Good News & More Good News
Filed under Featured Story · Tagged: Closed Transactions, Employee Relocation, Home Prices, Housing Choices, Los Altos, Quality of Life, Real Estate Marketing
Good News #1 … 2010 is shaping up to be a banner year for real estate in Los Altos. Comparing the first six months of 2009 with the same time period for 2010, there were 58% more homes sold. Additionally, we saw an increase in the sales prices of comparative homes year-over-year.
Interestingly, however, the average “days on market” for a home has increased to 87 days. That is a significant increase for homes which last year were sold in less than 60 days. So, what gives?
Clearly, lenders are taking a slightly longer to work through the average transaction. But it’s still feasible to close a transaction in 30-45 days. Anticipating market demand, for any one home, is still an imperfect science. However, we have been seeing well priced homes snapped up without dely.
Good News #2 … our last two listing sold in less than a week, and we are confident we can achieve similar results for you. How did we do it? We put together an effective plan, executed on that plan in partnership with our clients, and developed an outreach campaign to attract the maximum number of agents and interested buyers.
In all, over 230 Real Estate Agents stop by these two homes on Broker Tour when they first came on the market, in sequential weeks. Buyer traffic through the properties was consistent from the time 465 Benvenue Ave & 595 Los Altos Ave hit the market. An average of 270 potential buyers visited each home through open house, while even more buyers came by via private showings.
So, the market remains strong, but inventory is relatively low. There are a number of buyers looking to move into Los Altos, but they are strategically examining the available options. With a strong real estate team in place, a seller or buyer could have a tactical advantage, if they utilize the right tools for today’s market.
If you are looking to move into Los Altos, or simply move across town, we are confident that we can help you. Call us today at 650-823-1434. We would love the opportunity to earn your business.
Another Great Los Altos Home
Filed under Sold Properties · Tagged: Employee Relocation, Housing Choices, Los Altos, Quality of Life
When looking for a new home to to call your own, it is always great to know that the house holds many happy memories. For the past 12 years, this house has been home to a wonderful family that fully enjoyed living in Los Altos. Being located in North Los Altos allowed them the ability to stroll to Downtown, or Rancho, to enjoy many of the shops and restaurants. All of these community amenities are just minutes away on foot.
If entertaining at home is what you enjoy, the open floor plan and flourishing gardens will provide a wonderful experience for your guests. If staying home is more your style, the abundance of light cascading through the windows and skylights allow for easy reading, relaxing and the full enjoyment of your surroundings.
This wonderful three bedroom, two bath, 1,800 sq ft home is perfectly located on a typically quite Los Altos street. Additionaly, this proerty has a one bedroom, one bath detached cottage. The 610 sq ft cottage also comes with its own kitchen and living room.
As always, if you are looking to move into Los Altos, or simply move across town, we are confident that we can help you. We would love the opportunity to earn your business. Call us at 650-823-1434, and then sit back and relax, as we seamlessly take care of everything.
Designed For Living & Entertaining
Filed under Sold Properties · Tagged: Employee Relocation, Los Altos, New Listing, Quality of Life
For the past 18 years, 595 Los Altos Avenue has been home to a wonderful family that fully enjoyed living in North Los Altos. Being located in North Los Altos allowed them the ability to stroll to Town, enjoy the Hetch-Hetchy pathway, or dine at many of the nearby restaurants. All of these community amenities are just minutes away on foot.
If entertaining at home is what you enjoy, the natural indoor/outdoor flow will provide a seemless experience for your guests. If staying home is more your style, the abundance of light cascading through the windows allows for easy reading, relaxing and the full enjoyment of your surroundings.
This 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home has been almost completely remodeled and truly is move in ready. The added benefit of a private back yard with sparkling pool makes this home perfect for entertaining.
Volunteers Helping Seniors
Filed under Blog · Tagged: Los Altos, Los Altos Town Cirer, Quality of Life, Volunteering
What began as a simple desire to help fellow residents, has blossomed over the past 8 years to include almost a dozen cities and hundreds of volunteers. The focus of all this care an compassion? Our senior citizens. Through the years, Carol & I have been a part of many coordinated efforts. The RSVP program, is once such effort.
The day of volunteering was recently covered by the Town Crier. Below are highlights from a recent article which highlighted how the program has helped to improve the lives of those assisted …
More than 100 Realtor volunteers helped 46 senior households, in the Los Altos and Mountain View area, during Realtor Service Volunteer Week.
Volunteers from Intero Real Estate Services & the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors helped seniors and the homebound with household. Wearing T-shirts emblazoned with a blue-and-yellow logo that identified them as members of the Realtor Service Volunteer Program, workers descended on households to help homeowners and renters with chores they can no longer perform by themselves.
Seniors were grateful for the free service. “I really appreciate the help,” said one 84-year-old senior, who has requested help for the past two years. “I still do quite a bit of the work myself. I even used to climb the stepladder, but my son gets worried about that, so I don’t do it anymore.”
Three volunteers visited her home to wash exterior windows, move a stove and refrigerator so she could clean underneath and replace her smoke-detector batteries. When a volunteer climbed the stepladder to replace the battery, he noticed there were none. That sparked a memory for the senior homeowner.
“I remember taking it out, but I never replaced it, because I couldn’t reach to put the new one in,” she said. Local Realtors officially adopted RSVP as a community outreach project in 2002, and it has since expanded to include realtor association members from other cities and counties.
Every May, these volunteers help seniors and the homebound with household tasks, such as washing windows, installing smoke-detector batteries, flipping mattresses, vacuuming, dusting, replacing light bulbs, changing furnace filters and trimming bushes.
Outside the home of a 90-year-old Mountain View resident, the team of Carol Casas, Hilda and Nick loosened dirt in a flowerbed, swept the patio and carport, trimmed ivy in her front yard and washed windows. “My children have gone and moved away, so it’s wonderful to have help. I couldn’t do it any other way,” the homeowner said. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
Two Open Homes This Weekend
Filed under Blog · Tagged: Employee Relocation, Housing Choices, Los Altos, Open House, Quality of Life
We will be holding two homes open this weekend. Both of these great houses are located in North Los Altos.
595 Los Altos Avenue will be held open this Saturday & Sunday, May 22nd & 23rd, from 1:30-4:30 pm.
465 Benvenue Avenue will be held open this Sunday, May 23rd, from 1:30-4:30 pm.
Come see these wonderful homes, both built for entertaining and living. You will absolutely love their locations, their neighborhoods, and their tree lined streets.
Feel free to call the Casas Team for a private showing of either home, or both, at 650-823-1434.
63rd Annual Pet Parade
Filed under Blog · Tagged: Downtown, Family Fun, Los Altos, Los Altos Town Cirer, Pet Parade, Quality of Life
Well it was certainly one of the best Pet Parades in a long time, and pristine weather to boot. We surely enjoyed the riding on the Mayor’s car, with our Chocolate Lab … Coco. There were hundreds of people lining the street, and even more in the parade. This is one of those Mayberry moments. Truly a slice of mom and apple pie.
Below are highlights from a recent article in the Los Altos Town Crier …
Creatures of the world united in downtown Los Altos Saturday as thousands of them – two-legged, four-legged, eight-legged, no-legged and winged – thronged Main and State streets for the 63rd annual Kiwanis Club Pet Parade.
It was as if a huge pet store came alive, with families and their pets showing off one another on the sunny spring morning. Animals of all shapes and sizes walked, trotted, wheeled and slithered as visitors – local and out-of-towners – lined the streets, cheering, waving and clapping.
From the tiniest hermit crabs and furry spiders to lean greyhounds and majestic horses, visitors got their fill of the domesticated wildlife.
Not all pets wanted to march, however.
Tucker, a 4-year-old Golden Retriever, sat patiently, tail wagging and tongue lolling, while his master, Spencer Richmond, 8, watched the parade from the sidelines.
The canines stole the show – with a variety of popular breeds represented, including pocket Chihuahuas, rambunctious Terriers and Pomeranians, frisky Golden and Labrador Retrievers, staid St. Bernards, stately Greyhounds, German Shepherds, Pugs and Dachshunds.
Spectators enjoyed the procession of guinea pigs, cats, goats, rabbits, chickens, lizards, rats and canaries.
To the delight of onlookers, many owners outfitted their pets in cute and clever costumes. They paraded their pets in decorated baskets, wagons, strollers and cages. Some dogs wore outfits to match their owners’, while others sat daintily in their owners’ pockets watching curiously.
Lively, foot-tapping tunes from the South Bay Jazz Society, performing in its horse-drawn wagon, and Ye Olde Towne Band, playing from its motorized gazebo bandstand, provided the soundtrack, entertaining participants and onlookers alike.
Approximately 5,000 people attended, according to Lucy Carlton, parade director and former Los Altos police chief. “Everyone has a great time,” Carlton said. “That’s what community is all about.”
2010 Census & Los Altos
Filed under Blog · Tagged: 2010 Census, Employee Relocation, Los Altos, Quality of Life
Let the counting being. The Twenty-third United States Census, better known as 2010 Census, is the current national census in the United States. “National Census Day” was April 1, and was the specific point of reference date that was to used in filling out the form everyone received in the mail.
As required by the U.S. Constitution, the census has been conducted every 10 years since 1790. The last census was conducted in 2000, and the results showed that Los Altos had 27,693 people living in 10,462 households. While the numbers are expected to change, they are not anticipated to increase significantly.
For background, the Census Bureau website states it will no longer use a long form for the 2010 Census. In several previous censuses, one in six households received this long form, which asked for detailed social and economic information. The 2010 Census will use only a short form asking ten basic questions, including name, sex, age, date of birth, race, and homeownership status.
Detailed socioeconomic information collected during past censuses will continue to be collected through the American Community Survey. The survey provides data about communities in the United States on a yearly basis rather than once every 10 years. A small percentage of the population on a rotating basis will receive the survey each year, and no household will receive it more than once every five years.
So, how are the response rates going for Los Altos? As of today, almost 74% of the households in Los Altos have already submitted their forms to the census counters. That is well ahead of the current national average of 63%.
As you may be aware, the 2010 census has featured a lot of razzle dazzle. However, one of the most interesting technological innovations is an interactive map showing how the census collection is going. If you are interested in looking at how the various neighborhoods in Los Altos are doing, or any neighborhood across the country, simply click here to use the interactive map.
In addition to being important as it relates to Federal funding, the results of the 2010 census will determine the number of seats each state receives in the United States House of Representatives starting with the 2012 elections. Consequently, this will also affect the number of votes that states receive in the Electoral College for the 2012 presidential election.
So, for those of you who have already turned in your forms, you will be happy to know that you get to skip the step of a census taker knocking on your door. For the 2010 Census, Los Altos is on target to surpass our 2000 census response rate of 84%. Of course, this should not surprise anyone, exceeding expectations is in our collective DNA.
645 Palm Ave – In the “Heart of Town”
Filed under Sold Properties · Tagged: Home Prices, Housing Choices, Los Altos, Quality of Life
A single family home for under $1M in Los Altos! Really? Really! 645 Palm Avenue is a home you will want to visit this weekend during open house.
This wonderful two bedroom, 1 bath, home is perfectly located within the Old Los Altos neighborhood. This is a wonderful home, on a great street, with easy access to Downtown, Shopping, Parks and Schools. More importantly, it’s located in a fantastic neighborhood.
The home has a well-designed floor plan and a great backyard. With the splendid weather Los Altos realizes, this backyard is perfect for outdoor enjoyment. Additionally, you have vehicle access from both the front and the back of the property.
North Los Altos has always been a highly desirable place to live. Just blocks away from this home, you could stroll or bike to Redwood Grove, visit the Main Library, or even walk to dinner at a downtown restaurant. Whether you want fantastic schools, a great location, or a quiet tree lined street, this home offers it all.
If you are looking to move into Los Altos, or simply move across town, we are confident that we can help you. Call us today at 650-823-1434. We would love the opportunity to earn your business.
Changes for Downtown – zoning & more
Filed under Blog · Tagged: City Council, Downtown, Housing Choices, Los Altos, Quality of Life
Over the past six years, we have seen at least three cycles run through our core Downtown business. However, one thing has remained rather stagnant: the look and feel of Downtown. It appears that changes are afoot.
During the last couple of years, the City has been striving towards a common goal of incentivizing investments in Downtown. Yes, there were some constraints inhibiting progress. However, the City has been working towards identifying opportunities, and is ready to invest in a number of projects itself.
Below are highlights from a recent article, which covered the changes …
Downtown zoning underwent significant changes following a Feb. 9 Los Altos City Council action. The changes will pave the way for taller buildings with mixed uses along the downtown perimeter.
The bulk of the rezoning changes, unanimously approved after a lengthy public hearing, apply to First Street. Although the Safeway and Draeger’s Market properties and the city-owned plot at First and Main streets will retain a Commercial Retail Sales (CRS) zoning, most of the street is rezoned to permit office and residential uses. CRS zoning, with its two-story, 30-foot maximum, remains prevalent throughout the retail core of Main and State streets.
Coupled with last week’s approval of streetscape plans for First Street and San Antonio Road, the changes have the clear intent to attract more development – and people – to downtown.
The streetscape project, which addresses improvements to sidewalks and landscaping, also includes undergrounding utilities through a partnership with PG&E. The utility is scheduled to work on First between Edith and Main this summer.
The changes, a combination of recommendations from the Downtown Development Committee and the city’s planning commission, become effective 30 days after the second reading of the zoning amendment.
The committee’s recommendations for First included extending the commercial/retail zone along First between Safeway and Draeger’s, allowing residential units on first floors from Main to San Antonio and raising the building height limit to 45 feet.
Approximately 30 people, including downtown property and business owners, members of the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce, members of the Los Altos Village Association and residents, attended the hearing, primarily offering their support for the zoning changes.
The Best Roads in Santa Clara County
Filed under Blog · Tagged: Employee Relocation, Los Altos, Maintenance, Quality of Life, Road Conditions
One again, Los Altos has received accolades for the condition of its roads. For the third year in a row, the community has received the highest road rating in Santa Clara County. No one likes a pothole, or streets that are not properly maintained. Buying a home is more than just buying into a neighborhood; it is about buying into a community.
There have been many write-ups on the various aspects of a well run City. Included in these criteria are: consistently balance the budget, without raising taxes; and maintain excellent services, while reinvesting in the basic infrastructure. Yep, that’s Los Altos.
Below are highlights from a recent article, which included the official rating of Los Altos roads …
The condition of the region’s roads improved slightly with a recent infusion of federal stimulus dollars, but the streets still suffer from wear and tear and risk sliding into distress, a regional transportation commission reported Tuesday.
In a conclusion all too familiar to many motorists, the annual state of the pavement report tells drivers they are in for a bumpy ride dodging potholes in many areas that put them at risk of having to pay for front-end alignments.
Some cities bucked the trend.
Using a 100-point scale, the MTC concluded the three-year average grade for 42,000 miles of Bay Area city and county roads was 66. That’s a “fair” grade overall, the MTC said, and up a single point from last year’s three-year average grade.
Brentwood’s score of 85 was the best in the Bay Area, earning a “very good” grade, but still short of the 90 score needed to be “excellent.”
In Santa Clara County, Los Altos had the best roads, and also scored the second best rating in the Bay Area, overall, with a score of 83.
The worst roads in Santa Clara County were in San Jose, which received a “fair” score of 63. Participating for the first time this year, Palo Alto earned a “good grade with a score of 72.
Unincorporated roads in Sonoma County ranked worst in the region with a score of 44.
About Us
Moving into Los Altos? We can help! We have lived in Los Altos for the past 35 years and love helping people buy and sell homes in this great city! We bring experience, knowledge, skills and professionalism to each of our client relationships. Our clients will agree they would not have had the same positive experience, at each step of the way, if they had not had us represent them.
David Casas Cell: 650-823-8920 or Email
(DRE#01116954)
Carol Casas Cell: 650-823-1434 or Email
(DRE#01123855)