Market Snapshot: San Mateo County

The market continues to wake up on the cool side of the pillow, with inventory and median sales prices down year over year. Of course, the holidays are typically a slow period, and with the global economy still in recovery mode, we’ll see what the new year has in store.

Down Time

The holidays and first few weeks of the new year tend to be a little slow for real estate, so it’s a good time to catch up on projects you’ve been thinking about… or avoiding!

CHIC (Pearl)

My biggest procrastination is taking down holiday decorations. There’s nothing wrong with spreading happy vibes all year round, but candy canes and Christmas trees don’t really vibe with Valentine’s Day! So I use this time to get our house back to normal.

GEEK (Kevin)

You know where to find me whenever there’s a little down time: getting in some DIY action around the house. I just installed new bathroom cabinets, and I’m still riding high on perspiration and power tools. On to the next project… when I have the time!

Home Resolutions

We’ve already told you about our personal resolutions for the new year, but what are some resolutions you can make to keep your home functioning at its best?

Aging in Place - Silicon Valley Style!

As people on the verge of retirement consider the considerable costs of staying in the Bay Area, one senior decided to take advantage of updated rules and added an ADU in her backyard that will generate enough income for her to age in place.

The Mountain View Voice has the story.

Winter Vacation Home

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!