As a Klout member and Ambassador for Spotify, I have 5 FREE Invitations for Spotify Music In my recent post, Free Spotify Music from Klout - Are You Eligible?, I noted the place you can check for eligibility if you are already a Klout member. If you aren't yet a member of Klout, I have 5 free invitations to share for Spotify. Just send me your email address and I'll forward the link for you to use. FYI, Spotify is a European-based site that let's me play songs for free. I'm still getting mine set up.Prior to Monday, I have so far only been observing or dabbling with Klout. As of today, I am now considered a "conversationalist." My broker Chris Alston of Keller Williams Cupertino is quite tech-savvy and has a high Klout score. Are you using Klout to check your social media influence? If ... 07/22/2011

You Can Finally Pay Santa Clara County Library Fees Online by Michelle Carr-Crowe, Your Homes in Lynbrook & Cupertino Schools Expert As a long-time patron of the Santa Clara County Library, I am relieved to share the big news: You Can Finally Pay Library Fees Online! Fellow citizens in Saratoga, Cupertino, Campbell, Los Altos, etc. please join me in celebrating this positive news. I’ve requested this service for years but this is the first time it’s been offered. Obviously, you need to register and use a credit card to pay your fines and fees. However, I can tell you it’s a helpful service because when your fines and fees are higher than $10, you cannot renew your other library materials, thereby incurring even MORE fees. Thank you to the library staff and administration who helped make... 07/21/2011

Cupertino Median Home Price June 1998 Through June 2011. The Graph shows the Median Sale Price of Single Family Residences sold in Cupertino, CA each June from 1998 through 2011 according to the local Multiple Listing Service (MLSListings, Inc.). The June 2011 Median Sale Price increased 13% percent  compared to June 2010 and reversed the downward trend since June 2008.  Cupertino with its coveted Cupertino School District remains an attractive location for todays young families with school-aged children.   Previous Cupertino Market Reports can be found here for the history of the percentage of List Price received in the Sale Price; and here for the Median Sale Prices in May; and here for the Median Sale Prices in March. To discuss your real estate situation, please don't hesitate to ca... 07/13/2011

Listings and Sales of Cupertino, CA Homes; a Real Estate Market Report June 1998 through June 2011 The Graph shows the number of Cupertino, CA Listings (i.e., homes put on the market For Sale) and the number of sales each June from 1998 through 2011 according to the local Multiple Listing Service (MLSListings, Inc.). The 14 year average is shown in the rightmost bars. Like most of Silicon Valley and Santa Clara County the number of homes Listed For Sale is down; 18% fewer than average for June and the fourth lowest total in the past 14 years.  That's a trend we're seeing in many parts of the Valley which is causing a shortage of homes For Sale.  In Cupertino the Average Sale Price in June 2011 of $1,182,099 was 100.6% on the Average Asking Price.  This indicates the prevalence of Multip... 07/12/2011

Cupertino 95014 Homes Open July 9 & 10 2011 By Michelle Carr-Crowe, ABR, CDPE, SRES Cupertino Monta Vista Saratoga San Jose Lynbrook Homes Expert Throughout the Cupertino, Calif. area in zip code 95014 with Cupertino Schools, a total of 26 properties will hold open houses this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10, 2011. Prices range from $548K for a small condo and up to $2,999,000 for a large 4,794-sf single family Monta Vista  High home. To see any of these homes or obtain market research and information, Text or Just Call 408.252.8900 to speak with the Cupertino Monta Vista San Jose Saratoga Lynbrook High Homes experts.     MLS # Address Price Bds Bths SqFt Lot Size Date Time   81127343 11901 PLACER SPRING COURT $1,390,000 4 3|0 2,334 5,000 Sqft 7/9/2011 1:30 -4:30   81129326 ... 07/08/2011

For those of you in the Cupertino area, you are invited to our annual family picnic at Linda Vista Park, in Cupertino, CA.   This annual event is for the whole family!  With food, drink, snacks, music and of course games and events for the kids. The picnic is from 2-6pm.  With over 15 sponsors, you know you will have a great time!   Who: Keller Williams Realty Cupertino, friends, family, agents, and all real estate professionals. Where:  Linda Vista Park.  11000 Linda Vista Drive, Cupertino CA Why:  To have a day of fun with your real estate friends and family When: Thursday July 21st, 2011   2-6pm How Much: $5 per person.  Kids Free Included:  Food, drinks, games for kids, music, raffle prizes. Ping me if you are interested in going! -Chris Alston 07/07/2011

City of Cupertino, CA home sale stats, ending June 2011 The first chart is for single family homes.  Now sometimes we giggle at the name single family, as if you are not allowed to have more than one family in the house.  What it means, (Single Family Dwelling or SFD) is that it does not share walls of common property.  So you in face own all four corners of the lot and the home and have no common ownership with other dwellings. The number if listings topped out in April-May.  We will have to see how they do this month to see if they increase or decrease.  Logically pendings are decreasing and the sales are up.  This may be due to distressed sales, and/or the listing market a few months prior. This second chart is all about condos and town homes...  It can also be called CID or Common I... 07/05/2011

A Real Estate Market Unto Itself. I closed an escrow on a listing today.  From the Listing Date to the Close of Escrow was exactly 30 days.  Inspections, reports, disclosures and a mini-staging were completed in May before the home was marketed.  The quickness of this transaction is not typical for Silicon Valley, but it isn't atypical for homes located within the Cupertino School District.  It's a real estate market unto itself. Over the past 14 Mays (I don't have June 2011 totals yet), from May 1998 through May 2011, the Average Home Sale Price in the City of Cupertino has been 100.8% of the Average List Price according of the local Multiple Listing Service, MLSlistings, Inc.  For 14 years, Sale Prices have exceeded Asking Prices, on average, as the Table shows. The primary attraction... 06/30/2011

Three-Way Tie to Name Apple's New Cupertino Home Contest-Vote Now By Michelle Carr-Crowe, Silicon Valley real estate agent I promised to keep you updated on San Jose Mercury News columnist Scott Herhold's unofficial contest to name Apple's newest Cupertino campus, and here is the follow-up, including the also-ran name suggestions. Apple's circular glass design has spurred talk throughout Silicon Valley, from San Jose to Santa Clara to Palo Alto and beyond. Nearly 2,000 entries from 1,000 people were received. Scott did not go for even ONE of my suggestions, although one of the finalists is close. After arbitrarily deleting every "i" incantation, Scott and his colleagues narrowed it down to three entries: Fruit Loop, The Halo and The Core. Some of the non-winners included JobSite, iCycle... 06/26/2011

Cupertino's Chris Alston Hits the First Page! by Michelle Carr-Crowe, Top 5% Silicon Valley real estate agent Cupertino's Chris Alston hits the First Page for California, at #50! For anyone in Silicon Valley real estate who doesn't yet know Chris Alston, team leader at Keller Williams in Cupertino, he is a superb trainer, blogger and motivator. He has been consistently blogging as well as encouraging me and others on blogging and marketing. He is a long-time Cupertino resident and graduate of Cupertino High , as well as a prominent promoter of doing business in Cupertino. I've been keeping an eye on his rankings and he is now on the first page for ActiveRain in California, #50. #50 Chris Alston (Silicon Valley, California)Real Estate Brokerage 295,742 361 36 I remember how excited I was... 06/22/2011

Name Apple's New Cupertino Home Contest By Michelle Carr-Crowe, Silicon Valley real estate agent Apple Computer's newest Cupertino campus features a cool circular design - and an opportunity to "unofficially" name the place, courtesy of San Jose Mercury News columnist Scott Herhold. Located on the 150-acre former HP campus in Cupertino, the newest Apple building appears to appeal to a wide range of people. Following are the official "rules" as they appeared in Scott's recent column announcing the contest. You send in as many nominations as you like to sherhold@mercurynews.com. A committee will pick the three best overall. I'll write a column mentioning the nominees and lauding the witty losers...Then readers will have a chance to go online and vote for the finalist they prefer. From the... 06/19/2011

In Cupertino , which has good schools, 19 out of 28  currently listed homes are pending sales and there are multiple offers (Between prices of $890,000and $1,000,000) Why wait? Before you know all the best buys will be gone.Rates are near lows and NOBODY will ring the bell before they start rising again. Street Address List Price Bldg SqFt Age DOM Class Status Lot Size 22632 ALCALDE RD $999,888 1,400 SqFt 53 27 1 10,045 SqFt 22311 STEVENS CREEK BL $998,800 1,075 SqFt 57 45 1 11,900 SqFt 10690 STOKES AV $998,000 1,666 SqFt 41 399 1 7,455 SqFt 10481 GLENVIEW AV $998,000 1,668 SqFt 52 28 1 6,300 SqFt 10500 MADERA DR $998,000 1,600 SqFt 53 5 1 10,000 SqFt 7834 FESTIVAL DR $989,900 1,190 SqFt 48 5 1 6,489 SqFt 20682 SCOFIELD DR $988,000 1,678 SqFt 60 8 1 9,768 SqFt 1087 NOVEMBER DR $978,000 ... 06/18/2011

Cupertino, Calif. Open Houses Open Homes Saturday and Sunday, June 18 & 19 2011 By Michelle Carr-Crowe, ABR, CDPE, SRES Cupertino Saratoga San Jose Lynbrook Homes Expert This Saturday and Sunday, June 18 & 19 2011, numerous 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. MLS# Address Price Beds Baths SqFt Lot Size City Date Time   81125982 21820 HERMOSA AVENUE 899888 4 1|0 1640 4,500 Sqft Cupertino 6/18/2011 12:00 PM-4:00 PM 81119612 10108 CRESCENT COURT 2380000 5 4|... 06/17/2011

Free Chili's Kids Meals Today in Cupertino by Michelle Carr-Crowe, Top 5% San Jose real estate agent FREE Chili's kids meals available in Cupertino, Calif., today , June 15th. To celebrate and acknowledge the end of the school year and beginning of summer vacation, Chili's invites adults to bring a child to dine together and enjoy a free kids meal. The fine print: one child meal is free for a child 12 or under per adult entrée ordered. In addition to Cupertino, Calif., there are nearly a dozen other Chili's location in Santa Clara County to choose from, including several in San Jose, and ones in Mountain View, Morgan Hill, Fremont and Union City. You can get phone numbers and directions to the numerous Chili's Locations in Santa Clara County here. Please verify with your desired Chili's... 06/14/2011

Steve jobs wants to build a new 150 acre Apple Campus  in Cupertino, CA, just west of San Jose along I-280. The new campus will house up to 13,000 employees, in addition to the 2,600 already in the immediate area. And all 13,000 employees will be housed in one circular 4 story campus building. The majority of the current 12,000 off-campus population are currently spread throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. The new campus is expected to open in 2015. This will likely have a big impact on housing in the Bay Area - in Cupertino especially. As well as other communities where people might be moving from. The City Council seems receptive, so look for some BIG changes in Bay Area Real Estate in the next 4 years. View the video of Steve Job's presentation HERE. 06/13/2011

"The Best Office Building in the World" - Steve Jobs Presents to the Cupertino City Council (6/7/11) Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs presented his proposal for a new Apple Campus to the Cupertino City Council. The presentation was recorded Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at the Cupertino Community Hall. I think it's definitely worth watching to see not only the brilliant architectural design of Apple's future campus, but also to see how Steve Jobs presents his case. It's concise, simple, and hard to argue against. (Click on the pic to see the presentation)   Existing Apple Office Campus   Future Apple Office Campus 06/09/2011

As a native to the bay area, and also in my 50’s, I remember all the orchards in Silicon Valley and watched most of them disappear and transform into homes and shopping malls. At the Cupertino City Council meeting on June 7, 2011, Steve Jobs talks about the apricot orchards that became the HP campus. Apple Computer now owns the land and has BIG plans for a new Apple Computer State-of-the-Art Campus. Steve Jobs feels they have a shot at building the “Best Office Building in the World” where architecture students will come to see it. Talk about innovation and leadership – right here in Silicon Valley, the High Tech Capitol of the World!   Do you suppose the future plans of Apple Computer may impact the value of real estate in Silicon Valley? Do you think owning real estate in Silicon Vall... 06/09/2011

Cupertino, CA Real Estate Market Update For May, 2011. The graph below shows the Median Sale Price of Single Family Residences sold in Cupertino on the local Multiple Listing Service (MLSListings) every May from 1998 through May 2011. The May 2011 Median Sale Price of $1,045,000 represents a 8% increase compared to one year earlier. From May 1998 through May 2011 the Median Sale Price increased an average of 3.7% compounded annually.    The graph below shows the Number of Sales and the Number of New Listings each May from 1998 through May 2011.  Compared to May average, Cupertino home sales were down 23%, and New Listings were down 29%.   These averages mask large variations throughout the City of Cupertino.  For a more in depth analysis of a particular Cupertino home, or to talk about ... 06/08/2011

Looking for a fun day at a local flea market?  Well, this flea market is differnet that most.  The DASB Flea Market in Cupertino was created so the student body could raise funds.  There are local vendors, food, along with local residents that rent out parking stalls to sell their garage sale items. The DASB flea market is located at the De Anza College parking lots, at 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.  Cupertino CA 95014. I remember as a kid, my mom getting us a stall to sell our toys that we no longer needed or played with.  I sold my Star Wars collections...  My Hot Wheels cars...  My Transformers...  My GI Joe's...  So you know going to this type event is something where you can find treasures!  I should be heading out there, as the fle market is on...  Rain or shine!  For more info: http:... 06/03/2011

Creative Success in Real Estate Via Michelle Carr Crowe, Top 5% San Jose Real Estate Agent Silicon Valley In a recent ActiveRain post, http://activerain.com/blogsview/2329057/social-media-a-double-edged-sword- by Tom Ikonomou, one of the suggestions was to Google yourself (e.g. your name), with the notation there should be at least 3 pages of links. Well, I found more than 3 pages of links, most from my listings, ads and blogs, but one of the most interesting was an interview posted on WhoHub on the topic of creative success in real estate. It was intended as a private interview, just to be turned in for her class. However, I found it revealing. I'm curious to hear your thoughts, too. WhoHub Interview with Michelle Carr Crowe of the Get Results Team, Altas Realty http://www.whohub.com/r... 06/01/2011