.  That's the headlines because 32%, nearly one-third, is such a large portion, and because in continues a six-month trend.  I'll write about the possible re... 09/13/2011

Median Home Prices in Saratoga CA from August 1998 through 2011; A Market Report. The Graph shows the Median Sale Price of Single Family Residences sold in Saratoga CA every August from 1998 through 2011 according to the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS; MLSListings, Inc.).  The Median is the price point that divides the top-half from the bottom-half. From August 1998 through August 2011 the Median Sale Price has roughly doubled.  That translates to a compounded Median Sale Price increase of 5% annually. But there have been some peaks and valleys during those 13 years. The Saratoga Median Sale Price peaked at $1,848,500 in August 2007, at the top of the housing boom.  Two years later, in August 2009, the Median Sale Price declined 27% to $1,352,000. Since August 2009, the Median Sale... 09/12/2011

Saratoga Real Estate Market Report Update; Sales, Listings and Inventory of Homes August 2011. The graph shows the number of Sales, New Listings and the Inventory of homes For Sale in Saratoga, CA each August from 1998 through 2011 according to our local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) (MLSListings, Inc.) Realtors call a home that's on the market For Sale a "Listing."  The number of Listings in August, 2011 was 27% below normal for August.  That reduction in the number of homes For Sale continues a six-month long trend which I'll write about in a future post.  The number of Saratoga home Sales has remained steady for the past four years, although that "steady" pace is 11% below the 14-year average for August.  The reduction in Listings combined with steady sales has resulted in a shortag... 09/12/2011

How Long Will it Take to Sell My Saratoga Home? A Market Report for August 2011. Fifty-eight days, on average, were required to sell a Saratoga home in August 2011.  That's average over the past 14 Augusts.  Each year for the past three years, Saratoga homes have been selling more quickly. Of course, the average conceals large variations; 30% of the sales occured in 16 days, or less.  And 70% of those sales were for more than full Asking Price.  That's a clear indication of strong demand.  At the other extreme, one Saratotga home took 290 days before selling. The variation shows the importance of proper pricing and marketing. In general, more time was required to sell a Saratoga home than a typical home in Santa Clara County.  That's expected because Saratoga home prices average more th... 09/12/2011

Movie Cinema Night in Wildwood Park in Saratoga; Setember 10, 2011, 7:30 p.m. It's not too late to make plans to come to Wildwood Park near Saratoga Village for the second annual free movie night.  No reservations are needed, and the event is free for all who attend.  Pixar's computer-animated, comedy-adventure UP will be screening.  It's a touching story appropriate for all age groups.  The event is sponsored by the City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation with the Saratoga-Monte Sereno Community Foundation who are splitting the cost.  These groups are sponsoring events that bring the community together, and that bring more residents to our parks.  This seems like the perfect venue for both purposes. Attendees are encouraged to have dinner in one of the many wonderful Saratoga Village res... 09/09/2011

Here is an update of bank-owned foreclosure homes (REO) offered for sale in Saratoga as of August 30, 2011.  See Saratoga homes you like?  Drop me a line (john@jsrealproperty.com) and I’ll send you more information, then let’s go take a look! Type Bed/Bath Price Square Feet Notes Single family 5/3 $1,950,000 4,230 13 days on market Single family 2/2 $925,000 913 78 days on market   Would you like to receive email alerts when foreclosure, short sale, or traditional sale properties come on the market?  Visit my web site at www.jsrealproperty.com to use my RealtyTrac® distressed property search or my full MLS property search system. NOTE:  There are 125 total homes (single family, condos, townhomes) on the market in Saratoga as of today, but only 2 bank-owned properties. Questions?  Drop m... 09/02/2011

Here is an update of bank-owned foreclosure homes (REO) offered for sale in Saratoga as of August 30, 2011.  See one you like?  Drop me a line (john@jsrealproperty.com) and I’ll send you more information, then let’s go take a look!   Type Bed/Bath Price Square Feet Notes Single family 5/3 $1,950,000 4,230 10 days on market Single family 2/2 $925,000 913 75 days on market   Would you like to receive email alerts when foreclosure, short sale, or traditional sale properties come on the market?  Visit my web site at www.jsrealproperty.com to use my RealtyTrac distressed property search or to use my full MLS property search system. NOTE:  There are 127 total homes (single family, condos, townhomes) on the market in Saratoga as of today, but only 2 bank-owned properties. Questions?  Drop me a... 08/30/2011

Saratoga is a mid sized town south of and Cupertino in California Silicon Valley. Years after years a lot of silicon Valley homes buyers bought Saratoga homes. You may wonder why California home buyers like Saratoga homes. 1). Larger lot of northern California standard: It is about a quarter acre in size from 9000 sq ft to 12,000 sq ft is the average size. 2). One story home: Usually 3 to 4 bedrooms and 2 baths with 2 car garage with beautiful landscape front and back. 4). Excellent Saratoga schools: The API score of Saratoga high is 990. According to information from  the Wikipedia Saratoga High is locally known for its rigorous academic program. 98% of graduates go on to college or technical school. The above Saratoga home will be a typical Saratoga home:  4 bedrooms and 3 baths, sepa... 08/25/2011

Saratoga Homes Week ending July 30, 2011 compared to July 31, 2010 127 Saratoga homes, including short sales and bank owned homes for sale in the week ending July 30, 2011. 134 Saratoga homes, including short sales and bank owned homes for sale in the week ending July 31, 2010. Of the 127 Saratoga homes there were 5 San Jose short sales, 1 bank owned homes and 121 traditional San Jose homes for sale. Median Price: $1,630,000 Average Price: $1,772,680 No. of Sales:25 Sale vs. List Price: 97.6% Days on Market: 26 The number of short sales in the Saratoga real estate market are increasing. If you are unable to make your mortgage payment and want to avoid foreclosure, call 800-972-1822 for a free, no obligation consulation with a Saratoga Short Sale Agent. 08/20/2011