Chic vs. Geek: A Time to Buy — or Sell?

What’s the latest advice for homeowners and homeseekers?

CHIC (PEARL)

According to the California Association Realtors (CAR), about 30% of buyers think it’s not a good time to buy. This is up just slightly from 2018 and 2019, which means COVID-19 and the shelter in place haven’t put a damper on homeownership dreams.

GEEK (KEVIN)

According to the same CAR poll, sellers don’t share the same optimism, with about 50% reporting that they removed listings from the market to wait for the right time. But with no end to the crisis in sight, the right time might be right now.

Introducing: Cupertino

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Rich in opportunity, culture, and sunshine, Cupertino is as progressive and diverse as its Silicon Valley surroundings. The city’s renown as a center of innovation far surpasses its moderate size of approximately 60,000 residents. Located on the western edge of Santa Clara Valley, against the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Cupertino is 42 miles south of San Francisco.

Around the world, Cupertino is famous as the home of high-tech giant Apple Inc. To the locals, it’s known as a city with excellent public schools and close-knit neighborhoods. That’s part of what makes Cupertino a desirable address for a highly educated and culturally diverse population. More than 60 percent of residents 25 years or older hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and more than 40 percent were born outside of the United States.

Learn more in the Neighborhoods section of our website.

Number Talk: Mortgage Interest Rates

Thinking about buying a house or refinancing one you already own? Short-term and long-term interest rates have hit all-time lows. According to Freddie Mac, the weekly average on a 30-year mortgage was 3.23% on April 30. The same rate was at 4.94% as recently as November 2018.

Mother's Day Message

Thank you to the many types of moms out there, and for all the ways you love!

Client Testimonial: Jei and Kyung Ryoo

We are so grateful for all of our clients, and we strive to treat them like family. But you don’t have to take our word for it! Read below and visit our Testimonials page for more!

“You would have thought they were trying to find their own dream house.”

We had lived in the Midwest for more than 35 years before we decided to move to the Silicon Valley, where our son's family lived. After we found ourselves uncomfortable in the two homes over six years, we thought we would give a third and final try to find a home suitable to our needs.

At the first meeting with Pearl and Kevin, we explained our situation in detail. They were patient and carefully listened to understand our somewhat unique needs. Sometimes they raised questions just to reorganize our thoughts. Pearl searched tirelessly for the right house in the right neighborhood, and Kevin, as an engineer, gave us his honest and fair evaluations on the foundation, construction materials, and stability of the candidate properties. With their personal touch, you would have thought they were trying to find their own dream house!

Naturally, it took us a little longer to find a home that met our needs, but we’re very pleased with the result. Not only did Pearl and Kevin help us find the new house and settle in, they ceaselessly assist us with everything, including automobiles, plants, trees, furniture, picking up mail when we’re away. You name it! Pearl and Kevin are down-to-earth, genuine, and competent human beings, and they are our good friends forever.

— Jei & Kyung Ryoo