Blog - Michelle Elliott

San Jose Housing Market Updates, Willow Glen, San Jose

95125 Real Estate Market Update: Spring 2026 is Heating Up!

The spring real estate market is in full swing, and we are seeing some exciting shifts from February to March 2026! Here is the latest breakdown for single-family homes, townhomes, and condos in the 95125 zip code: 📈 Sales Volume is Growing: We saw a noticeable jump in closed deals, increasing from 37 properties […]
Home Design, Home Improvement, San Jose Real Estate

Designing for Small Spaces: Maximize Your Home’s Potential

The struggle is real: How do we make the most of the space we have without sacrificing comfort and style? The answer is smart design choices that dramatically expand both function and ambiance. Whether you’re living in a cozy condo, fixing up a compact starter home or dealing with an awkward floor plan, plenty of […]
Home Selling, Neighborhoods

Just Sold – 380 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz

✨ Just Sold in Santa Cruz! This beautifully remodeled 3 bed, 2 bath home with ocean views and a private oasis backyard officially has new owners. From the hot tub to the perfect entertaining space, this beach retreat is ready for so many amazing memories! So excited for my clients to enjoy everything Santa Cruz […]
Downtown San Jose, Home Buying, Japantown, San Jose

New Listing: 800 N 8th Street, Unit 220, San Jose

Welcome to 800 N 8th Street #220. This 2 bed, 2 bath New York style loft has an open floor plan with large industrial look corner windows. Far from the cookie cutter layout, this home has a very coveted split floor plan with bedrooms on opposite sides on the main hallway. It is in a […]

San Jose Housing Market Updates 95125 Real Estate Market Update: Spring 2026 is Heating Up! The spring real estate market is in full swing, and we are seeing some exciting shifts from February to March 2026! Here is the latest breakdown for single-family homes, townhomes, and condos in the 95125 zip code: 📈 Sales Volume is Growing: We saw a noticeable jump in closed deals, increasing from 37 properties […]

Home Design Designing for Small Spaces: Maximize Your Home’s Potential The struggle is real: How do we make the most of the space we have without sacrificing comfort and style? The answer is smart design choices that dramatically expand both function and ambiance. Whether you’re living in a cozy condo, fixing up a compact starter home or dealing with an awkward floor plan, plenty of […]

Home Selling Just Sold – 380 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz ✨ Just Sold in Santa Cruz! This beautifully remodeled 3 bed, 2 bath home with ocean views and a private oasis backyard officially has new owners. From the hot tub to the perfect entertaining space, this beach retreat is ready for so many amazing memories! So excited for my clients to enjoy everything Santa Cruz […]

Downtown San Jose New Listing: 800 N 8th Street, Unit 220, San Jose Welcome to 800 N 8th Street #220. This 2 bed, 2 bath New York style loft has an open floor plan with large industrial look corner windows. Far from the cookie cutter layout, this home has a very coveted split floor plan with bedrooms on opposite sides on the main hallway. It is in a […]

Community The “Stroller Score”: How Walkable is Willow Glen Really? The “Stroller Score”: How Walkable is Willow Glen Really? Real estate listings say “walkable,” but can you actually run errands without a car? In real estate, “walkable” is a buzzword that gets thrown around loosely. Sometimes it just means there is a sidewalk; it doesn’t guarantee there is anywhere worth walking to. But in Willow […]

Home Design The Best Indoor Plants For Your Home Indoor plants add elements of charm and personality to a home. When you match greenery to each room’s light and humidity, plants thrive naturally and require less effort. Let’s explore the best indoor plants for every space and how they can transform your living areas. Entryway Indoor Plants Set the Tone First impressions matter, and entryways set […]

Home Buying What Are Mortgage Rates Currently in San Jose? Mortgage rates are one of the most important factors affecting your home buying power in San Jose’s expensive real estate market. Even a small difference in interest rates can mean thousands of dollars per year and hundreds of thousands over the life of your loan. What Are Mortgage Rates Currently in San Jose? Your Willow […]

Downtown San Jose Japantown San Jose Restaurants Japantown dining scene offers an incredible mix of tradition and variety, ranging from authentically made udon at Gombei to the fresh vibrant Poké bowls at Aloha fresh long-standing favorites like Mento Japanese restaurant have serve, served up comforting boxes, bento boxes, and legendary tempura for generations, making it a cornerstone of the neighborhood beyond classical […]

Home Buying Willow Glen Market Update: The Spring Rush Arrived Early in ZIP 95125 Willow Glen Market Update: The Spring Rush Arrived Early in ZIP 95125 If you were waiting for the “Spring Fever” to hit the San Jose real estate market, you can stop holding your breath. The February 2026 data for ZIP 95125 (Willow Glen) is officially in, and it tells a story of a market that […]

Home Buying 95125 Housing Alert: The Spring Surge Just Arrived Early! 🚨 95125 Market Alert: The Spring Surge is Here! 🚨 ⚡Willow Glen is officially moving at lightning speed. If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to enter the market, the February data proves that the time is now. Whether you are looking to cash in on record-high demand or compete for your dream home, […]

Home Design 8 Tips to Stage Your Home Like a Pro The goal is simple: Help potential buyers picture themselves living there. And the good news? You don’t need a professional designer to make your home shine. With a few strategic updates and a little bit of effort, you can create a welcoming, polished space that might just lead to faster and better offers. Start With […]

Neighborhoods Eichlers, Victorians, and Bungalows: A Guide to Willow Glen Architecture Eichler’s, Spanish Revival, and Victorian bungalows: a guide to Willow Glen architecture A guide to Willow Glen architecture. Many San Jose neighborhoods were built in the 1970’s and 1980s, but Willow Glen homes are older Drive 10 minutes in any directions San Jose, you’ll likely track homes from the 1970s and 80s, ranch houses, but […]

Home Buying Scarcity is driving the market in 95125! Scarcity is driving the market in 95125. 📉📈 The latest data from Willow Glen shows a fascinating “low-volume, high-competition” dynamic. Between October and January, we saw a 67% drop in monthly sales volume, yet the average sales price surged to $2.27M. Key takeaway for Q1 2026: Sellers: Demand is outstripping supply. The sales-to-list ratio hit […]

Michelle Loves 🤍 Comfort Food Recipes You’ll Love Whether it’s a bubbling casserole fresh out of the oven, a creamy pasta on a rainy evening or a gooey dessert that tastes like nostalgia, comfort food is all about slowing down and relishing the simple joys. And the good news is you don’t have to be a master chef to whip up one of […]

Neighborhoods Willow Glen Market Update: January 2026 Willow Glen Market Update: January 2026 Attention Willow Glen! Whether you’re looking to sell your home or find your dream space, the January numbers are in—and there’s a big opportunity for everyone. Sellers: It’s Your Time to Shine! Inventory is tight, and buyers are out in force. Only 11 homes sold in January! Because of […]

Home Improvement Celebrate Responsible Pet Owners Month: Puppy-Proof Your Home Bringing a puppy into your home is exciting, but it also comes with plenty of preparation. Similar to toddlers, puppies are curious, energetic and not always aware of what’s safe. February is Responsible Pet Owners Month, and it’s the perfect reminder to create a safe, functional space for your newest four-legged family member. Start with […]

Home Buying San Jose Real Estate Newsletter by Michelle Elliott Realtor San Jose Real Estate Newsletter The unfiltered truth about the San Jose market, delivered weekly. 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 […]

Home Buying Why Do I Need to Get Pre-Approved Before Looking at Homes? If you’re starting your home search in San Jose, you’ll quickly hear this advice: get pre-approved first. While it might seem like an extra step when you’re eager to start touring properties, mortgage pre-approval is arguably the most important thing you can do before beginning your home search. What Is Pre-Approval? Pre-approval is a thorough […]

Home Design The ADU Size Mistake That’s Costing San Jose Homeowners Thousands at Resale The ADU Size Mistake That’s Costing San Jose Homeowners Thousands at Resale After years of representing buyers and sellers in the San Jose and Willow Glen markets, ADUs have been a hot topic among my clients. One big question they have is what does it do to their property value. While that question has many […]

Home Buying 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Your First Home Becoming a homeowner is an exciting, decision-packed time that can quickly feel overwhelming. The good news is that you can actually enjoy the journey with confidence and positivity. Just prioritize your financial goals, envision the life you want to create and avoid the most common first-time home buyer mistakes. Skipping the Pre-Approval Process Many first-time […]