By Michelle Carr-Crowe, Cupertino real estate agent selling homes in San Jose, Calif. Sorry to be blunt, but seriously, your images aren’t worth waiting for. Whenever someone clicks to read your post and has to "Wait for It" to load they have two choices… Wait for It or Skip It?   I understand it is exciting to have all of these new “toys” but be respectful of your audience.   For photos and images – 300 is about the max (NOT 800). *However, Nestor & Katerina advocate the use of large images for their luxury home promotional blogs. For videos – enable a “click here” and shut off the auto-play function.   For wallpapers – seriously, people, just remove those wallpapers. I can’t tell you how many blogs I end up closing and ignoring because slow-loading wallpaper delayed the opening.   For... 03/12/2012

10 Hours Left to Enter ActiveRain’s KICK BUTT Listing Presentation Contest By Michelle Carr-Crowe, Silicon Valley real estate agent and San Jose Lynbrook High Homes Expert Yes, you still have time to enter ActiveRain’s KICK BUTT Listing Presentation Contest-the deadline was extended to midnight, tonight, on Monday, March 12th, 2012. So are you a one-step or two-step person? Is it a printed report or paperless? What tools do you use? Don’t be shy. By participating you are helping everyone to improve their listing presentations. Remember you must at least give AR a peek at your actual presentation, either with a video, power point or PDF file. I am posting this as part of ActiveRain’s The most amazing KICK BUTT Listing Presentation contest EXTENDED!! YEAH!!!!  You can still participate-ju... 03/12/2012

Cupertino, Calif. 95014 Open Houses Open Homes Sunday, March 11, 2012 By Michelle Carr-Crowe, ABR, CDPE, SRES Cupertino Saratoga San Jose Lynbrook Homes Expert This Sunday, March 11, 2012, 20 residential properties for sale are holding open homes in Cupertino, Calif., 95014.  All of these homes fall within the “Cupertino Schools” area. High schools for these homes are either Monta Vista or Cupertino High. To see any of these homes or obtain market research and information, Text or Just Call 408.252.8900 to speak with the San Jose Saratoga Lynbrook High Homes experts. Address Price DOM Beds Baths sf Lot Size Time 10791 BROOKWELL DRIVE 869000 11 3 2|0 1176 6,195 sf 1:30 -4:30 10396 NORWICH AVENUE 998888 9 3 2|0 1552 7,630 sf 1:00 -4:00 19611 LA MAR DRIVE 1398888 6 4 3|0 2229 9,856 sf 1:00... 03/11/2012

Cupertino, Calif. Open Houses Open Homes Sunday, March 11, 2012 By Michelle Carr-Crowe, ABR, CDPE, SRES Cupertino Saratoga San Jose Lynbrook Homes Expert This Sunday, March 11, 2012, 20 residential properties for sale are holding open homes in Cupertino, Calif.  All of these homes fall within the “Cupertino Schools” area. High schools for these homes are either Monta Vista or Cupertino High. To see any of these homes or obtain market research and information, Text or Just Call 408.252.8900 to speak with the San Jose Saratoga Lynbrook High Homes experts. Address Price DOM Beds Baths sf Lot Size Time 10791 BROOKWELL DRIVE 869000 11 3 2|0 1176 6,195 sf 1:30 -4:30 10396 NORWICH AVENUE 998888 9 3 2|0 1552 7,630 sf 1:00 -4:00 19611 LA MAR DRIVE 1398888 6 4 3|0 2229 9,856 sf 1:00 -4:00 19892 P... 03/10/2012

488,489…What do Those ActiveRain Points Mean Again? by Michelle Carr-Crowe, San Jose, Saratoga & Cupertino homes selling expert I am finally closing in on that magical half-million ActiveRain points mark. Tonight after commenting on some other great ActiveRain blog posts at Zeke Enjoying Our Last Snowfall, Kweeh Wordless Wednesday 3/7/2012 – Orange Blossom Special-“ist” and Sweet Treats & Such - Albuquerque,  I noticed my ActiveRain points score was 488,489 points. Somehow it just seemed like a good “sign” that I am getting that much closer to reaching my goal of hitting 500,000 by the end of March 2012. While I know logically that hitting the half-million mark on ActiveRain points won’t change my life, anytime someone reaches a goal, it’s a cause for celebration. I’ll keep you posted o... 03/10/2012

Here are some current Inventory numbers for week 10 in the Cupertino area…once again, it's our interpretation of what the market is really doing and where it's heading.   More Real Estate and Less Hype 2 Single family homes currently listed as bank owned 10 Single family homes currently listed as short sales 6 Single family homes are currently overpriced 44 Single family homes sold in the past 90 days 72 Single family homes in escrow (9 short sales) 118 Single family homes listed for sale 28 Total homes in foreclosure $1,028,500 Median sale price for single family homes in past 90 days   03/10/2012

Cupertino Union School District Open Enrollment / Lottery Results for 2012-2013 School Year   On Thursday March 1, 2012, the Cupertino Union School District Open Enrollment / Lottery was held for the 2012-2013 School Year. The order of drawing was:9:00am All Attendance Area Schools (except Alternative Education Program Schools)9:30am Mandarin Immersion Alternative Program (CLIP)9:45am Murdoch-Portal Alternative Program School10:30am McAuliffe Alternative Program School10:45am Faria A+ Alternative Program SchoolRight now, a Lottery Wait List is being established for each school, based on the drawn lottery numbers. Results will be sent to parents by mail during the week of March 26th. Any parent who has not received his/her Lottery results by Monday April 2nd should call the CUSD office ... 03/05/2012

2 Reasons to Duck Out from Google to Duck Duck Go  by Michelle Carr Crowe, Top 5% Cupertino homes expert Another ActiveRain blogger recently mentioned a new search website I wasn’t yet familiar with, www.duckduckgo.com. Admittedly my first thought was, “Do we really need another search site?” However, here are 2 good reasons to “duck out” of Google and head over to www.duckduckgo.com.   1.  No cookies or tracking. Now we all know that the  www.google.com  mantra is “Don’t be Evil.” However, in pursuit of “customizing results tailored to the individual” Google (and other search sites) track our Internet usage based on “who we are,” (self-described identities, including those crazy photos on www.facebook.com), our search history and click (“likes”) history.      2. No filter bubbles.  The... 03/01/2012

  Here are some current Inventory numbers for week 9 in the Cupertino area…once again, it's our interpretation of what the market is really doing and where it's heading.       More Real Estate and Less Hype   2 Single family homes currently listed as bank owned 9 Single family homes currently listed as short sales 6 Single family homes are currently overpriced 37 Single family homes sold in the past 90 days 58 Single family homes in escrow (8 short sales) 109 Single family homes listed for sale 27 Total homes in foreclosure $975,000 Median sale price for single family homes in past 90 days           03/01/2012

by Michelle Carr Crowe Cupertino real estate agent selling San Jose homes As of February 29, 2012, 12 new Homes for Sale are available in Cupertino, West San Jose and Sunnyvale, Calif. Prices range from $405,000 for a 2 Bedroom Cupertino Creekside Condo in West San Jose with Lynbrook High School to $1,395,000 for a 6 Bedroom Cupertino, Calif. home with Cupertino High School. When you’d like to see these West San Jose, Sunnyvale and Cupertino, Calif. homes, Just Call 408-252-8900. Status Add'l Info MLS Num Address Price DOM Beds Baths (F|P) SqFt Lot Size City Age Active   81207572 10204 BRET AVENUE $1,395,000 0 6 3|1 3,367 9,375 Sqft Cupertino 26 Active   81207602 20010 DE PALMA LANE $1,328,000 0 4 2|1 2,354 9,583 Sqft Cupertino 24 Active   81207551 11803 TRINITY SPRING COURT $1,198,000 ... 02/29/2012

No ActiveRain Points for Blog Comments? by Michelle Carr-Crowe, Cupertino real estate agent selling homes in San Jose, Calif. Is anyone else having problems receiving no ActiveRain points for blog comments tonight? I happily commented on about 15 blogs and then when I was at my own home page noticed there was no tracking of my comments made.  Puzzled, I checked back at my Points and only saw my points from 2/26 and none from 2/27. I sent an email to AR noting the problem. Then I tried logging out, then logging in, and making 3 new comments but still no points for my comments are showing in either place - the tracking blog nor the points log. Is anyone else experiencing a problems with no ActiveRain points received for blog comments tonight? Please fix and let me know. Thanks. 02/26/2012

Here are some current Inventory numbers for week 8 in the Cupertino area…once again, it's our interpretation of what the market is really doing and where it's heading.   More Real Estate and Less Hype 1 Single family homes currently listed as bank owned 8 Single family homes currently listed as short sales 9 Single family homes are currently overpriced 35 Single family homes sold in the past 90 days 56 Single family homes in escrow (8 short sales) 95 Single family homes listed for sale 28 Total homes in foreclosure $990,000 Median sale price for single family homes in past 90 days   02/24/2012

Cupertino Home Sale and Listing Trends from January 2003 - January 2012 The Graph shows the number of Cupertino Home Listings (homes put on the MLS market For Sale) and Sales each January from 2003 through 2012 according to the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS; MLSListings, Inc.). Nine Cupertino homes Sold in January 2012 and that was the fewest for any January since 2003, except for January 2008.  But the gradual trend of fewer Listings has kept the Cupertino real estate market strong. Last year, the average Sale Price to List Price averge was 100.1% of Asking Price.  Mulitple, competing buyers bid-up above Listing Prices. Note that the ratio of Sales to Listings was about 1 to 3 in 2012; but only 1 to 4 in 2008. The individual Cupertino home sales in January 2012 is shown here alon... 02/20/2012

Only 6% Cupertino, Calif. homes for Sale are Distressed, Bank-Owned or Foreclosures by Michelle Carr Crowe, Top 5% Cupertino homes expert Are you looking for a bargain? Do you have all cash and are just waiting for the right opportunity? Are you willing to wait a while for the bank or lender to accept your offer? Right now, as of February 18, 2012, there are only 2 Cupertino distressed Properties for Sale on the market without contracts...yet. With only 2 Cupertino, Calif. homes for Sale being Distressed, Bank-Owned or Foreclosures out of 31 total homes for sale, that means only 6% of Cupertino homes for sale are distressed properties. As an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) and Certified Distressed Property Expert, I and my team can negotiate the best terms for you...a contract tha... 02/18/2012

Cupertino CA Home Sales in January 2012. The Map and Chart show all Cupertino CA home sales in January 2012 according to the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS;MLSListings, Inc.). Nine homes sold in Cupertino in January 2012.  That's the lowest number of sales in the past 10-years, except for January 2008 when 9 homes also sold.  But one months does not make a market.  Cupertino real estate was hot all of 2011, and it doesn't feel like that momentum is slowing.  We'll see.  For all 2011 the average Cupertino home sold for 100.1% of Asking Price.  That indicates bidding wars by competing buyers. Averages (shown on the bottom row of the Chart) for only nine sales is subject to errors and incorrect conclusions because 1 or 2 aberrant sales can skew the average.  With that said, the avera... 02/18/2012

Here are some current Inventory numbers for week 7 in the Cupertino area…once again, it's our interpretation of what the market is really doing and where it's heading.   More Real Estate and Less Hype 1 Single family homes currently listed as bank owned 8 Single family homes currently listed as short sales 10 Single family homes are currently overpriced 34 Single family homes sold in the past 90 days 47 Single family homes in escrow (7 short sales) 89 Single family homes listed for sale 24 Total homes in foreclosure $1,010,000 Median sale price for single family homes in past 90 days   02/17/2012

Cupertino Union School District Kindergarten Registration for the 2012-2013 School Year   The Cupertino Union School District Kindergarten Registration for the 2012-2013 School Year is taking place right now. It started on February 6th and will continue through February 16th. Parents must go to the office of their neighborhood elementary school to pick up registration packets. The reg packets will be sequentially numbered. The number is only valid if the reg packet is returned to the neighborhood school during the Kindergarten Registration Window (Feb 6 - Feb 16, 2012). Some items to note:1. Sibling priority will be given to siblings of in-district students currently attending the neighborhood school who register during the Kindergarten Registration Window.2. A Kindergarten Registration... 02/13/2012

Here are some current Inventory numbers for week 6 in the Cupertino area…once again, it's our interpretation of what the market is really doing and where it's heading.   More Real Estate and Less Hype 1 Single family homes currently listed as bank owned 8 Single family homes currently listed as short sales 11 Single family homes are currently overpriced 34 Single family homes sold in the past 90 days 46 Single family homes in escrow (7 short sales) 77 Single family homes listed for sale 24 Total homes in foreclosure $985,913 Median sale price for single family homes in past 90 days   02/10/2012

Here are some current Inventory numbers for week 5 in the Cupertino area…once again, it's our interpretation of what the market is really doing and where it's heading.   More Real Estate and Less Hype 2 Single family homes currently listed as bank owned 8 Single family homes currently listed as short sales 15 Single family homes are currently overpriced 37 Single family homes sold in the past 90 days 42 Single family homes in escrow (4 short sales) 71 Single family homes listed for sale 24 Total homes in foreclosure $981,825 Median sale price for single family homes in past 90 days   02/04/2012

It's the beginning of the year so time for the round-up of last year's distressed property sales in Cupertino. So here's what happened:   Single family and condo townhomes : Total sales:  453 Short Sales: 21 REO:            11 Distressed sales as a percentage of total sales: 6.8% Compare to 2010 Total sales:   844 Short Sales:   31 REO:            33 Distressed sales as a percentage of total sales:  7.6%   My conclusion: The percentage of distressed properties in Cupertino is virtually the same  between 2011 and 2010. Also a 6-7% distressed property sale percentage is not large enough to affect values. What is interesting is the number of total sales in Cupertino is significantly lower in 2012 than 2011. If you have any questions about short sales or bank owned homes please feel free to... 01/29/2012