tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4992568858857105802024-03-04T20:18:57.294-08:00Barbara SlatonCommentary and Analysis of Residential Real Estate, Homes & Communities. Representing clients in Buying & Selling Fine Properties.Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.comBlogger248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-28678802198097075812012-05-24T16:28:00.000-07:002012-05-24T16:33:51.815-07:00President Obama Dines with Supporters in Atherton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmT_QgIGbgh2FVD2VxLK8n7DbiXNww1Wtq6K9DRH3eHJMOjCK4YquaonLty9Ib-5gSpZ4xqfq3_r-zJwuppx_AVTyTCxZcI7JxZO21PS5mD0t_8NIKpULeYyJXX6i-tXX57P-HfynnjWC/s1600/AirForceOne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmT_QgIGbgh2FVD2VxLK8n7DbiXNww1Wtq6K9DRH3eHJMOjCK4YquaonLty9Ib-5gSpZ4xqfq3_r-zJwuppx_AVTyTCxZcI7JxZO21PS5mD0t_8NIKpULeYyJXX6i-tXX57P-HfynnjWC/s1600/AirForceOne.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Air Force One landed at Moffett Field in Mountain View at 6:18 p.m. Wednesday night. Among those greeting the president was Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Menlo Park.<br />
<br />
The motorcade went south on U.S. 101 then back up I-280 to Woodside Road exit into Atherton, arrived about 7:10 p.m. at the Atherton home of Doug Goldman, software company founder, retired emergency physician, philanthropist and heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, and his wife Lisa, who hosted a $35,800-a-head dinner.<br />
<br />
Among the guests at the Atherton fundraiser: Jan Brandt, vice chair emeritus of AOL; Dennis Troper, Google product management director; Tim Westergren, Pandora Media founder; and Susan Wojcicki, Google senior vice president.<br />
President Obama and Doug Goldman made remarks in a large outdoor tent at around 8 p.m. <br />
<br />
Goldman, who said the property has been in his family since 1906, said he and his wife decided to welcome the president with an Hawaiian decoration theme: floral arrangements, tablecloths, potted palms, hurricane lanterns, leis.<br />
<br />
Goldman said the Recovery Act was a "brilliant" move, "saving more than one million jobs."<br />
<br />
"It worked so well," he told the president, "some of your opponents are trying to take credit for it."<br />
<br />
Goldman also credited President Obama for ending the Iraq war, killing Osama bin Laden, and voicing support for same-sex marriage. The last point drew the loudest cheers and applause from the audience.<br />
<br />
President Obama said of the Goldmans: "They have had my back from the get-go, and at a time when not many people knew who I was."<br />
<br />
He thanked David Crosby and Graham Nash, who performed at the event. "It's not every day you get Rock and Roll Hall of Famers strumming the guitar for you," he said.<br />
<br />
And he thanked actor Don Cheadle for his presence and support, but promised not to talk about their recent basketball game. Cheadle responded: "Thank you."<br />
<br />
"We've gone through three and a half of the toughest years in our lifetime," the president said, with so many millions of jobs lost. "And we've still got a long way to go. In California and across the country there are still a lot of people who are hurting" from joblessness, risk of losing their homes, unaffordable education.<br />
<br />
"Our work is not done. The good news is, we're beginning to steer that ship in the right direction."<br />
<br />
President Obama said he's proud of his administration's educational reforms, and said the nation must continue to make scientific advancements in order to remain globally competitive. "America continues to have the best workers and the best businesses in the world -- we just have to get organized, and we're starting to do that."<br />
<br />
The Affordable Care act has begun making health care more affordable and accessible; fuel economy standards for cars have been doubled; clean energy production has been doubled; and foreign oil imports are at a 15-year low, he said. The Iraq war is over and Afghanistan is ending, while the U.S. is regaining international respect.<br />
<br />
"We continue to be the agenda setters," he said, shaping international rules and norms on issues from terrorism to climate change to poverty. "People are paying attention, people are listening, and people are hungry for our leadership."<br />
<br />
But he needs another term to seal the deal, he said.<br />
<br />
"This is a country full of decent people who believe in America and are generous and kind and tolerant," the president said.<br />
<br />
He talked about being at a high school graduation earlier this week in Joplin, Missouri, which was ravaged by a tornado last year, and meeting a senior who lost both his parents, spent five weeks in physical rehab, and had to care for his sister yet still is graduating and going on to college.<br />
<br />
"That captures who we are and what we're about" as a nation, he said, leaving him "more determined than I was in 2008" to carry on.<br />
<br />
The motorcade left the Goldman residence in Atherton at 8:58 p.m. and rolled up El Camino Real to Redwood City, where the president arrived around 9:08 p.m. Tickets for this event cost $250 for general admission; $1,000 for premium seating; or $7,500 for a seat plus a photo reception, with up to two additional guests in the photo at $2,500 each.<br />
<br />
A campaign official said those in attendance at the Fox Theatre included theater owners Eric Lochtefeld and Lori Lochtefeld, and Redwood City Mayor Alicia Aguirre.<br />
<br />
After his talk there, the president headed to San Jose's Fairmont Hotel, where he'll spend the night and hold a campaign fundraiser with Asian American/Pacific Islander contributors Thursday morning before leaving from Moffett Field around 10 a.m.<br />
<br />
Republican House Speaker John Boehner was also scheduled to be in the Bay Area on Wednesday to attend a fundraiser in Woodside for the Republican Party.<br />
<br />
Republican House Budget Chair Paul Ryan is scheduled to make a fundraising visit to San Francisco on Thursday.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><em>Source: Palo Alto Online News</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><em>Pool reporting by Josh Richman — Bay City News Service</em></span></strong>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-74047451384102745562012-05-10T16:12:00.000-07:002012-05-10T16:12:51.357-07:00Facebook IPO is Juicing Silicon Valley Real Estate Prices to Crazy Levels<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><strong><em>The impending Facebook initial public offering is pushing already-expensive Silicon Valley real estate to frenetic new highs.</em></strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_d2jb3IrZZJSkh-U9kJBdcr0LeR7NVqKtkeueBDsI6TQ7IHd2C5FB2Cjg2WS4de6wlH75_9Och6ecvm3pbG468mFmALEdB8gzlQOkgcKuxqYgk1K9Bc8rDJULFUVWSwM5QmiwUinL8KQ/s1600/FacebookCupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_d2jb3IrZZJSkh-U9kJBdcr0LeR7NVqKtkeueBDsI6TQ7IHd2C5FB2Cjg2WS4de6wlH75_9Och6ecvm3pbG468mFmALEdB8gzlQOkgcKuxqYgk1K9Bc8rDJULFUVWSwM5QmiwUinL8KQ/s320/FacebookCupcake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvQEQO7OZzprhhT0Y7_tFutWafoyJ0ycIHiJ8WTf5aFzGcxO-GRgUBXh2wEj0oLa8Ztbj_QP28RtWIfmc9VW89zDiJIAd3V4FzD7qOcJrB4zCquJj8vjBB2WJ62GC0oIokhYx1Sf4A3aZ/s1600/facebook-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvQEQO7OZzprhhT0Y7_tFutWafoyJ0ycIHiJ8WTf5aFzGcxO-GRgUBXh2wEj0oLa8Ztbj_QP28RtWIfmc9VW89zDiJIAd3V4FzD7qOcJrB4zCquJj8vjBB2WJ62GC0oIokhYx1Sf4A3aZ/s320/facebook-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The two months prior to the IPO announcement saw only 840 sales in the region. In dramatic contrast, sales in the last two months have almost doubled to 1,531, according to Guy Wolcott, the co-founder and chief executive of the company behind real estate app HomeSnap.<br />
<br />
It’s not just sales. The median sales price is up 15 percent in the same time period, and the number of million-dollar-plus prices is up a staggering 159 percent since the Facebook IPO announcement.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><strong><em>These bargains won’t last</em></strong></span><br />
<br />
While that’s not a conclusive cause-and-effect connection (there’s a lot more wealth in Silicon Valley besides Facebook stock), the rising real estate prices do indicate that something big is happening. Once the IPO happens and employees’ lock-up periods expire, prices will go even higher.<br />
<br />
Housing prices in desirable areas of California’s tech hotbeds have always been high, especially in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, and Facebook’s hometown, Menlo Park.<br />
<br />
But in the last two months Silly Valley is just getting plain ridiculous. Think $5.5 million for this fairly large but hardly palatial family home. Or $4 million for a six year old home in central Menlo Park. The built-in wine cellar will help you recover from the inevitable sticker shock.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqvBMv-8uqRU1FTiSwF1UGf1aiczufw9GJg26ELxV2bIogq8Q5Oo6RLccYuJbkmYPylxRhr-CSKoEd7r6cQgE3yRC1rNvlreOsvbmIASgWotuYbr6h7mHucpkVAKvW1dl5E-rfPdvJViO/s1600/475CottonMP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqvBMv-8uqRU1FTiSwF1UGf1aiczufw9GJg26ELxV2bIogq8Q5Oo6RLccYuJbkmYPylxRhr-CSKoEd7r6cQgE3yRC1rNvlreOsvbmIASgWotuYbr6h7mHucpkVAKvW1dl5E-rfPdvJViO/s1600/475CottonMP.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnT5rvYDegxixLX6xlZuobneIVrihwAGwf7LPasvzh6TvFIht1srSNlR0Emq81C17p6RHRkVgSEYRNbTMvj86-6OlYpsJ9lO0Z8Kny8eu6eCqu3qhjpOir8eWp3UE3_gkMpeBC8FWiJO1/s1600/575OakKnollMP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnT5rvYDegxixLX6xlZuobneIVrihwAGwf7LPasvzh6TvFIht1srSNlR0Emq81C17p6RHRkVgSEYRNbTMvj86-6OlYpsJ9lO0Z8Kny8eu6eCqu3qhjpOir8eWp3UE3_gkMpeBC8FWiJO1/s1600/575OakKnollMP.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Fortunately, Facebook employees have a lot of cash coming. As of last year, Facebook employees owned around 30 percent of the company, worth perhaps $25-$30 billion when the company goes public.<br />
<br />
Until the company does go public, selling those shares is difficult, but not impossible, and many have been selling privately on secondary markets like Sharespost for years.<br />
<br />
Once the IPO happens, the biggest winners will be the earliest employees, investors, and top executives. According to Who Owns Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg will cash in to the tune of $1.8 billion, former employees Chris Hughes and Matt Cohler will take home $850 and $680 million, respectively, and current employee Jeff Rothschild will also pocket $680 million.<br />
<br />
But even employees who joined later should do fine: According to this Quora thread, the average Facebook employee will realize about $2 million in the IPO.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><strong><em>“Staggering” market conditions</em></strong></span><br />
<br />
According to Wolcott, the current doubling of home sales is “staggering,” and the prices are continuing to rise rapidly. “All indicators are saying this is a hot market,” Wolcott said today, “and it’s hotter the higher you go up the price scale.”<br />
<br />
Wolcott knows these numbers because he’s the cofounder of Sawbuck, an online real estate service that competes with the likes of Trulia, Zillow, and Redfin. Eight weeks ago Sawbuck released HomeSnap: a mobile real estate app that Wolcott calls “Shazam for homes,” referencing the popular music identification service. With HomeSnap, you take a picture of a home, and get huge amounts of data: if it’s for sale, price, lot boundaries, school district, tax information.<br />
<br />
In eight weeks, HomeSnap has been installed 115,000 times and been used to snap 175,000 homes. And Silicon Valley is one of the hottest locations. Tony Palo Alto is number one. Nearby Redwood City is number two, and Facebook hometown Menlo Park is not far behind at number 4. Could all those Facebook millionaires-in-waiting be scoping the goodies?<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Source: Venture Beat, John Koetsier</span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><strong><em>If you would like to see these, or any other homes in Menlo Park, Atherton or Palo Alto, please give me a call at <span style="color: blue;">(650) 888-6628</span> or visit my website at </em></strong></span><a href="http://www.barbaraslaton.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong><em>www.barbaraslaton.com</em></strong></span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><strong><em> . </em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><strong><em>I specialize in Buying and Selling fine properties here in the heart of the <span style="color: #e69138;">Mid-Peninsula</span>. </em></strong></span>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-11148755571765392262012-05-01T15:37:00.000-07:002012-05-01T16:00:10.204-07:00FINALLY. We Have New Listings!<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">GREAT TOUR today -- </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Wonderful Homes Across all Price Points!</span></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">1145 Hillview Drive, Menlo Park</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TVxFWsKQLLpu5I_Q8KAA6TlcbEKg2B_wYHx-tIOQT8cuJG-Tb2dqxD6JpfWRC45GNLse3DNtdbqatV2n1OSpqM5GFLwsOpD_tDwsp3fJrbWaI-529KSgQTiTxU9xFowBNo4_j_EjNfsi/s1600/HillviewFireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TVxFWsKQLLpu5I_Q8KAA6TlcbEKg2B_wYHx-tIOQT8cuJG-Tb2dqxD6JpfWRC45GNLse3DNtdbqatV2n1OSpqM5GFLwsOpD_tDwsp3fJrbWaI-529KSgQTiTxU9xFowBNo4_j_EjNfsi/s1600/HillviewFireplace.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQWL1yurM4BEFrfYTYw8EW7IcfYVkau5CNxW6yrwIRlbVUQyVZJ0LKnFcT5sNiSXAwitlBERZbMPa3OtOq2nT8lCuHDJEc3nutYRxThc7iTfWwtfSONhHG3LnWdkOJXQwBj62OJPRQ-A0/s1600/HillviewDrKitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQWL1yurM4BEFrfYTYw8EW7IcfYVkau5CNxW6yrwIRlbVUQyVZJ0LKnFcT5sNiSXAwitlBERZbMPa3OtOq2nT8lCuHDJEc3nutYRxThc7iTfWwtfSONhHG3LnWdkOJXQwBj62OJPRQ-A0/s1600/HillviewDrKitchen.jpg" /></a></div>
<strong>Thoughtfully redone single story home in West Menlo Park. Priced at $2,295,000.</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">60 Amherst Avenue, Menlo Park</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpKe-fd7f_7LidL46r_HXXZFis1UiTfqFV_a61rljUEtWiuYpcL1S36WvELHETziTRFmSW2-qCc3zTvNpFjb6xv6DkJ9C3OufdKXY4NG0podUAEaGvc9A9SMWio6_u692dtWvRkri5Vce/s1600/AmherstFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpKe-fd7f_7LidL46r_HXXZFis1UiTfqFV_a61rljUEtWiuYpcL1S36WvELHETziTRFmSW2-qCc3zTvNpFjb6xv6DkJ9C3OufdKXY4NG0podUAEaGvc9A9SMWio6_u692dtWvRkri5Vce/s1600/AmherstFront.jpg" /></a></div>
<strong>Charming and tidy bungalow on a huge lot. Priced at $699,000.</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">1001 University Drive, Menlo Park</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfMnGA5aYFvtQTUzgyAj4U8yKocw8bovcwd1WA0xfgo7zVq3Q1zfYFo6UoySYouFYHT48jJ6C3FpPj7MclgKVkUUjQ_BnakAMlf6CtBayToM-FEMqVlWZ7ovq7SImpr7CXDrZbyvGfvyT/s1600/UniversityLR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfMnGA5aYFvtQTUzgyAj4U8yKocw8bovcwd1WA0xfgo7zVq3Q1zfYFo6UoySYouFYHT48jJ6C3FpPj7MclgKVkUUjQ_BnakAMlf6CtBayToM-FEMqVlWZ7ovq7SImpr7CXDrZbyvGfvyT/s1600/UniversityLR.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrb-ec4sEOj58U8n0q-10_CWqDplcTwnjdcYQLtV1uScH9uMrEedljPDMAJVsqBE0LMiyDEc8h59ejcyGM4d8fAdeWFOMVvWJnPToSoNDhbYyXVH4l1Zz2crZhM_uuapZvxvcKZ9_u9Xv6/s1600/UniversityBack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrb-ec4sEOj58U8n0q-10_CWqDplcTwnjdcYQLtV1uScH9uMrEedljPDMAJVsqBE0LMiyDEc8h59ejcyGM4d8fAdeWFOMVvWJnPToSoNDhbYyXVH4l1Zz2crZhM_uuapZvxvcKZ9_u9Xv6/s1600/UniversityBack.jpg" /></a></div>
<strong>Delightful cottage in the heart of downtown Menlo Park. Priced at $1,595,000.</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">95 Mercedes Lane, Atherton</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4-Mh5FeMGlzmMEz51uvhh4JxOit5xkIQnfzkzm6fKfGHr8KGm5YWSNwAIheNTrG71hdmQQtv60YJBs7Np58ZgfAs4y4k75oXJR7suSqb1aYyvJPwbX9pAPO1hJVDtRj4duldRCaGxTV9/s1600/MercedesLaneLR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4-Mh5FeMGlzmMEz51uvhh4JxOit5xkIQnfzkzm6fKfGHr8KGm5YWSNwAIheNTrG71hdmQQtv60YJBs7Np58ZgfAs4y4k75oXJR7suSqb1aYyvJPwbX9pAPO1hJVDtRj4duldRCaGxTV9/s1600/MercedesLaneLR.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1AuYCF4AFR6oyS3pA0FBrRKf9SituI7OapUU7xYsMwVo95Z78sQmnSC1l357IUhjwU0esRqEeWy4R-g7NdGL04rhrllD3xsHfFHxvnJCYHmP-RP-Wm-u6ZG-CFHHCRkIXhrb7e58deXj/s1600/MercedesLaneBack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1AuYCF4AFR6oyS3pA0FBrRKf9SituI7OapUU7xYsMwVo95Z78sQmnSC1l357IUhjwU0esRqEeWy4R-g7NdGL04rhrllD3xsHfFHxvnJCYHmP-RP-Wm-u6ZG-CFHHCRkIXhrb7e58deXj/s1600/MercedesLaneBack.jpg" /></a></div>
<strong>This is vintage California contemporary! Hopefully someone will bring some Mad Men</strong> <strong>style to this lovely home. Priced at $5,100,000.</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>If you would like to see these, or any other homes in <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Menlo Park</span>, <span style="color: #e69138;">Atherton</span> or <span style="color: #990000;">Palo Alto</span>, please give me a call at </em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="color: blue;">(650) 888-6628</span>. </em></span></strong><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>I specialize in Buying and Selling fine properties here in the <span style="color: magenta;">heart of the Mid-Peninsula</span>.</em></span></strong>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-40829028881871911762012-04-16T15:04:00.000-07:002012-04-16T15:04:54.952-07:00Allure of city itself a factor in S.F.'s tech boom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEi9KhRMKaHK8_RbU4nImI9Vw-yPs_YvXSv75uNQTFsrNct14TlTgS5f4CUHjuU_7kdHk0GSHIElwvCaHL9X3m8gkf9oJqDzKg7WnR6BTz0kcrQtqwU7c-QN0Z4SwOw4TTHRvh-yCjrzyz/s1600/GoldenGateBridge.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEi9KhRMKaHK8_RbU4nImI9Vw-yPs_YvXSv75uNQTFsrNct14TlTgS5f4CUHjuU_7kdHk0GSHIElwvCaHL9X3m8gkf9oJqDzKg7WnR6BTz0kcrQtqwU7c-QN0Z4SwOw4TTHRvh-yCjrzyz/s1600/GoldenGateBridge.bmp" /></a></div>Here's one way San Francisco's current tech boom differs from the dot-com era: This one is creating many more jobs.<br />
<br />
<br />
The city will have 28 percent more technology positions by the end of this year than it had at its 2000 peak, according to a new analysis of state employment <br />
<br />
data by real estate consultant Jones Lang LaSalle. Technology is San Francisco's fastest-growing sector, and now occupies more office space in the city than any other industry. <br />
<br />
<br />
The city will have 44,305 tech jobs by the end of the year, up from 36,921 last year and 34,442 in 2000, according to the analysis. The estimates are based on data from the California Employment Development Department, Moody's Economy.com and Jones Lang LaSalle.<br />
<br />
Tech workers make up an increasing share of the city's workforce. This year nearly 1 in 4 nongovernment office jobs in San Francisco - 22.3 percent - are in tech. In 2000, tech jobs accounted for just 14.5 percent of the jobs. <br />
<br />
San Francisco still has almost 40,000 fewer office jobs today than in 2000, the result of significant losses in the legal and financial services industries. But tech firms are helping to fill that gap, and appear poised to continue their record growth, analysts say.<br />
<br />
"If you look at the growth cycle of social media, mobile and cloud computing, it's still very early overall," said Colin Yasukochi, vice president of research at Jones Lang LaSalle, who performed the data analysis.<br />
<br />
That sentiment is reflected by the city's largest tech companies, all of which plan to hire significant numbers.<br />
<br />
Business software maker Salesforce, which has 3,000 employees in the city, plans to hire 2,000 more. Social gaming leader Zynga doubled its staff last year, to 3,000 employees, and recently acquired new space in its headquarters in SoMa with an eye toward expansion.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">New leases by tech firms</span></strong><br />
<br />
Expansion plans are also reflected in the leases signed by larger tech firms over the past year, with large new spaces being acquired by Twitter, Macys.com, Riverbed Technology, Kabam, StumbleUpon and LinkedIn, among others.<br />
<br />
The tech sector occupies less square footage than it did in 2000, when many employers rented more space than they needed based on growth plans that didn't pan out. But the percentage of office space that tech occupies is creeping up - from 9 percent last year to 12 percent this year.<br />
<br />
Tech companies' expansion has begun to transform the Mid-Market district, where a controversial tax incentive passed last year spurred Twitter to sign a lease for 400,000 square feet amid plans to hire 2,000 people. The social network is being followed to Mid-Market by tech firms ZenDesk, Zoosk, CollSocket and OneKingsLane, which have expansion plans of their own.<br />
<br />
With the growing footprint comes a risk - the more space tech occupies in the city, the more deeply a bursting bubble would be felt in the city's economy. For the most part, though, business and civic leaders say they are confident the current growth cycle will continue for a few more years.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Tech action mainly in S.F.</span></strong><br />
<br />
The city's surge in tech jobs reflects another difference between today and the dot-com era: San Francisco, not Silicon Valley, has emerged as the center of the current tech boom. With the exception of Facebook, which recently moved from Palo Alto to Menlo Park, most of the high-profile companies from the current surge have chosen to locate their headquarters in the city.<br />
<br />
The city's lifestyle and cultural amenities have drawn young workers adept at engineering, design and social media, which are top concerns for current tech companies. That differs from the dot-com era, when winners like Google and eBay were still building out the basic infrastructure of the Web.<br />
<br />
"In 2000 you were hearing more about network technology and Internet technology," said Colleen McCreary, chief people officer at Zynga. "There wasn't this spirit of bringing the world together, of being creative and using both sides of your brain. Most of the consumer applications you've seen become successful this time are like beautiful works of art. And San Francisco is just primed for that."<br />
<br />
McCreary joined Zynga about three years ago, when it had 130 employees. Today the company is hiring in more than 25 areas, including game studios, mobile development and its Zynga.com platform. <br />
<br />
"The difference between 2000 and today is the breadth, scale and strength of the firms powering today's growth," Mayor Ed Lee said in an e-mail. "I am bullish on our future because San Francisco will always be a place where entrepreneurs can take new ideas and build great companies around them."<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The rise of Airbnb</span></strong><br />
<br />
The rise of travel startup Airbnb illustrates how San Francisco has been able to capitalize on tech trends.<br />
<br />
Growing up in Atlanta, co-founder Joe Gebbia devoured news about Silicon Valley companies like eBay and PayPal and became determined to join them.<br />
<br />
"It just became clear to me that if you want to be an entrepreneur, you come to San Francisco. There's something about it," Gebbia said. "And that notion has proved true."<br />
<br />
After meeting as students at the Rhode Island School of Design, Gebbia and Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky moved to San Francisco. In 2007, when a big design conference came to town and hotel rooms filled up, they began selling spots - breakfast included - in their SoMa loft.<br />
<br />
Their twist on traditional bed and breakfasts was a hit with guests. But the founders, who were soon joined by programmer Nathan Blecharczyk, struggled to find investors. Few were willing to take a chance on an idea that many found bizarre - renting out space in your home to strangers.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Missed out on Airbnb</span></strong><br />
<br />
"We couldn't wrap our heads around air mattresses on the living room floors as the next hotel room and did not chase the deal," wrote Fred Wilson, a prominent venture capitalist based in New York, on his blog. "Others saw the amazing team that we saw, funded them, and the rest is history."<br />
<br />
In 2009 the founders were accepted into Y Combinator, a prestigious startup incubator headquartered in Mountain View. Funding soon followed, and by January, Airbnb users had booked over 5 million nights at spots in 192 countries.<br />
<br />
"What makes San Francisco special is the attitude," Gebbia said. "It's forward-thinking. There's an appetite for risk that may be different from other parts of the country. It makes doing a crazy idea - and this was a crazy idea in the early days - it made getting something like that off the ground possible."<br />
<br />
The company employs 125 people, with plans to hire 75 more this year and up to 300 more next year. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Making money before IPO</span></strong><br />
<br />
Facebook's purchase of Instagram for $1 billion last week fueled speculation that tech companies have become overvalued once again. But amid the chatter, some of the city's elite tech companies say they have become profitable long before serious discussions of an initial public offering begin. Among them is Dropbox, the online storage company that last month moved into a new 87,000-square-foot space.<br />
<br />
The company, which gives away some storage for free and charges for extra, employs 100 people today. But in October the company announced that it had raised $250 million, at a reported valuation of $4 billion, and has made hiring a high priority. The company's expectations are so high it won't even say how many people it might bring on.<br />
<br />
"Given the environment we're in, and how fast Dropbox is growing and how well it's doing, we don't have an upper limit," said Ruchi Sanghvi, vice president of operations at the company. <br />
<br />
Sanghvi, who has been working at Dropbox herself for all of a month, echoed a sentiment shared by tech companies across the city. <br />
<br />
"We're just trying to find as many smart people as we can," she said.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Source:</span><em> Casey Newton is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Twitter: @CaseyNewton. cnewton@sfchronicle.com</em></strong></span>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-25930143248288983702012-04-09T14:03:00.002-07:002012-04-09T14:05:57.647-07:00Alain Pinel Realtors Named Best by San Jose Business Journal<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><img height="255" id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://www.aprreach.com/showpic.cgi?fn=95c1b75397661766c4a13e14b6f51bb9&imgW=40%25&imgH=40%25" width="400" /></span>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-78733444997517902472012-04-03T16:56:00.004-07:002012-04-03T17:03:56.701-07:00Robert S Drive -- Represented the Buyers!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0o_mtLgq9qFKDFVuznaZkqqAmzYyG591Z95Pxl4ZNjz5pIE5ySIDvRCo3EQRgbQwDcr8Mzy1PWYtAQovN9_qX4HMHtP2S_KvgkhYHk-swhyzBw7yfjOiCajp4mNEnPGrefbqDUGlS6Dj/s1600/RobertSDriveFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0o_mtLgq9qFKDFVuznaZkqqAmzYyG591Z95Pxl4ZNjz5pIE5ySIDvRCo3EQRgbQwDcr8Mzy1PWYtAQovN9_qX4HMHtP2S_KvgkhYHk-swhyzBw7yfjOiCajp4mNEnPGrefbqDUGlS6Dj/s1600/RobertSDriveFront.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsZpDZ1puUZezzkNR3LvdcBfI9g9bCSOWFBgMPfyGWKIs-7dFzUmgKRc9V08ykLtjRpKPG-ybVi3_pNOwB3wqDXHfgdxKz01tR44HCdIF8eUlgDbTO1LDl3fV_SH-eYdzzTCjk6HkIft6/s1600/RobertSDriveDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsZpDZ1puUZezzkNR3LvdcBfI9g9bCSOWFBgMPfyGWKIs-7dFzUmgKRc9V08ykLtjRpKPG-ybVi3_pNOwB3wqDXHfgdxKz01tR44HCdIF8eUlgDbTO1LDl3fV_SH-eYdzzTCjk6HkIft6/s1600/RobertSDriveDR.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXpc2b_gS7xs5Yy1TlHP_MyRjquO5tzCrV4Hin7WfR2y77qEOu36Y-HIDmbqGjUnHdWl2LVyx9jUuOSPaWq5A-oIZqEEpyh0A-t8k9d953ivy-SzTTgNPzyHm6_JvZXa5vrK-MLYp4MXb/s1600/RobertSDriveFR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXpc2b_gS7xs5Yy1TlHP_MyRjquO5tzCrV4Hin7WfR2y77qEOu36Y-HIDmbqGjUnHdWl2LVyx9jUuOSPaWq5A-oIZqEEpyh0A-t8k9d953ivy-SzTTgNPzyHm6_JvZXa5vrK-MLYp4MXb/s1600/RobertSDriveFR.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQBQo9YvvPA3ZLPbi6Xy3RKkMcqyL2tjJugHonBKbQQ1C2qnw1Rs1OUvH9DlfOo7hjbnquwPHxOPk3dQERzjMg6iF9vrpiXuftoasGsq72mXCcA3ho6MBekhjP3jwtdvQ5o7ULaWJkrvz/s1600/RobertSDriveGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><img border="0" dea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQBQo9YvvPA3ZLPbi6Xy3RKkMcqyL2tjJugHonBKbQQ1C2qnw1Rs1OUvH9DlfOo7hjbnquwPHxOPk3dQERzjMg6iF9vrpiXuftoasGsq72mXCcA3ho6MBekhjP3jwtdvQ5o7ULaWJkrvz/s1600/RobertSDriveGarden.jpg" /></strong></span></a></div><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;"><strong>This beautiful home is in Menlo Park on </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Robert S Drive. </strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><strong>I represented the Buyers on this transaction.</strong></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/blog/2012/04/menlo-park-estate-sells-for-record.html"><strong><span style="color: blue;">http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/blog/2012/04/menlo-park-estate-sells-for-record.html</span></strong></a><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Call me at (650) 888-6628</span> to see quality homes in <span style="color: #e69138;">Atherton, Menlo Park and Palo Alto</span>.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I specialize in fine properties in the Mid-Peninsula, Stanford and Silicon Valley area. </span></strong>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-69771791546360703082012-03-29T14:07:00.000-07:002012-03-29T14:07:37.398-07:00Most popular U.S. cities for International House Hunters<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><em>Based on the search activity from these 15 countries, here are the most popular U.S. cities, in order of most popular to least popular</em></span></strong> <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>1. New York, N.Y.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>2. Los Angeles, Calif. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>3. Las Vegas, Nev. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>4. Miami, Fla. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>5. San Francisco, Calif. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>6. Orlando, Fla. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>7. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>8. Naples, Fla. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>9. Cape Coral, Fla. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>10. Miami Beach, Fla. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>11. Beverly Hills, Calif. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>12. Fort Myers, Fla. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>13. Palm Springs, Calif. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>14. Brooklyn, N.Y. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>15. Chicago, Ill. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>16. Kissimmee, Fla. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>17. San Antonio, Texas </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>18. San Diego, Calif. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>19. Chula Vista, Texas </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>20. Davenport, Fla. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>21. El Paso, Texas </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>22. Malibu, Calif. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>23. Brownsville, Texas </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>24. Honolulu, Hawaii </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>25. Detroit, Mich. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>26. Philadelphia, Pa. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>27. Boca Raton, Fla. </strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<strong>28. Phoenix, Ariz.</strong><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #cc0000;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<strong>29. Portland, Ore. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>30. Jacksonville, Fla.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Source: Trulia, via InmanNews</span></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #e69138;">Call me at (650) 888-6628</span></strong> to see quality homes in <span style="color: blue;"><strong>Atherton</strong></span>, <span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>Menlo Park</strong></span> and <span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Palo Alto</strong></span>. <br />
<br />
<br />
I specialize in fine homes in the <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>Silicon Valley</strong></span>, <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>Stanford University vicinity</strong></span> and the <span style="color: #674ea7;"><strong>San Francisco Bay Area</strong></span>.Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-89328626288003459122012-03-08T11:08:00.004-08:002012-03-08T11:14:22.751-08:00Why is Menlo Park playing so hard to get?<strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Most Towns Would Kill To Host Facebook. So Why Is Menlo Park Playing Hard to Get?</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Source: David Paul Morris / Bloomberg via Getty Images</span></strong><br />
<br />
The Facebook Inc. 'like' logo is displayed on a sign at the entrance to company headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif.Attracted by the promise of jobs and tax revenue, most towns would offer significant economic incentives to attract a large corporate headquarters. But being the home base of a corporate giant like Facebook has its challenges, too. At least that’s the position leadership in the city of Menlo Park, Calif., are taking in asking the social media behemoth to consider compensating the city for some of the increased pressure the company’s expansion creates on civic services and the potential impacts it has on sales and property taxes. But Wharton real estate and finance professor Susan M. Wachter says the story is an example of the need to rethink city tax structures in an increasingly knowledge-based economy.<br />
<br />
Three months ago, the rapidly expanding Facebook moved its headquarters from the Stanford Research Park in Palo Alto, Calif., to two sites in neighboring Menlo Park that formerly housed Sun Microsystems and Tyco Electronics. The social media company now wants to expand by building more office space at the former Sun campus, asking the city to nearly double the permitted employee count there from 3,600 to 6,600. A city study found that Facebook’s move will bring many benefits to the municipality, including $8 billion in construction spending and related jobs, new property taxes of $182,000 and sales taxes of up to $55,000 annually, according to the San Jose Mercury News.<br />
<br />
But the expansion also creates potential stumbling blocks for the city. For one, Facebook’s online ad sales don’t bring in revenue from sales taxes. By contrast, the computers, components and other products produced by Sun Microsystems led to Menlo Park reaping sales taxes of up to $827,000 annually, or 15 times what it could get from Facebook, the Mercury News reported. The relatively high salaries paid to Facebook employees could increase the price of property in Menlo Park, but a California law called Proposition 13 will cap the property tax revenue the city could earn. Another worry expressed at recent city council meetings was that Facebook’s expansion will increase the pressure on civic services.<br />
<br />
The story begs the question: Do cities need to revisit their incentives and job-creation programs in an increasingly knowledge-based economy? “There may indeed need to be a rethink of the reliance on sales taxes for goods as we move to more of a virtual world, where services are exchanged and knowledge is created,” Wachter notes. “The problem here is the reliance not on property taxes but on sales taxes.”<br />
<br />
Facebook leadership has said the firm is willing to consider investing in some of the mitigating features city officials propose. Among them are payments to compensate for its relatively lower sales tax contributions, investments in affordable housing, and local bike trails and shuttle services to help alleviate traffic concerns. “Beyond that, it’s worth noting that Facebook didn’t go skulking around Silicon Valley demanding tax breaks or incentives,” San Jose Mercury News columnist Chris O’Brien wrote.<br />
<br />
Wachter points out that it is not unusual for municipalities to negotiate with companies over the services and costs that will shouldered by the community and the revenue that will be brought in by the firm. Facebook’s proposed expansion could potentially benefit both Menlo Park residents and the company. “But there are costs that will be borne by Menlo Park and benefits that will accrue to Facebook,” she notes. “Thus, negotiations are in order.” An environmental impact assessment report due in late April is expected to help decide the course for Facebook’s expansion plans.<br />
<br />
The debate over Facebook’s headquarters expansion underlines some ground realities as the virtual world advances, according to Wachter. “In the immaterial world of services that Facebook delivers, in the end, they deliver these services from real space,” she says. “Land and location matter.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Call me at (650) 888-6628</span> to see quality homes in Atherton, <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Menlo Park</span> and Palo Alto.</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">I specialize in fine homes in the Mid-Peninsula, Silicon Valley and Stanford vicinity.</span></strong>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-844277088256357902012-02-01T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-01T16:00:13.946-08:00Facebook Files for it's Long-awaited IPO<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><strong><u>Now <em>THIS </em>should shake up the Real Estate market!!!</u></strong></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqh4hXSqbAO75nUqMX8tH4Nk00oG7Zn76M5UHJLfUMepcQ846ggNh0E3gCOZbG0eScX4cQVMgL7KYBNlbiSMwSHlH70mlGEv5P-gHASwluBM5icCNUW1D7ew2GN38QBWcsL9h6sF0cUvgD/s1600/FacebookCupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqh4hXSqbAO75nUqMX8tH4Nk00oG7Zn76M5UHJLfUMepcQ846ggNh0E3gCOZbG0eScX4cQVMgL7KYBNlbiSMwSHlH70mlGEv5P-gHASwluBM5icCNUW1D7ew2GN38QBWcsL9h6sF0cUvgD/s320/FacebookCupcake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="color: red;">Call me at (650) 888-6628</span> <span style="color: #0b5394;">to see quality homes in Atherton, <span style="color: red;">Menlo Park</span> and Palo Alto.</span></em></span></strong><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><em>I specialize in fine properties in the Mid-Peninsula, Stanford and Silicon Valley area. </em></span></strong>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-17580777568065993972012-01-10T14:42:00.000-08:002012-01-10T14:43:56.593-08:00Happy New Year!<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">Happy 2012!!!</span></strong><br />
<br />
We are going to have a fantastic year. The Menlo Park Office of Alain Pinel Realtors had a wonderful year in 2011, and this one is going to be even better.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Sales are firm in Menlo Park and Palo Alto</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">WE NEED MORE INVENTORY.</span></span></strong><br />
<br />
For a Current Market Analysis of your property please contact me at <span style="color: orange;"><strong>(650) 888-6628</strong></span>, or to see quality homes in Atherton, Menlo Park and Palo Alto.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AGxm5Bf8Ojbq-_BYlkpeNXQfUm3iq3wRmXch__Ngeesbfs6k8-kh8dg7dPSS1ZUqXoVX_r_3dAi9zNOMFmivlwHSzEw_J8Y1bDdOYRtONJb3V-eS6yKyu1QrSahEpdMRIpCLy1nRGniG/s1600/GoldenGateBridge.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AGxm5Bf8Ojbq-_BYlkpeNXQfUm3iq3wRmXch__Ngeesbfs6k8-kh8dg7dPSS1ZUqXoVX_r_3dAi9zNOMFmivlwHSzEw_J8Y1bDdOYRtONJb3V-eS6yKyu1QrSahEpdMRIpCLy1nRGniG/s1600/GoldenGateBridge.bmp" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">I specialize in fine properties in the Mid-Peninsula, Stanford and Silicon Valley area.</span></em></strong>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-84109280829036692572011-09-07T11:44:00.000-07:002011-09-07T11:46:21.050-07:00Sand Hill Road Tops List Most Expensive Office Address in North America<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><em>Sand Hill Road Tops List Most Expensive Office Address in North America </em></span></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkhMSElIzfROvJpYZ3RTzc1JpUj_YlWa71_grY41FFz8rS6t9qKswjZJ5lyQHJ3XfgauSZkLd05dWdeyWFZujwylmyMGEovYjnzYyaiAPNBGT5aW1c9zl5UGUrZYfz-fqQPHbigvOQSkC/s1600/MPPicsSandHillRoad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkhMSElIzfROvJpYZ3RTzc1JpUj_YlWa71_grY41FFz8rS6t9qKswjZJ5lyQHJ3XfgauSZkLd05dWdeyWFZujwylmyMGEovYjnzYyaiAPNBGT5aW1c9zl5UGUrZYfz-fqQPHbigvOQSkC/s1600/MPPicsSandHillRoad.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>1. Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park -- </strong><strong>$114. per square foot</strong></span></span><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The epicenter of the technology universe, Sand Hill Road houses many of the venture capitalists that provide start-ups with funding to grow and spread the tech expansion.</span></span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><strong>4. University Avenue, Palo Alto -- $83. per square foot</strong></span> <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>With immediate access to Stanford University and abundant retail amenities, University Avenue has been a popular location for start-up companies and professional services firms, the most notable being Facebook, Inc.</em></span></span></strong><br />
<br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><em>Source:</em> World Property Channel,<em> </em>Posted by</span> </span><a href="http://www.worldpropertychannel.com/author/michael-gerrity/"><span style="font-size: large;">Michael Gerrity</span></a><br />
<em><br />
</em>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-55025083042757126812011-08-22T11:56:00.000-07:002011-08-22T11:57:36.463-07:00House of the Week -- 467 Gary Court, Palo Alto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMoVi2_y7h6fbN0FZMoI2ZZGW9mmfuh2H1lgkvHVV4SQjBcfF0FACstFIt5L2iWVoR8vN91Wy5CCiUAEZlgn9LivbFMpOKuJRz7NMac6RvNfNJfL1LAxBNyyZMwZO6Xh0G-UgcyucJu6o/s1600/467GaryCourtPA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMoVi2_y7h6fbN0FZMoI2ZZGW9mmfuh2H1lgkvHVV4SQjBcfF0FACstFIt5L2iWVoR8vN91Wy5CCiUAEZlgn9LivbFMpOKuJRz7NMac6RvNfNJfL1LAxBNyyZMwZO6Xh0G-UgcyucJu6o/s1600/467GaryCourtPA.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">Lovely new home in Palo Alto</span></em></strong></div><br />
New construction Tuscan 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath home located in prime Midtown on cul-de-sac steps from Herbert Hoover Park. Quality workmanship, lots of natural light, high ceilings, stone, tile and hardwood floors no wall to wall! All bathrooms with unique and exquisite tile work, expansive kitchen and family room along entire back of residence. Generous rear yard with lush plantings. Rustic fireplace. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="color: orange;">Call me at (650) 888-6628</span> to see this or other quality homes in Atherton, Menlo Park and <span style="color: red;">Palo Alto</span>.</em></span></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>I specialize in <span style="color: #6aa84f;">fine properties</span> in the Mid-Peninsula, Stanford and Silicon Valley area.</em></span></strong>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-26888264918380700612011-08-04T11:25:00.000-07:002011-08-04T11:25:55.841-07:00LEASED in Menlo Park -- Elder Avenue in Central Menlo Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtVlwWfb3M1dbWqkYjnv4m_EejN5ypdgekvOvebfCl-FCsuOWJuiXLGKc8L7YvW1NAF5NbGhuzK9-S5MXmxD01VA9D9AeT-a4jtCVw2xbd6T4w4-hwCnqy8504XPNRVgu5_dYc5TFqLEF/s1600/Hillview_Lease_%252838_of_38%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtVlwWfb3M1dbWqkYjnv4m_EejN5ypdgekvOvebfCl-FCsuOWJuiXLGKc8L7YvW1NAF5NbGhuzK9-S5MXmxD01VA9D9AeT-a4jtCVw2xbd6T4w4-hwCnqy8504XPNRVgu5_dYc5TFqLEF/s320/Hillview_Lease_%252838_of_38%2529.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0NhvMKdbh_MFpaTgnZ1jYLQBE2dyiPiP4gt44NasTztCoajRwgSWsS51uZo7UYBSQodtqjWFVQ88fJkVUzYH3HYUylY-3Ch3v1KQ01WTomViYHUBZKSdHWcVk5OEZvn2ybcYY7eTB78t/s1600/Hillview_Lease_%252819_of_38%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0NhvMKdbh_MFpaTgnZ1jYLQBE2dyiPiP4gt44NasTztCoajRwgSWsS51uZo7UYBSQodtqjWFVQ88fJkVUzYH3HYUylY-3Ch3v1KQ01WTomViYHUBZKSdHWcVk5OEZvn2ybcYY7eTB78t/s320/Hillview_Lease_%252819_of_38%2529.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6LWZ7JJSmtyhPuhUWb6dhQtfsOx1cWCf1yQkKSUq3qH5uW4qok26I-lrM9bf47FnewOXqIQ0PVSaOhrJh0b9mLlTDUrgD6qCJhQ7wBL5SRRndUN4yOC8YxnD7MBMEWxq8J4XcwL7I4qB/s1600/Hillview_Lease_%25288_of_38%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6LWZ7JJSmtyhPuhUWb6dhQtfsOx1cWCf1yQkKSUq3qH5uW4qok26I-lrM9bf47FnewOXqIQ0PVSaOhrJh0b9mLlTDUrgD6qCJhQ7wBL5SRRndUN4yOC8YxnD7MBMEWxq8J4XcwL7I4qB/s320/Hillview_Lease_%25288_of_38%2529.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vw22EFUwgbpk_bI2NgUSNGYy2H3ezb2C9Tzbdyh9Z9cWy7SvpsHDT90weNrkvgbK-ZhvoDsNB-flNLMUAApJVoK_j4xMPpg8ig6Moj7hdRrgpSsuZrSLRbOTqVH-SbNe6UgSjQDyYDal/s1600/Hillview_Lease_%252811_of_38%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vw22EFUwgbpk_bI2NgUSNGYy2H3ezb2C9Tzbdyh9Z9cWy7SvpsHDT90weNrkvgbK-ZhvoDsNB-flNLMUAApJVoK_j4xMPpg8ig6Moj7hdRrgpSsuZrSLRbOTqVH-SbNe6UgSjQDyYDal/s320/Hillview_Lease_%252811_of_38%2529.jpg" t$="true" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: x-large;"><strong><em><span style="color: #b45f06;">Lovely West Menlo Park Home just LEASED!!!</span> </em></strong></span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Close to best Menlo Park Schools, downtown Menlo Park, Stanford University and Silicon Valley.</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Call me at (650) 888-6628 to see quality homes in Atherton, <span style="color: red;">Menlo Park</span> and Palo Alto.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">I specialize in fine homes in the Mid-Peninsula, <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Silicon Valley</span> and <span style="color: red;">Stanford</span> vicinity.</span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">bslaton@apr.com</span></strong>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-54984965378835650082011-08-01T15:24:00.000-07:002011-08-04T11:15:32.848-07:00SOLD In Palo Alto -- 6 Offers!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaieXdumfgh-iMXq090AyzMWIdJruDJSExZGca9h7IvLF5fgQggT6b5JKTlD4fSlb78eYLJom-ghE4n5oiKHM2QUV4Rc9II_XjTqZK-1knss6pnlReb18Dx7xR9UrIG7Exi_UBdKrkJoVk/s1600/coulombe_dr_4198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaieXdumfgh-iMXq090AyzMWIdJruDJSExZGca9h7IvLF5fgQggT6b5JKTlD4fSlb78eYLJom-ghE4n5oiKHM2QUV4Rc9II_XjTqZK-1knss6pnlReb18Dx7xR9UrIG7Exi_UBdKrkJoVk/s320/coulombe_dr_4198.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUqoFomQhiX3mhTqWx3WgblokC__ZVfwB5ilQtuttndMIIROxpneX86K7iTSH6SwViDXRK3v0l1GtG7yul7nb-n90h_uCqyL2DMChcGxXf7Vdd4YtHenL2eoqqpdwpff740FqvuWjDe4s/s1600/coulombe-dining-room-hall-a_th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUqoFomQhiX3mhTqWx3WgblokC__ZVfwB5ilQtuttndMIIROxpneX86K7iTSH6SwViDXRK3v0l1GtG7yul7nb-n90h_uCqyL2DMChcGxXf7Vdd4YtHenL2eoqqpdwpff740FqvuWjDe4s/s1600/coulombe-dining-room-hall-a_th.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUhCOAbFwzgpgmmGv4PYB00bMt68P1Gt18ntj2SLNPijVTJxwyG2ggvLLv7ZvzzSx8Lz2uxmp-QmKjPM-WbQfDm0L4n1q-3RrvhVINmrqNBvXLWGvHYUQEZCA65v-K8-unU57b4Xw2iwf/s1600/coulombe-kitchen-c_th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUhCOAbFwzgpgmmGv4PYB00bMt68P1Gt18ntj2SLNPijVTJxwyG2ggvLLv7ZvzzSx8Lz2uxmp-QmKjPM-WbQfDm0L4n1q-3RrvhVINmrqNBvXLWGvHYUQEZCA65v-K8-unU57b4Xw2iwf/s1600/coulombe-kitchen-c_th.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">Great 4 Bedroom home in the Green Acres neighborhood of Palo Alto. </span></em></strong><br />
<br />
This home is two years new and boasts many designer features. Close to Juana Briones Park, Stanford University and Silicon Valley.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Call me at (650) 888-6628 to see quality homes in Atherton, Menlo Park and <span style="color: lime;">Palo Alto</span>.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">I specialize in fine properties in the <span style="color: lime;">Mid-Peninsula</span>, <span style="color: #cc0000;">Stanford </span>and Silicon Valley area.</span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">bslaton@apr.com </span></strong>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-55773751728303858772011-06-29T16:02:00.000-07:002011-06-29T16:02:27.189-07:00Tech Rebound Gives Housing a Lift<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Source: The Wall Street Journal</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">By YUKARI IWATANI KANE </span></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The resurgence in the Silicon Valley tech industry is leading to a new boom in the area's real estate market, with rising rents and a scarce supply of homes to buy. <br />
<br />
Sid Vismanathan, who sold his start-up to LinkedIn in January, purchased a three-bedroom house in Mountain View for $700,000.<br />
<br />
When Ann Schneider advertised her 1,782-square-foot, three-bedroom town home in Mountain View for rent on online classifieds site Craigslist earlier this month, she was surprised to get nearly a dozen responses right away. <br />
<br />
The modest house has a two-car garage and a backyard, and she had redone the master bath and repainted the walls so it looks in better shape than comparable units in the complex. But she also raised the rent 60% to $4,000 a month. <br />
<br />
Nevertheless, she had one potential renter offer to pay two months up front, and another who came to look at the house ready to make an offer with a package of documents that included a copy of a completed rental application, a letter from his employer, additional letters of recommendation and a credit report.<br />
<br />
"I've had offers over email without seeing it," said Ms. Schneider, adding that she hasn't experienced anything like it since she began renting the house five years ago. <br />
<br />
Inquiries came from as far away as Spain, Germany and Finland, and many from people in the high tech or medical fields. She ultimately rented it to a family. The clincher was that they agreed to sign a two-year lease. <br />
<br />
While the nationwide housing market continues to struggle, Silicon Valley is one among a small number of areas where demand is strong. According to website Rent.com, the amount of rent that tenants are paying rose 11% in the first quarter in the San Jose market, which includes Palo Alto, Mountain View and Cupertino, compared with a 2.5% increase nationwide. <br />
<br />
Ann Schneider had many offers to rent her Mountain View town home.<br />
<br />
Realtors and real estate experts, meanwhile, are reporting a dearth of properties for sale, which often is a precursor to rising home values. Real estate statistics firm Altos Research of Mountain View found that, this spring, an average of about 76 homes were on the market in any given week in Palo Alto—the epicenter of the boom—compared with 110 a year earlier and about one-tenth the number in a similarly sized market near Dallas or Atlanta.<br />
<br />
While in some cities, a lack of homes for sale could mean that owners are taking their properties off the market because they can't sell them, Altos Research Chief Executive Mike Simonsen said the very small number of homes listed with reduced prices suggested that this isn't the case in Silicon Valley. Properties with reduced prices comprised just 4% of current listings in Palo Alto, compared with a little more than 40% six months ago and 25% a year earlier.<br />
<br />
Additionally, properties that were relisted, most likely because they couldn't be sold, also comprised just 4% of listings in Palo Alto, at the low end of the area's typical range of 4% to 15%. The median sale price in Palo Alto has largely remained unchanged in the past year at about $1.7 million, he said.<br />
<br />
Real estate agents already see evidence of a housing crunch in a handful of communities such as Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Atherton, which are known for their schools and are near many of the fastest-growing companies. They say a number of two- and three-bedroom houses that are less than 2,000 square feet have sold for $1 million to $2 million after receiving multiple bids. <br />
<br />
"There's just not enough land to build [in this area]," said Keri Nicholas, a real estate agent in Menlo Park, though she added that the market appears to be heating up over the last five months at a slower pace and more unevenly than during the Internet bubble when "it happened very quickly and ended very abruptly." She said there were still pockets in the broader Silicon Valley area where homes are difficult to sell, especially in the lower-end price range where buyers might have a harder time qualifying for loans. <br />
<br />
Those who aren't interested in buying or can't find adequate houses for purchase are looking to rent. Mara McCain, an agent at Alain Pinel Realtors, recently listed a three-bedroom 2,850-square-foot house in Menlo Park on Craigslist for rent for $9,500 a month. Despite the high price, she said she has received more than 20 inquiries. She ended up renting the house to a technology executive. <br />
<br />
At the heart of the boom is the technology industry, led by heavyweights such as Apple Inc. and Google Inc., which has fueled jobs and created wealth in the area. <br />
<br />
An additional factor has been the anticipation of public offerings from companies such as Facebook Inc., valued by some investors at more than $70 billion and expected to go public as early as next year. Already, employees and others who have received private shares can sell them through specialized markets.<br />
<br />
"All of a sudden, there are a ton of millionaires coming out because of Facebook," said Katie Hammer Riggs, an agent at Coldwell Banker Menlo Park.<br />
<br />
Already, the initial public offering of another tech company, LinkedIn Corp., a professional networking site based in Mountain View, is prompting some employees to upgrade their homes.<br />
<br />
Sid Vismanathan is a 27-year-old co-founder of a business card reading app called CardMunch that was acquired by LinkedIn in January for an undisclosed amount. After the May IPO of LinkedIn, Mr. Vismanathan this month purchased a 1,500-square-foot, three-bedroom house in Mountain View for $700,000, upgrading from the $400 a month he paid for a two-bedroom rental apartment shared with two others. <br />
"I felt like it was a good deal," he said, adding that he lucked out because the owners wanted to sell quickly. "It was on the higher side of my budget, but it was a single-family unit and nothing of that similar type of house has sold for less than $769,000 in the last year," he said.Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-33904882498667912252011-05-26T11:42:00.000-07:002011-05-26T11:42:39.455-07:00Spring Roses Despite Unseasonably Cold Weather<strong><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">My favorite, Just Joey</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZz3Wc3qlINJ2v_S7LllcFUbE7_vEBwswgKpw-KjdS5qXPkWoiTR_VNo1Sm47x_1jUXlorx8CMrR38_9NBR76Fh_IpsGIWVqiCfPMJjGLjkBd3xtyuKLpyYPsKuUW-8i08W7Y-_DyyN9V/s1600/JoeyJoey1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZz3Wc3qlINJ2v_S7LllcFUbE7_vEBwswgKpw-KjdS5qXPkWoiTR_VNo1Sm47x_1jUXlorx8CMrR38_9NBR76Fh_IpsGIWVqiCfPMJjGLjkBd3xtyuKLpyYPsKuUW-8i08W7Y-_DyyN9V/s320/JoeyJoey1.jpg" t8="true" width="251" /></a></div>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-37994735066810446162011-05-24T14:47:00.000-07:002011-05-24T14:48:55.270-07:00Why Barbara Slaton for Fine Properties in the Heart of the Mid-Peninsula?<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Why should you work with me?</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You should work with me because I’m smart, creative, hard-working and enthusiastic. I have twenty five years of experience handling multimillion dollar transactions. I understand investments, contracts, people and finance. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, which gives me an eye for beauty, proportion and elegance with a comprehension of building styles and techniques. This can be an enormous advantage to you when considering a home for remodel or redesign. I have an extensive arsenal of Trade Resources to tap into when you need assistance with home repair, inspection, appraisal, finance, design, building or landscaping. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>What do I know about the San Francisco Peninsula?</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Menlo Park and Atherton have been my home since the Fifties. I know the schools, churches, Country Clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, hiking trails, parks and neighborhoods. I have an appreciation for the subtle differences between the various communities, cities and towns. The advantages of living near Stanford University in the heart of Silicon Valley are crystal clear to me. I can advise you as to the best climates and commutes. I “get it”. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>What you can expect of me? </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can expect my total commitment and fiduciary responsibility to you as my client. I offer my honesty, integrity, scrupulous attention to detail and the determination to produce your desired outcome. I spare no expense to provide my clients with the best technology and market research. Fine properties in the heart of the Mid-Peninsula are my specialty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>What is my business philosophy? </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Most importantly, I am your advocate. I will provide impeccable service, communicate clearly, and achieve results for you. I am sincere, trustworthy and will negotiate tirelessly on your behalf.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></span>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-888572161568808012011-05-10T12:51:00.000-07:002011-05-10T12:59:09.967-07:00House of the Week -- 2 Serrano Drive, Atherton<strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;">WOW!</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">This house is the complete package...</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
Stunning, peaceful, park-like grounds, impeccable craftsmanship, woodworking, moldings, lovely windows and appointments -- all the bells and whistles!<br />
<br />
The home has the ageless appeal of an East Coast home, all the hallmarks of outside-oriented California living, grace and charm galore! An ideal setting for your museum quality paintings or porcelains...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vmQFLd-DAu5UNq730FGSio8QMQ88S9Z4UJlDTyEVK7j-pK3fHdVav6lgTnyGTRLOehhBvR6QLlgaZjxF78Cc-xHjFOD88e6uTZ-no6_RMk1VwkqfmpNEB84jpNjqiejiZ_5u_2f-QvLb/s1600/2SerranoAthFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vmQFLd-DAu5UNq730FGSio8QMQ88S9Z4UJlDTyEVK7j-pK3fHdVav6lgTnyGTRLOehhBvR6QLlgaZjxF78Cc-xHjFOD88e6uTZ-no6_RMk1VwkqfmpNEB84jpNjqiejiZ_5u_2f-QvLb/s1600/2SerranoAthFront.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD35AQ12u325vmAzKJMfUXzQ1FemHMg7Snh9FJakCBoykEXOjmZpyDBLAmQwdiFA6LlHq-cxk9MexCYR-MPPpF_dZkXt0wvLS1BURHYPqTVnMtfDhCpF3cepNAdwhf69emUBRP9OBdEL4D/s1600/2SerranoAthFamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD35AQ12u325vmAzKJMfUXzQ1FemHMg7Snh9FJakCBoykEXOjmZpyDBLAmQwdiFA6LlHq-cxk9MexCYR-MPPpF_dZkXt0wvLS1BURHYPqTVnMtfDhCpF3cepNAdwhf69emUBRP9OBdEL4D/s1600/2SerranoAthFamily.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinym5M-lwe4X840epHR10E8cKaStBnetMwjPsQupiGBXiMzWKZ9HkFHP3_t_mgkegWBIF7r_niTvawXqziN0LpXr2RU6DhEJcwmxESeQx2oFGyK5QdeaxGflj6ATpTWeimzoeZqnPbNgD9/s1600/2SerranoAthBack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinym5M-lwe4X840epHR10E8cKaStBnetMwjPsQupiGBXiMzWKZ9HkFHP3_t_mgkegWBIF7r_niTvawXqziN0LpXr2RU6DhEJcwmxESeQx2oFGyK5QdeaxGflj6ATpTWeimzoeZqnPbNgD9/s1600/2SerranoAthBack.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Call me at (650) 888-6628 to see quality homes in Atherton, Menlo Park and Palo Alto.</span></em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">I specialize in fine homes in the Peninsula, Silicon Valley area.</span></em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="mailto:bslaton@apr.com"><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">bslaton@apr.com</span></strong></a></div>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-11507750142838195102011-05-05T15:33:00.000-07:002011-05-05T15:35:14.240-07:00Fabulous Townhome -- See the video Tour of the property<strong><em><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Check it out!</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBEKbjxRG6g"><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><strong>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBEKbjxRG6g</strong></span></a>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-21238807205366466282011-05-02T23:30:00.000-07:002011-05-23T16:26:31.639-07:00Fabulous Location for Homeowners -- between SF and Siilcon Valley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj983fcwCZpIM0LHM8g_SDWVZE5OvdXRk6Luw5_BL09rETfYmiKJtSCeCQCcI0hh2FVlM_e1cmbZF2Qcl5OX624TTJ5icaOSeEqOpwP120FjX9Lp-ctBiDCgLEvSTWd9tYvfyxheS9_Ypi2/s1600/EmeraldBay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj983fcwCZpIM0LHM8g_SDWVZE5OvdXRk6Luw5_BL09rETfYmiKJtSCeCQCcI0hh2FVlM_e1cmbZF2Qcl5OX624TTJ5icaOSeEqOpwP120FjX9Lp-ctBiDCgLEvSTWd9tYvfyxheS9_Ypi2/s320/EmeraldBay.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><strong><span style="background-color: black; color: #ffd966; font-size: x-large;">Check out my NEW LISTING!</span></strong><br />
<br />
Beautiful, turnkey Townhome in Foster City, the sweet spot between San Francisco and Silicon Valley...<br />
This home has it all, lovely designer finishes, fabulous architecturally interesting spaces, two Master Suites and more --<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.emeraldbaytownhome.com/">http://www.emeraldbaytownhome.com/</a> <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">Call me for a personal Tour of this, or other, wonderful Bay Area properties.</span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">Barbara Slaton</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">Alain Pinel Realtors</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">(650) 888-6628</span></strong><br />
<a href="mailto:bslaton@apr.com">bslaton@apr.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barbaraslaton.com/">http://www.barbaraslaton.com/</a>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-25948446271902222092011-04-14T21:44:00.000-07:002011-04-14T21:46:39.038-07:00The Valley is BACK!<strong><em><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Source: Excerpted from Venturebeat.com, Dean Takahashi</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
March 26, 2011 <br />
<br />
Dean Takahashi comments, "The bulls are back in Silicon Valley in a variety of ways. Let’s hope reports of the recovery are true and that the optimism doesn’t get overheated too fast and turn into a bubble of the dot-com era’s scale".<br />
The front pages of the San Jose Mercury News and the New York Times both have stories today about the return of good times in Silicon Valley (and let’s not forget the Los Angeles Times). They point to both hard figures in unemployment data and anecdotal evidence of a recovery, rather than a bubble.Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-28529321473198904042011-04-10T16:54:00.000-07:002011-04-10T16:55:07.338-07:00The Key to Happiness?<strong><em><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">"Joining a group that meets just once a month produces the same increase in happiness as doubling your income." </span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
Read this marvelous and thought-provoking article in the New Yorker by David Brooks.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #ffd966;">Annals of Psychology</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #ffd966;">Social Animal</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #ffd966;">How the new sciences of human nature can help make sense of a life.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #ffd966;">by David Brooks</span></strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/01/17/110117fa_fact_brooks?currentPage=1">http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/01/17/110117fa_fact_brooks?currentPage=1</a>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-23669063704731250282011-04-09T16:30:00.000-07:002011-04-09T20:11:59.060-07:00Power Lunch Discusses the Midas 100 Venture Capitalists<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Forbes Editor, Nicole Perlroth </span></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">on CNBC's Power Lunch</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">with Michelle Cabruso Cabrerra</span></em></strong></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3g2aB1w5dP2BI_7mqtPC82YrKetiLrTFaT95Hi6dX5zcYN81FOFpkWEGhXtlA-stnT-t8nxeWD6S9fR_c3pMQMU2XYQp8eIt7V2pVelpilgRGkjBNDudHi-0sL2Slir0fwBpoO0OdiCqZ/s1600/Nicole.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3g2aB1w5dP2BI_7mqtPC82YrKetiLrTFaT95Hi6dX5zcYN81FOFpkWEGhXtlA-stnT-t8nxeWD6S9fR_c3pMQMU2XYQp8eIt7V2pVelpilgRGkjBNDudHi-0sL2Slir0fwBpoO0OdiCqZ/s200/Nicole.bmp" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">WATCH THIS:</span></strong></div><br />
<a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xi15iy_nicole-perlroth-of-forbes-talks-to-power-lunch-about-vcs_news"><span style="color: lime;"><strong>http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xi15iy_nicole-perlroth-of-forbes-talks-to-power-lunch-about-vcs_news</strong></span></a>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-84797316058337919572011-04-06T15:09:00.000-07:002011-04-06T15:14:24.154-07:00The Forbes Midas 100<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaunspsmcUiD6bVF34CE9_1TIdf_Ssqhsr9YzFrWAETWza9uuVq_aUva8kgCSMSaaNFvGJSbrUkVsod8bjhm-1yTtqqzaeuHmB2QpxOnUbzNXGc7JszXkWdf-CPjwaDbL_Zy_oN4OHECm-/s1600/Gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaunspsmcUiD6bVF34CE9_1TIdf_Ssqhsr9YzFrWAETWza9uuVq_aUva8kgCSMSaaNFvGJSbrUkVsod8bjhm-1yTtqqzaeuHmB2QpxOnUbzNXGc7JszXkWdf-CPjwaDbL_Zy_oN4OHECm-/s1600/Gold.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">Check out the Midas 100</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">2011's Top Tech Investors</span></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #f1c232;">Source: Forbes Magazine, Editor Nicole Perlroth</span></em></strong></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.forbes.com/lists/midas/2011/midas-list-techs-top-investors.html"><span style="color: cyan;">http://www.forbes.com/lists/midas/2011/midas-list-techs-top-investors.html</span></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>Fascinating local angle on this story -- </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>30 of the top 100 live in <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><em>Menlo Park</em></span>, California</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>23 of the top 100 live in <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><em>Palo Alto</em></span>, California</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>2 of the top 100 live in <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><em>Woodside</em></span>, Californi</strong><strong>a</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>1 of the top 100 live in <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><em>Atherton</em></span>, California</strong><br />
<br />
</div>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499256885885710580.post-47684216766688374502011-04-04T12:48:00.000-07:002011-04-04T12:57:09.151-07:00High-end Housing Sales in Silicon Valley are Booming...<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: lime; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Menlo Park Office of Alain Pinel Realtors</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">just had their </span></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUtHRqhXkHAuYfGWQtXsyCpST2tvf5yV51C0PYX9J_oEaqiX-eajr_tD-Smu-Hn38Isz8X_wZp2CA23XRgEx_h2m_Yj4rrFlSPOJibLWhkrquTwkx0gexdJ30gPGy_Pnlc1rWNjDsasq8/s1600/SpringinMenlo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUtHRqhXkHAuYfGWQtXsyCpST2tvf5yV51C0PYX9J_oEaqiX-eajr_tD-Smu-Hn38Isz8X_wZp2CA23XRgEx_h2m_Yj4rrFlSPOJibLWhkrquTwkx0gexdJ30gPGy_Pnlc1rWNjDsasq8/s320/SpringinMenlo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><strong><span style="color: lime; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">BEST MONTH EVER!!! </span></strong></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>The following article appeared in the Sunday</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>edition </strong></span><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>of the San Jose Mercury News --</strong></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Sales of houses in that price range were up 9 percent in January and February from the same period last year, according to DataQuick Information Systems.<br />
<br />
The same trend isn't showing up yet in San Mateo County, where DataQuick shows sales in that range are down from a year ago. But DataQuick hasn't captured complete March figures yet, and agents are reporting a surge of activity in the past three weeks.<br />
<br />
Beyond that, not every high-end sale gets into public records or the listings service that real estate agents use. The $100 million paid by Russian investor Yuri Milner for a home in Los Altos Hills on Feb. 3 wasn't known until Wednesday, when Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone released official records that had been confidential until then.<br />
<br />
"The high end of the market is doing better than it has for the last several years," said Richard Calhoun of Creekside Realty in San Jose. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="color: cyan;">Twice as many sales</span></em></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />
The highest end seems especially hot. Calhoun found that in the first three months of this year, twice as many homes were sold for $5 million or more in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties as there were during the same period of 2010.<br />
<br />
Most of those sales for both counties took place in February and March, <br />
<br />
Calhoun said. The number of sales in that price range is more than for any similar period since 2000, he said.<br />
<br />
And most are taking place in the cities you'd expect: Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside. <br />
<br />
"People feel like they have money in their pockets," said Wendy McPherson, manager of Coldwell Banker's Menlo Park, Woodside and Portola Valley offices.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em><span style="color: cyan;">Wait-and-see stance</span></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em><span style="color: cyan;"></span></em></strong></span>The trend is being repeated around the state. In January, DataQuick reported that the number of California homes sold for $1 million or more in 2010 rose for the first time in five years while overall sales dropped by 9 percent.<br />
<br />
Catherine Marcus, who specializes in high-end valley properties for Sotheby's, said "the market right now on the high end is probably stronger than we've seen since 2007." <br />
<br />
"Things that are coming on the market are selling," she said. "We're seeing a lot of foreign buyers, a lot of money from China. There are properties we've had where nothing had happened for six months, and all of sudden there are multiple offers."<br />
<br />
The high end is "definitely picking up," said Diane Kneis, a Coldwell Banker agent who is listing the Atherton home of 49er football legend Jerry Rice -- 16,000 square feet, not counting a seven-car garage -- for $13.9 million. "There's a lot of interest from agents with qualified buyers who are looking for large homes that are well-built and can accommodate large families," she said.<br />
<br />
McPherson of Coldwell Banker said that "all of a sudden in Menlo Park in the last three weeks, we had six sales over $3.5 million. In Atherton, we just had a $17.5 million listing and an $11.5 million listing sell," she said.<br />
<br />
She said recent sales in Palo Alto include one for $9 million, two for more than $6 million and "lots and lots of sales" between $2 million and $3 million.<br />
<br />
"There's been quite a few recent sales," said Gary Campi of Campi Properties in Los Altos. "It's been pretty promising." Campi is listing an equestrian facility on 11 acres in Los Altos Hills, with plans for a 15,000-square-foot home and eight-car garage, for $26.8 million.<br />
<br />
At this point, DataQuick is taking a wait-and-see stance. "It's really early to know how this is going to shape up for the year," said Andrew LePage, an analyst for DataQuick. "In the next two or three months, we'll get a better idea."<br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: orange;">Source: By Pete Carey,</span> </strong></span><a href="mailto:pcarey@mercurynews.com"><strong>pcarey@mercurynews.com</strong></a>Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977http://www.blogger.com/profile/16697087154487055674noreply@blogger.com0