Chic vs. Geek: Thinking of adding an ADU?

Accessory dwelling units, aka ADUs, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but adding one to your property may not be the right fit. It’s important to know the ins and outs and plan ahead. We’re here to help!

CHIC (PEARL)

ADUs can provide housing for aging family members, an affordable option for teachers and others in the “missing middle,” and a reliable source of additional income for you and your household. As we experience a boon in the ADU market thanks to loosened regulations, there’s a variety of vendors out there. It can be hard to know where to start. I recommend you figure out what kind of ADU you need first. Function should come before form in this case, given the investment of time and resources you’re about to make.

GEEK (KEVIN)

The key to adding an ADU on your property is making sure the project pencils out. That means keeping costs down without sacrificing a quality product that will stand the test of time. You can find a lot of savings on the front end of the process when choosing an architect, designer, and/or builder. Doing a little research to find vendors with strong track records will pay dividends later when you get the project done right the first time. The best contractors also know their way around local government permits!

SummerFest returns to Downtown San José!

One of the most exciting, diverse, and popular music festivals in the country kicks off today in Downtown San José. If you’re craving a heavy dose of live music in a variety of styles, delicious food from around the world, and a fun time outdoors, San José Jazz SummerFest is the place for you to be this weekend!

Learn more and get tickets here.

Chic vs. Geek: Taking Advantage of SB9

More and more, we have many clients with an interest in splitting their lot to take advantage of new state law to build a second home they can rent out. How can you use SB9 to your benefit?

CHIC (PEARL)

Senate Bill 9 was signed by the governor last year to streamline the creation of new housing units in traditionally single family neighborhoods to combat our housing crisis. But while some cities and communities have resisted the change, others like San José have embraced the new law and updated their local rules to reflect it. That means an opportunity for a savvy homeowner with a little money to invest. Here’s some info from the California Association of Realtors (CAR) to get you started.

GEEK (KEVIN)

At the end of the day, all SB9 does is allow for change to happen. That doesn’t mean your neighborhood is about to flip from single family homes to fourplexes. The conversion still has to pencil out, and that’s no guarantee with the cost of construction and labor these days — not to mention high interest rates if you don’t have all the cash up front..There’s also the question of lot size and eligibility. Need more insights? Have a look at this CAR slide deck and quick guide to lot splitting, or just send us an email.

Happy International Beer Day!

It’s the first Friday in August, which means it’s International Beer Day! Time to pour a pint of your favorite craft brew and celebrate the end of another week of the Dog Days of Summer.

The Bay Area is home to one of the most vibrant and creative craft brew scenes in the world, and there’s no shortage of taprooms and breweries within a quick road trip of wherever you live.

Here’s a list of local favorites from the SF Chronicle. It’s a little light on the South Bay, so if you need some tips, just ask the Geek!

Chic vs. Geek: To Zillow or not to Zillow?

That is the question, and we hear it a lot from new clients. Should buyers and sellers rely on home values posted on websites like Zillow or Redfin? Let’s talk about it…

CHIC (PEARL)

If you’re looking to determine a home’s true value, Zillow and Redfin are a good starting point, but you shouldn’t rely on them to reflect the nuances of the home, neighborhood, market conditions, and seller’s expectations. It’s important to talk to an experienced agent or appraiser in order to figure out what’s realistic for your situation. A good agent can also give you an idea of how long it will take to sell based on recent activity in your area. It can be hard to know what you’re getting into, especially when you’re just getting started. Many people think they can handle the process on their own, and that may be true. But more often than not, they find themselves contacting an agent!

GEEK (KEVIN)

Zillow’s estimates are based on a combination of publicly-available data and proprietary algorithms. The public data includes information from local governments, tax assessors, county records, and other sources. The algorithm that determines these home values isn’t designed to take into account the many ground level factors at play on a property. As a result, you may find that it overestimates or underestimates the value of homes in your neighborhood. If you want to get a good deal, an algorithm won’t help. You have to talk to a human to get an idea of a target price and what to expect from the market. And a good agent can help you translate all the technical jargon!