Chic vs. Geek: Home Tech

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The 2020 Consumer Electronics Show introduced new and improved technology that will make living in a home much easier and efficient. What’s your take on home tech-onomics?

CHIC (PEARL)

The future of smart homes is exciting! There will be around 31 billion devices connected to the internet by 2020, and that number is supposed to grow to 75.4 billion by 2025. One of my favorite devices is a floor cleaner that performs basic home surveillance at the same time!

GEEK (KEVIN)

The idea of a smart home sounds very attractive. But it’s also smart – and in my opinion necessary – to understand the basics of what you’re getting into, and prepare for any risk involved. What risk? Well, if hackers can break into Equifax, they can crack your home network!

Introducing: Central San José

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San José – Spanish for St. Joseph –  is the economic, cultural, and political capital of Silicon Valley, and the largest city in Northern California. With a population of more than 1.1 million, it is the third-largest city in California and 10th-largest in the United States. Due to its nature as a hub of innovation, San José is a global city, with a Mediterranean climate, and extremely high cost of living. 

San José is among the wealthiest major cities in the world, with the third-highest GDP per capita (after Zürich, Switzerland, and Oslo, Norway), according to the Brookings Institution. The San José metro area is home to the most millionaires and billionaires per capita of any city in the United States. With a median home price of $1.1M, it also boasts one of the most expensive housing markets in the country – and the world.

Learn more in the Neighborhoods section of our website.

Chic vs. Geek: House Flipping

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We found a flipped home at a great price. What should we know before deciding to buy?

CHIC (PEARL)

A home that looks shiny and new can capture a buyer’s gaze, and in this competitive market, offers can easily become impulse decisions. That’s why it’s important to slow down and do your diligence! Request a list of recent renovations from the seller and check the permits. Find out who did the work and check their references. Read the seller’s inspection report closely and ask questions when you have them. Check the title report for any liens. And if you need more, have a look here and here.

GEEK (KEVIN)

When it comes to renovated properties, the level of experience, professionalism, craftsmanship, and attention to detail can vary greatly. When I’m in a home being sold by a flipper, I pay close attention to the details, like the edging on a paint job around the baseboards. It’s not hard to notice when a seller has cut corners to put “lipstick on a pig.” Just don’t get distracted by the color of the lipstick. Like Pearl says, ask a lot of questions and make sure you don’t end up in a money pit.

Introducing: Woodside

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A small town with big lots, epic estates, and a popular network of horse trails, the Town of Woodside is one of the wealthiest communities in the United States – an exclusive list that also includes San Mateo County neighbors Atherton, Hillsborough, and Portola Valley.

Woodside has boasted a number of rich and famous residents over the years, including singer-songwriter Joan Baez, tech giants Larry Ellison and Steve Jobs, 49ers Hall of Fame Coach Bill Walsh, and award-winning actress Michelle Pfeiffer, along with numerous Silicon Valley CEOs, venture capitalists, business magnates, and – currently – 6 billionaires!

Woodside is also home to a number of open space preserves, including the Purisima Open Space – part of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District – which allows both horseback riding and bicycling.

Learn more in the Neighborhoods section of our website.