Real Estate Insights

Located just 10 minutes to the southwest of downtown San Jose, tucked between Santa Teresa and Los Gatos, you’ll find the gorgeous bedroom community of Almaden Valley. Named after Almaden, Spain for its rich quicksilver mines, this community is now home to over 37,000 residents, mostly upper middle class with homes owned by local professionals, scientists, athletes and Silicon Valley executives.

The area is quickly becoming known for its academic excellent boasting top public schools such as Williams Elementary, Bret Harte Middle and Leland High to name a few. Additionally, residents are drawn to the many of the area’s beautiful county operated parks including the 4,100-acre Almaden Quicksilver County Park, Almaden Lake Park, Calero County Park, Santa Teresa County Park, and the Alamitos Creek Trail that runs down Almaden Valley to name a few.

A quick scenic drive down Almaden Expressway, south towards the historic mining town of New Almaden, reveals just how affluent this community has become. The hillsides of the valley are strewn with multi-million dollar homes, the older neighborhoods are littered with newly developed tracts and fully remodeled homes, and there’s even a private golf course atop the gentle rolling hills overlooking Almaden.

But with an average list price for a single family residence of $1.045Million (according to Trulia.com for the week ending May 11^th, 2011) it may seem difficult for many to take advantage of all that this beautiful community has to offer. Well here’s some great news…most buyers don’t realize that there are some fantastic properties available well under the million-dollar mean listing price…from single family homes that need a little TLC to fantastic townhomes with the appeal of a single family home.

Here are some tips to help with your search in Almaden Valley:

The Market is ripe with opportunity…

You’ve probably already heard that it’s not a good idea to buy the most expensive home on the block when considering future value. Well this area now has a small handful of single family homes available for even the most budget-minded buyers. These properties will most likely not be turn-key, and they probably won’t have all the fancy upgrades, but if you’re looking for value then you’ve come to the right neighborhood…and with top area schools there’s no question about where property values are headed!

> Search all Almaden Valley single family homes under $1.0 mil

Think townhome…

Like many young families today, if your budget doesn’t support a million dollar mortgage payment, or if you lack the large reserves necessary for rehabilitating a fixer-upper, then you may want to consider purchasing in one of the many townhome communities throughout the valley. Now you may have a negative connotation about townhomes…credited to high HOA dues, attached walls, and lack of parking…but once you learn about the unique properties available in Almaden, you may just change your mind. Here are a few of special character and beauty unlike any others you’ll find in San Jose:

• California Ridge - One such community is the California Ridge townhome development (100+ units) located in the southwest end of the valley in a tranquil hilltop setting. Here you can live among the majestic oak trees and choose a neighborhood next to a babbling brook, or one higher on the ridge with breathtaking views of Silicon Valley and the surrounding scenery. Built in 1986, this community is reasonably priced in the $500k to $700k range and has several different models available including single story and two story units ranging from 1,155 square feet of living space up to 1,600. HOA dues are reasonable ($300), units come with an attached 2-car garage, and there is plentiful guest parking throughout the neighborhoods. For further details visit their website: www.californiaridge.com

• Villas of Almaden - Another well known townhome community is located in the middle of the Valley across from Almaden Lake Park  This distinct community consisting of 180 townhomes nestled in both hilly and valley terrain all accessible by a gated entrance, offers models ranging from 1,750 square feet of living space to nearly 3,000. Prices range from $600k’s for the smaller units, up to $900k for the largest models. For further details visit their website: www.villasofalmaden.org

• Copperwood – located in the middle of Almaden Valley, next to the Safeway shopping center on Camden and Almaden, you’ll find the townhome community of Copperwood. Built back in 1976, this community, currently the most affordable in Almaden, consists of several different models ranging from single-story with 1,124 square feet of living area, to the largest 2-story models with over 1,700 square feet of living area. Most units have been extensively updated, the HOA due are reasonable ($330), and complex amenities include pool, spa and tennis courts.

No matter how tight your home buying budget may be, due to the current economic climate, it has never been a more opportune time for buyers to consider this truly awesome community. And if you’re not familiar with Almaden, I implore you to drive out and discover just how beautiful this area really is!