Trends are emerging as August comes to an end and the election year kicks off. Included in this column are insights into total sales, the best performing month, where the largest decline was, and other pertinent information that provide a window into the Los Altos real estate scene. 

My tenure on the board of the Los Altos History Museum has come to an end, and I’m genuinely saddened to say goodbye to the regular gatherings with a group of people so passionate about preserving the history of Los Altos and sharing all that our town has to offer with residents, newcomers, and future generations. I’m also proud of what we accomplished in just a few short years.

Your house has a unique individual address and property. It is one-of-a-kind, as no two homes are ever identical, even if they share the same floor plan. Its value encompasses not just the property itself but also the surrounding street, community, and area, which contribute to the lifestyle offered by living there. Real estate sales are, in many ways, the ultimate retail product, and like other retail businesses, it experiences seasonal fluctuations.

There’s a reason that fine art majors and designers take entire courses on color. Color theory, the idea that color affects mood and meaning in space, is crucial when selling your home. The color of your home’s interior can play a significant role in attracting buyers and maximizing your sales price.

With the growing trend of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) due to relaxed laws and a need for more housing, homeowners often wonder if adding an ADU will significantly boost their home's value. When considering selling your home soon, it's crucial to identify the investments that will yield the highest return.

If you think cash offers have gone away, think again. According to recent data from the MLS, there are still cash buyers out there. In May, 26% of sales in Los Altos were cash offers, while in Los Altos Hills, cash was king in 40% of the month’s closed sales.

Spring is in full swing in the real estate market, with Los Altos seeing 26 active listings by the end of April, a 53% increase in inventory over March. This tracks closely with Santa Clara County as a whole also seeing more activity in April, up 57% over March.

If you are planning to sell your home, setting the right price is one of the most important tasks on the path to success. There is a lot more to price than just a number. So first, let’s take a closer look at the pricing process. Is it a fair assumption that you would like to walk away with the highest possible price you can get for your home? Let’s assume yes, but one who thinks they should just ask that price – or maybe higher – is likely mistaken.

The median home sale price in Los Altos rose 4% for the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2023. This is good news, but let’s dive deeper into what that really means.