Want to buy a home in Almaden valley?

Everyone has dreams. For some it is a promotion, better pay, the perfect wedding. For many people it is owning their own home. People have done foolish things while trying to fulfill their dreams. It is great trying to fulfill your dream but be careful and be aware of the risks because very often it is not just you who get affected if things do not work out.To anyone paying a mortgage, the idea that you can own your own home free of debt sooner is almost irresistible. So how can you really pay off your mortgage faster? Should you refinance? Will extra features, such as a redraw facility, mortgage offset account or a line of credit help you? Or should you go for a basic 'no frills' loan instead, and make additional payments whenever you can?

The idea of paying off your home loan more quickly is very appealing and is used by some mortgage brokers as a method of attracting you to their loans. Essentially, there are only two ways to pay off your home loan much faster. Find a cheaper interest rate (which may not exist) or make larger or more regular repayments on your loan.In reality there is no magic trick or secret type of loan that will let you own your home sooner. Substantial savings are only achieved by consistently making additional payments on your mortgage. You therefore need to be very careful when brokers claim that you can own your home sooner and make substantial savings by using a line of credit mortgage facility.If you’re looking to purchase properties, contact realtor Dale Warfel of Keller Williams Realty, who specializes in properties in the San Jose area and can guide you very professionally and efficiently. Keller Williams Realty has a comprehensive online tool which offers direct access to the latest properties for sale in your area. Featuring extensive community information, consumer links, school information, free reports, answers to commonly asked real estate questions, and more, you will find everything about real estate within one easy source.

If you’re thinking of investing in a condo...

Condominiums are buildings in which individuals separately own the air space inside the interior walls, floors and ceilings of their unit, but they jointly own an interest in the common areas that they share such as the land, lobby, hallways, swimming pool, and parking lot. In addition to paying a mortgage, each owner is responsible for paying a monthly fee to the condo association, which is made up of the unit owners. The fee covers maintenance, repairs, and building insurance. Most housing condominiums are apartments, although there are mobile home condominiums as well. They are an appealing way to enter the housing market if the cost of a single-family home is out of your reach.
Condos are especially popular among single homebuyers, empty nesters, and first-time buyers in high-priced housing markets. Unlike a house, condos offer a lifestyle that is free of yard work and exterior maintenance and repairs. Many condominium communities also offer amenities such as exercise rooms, tennis courts, and swimming pools that you might otherwise be unable to afford if you purchased a single-family home. Seek ownership in a well-maintained building, and pay special attention to the financial health of the condo association. Lax maintenance may be a sign of financial trouble, which could result in higher maintenance fees and problems trying to resale the property later.
But before you jump in you have to check some things. Get a copy of the latest financial statement from the condo association. Ask the board of directors which is elected by the unit owners from among themselves if major repairs or improvements are imminent. If so, find out how much they will cost and whether there is enough money in the reserve to cover them Check the by-laws, rules and the covenants, codes and restrictions (CC&Rs). You may find, among other things, that they prohibit or restrict pets and the renting of units. Learn everything you can about the homeowners association, including legal disputes and conflicts. Owning your own condo is a great idea. If you live in or around San Jose and are thinking of purchasing a home contact realtor Dale Warfel of Keller Williams Realty, who specializes in properties in this community and can guide you very professionally and efficiently.

Having a great time in Almaden valley

The South San Jose community of Almaden is one of the most attractive residential areas of Silicon Valley, It has nice hillside views and a gorgeous landscape. This Halloween the Almaden residents had a great time.The Pumpkin Patch featured plenty of orange gourds, the haunted house was spectacular, the food was tasty and there were plenty of crafts and story times for the costumed kids. Adults could also start early Christmas shopping with plenty of original arts and crafts. And a raffle offered special items for their own use or maybe a basket for a gift as well.Of special interest was Grandma and Grandpa’s haunted house that brave souls entered winding and wending their way through darkened hallways filled with ghouls and goblins. Many of the adult guests dressed in costume as well. For the guests, who made it out, there were home baked cookies, raffle tickets, brightly glazed pottery abstract paintings plenty of handcrafted jewelry, photography, leather and knitted goods and paintings presented for early Christmas shoppers. Children could choose a pumpkin, listen to story time and make some Halloween crafts.
Almaden valley is a great place to settle down and raise your kids in. One of the newest properties on sale in Almaden valley is a brand new 34-year-old home. Everything is new except the garage floor and exterior garage walls. This 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom home is absolutely gorgeous! Its amazing space includes a gourmet kitchen, a spacious bonus room, and an approximately 500 square feet balcony with a stunning 270-degree valley view. Everything you would expect in Almaden. If you’re looking to purchase properties in Almaden Valley, contact realtor Dale Warfel of Keller Williams Realty, who specializes in properties in this community and can guide you very professionally and efficiently. They also have some great properties in the surrounding areas of Campbell, Los Gatos, Coyote, Holy City, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Madrone and Redwood Estates which are within a distance of approximately 10 miles and are all communities of San Jose.

Hybrid forms of home ownership

Real estate elements that are owned by individuals and elements that are owned by a group, are called hybrid forms of ownership and they include real estate titles to condominiums, townhouses, and cooperatives.
There are differences and similarities in the ownership of the three types of real estate. For example, an individual condo owner holds title to the condominium unit only, not the land beneath the unit, so condos can be stacked on top of each other. All condo owners share title to common areas. Common areas include land, the exterior of buildings, hallways, roofs, swimming pools -- any area used by multiple owners. Condominium owners pay property taxes on their individual units. A property owners' association usually manages the complex and collects fees from all condo owners in order to maintain common areas.
In the case of townhouses or town homes, they are usually a series of single story or multistory units that are linked to each other horizontally by common walls. Townhouse owners hold title to their units and the land beneath them, so townhouse units cannot be stacked on top of each other. As with condos, common areas are owned jointly by all townhouse owners. Townhouse owners pay property taxes on their individual units. A property owners' association usually manages the townhouse complex and collects fees from all owners in order to maintain common areas.
If a property is a cooperative arrangement, title to all associated real estate is held by a corporation. Buyers purchase stock in the co-op corporation and are considered shareholders, not owners of real property. Each shareholder holds a lease to his unit that runs for the life of the corporation. Taxes are paid by the corporation. Any mortgages are normally held and paid by the corporation. All costs to operate the building are shared by shareholders. New cooperative shareholders must usually be approved by an administrative board. Cooperative ownership is not common in most states of the US.
Whether you are scouting for a condo, a townhouse or a co-op, if your looking in or around San Jose realtor Dale Warfel is the real estate agent you should get in touch with.

Halloween in Willow Glen

Halloween is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the world. Whilst some feel it should not be celebrated as it glorifies evil, in our increasingly secular society it is mostly seen as a harmless bit of fun for the kids. Here’s how Willow Glen celebrated this Halloween.
Lincoln Avenue had the usual big gathering of children in costume sponsored by the Willow Glen Business & Professional Association. Preschoolers had their trick-or-treating between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon in all the shops that were participating this year. For the older children the timings were between 3:00 and 5:00 pm. That was when they visited the merchants.
Happy Hollow hosted its annual festivities, with trick-or-treating, rides, and zoo animals. The park was open regular hours, but the party was between 1:00 - 4:00 pm on that Sunday.
Books for Treats in Willow Glen had a new concept for celebrating this Halloween.They were encouraging everyone to give age-appropriate reading material rather than candy for Halloween. They had a host of volunteers … once on Tuesday to sort and stuff bookmarks into each book, and again on Halloween along Lincoln Avenue.
The Church on the Hill, located above Willow Glen had their Fall Family Blast which was great fun for children and adults. The party was on Halloween night and was a great alternative to walking along dark streets.
For those children who live on the southern end of Lincoln, Elva’s Coffee Stop was decorated and was looking beautiful for Halloween. They were handing our treats to children in costume all day on Monday.
Willow Glen celebrates Halloween in style. The people are very friendly and it’s a great place to bring up your kids. If you are interested in scouting for a house in Willow Glen, you could contact Dale Warfel, realtor who is familiar with the real estate in San Jose and should be able to help you make a good real estate investment.

Stage your home before putting it up for sale

Home staging is beyond decorating and cleaning your house. It's about illusions. It's about creating moods and making your house look bigger, brighter, cleaner, warmer, more loving and, best of all, making home buyers want to buy it. Contrary to what you might think, it's more than preparing the house for sale. After you've cleaned, decluttered, painted, made minor repairs, you dress the house for sale. This is called Home Staging
Professional stagers are highly skilled artists. Stagers possess the skills of a top-level designer and they create dramatic scenery that appeals to all five senses. Some of the little things they do to make your home look more appealing are arranging sparse pieces of furniture in an appealing grouping known as a vignette. Showcasing a generous usage of soft fabrics such as silk, lambs wool, satin. Displaying unusual knickknacks in units of 1, 3 or 5. Draping window coverings with simple lines. Adding unique elements to shelving, bookcases and fireplace mantels, which draw attention to predetermined areas
Here are some professional staging tips. Apply orange oil to cabinets that appear dry, which will renew their original luster. Put out large bowls of fruit such as polished apples, bright oranges, luscious grapes. Arrange colorful and fun cookbooks on the counters. Bringing the outdoors inside through the use of greenery and plants is a great idea. Create a clean and crisp space and arrange the furniture with plenty of room to walk around. Bathrooms are essential to dress well. Bathrooms should look open, airy and delightful. Add baskets filled with spa treatments such as towels tied with ribbons, scented soaps, creamy lotions, moisturizing & facial jars.
The back yard needs staging, too. For patios and decks, bring in plants and potted flowers, and add additional color by setting the picnic table with bright, plastic dinner plates.
Once your home is prettily dressed up it is ready to be shown. A good real estate agent would be able to advise you if staging your home is a good idea depending on the area and the kind of buyers you are hoping to impress. If your property is around San Jose, Realtor Dale Warfel who is familiar with the area would be the right person to contact.

Real estate workshops help buyers make an informed decision

There are a lot of things that you might not know about buying a property in general. Worse, there are things which you might not know about the locality in which you are buying the property, if you are a new entrant to that locality. You might not know the real estate norms of the area and might not have any clue regarding the property prices. You might have even more doubts about property ownership rights if you are a foreigner. Nowadays many real estate firms conduct workshops to set you right on the guidelines of property buying, selling and management. Here are a few benefits that you might get by attending the workshops and a few things that you might learn from them:

· First hand information

You would be getting first hand information about everything that you need to know on buying a property, from experts and people who have years and years of experience in this field.

· Get to know the area well

For those of you who do not know the area well, attending a workshop will give you some useful insights on the area and its customs and culture.

Get knowledge on the legal issues and procedures

The legal issues for every state vary and if you come from a different part of the world or the country, you can get a first hand knowledge on all the legal issues. The workshops also help in giving you an insight of the procedures and norms involved in buying a house in the locality.

· Know the current rates and prices

If you are a first time buyer in this place, there are chances of the seller taking you for a ride, by quoting a price above the current prices. Attending the workshops would also mean getting to know the current rates and prices.

If you are buying a house, or are planning to buy a property in San Jose, attending a workshop would be a good decision, especially if you are a foreigner or if you are new to San Jose. Many real estate agents conduct workshops as part of their services. If you are interested in attending a work shop, you could check with Realtor Dale Warfel.

Multiple Listing Service helps potential buyers

The Multiple Listing Service or MLS is a database, through which the different real estate brokers of the sellers and the buyers interact with each other. The inclusion of the buyers and the sellers in the list is through a listing contract. The list consists not only of realtors who are members of the multiple listing service, but also of agents associated with the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), United States of America.

The MLS helps potential buyers become aware of different properties that they can choose from, and to help the sellers advertise their properties. MLS also makes searching for the right house easier as information is generally retrieved based on the location, amount, area and other important details regarding the property.

Only those who are licensed real estate brokers, agents of the brokers and members of CREA or NAR can be a part of the MLS. The MLS define their members clearly and restrict membership to licensed realtors. The owner of a property cannot become a member of the MLS. That is, the owner of the property would not be able to list his or her property in the MLS, without having a real estate broker to represent him or her.

These MLS systems are managed not by the government or the state, but by private organizations, who set the rules to be followed by the members. That is, the various MLS systems have their own set of rules, but at the same time, are subject to nationwide rules proposed by CREA or NAR. These systems may be owned by any association starting from a real estate organization to the country itself. So if your looking to buy or sell property you best bet to get a really good deal would be to go through a good real estate agent like Dale Warfel.

MLS are most famous and sought after in Canada and the United States, but are also available in other countries. Any good real estate firm would be registered with them.

How much does my real estate agent need to know

Real estate agents would say that the more you tell them, the better they can negotiate on your behalf. However, the degree of trust you have with an agent may depend upon their legal obligation.

Agents working for buyers have three possible choices: They can represent the buyer exclusively, called single agency, or represent the seller exclusively, called sub-agency, or represent both the buyer and seller in a dual-agency situation.Some states require agents to disclose all possible agency relationships before they enter into a residential real estate transaction.

Here is a summary of the three basic types:

* In a traditional relationship, real estate agents and brokers have a fiduciary relationship to the seller. Be aware that the seller pays the commission of both brokers, not just the one who lists and shows the property, but also to the sub-broker, who brings the ready, willing and able buyer to the table.

* Dual agency exists if two agents working for the same broker represent the buyer and seller in a transaction. A potential conflict of interest is created if the listing agent has advance knowledge of another buyer's offer. Therefore, the law states that a dual agent shall not disclose to the buyer that the seller will accept less than the list price, or disclose to the seller that the buyer will pay more than the offer price, without express written permission.

* A buyer also can hire his or her own agent who will represent the buyer's interests exclusively. A buyer's agent usually must be paid out of the buyer's own pocket but the buyer can trust them with financial information, knowing it will not be transmitted to the other broker and ultimately to the seller.

Whether you’re a buyer or seller, for homes in San Jose get in touch with realtor Dale Warfel. He has years of real estate experience and specializes in homes in Almaden Valley and Willow Glen.

Real Estate acronyms – Dale Warfel explains

“If you find yourself stumbling over weird acronyms in a real estate listing, don't be alarmed”, says San Jose realtor Dale Warfel.

There is method to the madness of this shorthand (which is mostly adopted by sellers to save money in advertising charges).

Here are some abbreviations and the meaning of each, taken from a recent newspaper classified section:

* assum. fin. -- assumable financing

* dk -- deck

* gar -- garage (garden is usually abbreviated "gard")

* expansion pot'l -- may be extra space on the lot, or possibly vertical potential for a top floor or room addition. Verify actual potential by checking local zoning restrictions prior to purchase.

* fab pentrm -- fabulous pentroom, a room on top, underneath the roof, that sometimes has views

* FDR -- formal dining room (not the former president)

* frplc, fplc, FP -- fireplace

* grmet kit -- gourmet kitchen

* HDW, HWF, Hdwd -- hardwood floors

* hi ceils -- high ceilings

* In-law potential -- potential for a separate apartment. Sometimes, local zoning codes restrict rentals of such units so be sure the conversion is legal first.

* large E-2 plan -- this is one of several floor plans available in a specific building

* lsd pkg. -- leased parking area, may come with an additional cost

* lo dues -- find out just how low these homeowner's dues are, and in comparison to what?

* nr bst schls -- near the best schools

* pvt -- private

* pwdr rm -- powder room, or half-bath

* upr- upper floor

* vw, vu, vws, vus -- view(s)

* Wow! -- better check this one out.

Resources:"Real Estate's Ambiguous Language You Oughtta Understand," Glennon H. Neubauer, Ethos Group Publishing, Diamond Bar, CA; 1993.

Buying your dream house

Buying a house is not an activity that is performed every month or every year, but is one of those special events that needs a lot of thought. Considering the enormous risks and huge amounts of money that are normally involved, it would not be wise to take crucial decisions without expert advice and professional assistance. We need professional help in almost every aspect of a real estate transaction, starting from deciding on the right house, to abiding by the proper rules and regulations and finishing profitable deals.

Realtors help in guiding you through the whole process of buying a house. They are people who know every minute detail about buying and selling properties and follow certain code of ethics in carrying out a transaction. A realtor can help you understand your financial position. This includes the loans that you would be sanctioned, plus your original financial assets. A realtor can help you search for your dream house, satisfying all your needs and requirements. Sometimes, you might not know about a property due to lack of proper advertising. But a realtor may know about it through various other sources.

A realtor will know about houses that are on the MLS. He can evaluate a property best. In most cases, you may not be totally aware of the real worth of a property. A realtor would know it better than any other person. A realtor can help you in the negotiation process. To make the best deal out of a transaction, it is best to leave the negotiation process in their capable hands . His job is to make sure that the whole process gets carried out smoothly.

A good real estate agent like Dale Warfel will also tell you about the localities and the advantages and disadvantages of that locality. He brings his years of experience and his knowledge of the San Jose area in helping you find your dream house.

Spruce up your house before putting it up for sale

Whether you are moving on or moving up, letting go is always hard. Selling a house is heart wrenching, With it go lots of memories .This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in the house. But you need to get started on the nitty gritty details before starting to show the house.

After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize it.Clutter collects on shelves, counter tops, drawers, closets, garages, attics, and basements. You want as much open clear space as possible, so every extra little thing needs to be cleared away.Take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let a friend help point out areas of clutter, as long as you can accept their views without getting defensive.

Do not do major repairs before you sell such as remodeling. If possible, use savings to pay for any repairs and improvements – do not go charging up credit cards or obtaining new loans. Remember that part of selling a house is also preparing to buy your next home. You do not want to do anything that will affect your credit scores or hurt your ability to qualify for your next mortgage.

When looking at a house, prospective home buyers often do not really know what to do. So they play with things. They flick light switches. They open everything with a handle. They turn on all the faucets and flush all the toilets. Having nice shiny fixtures makes an impression.

All your sink fixtures should look shiny and new. If this cannot be accomplished by cleaning, buy new ones. If you don’t buy something fancy, this can be accomplished inexpensively. Make sure all the hot and cold water knobs are easy to turn and that the faucets do not leak. If they do, replace the washers.It sounds like hard work, but it's pretty easy -- even for the inexperienced.

Check to make sure you have good water pressure and that there are no stains on any of the porcelain. If you have a difficult stain to remove, one trick is to hire a cleaning crew to go through and clean your home on a one-time basis. They seem to be wonderful at making stains go away.

Once you have your house spruced up your ready to put it up for sale. A good realtor can help you get a really good price. If you live in or around San Jose, you could go with realtor Dale Warfel who is very familiar with the area and can guide you efficiently.

The decision to rent or buy a house

Home ownership means you no longer pay monthly rent for the roof over your head. You can do what you want with your house (within reason). When you leave, you can sell it to recoup the purchase price and - with any luck - earn a profit too. But don't kid yourself. Home ownership comes with a slew of disadvantages, responsibilities, and downright headaches. So before going any further, consider whether your lifestyle and finances make home buying a smart move.

Except in a roaring real estate market, it usually doesn't make sense to buy a home you'll own for less than three or four years. Reason: the high transaction cost of buying and selling property means you could lose money on the deal. If you do make money, you'll pay capital gains taxes if you're in the house for less than two years.

So ask yourself if you can really stay put for that long. Will you need to move because you are transferred by your current employer or a new one? Are you thinking of going back to school?

On the financial side, one key question is whether it costs more, on average, to rent or own in your area. The rule of thumb is that if you pay 35 percent less in rent than you would for owning - including the monthly mortgage, property taxes, and any homeowner's fees - then it's smarter to continue renting.

Only if all those answers still point towards owning should you proceed to the next step - getting a real estate agent. Most good real estate agents will actually walk you through the first step again. They will review your finances and see if you are ready to make the commitment. They will be able to help you make the best decision. Realtor Dale Warfel has been in the business for many years and he has helped many families make the best investment of their lives.

Buying your dream house

Buying a house is not an activity that is performed every month or every year, but is one of those special events that needs a lot of thought. Considering the enormous risks and huge amounts of money that are normally involved, it would not be wise to take crucial decisions without expert advice and professional assistance. We need professional help in almost every aspect of a real estate transaction, starting from deciding on the right house, to abiding by the proper rules and regulations and finishing profitable deals.

Realtors help in guiding you through the whole process of buying a house. They are people who know every minute detail about buying and selling properties and follow certain code of ethics in carrying out a transaction. A realtor can help you understand your financial position. This includes the loans that you would be sanctioned, plus your original financial assets. A realtor can help you search for your dream house, satisfying all your needs and requirements. Sometimes, you might not know about a property due to lack of proper advertising. But a realtor may know about it through various other sources.

A realtor will know about houses that are on the MLS. He can evaluate a property best. In most cases, you may not be totally aware of the real worth of a property. A realtor would know it better than any other person. A realtor can help you in the negotiation process. To make the best deal out of a transaction, it is best to leave the negotiation process in their capable hands . His job is to make sure that the whole process gets carried out smoothly.

A good real estate agent like Dale Warfel will also tell you about the localities and the advantages and disadvantages of that locality. He brings his years of experience and his knowledge of the San Jose area in helping you find your dream house.

Charming Willow Glen

Willow Glen is a uniquely charming neighborhood of San Jose. Located three miles southwest of downtown San Jose, Willow Glen is bordered by the Guadalupe River, the Los Gatos Creek and Coe and Curtner Avenues.

The Willow Glen community is an ideal setting for new families where virtually every home is unique and beautiful. Willow Glen bars and clubs are fun any day of the week. Aqui's and Goosetown are some night spots of Willow Glen.

The Lincoln Avenue downtown business district, located between Coe and Minnesota, has sidewalk cafes, Italian delis, home design stores and clothing boutiques. Though there are many big names in Willow Glen like Starbucks and Peet most of the restaurants and shops are locally owned. Willow Glen offers a small town appeal and is a great place to settle down in. In fact, Willow Glen features two of the Silicon Valley area's only remaining independent bookstores.

Willow Glen has a very interesting history. Lincoln Avenue was originally called "El Abra," but by the mid-1860s, its name had been changed to Willow Glen Road. Shortly after the assassination of President Lincoln in 1865, residents agreed to call it Lincoln Avenue. A streetcar took turn-of-the-century Glenites down eucalyptus-lined Lincoln Avenue to downtown San Jose. On September 20th the people of Willow Glen celebrate their Founders day. Founders Day is a great time to eat endless bagels and drink numerous cups of coffee while getting to know the community. Since Willow Glen established its own school district in 1863, residents have identified themselves as distinct from San Jose.

It is a small community where people are very friendly. It is an ideal place to settle down and raise a family. There are beautiful houses located in picturesque locations. Willow Glen features outstanding schools, a vital community life It also is in close proximity to Downtown San Jose, retail shopping areas and Silicon Valley workplaces. If you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life Willow Glen is a great place to settle in. Realtor Dale Warfel who specializes in properties in this community can guide you very professionally and efficiently.

Founders Day in Willow Glen

The country's founding fathers officially stated that America was free of England's rule and signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. July 4 has since been celebrated as the American Independence Day.

Willow Glen residents celebrate September 20^th as their Independence Day. Their short period of independence is from the city of San Jose. And while most Glenites, as the people of Willow Glen call themselves, know that Founders Day celebrates the years when Willow Glen was its own city, not many seem to remember the exact details.

Willow Glen established its own school district in 1863 and residents identified themselves as distinct from San Jose. Incorporation seemed to be on the minds of Willow Glen residents, but nothing much happened until 1925, when the San Jose City Council ordered the Southern Pacific Railroad to get off Fourth Street and find a new route. The chosen route, went straight through Willow Glen. The choice Glenites had was to let that happen or incorporate. They chose the latter.

Nine years later, on Sept. 4, 1936, the substantially larger Willow Glen community voted 978-871 to be annexed back into San Jose.

Founders Day in Willow Glen celebrates these nine years of independence and the unique quality of what many residents still consider their own little town.

But nowadays, Founders Day is a time when everyone gets together; there are not very many communities that do that . It is a great opportunity to not only serve hundreds more bagels than usual and numerous cups of coffee but also a chance to get to know the community. There is a parade down Lincoln Avenue in which the children of the Willow Glen Elementary School and Willow Glen High School take part.

Willow Glen has a very diverse community and a strong small town appeal. Though it has many retail giants like Starbucks many businesses are locally owned and very cosy and intimate. Everyone is friendly. People know one another. There are little league games and intimate restaurants. Some people have lived here all their lives. Children go to the same schools that parents went to. But this does not mean that Willow Glen is a closed off community wary of newcomers. They are welcomed into the community and made comfortable.

Willow Glen is a great place to settle down and raise a family. Realtor Dale Warfel who is familiar with this little town, will be able to show you some great locations and help you find the ideal place to settle down in.

Dancing on the Lincoln Avenue

Every June thousands of people descend on Lincoln Avenue to celebrate Willow Glen's Dancing on the Avenue festival. This year was the sixth annual Willow Glen festival that has drawn crowds between 20,000 and 30,000 in past years. This is a much looked forward to event in the Willow Glen calendar. The event is sponsored by the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association.

The entertainment is varied and endless and most of them are sponsored by local businesses and services. All the volunteers are local too. About 100 volunteers from a variety of Willow Glen businesses and organizations help out at this annual fete. The arrival of thousands of people for the festival makes it a very lucrative time for the local businesses.This year saw a record crowd. The association actually ran out of water as the crowds exceeded their anticipation.

Bands at four stages kept the crowd tapping their feet. Fontain's M.U.S.E., hosted by the Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Company, Vin Santo restaurant and Violet Johnson's Wellness Spa, played near Minnesota Avenue from 5 to 7 p.m. Liquid Audio, hosted by Art Made to Match, played from 4 to 7 p.m. near Willow Street. Headliners FlashBack and the Joe Sharino Band closed out the evening, playing from about 6 to 10 p.m. Sharino and his band headlined Willow Glen's Dancing on the Avenue for the third time. They rocked the street from 7 to 10pm at the corner of Lincoln and Willow.

Police closed the busy thoroughfare from Minnesota Avenue to Willow Street at 3 p.m., so vendors could set up their booths and bands could prepare for their gigs. The street was cleaned up and reopened by midnight.

Willow Glen is located three miles southwest of downtown San Jose, Willow Glen is bordered by the Guadalupe River, the Los Gatos Creek and Coe and Curtner Avenues.

It has a very friendly community and is a great place to live in. To become a part of this beautiful community and to get far, far away from the madding crowd contact realtor Dale Warfel who specializes in properties in this community and can guide you in your search for your ideal house.

ALMADENS QUICKSILVER COUNTY PARK

The Almaden Valley neighborhood is south east of Los Gatos, west of Santa Teresa, and south of Coleman Ave. It is named after the New Almaden Mines, which were named after the mercury mine in (old) Almaden, Spain. Like its Spanish namesake, California's Almaden had a number of quicksilver mines. The mercury was used during gold extraction in the California Gold Rush.

The mines were closed in 1975 and have since been converted into Almaden Quicksilver County Park.You have to travel down Almaden Road to reach the park's main entrance. The New Almaden Historic District is located along Almaden Road before the park's Hacienda Entrance.

There are a number of historic houses and buildings which you will pass on the way down.The history of the town is intimately linked with the mining history of the park. Many of the people who managed or worked for the mines lived in New Almaden and many of their houses still remain. The Alamitos Creek cuts through the town. On the south side of Alamitos Creek is Bertram Road. Several historical sites lie along the road, including the Hacienda Hotel site, the New Almaden Community Club, and the Hacienda Cemetery.

The Hacienda Hotel was built in 1848 as a boarding house for miners. It was the first two-story hotel in California. In the 1930's, it was converted into the Cafe Del Rio, which was a popular restaurant. After 1979, it became the home of the La Foret French restaurant.

Down the road past the Community Club is the Hacienda Cemetery. It has graves dating back to the 1800's. Bertram Barrett's is one of the oddest graves there. Bertram Barrett was an Almaden Valley teenager who lost his arm in a hunting accident in 1898. His arm alone is buried here in this cemetery. The rest of him was buried in another cemetery in San Jose's Oak Hill Cemetery in 1959. The reason for this is a mystery. Its fascinating history and booming economy makes Almaden like many of its neighbouring valleys a sought after place to settle down in.

BLOSSOM VALLEY

Blossom Valley is situated in South San Jose, just northeast of the Los Capitancillos Ridge that separates it from Almaden Valley. Blossom Valley has very good schools and recreational amenities. The Mediterranean climate and convenient location make it an excellent neighborhood.

Blossom Valley offer views of Mt. Umunhum to the west. If you go a little higher you will be able top see the lights of the Santa Clara Valley at night. Along the ridge of Sierra Azuls, part of the Santa Cruz Mountains of the Coastal Range, is Almaden Quicksilver County Park, one of Santa Clara County Parks. Almaden Lake Park, the city's only park has a sand beach.The beach offers boating, fishing, swimming and windsurfing for the sport enthusiast.

Blossom Valley is a short drive from downtown San Jose's cultural resources and Silicon Valley's high technology work centers .The valley is very scenic with many golf courses and vineyards. There are clubs and theatres, art galleries and museums.

Blossom Valley has many shopping centres at convenient locations , from home improvement to neighborhood shopping and services. The newly renovated Oakridge regional shopping center is anchored by Macy's and Sears and has more than 100 specialty stores.

Blossom valley has a very friendly community with soccer moms and little league matches . The real estate is booming as it is a very sought after area for settling down. The best part is that is in spite of its fantastic location its still quite affordable.A good real estate agent should be able to help you find exactly what your looking for.

The community is connected to all parts of the valley through an excellent highway system and light rail service So this makes it easy to get away on holiday to Northern California's ski slopes in the east , the beaches to the west or San Francisco to the north.

ALMADEN VALLEY

Almaden Valley in South San Jose is one of the most attractive residential areas of the Silicon Valley. It is very scenic and has called "one of the most gorgeous landscapes in America," according to the Greenbelt Alliance website.

Almaden has a spectacular wildflower display during the springtime. The various parts of Almaden are interconnected through the Almaden Expressway . This helps make the cultural attractions and amenities of the downtown area easily accessible for Almaden residents.

Almaden Valley's key attraction is Almaden Quicksilver County Park. You will be able to see here the remnants of a historic mercury mine that produced more than $75 million in mineral wealth from the Gold Rush era to the 1970s (the San Jose mine's name came from the Almaden Mine in Spain). This park encompasses over 3,977 acres and includes over 29 miles of hiking trails, 23 miles of equestrian trails and 10 miles of bike trails. The Almaden Quicksilver Park has great hiking and biking trails which offer scenic views along the way. Los Alamitos/Calero Creek Trails is one of them and along the route are clearings laid out with picnic tables for some well deserved respite during the tough hike. Another beautiful park is the Almaden Meadows park.

Every September the Almaden Valley Women's Club Has the Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival .This festival has been conducted for twenty-seven-years and has an endless supply of wine, food and entertainment.

South of San Jose's Almaden Valley, located off Highway 101, the Coyote Creek Golf Club is one of Silicon Valley's most distinguished golf courses. Golfers can enjoy a great round of golf on these well maintained fairways and greens at Coyote Creek. This is a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and has been designed as a challenge to golfers of every skill level. All these amenities and the spectacular scenery makes Almaden Valley and some of its surrounding areas some of the most sought after real estate in San Jose.