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

BBG’s 2026 survey shows strong optimism, with over 97% of investors positive on seniors housing.
Cap rates are expected to stay flat or compress, signaling improving market conditions.
Rental rates are projected to rise across all property types, supporting revenue growth.
Active adult housing leads occupancy, while skilled nursing lags behind.
Most investors expect margin expansion and increased transaction activity in 2026.

Plans top 10K homes, but few started as financing challenges and high costs slow construction progress.
City permits ↓ over past 2 yr; Mountain View aims to plan for >11K homes by 2031.
2025 permits: 388 homes; total 1,867 over ~3.5 yr, reaching 16.8% of 11,135 commitment.
Pipeline remains large: 3,606 approved not building, plus 4,914 in entitlement review, per staff report.
Market-rate dominates: 85% typical; 15% set-aside misses lower-income needs, while public funding for affordable projects is scarce.
Local initiatives include zoning updates for multifamily housing, stronger tenant protections, and a homelessness response strategy; state granted a prohousing designation.

Surveyed buyers spent ~$31.5K upfront, ~4x their ~$8.1K expectation, excluding down payments.
Typical upfront costs: moving ~$3K, closing ~$5.7K, seller concessions ~$7.7K, first-yr repairs ~$15.1K.
Biggest surprises: repairs/renovations (18%), closing costs (16%), and property taxes (14%), survey respondents said.
After buying, ~75% said costs hit finances; ~72% reported regrets, often wishing they negotiated more.
First-time buyers spent ~$36.5K vs ~$28.3K repeat buyers; 41% felt uninformed before offering.

Rent affordability is improving, with multifamily rents expected mostly flat by year-end.
Single-family rents were projected to ↑~1%, and typical households spent ~26% of income on rent.
Yes, rent can be negotiated, but leverage depends on local competition and your track record paying on time.
Start early, watch less-competitive periods, and know renewal rules; keep credit strong in case you move.
Bring comparable listings and ask beyond lower rent: free-rent concessions, plus parking, pet, or amenity fees.

Baseline forecast expects real GDP growth of 2.2% in 2026, moderating toward 1.7% by 2030.
Real consumer spending projected to slow to 2.1% in 2026, down from 2.7% in 2025.
Business investment expected to grow 4% in 2026, supported by continued AI-related spending.
Inflation forecast to average 2.9% in 2026, easing to 2.1% by 2027.

Slide 1
War and inflation uncertainty are making Santa Clara homebuyers more cautious.

Slide 2
Spring inventory is rising, but demand remains strong for move-in-ready homes.

Slide 3
Homes now get fewer offers; buyers are more selective than before.

Slide 4
Overpricing hurts sellers; the market ultimately sets your home's value.

Slide 5
Less competition creates negotiation room for fixer-uppers and condos.

Homes without alarm systems are ~300% more likely to be targeted by burglars.
Piled-up mail or packages clearly signal that no one is home.
Poor outdoor lighting creates dark hiding spots that make break-ins easier.
Weak doors, outdated locks, or missing deadbolts allow quick forced entry.
Visible valuables through windows advertise what burglars can steal.