Introducing: Cambrian

Surrounded by Willow Glen to the north, Campbell to the west, and Los Gatos and the Almaden Valley to the south, the Cambrian neighborhood of San José is a small enclave of single-family homes, condos, and townhomes, with high-rated schools and plenty of retail shopping options within a short distance. It is predominantly a bedroom community, but there is plenty of nightlife and activity just a short Lyft – or bike – ride away.

Cambrian is a good fit for commuters, with easy access to multiple freeways, While it’s not the best for public transportation outside of the VTA bus network, you can catch a light rail train in Campbell that will take you to Downtown San José and beyond. The area is served by one of the newest branches in the San José Library system, and Houge Park is dog friendly!

Learn more in the Neighborhoods section of our website.

Number Talk: Smart Homes

Did you know? Smart home technology can save you 30 minutes a day and $100 a year. See more facts and figures in this infographic, and contact us with questions.

– The Geek

Chic vs. Geek: Home Tech

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

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

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.