Looking Back at 2025 & Ahead to New Beginnings in 2026

As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been thinking about what an incredible year it has been—and how grateful I am for the people who made it so special.

Real estate is obviously a big part of what I do, but behind every transaction is a person, a family, a goal or a new chapter. Getting to be part of those moments is something I never take for granted.

To my clients, friends, family, colleagues and everyone who referred someone my way this year: thank you.

Your trust and support mean more to me than you know.

Celebrating Another Year in Silicon Valley Real Estate

After more than 20 years in real estate, one thing I’ve learned is that no two years—and definitely no two transactions—are ever exactly the same.

2025 brought changing market conditions, shifting buyer expectations and plenty of conversations about interest rates, home prices and what might happen next.

But through all of that, my focus stayed the same: helping my clients understand their options and make decisions that make sense for their lives.

For some, that meant finding the right home in a competitive market. For others, it meant deciding whether it was finally time to sell, move up, downsize or make a completely new start.

If buying a home is part of your plans for the coming year, you can start by exploring my San Jose and Silicon Valley home buying resources.

Helping Buyers Navigate a Competitive Market

One of the biggest conversations I had with buyers throughout 2025 was about how to compete without losing sight of their budget and priorities.

In Silicon Valley, the highest offer isn’t necessarily the only factor that matters. Financing, contingencies, timelines and the overall strength of an offer can all play a role.

That’s why I believe buyers should understand the market and the particular property before deciding on an offer strategy.

If you’re thinking about buying in 2026, take some time to learn about the neighborhoods you’re considering, follow the latest market activity and get your financing organized before the right property comes along.

You can also search available homes and begin getting a feel for what’s currently available in your price range.

Helping Sellers Prepare for What’s Next

Selling a home isn’t simply about putting it on the market and hoping for the best.

Pricing, preparation, presentation, marketing and timing all matter—and the right strategy can look very different depending on the property and current market conditions.

If selling is on your 2026 list, one of the first questions you may have is:

What is my home actually worth right now?

You can start with my Silicon Valley home value resource to get the conversation started.

I’ve also put together a free San Jose home selling guide with information to help homeowners understand the selling process and prepare for a future move.

Sharing More Real Estate Conversations in 2025

One of the most exciting new chapters of 2025 was launching Say What You Want About Real Estate with my good friend and fellow REALTOR® Kristina Rogers.

After years of working in Silicon Valley real estate, we wanted a place where we could have the conversations we have every day with buyers, sellers, friends and each other.

And we’re not holding back.

We’re talking about the market, buying and selling strategies, life in Silicon Valley and some of the behind-the-scenes realities of real estate.

You can watch and follow along with Say What You Want About Real Estate, our San Jose real estate podcast.

And if there’s something you’ve always wanted to ask a REALTOR®, send it my way. It might just become a future episode.

Keeping an Eye on Willow Glen and the San Jose Market

As we head into 2026, I’ll continue sharing local market updates and neighborhood-specific information to help buyers and sellers better understand what’s happening around San Jose.

That includes keeping a particularly close eye on Willow Glen real estate, where inventory, pricing and buyer competition can change from month to month.

Market-wide statistics are useful, but real estate is ultimately local—and sometimes the numbers that matter most are the ones for a particular neighborhood, property type, price range or even a small group of comparable homes.

That’s why I encourage buyers and sellers to look beyond the headlines and understand what the latest data actually means for their individual situation.

Looking Ahead to 2026

So, what’s next?

New year. New goals. New opportunities—and probably a few surprises along the way.

If you’ve been thinking about buying a home, selling your current property, moving to another part of Silicon Valley or simply trying to decide whether 2026 is the right year to make a move, you don’t have to have everything figured out before starting the conversation.

Sometimes the best first step is simply understanding your options.

Thinking about buying? Start with my home buying resources and property search.

Considering selling? Find out more about your Silicon Valley home value.

Want to prepare before selling? Download my free San Jose home selling guide.

And if you’d rather simply talk through what’s on your mind, contact me directly.

Here’s to New Beginnings

Thank you again to everyone who was part of my 2025.

I’m incredibly grateful for your continued support, referrals, conversations and trust.

Here’s to new beginnings, new goals and new possibilities in 2026.

And if real estate happens to be part of your plans for the new year, I’d love to help you figure out what comes next.

Happy New Year!

Michelle Elliott | Coldwell Banker Realty | DRE #01777533
408-839-7915 | michelle@michelleelliottrealtor.com

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About the Author 

With over 20 years of experience navigating the fast-paced Silicon Valley market, I provide a strategic, results-driven approach to residential real estate. My career is built on a foundation of deep local expertise and a relentless commitment to my clients’ success, resulting in over $235 million in lifetime sales volume and a consistent ranking in the top 3% of agents in Santa Clara County and top 2% at Coldwell Banker. My expertise has been featured on KTVU Fox 2, Real Producers and the Willow Glen Resident. 

 

A Hyper-Local Expert with Global Reach

I specialize in San Jose, in the neighborhoods of Willow Glen (95125) and Downtown San Jose/Japantown (95112) markets. As a certified Luxury Property Specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty, I combine high-end marketing strategies with granular neighborhood knowledge to help my clients achieve premium results.

 

The “Tiger” at the Negotiating Table

My clients have characterized me as a “tiger” at the negotiating table who remains “sweet and patient” with my clients throughout the process. I pride myself on being a fierce advocate for my buyers and sellers, ensuring the best possible terms in every transaction, and I strive to be the best Realtor in 95125! This balance, drive, and tenacity have earned me consistent 5-star ratings across Google, Zillow, Realtor.com, and Yelp.

DRE 01777533