Chic vs. Geek: Stability in Uncertain Times

Many homebuyers are hitting the pause button due to rising interest rates, inflation, and other economic fluctuations. But waiting will only make the price tag higher as long as Silicon Valley home values remain immune from market fluctuations. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why this is true:

CHIC (PEARL)

Wealth: Silicon Valley has the highest level of income and wealth inequality in the U.S., and it increased dramatically during COVID. That means fewer people can afford to buy, and those who can are ready to spend big sums to get what they want.

Jobs: Silicon Valley’s unemployment rate fell to 2.9% at the end of 2021, and tech jobs are now 5% above pre-COVID levels. That means more demand from well-paid workers, and it only deepens as cities continue to miss their housing production goals.

Employer Confidence: Google, LinkedIn, Apple, Amazon, Facebook/Meta and other tech giants made major investments in Silicon Valley real estate in 2021, which means those well-paying jobs aren’t going anywhere, and neither are the service industries that support them.

GEEK (KEVIN)

Investment Housing: The Santa Clara County Housing “Affordability Index” stands at 22%, which means less than 1 in 4 residents can purchase a median priced home. So it should come as no surprise that the share of homes sold for investment hit 9.5% in 2021.

Strong Fundamentals: The housing market boom we’re seeing now in Silicon Valley isn’t a “bubble” like 2007. With the third highest concentration of “equity rich” homes in the country, our region is fundamentally sound and hard to crack.

Future Demand: Over 4.5 million Millennials will turn 30 over the next few years and look to increase wealth through homeownership. And more than a decade of under-building, Capital Gains Tax regulations, and Prop 13 protections are sure to sustain high demand — and prices — for years to come.

Chic vs. Geek: Title Insurance

Buying a home can be a risky endeavor, and that’s before you close the deal! Can investing in title insurance help you avoid a sticky situation? Let’s take a look…

CHIC (PEARL)

You may find after you purchase the property that someone else has a claim to all or a share of the title. Or perhaps you learn that a neighbor or your HOA have an easement that allows them to use your land — and limit your use of it! Title insurance can safeguard you against these surprises and give you some peace of mind that you’re the sole proprietor of the property.

GEEK (KEVIN)

One of the more common stumbling blocks with taking over the title on a home is finding out that the property is not up to code or has unpermitted improvements. Sorting this out could cost you time and money and headaches dealing with the assessor’s office and your local tax collector. So don’t cut corners on your home purchase. Invest in title insurance!

Chic vs. Geek: Keeping Clutter Off Your Countertop

It seems like every time we need something in the kitchen, we can’t find it because of all the appliances, trays, bowls, and other stuff taking up our countertops. So how do we cope?

CHIC (PEARL)

Anyone who tells you kitchens are supposed to be messy never had to clean up after family dinner! Personally, I need some motivation to keep my surfaces clear. So I try to add some style to kitchen organizing, like fancy jars for non-perishable ingredients, dividers for frequently-used utensils, and elegant hanging racks for pots and pans.

GEEK (KEVIN)

There is no reason you can’t solve your kitchen clutter issues with some very simple storage strategy. Figure out where and when you need this pot or that spatula, and find a drawer or cabinet to store them when they’re not in use while keeping them readily accessible when you’re in the heat of your culinary artistry. It will save you time and stress!

Chic vs. Geek: Go Green to Save Green!

We know that decarbonizing our lifestyles is an important part of fighting climate change, but what about our homes?

CHIC (PEARL)

If you want to reduce your energy use and bring a brighter touch to your home, invest in a skylight or move some windows to capture light at different times of day. In addition to warming up the aesthetics, these “passive solar” steps reduce the need for costly artificial lighting during the day. You can also invest in awnings, shutters, and curtains to control the light and heat in your home.

GEEK (KEVIN)

Natural light helps you see, but how can you survive without natural gas? Think about going electric with a heat pump for heating, cooling, and water heating. Replacing your gas stove with an induction version is another smart investment, and it won’t blow you up! Energy upgrades like this can get expensive, but there are government incentives to help, and the savings pay back the costs in short order.

Chic vs. Geek: Spring Cleaning!

It’s the time of year when we come out of hibernation and wake up to the fact that we have way too much stuff! So where do you start with whittling things down?

CHIC (PEARL)

Start by getting organized. Go room to room and make three piles: Trash, Shred, and Keep. The names should make the contents self-explanatory. Aim for about a 30-30-30 split, with 10% flex area for all of those items you can’t imagine living without but can’t quite justify keeping around. And if you’re on the fence, just pull a Marie Kondo, spin around, and go with your gut.

GEEK (KEVIN)

You still need room for all those piles, so my suggestion is to get the big stuff out of the way first. Most residential waste collectors offer a certain number of free large item pickups per year for things like old furniture, appliances, and exercise equipment. You can generally find out who collects the waste in your city by calling the 3-1-1 non-emergency info line.