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

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🏡 Starting Jan 2026, California landlords must provide a working stove and fridge in every rental.

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🔥 AB 628 redefines “habitable” housing — making stoves and fridges basic necessities, not fancy extras.

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💸 Great for renters, but small landlords now face new costs, maintenance, and legal gray areas.

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⚖️ The law leaves gaps — like who pays if a tenant breaks an appliance — likely leading to lawsuits.

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📉 For landlords already squeezed by rent caps and rising costs, this could push some out of the market.

Despite market volatility, real estate remains a top-performing investment, generating stable income and lasting wealth.
Rental income offers predictable monthly returns as urban migration and hybrid work boost housing demand.
Unlike digital assets, real estate holds physical worth, functional use, and long-term market stability.
Property values rose 2–3× in prime areas, while deductions and 1031 exchanges enhance returns.
Rising rents outpace inflation, and leverage lets investors build equity and control high-value assets.

Here’s a quick update on the Los Altos Hills housing market. Homes are taking about as long to sell as last year. Fewer homes are changing hands, but prices remain steady.

A self-directed IRA can be used to buy a second home under specific IRS rules.
SDIRAs allow Real Estate investment but involve high fees, paperwork, and usage restrictions.

Here’s a quick update on Saratoga’s housing market this month. Fewer homes are changing hands, but those that do are selling at last year’s prices. Homes are spending about the same time on the market as before.

Home prices are expected to ↑ 3.3% nationally in 2026, continuing moderate growth trends.

The ↑ 3.3% growth forecast for 2026 is slightly lower than earlier estimates of ↑ 3.6%.

San Jose home values surged 396% over the past 50 years.

The Bay Area hub became a global technology epicenter driving housing demand.

Median home prices surpassed $2 million during the AI boom.

The metro remains the nation’s most expensive housing market.

Tech growth and limited supply continue pushing property values higher.

Here’s a quick update on Campbell’s housing market this month. Homes are selling at a steady pace, with fewer properties changing hands. The number of homes available and sold remains consistent with recent trends.

Fed members are split ahead of the October meeting, with some supporting a half-point cut while others back a slower approach.

Powell and other leaders warn that job market risks are rising as hiring cools and layoffs increase.

Inflation remains above target, but many policymakers stress the need to protect employment and stabilize growth.

Markets are betting on a larger October cut, expecting more easing before the end of the year.