Blog - Michelle Elliott

Neighborhoods, Willow Glen, San Jose

🏛️ The “Secret” History: When Willow Glen Was Its Own City

🏛️ The “Secret” History: When Willow Glen Was Its Own City Did you know Willow Glen fought to stay independent from San Jose? If you’ve ever felt that Willow Glen feels like a “town within a city,” you aren’t imagining it. For nine years, it actually was its own city. While today we know it […]
Japantown, San Jose

Late Spring to Summer: What’s Happening in the Japantown (95112) Housing Market?

As spring transitioned into summer, the Japantown real estate market began to shift in some interesting ways. While fewer homes sold in June than in May, prices continued to climb, showing that demand for homes in this sought-after neighborhood remains strong. Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or simply keeping an eye on the market, […]
Rose Garden

Summer Momentum: Rose Garden (95126) Real Estate Market Update (May vs. June 2026)

Summer arrived with plenty of activity in the Rose Garden neighborhood. Comparing May and June 2026, the market remained active, more homes changed hands, and home values rebounded after a slower month in May. At the same time, buyers finally began to see a little breathing room as competition eased. Here’s a look at what […]
Cambrian

Early Summer Momentum: 95124 Real Estate Market Update (May vs. June 2026)

As spring transitioned into summer, the 95124 housing market showed no signs of slowing down. Buyers remained active, homes continued to sell quickly, and June brought an impressive increase in the number of completed sales. Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling, here’s what changed between May and June. More Homes Sold in June The […]

Neighborhoods 🏛️ The “Secret” History: When Willow Glen Was Its Own City 🏛️ The “Secret” History: When Willow Glen Was Its Own City Did you know Willow Glen fought to stay independent from San Jose? If you’ve ever felt that Willow Glen feels like a “town within a city,” you aren’t imagining it. For nine years, it actually was its own city. While today we know it […]

Japantown, San Jose Late Spring to Summer: What’s Happening in the Japantown (95112) Housing Market? As spring transitioned into summer, the Japantown real estate market began to shift in some interesting ways. While fewer homes sold in June than in May, prices continued to climb, showing that demand for homes in this sought-after neighborhood remains strong. Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or simply keeping an eye on the market, […]

Rose Garden Summer Momentum: Rose Garden (95126) Real Estate Market Update (May vs. June 2026) Summer arrived with plenty of activity in the Rose Garden neighborhood. Comparing May and June 2026, the market remained active, more homes changed hands, and home values rebounded after a slower month in May. At the same time, buyers finally began to see a little breathing room as competition eased. Here’s a look at what […]

Cambrian Early Summer Momentum: 95124 Real Estate Market Update (May vs. June 2026) As spring transitioned into summer, the 95124 housing market showed no signs of slowing down. Buyers remained active, homes continued to sell quickly, and June brought an impressive increase in the number of completed sales. Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling, here’s what changed between May and June. More Homes Sold in June The […]

Blossom Valley Summer Solstice Shifts: 95136 Real Estate Market Update (May vs. June 2026) As spring gave way to summer, the real estate market in San Jose’s 95136 zip code started to settle into a more balanced pace. While demand remains healthy for single-family homes, townhomes, and condos, June brought a few noticeable changes that both buyers and sellers should pay attention to. Home Prices Ease Slightly After a […]

Home Buying Outdated Home Features That Buyers Instantly Notice Key upgrades can make all the difference when listing your home. Before buyers consider square footage or storage space, they are often forming opinions about finishes, layouts and design choices. While some classic details always hold their appeal, other features immediately come across as outdated – even if the home has been meticulously maintained. The […]

Home Design How to Organize Your Kitchen or Pantry in One Weekend Learn how to reorganize your kitchen or pantry in just one weekend by decluttering, creating functional storage zones and maximizing available space for a more efficient home. The kitchen is one of the hardest-working spaces in any home. It’s where mornings begin, dinners come together and family members seem to gather without even trying. But […]

Home Design Screen-Free Staycation Ideas to Reconnect With Home Discover screen-free staycation ideas for a day, weekend, or week. Unplug, recharge, and reconnect with your home and community. A vacation offers a simple way to disconnect and recharge – and a screen-free staycation can feel especially refreshing, giving you time to relax and reconnect with your home and community in a new way. Putting […]

Almaden Valley Willow Glen vs. Almaden Valley: Which San Jose Neighborhood Is Right for You? – Say What You Want About Real Estate Episode 3 Review If you’ve been house hunting in San Jose, chances are you’ve heard this debate before: Willow Glen or Almaden Valley? They’re two of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods, but they offer very different lifestyles. On a recent episode of Say What You Want About Real Estate, my co-host, Kristina Rodgers, and I had a little […]

Say What You Want About Real Estate Podcast The Biggest Mistakes Home Buyers Make in Silicon Valley – Say What You Want About Real Estate Podcast Buying a home in Silicon Valley isn’t like buying in most other parts of the country. Homes can sell quickly, competition can be fierce, and small mistakes can end up costing you thousands of dollars—or even the home you really wanted. On a recent episode of Say What You Want About Real Estate, my co-host, […]

San Jose Real Estate Is Building an ADU in Silicon Valley Worth It? Here’s What We Discussed on the Podcast – Say What You Want About Real Estate Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have become one of the hottest topics in Silicon Valley real estate—and for good reason. Whether you’re looking to generate rental income, create space for family, or increase your home’s value, an ADU can be an attractive option. But is it always a smart investment? On a recent episode of Say […]

Home Improvement Which Home Renovations Are Actually Worth It? Insights From Episode 2 – Say What You Want About Real Estate If you’re thinking about remodeling your home before selling, you’ve probably wondered: Which upgrades are actually worth the investment? It’s one of the questions we hear most often from homeowners across San Jose. On a recent episode of Say What You Want About Real Estate, my co-host, Kristina Rodgers, and I talked about the renovations […]

San Jose Real Estate Downsizing Your San Jose Home? Here’s What Every Empty Nester Should Know There comes a point when the house that was once full of kids, pets, and busy family life starts to feel…a little too big. Maybe you’re tired of maintaining a large yard. Maybe there are bedrooms that haven’t been used in years. Or perhaps you’d simply like a home that’s easier to care for and […]

San Jose Real Estate Investing in Rental Property in San Jose: What Every Buyer Should Know Thinking about buying an investment property in San Jose? With a strong job market, consistent rental demand, and long-term appreciation, it’s easy to see why so many investors are drawn to Silicon Valley. But investing here is different than buying in many other markets. Home prices are higher, rental returns tend to be lower, and […]

Home Selling Home Staging Tips That Can Help Your San Jose Home Sell Faster When you’re getting ready to sell your home, first impressions matter—more than ever. Today’s buyers often decide how they feel about a home within minutes of walking through the front door. In many cases, they’ve already formed an opinion from the online photos before they even schedule a showing. That’s where staging comes in. Staging […]

Japantown, San Jose A Year of Celebration: Annual Events You Won’t Want to Miss in San Jose’s Japantown One of the things that makes San Jose’s Japantown so special isn’t just its restaurants, shops, or historic charm—it’s the strong sense of community you’ll find throughout the year. From lively street festivals to weekly farmers markets, there’s almost always something happening that brings neighbors and visitors together. These events celebrate the neighborhood’s rich Japanese […]

Rose Garden A Local’s Guide to the Best Parks in San Jose’s Rose Garden Neighborhood One of the best things about living in the Rose Garden neighborhood is that you’re never far from a beautiful place to enjoy the outdoors. While the neighborhood is best known for its world-famous rose garden, there are several parks and green spaces nearby that make this one of San Jose’s most walkable and picturesque […]

Almaden Valley Almaden Valley Neighborhood Guide: One of San Jose’s Most Desirable Places to Call Home If you’re looking for spacious homes, top-rated schools, beautiful scenery, and a quieter pace of life, it’s hard to beat Almaden Valley. Located in the southern part of San Jose, this highly sought-after neighborhood feels like a peaceful retreat while still offering convenient access to the rest of Silicon Valley. It’s the kind of place […]

Cambrian A Local’s Guide to the Best Parks in Cambrian, San Jose One of the things people love most about living in Cambrian is how easy it is to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you’re taking the kids to the playground, walking the dog after work, riding your bike on a scenic trail, or simply looking for a quiet place to relax, you’ll find plenty of parks and […]

Cambrian Cambrian: One of San Jose’s Best Neighborhoods for Families If you’re looking for a neighborhood with great schools, quiet streets, and a true sense of community, Cambrian deserves a spot at the top of your list. Tucked into southwest San Jose, Cambrian—often called Cambrian Park by locals—is one of those neighborhoods that people don’t always know about until they start house hunting. But once […]