Having shot several thousand homes here in Silicon Valley over the last four years, I'm often asked the same question by real estate agents and photographers alike: "What kind of camera do you use?"  The answer: I've used many cameras, all with their own distinct advantages and disadvantages.  From the Canon 5D to my Olympus C7070, I've experimented with tons of camera/lens combinations in the search of an affordable solution that I can confidently recommend to fellow photographers and real estate agents alike.  The bottom line is that your choice will boil down to two types of digital cameras: "SLR" cameras are great and offer wide angle options, but the're expensive and require additional lenses to be purchased.  "Prosumer" cameras are quite affordable, however most lack wide angle le... 03/27/2010

First-Time Cupertino Homebuyers Alert: Only 40 Days Left to Qualify for FREE Tax Credit by Michelle C. Carr-Crowe First-Time Cupertino Homebuyers Alert: Urgent! There's only 40 days left to qualify for the U.S. Government's free tax credit of up to $8,000. I’ll make it brief and to the point: there are financially sound reasons to carefully consider buying in spring 2010. For example, 2010 is a good year to buy in San Jose, Campbell, Los Gatos, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Saratoga or Cupertino IF you meet both of the following criteria: 1) You plan to buy a property for less than $800,000 2) You have not owned a home in the last 3 years There are additional qualification requirements; to find out more details, send an email to info@michellejudycarr.com. FYI, there are additional ... 03/21/2010

Open Houses in Saratoga & Cupertino with Monta Vista High Sunday March 21   by Michelle C. Carr-Crowe Hello. For those of you looking for open homes (single-family homes, condos, townhomes, duplexes or even multi-family dwellings) in either Saratoga or Cupertino with Monta Vista High School (and a budget of under $1.4M), here are all of the choices for this Sunday, March 21.   Please let me know your questions and how I can help you on your real estate journey. 0       If you'd like information about these homes, Just Call (408) 252-8900. These are all Open Houses in Saratoga & Cupertino with Monta Vista High for Sunday March 21 and include single-family homes, condos, townhomes, duplexes or even multi-family dwellings. 03/20/2010

Cupertino High Wins $100,000 Dell Computer’s SuperProm Contest! By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe The votes are in and officially tabulated, with Cupertino High the winner with more than 32,000 votes. On March 8, a representative from Dell Computer presented the award at a special assembly in the gym complete with band music, cheerleaders and 1,700 enthusiastic students. Senior class president Justin Li initiated the Kenya Dream vision back when the class of 2010 were mere freshmen. Their goal was to raise $100,000 over their four years to donate to Nthimbiri Secondary School in Meru, Kenya. While fundraising efforts (car washes, button and shirt sales, matching donations from the Rotary Club) over the past four years were steady and substantial, it wasn’t until Dell’s SuperProm contest came up... 03/08/2010

Support Cupertino High kids for SuperProm! Vote in the next 30 minutes, by Midnight 2/28! Proceeds to fund Kenya Dream school Support Cupertino High kids for SuperProm! Proceeds to fund Kenya Dream school If you think today's students are completely self-centered, check out this video and vote by midnight on Feb. 28. Dell Computer is holding a contest with the most deserving school receiving a $100,000 prom. However, check out what the students of Cupertino High plan to do with the money if they win - help a school in Kenya upgrade their facilities! Cupertino is an overall wealthy area. The parents, teachers and community should be very proud that a class of students would forego a fabulous prom to help improve facilities at a school on a different continent-a goal the class of 2010 has... 02/28/2010

Support Cupertino High kids for SuperProm! Proceeds to fund Kenya Dream school If you think today's students are completely self-centered, check out this video and vote by midnight on Feb. 28. Dell Computer is holding a contest with the most deserving school receiving a $100,000 prom. However, check out what the students of Cupertino High plan to do with the money if they win - help a school in Kenya upgrade their facilities! Cupertino is an overall wealthy area. The parents, teachers and community should be very proud that a class of students would forego a fabulous prom to help improve facilities at a school on a different continent.  IT IS TIME TO VOTE.  It doesn't matter what school you or your children go to, PLEASE vote for Cupertino in this. This senior class has raised funds all... 02/27/2010

While poking around in some news articles on virtual tours today, I came across an article on a new iphone app called "VideoPano".  Since I specialize in shooting panoramic photography, I was curious to see what this little $1.99 app could do for me. The results were mixed.  It was extremely easy to create the panos.  All I had to do was hit record, then rotate in a semi-cicle, then let it automatically stitch the images for me, and voila! A panoramic image in under 2 minutes! The downside is that the images were of fairly low quality.  Obviously there is a huge difference betweeen the two in quality, however I think that for some the iphone app may still be a viable option.     Update (7/24/2011): Check out PhotoSynth for iPhone - works very nice and allows for exposure lock..   http:/... 02/22/2010

West San Jose Lynbrook High Homes Update 02.20.10 Right now, the West San Jose Lynbrook High Homes market is hot for certain types of homes. Properties well-priced for condition, location and amenities are moving quickly from for sale to pending. For example, there are only 3 single family homes for sale and 13 pending vs. 6 condos/townhomes vs. 6 pending, and only 1 closing this week. Inventory remains exceptionally low as compared to last year, with only 3 single family homes for sale and 4 x that many homes pending. This inventory imbalance is fostering a temporary “sellers market” in West San Jose with Lynbrook High. Especially with all of the positive press about Lynbrook High’s stellar science stars (see my blogs at www.activerain.com/results). For a free detailed report of this w... 02/19/2010

First-Time Cupertino Homebuyers Alert: Only 73 Days Left to Qualify for FREE Tax Credit by Michelle C. Carr-Crowe First-Time Cupertino Homebuyers Alert: Urgent! There's only 73 days left to qualify for the U.S. Government's free tax credit of up to $8,000. I’ll make it brief and to the point: there are financially sound reasons to carefully consider buying in spring 2010. For example, 2010 is a good year to buy in San Jose, Campbell, Los Gatos, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Saratoga or Cupertino IF you meet both of the following criteria: 1) You plan to buy a property for less than $800,000 2) You have not owned a home in the last 3 years There are additional qualification requirements; to find out more details, send an email to info@michellejudycarr.com. FYI, there are additional ... 02/15/2010

San Jose, Saratoga, Santa Clara & Cupertino Open Houses with Cupertino Schools for Sun., Jan. 31 by Michelle C. Carr-Crowe Following is a list of San Jose Homes for Sale in Santa Clara with Cupertino Schools, including Cupertino High Homes, that have open house for Jan. 31 with these high-performing Cupertino Schools: Lynbrook, Monta Vista & Cupertino High in the following Cities: San Jose, Cupertino, Saratoga & Santa Clara. Be sure to stop by and see our *2* New Get RE$ult$ Team Homes! Thinking of buying a home in 2010...in San Jose...Saratoga...Santa Clara? Considering buying a home within Nationally-Recognized Cupertino Schools? Curious about first-time homebuyer tax credit expiring April 30...existing homeowner tax credit expiring April 30...the tax-free capital gain benefit expirin... 01/30/2010

Stylish & Spacious Santa Clara Home with Cupertino High only $828K! You're Invited to a Get RE$ult$ Team Open House in Santa Clara Home, Sun., Jan. 31st, 1:30-4:30 By Michelle Carr-Crowe of the Get RE$ult$ Team, Your Lynbrook & Cupertino Schools Experts Come to a Get RE$ult$ Team open house and see how real estate consultants work differently ... and why we're the Lynbrook Cupertino Schools Experts! You're Invited to *2* Get RE$ult$ Team Open Homes! Sun., Jan. 31st, 1:30-4:30 20644 Oak Creek, Saratoga . 3735 Pruneridge, Santa Clara 3735 Pruneridge, Santa Clara - Stylish & Spacious! Stylish & Spacious !! Westwood Oaks! GORGEOUS BULLNOSE GRANITE SLAB!! Recessed Lights !! 5 Skylights !! THICK Crown Molding & Baseboards !! Glowing Hardwood !! Tile Baths !! Lg. & Lovely Updated 3 Br! ~1674 s... 01/30/2010

How a Winter Holiday Weekend Can Help Buyers Negotiate (and GET!) a Great Home Buy By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe, ABR, ALHS, ASP, CDPE, PME, RECS, SRES Did you know it's estimated about 30 percent of the population in Santa Clara County leaves the immediate Valley during most holiday (three-day) weekends? Even in this fiscally conservative environment time, people still plan to get away to visit friends or relatives, as well as campgrounds, beaches, theme parks and pre-paid timeshares. What does this mean for the Buyers who stay in town? First and foremost is OPPORTUNITY due to temporarily reduced competition! Especially in the more competitive market segments, such as under $900,000 for single-family in Lynbrook High, under $600,000 for Cambrian with Branham or Leigh High Schools or almost... 01/17/2010

Carol Wedemeyer’s “In With The Tide”                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ruby’s  Clay  Studio  &  Gallery is located at 552A Noe Street (between 18th & 19th) San Francisco, CA 94114                                                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OPENING Saturday the 6th,  6 – 9 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Open 10AM – 7PM daily Ruby’s Studio # 415-437-1642 www.carolwedemeyer.org Carol is a member of the Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 01/16/2010

Cupertino Home Buyer Questions Answered About the NEW Tax Credits FAQ's Answered About the NEW Home Buyer Tax Credits By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe U.S. Congress passed an extension and expansion of the federal home buyer tax credit that runs from December 1, 2009 until April 30 of 2010. First-time home buyers may receive up to a $8,000 tax credit. Under the expanded credit, repeat buyers who qualify may receive up to a $6,500 tax credit. Below is a quick outline of the updated rules. Definition of First-time Home Buyers: • To qualify as a "first-time home buyer" the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase. • Available for purchase of home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. • The maximum allowable credit is $8,000. So... 01/10/2010

Cupertino New and Existing Home Buyer Questions Answered About the NEW Tax Credits FAQ's Answered About  the NEW Home Buyer Tax Credits By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe Important Information on Home Buyer Tax Credits U.S. Congress passed an extension and expansion of the federal home buyer tax credit that runs from December 1, 2009 until April 30 of 2010. First-time home buyers may receive up to a $8,000 tax credit. Under the expanded credit, repeat buyers who qualify may receive up to a $6,500 tax credit. Below is a quick outline of the updated rules.Definition of First-time Home Buyers: · To qualify as a "first-time home buyer" the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase. · Available for purchase of home between November 7, 2009... 01/09/2010

2009 has been quite a year for Silicon Valley real estate. Santa Clara County finally saw the tsunami which hit the rest of the U.S. in 2007/2008. Yet, even with the valley’s broad drop in home values, some select cities, such as Cupertino, CA; Los Altos, and Mountain View, escaped the wave of foreclosures and short sales. At the start of 2009, mortgages, particularly jumbo mortgages (over $729,750) were virtually impossible to qualify for, but as time passed the banks slowly opened their purse strings. As home prices dropped we saw the re-introduction of FHA and VA loans (government guaranteed loans where buyers only have to put 3.5% down). In years past, the latter loan types didn’t make sense in the valley as our home prices exceeded the loan thresholds for these products. As “Bank” ... 01/02/2010

Open House! Exclusive-Not on MLS! Sat. & Sun. Just Call 408-252-8900 for Details & Info Santa Clara with Cupertino High! Gorgeous & Updated! Located on Large & Lovely Oversized Lot! Desirable Westwood Oaks! 01/02/2010

Move-Down Cupertino Seniors-Get Your FREE Government Money!* By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe Did you know there is now FREE Government Money for Move-Down Seniors in Cupertino in the form of a new, limited-time, tax credit?* Right now, there’s a classic 3-bedroom bungalow in the exclusive Dry Creek are of Willow Glen in San Jose just waiting for a move-down senior owner. And if you act now and close by April 30, 2010, you may also qualify for approximately $6,000 in the form of a government tax credit-EVEN if you're not a first-time home buyer! For example, located on a quiet, tree-lined street in beautiful Willow Glen, “Grandma’s Cottage” at 2180 Cheryl Way is a well-cared-for home featuring gleaming hardwood floors, an efficiency kitchen and dual pane windows. At a price of $600,000, a firs... 12/27/2009

Cupertino's Monta Vista High Offers Great Holiday Concert December 17 by Michelle C. Carr-Crowe Are you looking for a family-friendly, entertaining way to enjoy the holidays? Wherever you live in Silicon Valley - Cupertino, San Jose, Saratoga, Sunnyvale or Santa Clara, support Cupertino area high schools and attend one of the low-cost holiday choir concerts this week. MONTA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL December 17 — Holiday Concert at 7:30pm in Auditorium Also, FREMONT HIGH SCHOOL performs December 17 — Choir Concert at 7pm at Saint Luke in Sunnyvale. These students have rehearsed and planned to bring a festive, enjoyable performance to the community. It's cold outside, but these shows will warm your heart without straining your pocketbook. 12/15/2009

 FREE California Flatbreads in Cupertino Tu., 12/15 at Jamba Juice  By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe Just in time for the holidays, Jamba Juice is giving away FREE California Flatbreads on Tuesday, December 15, for a limited time between 11 am and 2 pm. There are 4 flavors: Tomo Artichoko, Four Cheesy, Smokehouse Chicken or MediterraneYUM. They advise arriving early to be sure to get your freebie. You can locate the nearest participating Jamba Juice location in San Jose, Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Sunnyvale or Santa Clara at http://www.jambajuice.com/index.cfm?dd=jamba_locator The closest location in Cupertino is 21265 Stevens Creek Blvd #201, Cupertino. See you at Jamba Juice on Tues., December 15 between 11:00 and 2:00 for your FREE California Flatbread.   12/14/2009