by Mary Pope-Handy, Clair Handy | Oct 3, 2026 | Selling tips
The cost to sell a home varies tremendously depending on location, home condition and selling goals, occupancy status, budget, and more. There are some expenses that cannot be changed, such as the county transfer tax, but who pays that is negotiable – though in...
by Mary Pope-Handy | Aug 17, 2026 | homes for sale, How's The Market?, Market Reports, Mountain View, Neighborhoods
Mountain View, next to Palo Alto at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay, is visible from a distance because of the giant “Hangar One” at Moffett Field that used to house a blimp. The airport at Moffett is fairly quiet these days, but occasionally...
by Mary Pope-Handy | Aug 5, 2026 | Santa Cruz, Neighborhoods, Santa Cruz & The Coast
The seat of the Santa Cruz County, this waterfront city is known for its beaches, majestic redwoods, vibrant downtown, milder coastal weather, and the University of Santa Cruz (mascot: the Banana Slugs). It’s also a tourist destination, especially in summer, as...
by Mary Pope-Handy, Clair Handy | Jul 30, 2026 | Book on home selling in Silicon Valley, Selling tips
This article is 99% a chapter from my book, with slight edits: “Get the Best Deal When Selling Your Home in Silicon Valley”, co-authored with Ken Deshaies, pub Dec 2004. It’s out of publication now, but you may find used copies (here is the link to...
by Mary Pope-Handy | Jul 29, 2026 | homes for sale, How's The Market?, Los Altos, Market Reports, Neighborhoods
Los Altos is one of Santa Clara County’s most prestigious towns (read “among the most expensive Silicon Valley real estate”). Prices for houses currently begin at in about the low $3 million range for a home that’s livable as is. The average price of a just sold home...
