Don Diltz DRE:01204965's Blog

Best of Tour - Palo Alto - $29,000,000

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 13:18:21 -0700

1781 Arastradero Rd. in Palo Alto, listed by Meera Gupta from Coldwell Banker's Fremont office, has it all plus some. Today’s broker tour (September 21, 2007) didn’t have many properties (There were a total of 16 properties including 3 condominiums and 1 house that only qualifying Stanford Faculty could buy - I guess the rush of properties after Labor Day has subsided) so there was not much competition. Actually, on any day there wouldn’t be a whole lot of competition for this unusual property. This part of Arastradero could easily be mistaken for Portola Valley, if you don’t know the lay of the land. But its not. Palo Alto Schools top the list of qualifications for this stunning property of some 12,000 square feet of living space (per the dedicated web site) on almost 13 acres (per RealQuest) with 7 bedrooms and more than 9 bathrooms.

Take a look at the master bedroom suite featured below, then be sure to check out the virtual tour at www.paloaltoexclusiveestate.com.

Best of Tour - Los Altos - $23,900,000

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:48:17 -0700

47 View St. in Los Altos takes the cake today…it has to. Listed for $23,900,000 by Alain Pinel Realtors, it violates one of the rules of real estate investment; it is the nicest house in the neighborhood. On the other hand, it would be the nicest house in almost any neighborhood. With a stated lot size of 1 acre, you can sort of get around the rule by considering that it is its own neighborhood. There are a few other large lots in the neighborhood but no property comparable to this. What you get here is the advantages of a very large estate located just a stone's throw from the charming Los Altos Village. Hard to beat.

Listed as 5 Bedrooms and 4+ Bathrooms, with its indicated 12,169 square feet of living space, I’m sure it could accommodate most of the family and friends you’d care to have stay over. For details, check out the virtual tour at www.47View.com or click here for the mls information.

Kabul Kabul - Don's Delectable Delights

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:46:00 -0700

I'm not sure I'm ready to visit Afghanistan itself, but I'm definitely ready for the food.

Kabul Afghan Restaurant. I've eaten at the San Carlos location many times over many years and really enjoy the quiet yet exotic atmosphere and excellent service. All the waitstaff appear to me mature men without much in the way of smiles - they are all business and very professional. The food is excellent over a variety of selections. In broad categories, the food tends to be either skewered meats or stewed meats or vegetables. These main courses are served with either white rice (South Asian style long grain fluffy rice with each grain separated and light) or seasoned (a sort of pilaf that is called pilau). I've often tried their chicken kebab and the tender white skewered and grilled chicken is simply the best chicken I've tasted anywhere, ever. The vegetable dishes, which can be ordered as main courses, are moderately seasoned and scrumptious. Most remarkable is the steamed pumpkin with yogurt cream sauce. It is a light textured very sweet dish that could almost double as a desert.

After many years of loyal patronage of the San Carlos restaurant, last night I was driving on El Camino in Sunnyvale. I'd just finished a client meeting and was starving. I noticed the Sunnyvale Kabul sign and decided I had to give it a try. Prominently displayed at the restaurant is a sign that says it is unrelated to any other restaurant. Nonetheless, the decor and menus are virtually identical. Fortunately, the food preparation measures up as well. If Sunnyvale is closer, be sure to give that store a try.

Gosh, I wish they'd give it a try in Palo Alto; I'm sure the restaurant style and cuisine would be very popular there.

Here are the contact information for the two restaurants:

135 El Camino Real San Carlos, CA 94070-2403 Phone: (650) 594-2840

833 W El Camino Real Sunnyvale, CA 94087-1154 Phone: (408) 245-4350

Best of Tour - Burlingame - $1,768,000

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:43:51 -0700

705 Burlingame Ave Listing Information 705 Burlingame Ave Listing Information Here it is. All decked out. New surfaces everywhere, on a wide street in a choice part of Burlingame just down the street from Burlingame Highschool. 705 Burlingame Avenue listed by Alain Pinel Realtors for $1,768,000. There are 4 bedrooms, 2.5 remodeled bathrooms and indicated to be 2,500 square feet in the home. Although the 5,000 square foot lot is not large, there is plenty of room in a lushly landscaped back yard. Check it out this week end. This is definitely a Palo Alto type home in a gorgeous location.

Best of Tour - Fall 2007 - Los Altos Hills - $15,000,000

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:40:40 -0700

Ultra modern with a strong Asian influence, this remarkable architectural accomplishment inspires hope and confidence. Sturdy bronzed iron girders join sea gray granite tile all supporting large multi-storied open living and entertaining spaces punctuated with warm wood floors and cabinets. Not for everyone, priced at $15 million and listed by Coldwell Banker, this home at 14790 Manuella Rd. in Los Altos Hills has just been completed. Custom everything. Breathtaking everything. Located just a stone's throw from the Palo Alto border, this area benefits from the use of coveted Palo Alto Schools. Over 10,000 square feet in home, approximately 1.1 acres per listing information.

14790 Manuella Rd., MLS Listing Information

The Palo Alto Real Estate Market - Where is it headed?

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 02:52:04 -0700

Palo Alto Real Estate Market - Where is it headed? We all want to know!

As the national real estate market continues to exhibit signs of a meltdown, we in the local SF Mid Peninsula Real Estate Market still survey a scene where the only pandemonium to be seen is the continued frenzy over some local real estate offerings. To be sure, the number of active listings is up over the last couple of months, but come on. This is the beginning of the fall selling season. Palo Alto Inventories are still remarkably low. They have been hovering in the 30s (for single family residences - SFR) and today there are 49 homes to sell. We have not seen over 60 all year and it popped up to over 150 in 2003 when there was a little short lived stagnation in the market.

Condos & Townhouses have a similar story; there are only 13 available. The highest inventory we've seen in the past 5 years was in spring of 2003 when it was about triple the current paltry inventory.

As for demand, there is no question that some buyers have taken themselves out of the market because the loans they wanted just aren't available anymore (e.g., 100% financing). Some others have decided to wait a bit on the sidelines. But we had an overabundance of buyers before the financing crisis hit and even with some buyers out of the race (temporarily), there are still more buyers than housing available.

We are at the beginning of the fall season with little inventory and lots of people wanting to complete their housing search. This does not look like a recipe for a local real estate downturn. Lets see what the coming few weeks brings in clarity.

The Competition

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:42:09 -0700

I got an email a few days ago from the COO of a relatively new competitor in the area where I sell (SF Mid Peninsula). They are opening a new office down the street and they are looking for agents to come work for them. Reflecting on the meeting, I find that I am attracted to the new company and I'm wondering why. Here's what I think:

1. The new company is new. Just the fact that it is new is appealing. In addition, they have done a good job at developing an image and have invested a huge amount in a brand new building and great finishes.

2. Because they are starting a new company, they are really slogging it out. They have huge energy and it shows. On top of that, they have a great esprit de corps... it seems like a great big club where everyone likes being together.

3. The energy of the guy who contacted me was electric and appealing.

Best of Tour - San Carlos - $1,150,000

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 03:43:25 -0700

1445 Greenwood Avenue in San Carlos, listed by Coldwell Banker, takes the cake. It is a well laid out 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home with nearly 1,800 square feet in the house on more than a 5,000 square foot lot in the prized White Oaks section of San Carlos. Priced at $1,150,000 it is a must see for anyone thinking about moving and for whom the basic parameters work. From the front door with its rich fuscia color and sparkling brass kickplate to the well cared for and updated interior, this home is highly appealing. Excellent schools add to the mixture to make it an attractive alternative to Palo Alto or Menlo Park.

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Equity Sharing to Achieve Affordable Housing? What is your Experience?

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:16:36 -0700

Affordable Housing - Equity Sharing

I recently started work on a pro-bono consulting project sponsored by Stanford's ACT (Alumni Consulting Team) and focused on improving availability of affordable housing. Specifically, the objective is to develop a program for people in the 80-120% of AMI (Area Median Income) category to buy a home. It turns out that the price of housing, particularly where I am in the SF Mid Peninsula area in California, makes housing particularly unaffordable.

After some weeks, we are zeroing in on shared equity as a way of achieving the objective. Conceptually, we would plan to raise a pool of money that would be available for qualifying people to use to help in their downpayment. There would be no regular interest due but when the home is sold the original principle plus a pro rata share of the "profit" would be repaid to the fund.

In researching the feasibility of the concept, I've been able to discuss experience with a similar program that is targeted toward teachers in San Jose. The program has helped many teachers and appears to be very successful.

I'd be very interested to hear of other programs that the AR community is aware of that I might contact to learn their experience. I'd also like to hear any experience that any of you have had with equity sharing whether of an institutional or private investment type.

Hope to hear on the following:
1. Equity sharing programs that are in place to help make housing more affordable.
2. Experience you have had with equity sharing institutional programs.
3. Experience you have had with equity sharing private investment programs.
4. Anything else you think might be relevant to the topic.

Also, please check out my blog site: www.MidPenRE.com

SF Mid Peninsula Market Watch - Week ending August 26, 2007

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 01:01:24 -0700

SF Mid Peninsula Market Watch - Week ending August 26, 2007

Media reports regarding the condition of the mortgage industry continue to have a perplexing effect on buyers. Some potential buyers aren't even attempting to qualify for loans for fear of rejection, and others are simply confused by what the media is reporting and think that reasonable loans don't exist any more. The reality is that credit tightening has only affected a small percentage of buyers. The fact is that they could be missing a good buying opportunity by waiting, or not trying to qualify. I would be happy to introduce you to a reliable lender who can guide you through some of the confusion. This remains a great time to buy a home, and a chance to leverage the many opportunities now available.

The word from other Coldwell Banker offices in areas of the East Bay and North Bay is that sellers are beginning to lower their listing prices; meaning there are bargains to be had. In other areas, multiple offer situations and tighter inventory render it absolutely crucial for buyers to be working with a strong, solid lender.

Traditionally, this is vacation time. The kids are getting ready to go back to school, and things slow down a bit in the housing market. While our offices witnessed a slight dip in activity overall, many were surprised to see that our more than 500 open homes were well attended by potential buyers. San Francisco and much of the Peninsula continue to enjoy some multiple offer situations, and in certain situations homes are selling for as much as 20+ percent over asking. Please check out the table for a summary of sales. An influx of fresh homes after the Labor Day weekend should help mitigate the tight inventory situation in our upper-end markets.

According to Coldwell Banker data, our SF-Peninsula combined median sales price hit an all-time high of $1.230M in May, and has dropped each month since, to $1.059 in July. While this is not necessarily a trend, it is indicative of more activity in the tough $800K to $1.3M range which has been needed. Of the offices reporting, listing inventory increased for four offices, decreased for six offices and remained steady for 17. Sales activity decreased for seven offices, but remained steady for 17 and increased for 3.

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Associates? Associations? and Shoutwire? ... Can some AR Junkie help me out?

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 10:34:06 -0700

Ok. I admit it. I am still very new to the world of Web 2.0. I'm happily slogging through blogging (yours & mine) and racking up as many points as I can figure out how to. I'm spending way too much time sitting in front of my computer instead of getting my real live self out in front of people who want to buy or sell a home or know someone who does. But, on the other hand, I'm sort of enjoying it. But I'm confused about a couple of things so I'm asking for help:

ACTIVE RAIN QUESTIONS

I see on my home page and profile at AR that there are 2 types of relationships: Associates and Associations. When I click on my profile it shows Associations and if I click on that I find someone from AR that I don't know (but, actually, I will probably get to know...she provides a graphics service I'm interested in) and when I click my home page it shows Associates and when I click on that I see 2 people (a long time friend who showed up there after I invited her on and a Realtor from a vacation destination that I have exchanged email with that I selected as an associate).

Can anyone help me understand the differences? Is it better to have more of one than another? How do you manage these?

SHOUTWIRE QUESTION

When I began my blog I read that it would be good to promote posts on SHOUTWIRE.COM. I promptly joined and posted (shouted) a post. Next time I came to log in it said "Your account has been blocked" Not only that it said "Your IP Address has been blocked" so I couldn't create another account from that IP address. Not to be frustrated easily, I went to a different portal and created another SHOUTWIRE account. Again I posted a different post and then another a couple of days later. In fact I got some good comments from the shouts. Then, a few days later when I logged in again, I got the same routine. So... Can anyone help me figure out what is going on? What did I do wrong to get them mad at me? How do I communicate to them and get a response (I've sent multiple multiple messages to their contact email address to no avail.)

Also, please check out my outside website: www.MidPenRE.com

Thanks for your help!

How to Market Affiliate Services to the GLBT Community (Part 2)

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 11:27:34 -0700

So you don't feel like you are entering the middle of a conversation, click here to see Part 1.

In Part 1 I recommended marketing to Realtors as a method for affiliates to reach the GLBT community under the belief that Realtors typically drive the choice of affiliates (consumers do not usually have their own favorite termite company, roof inspector, title company, mold remediator, etc.). And in some parts of the U.S. there is now an established gay community that can be easily identified which makes identifying GLBT Realtors pretty straight forward.

But how about parts of the country (still most of the country) where the community isn't as "out" as it is in San Francisco, New York, Ft Lauderdale, Palm Springs and the like? In those parts of the country anyone interested in finding GLBT Realtors can still benefit from the internet. Here are a few sites that represent commercial interests in GLBT Realtor networks:

http://www.gayrealestateagents.com/

http://www.gayrealestate.com/

http://www.lgbthomes.com/

http://www.gayrealtynet.com/

http://www.gay2gayrealestate.com/

http://www.gayfriendlybiz.com/

No doubt there are others. Using all of these sites you are likely to be able to identify a GLBT Realtor or two. The nice thing is that if you identify one you can talk personally and get a more extended network.

Failing a GLBT Realtor in your area having signed up with a network, I'd recommend using the internet to identify any GLBT business in the area, even a bar (a bookstore would be ideal). Then go to the business and talk to the owner of the business about your marketing objective. Someone is likely to be able to help.

Hope this is helpful. Look forward to your comments.

SF Mid Peninsula Market Watch - Week ending August 19, 2007

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:54:15 -0700

Another rock and roll week in the lending markets still has not demonstrated its impact in the real estate sales arena. Pick a position or a forecast scenario and you will be able to find multiple pundits to corroborate it. Uncertainty is definitely in the air... but the sales numbers are still strong (see table below).

Here are a few comments from my fellow Coldwell Banker real estate professionals in the SF Mid Peninsula and San Francisco areas:

One agent received a floor call and just got into contract on an all-cash sale at $4 million.
Very quiet here - but it is seasonal. Financial markets are not the cause of our slowdown, I believe. Some folds are being cautious, but the buyers are still serious shoppers if they are not out of town....
Typical summer slow down prior to school starting back up. Many agents are enjoying family vacations; those that are here and working are seeing good activity at open houses... We still need good aquality inventory....
Inventory is still very short. We anticipate an influx of listings right after the holiday - approximately a week after.
August is slow. Loan problems seem to be limited somewhat but no doubt that some buyers are holding back.... Lots of talk about the subprime market and Wall Street jitters, but lots of buyers are there at Open Houses.
More active last week for both listings and sales. Not many multiples and we had two deals fall out due to funding. City inventory still remains fairly low.... Sellers are bringing their homes to the market sooner than planned due to the uncertainty of the mortgage situation. There are a lot of well-qualified buyers out there looking for the right property to call home.
Larger down payments help win in multiple offers.

Palo Alto Real Estate showed almost 40% of the sales in multiple offers. Menlo Park Real Estate showed over 20% of the sales in multiple offers, Redwood City Real Estate sales and Redwood Shores Real Estate Sales are included in the San Carlos Real Estate sales which showed more than 20% as multiple offers. San Mateo Real Estate sales had 50% in multiple offers.

Cafe Tiramisu - Don's Delectable Delight

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:37:29 -0700

Ok, how is it that I'm cluttering up my perfectly good real estate blog with information about a restaurant? Good question. Well, first of all because several of you have asked me to. Secondly, because restaurants are part of the amenities that we enjoy as adjuncts to our real estate here in the bay area. And thirdly, I only plan to mention a restaurant if it seems to really deserve it.... Café Tiramisu on Belden Place in San Francisco is just such a circumstance.

By show of hands (or by leaving a comment) how many have had the pleasure of enjoying lunch or dinner on Belden Place in San Francisco. If I blindfolded you and took you there you'd swear you were in Europe. No doubt about it. Even though it is located in the heart of San Francisco, on a little alley (Belden Place) parallel to Kearny and a block from California St., you feel as if you were in the middle of a quaint European town (until you look up at the 52 story Triple 5 Cal - Bank of America Center- towering over you at the end of the street). Check out the pictures and website for details. Tables are available outside in the open air under umbrellas or inside. Charming waitstaff sport authentic sounding Italian accents. Definitely not to be missed

How to Market Affiliate Services to the GLBT Community (Part 1)

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:48:01 -0700

As a Realtor who is gay, I've been asked by affiliates how to market to our community. The very question is a comforting one since it recognizes that there is a significant market to address and that it might best be served by some special techniques.

That there is a significant number of GLBT buyers and sellers seems pretty reasonable to take as a given. In some areas, the relative size of the market is greater than others but, trust me, we're pretty much everywhere. The next question, that of whether addressing that market can benefit from special techniques, is a little more debatable. However, I believe that many in the GLBT community still have a significant discomfort and concern about acceptance based on sexual orientation. Even for those of us who are very "out", there is always that nagging question of what someone else thinks. Even when we "don't care", we care. So I think it is probably useful to have a special focus on marketing to our GLBT community if it is a market of interest to you.

Having said that, acceptance of who we are will never be a substitute for any lack in professional excellence. What one needs to do is assure that you are the best choice affiliate for any consumer as a sine qua non. You really have to be confident that you are the best at what you do. For instance, as a home inspector, you need to be the best home inspector around; you are knowledgeable and eagle eyed and non-alarmist and highly standards oriented. You follow the standards of whatever inspector organization you belong to. You have a wealth of experience in inspecting and related skills in contracting, etc.

As to how to accomplish marketing to the GLBT community, of course I cannot know the area where you live or the GLBT communities there, but it should be relatively straight forward to identify the gay Realtors in the area. For the most part, Realtors drive the choice of affiliates. Once identified, find a reason to take them to lunch or coffee. Or, if they are busy (of course they are busy), offer to stop and pick them up a Starbuck's Latte & mid morning (or afternoon) snack. If the Realtors in your area hold public open houses and they are not particularly well attended, take advantage of the captive audience (but be patient and unobtrusive). Bring a "care package" to their open house (an energy bar, chewing gum, breath flims, a bottle of water along with some marketing gimmick of your own. Include a copy of one of your reports to show how user friendly and clear and thorough they are. The objective is to get into a conversation with them. Once you have done inspections for one gay Realtor, use that person's name (with permission) when you market to others...they usually know each other).

I hope this is helpful and would love to hear from anyone about your opinion of the applicability.

Thanks,

In Defense of RAPL (What is RAPL Anyway?)

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 15:51:49 -0700

What statistic do you like to use to identify the current market dynamic? Wouldn't it be nice if there were one statistic that would be easy to find or calculate and that would tell the whole story? Well there isn't, so get over it. But RAPL is nifty.

The RAPL (Ratio of Active to Pending Listings ) is about as easy to get as doing a search in the area you're interested in. If you perform a search for all current listings that haven't been sold, divide the number still available to write sell by the number in contract but not sold, you're done. It works very much like a "Days of Inventory" statistic but is snappier to access.

Here's why I like it:

It is easy to calculate and meaningful. The Ratio of Active to Pending Listings measures the relative supply of houses (listings that are active, available for sale and are awaiting an offer) to listings that have been sold but have not yet closed escrow. The pending listings includes houses that have been sold subject to a buyer contingency as well as those where contingencies have been removed and the buyer is truly committed to the sale. A high ratio indicates that supply of houses available is high relative to demand. In many parts of the U.S. it is common for this ratio to be above 6.

Here's what's wrong with it:

In a way this ratio is a substitute for another commonly used statistic, the Absorption Rate (i.e., the number of days or months of inventory). If the average escrow period were 30 days then an RAPL of 1.0 would indicate a 30 day inventory since the pending listings would represent a 30 day supply of sales. In a very competitive market like ours we often see shorter escrows which would indicate that a ratio of 1.0 would mean a shorter period of sales. In markets that are sluggish, longer escrows are common so that a ratio of 6.0, for example, might mean more than a 6 month supply.

Here's an example:

The San Francisco mid peninsula real estate market continues have short supply of houses for sale. For the 17 towns in the mid peninsula there are 1295 active listings and 516 pending listings for an RAPL. But it is so easy to calculate we can look at subcategories easily. The mid price mid price range ($1-2 million for single family residences [SFR], $750k - $1mm [CID] for condos and townhouses) is really scarce. The lowest RAPL is in SFR between $1million and 2million where the RAPL is 1.5. For condos, the lowest range is $750-$1 million at 1.7. Even SFR in the higher ranges are selling quickly with a RAPL of around 3. The highest RAPLs are seen in SFR between $500 and 750 and condos above $1 million.

Let me know what you think. Also, if you have a chance, check out my blog site: www.MidPenRE.com

Do We Need a GLBTQQI Group?

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:32:20 -0700

AR already has a GLBT Referral group with a few members (72 out of over 43,000 as of this writing). I'm not sure there is a need for a separate group for those of us who identify as GLBTQQI. However, it felt right so I thought I would give it a shot.

What is the difference?
The GLBT Referral group is a "gay friendly" group aimed at marketing to our community. While that has a valid and laudable purpose, this group is specifically for those of us who identify as part of the community.

Why would there be a need for this group?

1. I believe it is beneficial for members of our community to stand up and be recognized as who we are. While we need all the friends we can get, and so gay friendly is a wonderful, much needed and much appreciated appelation, unlike most other minority communities, we don't have any external signs. This ability to "pass" is both a blessing and a curse. In times and locations where our community has been targeted for extermination, survival was enhanced by passing. But it also as been the source of permitted bigottry. In other words, many of us may have been in situations where bigots have, at least, made derogatory remarks about gays and the person making the remark was not aware they were insulting someone in their presence. There may have been some times when we didn't have the courage to inform them. In any case, simply standing up to be counted, I believe, has merit.

2. There may be topics that we can discuss that have particular interest for our community. I am currently working with a lesbian ex-couple who is having difficulty in terms of income verification because their decoupling was handled in a way different from a straight couple. While this may be relevant to the GLBT Referral group (once I get farther along and see where it leads me), but it has personal relevance to potential members of this GLBTQQI group. There may be topics related to how we do business as distinguished from how a gay friendly person who is not GLBTQQI does business. For example, the concept of how we come out, or whether we come out, or whether we need to come out...

In thinking about the topic, I considered what I would think about AR groups for other minority groups. Perhaps there are some. For example, how would I feel about a group where I had to identify as hispanic to join? Or one where I had to identify as Jewish to join? Or where I had to identify as Christian to join? etc. Obviously, there is not a test to assure that I actually AM hispanic, or Jewish or Christian, so it is simply a matter of identifying as such. My response, to my own question, is that I'd feel just fine about such groups. I may or may not be interested in joining them. Even if I weren't moved or qualified to join one, I might want to read posts in such groups. So, at least when I think about it, there is nothing offensive in establishing this group. There is certainly not meant to be anything offensive.

I guess that is all for now and for the first post of this group. I'm anxious to see if the concept can muster any traction. Let me know or join the GLBTQQI group and post.

Best of Tour - Palo Alto - July 29, 2007

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 03:12:12 -0700

Mid Peninsula real estate tours are on Tuesday and Friday. This home, listed by Coldwell Banker, was presented on Friday's tour in Palo Alto.

Not the highest price home on tour, but if you have time to see only one house, take a look at 2120 Cowper Street in Palo Alto. The listing shows it as over 6,000 square feet on a lot of over 7,500 square feet, 3 years old (in my book, 3 years old is better than new; the bugs have been worked out) and priced at $5,000,000. Even if your budget doesn't take you that far, it is worth a look. It really represents an excellent combination of today's most popular features (large square footage, basement living area with excellent light wells, large family room kitchen, huge master bedroom suite, large rear gardens) with classic styling and elegance.

Palo Alto Housing Prices Peak in May, 2007

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 03:01:17 -0700

Palo Alto Market Performance as of July 2007

Palo Alto single family home prices reached a 5 year high in May at $1,617,498 (condos & townhouses peaked in April at $810,667) and have declined slightly since then. The inventory continues to be sparse and demand is high as evidenced by an inventory index of 29 (for each class) and a bid/asked ratio index of 106 for single family homes and 101 for condos & townhouses. All indexes are base March 2003; prices are 3 month moving average of median price. The big question is: How will the impact of tightened financing, which is just now materializing, affect demand? Wish I knew the answer.

See table for more details.Palo Alto House Price Data as of July, 2007 (Source: REInfolink MLS)

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NOTE:

How’s the real estate market? One of the most asked questions. By this, people usually mean: 1) Has my house value gone up? and, 2) Is it a seller’s or a buyer’s market.

The answer to the first question, and to what extent, is obviously dependent on where your house is located. As a proxy, it is useful to look at sale prices over time in your local. Average sale prices are a function of the particular collection of houses that sold in a particular local during a particular time period. Nonetheless, they (or their sibling, median home price) are the most readily available data. However, to remove some of the nonmeaningful fluctuation from the picture, I have used a 3 month moving average for median sale price. I have further simplified the view by creating an index where one data point (the 3 month moving average for one month) is the base and, therefore, equals 100. An index value of 80 would mean the moving average was 80% of the value of the moving average for the index base month. For anomalies related to the median, check out this WSJ article.

First Post

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 02:27:16 -0700

This is my first post. I am a real estate broker in Menlo Park, California. I like to write. I like people to read my writing; I prefer it that people enjoy reading my writing. My commitment to you is to do my best to make this space professional, useful and enjoyable. I look forward to your reactions and hope you will share your thoughts. I teach a course at Stanford in the Continuing Studies Program on real estate called Residential Real Estate: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. I've taught the course for 4 quarters and am about to embark on the 5th quarter this Fall. Today I had a visit from a student who had taken the class in the spring of this year. He came to meet me to discuss helping his children buy houses in the San Francisco Bay Area, especially Palo Alto or possibly Redwood City. However, the most enjoyable thing he told me was how taking my course had given both an overview of the residential real estate transaction process and an exposure to the details that drive the success of a transaction. He said that the class had put him in a stronger position to act with confidence based on knowledge. That, of course, is what teaching is all about and why I love it so. And that is the outcome I'm seeking as I begin this blogging venture. Good luck to us all.

Gay Advertising Venues

Don Diltz DRE:01204965 (Coldwell Banker) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 01:29:04 -0700

I'm looking for advice on where to advertise for more gay clients.

I live and work in the mid SF Peninsula. Great location and very gay liberated. But there is not a high concentration of gay folk or gay culture or venues. San Francisco is 25 minutes to the north but advertising there (e.g., in the B.A.R. or any gay rag) doesn't seem cost effective because the readership would not include a high concentration of peninsulans. There are a couple of common interest groups (Frontrunners, and small new Gay chamber of commerce) and I am involved with these. However, it really feels difficult to get traction.

Anyone have any suggestions?