Home Buying

Home Buying, Home Design, Michelle Loves 🤍, San Jose Real Estate

Luxury Real Estate Trends We’re Seeing Everywhere

Affluent home buyers want more than just high-end features and sizeable square footage. Luxury real estate is evolving in exciting, highly personalized ways. Today’s discerning buyers aren’t just looking for impressive properties on massive lots – they’re seeking refined experiences, thoughtful craftsmanship and lasting value – and striking the right note can make all the […]
Downtown San Jose, Home Buying, Japantown, San Jose, San Jose Real Estate

🏡 Just Listed: 800 N 8th Street #305, San Jose!

This Japantown loft is a perfect 10! It has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms PLUS a loft. The kitchen has been fully remodeled with beautiful quartz counter tops and induction range. Soaring high ceilings are framed by modern lighting fixtures and a wall of windows. The windows frame a calming view of the tree tops […]
Home Buying, Home Selling, Willow Glen, San Jose

Spring is Sizzling: May 2026 Real Estate Market Update for 95125

As we move deeper into the spring season, the 95125 real estate market continues to evolve. Following a highly competitive March, the April 2026 data for single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums reveals a market that is reaching new price heights while experiencing a slight shift in bidding dynamics. Here is a closer look at the […]
Home Buying, Home Improvement, Home Selling

Landscaping Upgrades That Make the Biggest Impact

Explore landscaping upgrades that elevate curb appeal, reduce maintenance and enhance how your home is experienced and perceived. The first impression of your home is often set by the health and style of your yard. With the right landscaping upgrades, you can improve everyday life while boosting long-term appeal. Thoughtful design, better flow and intentional […]

Home Buying Luxury Real Estate Trends We’re Seeing Everywhere Affluent home buyers want more than just high-end features and sizeable square footage. Luxury real estate is evolving in exciting, highly personalized ways. Today’s discerning buyers aren’t just looking for impressive properties on massive lots – they’re seeking refined experiences, thoughtful craftsmanship and lasting value – and striking the right note can make all the […]

Downtown San Jose 🏡 Just Listed: 800 N 8th Street #305, San Jose! This Japantown loft is a perfect 10! It has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms PLUS a loft. The kitchen has been fully remodeled with beautiful quartz counter tops and induction range. Soaring high ceilings are framed by modern lighting fixtures and a wall of windows. The windows frame a calming view of the tree tops […]

Home Buying Spring is Sizzling: May 2026 Real Estate Market Update for 95125 As we move deeper into the spring season, the 95125 real estate market continues to evolve. Following a highly competitive March, the April 2026 data for single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums reveals a market that is reaching new price heights while experiencing a slight shift in bidding dynamics. Here is a closer look at the […]

Home Buying Landscaping Upgrades That Make the Biggest Impact Explore landscaping upgrades that elevate curb appeal, reduce maintenance and enhance how your home is experienced and perceived. The first impression of your home is often set by the health and style of your yard. With the right landscaping upgrades, you can improve everyday life while boosting long-term appeal. Thoughtful design, better flow and intentional […]

Home Buying What Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage in San Jose? If you’re planning to buy a home in San Jose, one of the first questions you’ll need to answer is: “What credit score do I need?” Your credit score plays a crucial role in determining whether you’ll qualify for a mortgage and what interest rate you’ll receive. The Minimum Credit Score Requirements Most mortgage programs […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 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 […]

Home Buying Michelle Elliott Featured on KTVU to Discuss the 2026 San Jose Housing Market Navigating the 2026 San Jose Housing Market: Expert Insights from Michelle Elliott As we move through 2026, the San Jose housing market is undergoing a significant “Housing Reset.” While the frantic bidding wars of the early 2020s have stabilized, Silicon Valley remains one of the most competitive landscapes in the nation. To navigate this, buyers […]

Community San Jose is officially ranked as the #5 hottest housing market for 2026! 🚀 🚨 SAN JOSE MARKET ALERT 🚨The latest Zillow data is in, and San Jose has secured its spot as the #5 Hottest Housing Market in the Nation for 2026. 🏠✨ ⚡️ With a median entry price of $1.6M, many are wondering: Is the Silicon Valley dream still attainable? 👀 Let’s find out! WATCH my real […]

Home Buying 2026 Housing Market Outlook: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know 2026 Housing Market Outlook: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know As we look ahead to 2026, the housing market stands at an inflection point. After years of pandemic-era chaos, record-low rates, bidding war frenzy, and then the shock of rapid rate increases, the market is finally entering what experts are calling “The Great Housing […]

Home Buying December Market Update Volume is DOWN, but competition is… hotter than ever? 📉🔥 Here is your December snapshot for the Willow Glen (95125) housing market: 🏠 Inventory Tightened: Sales volume dropped 43% (only 18 homes sold!). 💥 Bidding Wars: Homes are closing at 103% of asking price. 💰 Price Jump: The median list price surged 20% to $2.67M. […]

Home Buying Willow Glen December Market Report Happy New Year, Willow Glen! 🥂 We are officially closing the book on 2025, and the final numbers tell a fascinating story. If you felt like the market took a slight breath at the end of the year, you weren’t imagining it. 🏡 Median Sales Price: ~$1.8M (Down slightly ~7.1% year-over-year — buyers, this is […]

Home Buying What Are Closing Costs and How Much Will They Be in San Jose? What Are Closing Costs and How Much Will They Be in San Jose? When buying a home in San Jose, you’ll need more than just your down payment. Closing costs-the fees and expenses you pay to finalize your home purchase-can add tens of thousands of dollars to what you need to bring to the closing […]