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A little elbow grease can transform a fixer-upper into a keeper. It’s hard to resist the temptation of a property that you can rebuild into your dream home. Before you get your tools ready, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of purchasing your own fixer-upper.

1. Lower prices
   • Pro: The biggest draw of buying a fixer-upper is the low price due to external damage, internal defects, or any other noticeable issues. Study the prices of comparable homes in the area or hire a home inspector to know the full extent of the repairs you’ll need and their cost to avoid ending up spending more on the house. The lower cost should offset any repairs needed.
   • Con: Securing financing for a fixer-upper is more difficult than buying a move-in ready home. The current state of the property, along with other factors, makes fixer-uppers a risky venture for most lenders. – There are, however, several mortgages that cater to this specific market, such as the FHA rehab loan.
2. Customization
   • Pro: Repairing a fixer-upper gives you room to customize the property according to your tastes and lifestyle. You can make minor changes (new lights, hardware, appliances) to major ones (knock out or create new rooms, replace the floor). Basically, you have the chance to turn the fixer-upper into your dream home.
   • Con: Budget constraints can limit what you can do with the property. HOA rules can also hinder you from making any drastic updates. More importantly, the fixer-upper might not be compatible with the changes you want. While some fixer-uppers are sturdy enough to handle major renovations, others are not as structurally sound.

     Before you purchase a fixer-upper, invite a home inspector with you. Consult about your planned updates to determine whether they are doable or otherwise.

3. Shortcut to a good neighborhood
   • Pro: One of the factors that dictates the price of a property is location. Homes in a sought-after community will command a higher price. A fixer-upper, however, should be priced lower than the other houses in the neighborhood. This can help you get your foot in the door to a great school district or a location close to your work place. Once you complete the repairs, the home’s value should appreciate and give you return on your investment.
   • Con: Whether or not the property is a sound investment varies on a case-to-case basis, so make sure to inspect the defects carefully. Even if you’re in your dream neighborhood, you’ll either be living in a construction zone with defects like leaky roofs or broken heaters. And if your house needs a massive amount of repairs, you may even have to stay elsewhere -until the house is livable.

A real estate expert on fixer-uppers will help you find the property with the most potential.

We are among the top real estate agents in Silicon Valley. We will deliver the results you need. Call us today at 650-489-6251 or email info@david&sunny.com for more information.

In Silicon Valley, coffee shops take on a whole new dimension and are one of the best places to create social connections. Every day, you will find venture capitalists and start-up entrepreneurs share ideas for the hottest new apps and discuss ambitious plans for the next great tech innovation over cups of freshly brewed coffee.

Join promising minds talk big business or find a nice place to get good coffee and work by visiting some of Silicon Valley’s top coffee stops. Here are some of the best:

• Red Rock Café
  Located in a historic building, Red Rock is a local nonprofit that dedicates itself to coffee, culture, and the community. It’s where venture capitalists, tech entrepreneurs, and other local talents hang to work, exchange ideas, and enjoy coffee sourced from some of the best roasters in the US. Red Rock also hosts open mic events and regular entrepreneur meetings.
• Coupa Café
  This family-owned Venezuelan coffee shop offers specialty blends made from authentic South American coffee sourced straight from the farmers there. There are also non-coffee drinks on the menu like chai lattes and hot chocolate spiced with pasilla chili. If you are hungry, you can also order delicious Venezuelan dishes like empanadas or arepas to go with your choice of drink.
• Blue Bottle Coffee
  You might want to take inspiration from the rags-to-riches story of this coffee shop, where flavor and freshness are the top priority What began as a small kiosk in Hayes Valley has exploded into a network of cafes all over the Bay Area and even Japan. The location in Palo Alto sits alongside the co-working space, HahaHaus, making it easy to work once you have your cup of joe.
• Philz Coffee
  Getting a table at Philz Coffee is a feat in itself because it seems to be always packed full of people. In fact, Philz Coffee is so iconic that even Facebook’s headquarters has one. The famous coffee shop has an eccentric but cozy and homey vibe thanks to the floor-to-ceiling murals, mismatched chairs, and lived-in sofas. Using a pour-over method, Philz Coffee’s brews are varied.
• B2 Coffee
  Brewing since 2006, the locally owned Bellano Coffee is one of the most well-known cafes in Silicon Valley. B2 is its second location at San Jose’s San Pedro Square Market and is connected to the inner food court. Try their vanilla bean syrup or seasonal flavors like lavender. It is also strategically placed near a food court in case you are looking for a bite to eat.
• Joanie’s Café
  This café is known for being a meeting ground for venture capitalists and start-up founders. People always rush to fill the seats, so lining up can take up to an hour. It is well worth the wait though, because they have delicious coffee and large tasty servings of breakfast and brunch.

Living in a community with great coffee shops makes for a highly productive atmosphere that enables you to get the most out of your day. If that is the kind of place you want to live in, then you will want to contact David Chung or Sunny Kim. Call them at 650-489-6251 or send them an email at info@david&sunny.com.

Not into coffee? Try alcoholic drinks at these 5 best bars in Silicon Valley or opt for a stroll in Palo Alto.

Investing in a home is one of the smartest moves one can make. However, buying one can be a long, stressful process that may take up a lot of time and money.

Make sure you stay on top of all the costs that go into buying your new property and be aware of these 4 costs:

1. Inspection costs

   According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 77% of homebuyers have home inspections done before completing the purchase. This is to avoid unwanted surprises should they decide to close the deal. The average home inspection in Silicon Valley costs around $311, though the prices vary depending on the size of the home. A home inspection can reveal hidden issues like a home’s faulty electrical wiring, a malfunctioning HVAC system, or poorly installed insulation.

2. Closing costs
   Closing is the final step in buying a home. It is when the property is transferred to the buyer. Closing costs are the fees that must be paid to finalize the transaction. These include loan origination fees, title service costs such as title search or title insurance, a recording cost to make the change of ownership official, taxes, and so on.

   Closing costs vary based on the location of the property, the type of property, and the kind of loan you chose. Typically, home buyers pay 2-5% of the purchase price of their home in closing fees. Home buyers can sometimes negotiate with the sellers as well to lower the price or have them shoulder the closing fees in the meantime.

3. Moving costs
   The American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) states that the average cost of a move within the same state is $2,300 at 7,400 lbs. For interstate moves, the average is $4,300 for a distance of 1,225 miles from the previous home. On the other hand, the fee for local moves tends to be billed at an hourly rate, along with the truck rental and number of movers needed.

   Other moving costs normally include temporary storage units, moving supplies such as boxes, and surcharges based on the difficulty of transporting your belongings (e.g., if your belongings have to be carried down long flights of stairs or if there are particularly heavy and fragile items like pianos or swing sets). There are also additional costs for moving vehicles like motorcycles, cars, boats, etc.

4. Immediate costs

   There are a lot of smaller expenses that may slip your mind such as buying new furniture, utility costs, and installing Wi-Fi, cable, and phone lines. Make sure you have enough money set aside for these and for any expenses that might come up during the first few months in your new home.

   It is good to be prepared for anything that may happen during your home purchase. To help you navigate through the complicated process, it pays to have an experienced real estate agent by your side.

If you intend to buy a home in Palo Alto or other Silicon Valley communities, call David Chung and Sunny Kim. They closed over $30 million in sales in 2015 alone, thanks to their hands-on approach and the undivided attention they give all their clients. Let them work for you. Call 650-489-6251 or email info@david&sunny.com.

Silicon Valley is well-known for having a vibrant nightlife and for being the site of the biggest technology innovators, movers, and shakers in the world. What most people may not know is that Silicon Valley has built itself to be an exciting destination for a family vacation as well.

Here are some of the most fun activities you can do there with your kids:

1. Take an unforgettable trip to the past

   Bring your kids to The Children’s Discovery Museum for hands-on activities and programs that include science, the arts, humanities, and healthy living. This award-winning museum was ranked in the Top 10 museums in the US by Children Magazine, thanks to exhibits that had kids digging for fossils, conducting experiments in an interactive laboratory, and more.

   The Rosicrucian Egypt Museum houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the West Coast. It’s a fun and informative place to explore and learn about the wonders of ancient Egypt.

2. Learn about technology

   No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without learning about the frontiers and pioneers of technology. The Tech Innovation Museum is home to a wide variety of gizmos and gadgets that depict the innovation-filled history of Silicon Valley.

   In the Intel Museum, you can learn about how microchips work and how such tiny things can do so much, plus many more. They even offer interactive learning programs for kids on decades-worth of technological innovations.

   In the Computer History Museum, kids will be amazed to learn that the earliest mobile phones were as big as bricks, play the world’s first-ever video game, and discover many amazing things about the game changers in the realm of computers.

3. Enjoy adrenaline-pumping fun

   Let your kids bounce around on trampolines and leap into a foam pit at Sky High Sports. It’s a great place to have fun in happy environment. They also offer a two-hour toddlers-only jump period from 12 noon to 2 p.m. for the safety and enjoyment of the younger ones.

   More adventurous kids will love the rides at California’s Great America theme park. From charming carousels to exhilarating roller coasters, this 100-acre amusement park has several awesome rides. You’ll also find the Boomerang Bay here, where your kids can zip down waterslides and splash around in fountains and pools.

4. Have a railroad adventure

   Discover life in the 19th century by riding a steam train at Roaring Camp Railroad. Departing from Felton, the trains make an hour-long loop through towering redwoods forests all the way to the peak of Bear Mountain. Roaring Camp itself is a model of an 1880s logging camp, complete with an opera house, a general store, and demonstrations in blacksmithing and candle making.

5. Develop your artistic side

   Take the kids to a theatrical show at The Palo Alto Children’s Theater. The plays and musicals are performed by talented local child actors and will surely appeal to all ages. This theater is also an educational institution and has been a mainstay in the Palo Alto community since 1932. They offer a lot of hands-on learning activities and performing arts classes for kids.

If you’re game to do more activities with your kids, check out this article about must-do family-friendly activities within Silicon Valley.

Families looking to live near Silicon Valley can rest assured that there are a lot of places and fun things to do to keep their kids from getting bored. If you need information about homes for sale in Santa Clara, Palo Alto, or San Jose in California, you can contact David Chung or Sunny Kim at 650-489-6251. You may email info@david&sunny.com.

“Do I really need to get a home inspection?” This is one of the questions our buyer clients often ask us. While it’s not, strictly speaking, a requirement, we have found over the years that a home inspection is an important step that you don’t want to skip.

All properties experience wear and tear. A house may look like it’s in a pristine state, but it could be hiding all kinds of issues. This is why you will want to hire a certified home inspector to evaluate the true condition of the property.

You don’t want to hire just anyone though. You will want to work with a home inspector who’s knowledgeable, experienced, and thorough (your Realtor should be able to give you a recommendation). If you’re screening candidates some of the factors you should consider are:

• Years in the industry
• Experience in inspecting similar homes
• Accreditations and affiliations with recognized organizations like the American Society of Home Inspectors, National Institute of Building Inspectors, California Real Estate Inspection Association, and International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

Once you’ve chosen your home inspector, your Realtor will coordinate with the seller to make sure that the home inspector will have access to all parts of the house, including the attic, garage, and so on. A home inspection, on average, takes around two and a half to three hours.

Here are three important inspections that you should make sure to get:

• General Property Inspection

  This is the most basic and important type of inspection. The home inspector will look at the conditions of the home’s structure, the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems; insulation; ventilation; and other interior and exterior features.

• Pest and Radon Inspection

  Inspections for radon or pests are not included in a general home inspection. You will usually need to bring in different specialists.

  Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and rock. Confined areas like attics or basements are prone to build-up and levels fluctuate over time. High levels of radon can be dangerous to your health, which is why it is the recommendation of the US EPA that you find out what the indoor radon level of a house is.

  Quite a few sellers these days will already have tests done and will furnish you with the results as part of their seller’s disclosure. If they haven’t, you can opt to do the test yourself (test kits are available online, in hardware stores, and other related retailers) or hire a professional.

  A pest inspection will tell you if there are infestations from rats or termites and if there is structural damage from wood-eating vermin. The inspector will also typically include in the report the existence of conditions that might lead to a pest problem.

• Roof Inspection

  The roof is an integral part of a home and repairing leaks or other damages can be costly. You will want to have it thoroughly inspected for any issues. The assessment will also tell you how much longer the roof will last in its current state.

Got more questions about the home-buying process? Call David Chung or Sunny Kim at 650-489-6251 or email them at info@david&sunny.com for more information.

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Bars are an integral part of any community’s nightlife and this is especially true in Silicon Valley with its lively, young high-tech crowd and innovative, fast-changing culture. Here are the top 5 bars to go to when you find yourself in the area.

Haberdasher
43 W San Salvador St., San Jose

If the charming, vintage look of this speakeasy does not draw you in, the artful craft cocktails will. Try the “House Fittings,” their signature craft cocktails or the “Draft Cocktail,” which are exactly what they sound like – cocktails on tap. For an additional $9, customers can bring home their mug for future visits and have it refilled at the taps.

The Tap Room
233 University Ave, Palo Alto

Come for the relaxed, cozy atmosphere of the quintessential American hangout, with board games, pinball machines, and a jukebox. Stay for the great beer and equally delicious food. The Tap Room offers new, experimental beers as well as a variety of collaboration beers. Adventurous beer enthusiasts can order the “Flight of the Day,” a sampling of five beers on tap.

Paper Plane
72 S 1st St., San Jose

This chic cocktail bar offers everything: artisan craft cocktails, barrel-aged drinks, draft punches, and both old-school and the latest staples. Not fond of cocktails? You can also order from their wine or beer menus. Paper Plane has a massive collection of spirits and everyone is sure to find something to their taste. Pair your drink with creative new American and fusion cuisine.

Calave
299 California Ave #115, Palo Alto

This wine bar along Palo Alto’s California Avenue offers a wide selection of wine, which you can order by the bottle, glass, or straight from the tap. Its wine selections range from nearby San Luis Obispo and all the way from Argentina, France, South Africa and New Zealand. Calave has a variety of sophisticated and unique flavors that can be paired with a variety of bar bites, including salads, paninis, and cheese and charcuterie plates. The wine bar stands on the former site of the Mayfield Brewery and channels some of its pre-prohibition aesthetic.

The Old Pro
541 Ramona St, Palo Alto

Established in 1964, The Old Pro is a sports bar that is proudly Californian. It uses only fresh, local ingredients in its cuisine and serves California wines, seasonal cocktails, and locally made craft beers. It’s been voted the best sports bar in Palo Alto several times over the years. The bar has 24 screens, making it the perfect venue to cheer for your favorite sports teams.

These are just a sampling of the many great bars you’ll find throughout Silicon Valley. You may also check out this in-depth article about the must-visit brunch spots in Palo Alto.

Would you like to learn more about the region and its lifestyle options? Get in touch with us, David Chung and Sunny Kim. We have over 20 years of experience in real estate in the area and we’d love to serve as your guide. Call 650-489-6251 or email info@david&sunny.com today and we will help you find the perfect home and neighborhood in Silicon Valley.

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Microsoft’s Silicon Valley campus has been part of Mountain View’s landscape for 37 years – and it’s getting an upgrade. Renovations began late 2017 and are scheduled to be completed by 2019.

With its Redmond, WA headquarters also getting revamped, the tech giant is aiming to have greener, more walkable, and larger capacity campuses within the next several years.

The company’s second largest office after Redmond, the Silicon Valley campus is located at La Avenida St., just off of Highway 101 and Shoreline Boulevard. Microsoft has around 2,000 employees in Silicon Valley working on various products such as PowerPoint, Outlook.com, Yammer, Skype and Xbox.

Eco-friendly upgrades

Microsoft’s goal is to create a compound that is both sustainable and also benefits the city of Mountain View.

The compound will be built using sustainably sourced Cross Laminated Timber (CLT). CLT may be more expensive, but it is also more environmentally friendly than regular wood as it does not require the use of fossil fuels to produce.

With the exception of drinking water and sinks, Microsoft also hopes to eliminate the complex’s reliance on municipal water sources. Instead, the water that will be used for irrigation, plumbing, and the sewage system will come from rainwater, stormwater, wastewater, and grey water collected all over the compound. The on-site wastewater treatment plant will recycle the water.

With these improvements, Microsoft is planning on making its Silicon Valley campus the first tech campus to have a Net-Zero water certification from the Living Building Challenge.

According to one of the project’s architects, Pauline Souza, “One hundred percent of the buildings’ non‑drinking water will come from rainfall or on-site recycled water.”

Crowning the compound will be a 4-acre living roof, a feature that has become popular among tech companies in recent years. The roof will have a plethora of plant species that will benefit animals who reside in the Steven Creek habitat that sits near the compound.

Looking to the future

The environment isn’t the only beneficiary of this renovation; Microsoft looks to add features that promote collaboration and creativity and help their employees focus. To achieve this, the new complex will have open spaces –a “neighborhood and courtyard concept” where employees can easily move from office spaces to an outdoor garden area. The redesign also includes features like floor-to-ceiling windows, which will allow employees to enjoy the benefits of natural light no matter how far their workstation is from the windows.

Other amenities that will be available to employees are athletic fields, a fitness facility, a new conference center, a theater, the MTC, and nutritious food options at their new dining facility. These are all being built with a holistic, modern design concept in mind.

Microsoft estimates that the current 32-acre compound will have an additional 128,000 square feet by the time it is finished. Most recent estimates put the new Microsoft Silicon Valley Compound should be finished by December 2019.

While waiting, you can visit these famous tech giants in Silicon Valley and truly understand why it’s the best location for tech companies.

For more updates on what’s going on in Silicon Valley and for more information on real estate in the region, contact David Chung or Sunny Kim at 650-489-6251 or info@david&sunny.com. Find housing options in Mountain View as well as nearby communities such as Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, and more.

When someone talks about Silicon Valley, the image that comes to mind is technology and those who walk its bleeding edge. It’s a place where innovation lives and breathes within a unique collection of towns, communities, and neighborhoods. We look at and compare three of the most popular and arguably, best communities to live in.

Palo Alto

This city was founded by Leland Stanford and houses the university that bears his name. While the university itself might be old, the constant flux of students and a younger population in general make it far livelier and more dynamic than one would think. Apart from the university and its popular buildings and sites, Palo Alto also features a whole spate of modern amenities to enjoy.

The open-air design of Stanford Shopping Center is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the cooler air of the region. Those looking for high-end living would do well to consider all that Palo Alto has to offer.

Cupertino

Forever associated with Apple, people will be surprised to know that Cupertino has a culture all its own. A quick glance at many of the shops and restaurants give away the area’s deep Asian heritage—with all the warmth and friendliness that that brings. Another unique fact is the lack of a “downtown” area.

There is also a strong sense of community here, as shown by the many cultural and fun activities hosted by De Anza College. Finally, there is some architectural history to be found in the form of Eichler homes in the area. With its wide use of glass and blocky forms, this type of home is certainly worth seeing up close.

Los Gatos

Considered one of the wealthiest towns in America, Los Gatos has the vibe and character to match. Its roads are clean and well paved and its buildings modern.

One of the biggest pulls of Los Gatos is the decidedly “small town America” feel that it exudes with its smaller local cinema, diners, and the odd museum or two. It’s also chock-full of natural wonders that offer hiking and biking opportunities.

All in all, Los Gatos is perfect for those seeking peace and quiet as the town is as serene as the mountains and forests that surround it. It’s also worth noting that Los Gatos very rarely experiences rough winters beyond the slight chill.

If you’re looking to live in communities that offer a mix of rich experience and dependable safety, these three in Silicon Valley are perfect for you. Get in touch with us at 650-489-6251 or send us an email at info@david&sunny.com and we’ll be more than happy to help you find the perfect home.

Ultimately, one of the keys to success in selling your home is to hire a great agent to do the hard work for you. Get in touch with us now at 650-489-6251 or email us at info@david&sunny.com and we’ll be more than happy to discuss the ways we can help you sell your home.

The seat of Stanford University, Palo Alto is home to many major tech companies — and that’s not all. It also has a lively downtown, plenty of open spaces, and a growing art scene. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to go for a little fun.

1. Stanford University
   This university certainly deserves its reputation as one of the country’s top campuses, and it’s one of the oldest as well. Stanford might be better known for research and technology, but there is much history to see here as well, including the grand old Memorial Church, built in the Romanesque Revival style.

   There’s also the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve where diverse flora and fauna are on display, as well as the 285-foot Hoover Tower. The sprawling, tree-shaded university grounds are likewise worth exploring.

2. Cantor Arts Center
   Featuring over 5000 years of history and art evolution across many collections, the Cantor Arts Center is the perfect place for those looking to soak up culture. Standing in stark contrast to the relatively modern feel of Palo Alto, the Center is housed in an elegant Neoclassical building.

   Not limited to any one genre, style, or era, it features art from the world over, including modern and contemporary art styles. Check out visiting exhibitions, art-related film screenings, and more. Admission to the center is free.

3. Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden
   As the name suggests, this garden is named after the Gamble family of Procter & Gamble fame. When Elizabeth Frances Gamble passed on, the residence and its beautiful gardens were bequeathed to the city.

   The property includes 2.5 acres of land, featuring colorful and diverse flower gardens, a herbarium, an allee and several other walkways that invite visitors to wander around, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy nature. We suggest you take the tour of the historic Main House, which is a beautiful throwback to the early 20th century. After you’ve soaked in the history and natural beauty of the place, stop by for tea and snacks at the tea house.

4. Stanford Shopping Center
   One of the unique charms of this shopping plaza is its open-air design. There are popular stores like Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and Macy’s just to name a few. On top of that, there are many culinary delights to be savored. We always point people towards California Pizza Kitchen, PF Chang’s, and The Melt. The center offers a unique shopping experience that you wouldn’t want to miss.

There is much to be enjoyed in Palo Alto and the rest of Silicon Valley—it’s one of the reasons this is such a great place to live. If you’re interested in finding the perfect balance between high tech and nature, we can point you towards great real estate opportunities in the area. Call us today at 650-489-6251 or fire off an email to info@david&sunny.com and we’ll be more than happy to help you.