I have been telling my Palo Alto clients that the city has seen an increase in pricing the last few months and finally the media has witten an article confirming what I had been saying.

See the link to the original article written by the "San Francisco Business Times"...

Palo Alto prices up in May '09, http://tinyurl.com/pv5wst

Sometimes it can be gratifying get reinforcement of your thoughts.

Thanks!!

For more information please email me at: kglidewell@pacunion.com or visit my website at: http://www.KenGlidewell.com

Along with San Francisco, I track home sales in Atherton, Palo Alto & Menlo Park, CA just to name a few.

And last week, several Menlo Park properties that had been on the market for some time, all went pending or sold.

In Palo Alto, a new listing came on and sold within 2 weeks with double digit number of offers and 200K+ over the asking.

Now I know many of you will be referencing the media's negative perspective of the real estate market. But I am telling you that there are parts of the Bay Area real estate market that are ignoring the downward conversation. 

Be smart, this time of year families are wrapping up their current school year and preparing for summer vacations and the like. But they are also making home selling and buying decisions that will be in place before the next school year begins. So call your "professional" agent and get a real market perspective and walk away from people giving you uninformed analysis, like the guy at the deli counter.

Prepared by: Ken Glidewell for questions or a vendor referral just email me at: kglidewell@pacunion.com

or visit my website: http://www.KenGlidewell.com

Well Spring is here. And before you get too busy going to soccer games, sailing on the bay or playing ultimate frisbee remember to pay some attention to your home.

Here is a checklist on a few spring cleaning items:

Clean your windows so the sun can shine in.

Pull out the pation furniture, rinse them off and check all the nuts and bolts.

Check the irigation system, don't want to waste any water.

Freshen up the garden with some new plants and flowers.

Have the carpets and area rugs cleaned.

Change the air filters in your furnace and air conditioning systems.

Clean out the gutters...one more time.

Now, go sailing!!

Prepared by: Ken Glidewell for questions or a vendor referral just email me at: kglidewell@pacunion.com

or visit my website: http://www.KenGlidewell.com

I have represented alot of buyers in the last 18 months and I would like to take this time to share some of these simple but necessary experiences.

1. Buyers stay in constant communication with your preferred lender. As the market and economy transition it will be important to stay on top of very key elements like: interest rates, down payment requirements, terms and appraisal requirements. All can torpedo a deal in the most inopportune time, trust me.

2. Buyers please stay on top of the market trends as presented by your real estate agent. various districts in San Francisco are hot and others are dead. So make sure you are following the market closely so you can present the right offer and terms given the conditions you are presented.

3. Buyers stay focused and TRY to not get distracted with external influences that may cloud your judgement. This can be as simple as work issues, family medling, lack of sleep or just not eating properly.

4. Be realistic. The days of "no doc" loans are gone. Please take the time at the begining of the search process to realistically identify the correct price point that you can afford and if more than 4 months go by make sure you honestly re-evaluate this price point to stay on target. It is so critical these days.

Buying a home is a major business transaction and it should be handled accordingly.

For a "market update" give me a call or send me an email with the area you would like to have evaluated.

Ken Glidewell, kglidewell@pacuion.com  http://www.KenGlidewell.com

Today (Tuesday) is the weekly brokers tour day in San Francisco. Having gotten use to minimal inventory and over priced property.

I was glad to have observed that "today" there seems to be an incremental amount of new and reasonably priced properties on tour.

We are still at low inventory levels but at least there are now properties that have potential for a willing buyer.

Mark this date in your calendars!!

If you have questions or comments please email me at: kglidewell@pacunion.com or visit my website at: http://www.KenGlidewell.com.

Just this past week, a major SF apartment landlord was reported to have given some 50+ apartment properties back to the bank. The apartment buildings reportedly represented about 1500 apartments in San Francisco.

My question is: Are other real estate professionals seeing similar activities in their cities or is this an isolated case?

If so what do you think the impact will be in your area with the overall rental market and condominium sales market?

Hang on we are in for a ride!!

For more information or details contact Ken at: kglidewell@pacunion.com

or visit his website at: http://www.KenGlidewell.com

Maybe I am experiencing a little business hangover but a business news channel just reported that Mr. Madoff was released to his home after a hearing on his 50 Billion dollar fraud case.

Now maybe my logic is askew but seems like the gentleman should be held in jail until his trial.

Seems like there is sizeable evidence to marginally conclude that he has committed this alledged fraud so why isn't he sitting behind bars?

I am baffled!! But how does the saying go, "Money talks and _-_-_-_ walks"... a new twist I would say.

Ken~

Always the realist, I am know to be conservative in my calls but I think it is official, The Bay Area has hit its own real estate slowdown.

As near as I can tell, the full impact started in San Francisco & the Pennisula about November 10th. I know you are saying "duh" the country knew this months ago.

Well it really did not affect our market until recently and still there are districts in San Francisco that are still active and parts of the pennisula that are still growing in price per unit and sales. (can you say Palo Alto?)

National pundits are saying that the Bay Area was the last to get hit and will be the first to recover so if their prognosis is accurate then lets figure a second quarter turn for us to the upside.

Locally, I have been telling my buyers to get familiar with their targeted market so when we see a change then we can act accordingly. To me that means "snatch up some deals" before prices start rising again.

If you are an investor, think about 6-10 unit apartment buildings now. Because rents are holding steady and there are several local apartment owners who have over extended themselves.

Anyway, I wish everyone the best this holiday season, Happy Holidays!!

For more information or details contact Ken at: kglidewell@pacunion.com

or visit his website at: http://www.KenGlidewell.com

It is a little chilly here in San Francisco today and I am not talking about the real estate market.

The cooler temperatures remind me that it is winter time in the balance of the country and what better time to make your home "winter ready".

Here is a short list of items to check before it starts raining or snowing where you live:

• Check the rain gutters & roof for debris
• Trim trees, bushes and gather leaves
• Maintain plumbing pipes
• Set a minimum temperature on your thermostat (I recommend 70 degrees but most experts say 65 degrees is minimal)
• Check your water heater and wrap with insulation as necessary
• Check insulation in attic, basements and crawl spaces
• Make a list of qualified contractors for emergencies (plumber, roofer, handyman etc...)
• Drain or service hotubs, pools and spas

These and other tips are available as a free service to my clients and friends.

Have a great winter!!

Ken Glidewell, kglidewell@pacunion.com

http://www.SFLuxuryProperties.com

A month or so ago, I expressed my thoughts on using "LinkedIn", the professional social networking service.

Well this month I am again singing its praise. My 'network' has experienced a steady growth adding about 5-10 new connections per month.

I answer real estate questions asked by the audience of 30 million users and join real estate "groups" (and others) that I believe add value to my business. Like my alumni association and other social organizations I frequent.

Question: Are you getting any business from the site?

Answer: YES, 2 transactions with 2 more buyers currently looking for property.

Utilizing LinkedIn's "network effect" is very similar to a real estate person developing a "referral base". I think we all understand how valuable that is to a real estate agent's business.

Heck I am still using the free version but frankly with the traction I have been getting I am seriously considering buying the upgrade version. $20.00/mth is alot cheaper than the website, blog, open house ad's, postcards and all the other marketing efforts that I am paying for each month.

If you have not tried LinkedIn yet or are like some who just don't get it, I STRONGELY suggest creating a profile and start building your network today!!

Ken Glidewell, kglidewell@pacunion.com, http://www.KenGlidewell.com