Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence is a cause near and dear to my heart.  Next Door Solutions To Domestic Violence seeks to end domestic violence In the moment…and for all time.  Next Door Solutions’ programs and services are free-of-charge and designed to empower victims and their families. With a short-term goal to provide safety and a long-term aim to prevent abuse, Next Door Solutions’ programs and services include the following:  Housing Solutions, Crisis & Community Support, Self Sufficiency and Support Groups & Kids Club.

I hope you’ll join us on October 11th to support this incredible organization at the Light Up the Night Event at the Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos.  Proceeds will benefit all of their amazing programs and services.

Tickets can be purchased at:

https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_896c682e-9a6b-11e4-b8ac-0a8b51b42b90&WidgetId=8604672

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The California Coastal Commission has a rich history of protecting and enhancing California’s coastline.  For 20 years, the CCC has been celebrating artwork and poetry from California’s children and they just announced the winners of the 2018 Coastal Art & Poetry Contest.  Students throughout the state from Kindergarten to 12th grade participated.  All art and poetry had a California coastal or marine theme.  View the 2018 Coastal Art & Poetry Contest online and on exhibit at the following locations during 2018:

• Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies , Tiburon, Discovery Day Open House on April 29
• Ford House Museum, Mendocino, July and August
• Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center, Ventura Harbor, September-mid-November
• Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz, December 2018 and January 2019

Enjoy!

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From Hollywood dreams to Silicon Valley start-ups; from Napa Valley vineyards to miles of free beaches, California is one of the most beautiful and livable places in America. Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or El Capitan in Yosemite Valley, The Golden State is the place for you. One challenge folks shopping for California housing face is the rarity of a vacant home.

The U.S. Census Bureau tracking of the empty-but-owned homes found that 1 percent of ownership residences were vacant in California in 2017, the lowest since 2004 and the fifth-lowest rate nationally. That tied the statewide rate for 2016, which was No. 4 among the states.

California’s vacancy rate tied Massachusetts. Vacancies were only lower in Colorado, Rhode Island, Washington and Michigan. By the way, 1.6 percent of homes across the U.S. were vacant last year, down from 1.7 percent in 2016 and the lowest rate since 2000.

Owned homes go vacant for many reasons, but a common one is the time it takes to sell a home. Another cause: bank repossessions.

It wasn’t too long ago — in 2008 amid the housing market’s bubble bursting and foreclosure explosion — that California was among the states with high vacancy levels: 3.1 percent. Only 10 states were higher.

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While we live in an amazing part of the state, many of us are concerned with growth and traffic from new developments and big company moves. Here is how our tax dollars are being put to work with measure B:

Despite 2016 Santa Clara County Measure B sales tax revenue being held up because of a legal challenge, the County is moving forward on improvements to Foothill Expressway at El Monte and San Antonio Road. Los Altos has already committed $400,000 in design-phase funding for improvements to this project.

Residents and regulator visitors to Los Altos will see the expressway widened from four lanes to six, and see extended turn lanes around these intersections. Signal timing will also be installed to improve the flow of traffic. The County has been presenting the plans for these improvements to various organizations, including the Complete Streets Commission in Los Altos.

2016 Measure B is a 30-year, half-cent countywide sales tax to enhance transit, highways, expressways and active transportation (bicycles, pedestrians and complete streets). Despite its passage by nearly 72 percent of voters, the highest level of support for any Santa Clara County transportation tax, a lawsuit is challenging its validity. The measure is anticipated to generate $6.3 billion (in 2017 dollars) over the next 30 years. Collection of the tax began in April 2017.

Measure B Expressway Improvements

credit: sccgov

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While the idea of the “perfect neighborhood” is different for every homeowner, more Americans are expressing a desire to live in communities with access to public transit, shorter commutes, and greater walk-ability.

Check out this infographic for some interesting statistics from the National Association of Realtors:

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Ensure a Good First Impression

Homebuyers make up their minds about a property in the first few minutes. Make sure your home makes that vital first impression. New paint does wonders. Make sure the front yard is flawless with manicured lawns and attractive foliage. Add a hanging basket or some flower pots at the door. The front door is also critical, make sure the hardware is presentable.

Make them Feel Welcome

Don’t forget buying a home is in many ways an emotional decision, so it’s important to give buyers that warm and fuzzy feeling! Keep the temperature in the home at a comfortable level. Light some candles in the bathrooms and make sure it smells nice and clean. Have fresh flowers around the house.

But don’t make it too personal

Make them feel welcome, but don’t go too far. Too much personality, for example in the form of personal possessions and family photos makes it hard for buyers to visualize living in the space.

Clear out the Clutter

Make sure your property is clutter-free for all your viewings. This will make your home look and feel bigger, and the buyers will be able to imagine how they could make the space their own. Make sure that there is a clean, logical flow through the home by getting rid of all excess furniture. Less is more.

Improve Lighting

This is another way to make your home seem more spacious. Open all your curtains and flood the space with natural light. Make sure the darker rooms are also lit. Invest in some light fixtures and fittings, and place them strategically to illuminate even the gloomiest of areas.

Decorate to Sell That House

Slap on a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color to give it that blank canvas look but do not be too sterile. Have some contrast in the trim as well as the ceiling. Neutral colors make properties appear lighter and brighter, so take advantage of this inexpensive and easy option. You may also add color with decorative window coverings, rugs, and towels.

Clean Up Your Act

Your home should be spotless. Make sure the beds are made and the countertops are free of clutter. The dishes should be put away and nothing should be scattered on the floor. Don’t forget to tidy your garden too: Cut the shrubs back, sweep the patio, and wipe down the backyard furniture.

Those Minor Repairs You Put Off

It is easy to forget things such as broken doorknobs, cracked tiles, holes in walls and damaged but buyers will notice them first thing as they are walking around your home.

Maximize Your Space

The golden rule of selling is to make your space look and feel bigger and better than what your competitors have to offer. We’ve already mentioned that lighting your home, both naturally and artificially, can maximize your assets, but getting rid of bulky furniture can also be a great way of making the most of what you have. Large pieces of furniture make a space feel smaller, so put these items into storage and dress your home with more compact pieces.

Don’t Forget Your Floors

Make the investment of improving and investing in those floors. Worn carpets and damaged vinyl floors need to be replaced, and wooden floors especially should undergo some maintenance. This is not chap by any means, but the prospect of selling your home for the best possible price will likely outweigh the cost.

Remove Pets During Showings

You do not need to remind the potential buyer that the previous owner kept pets.

Try to remove your pets from your home when you are showing the home. Having a pet in the house or yard can create complications for your agent while trying to show the house, and puts your pet at risk of accidentally getting out during the showing. There are also liability issues to deal with as well. They may react differently to stranger and it may cause them stress. All pet-related damage should be repaired prior to showing the home. Make sure to also remove all odors and stains. New visitors will notice smells when they come to view the house. This is not something you want to happen. Have your carpet and floors professionally cleaned or replaced. Pick up any messes in the backyard and have any sod replaced and other damage repaired.

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The North 40 Specific Plan Area is approximately 44 acres and is bounded by Highway 85 on the north, Lark Avenue on the south, Highway 17 on the west, and Los Gatos Boulevard on the east.

The Town Council will hold a public hearing to continue their consideration of potential amendments to the North Forty Specific Plan. The meeting will occur on January 16, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers at 110 E. Main Street. The intention is not a rewrite of the entire Plan.

Recent Events

On September 19, 2017, the Town Council adopted a temporary Urgency Ordinance extending for a period of ten months and fifteen days the moratorium prohibiting the processing and issuance of future land use entitlements within the North 40 Specific Plan area until an update to the North 40 Specific Plan has been completed.
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On August 15, 2017, the Town Council adopted a temporary Urgency Ordinance prohibiting the processing and issuance of future land use entitlements within the North 40 Specific Plan area until an update to the North 40 Specific Plan has been completed.
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In response to the Judge’s ruling, the Town Council heard public testimony on July 24, 2017 regarding the reconsideration of the development applications submitted by Grosvenor USA Limited, SummerHill Homes LLC, and Eden Housing, Inc. The hearing was continued to August 1, 2017. On August 1, 2017, the Town Council adopted a resolution to rescind Resolution 2016-04 denying the applications (Resolution 2017-044) and adopted a resolution to approve the applications, making certain findings and placing conditions on the development (Resolution 2017-045).

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