Recent headlines show pending sales are up 7.4% in August.  For the Evergreen area, there were definitely more pendings than previous months as indicated by the data below.

95148 Actives = 124
95148 Pendings = 50
95148 Solds = 3
Average Price = $705k

95135 Actives = 124
95135 Pendings = 12
95135 Sold = 3
Average Price = $965k

95138 Actives = 162
95138 Pendings = 20
95138 Solds = 4
Average Price = $1,351,000

In comparison with solds within the past month, pending sales are up sharply, especially in 95148 where prices are in the $700 thousands.  There’s lots of bargain hunting in that price range.  Although credit markets are tightening , those who have been waiting to buy and are pre-approved are finding homes that they have been waiting for.

Today marks the official first day of Fall at  11:44:16 EDT which is the time of the  Autumn Equinox. Although in San Jose, we don’t get Falls like this, we can expect cooler nights and occasions where we’ll need a sweater or two.

Typically Fall marks a slowdown in activity as compared to Spring and Summer , however, other factors can influence market activity including local real estate conditions, interest rates, and demand for housing in certain areas.  In Evergreen in particular, during the last week, there were 16 new listings for area codes 95148, 95135, and 95138 including:

5400 SAN FELIPE RD
2633 CARMELLA CT
6441 ROLLING MEADOW
8252 CLARET CT
3424 ROYAL MEADOW LN
5335 HOUNDS ES
2849 AUTUMN ES
8005 PINOT NOIR CT
7570 HELMSDALE CT
8071 WINERY CT
6275 BLAUER LN
6302 BLAUER LN
3327 SAN FELIPE RD.
8394 Riesling
3216 Bracciano Ct.
5322 Cribari Glen

For more information on any of these listings please visit:  Evergreen Home Search

95138 Evergreen San Jose, CA Listings

$500k to $1.5 MM
# of New Listings -22

AVG PRICE of New Listings - $1,002,000

95135 Evergreen San Jose, CA Listings

$500k to $1.5 MM
# of New Listings -26

AVG PRICE of New Listings - $903,000

95148 Evergreen San Jose, CA Listings

$500k to $1.5 MM
# of New Listings -37

AVG PRICE of New Listings - $715,000

San Francisco tops the nation’s list of the most walkable cities in the US, followed by New York and Boston. And of course, Evergreen didn’t make the list, but that doesn’t mean we’re not walkable.

Walkscore is a neat online tool that scores your neighborhood on walkability based on many factors including proximity to schools, stores, fitness centers, restuarants quite a few other criteria. Its algorithm weighs all of these factors and scores them based on scoring system below:

• “90–100 = Walkers’ Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people get by without owning a car.
• 70–89 = Very Walkable: It’s possible to get by without owning a car.
• 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.
• 25–49 = Car-Dependent: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.
• 0–24 = Car-Dependent (Driving Only): Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!”

With a score of “43″ for the Evergreen Village Square address, we’re definitely in the “Car-Dependent” group, but anyone who lives in the South Bay is comfortable with driving around to do errands. It’s just a fact of life to commute around here. Would we want a few more walkable points ? Sure , we have lots of retail space in the area that can accommodate more restaurants and amenities. Here’s a nice snapshot from Walkscore using Google’s streetview.

With rising energy prices more and more people are thinking of “Going Green” and figuring out ways to save energy . I had a friend recently who came over and saw my Dell 5100cn business printer on standby.  He said that it is an energy vacuum, sucking lots of energy even in standby mode and says that he turns off his printer whenever it is not in use.  Sound advice, but he goes on to say that unplugging all electronics including computers, DVDs, TVs can save a lot of energy as well.  It turns out that this is exactly what is recommended  here, here and here.

One key statement that was made was the fact that “75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off.”  Wow, what a nugget.   I’ve got 20 electronic devices plugged in and on standby at any one time and will definitely try to unplug a few of them when not in use.  Well, these are sound tips that can easily be implemented, but others have been verging on extreme remodeling to make a green case.  It turns out that it can be a very expensive proposition.  Is it worth the cost to install new framing, insulation, piping, and appliances ?  It all could add up very quickly and whole situation can turn red instead of bright green as the costs of going green can strip away a lot of resources and cash more so than what is expected of the investment.  Before shelling out 1000s of dollars going green , do an easy ROI calculation on the energy savings vs the cost of the new green solution.  If the break even of going green is >7 years, it may not be a worthwhile investment as there are other opportunities that may give rise to a greater return.

…is realtively low , as reported by www.crimereports.com

Bernanke ties rates to “weakening dollar”

Homeowners who borrowed against the value of their second home, or who financed the purchase of their second home and subsequent homes by pledging their primary home or other properties as security, may be liable for taxes on the difference in value should they sell any of their properties for a price less than the value owed on the mortgage.

Sales of foreclosures are on the rise

95135 

There were 12 new listings between $600k and $1.5k in Evergreen 95135 during the last 2 weeks.
The average new listing price was $1,100,000
During the last month there were 6 new pending sale homes and 1 home that closed escrow.

95148

There were 12 new listings between $600k and $1.5k in Evergreen 95148 during the last 2 weeks.
The average new listing price was $955,000.
During the last month there were 10  new pending sale homes and 0 home that closed escrow.