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Author: Mary Pope-Handy

See the Valley of Heart’s Delight Blog

Posted on by Mary Pope-Handy Posted in Uncategorized

Dear Readers, I love to write and have a number of blogs – but most of my writing on the Silicon Valley real estate market, home buying and selling tips, negotiation strategies and more you can find at my Valley Of Heart’s Delight blog. Please check it out, as that one is updated on a…

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Los Gatos real estate market trends

Posted on by Mary Pope-Handy Posted in Home, Los Gatos

The Los Gatos real estate market trends are in the seller’s favor in the more affordable price points, and more balanced, to the benefit of the buyer, in the luxury bracket of the market. First, some data from Altos Research, with data based on listings (not solds) by zip code. Los Gatos 95030: schools and downtown…

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Cupertino California Real Estate Market

Posted on by Mary Pope-Handy Posted in Cupertino, How's The Market?

Cupertino has been a hot ticket item for a long while. With plenty of business, major employers like Apple, great public education and parks, it’s no surprise this is a highly desirable place to call home. Both the single family and condo markets have been hot for years, but with the prolonged seller’s market that’s…

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Campbell CA real estate market trends

Posted on by Mary Pope-Handy Posted in Campbell, Market Reports

An active community with a charming downtown, easy access to freeways and VTA lightrail systems, and back dropped by the lovely Santa Cruz mountains, it’s no wonder why Campbell is so popular. For years I’ve been writing about the Campbell real estate market updates on my Valley of Hearts Delight blog. Please hop over there to…

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Saratoga, CA

Posted on by Mary Pope-Handy Posted in homes for sale, How's The Market?, Market Reports, Neighborhoods, Saratoga

Once a logging town known as Bank Mills, the Saratoga, CA, is now considered an upscale suburb of Silicon Valley and San Jose with a very high quality of life. Where is the city of Saratoga? You’ll find it just north of Los Gatos and Monte Sereno along Highway 9, and like them, it sits at the…

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Almaden Valley area of San Jose

Posted on by Mary Pope-Handy Posted in Almaden Valley (SJ), homes for sale, How's The Market?, Market Reports, Neighborhoods, San Jose (all areas)

San Jose’s Almaden Valley is an area of lush vegetation, upscale, family oriented homes and easy access to quality shopping & schools. Simply defined by San Jose’s 95120 ZIP code, the Almaden Valley has lots to offer. For recreation, this area is hard to beat. The New Almaden Mines and the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining…

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South San Jose

Posted on by Mary Pope-Handy Posted in homes for sale, How's The Market?, Market Reports, Neighborhoods, San Jose (all areas)

South San Jose is one of the more affordable areas in Silicon Valley. It enjoys convenient freeway and transit access, running alongside Highway 101 and Highway 87 at points, and coming quite close to Highway 85, also. The Tamien light rail station is close to South San Jose – nearly in it. Cal Train can be…

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San Jose – East Valley

Posted on by Mary Pope-Handy Posted in East San Jose (SJ), homes for sale, How's The Market?, Market Reports, Neighborhoods, San Jose (all areas), Uncategorized

Often known simply as East San Jose or the Eastside, the East Valley was once a city of its own, annexed by San Jose, its name sake, in 1911. (Today, the East Valley encompasses more than just the former city bearing the same name.) A celebrated historic East Valley resident was César Chávez, and the…

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Menlo Commons

Posted on by Mary Pope-Handy Posted in Menlo Park

I recently had the pleasure of closing on a listing in Menlo Commons, a senior community, located at 2140 Santa Cruz Ave in the lovely city of Menlo Park! Menlo Commons is a 55+ community, meaning that at least one resident must be age 55 or older, but other residents can be any age. Residents enjoy plenty…

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Buyer closing costs and property taxes

Posted on by Mary Pope-Handy Posted in First time homebuyers

One of the more confusing elements for home buyers attempting to anticipate their closing costs is the property tax prorations, which are referenced in the purchase agreement or contract, but not explained. As most Silicon Valley real estate consumers know, home owners in California do pay property taxes. When a home is being sold, the…

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