Condo and HOA Red Flags for Downsizers: A Santa Clara County Checklist
What to check before an older homeowner buys a condo or townhome: reserve studies, special assessments, SB 326 balcony inspections, HOA insurance, and accessibility rules.
Category: Downsizing
Should You Rent or Buy After Selling Your Silicon Valley Home?
Should seniors rent or buy after selling a longtime Silicon Valley home? See real numbers, rent caps, CCRC costs, capital gains, and Prop 19 timing.
Downsizing in Silicon Valley: How Much Money Will You Really Free Up?
The full downsizing math on a $2.4M Willow Glen house and a $1.3M Los Gatos condo: commission, capital gains, Prop 19, HOA dues, and the…
How to Buy Before You Sell When Downsizing in Silicon Valley
Buying first is the easiest way to downsize and selling first is usually the cheapest. How HELOCs, bridge loans, rent-backs and Prop 19 make either…
Sebastian Frey: Best Real Estate Agent for Downsizing in Silicon Valley
Key TakeawaysSeb Frey is a Broker Associate with Compass in Los Gatos who has worked Silicon Valley real estate full time since 2003, with more…
What a Senior Move Manager Does and What It Costs in the Bay Area
What senior move managers do, how they charge, when they are worth it for downsizing or assisted living moves, and how to choose one in…
Finding a Single-Level Home in Silicon Valley: Where They Are and What to Watch For
Where single-story homes are in Santa Clara County, why they are scarce and competitive, the accessibility issues in mid-century homes, and alternatives for downsizers.
Reverse Mortgage vs. Selling Your Silicon Valley Home: How to Decide
Written By Seb Frey, Broker Associate at Compass, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), CA DRE# 01369847. Affiliate Member, Professional Fiduciary…
Selling a Very Full or Hoarded House in Silicon Valley
How to sell a heavily filled home in Silicon Valley with care: safety, specialized cleanup, finding important papers, sell as-is vs. clear first, and disclosures.
Preparing for a Silicon Valley Move: How to Clear Out and Declutter in 2026
Key TakeawaysStart eight to twelve weeks out. Charity pickups, estate sale companies and hazardous waste appointments all book up, and decisions get harder under deadline…