AccessAlmaden

April 2022 Almaden Valley Real Estate Market Update

/in /by

Almaden Valley single family homes are still in high demand, although supply is beginning to catch up. April saw 32 single family homes offered on the MLS, a number we haven’t seen since the summer of 2020. This represents a big jump in listings in April, up from 12 in March. The 34 single family homes that sold in April is up from the 32 sales we saw in March but significantly down from 44 we saw same time last year.

Despite the increasing inventory we’ve been seeing since the first of the year, the average sold price per square foot speaks to how competitive the market still is. In April it reached a record $1078/sqft. Back in September 2021 it was $825/sqft, from which the price has been steadily on an upward trajectory.

There was some concern at the beginning of the year that increasing mortgage rates and prices might cool the market, it might not be having the impact many real estate prognosticators feared. Almaden Valley real estate is still in high demand, and so far the increased inventory is finding buyers. If you’re thinking about buying or selling, give me a call!

Graph: April 2022 Almaden Valley Real Estate Market Update

Performance Night at Leland Speech and Debate

/in , /by

Leland Speech and DebateIt’s the most awaited end of the academic year event for Leland High School’s Speech and Debate team – the annual Performance Night – where the team, after performing at competitions – and winning accolades – near and far, perform on their home turf before their friends, families and neighbors.

Leland’s Speech and Debate team needs no introduction in Almaden Valley, yet I will say it here. With over 200 members, and steered by 20 coaches, it is one of the most competitive and high achieving speech and debate teams in the United States. Currently ranked sixth in the nation and first in California by the National Speech and Debate Association, in the last five years this team has produced multiple State Champions and Nationals finalists.

On Friday, May 13, 2020, the cream of the team will be performing in various kinds of speeches and enactments, under their Dramatic Interpretation Category.

Tickets are available at the door. This is also the biggest annual fundraiser for the program. Please join in to support Leland Speech and Debate.

Venue:

Leland High School Cafeteria

Time: 6:30 pm (doors open at 6:00 pm)

Date: Friday, May 13, 2022.

Tickets: $7 with ASB card, $10 General Admissions; available at the venue.

Celebrate Mother’s Day in Almaden Valley

/in , /by

This Mother’s Day, Sunday May 8, 2022, treat your mom or significant other to some celebratory treats in and around Almaden Valley.

The Grille @ Cinnabar HillsMother’s Day Brunch at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club

Enjoy a sumptuous menu overlooking the pristine rolling greens at The Grille @ Cinnabar Hills, which includes prime ribs, blackened pork loin, smoked salmon eggs benedict and much more. Prices: $68 for adults and $25 for kids. Reservations required. For reservations, visit: https://www.cinnabarhills.com/restaurant/special-day-brunch

 

Mother’s Day Royal Tea at the Britannia Arms

In the afternoon, stop over for Mother’s Day Royal Tea at the Britannia Arms on Almaden Expressway from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. They have two special royal menus, the Princess Tea ($35), and the Queen Tea ($45). For reservations, visit: http://britanniaarms.com/fresh/index.php/calendar/mothers-day-royal-tea/

 

Mother’s Day Comedy Night at The Branham Lounge

Finally, end a day of treats with the Mother’s Day Comedy Night at The Branham Lounge. Enjoy live comedy by A Faco & Jorge South Bay Bois Production with cocktails and drinks, then stay on to hang out for the DJ music. 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm.Entry is free. For more information, visit: www.thebranham.com

Summer Wine Tasting at Alamitos Vineyards

/in /by

Summer wine tastingThe Alamitos Vineyards Estate in the heart of Almaden is opening its doors for summer wine tasting season on May 1, 2022. It is located in the English, Spanish and Hacienda villages within the Quicksilver County Park, New Almaden, that were once inhabited by the miners in the 1800s.

The vineyard was planted in 2014 with custom clone grafts from UC Davis, and grows Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and the Touriga Nacional, a unique Portuguese varietal.

Owners Shaun Coleman and Chris Maune are proud to belong to the New Almaden Community and contribute to its future while being connected with this land steeped in history. “The land and the vineyards allow us to connect with the pioneers of yesterday and today as well as all the groundwork they did to create a sense of community and belonging,” they say.

The Alamitos Vineyards offers weekend wine tasting tours and weekday tours with prior appointments. They also offer their outdoor wine tasting venue and other areas on the property for events, weddings and special parties.

The wine tasting tours are for 21+ only and require reservations.

For more information about summer wine tasting and bookings, visit:

https://www.alamitosvineyards.com/visit/

Quicksilver History Hike – April 2022

/in /by

Quicksilver History HikeThe next Quicksilver History Hike will be on April 24, 2022 from 9:00am-12:00pm.

Join a Park Interpreter to explore what remains of the once-bustling mining operations in the hills above New Almaden. This moderate, 3-4 mile hike in Almaden Quicksilver County Park leaves from the Wood Road parking lot off Hicks Road in San Jose. Dress in layers with sturdy shoes, sun protection, and bring plenty of drinking water. There are no bathrooms nor drinking fountains along the hike.

Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. This hike is offered once a month. Registration for the hike opens on the 1st of the month that the hike is offered. To reserve space on the upcoming History Hike, go to the Quicksilver History Hike page of the Santa Clara County Parks website.

Questions? Call 408-918-7700 or email interp@prk.sccgov.org.

Virtual 5K Art & Wine Community Event

/in , /by

Virtual 5K Art & Wine Community EventThe Almaden Valley Women’s Club will be hosting its 2nd annual Virtual 5k Art & Wine Community Event from June 26-July 3, 2022, in place of the annual Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival. The Virtual 5K Art & Wine Community Event is fun for the whole family. Participants can follow a suggested mapped route provided by the Women’s Club, or they can use their own route at their leisure over the 8-day duration.

In keeping with the AVWC tradition, they will be kicking off this event with the 2022 logo contest. One winner and two finalists’ logos will be selected from submissions by eligible students. The final logo will be featured on their yearly commemorative wine glass, the 5K event t-shirt and swag bag, and 2022 marketing material.

As with the Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival, 100% of proceeds will be awarded to local schools and charities. For more details and to donate, visit: https://www.almadenwomen.org.

Water Lantern Festival at Almaden Lake Park 2022

/in , /by

Water Lantern Festival at Almaden Lake ParkTickets are selling fast for the Water Lantern Festival at Almaden Lake Park! This popular family friendly event will take place this year on Saturday April 30 and Sunday May 1, 2022. Early bird tickets are on sale now until March 31. Along with entry to the festival, each ticket comes with a floating lantern kit, commemorative drawstring bag, and more. Gates open at 5:00, when you can enjoy food trucks, music and fun! At 7:30 you’ll design your lantern, and then at 8:00 is the Lantern Launch, where you’ll witness the beauty of thousands of lanterns and their lights reflecting upon the water. Learn more about this amazing event and get tickets on the Water Lantern Festival website.

Almaden Community Center 2022 Spring Activity Guide

/in , , , /by

Almaden Community Center 2022 Spring The Almaden Community Center 2022 Spring Activity Guide is now available! Registration for community center classes, spring break camp and a wide variety of summer camps begins Feb. 26 at 10am. You can register in person at Almaden Community Center or online at www.sjregistration.com.

Spring break camp for ages 5-12 will be held at the Almaden Community Center Monday-Friday April 11-15 from 8am-6pm.

Dozens of week-long full- and half-day summer camps will take place at the Almaden Community Center or at neighboring parks starting the week of 6/6-6/10 and continuing through the week of 8/15-8/19. Camp instructors are from such groups as Mad Science of the Bay Area, Young Rembrandts, Futsal Kings, Skyhawks Sports Academy, Engineering for Kids, Dance Arts Academy and more.

Registration for Active Adults 50+ begins on Feb. 23 at 10am.

The Almaden Community Center is located at 6445 Camden Ave., San Jose, CA 95120. The center follows all state and county guidelines regarding mask requirements and daily health screenings. For more information about classes, camps or health guidelines, call the Almaden Community Center at 408-268-1133.

December 2021 Almaden Valley Real Estate Market Update

/in /by

The year 2021 was, by all accounts, a banner year for Almaden Valley real estate. Extremely high demand due to low interest rates, the migration of tech employees from the office to the home, and San Jose’s approval of Google’s 80-acre campus in downtown San Jose helped push Almaden Valley’s prices up. The median sales price for a single family home was $2,080,000 in December 2021, a whopping 25% over December 2020’s figure of $1,660,000. TrendGraphix shows a similar 25% increase in Almaden average price per square foot, from $737 in December 2020 to $924 in December 2021.

Inventory remains tight, though we generally tend to see an increase as we move into spring. Interest rates have already inched up each week for the past month, and predictions are that rates will continue to rise in 2022. It remains to be seen if the predicted increase in rates will stimulate more buyers to enter the market sooner in order to take advantage of current rates. Even with rates going up, though, they still remain quite attractive, and we don’t believe they will have a significant dampening effect on our market, at least not for the next few months. If you’re thinking now might be the right time for you to buy or sell, give me a call!

Almaden Valley Real Estate Market 2017-2021

2021 Almaden Holiday Lights Contest Winners

/in /by

The 2021 Almaden holiday lights contest winners in Shadow Brook have been announced! Every year the popular Almaden Shadow Brook neighborhood holds this contest, and this year there are two winners. If you’re looking for some holiday fun, drive through the neighborhood and enjoy the show! And while you’re there, take note of the dozens of red bows hung by the Red Bow Brigade, a neighborhood group of volunteers committed to making the Shadow Brook neighborhood an extra special community for the holidays.

Here are the winners of this year’s holiday lights contest:

2021 Almaden Holiday Lights

6774 Bret Harte Drive

2021 Almaden Holiday Lights

965 Summerleaf Drive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The People’s Choice award went to:

2021 Almaden Holiday Lights

6744 Heathfield Drive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honorable mentions went to:

2021 Almaden Holiday Lights

1089 Hedgecroft Place

2021 Almaden Holiday Lights

6704 Bret Harte Drive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, Best Decorated Street this year goes to the southern end of Heathfield Drive.

May your holidays this year be as bright as Shadow Brook!