Winter Vacation Home

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This time of year, we’re dreaming of a snowy ski resort and a warm cup of cocoa by the window. Where would you invest in a winter home away from home?

CHIC (Pearl)

The beauty of living in Silicon Valley is you don’t need to go very far to find every climate and environment you could possibly imagine. So I’d keep it close to home and find something within a short 3-4 hour drive of the Bay Area. And there’s no shortage of quality ski and snowboard resorts to choose from, particularly around Lake Tahoe!

GEEK (Kevin)

I love adventure, and I don’t really feel like I’m on vacation until I’m out of California. That’s why my vote is for Yellowstone or the Grand Tetons in the Big Sky Country of Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. This breathtaking landscape gives you more than enough to explore beyond winter sports. And the tax benefits are a plus!

Skin in the Game

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According to data from the California Association of Realtors, the housing market is weathering the economic downturn better than it did during the Great Recession, as buyers have more skin in the game.

Compared to those who bought their homes before the recession, buyers in recent years have made higher down payments, taken on fewer risky loans and second mortgages, and have higher household incomes. That means we can expect fewer defaults and foreclosures as the market continues to shift.

Dreaming of Home

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We frequently work with buyers who need to compromise between the dream home they want to buy and the home they can afford within their budget, especially with their first purchase. Let's be realistic. That first home doesn't need to be perfect. It’s just a step on your path.

Kevin and I don’t live in our dream home – yet. We don’t know where or when it will become a reality, but we’ve talked enough to know that the dream home we share will be a compromise between our respective dreams and desires…

CHIC (Pearl)

I dream of a brightly lit home with high ceilings and high-performance windows in an open layout, allowing natural light to cascade throughout every room. Most of all, I dream of a beautifully landscaped backyard you can step into from your bedroom, kitchen, or living room.

GEEK (Kevin)

My dream home will be built of 90% steel and concrete. Designed to last 1,000 years, no earthquake, hurricane, flood, or other disaster could destroy it. My goal is to reach the highest level of efficiency and resiliency, with the even more attractive bonus of low maintenance!