Advice for Buyers • May 31, 2023

Why Buyers Need an Expert Agent by Their Side

by Selena Young

The process of buying a home can feel a bit intimidating, even under normal circumstances. But today’s market is still anything but normal. There continues to be a very limited number of homes for sale, and that’s creating bidding wars and driving home prices back up as buyers compete over the available homes.

Navigating all of this can be daunting if you’re trying to do it alone. That’s why having a skilled expert to guide you through the homebuying process is essential, especially today. Bankrate shares this perspective:

Here are just a few of the ways a real estate expert makes a big difference:

Experience – Real estate professionals know the ins and outs of what’s happening today, how it impacts buyers, and how to navigate any hurdles that may pop up.
Education – Knowledge is power when it comes to buying a home. Your advisor will simply and effectively explain market conditions and translate what they mean for you so you can feel confident in your decision.
Negotiations – Your real estate advisor advocates for your best interests. Having an expert on your side provides assistance with the purchase agreement. An agent can also help you negotiate potential seller concessions if the inspection reveals issues with the home.
Contracts – Real estate advisors guide you through the disclosures and contracts necessary in today’s heavily regulated environment.
Pricing – Making an offer and negotiating with a seller can be one of the most difficult and stressful parts of the homebuying process. A skilled agent will help you understand what similar homes are selling for so you have the full picture of what you may want to offer.

All of these reasons combined may be why 86% of recent buyers used an agent according to the latest Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). NAR also has this to say about why an agent is so essential today:

What’s the Key To Choosing the Right Expert?

It starts with trust. You’ll want to know you can trust the advice they’re giving you, so you need to make sure you’re connected with a true professional. No one can provide perfect advice because it’s impossible to know exactly what’s going to happen at every turn – especially in today’s market. But a true professional can give you the best possible advice based on the information and situation at hand.

They’ll help advocate for you throughout the process and coach you on the essential knowledge you need to make confident decisions. That’s exactly what you want and deserve.

Bottom Line

It’s critical to have an expert on your side who is skilled in navigating today’s housing market. If you’re planning to buy a home this year, let’s connect so you have a real estate advisor on your side to give you the best advice and guide you along the way.

Advice for Buyers • May 31, 2023

Owning a Home Helps Protect Against Inflation

by Selena Young

You’re probably feeling the impact of high inflation every day as prices have gone up on groceries, gas, and more. If you’re a renter, you’re likely experiencing it a lot as your rent continues to rise. Between all of those elevated costs and uncertainty about a potential recession, you may be wondering if it still makes sense to buy a home today. The short answer is – it does. Here’s why.

Homeownership actually shields you from the rising costs inflation brings.

Unlike rents, which tend to rise with time, a fixed-rate mortgage payment is predictable over the life of the mortgage (typically 15 to 30 years). And, when the cost of most everything else is rising, keeping your housing payment stable is especially important.

The alternative to homeownership is renting – and rents tend to move alongside inflation. That means as inflation goes up, your monthly rent payments tend to go up, too.

A fixed-rate mortgage allows you to protect yourself from future rent hikes. With inflation still high, when your rental agreement comes up for renewal, your property manager may decide to increase your payments to offset the impact of inflation. Maybe that’s why, according to a recent survey, 73% of property managers plan to raise rents over the next two years.

Having your largest monthly expense remain stable in a time of economic uncertainty is a major perk of homeownership. If you continue to rent, you don’t have that same benefit and aren’t as protected from rising costs.

Bottom Line

A stable housing payment is especially important in times of high inflation. Let’s connect so you can learn more and start your journey to homeownership today.

Advice for Sellers • May 30, 2023

ROI Home Improvement Projects

by Selena Young

Whether you’re thinking of selling your house this year—or just like the idea of a return on your investment (who doesn’t?)—certain ROI home improvements can not only make your house look better, but also increase its market value. Read on for a few DIY projects that have proven their worth.

1. Make a good first impression in your entryway

2. Spruce up your outdoor space with lighting and greenery

3. Create more storage in the kitchen with freestanding cabinets

4. Give your home a fresh coat of paint — just don’t skip the primer

5. Modernize your kitchen with new appliances and hardware

6. Update the bathroom sinks and fixtures

7. Wood flooring is a smart home upgrade that will always add value

Uncategorized • May 30, 2023

Must Do Home Improvement Projects

by Selena Young

It can be easy to procrastinate when it comes to home-improvement projects, especially when the projects you’re considering don’t seem super urgent or necessary. But there’s a shortlist of updates that you can, and should, consider making, even if you’re able to convince yourself you can live without them.

1. Upgrade your window treatments

2. Install air-conditioning

3. Upgrade your water heater

4. Just redo your kitchen already

5. Make the switch from gas to induction

6. Paint the exterior

7. Keep your roof in good shape

Advice for Sellers • May 30, 2023

Prepping Your Home For The Market

by Selena Young

The right renovations won’t just make your space more comfortable to live in, they can also increase the overall value of your home. Curious about which home renovations experts say are worth the time and effort? We’ve got you covered!

Update an old-fashioned bathroom.

Upgrade the kitchen with modern appliances and finishes.

Preserve interesting architectural elements.

Renovate an underused area of your home.

Create an outdoor oasis.

Quarterly Market Update • May 30, 2023

Q1 2023 Market Update

by Selena Young

Wondering what happened in Silicon Valley’s housing market last quarter? Check out the link above!

And as always, as news headlines raise questions, I am happy to provide you with real-time information and answer all of your real estate questions. Feel free to contact me today!

Agent Advice • May 30, 2023

Agent Advice

by Selena Young

How to Build a High-Performing Real Estate Team in 12 Simple Steps… Click to Learn More!

Perspectives From A Local • May 30, 2023

Life In Los Altos | Perspective From A Local

by Selena Young

What do you like best about Los Altos? It’s full of natural beauty and encourages its’ residences to try new things. If you want to take up the banjo or knitting there’s a class for that. I also think it’s really cool that the city offers a Newcomers Club, which hosts social gatherings so you can get to know your neighbors.

What kind of transportation is there? It’s a small enough town that there is no real ‘mass transit’ option. There are buses. wonderful walking trails, and bike lanes though. And the Caltrain is about a 10-15 minute drive in Palo Alto so if you don’t have a car it’s not terrible. Though I would suggest owning one.

Favorite grocery store? Foothill Produce has relatively inexpensive produce and a large variety.

Good for kids? Absolutely! Many of the residents here see the school district as something to invest in rather than just benefit from, making it one of the most reputable in the state. On top of that, Los Altos is often ranked in the top 40 safest cities in America.

Best place to get Boba? Teaspoon is by far one of the best places in Los Altos…okay maybe the whole South Bay.

Best place to grab a drink? I really enjoy Honcho’s. They offer a great selection of craft beers, wine, sake, champagne, and specialty cocktails. Plus free popcorn and pretzels! What I really enjoy, is that they have outdoor seating and once a month you can enjoy a live band.

Best place to experience the outdoors? If you have children Shoup Park is a great place to stop by. There’s plenty of slides, jungle gyms, and swings. Plus there’s a cute little creek that kids normally play in. Redwood Grove Park is also a really wonderful spot right next door to visit for a nice walk. It’s a lovely place to get outside, watch the white butterflies in the Spring, or enjoy a picnic. And it’s also stroller and wheelchair accessible! I’d also suggest Windy Hill Preserve and the San Andreas Fault Trail for hiking.

Favorite neighborhood traditions? Oh god, where to begin? The Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Fall Festival every October. Then local merchants oversee the annual Festival of Lights Parade. The Los Altos Village Association hosts a variety of events, including the Easter Egg Hunt and Arts & Wine Festival.

Your favorite fun fact about Los Altos: It earned its place on the map thanks to Sarah Winchester (yes, the same one who built the Winchester Mystery House) and the railroads. Sarah once owned the land the city now encompasses. And when Altos Land Co. needed to purchase a strip of her land for the Southern Pacific Railroad line, she insisted that it buy her entire property. Because they now had more land than required, they set about making the surrounding area a destination.

Claim to fame: Though it’s located in Cupertino today, Apple was born in Los Altos in the garage of Steve Job’s parents.

Final words? Los Altos is a wonderful and welcoming community, surrounded by nature, and filled with heart.

Perspectives From A Local • May 30, 2023

Life In The Rose Garden | Perspective From A Local

by Selena Young

What do you like best about it? The location is wonderful and the architecture is fabulous! Many of the homes are crafted with amazing stonework and historic design. It’s also an incredibly safe neighborhood. At any time of day you can walk down tree-lined streets and revel in the beauty of this neighborhood. Plus, hip vintage boutiques dot the nearby Alameda strip, while dining spans informal eateries, global restaurants, and wine tasting rooms.

How has the neighborhood changed recently? Many of the smaller, cottage-style homes have been renovated or removed and transformed into larger single family homes. Though there are still quite a few centuries-old homes.

What’s the transportation scene like? Nearby is Diridon station, a reliable bus route, and light rail system. I’d say public transportation is fine for commuting to work, but with kids, I would rely pretty heavily on a car to get around.

Tell us something we don’t know about the neighborhood: In the 20’s, the Municipal Rose Garden, from which the neighborhood received its name, was a pear and prune orchard.

Favorite Restaurant? The neighborhood itself mostly consists of residential living, but right down the street on the Alameda is the fantastic LUNA. A prime example of a restaurant living up to its hype, LUNA offers innovative, fresh, authentic, and absolutely delicious Mexican food made with ingredients from sustainable farms. The service is impeccable, margaritas are tasty, parrillada will keep you coming back for more, and there plenty of Vegan/Vegetarian options as well.

Nearest grocery store (and why you like it)? Zanotto’s. On top of their wide variety of produce, which is often locally sourced. I absolutely love that they offer Marianne’s ice cream and Gizdich pies from Santa Cruz. The staff are also incredibly friendly and knowledgeable as well, so it’s pretty hard not to buy up the whole store!

Good for kids? Absolutely! The neighborhood is serene, friendly, and the schools are top notch.

Best place to get brunch? Bill’s Cafe. Get there early because this place is packed around 9 am, but the wait is always worth it! I like to order their fresh squeezed orange juice and Hawaiian pancakes, they’re loaded with bananas and macadamia nuts.

Best park? The Municipal Rose Garden of course! It’s the perfect spot to stop for a picnic on a sunny day.

Beloved neighborhood joints? The Rosicrucian Museum is a wonderful place to bring your friends and family. It’s architecturally inspired by the Temple of Amon at Karnak and houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts on exhibit in western North America. The docents are very knowledgeable and the tomb replica is always a hit!

Favorite family friendly activity nearby? The Greek Festival is a wonderful experience for the whole family. There are vendors selling delicious foods, belly dancing, and live traditional music. If you go, you have to get the loukoumades. They’re little fried dough balls of fluffy deliciousness covered in honey and dusted with nuts and cinnamon.

Where are the best places to experience the outdoors? The Heritage Rose Garden is 5 ½ acres and features more than 3,000 rose shrubs. You can sign up for a docent-led tour, adopt a rose, or take pruning lessons there.

Are the stereotypes true? Yes, the Rose Garden is the picturesque site that is in every high school prom and proposal photo.

Perspectives From A Local • May 30, 2023

Life In Palo Alto | Perspective From A Local

by Selena Young

What do you like best about it? I love that the the city is very active in engaging it’s citizens and that preserving the environment is a huge priority for many of its residents.

How has your neighborhood changed since you moved there? Maybe it’s because I was young when we moved here but I see Palo Alto as more of a destination and not just a suburb of the Bay. And as each year passes, more and more money is pumped into the local economy.

Do you need a car to get around? I work on Stanford’s campus so I bike every day. It’s four miles round trip, which isn’t bad at all. Public transportation from Palo Alto is really great. You have Caltrain, the free Stanford shuttle bus service, and Santa Clara Valley buses. While I own a car for the rare weekends away in Tahoe or LA, on a day-to-day basis you can easily get by with just public transportation or a bike.

Tell us something we don’t know about your neighborhood: Palo Alto got its name from a Redwood tree commonly known as the El Palo Alto, or “Tall Stick.” Which has historical significance because it was the campsite for the Portola Expedition Party who discovered San Francisco Bay. It’s also the second historical landmark in the state of California!

Favorite gem? ‘The Gates of Hell.’ Based on a scene from Dante’s ‘Inferno,’ it’s a 180 figure sculpture created by Aguste Rodin. Only six copies exist in the world and this one just happens to be found in Stanford’s Rodin Sculpture Garden.

Favorite grocery store? Piazza’s may be a little more pricey than other grocery stores, but it’s by far my favorite. They have high quality food and an old-fashioned market feel, as Mr. Piazza modeled the store after one in his hometown of Sicily.

Good for kids? Absolutely! The city’s is extremely kid friendly and the schools are highly rated.

Best place to get a coffee? Coupa Cafe is a family-owned business that serves organic, fair trade coffee and delicious treats

Best park? Mitchell Park is great because on top of their playground for local children, they also offer tennis courts and a dog park. I use the dog park a lot, and if you have children the playground offers outrageously adventurous merry-go-rounds that look like they’re out of a French vanguard movie and a Lewis Carroll-styled treehouse.

Beloved neighborhood joints? Definitely the California Avenue Farmers’ Market! There’s nothing better than spending your morning strolling through aisles of fresh, organic produce and supporting local businesses.

What’s the nightlife like? Great! What I love about Palo Alto is its ability to offer something for everyone to enjoy. You can have a casual night drinking wine flights with your friends or ride the bull over at The Old Pro. Another fun place to check out is Nola. It’s a popular New Orleans-themed joint that offers the classics; jambalaya, Hurricane’s, and beignets!

Where is the best place to experience the outdoors? The Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is wonderful. I try to take my dog out for a hike on it every other weekend or bike over to the lake. I know you can also go horseback riding or fishing there as well.

Final words? Home of the Heart of the Silicon Valley!