Use your mobile phone device to scan the picture. The phone de-code’s the information and drives the home buyer to my property web page which has additional details of the property. It is a great quick tool that allows me to connect with mobile device users and potential home buyers.

Using the QR code allows a potential home buyer to easily obtain much more information on the property. It also provides more buyer interactivity than reading a traditional property flyer. Check it out!

If your iPhone doesn’t have bar code scanning capabilities, you can download one at http://get.beetagg.com.

Oak Avenue Elementary School is located just two short blocks from my listing and it appears that buyer demand for Oak is at an all time high.  It is a great school with strong academics and excellent parent involvement.  I graduated from Oak Avenue Elementary School over 30 years ago.  It was a great school then and has only improved.  

Below are other sources of information on Oak Avenue Elementary School:

An article in Saturday’s San Jose Mercury News placed Oak Avenue Elementary School as one of the top elementary schools in the Los Altos Elementary School District. 

Oak’s 209 Base API score was the highest of all the Los Altos Elementary schools at 983.

Parent reviews from GreatSchools.net can be found here .

Read more about Oak Avenue Elementary school at Education.com 

Below are recent photos of the school:

[View with PicLens]

MVLA Board members just approved the adoption of Resolution 10-29:
Proposing the establishment of General Obligation Bonds and
establishing specifications of the election order; ballot measure to
be place on the June 8, 2010, state primary election ballot.

From my family to yours, happy Thanksgiving!

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 little neighborhood park located a short stroll from downtown.

I recommend picking up a sandwich and beverage downtown and then head over to Shoup with the kids. The kids get to burn off some steam and you get to enjoy a beautiful and tranquil park.

My morning bike ride took me to Crystal Springs Reservour. When I got
there, the fog had mostly lifted.

Homes listed at the lower end of our market (if one could call homes listed between 900K and 1.5 million, the “lower end”) continue to sell well.  In August, there were 6 homes sold that were listed at 1.5 million and below.  There was a slight shift relative to July in that the price range between 1.5 and 2.0 million had more sales than that of below 1.5 million.  11 homes in this price range sold, 5 homes listed between 2.0 and 3.0 million and 2 homes listed above 3.0 million sold.  Note: these were the asking prices for the homes not the selling prices. 

The homes that were listed under 1.5 million sold at an average of 97.6% of list price.  The homes listed between 1.5 and 2.0 million sold at an average of 100% of list price.  The homes listed between 2.0 million and 3.0 million sold at an average of 93.6% of list price.  Lastly, the homes priced above 3.0 million sold at an average of 86.7% of list price (ouch!). 

Note: the actual list price to sales price ratios are probably a little less because I have have included only the latest/current list price in the calculations.  Some of the higher priced homes have been listed and re-listed at a lower price.  Had I used their original list price, the ratios would be lower.

The chart below shows a 12 year history of the average sales price versus the median sale price of single family homes that closed escrow in the month of August.

The list price to sales price ratio for the month of August (95.81%) is approximately 4% below it’s 12 year average.  See below.

Total sales volume for the month of August is the lowest it has been in the last 8 years.

Lastly, in addition to softer home prices and less sales volume, on average homes in Los Altos are taking longer to sell.  In August 2009, it took on average 53 days to sell a home in Los Altos.  That is approximately 1/3 longer than the 12 year average in August of 40 days.  See details below.

All in all, the MLS sales figures for August indicate that the Los Altos real estate market (at least those homes that closed escrow in August) was the worst in recent memory.  Since we’re not dealing with a large sample size, one can’t assume the overall market is in the toilet.   Buyers, for the most part, can negotiate a favorable deal. 

Sellers should look seriously at whether now is the right time to sell.  Should home sellers decide it is the time, proper pricing, home preparation and a sound marketing strategy mixed with realistic expectations will make for a better experience.

With the significant (year over year) decline in the number of sales (in February), one might think that prices would also be softer.   This appears to be the case. 

Below is a chart detailing the average sales price and median sale price of property that closed escrow in February for the last 12 years.  The huge decline in February’s sales prices is due in part to house values going down as well as buyer’s avoiding the higher end market.  In February the highest priced paid for a home in Los Altos was ”only” $1,900,000. 

Lastly, the graph below shows the historical list price to sales price ratio for homes that closed escrow in February.

The 12 year average is slightly above 101%.  February 2009′s list price to sales ratio was the lowest in the last 12 years at just under 95%. 

All in all the market is very slow in Los Altos and the homes that are selling tend to be in the lower third price range.  It is not a good time to sell.  However, as a buyer, there may be some solid buying opportunities. 

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Below is a post that I wrote (Nov. 12, 2007) about the dedication of the Cupertino Veteran’s Memorial.  If you have time, please stop by to honor our local men and woman who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Posted November 12, 2007 -

On a cool and cloudy day, a large patriotic crowd watched as the Cupertino Veteran’s Memorial was dedicated.  In attendance were many local dignitaries, active and retired military and friends.   The Secretary of the Navy, Donald Winter, was one of the many guest speakers.   The centerpiece of the memorial is a life sized statue of two soldiers on their knees scouting the terrain.  Note: the statue is made in the likeness of Matthew Axelson, a Cupertino native who was killed in the Konar Province of Afganistan in Late June 2005, and James Suh, Matthew’s teammate.  The Wall of Honor includes some of the names of the men and women from the Cupertino area who gave their lives in the line of duty.  The Walk of Remembrance allows anyone to purchase a paver to honor those who have served or are currently serving in the military, including MIA’s and POW’s. 

The Cupertino Veteran’s Memorial is located a short stroll from the main parking lot at Memorial Park.

Yesterday, I was one of the volunteers helping build one of six homes in Santa Clara.  It was a great day.  Upon arriving we were given an introduction about Habitat for Humanity and the family who will eventually buy the home.  I write eventually because each participant family must put in a minimum of 500 hours in sweat equity before they can receive their home.

Our assignment was to frame one of the home’s.  Our supervisor, Brent, patiently walked us through the process.  We measured and cut wood for the header’s and wall joists and then assembled them to make the wall.  The highlight was when the entire group of volunteers lifted up the wall and nailed it into place.

Habitat’s Santa Clara job site.

Cutting 4 x 4′s for the header supports.

Our volunteer group (Coldwell Banker Los Altos offices)

It’s break time!

If you ever have the time and want to do something that is worthwhile, I strongly recommend going for a day to do a Habitat for Humanity build.  You’ll get much more out of it than you think.