The graphs are put out monthly from a company named trend graphix, if your Broker does not get these you may want to let him or her in on this wonderful tool. I use these for sellers and buyers.

How to read these is farely simple. The first diagram shows the FOR SALE, SOLD AND PENDING.

As you can see from here, just as you see above, this is how the last 15 months has gone.

What this shows in this specific area (Santa Clara County) as of November.

1.There are less homes for sale.

2. More homes pending.

3. Less homes sold.

Remember, the bail out money? This caused the banks to hold off for a short time, due to the uncertainty of where this money was going, thus leading to short sales closing and forclosures listed at a stand still.

Then the word of recession, caused more people that are not in trouble, to list their homes. Because if the market is declining, and you were planning to move.

These residents wanted to sell now, so they would not lose any more money.

This down below is also a part of the report that is very important.

It shows on average how long it will take a home that is in the right price range to sell.

As always a more desireable home in a more desireable area can be above average and thus bringing some areas within a community to be priced below. Giving the buyer a better chance of getting into that area they thought they would not be able to afford.

So go out there and take these trends with you on a listing appointment or a showing, Because we all know if we take the time to educate our buyers and sellers and share our knowledge, we have a greater chance of not only being the Realtor they chose to work with, but also refer to others, and isn't that what makes Real Estate such a great Business to be in?

Oh, just because the economy isn't looking so great, doesn't mean that it doesn't mater what the home looks like since they are selling for lower. The pretty homes are still selling quicker, of course when they are priced right.

Enjoy the holidays, Some of the best housing deals can be found during the holidays.

Denise Stuart

Coldwell Banker

408-893-3400

http://denisestuart.spaces.live.com

I know in this ever changing market it is hard to find those few great people who truely go out of there way and not expect anything back.

I have met many lately. In a down market these people are around more often. I am really pleased to say, I have met a few in my last transaction and it is a breath of fresh air. I just closed on a first time home buyer and he had two of us that were truely there for him. He asked at Escrow sign off "what could go wrong now ?" I was so proud to make that call and congratulate him on the recording of his first home. With statistics saying less than 30% of short sales close.

I had much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I wanted to share this musical tribute to this wonderful day:-)

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1796513126

Denise Stuart ~ Coldwell Banker ~ The Real Estate People

408-893-3400

http://denisestuart.spaces.live.com

I have clients that were referred to me by a past client.

Writting an offer for a short sale home.

With consistant failed contact was frustrating over and over again, taking classes to make me the knowledgeable agent my clients deserved. confiding in other agents in hopes of educating myself on what was going on behind the scenes.

Frustrated from wanting the answers, my client so deserved, we wrote other offers for other homes. Short sale or not, the offers were coming back and my clients were, in their hearts waiting for that original offer to be accepted.

After 5 months and 4 offers, that original offer is countered. We accept and forward we go....

I am so proud to say this home was well worth the wait.

(but of course the commission was not)

For that home they really wanted, they gave me the price, they were willing to pay.

From there it was not just cut and dry.

I as a Realtor, do more than look inside that specific area, that specific price, that specific school.

I take all into consideration and make a plan, present this plan to my client so they understand

working together to make it our plan.

In all, most of my clients have educated themselves on one specific area, being price, neighborhood or size home.

I as a Professional Realtor, give my clients the knowledge of todays market so buying and selling has no suprises. .

http://denisestuart.spaces.live.com

The Penitencia Creek light-rail station just 10-minute walk from the trail, and a potential BART station nearby, the trail is expected to serve as a key alternative commuter link.

After six years of planning, negotiations among multiple agencies and $1 million in construction and emergency repair work, San Jose rededicated three miles of the Penitencia Creek Trail, a significant link in the 550-mile trail envisioned to ring the Bay Area along ridges. It runs through the Berryessa neighborhood, bordering Penitencia Creek from Toyon Avenue to Mabury Road south of Educational Park Drive. Planners expect to extend the trail one more mile toward the hills, connecting Alum Rock Park in the east to the Coyote Creek Trail in the west. Bridges crossing the creek.

The trail was developed in the 1970s and ran for two miles, but suffered periodic closings due to erosion and flooding. In one section near Capitol Avenue, the creek bank had to be cut and moved to be stabilized.

Flaugher, a board member of the non-profit Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, which is spearheading and helping fund the Bay Area-wide trail, said the Penitencia trail cost about $1 million and required 3,000 volunteer hours to restore. The trail is a cooperative venture by the city of San Jose, the Santa Clara County Parks Department and the Santa Clara Valley Water District.

November 13

Mercury News report

By the looks of things Berryessa has an area, that has the most homes with their actual value,

being less that the mortgages they have against them.

Here's a few facts about this area....

When people think of Berryessa, they think of the homes off Berryessa Road and towords Milpitas.

There is an area off Penitencia Creek near Toyon School, this area isn't even considered within city limits, therefore these homes are less desirable.

But in all actuality most people do not know that this areas High School is Piedmont Hills. Making this area the secret for the berryessa residents, if you would like to know more about this area or any other area within Santa Clara County please feel free to contact me at

denise.stuart@coldwellbanker.com