We want to quickly bring you up to speed on living in San Martin, CA.  Even though San Martin might feel like a city, its not, but that doesn’t make it any less livable. San Martin is actually something called a census-designated place, which is a population that is labeled for statistical purposes. Anyway, let’s move on to more relevant information about this community.  San Martin is lodged between Morgan Hill and Gilroy, south of the San Francisco Bay Area. If you drive from San Jose down the U.S. Route 101, it takes about 25 minutes to reach San Martin. Plenty of farming still ..read more

Palo Alto is special, even among all of the fantastic communities around Santa Clara County of California. The city of about 68,000 residents sits in the heart of Silicon Valley, offering a vibrant downtown and beautiful tree-lined neighborhoods. On one hand, you’ve got all of the natural scenery the area is beloved for. On the other, Palo Alto’s access to world-class tech companies and Stanford University very sought after.  Instead of cruising all over the Bay Area for entertainment (and parking spaces), Palo Alto residents can tap into lots of options in minutes. Los Altos, Mountain Vi ..read more

You’re browsing Bay Area online listings one day, when suddenly, there it is. The home on your screen is affordable and way below what you’d expect to pay. At first, this surprises you, but then you see that the property is foreclosed. And now you’re thinking, “Should I buy a foreclosure for my first home?”  Foreclosure property - photo via Canva Seasoned homebuyers and first-timers should both be wary of foreclosures in Bay Area communities. Yes, the price tag looks phenomenal and the pictures might look promising, but there could be issues below the surface.  Here’s the ultimate ..read more

Photo | Freedomz, Canva You’ve probably started looking into real estate investing options and discovered “Subject To” deals.  These deals offer discounted home prices, quicker transactions, and less hassle for investors (even first-timers). For real estate investing in California, understanding “Subject To” deals is essential. That’s the short version, but you probably want to know more. What is a “Subject To” deal? The difference between “Subject To” & mortgage assumption What are the benefits and risks of “Subject To” deals?  We’ll explain all of that right now.  You’ll ..read more

Relocating will be one of the most stressful and challenging things you’ll ever do, especially if you’re moving to a different city or country for career-related reasons and taking your family with you. You have to plan the move carefully – dropping the ball on important details is not an option. Not only are moving-related mistakes expensive, but they can also cause significant obstacles down the road. Today, The Jamison Team offers this career relocation guide to help you organize yourself and make your move with as little stress, time, and money as possible. Find Work First When considerin ..read more

 Photo | Jason Doiy, Canva Searching for honest information about life in San Jose, California?  We’ll be direct and informative for a simple reason: you’d probably prefer it.  There are good and bad things about moving to San Jose (obviously). We all know that each city in California (and the world) has its upsides and downsides. Knowing and weighing these pros and cons is the key to living in the best area you can. Santana Row in San Jose - via Amy Meredith on Flickr 6 Reasons Why Locals Love Living in San Jose San Jose is not your average American city. We’ve been set up her ..read more

Resolution appears to be on the NAR’s horizon. The real estate commission lawsuits that began in 2019 could receive long-awaited closure in the form of a settlement agreement.  For anyone outside of the real estate industry, the entire saga might have passed by unnoticed, despite the country-wide implications it has. Even for the formidable real estate economy, the Sitzer-Burnett verdict and copycat lawsuits brought uncertainty. All this, while Americans are dealing with high interest rates on mortgage loans and lower-than-ideal inventory.  We’ll explain the good and bad about the ..read more

There aren’t many places to live that compare to Morgan Hill around Santa Clara County. The city of about 44,000 sits in a valley between two mountain ranges, offering interesting topography and beautiful scenery. Access to Silicon Valley’s economy and a community flush with amenities makes Morgan Hill, California very sought after.  Instead of driving all over the Bay Area for excitement or cuisine, Morgan Hill residents can be there in minutes. Homes, wineries, and parks tend to cover the hillsides, with restaurants, retail, and industries closer to the city center. We’ll give a detail ..read more

Photo | Canva There’s one benefit that veterans and active duty military members have probably heard about, but might not know how to use.  What is VA loan assumption?  When mortgage rates are high, the ability to assume someone else’s mortgage (loan assumption) is a massive opportunity. You might get the chance to take a lower interest rate, plus a lower monthly payment. If you want to pursue a VA loan assumption, you’ll be taking over an active mortgage from a military veteran. That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be a veteran yourself, but it does mean you need to get famili ..read more

Expired real estate listings aren’t the end of the world. A different approach can turn the whole situation around. Listings that linger too long can expire, leaving homeowners a bit unsure of the next steps. Remember, a home is a complex purchase. It could be one or several different factors that are holding up the sale. We can safely say, it is probably not the choice of shrubbery or the kitchen counter.  Realtors can identify the problem quickly. Without monitoring the market, knowing comparable properties, and tracking buying habits, you won’t have the same level of insight.  So ..read more