Last weekend my family and I took a visiting relative to see some sights in the area, including to Filoli in Woodside.  If you have never visited this grand & gracious estate on the peninsula, it’s something to put on your “must see” list.

The house is 36,000 square feet (thirty six thousand sq. ft.!), ten times larger than a “big” home. The house sits upon approximatey 650 acres, most of it in its natural state but more than a dozen acres beautifully landscaped with lawns, flowers, roses, bushes, trees, ponds and a pool. 

Please enjoy some photos of our time at Filoli last weekend.  Some of these were taken by me, but most were shot by my daughter, Clair Handy (used by permission, of course!).

The Filoli Center is located at 86 Cañada Road Woodside, CA 94062

Filoli is open Tuesday through Sunday for self-guided tours (docent led tours are Tues through Saturday).  All donations, admissions, membership etc. go to preserving Filoli Center. For more information, please visit the Filoli website: http://www.filoli.org/

The real estate news is so mixed it’s mind boggling, whether it’s a national perspective, one specific to California, the San Francisco Bay Area, the “south Bay”, Silicon Valley or even San Jose in particular.  It is anything but a uniform, monolithic market. Even so, it’s good to look at the big picture along side the hyper local level, and that’s what we’ll do today.

Today’s San Jose Mercury News featured a front page article by Sue McAllister (an excellent reporter) on Santa Clara County housing values.  She shares that Zillow says that we’ve hit bottom here in Santa Clara County.  That is certainly good news to home owners accross Silicon Valley!  And I don’t disagree that countywide, we’re definitely looking up right now.  No guarantees for the future, but Zillow says that the threat of a second or double dip no longer seems likely. Whew!

Unfortunately, there’s another real risk to this recovery and it’s not the “shadow industry”. This time it’s homeowners walking away because they’re underwater (not because they can’t afford to stay, but because they choose not to).  Sixty Minutes did a segment on this phenomena of home owners walking away last night., which you can watch via this link.
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Sale Pending!  Under Contract in 24 Days!

I am delighted to have a new listing – wonderful clients, wonderful house! 

Please stop by…

Open This Weekend! Sat/Sun,  Jan 31 and Feb 1  1:30 – 4:00

16125 Francesca Court, Monte Sereno, CA        MLS # 80901346

Offered at $1,865,000

Wonderfully updated home – exquisite blend of traditional/Victorian with contemporary and open style!

4 bed, 3.5 baths (3 bed, 2.5 bath home plus studio apt with full kitchen and full bath) 

Quality craftsmanship in this custom-built home throughout!  Fine features such as hardwood floors, leaded glass windows, tall & classic baseboard, equisite crown moulding, many built-in bookshelves and cabints, and much more!

The kitchen alone is a masterpiece with a huge island, Thermador, Bosch and Sub-Zero appliances, Kohler sinks, cherry cabinets, and slab granite countertops. But that’s not all! The kitchen also includes a bay window, hardwood floors, recessed lights, a lazy Susan, some pullouts, and hardwood floors.

Light dapples through prisms in the leaded, beveled glass in the entryway and Master Bedroom. It is both elegant and understated, refined and warm! The effect, particularly in the master bedroom, is simply breathtaking!

More Information on this Classic Monte Sereno Home

LINKS

1. Virtual Tour Link: http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/tour.asp?t=474389
2. Map Link: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?address=16125+Francesca+Court%2C+Monte+Sereno%2C+Ca”>Map to 16125 Francesca Court, Monte Sereno
3. Link to More Photos of 16125 Francesca Court

SCHOOLS
Highly regarded Los Gatos Schools

OPEN HOUSE
Open This Weekend

Sat  Jan 24  1:30 – 4:00   &   Sun Jan 25  1:30 – 4:00

For more information, please see www.16125FrancescaCourt.com