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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
Serving San Jose & Silicon Valley. Experience combined with Exceptional Service means happy & satisfied clients! Real People - REAL Results - Guaranteed!
Cell: (408) 499-8751
Office: (408) 972-1822
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Cell: (408) 252-8900
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San Jose, CA Real Estate News

By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
We have all been in all kinds of different “relationships” with various people for various reasons. Not everyone we meet is intended to be for the long term or become a forever friend. This reminds me of the expression we most likely have all heard: “People come into your life for a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime.” Aha Moments: Sometimes, after many years—maybe even decades—of repeated, one-sided conversations, there’s a moment of clarity. Suddenly, I pause and gently ask myself: why am I holding onto a relationship where my energy is drained, and there’s little, if any, return on the time and care I invest?For example, year after year, I send a birthday card and a gift to a friend, and rarely do I receive a thank you or even an acknowledgment. Not once has this person asked about my b...
Comments 12
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
The relief I received from the results is that, because I am a private person, the 12-9-2025 Assignment appears to have presented AI with a challenge.   I clicked on the Gemini diamond at the top of the Chrome browser. As the graphic below illustrates, it recognizes me and asks: "How can I help you today? Roast me like Comedy Central. Results: 😂 Since I don't have any personal information about you, I'll have to roast you based on the fact that you asked an AI to roast you.Here's a light-hearted, Comedy Central style burn:You came to an AI, whose primary function is helpfulness, and asked it to roast you. That's like going to a librarian and asking her to stage a WWE cage match. You're so desperate for attention, you're trying to get insulted by a highly advanced calculator.You're a bra...
Comments 11
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
I just had to experiment with this. Gemini was no help on this one either. Gemini Prompt:  Roast me, Kathleen Daniels, Probate Real Estate Specialist in San Jose, CA, like Comedy Central.Response: I cannot fulfill this request. My purpose is to be helpful and harmless, and that includes avoiding generating content that is intended to be disrespectful, mean-spirited, or a "roast" targeting a specific person.*******************************Same Prompt in Grok:  Roast me, Kathleen Daniels, Probate Real Estate Specialist in San Jose, CA, like Comedy Central.Disclaimer:  There is NOTHING funny about Death, the loss of a loved one. This is a Roast like Comedy Central Style.  Roasts are supposed to be funny and honor a person by allowing others to make light of them, showcasing their flaws. Pla...
Comments 5
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
A potential seller reached out about listing a probate property in San Jose. On paper, it looked promising: a well-located home in a highly sought-after neighborhood and the kind of listing that could have been a smooth sale in a hot market. The initial phone call started normally enough, but red flags started to appear. The caller was abrupt, interrupted constantly, and dismissed my questions about the property's condition and the family's timeline. He insisted on an inflated listing price far above market value, required unlawful terms (like excluding certain people from being shown the property or refusing required disclosures). The more I listened, my head knew, "This is not a good fit." My gut, which I refer to as my second brain, knew it too.  The second brain is the brain that ki...
Comments 15
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
Happy Thanksgiving, ActiveRain Community! 🦃In this season of gratitude, I want to thank the ActiveRain community. Whether you're sharing your market wisdom, lending support during tough moments, celebrating wins, or simply showing up to encourage others, you make this network in many ways feel like home.In an industry that moves fast and demands our best every day, it’s inspiring to be a part of this Community that gives so generously of its knowledge, experience, and heart. Your posts, conversations, and collaborations remind me how powerful community can be.I've said it many times before, I cannot imagine how I would have personally and professionally grown in real estate without this amazing group of people. I’m grateful for:🏡 The relationships that grow here—authentic, supportive, a...
Comments 18
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
What follows is a review written by one of my probate real estate clients.  Her father, who was the sole provider for the family, died suddenly, and they had to sell the home.  My client and her 2-year-old daughter lived with her parents and brother. Her mother and brother did not speak English, yet they appeared to understand some.My client, the Administrator of the Estate, spoke impeccable English. I guestimate she was maybe 25 years young.  What touched me so much was that she was so young, tasked with an incredible job, managed everything exceptionally well, was always so strong, on task, and so kind and gracious while mourning the loss of her father, the Patriarch of the Family. She also wrote the longest review I've ever received.  The review, in quotes, is below. 🧡💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡💙"The hou...
Comments 10
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
I am profoundly thankful for my clients. While there are many clients I am thankful for, I want to highlight these clients this week because this morning I received an email that read:“Hi Kathleen, I hope your neck is feeling better and you got new medicine or therapy to help. I am cooking Thanksgiving and would like you to come. It may just be us and [blank] and the babies because [blank] has to work. Maybe her in-laws, too. We hope you can come. SS” *********************I met these amazing people over twenty years ago. It was back in the day when I mailed marketing pieces to a geographical farm. I’ve completed several transactions with them over the years, as well as referring them to an ActiveRain agent when they wanted to sell an income property in another state. They are always so ...
Comments 12
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
We made it with the persistence and patience of Carol Williams and Kathy Streib! As I noted in the Q&A, Miss Anna "Banana" Kruchten 🍌🍌🍌, it is time to open the Point Store so we can send Carol and Kathy on an all-expense-paid vacation to a destination of their choice for their Herculean efforts in getting the Zoom link to WORK and their efforts to get the WORD out so people could join. When I spoke about the need for patience with AI today on the call ... I would not have gone the distance Kathy and Carol did to make it happen. Ladies, I bow down to you.  Well Done! The roundtable discussion flowed well. Thank you, Moderator, Eileen Burns. Each attendee was asked to share what marketing plans they have for Q1 2026.  The retired attendees were asked what fun things they have planned.   *...
Comments 14
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
As a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist, I spend a lot of time on phone consult calls. Many of my friends, some of whom are attorneys, think I am crazy for not charging for my time. I invest whatever time it takes to provide whatever help I can offer people, even when I know it will not result in a real estate transaction.  I've established great relationships with many local attorneys whom I trust and am comfortable referring people.Recently, I consulted with a gentleman who was calling from the East Coast.  He had a lot of questions regarding an estate that had property locally that would need to be sold. I answered all of his questions except the areas that leaned legal in nature. He was gracious and thanked me for my time.  Following the initial consult call, he sent a few que...
Comments 17
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
Before I get started, I must say that Debe’s presentation was captivating.  I am so impressed with the breadth and depth of what she shared about North Carolina! There is no way I can choose just one thing or compare it to California.  For the homework assignment, I’ve chosen to highlight many of the facts Debe Maxwell, CRS shared.  "157 people every day are coming into Charlotte."  The Gray squirrel is the State Mammal. The Sweet Potato is the State Vegetable – no surprise because the State is the Nation’s #1 producer of sweet potatoes. ************************North Carolina is an Economic PowerhouseManufacturing:  #1 in the Nation for Pharmaceuticals and Medicines#2 in the Nation for Chemicals #5 in the Nation for Aerospace products and componentsAgricultural Exports: #1 in the Nation...
Comments 14
By Sam Shueh, mba, cdpe, reopro, pe
( (408) 425-1601)
                                                                  Sam Shueh                                                                BRG Realty                                                           Silicon Valley Realty                                                            SanJose, CA 95124                                                            (408) 425-1601  Plum and Frangipane Tart Frangipane is a creamy custard made of ground nuts, butter, sugar and eggs. It’s often spread under fruit in tarts and galettes, over a layer of jam in a Bakewell tart, or tucked into a puff pastry crown to make a classic pithivier. It is most often made with almonds, but pistachios, hazelnuts and pecans (or even a mix of them!) are tasty substitutes. Almond flour is used in place of who...
Comments 12
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
Martial Cottle Park is a significant landmark in San Jose, California, appreciated for its rich agricultural history and its lasting connection to the Cottle family. The park is a testament to over 150 years of farming tradition and the legacy of one of Santa Clara County's pioneering families.The Cottle Family LegacyThe story of Martial Cottle Park begins with the Cottle family, whose roots in the Santa Clara Valley date back to the mid-19th century. Thomas and Elizabeth Cottle emigrated from England to California during the Gold Rush era, eventually acquiring land in the fertile "Valley of the Heart's Delight." Their son, Martial Cottle, inherited a portion of the family’s holdings and managed the land for much of his life. Martial Cottle was known for his commitment to agriculture an...
Comments 12
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
When I got clarity on the week two (October 7, 2025) Zoom Challenge “homework” to write a post about our dream home listing and list the five (5) tactics we would use to get the home sold in a “down market” I had to face the fact that I have never dreamed of listing any particular type of home or dreamed of listing a home at a specific price point. ************************Dream Home Listing vs Dream ClientMy Dream Home Listing is the home I list with my Dream Client.  It’s all about the people I am honored to work with in any market. Living and Listing in Silicon Valley, serving exclusively San Jose and Santa Clara County, with nearly 23 years of full-time selling in the Silicon Valley real estate market, I confess that no matter the market conditions, I’ve never considered any market a...
Comments 15
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
I am neither a podcaster nor a would-be podcaster.  This post is to complete an ActiveRain Tuesday Zoom Challenge homework assignment for September 30, 2025.  Thank you Bob "RealMan" Timm for your willingness to share your podcasting experience with us during week one of the challenge!  The challenge is to write a minimum of 250-word post explaining what we would do if we hosted our own podcast. My first thought was to podcast about reasons why ActiveRain members should NEVER sing Happy Birthday during a Zoom call.  Kathy Streib - Please accept our collective apology for causing you to endure such pain on your birthday! We only intended to demonstrate how much we love you 🧡💙_________________________________________________________________________________Welcome to the Probate Real Estat...
Comments 14
By Sam Shueh, mba, cdpe, reopro, pe
( (408) 425-1601)
                                                Sam Shueh  (408) 425-1601                                            SamShuehRealtor at Gmail.com The summer is almost over.  We had a very mild weather until last week. The LGBT+ picked up the hotest day of the year hosted a 50th Year Silicon Valley anniversary Pride with Murals and traffic jams on a Sunday morning. This was taken while I was forced to drive around 1st Street with a most streets blocked off for the event.  Adobe was a real mud casa built by the Indians near the creek in 1797.  A friend who grew up along the Guadalupe Creek thought they were Latinos. Now dna test showed she is Olone tribe, an indigenous Northern California coast natives. Unfortunately, their family lost most land in the area in a premedidated lawsuit from ...
Comments 5
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
Real estate offers me the opportunity to profoundly impact lives. In that process, my heart is often deeply touched. The connections I make with clients cannot be truly described in words. They are heartfelt experiences.Successor Trustee Selling the Family HomeBy the time the Successor Trustee called me, she had already vetted me and knew she wanted to hire me.  She lives out of the area, perhaps a 3-hour drive from San Jose. We agreed to meet at the house that had been vacant for three years. It was cold outside, yet colder inside the home – more like freezing. We sat on the couch as we discussed the process. A relative had met us at the house as well. It was so cold that they went outside to warm up. My hands were numb, and my body was shaking.This client was always so kind, so gracio...
Comments 25
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
Since day one in real estate, which began in January 2003, every single real estate transaction and person I worked with touched my heart in one way or another. How could they not? The Heart of the DealWorking with people in real estate, for me, is about more than closing a “deal” and collecting a paycheck. It is about where my heart is in the process. Every person is as unique as the real estate transaction. During the time I was working short sales following the mortgage crisis that began in early 2007, there was not one short sale that did not break my heart.  💔 💔 💔 💔 💔 💔 💔 I worked with many teachers who had very "creative financing" with special “teachers' loan programs.”  Most had three loans, several had four loans, and one had five loans. What could go wrong there? Who among the...
Comments 15
By Sam Shueh, mba, cdpe, reopro, pe
( (408) 425-1601)
                                                           Sam Shueh                                                            BRG Realty Inc                                                           San Jose,  CA                                              (408) 425-1601   Sshueh at Gmail.comSchools will start in a matter of days or few weeks.  It is time to assess if you plan to make a move or waiting for changes.    Housing Inventory Snapshot July 31, 2025   Avg List Price 30 Day Trend Avg Sold Price 30 Day Trend Avg DOM: active/sold 30 Day Trend No of Active Listings 30 Day Trend Alameda County, CA Single Family $1,017,917 -0.02% $1,074,033 -4.22% 49 / 29 4 / 4 888 -53 Luxury Single Family $2,485,755 -4.40% $2,504,195 +7.33% 44 / 22 4 / 0 294 -15 Condo/Townhom $568,463 -1.18% $581...
Comments 5
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
Thirteen years have passed since I heard those life-altering words, and though time moves forward, certain memories remain etched into the fabric of my being, too private to ever share with anyone but my son. Only he truly understands the weight of that “Dark Night of the Soul,” the moment when the world splits open and everything I thought I knew was replaced by the stark reality of “You have cancer. It’s stage 3, and it’s aggressive.”This post is an entry for the AR July 2025 Challenge: Change hosted by Lew Corcoran and Patricia Feager. Before June 6, 2012, the day my surgeon called after the biopsy, I imagined the most challenging event in my life would be leaping from an airplane, an act of courage and abandon I thought would define my limits. But perhaps, in some mysterious way, th...
Comments 27
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
I thank the Good Lord every dayFor the opportunities that come my way.The Good, The Bad, the Ugly too, And Best of all, the Whack-a-Dos!Author:  Kathleen Daniels This is my second entry into the Active Rain July 2025 Challenge "How Have You Changed" co-hosted by Lew Corcoran and Patricia Faeger.The Crazy Train 🚂😲🚂😜🚂   Over the years, I have spent considerable time consulting with individuals seeking guidance on Probate Real Estate. Most initial conversations present themselves as straightforward and routine, with callers appearing reasonable and well-balanced.However, early in my experience, I met a situation where, following a consultation, an attorney described the client as challenging to work with. His words were "She is a nut job." I was surprised to hear such candid language used ...
Comments 23
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
For many introverts, such as me, the corporate world offers a reassuring blend of structure, routine, and defined roles. Cubicles and home offices invite focus and solitude, while email, scheduled meetings, and hierarchical organization provide guardrails that allow one to contribute meaningfully, often without the need for continuous outward engagement. What happened when I left the familiar landscape for the dynamic, unpredictable realm of real estate, which is a field that, at first glance, seems tailor-made for extroverts?My transition is profound, marked by both discomfort and undeniable growth. It stretched my boundaries, exposed new facets of my personality, and allowed me to bring my paralegal, project management, communication skills, and more to the table. I discovered the emp...
Comments 18
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
This is my fourth and final entry to the ActiveRain June Point Store Challenge. We are all in with the balance of points to make it a crime to publish real estate marketing photos with the toilet seat up. Real Estate Photography Criminalized It all began on a peculiar Wednesday morning when Senator Crappy was sipping his third cup of coffee while browsing online real estate listings. His eyes narrowed onto photo after photo of pristine living rooms, glossy kitchens, and manicured lawns. But then it happened—the image that would change the course of history forever. A bathroom. A rogue toilet. Seat up.“Unacceptable!” Mr. Crappy shouted. “This is an affront to decency and decorum and should be a crime!”Mr. Crappy’s indignation was not born of mere propriety. It was personal. Years ago, du...
Comments 25
By Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, Probate Real Estate Services
(KD Realty - 408.972.1822)
After years of exchanging comments on ActiveRain blog posts, endless phone calls, emails, and planning ...The day arrives – June 14, 2025. Such a historical day: Flag Day, the Army’s 250th Anniversary, Donald J. Trump’s 79th Birthday, J.D. Vance’s Wedding Anniversary, AND the day I have long waited for, the day I meet Dr. Paula McDonald.We planned to meet on the last part of their trip to California. Paula, her husband, and son drove from Southern California to San Jose to meet in person.  I'm anxious and excited, just watching the clock as I watch the Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade on television. I learned a lot about our Nation’s history watching the parade. Unknown to me, I was about to learn a lot about Dr. Paula. We meet at 6:00 pm at a Bar & Grill Paula chose from a list of sugge...
Comments 25
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