Does it all feel a little shaky to you these days? It seems like every year, for as long as I can remember, people have been predicting the “next crash.” Nobody has forgotten the 2008 mortgage crisis, the dramatic rise in prices since then…and how the market today looks like it’s barely treading water. Today’s market is confusing to a lot of people: demand has clearly cooled, yet prices (especially for single-family homes in supply-constrained areas) have stayed surprisingly steady.
Here’s the key: weakening demand doesn’t always show up first in headline prices. Around here, it usually shows up in the quiet indicators: longer days on market, more price reductions, pickier buyers, and a lot less forgiveness for overpricing. Homes that are turnkey, well-located, and priced right can still move fast. Everything else… gets negotiated, delayed, or ignored.
So what actually causes prices to soften in Silicon Valley? It’s rarely “demand vanishes overnight.” Rather, it’s usually an increase in supply. When buyers suddenly have choices (more listings, more competition between sellers, more time to negotiate), pricing power shifts. And supply can expand faster than people expect as mortgage lock-in slides, life events force moves, insurance and carrying costs rise, or a stock market wobble changes behavior.
If you’re 60+ and your home equity is part of your retirement plan, this isn’t about timing the perfect peak. It’s about protecting options. Planning early, especially if selling is on your horizon anyway, beats guessing when the market hits a peak (because the risk of guessing wrong is really, really high). If you want, I’d be happy to do a personal real estate review for your neighborhood, so you can get a firm idea of which way the wind is blowing in your neck of the woods.
Sell As-Is. Sell Easy. Sell Smart!
From the Monterey Bay Wayback Machine
San Francisco Anchors California Gold Rush Centennial (January 24, 1948)
San Francisco played a central role in statewide celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill. While official ceremonies and a pageant were held in Coloma, San Francisco emerged as a major hub for related events. The anniversary launched an extended three-year “Centennials” celebration from 1948 to 1950, featuring exhibitions, parades, and cultural programs. These activities highlighted the Gold Rush’s lasting impact on California’s growth, identity, and global significance.
Mayor Lapham Launches San Francisco’s Postwar Planning Push (January 24, 1945)
San Francisco Mayor Roger Lapham advanced a sweeping postwar vision by appointing a Citizens’ Postwar Planning Commission. The initiative aimed to confront mounting strains on city services caused by the wartime influx of workers and a noticeable decline in neighborhood living conditions. Central to the effort was modernization of San Francisco’s aging, fragmented transit system, which struggled to meet rising demand. The commission signaled an early commitment to coordinated planning, infrastructure upgrades, and restoring quality of life as the city prepared for peacetime growth.
HP Ships the World’s First Handheld Scientific Calculator (January 27, 1972)
Hewlett-Packard began shipping the HP-35, the world’s first handheld scientific calculator, from its manufacturing facilities. The device had been officially unveiled earlier that month, on January 4, at a press conference in New York. Capable of performing complex scientific functions previously requiring bulky desktop machines or slide rules, the HP-35 revolutionized engineering and scientific work. Its release marked a landmark moment in personal electronics, reinforcing HP’s role as a pioneer of practical, transformative technology emerging from Silicon Valley.
This Week in Silicon Valley
Santa Clara County Weighs New Fees for Property Tax Appeals
Santa Clara County is considering new fees for property value appeals, a process homeowners use to challenge the county assessor’s valuation that determines their property taxes. Under the proposal, single-family homes, condos, townhomes, small multifamily properties (four units or fewer), agricultural land, and vacant land would pay a $290 appeal fee. Commercial, industrial, and multifamily properties with more than four units would pay a nonrefundable $675 fee.
County officials say the change is driven by budget pressure from major federal funding losses and aims to make the appeals program self-sustaining. The county estimates the fees would raise $3.4 million annually, close to the program’s $3.5 million yearly cost. The Finance and Government Operations Committee advanced the recommendation unanimously Tuesday, and it will head to the Board of Supervisors for a final vote later.
Officials also cited a surge in appeals, from 315 in 2019 to 2,623 in 2025, which they say is partly fueled by third-party firms monetizing the process. Critics argue the fees could discourage legitimate appeals and unfairly shift county budget problems onto residents.
Urban Plates Celebrates the New Year With a Free Giveaway
Date: Wednesday, January 28
Time: 11:00 am – 9:15 pm
Location: Urban Plates Sunnyvale, 300 W McKinley Ave Suite 100, Sunnyvale
Start the new year with Wellness Wednesdays at Urban Plates, featuring fresh, balanced meals for every lifestyle. Enjoy feel-good favorites and a complimentary Dragon Fruit Replenisher Wellness Booster Shot with select entrée orders while supplies last.
Hands-On Sushi Making Class | Create & Taste Art Sushi – Create & Taste!
Date: Saturday, January 31
Time: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Location: 1631 North First Street, San Jose
Dive into a hands-on sushi making class where creativity meets flavor. Learn art sushi techniques, shape and assemble your own rolls, and enjoy the delicious results.
Uncorked: Blind Tasting
Date: Saturday, January 31
Time: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Eataly Silicon Valley, 2855 Stevens Creek Boulevard, San Jose
Pull up a seat and learn from a resident Beverage Expert while tasting top Italian wine picks. Discover standout bottles, classic regions, and what to look for when choosing your next pour.
The Wiz (Touring)
Date: Wednesday, January 28 – Sunday, February 1
Time: Wednesday – Friday, 7:30 pm. Saturday, 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm. Sunday, 1:00 pm & 6:30 pm
Location: San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 S Almaden Blvd, San Jose
Ease on down the road with THE WIZ, the Tony Award–winning musical returning in an all-new Broadway tour. Bursting with soul, gospel, rock, and ’70s funk, this high-energy revival delivers powerhouse performances, dazzling choreography, and a fresh take on Dorothy’s journey.
Time to talk to a REALTOR?
Senior Friendly Homes in Silicon Valley South
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