Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving Originally uploaded by David Blockhus From my family to yours, happy Thanksgiving!

Shoup Park, a Great Little Downtown Neighborhood Park!
The older age group swings Originally uploaded by David Blockhus Children in the Los Altos Elementary School District are off this week for the Thanksgiving holiday and parent – teacher conferences. It was a beautifully cool and crisp day. So after lunch, I decided to take my daughter to Shoup Park to play. For those of you not familiar with Shoup park, it is a great lit

Los Altos Real Estate – October 2009 Market Update
According to MLS Listings Inc. data, 26 single family homes closed escrow in October within the city of Los Altos zip codes of 94024 and 94022.   This is slightly below the 12 year average (for the month of October) of 28 closed sales of single family homes. The graph below shows the last 12 years of listings and sales figures for the month of October.

If You Are looking For That “Hot REO Property,” Watch This Video First
Many buyers think that purchasing a bank owned home is an easy way to get a bargain property in today’s real estate market.  While this can be true, most of the the time it is a time intensive and emotional roller coaster for buyers.   A client of mine sent me the link to this video created by Kris Berg of San Diego Castles.  It is a hilarious look at the realty of most REO home purchases.   FYI, if you need a savvy agent in the San Diego area who also happens to have a fabulous sense of humor, call on Kris Berg.

Needs Based Pricing is a Bad And Costly Home Pricing Strategy
I paid $1,400,000 and I need $1,650,000 Whenever I go over a  home pricing analysis with a seller, I ask them what they think their home should be listed at and why.  Invariably, their answer comes back to what they paid for the home, what they put into the home (upgrades, remodeling etc.) or wh