Books are some of my favorite friends. From the Holy Bible to Jane Eyre to Agatha Christie mysteries, stories have elevated, engaged and entertained me.In this Facebook "Challenge of the Day" to "Name a Book That Changed Your Life", I select "The Road Less Traveled" by M. Scott Peck. A Christian psychologist (that's a rare combination), the first line of the book reached out and burned itself in my brain.I was going through a painful relationship with someone suffering with mentally illness, causing me to suffer as well. I often questioned myself, God and my own perception of reality.This book gave me practical tools, as well as case studies written as easily digestible stories that worked like parables for the soul.That famous first line?"Life is difficult."Once a person recognizes the... 03/31/2019

by Silicon Valley San Jose REALTOR Michelle Carr Crowe  President Obama declared Cesar Chavez Day a Federal Commenorative Holiday in 1994. It is celebrated in many states, including California, Florida and Texas. Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (later to become the United Farm Workers union, or UFW) in 1962.  With his pro-union and nonviolent tactics, Chavez helped the farm workers' cause to generate broad nationwide support. He is famous for popularizing the motto, "Si, se puedes" (meaning "Yes, we can" in Spanish). San Jose is proud to be home to Plaza de Cesar Chavez, commemorating the Mexican-American farm worker and union activist. Plaza de Cesar Chavez hosts many multi-culteral festivals and events, including San Jose's famous "Chr... 03/31/2019

What a great day to enjoy the outdoors! National Take A Walk In The Park Day occurs annually on March 30th.  After a long busy day, a calming and therapeutic way to relax is a pleasant walk in the park.Taking a walk at a local park is an excellent way to clear one’s mind from the stresses of the day, re-energize body and soul while simultaneously improving one's health.During a walk, the opportunity to capture a beautiful photograph, compose an original poem, or have an uninterrupted conversation may arise.  The chance to lose track of time and run into a familiar face could occur, too.  When taking a walk in the park, all sorts of pleasant surprises may blossom. One of the easiest days to observe, a person celebrates by simply going outside for a walk in the park. Use #TakeAWalkInThePa... 03/30/2019

Where homes sell fastest According to an article from Realtor.com:Nationally, we do indeed seem to be moving closer to a true buyer's market. For four consecutive years through 2018, the length of time it took to sell a home fell. But this February the typical home sat on the market 83 days, unchanged from last year. It's a telltale sign of a market that's pumping the brakes, if not yet slamming into reverse.So, first, where do buyers need to be ready to pounce?Topping the list is San Jose, CA. Median list price: $1.1 millionMedian days on market: 30.1Change in days** on market: +8 daysYes, the epicenter of America's booming tech biz remains the most competitive market for real estate. But paradoxically enough, it's also nucleus of the nation's real estate slowdown. Still following us?“... 03/30/2019

 Almaden Valley Homes For Sale | How to Put Your Housing Cost to Work for YouWe've streamlined and perfected the process of finding dream homes for our clients in Almaden Valley We know you want to spend less time looking at perhaps hundreds of homes for sale, looking all over. . .just to find that special place, allow our knowledge, experience and passion for Almaden Valley to guide you through the process of finding the right neighborhood that will fit your lifestyle. We strive in making it easier and have a direct path to help you find your dream home. We are also your Trusted Resource for Almaden Valley Real Estate, offering complete solutions for buyers, from financing assistance to creating innovative marketing strategies for home sellers. Check out the Almaden Valley Real Estate ... 03/28/2019

 Silver Creek Valley Homes For Sale | Is Your House Priced To Sell Immediately (PTSI)?There's is an abundance of open space, hiking trails, great schools and charm. Locals know that Silver Creek is a great place to raise a family.While some people may say that the area is energized by new growth and rapid changes, Silver Creek value comes from its welcoming warm atmosphere, where neighbors participate enjoying various spectacular amenities enjoying a great convenient location.All great neighborhoods have this in common. Pride in ownership is obvious when the residents, whether renters or owners, maintain their homes and care about their neighborhood. Neighbors participate to connect and create local groups that bring the residents together for the betterment of the area.Connect with the... 03/21/2019

In preparation for Easter this year, our Home Church spiritual community is experiencing God through the 40 days of Lent. The 40 days of Lent are a time to draw near to Jesus and align ourselves more closely each day with God I'm sharing this study with you here as well. This Lenten study is available for free online at https://www.redeemer.com/learn/resources_by_topic/lenten_devotionals. Today's day 11 Lenten message is about the Son. Lord God, we thank you for your Son Jesus who is the cornerstone of our Christian faith. Lent Day 12: The Stone Psalm 118:22-24 (ESV) The stone that the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone.This is the Lord’s doing;it is marvelous in our eyes.This is the day that the Lord has made;let us rejoice and be glad in it. In the parable of the tenants, the... 03/19/2019

It is easy to get excited about buying a first home. Often the staging is dazzling and the photos make a person proud to say, "This is the home I'm buying!"But first...What Do the Experts Say About the Home You Want to Buy? If the Seller provided disclosures and pre-sale inspections, read them, take notes and ask questions.However, some things are outside the scope of a basic home inspection-things such as pools, septic systems, pests, rodents and mold.Ask-as some inspectors do offer these services for additional fees.Interestingly, pest inspectors typically do not inspect, nor advise on, rodent problems.Be sure to do the homework before making the final decision on which house to make home.Thanks for reading "What Do the Experts Say About the Home You Want to Buy?"  03/18/2019

In first world nations, most folks have a choice of which pair of shoes to wear each day.Yet in many parts of the world, over 500 million children, teens and adults do not own even a single a pair of shoes and regardless of weather and terrain, must walk barefoot everywhere.Daily existence without foot protection can lead to a lifetime of problems including pain, injury, cuts, sores, infections, and parasites. Many schools and businesses ban students and customers without shoes.A stigma becomes attached who do not have proper footwear, which negatively affects their health, education and financial well being. A lucky few have one pair of shoes even though the shoes are much too big for them. This way, the shoes will last for many years as they grow, and they are often only allowed to be... 03/15/2019

Almaden Valley Homes For Sale | Homeownership is a Cornerstone of the American Dream We've streamlined and perfected the process of finding dream homes for our clients in Almaden Valley      We know you want to spend less time looking at perhaps hundreds of homes for sale, looking all over. . .just to find that special place, allow our knowledge, experience and passion for Almaden Valley to guide you through the process of finding the right neighborhood that will fit your lifestyle. We strive in making it easier and have a direct path to help you find your dream home.  We are also your Trusted Resource for Almaden Valley Real Estate, offering complete solutions for buyers, from financing assistance to creating innovative marketing strategies for home sellers.    Check out the Almaden Va... 03/14/2019

Silver Creek Valley Homes For Sale | Why an Economic Slowdown Will NOT Crush Real Estate this Time There's is an abundance of open space, hiking trails, great schools and charm. Locals know that Silver Creek is a great place to raise a family.While some people may say that the area is energized by new growth and rapid changes, Silver Creek value comes from its welcoming warm atmosphere, where neighbors participate enjoying various spectacular amenities enjoying a great convenient location.All great neighborhoods have this in common. Pride in ownership is obvious when the residents, whether renters or owners, maintain their homes and care about their neighborhood. Neighbors participate to connect and create local groups that bring the residents together for the betterment of the area.Con... 03/07/2019

You are invited to visit our open house on Saturday, March 9, 2019, and Sunday, March 10, 2019, between the hours of 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.  The open house is hosted by Ryan and Kelly who are happy to assist buyers not represented by a real estate agent.   2 Bedroom Condo for Sale in the Rosewood Diamante Community   What is a Probate Sale in California?A probate sale of real property in California means the person who owns the home has died and the estate representative is selling a home as part of the probate process. Most probate sales are not complicated and do not require the court's approval to sell. When the executor or administrator is granted full authority under IAEA, the court's approval of the sale is not required. We are required to follow the probate process which means the ... 03/05/2019

"Chasing the green fairy" is a euphemism for drinking absinthe, a mysterious spirit shrouded in mystery, drama and even death.Often mistaken for a liqueur, absinthe is technically a spirit because it isn’t sweetened like liqueurs. Abinthe is correctly grouped with vodka, gin and whiskey.Absinthe is made by infusing wormwood, fennel, anise and other herbs into alcohol through the distillation process. The creation of absinthe is credited to Pierre Ordinaire, a French doctor. Ordinaire developed and prescribed the elixir in the early 19th century as a cure for many illnesses.Absinthe features a strong licorice flavor and a high alcohol content, making it uniquely flavored as well as potent. It is often served with ice and a sugar cube placed on a slotted spoon over the glass and water pou... 03/04/2019

The last day of Carnival and the day before Ash Wednesday, Fat Tuesday is a unique combination of a period festivals and feasts that lead to a time of fasting and spiritual reflection. Fat Tuesday is also known as Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras.Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday) dates back to an ancient Roman festival honoring the deities Lupercalia and Saturnalia which took place in mid-February. When Christians arrived in Rome, they incorporated the Mardi Gras festival into their Lenten preparations.Lent is the 40 day season of fasting that Christians participate in to prepare their hearts for the celebration of Christ's passion, crucifiction and resurrection on Easter Sunday.This solemn "Fat Tuesday" feast was the last celebration for Christians before the season of Lent. The feast u... 03/04/2019

                                                                                    Sam Shueh                                                            Realty One Group                                                 Silicon Valley, Northern CA  Americans taste on drink change. Coors and Budweiser are all having financing problems.They are not popular anymore. Met a couple from Milwaukee asked about popularity of Schlitz. When you are out of Schlitz you are out of beer. Well, the ingredients used were cost reduced to keep the profit up and it is not the same beer taste anymore. In fact, Pabst Brewing Company here in west coast took over selling different brands and Schlitz is now under Pabst.  I went to local Safeway to look at the modern drinks on the shelf. They seem to be all exotic... 03/02/2019

You are invited to visit our open house on Sunday, March 3, 2019, between the hours of 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.  The open house is co-hosted by Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist, Kathleen Daniels, and Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI available to assist buyers not represented by a real estate agent.   2 Bedroom Condo for Sale in the Rosewood Diamante Community   What is a Probate Sale in California?A probate sale of real property in California means the person who owns the home has died and the estate representative is selling a home as part of the probate process. Most probate sales are not complicated and do not require the court's approval to sell. When the executor or administrator is granted full authority under IAEA, the court's approval of the sale is not required. We are required to fo... 03/02/2019

Do you know why we use Daylight Saving Time? (Technically, yes, it is Daylight Saving Time, NOT Daylight SavingS Time). With next weekend's SPRING FORWARD on Sun., March 10th at 2:00 am, it seems like an appropriate time for a lesson on DST. One of the big reasons DST is observed is:  Studies done by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 1975 showed that Daylight Saving Time trims the entire country's electricity usage by a small but significant amount, about one percent each day, because less electricity is used for lighting and appliances (which comprise about 25 percent of electricity used). A 1976 survey of 2.7 million citizens in New South Wales, Australia, found 68% liked daylight saving. In New Zealand, energy providers found that power usage decreases 3.5 percent when daylig... 03/01/2019

Almaden Valley Homes For Sale | No Worries… Home Prices Coming in for a SOFT Landing We've streamlined and perfected the process of finding dream homes for our clients in Almaden Valley      We know you want to spend less time looking at perhaps hundreds of homes for sale, looking all over. . .just to find that special place, allow our knowledge, experience and passion for Almaden Valley to guide you through the process of finding the right neighborhood that will fit your lifestyle. We strive in making it easier and have a direct path to help you find your dream home.  We are also your Trusted Resource for Almaden Valley Real Estate, offering complete solutions for buyers, from financing assistance to creating innovative marketing strategies for home sellers.    Check out the Almaden Va... 02/28/2019

Did you know our friends at the Federal Reserve regularly conduct a Survey of Consumer Finances?In the most recent suvey, comprised of data from 2013-2016 it shows...The national median net worth of a homeowner is $231,400 – this increased 15% since 2013. In contrast, the national median net worth of renters decreased 5% ($5,200 today compared to $5,500 in 2013).In Silicon Valley these median net worth amounts are much higher.Did you notice that with these numbers, it's revealed that the net worth of a homeowner is over 44 times greater than that of a renter?Owning a home is often the single best way the majority of Americans build family wealth.While there is no guarantee of appreciation, over time homeownership works as a form of "forced saving." In Cupertino, San Jose, Palo Alto and ... 02/25/2019

   Wow! Buy It Now Price of $1.45M! Move In Condition! Ready Now! Come See, Buy 7174 Rainbow Drive in Convenient West San Jose with Cupertino Schools!  Hurry, the one you waited for is here! Open Su. from 1:30 to 4:30 with a Buy It Now Price of $1.45M! This Move-In Ready 3 Br, 2.5 Ba Townhome Features Granite Island Kitchen! Soaring Ceilings! E-Z Care Laminate Flooring! Thick Baseboards! Huge Playroom! 2 Parking Spaces in Addition to Garage! Fabulous Cupertino Schools-Meyerholz, Miller and Lynbrook High! Thanks for reading "3 Br Lynbrook High TH Open Su., Buy It Now Price $1.45M!". 02/24/2019