All about Life & Real Estate in Silicon Valley – Broker Michael Koo's Blog.

Home sales are expected to strengthen modestly as lower mortgage rates and improving affordability encourage more buyers to re-enter the market.

• Home prices should continue rising at a measured pace, supported by limited inventory despite ongoing affordability and insurance challenges.

• Inventory is projected to improve gradually, giving buyers more negotiating power while reducing the intensity of bidding wars.

• Economic uncertainty remains a headwind, but California is expected to finish 2026 with moderate sales growth and stable market conditions.

Santa Clara County’s taxable property value reached a record $760B, lifting the assessment roll that helps fund local governments, schools, and public agencies.
The assessment roll expanded by $34.4B, a yearly gain of ~5%, led by ownership changes, inflation adjustments, and $4.9B from new construction.
Ownership changes added $16.9B in assessed value, while inflation adjustments contributed $14B, showing resales and routine increases carried much of the county’s growth.
Residential sales generated 82% of value from ownership transfers, underscoring how housing supported Santa Clara County’s tax base even as elevated mortgage costs cooled demand.
A key watchpoint: ~$153.6B in assessed value was under appeal, with commercial properties driving 98% of challenges and billions in lost value.
Looking ahead, the county assessor warned more commercial appeals could pressure the roll, while construction remained a bright spot even with several major projects delayed.

There is no single required down payment: the right amount depends on loan type, property, credit, finances, monthly payment comfort, reserves, and market competition.
The traditional 20% benchmark mainly mattered for avoiding mortgage insurance on conventional loans; many buyers qualified with less, but still needed cash for closing costs.
Closing costs can include lender fees, first-year homeowners insurance, escrow setup, and title fees, and sellers may sometimes cover part to help preserve reserves.
Conventional loans can start at 3% down, some government-backed options allow 0%, and jumbo loans often need 10% to 20%+ with stronger reserves.
Assistance programs from housing agencies, nonprofits, or employers can help with down payments and closing costs; >2,700 US programs offer avg. benefits near $18K.
A larger down payment can lower the loan, monthly payment, and insurance costs, but buyers may benefit from budgeting first and keeping emergency reserves.

The California Legislature approved a bill requiring local governments to disclose infrastructure fees and requirements within 30 days of permit applications for new housing.
Current law did not require cities to reveal all infrastructure obligations or costs, and governments were not required to provide or honor builder estimates.
Those late-stage surprises often made financing harder and limited homebuilding, because builders lacked complete cost information when setting budgets for new California housing projects.
The measure also barred local governments from adding requirements after the 30-day window unless they showed a specific public health or safety need.
The approved bill then headed to the governor's desk, with backers saying earlier disclosure and firmer deadlines would reduce project risk and costs.