I’ve always said it doesn’t matter where you stand, so long as you know where you’re going. But I find it helpful to know how you got to your starting point, so that the way forward will be clearer. So for this week’s video, I took a quick look back at 2025 before whipping out the crystal ball to see where we’re headed in 2026.
So first, the 2025 recap. Silicon Valley (Santa Clara county anyway) basically did what it always does: stayed expensive. The average of the monthly median sale prices in 2025 was about $1.93M, up roughly 4% from $1.86M in 2024. Price per square foot was essentially flat (~+1%). Translation: values edged higher, but without the caffeine-fueled chaos of past years. Think “brisk walk,” not “shot out of a cannon.”
The market also got a little more balanced. New listings were up about 3%, closed sales were down around 4%, and months of inventory rose from roughly 1.15 to 1.40. That’s still a seller-leaning market, just not quite as tight. You could see it in the sale-to-list price ratio: it cooled from about 105.9% in 2024 to 103.8% in 2025. Still competitive, but buyers had more choices and got pickier (annoying, but true).
Looking ahead, the California Association of REALTOR®s expects modest improvement in 2026: slightly more sales, moderately higher prices, and a tiny bump in affordability. No fireworks, no collapse. But of course, some zip codes – some neighborhoods – will far much better, or worse, than others.
My advice if you’re thinking about a 2026 move (downsizing, relocating, simplifying): plan now, and aim to sell earlier rather than later. That’s because the future is, of course, murky – but we came into the year with a good head of steam. Mortgage rates are, today, the lowest they’ve been in about 5 years. There’s very little on the market right now, so the table looks to be set for a very favorable selling experience in Q1 of this year.
Let me know if there’s anything I can help you with! Happy to help you strategize on how you can make a move in 2026 your best one yet.
Sell As-Is. Sell Easy. Sell Smart!
From the Bay Area Wayback Machine
San Jose Launches First Civil Defense Week with Siren Tests (January 8, 1951)
San Jose began its first “Civil Defense Week,” marked by the testing of air-raid sirens across the city. The drills were part of a Korean War–era effort to prepare civilians for potential emergencies amid rising Cold War tensions. Residents were alerted to the sounds and procedures intended for use during air attacks or disasters. The kickoff reflected growing federal and local emphasis on civil defense planning, as communities across the country adapted wartime readiness measures to an uncertain international climate.
San Mateo County Funds Future Route 92 Expansion (January 13, 1956)
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors approved initial funding to expand the “19th Avenue Freeway,” a roadway that would later become part of State Route 92. The decision responded to growing automobile traffic and the need for improved east–west connections across the Peninsula. The project reflected mid-1950s priorities that emphasized highway construction to support suburban growth and regional mobility. This early funding commitment helped set in motion a major transportation corridor linking coastal communities with inland development.
Milpitas Opens New Park for a Growing Community (January 10, 1970)
Milpitas officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Murphy Park, highlighting the town’s need for more green space as local families expanded. With many residents tied to jobs at the nearby Ford Assembly plant, city leaders emphasized recreation and community amenities as essential parts of suburban growth. The park opening reflected Milpitas’s rapid development during the late 1960s and early 1970s, as new housing and young families increased demand for playgrounds, fields, and shared public spaces. The event signaled investment in quality of life alongside industrial employment.
Your Neighbor Sold their House too Cheap!
This Week in Silicon Valley
San Jose Mayor Lays Out AI Infrastructure Push and Housing Reforms for 2026
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is outlining an ambitious agenda for 2026 aimed at strengthening the city’s role in the future of artificial intelligence while addressing persistent housing challenges. A central focus is ensuring San Jose has the energy capacity, infrastructure, and regulatory clarity needed to attract AI companies and large data-driven investments. Mahan argues that cities able to reliably support power-intensive technologies will have a competitive advantage as AI reshapes the tech economy.
At the same time, the mayor is prioritizing housing reforms to ease affordability pressures and accelerate construction. Proposed changes include streamlining permitting processes, reducing bureaucratic delays, and using technology, including AI tools, to make city operations more efficient. Faster approvals, city leaders believe, could help unlock stalled projects and encourage developers to build more homes.
Mahan’s strategy reflects San Jose’s dual challenge: maintaining its status as the capital of Silicon Valley innovation while ensuring the city remains livable for workers and families. By linking AI growth with housing policy, the administration is betting that economic expansion and housing production must move forward together to support long-term stability and competitiveness
Saratoga Symphony Concert “Psychology Tonight”
Date: Saturday, January 17
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Location: West Valley Presbyterian Church, 6191 Bollinger Road, Cupertino
Enjoy a free classical orchestra concert showcasing rich late-Romantic music by Sibelius and Rachmaninoff. Highlights include a stirring piano concerto performed by internationally acclaimed pianist Tamami Honma, with engaging insights from the conductor before each piece.
Back to Your Body Workshop
Date: Saturday, January 17
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: 580 South Murphy Avenue, Sunnyvale
Calm your nervous system and release stored stress using evidence-based techniques guided by chiropractor Dr. Munchie. This in-person session offers practical tools to help the body reset and restore balance.
Stella Heath Quartet: The Billie Holiday Project
Date: Saturday, January 17
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Finn Center, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View
Experience the Billie Holiday Project with the Stella Heath Quartet, an electrifying tribute to the legendary Lady Day. Reserve free tickets in advance for this community concert.
Escape Reality – A Night of Mind Melting Magic & Comedy
Date: Sunday, January 18
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Club, 157 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale
Escape reality for a night of mind-melting magic and comedy. This high-energy show blends illusion and humor for an unforgettable live experience.
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