Two Silicon Valley cities just eight miles apart are telling completely different real estate stories. One saw its median home price jump 57%, while the other dropped 18%. Same county, same month, same mortgage rates, very different markets.
That contrast is a good reminder of why countywide statistics only tell part of the story. Santa Clara County’s median single-family home price is hovering around $1.9 million, roughly flat from the previous month and up slightly from a year ago. Yet underneath that relatively calm headline, individual cities, neighborhoods, and price ranges are moving in very different directions.
The broader numbers also show a market that is becoming more selective. Closed sales fell 15% from the previous month, pending sales dropped 26%, and the average sale-to-list price ratio has settled around 100%. Meanwhile, mortgage rates reached 6.77%, their highest level of the year, putting additional pressure on buyers who depend heavily on financing.
But higher rates aren’t affecting every buyer, or every neighborhood, the same way. Strong stock market performance and the wealth generated throughout Silicon Valley continue to support portions of the luxury market, while more rate-sensitive areas are feeling greater affordability pressure. That helps explain why two nearby communities can experience dramatically different price movements at the same time.
This is also where absorption rate-the relationship between available inventory and how quickly buyers purchase it-can reveal more than median prices alone. Looking at actual buyer demand city by city provides a much clearer picture of whether sellers have leverage, buyers have leverage, or a particular market is moving toward balance.
For longtime homeowners considering a move, these differences matter. The question isn’t simply whether the Silicon Valley market is “up” or “down.” It’s what’s happening with homes like yours, in your particular community, at your price point, and how that compares with the market where you may be planning to move next. And with the fall selling season approaching, timing and pricing strategy deserve especially careful attention. If you’re considering selling this fall or beginning to think about a move within the next few years, now is a good time to understand what the numbers in your specific market are actually telling you and build a strategy around your goals.
Sell As-Is. Sell Easy. Sell Smart!
From the Bay Area Wayback Machine
Stanford Prison Experiment Begins in Palo Alto (August 14, 1971)
Stanford psychology professor Philip Zimbardo began the Stanford Prison Experiment in the basement of the university’s psychology building. College students were assigned roles as prisoners or guards in a simulated prison, with Palo Alto police assisting in the staged arrests. Intended to study how people respond to institutional roles and authority, the controversial experiment was terminated after only six days and later became a major subject of debate about ethics in psychological research.
This Week in Silicon Valley
San Jose Weighs Quadrupling Housing Density in Single-Family Neighborhoods
San Jose is considering a major change to its housing rules that could allow significantly more homes to be built in neighborhoods traditionally dominated by single-family houses. The proposal would expand opportunities for small multifamily developments, potentially allowing up to four times the current residential density on certain properties.
Supporters argue the change could help San Jose address its housing shortage by creating more duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and other “missing middle” housing. They say adding homes within existing neighborhoods could provide more choices for families while helping the city meet state-mandated housing goals.
Critics worry greater density could affect neighborhood character, parking, traffic and infrastructure while reducing local control over development. The proposal is still under consideration, and city leaders will have to weigh the potential for additional housing against concerns from residents. The debate reflects the broader challenge of accommodating growth in one of California’s most expensive housing markets.
NE-YO & AKON: Nights Like This Tour 2026
Date: Wednesday, August 19
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View
Relive the biggest R&B hits of the 2000s as Akon and Ne-Yo bring their Nights Like This Tour to the stage. Packed with fan favorites, collaborations, and more than 40 songs, this high-energy show promises a nostalgic night with two Grammy-winning stars.
Southern Hospitality Tour: The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers
Date: Thursday, August 20
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View
Experience the raw energy of The Black Crowes as they bring their Southern Hospitality Tour to the stage. Expect classic rock favorites, revived deep cuts, and fresh takes on beloved songs as Chris and Rich Robinson celebrate more than four decades of unforgettable rock and roll.
James Garner – Tribute to Johnny Cash
Date: Friday, August 21
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Location: Sunnyvale Theater, 550 East Remington Drive, Sunnyvale
Experience the timeless music of Johnny Cash with James Garner’s acclaimed tribute show. Featuring classic hits and the unmistakable spirit of the Man in Black, this performance brings Cash’s legendary sound and storytelling back to the stage.
Marc Maron: Yammering into the Void Tour
Date: Saturday, August 22
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: California Theatre, 345 S 1st Street, San Jose
Catch Marc Maron on his Yammering into the Void Tour for an evening of sharp, deeply personal stand-up. Known for turning life’s anxieties, frustrations, and uncomfortable truths into comedy, Maron brings his signature honesty and wit back to the stage.
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