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Halloween falls on October 31 because the ancient Gaelic festival of Samhain, considered the earliest known root of Halloween, occurred on this day.
In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to praise all saints.
Soon, All Saints' Day incorporated some traditions of Samhain and the evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween.
Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
Today’s the day to eat candies and sweets to your heart’s content! Happy Halloween!

Over my years helping buyers throughout Northern California and the Bay Area, I’ve seen condos remain one of the most accessible ways into homeownership, especially for those wanting to live in sought-after neighborhoods without the daunting task of major renovations. However, it’s important to look beyond the initial purchase price. Many condo owners are surprised by additional costs—like HOA dues, parking fees, and emergency assessments—which can sometimes total thousands of dollars per unit. For example, in San Clemente, a community recently faced a $26,000 per-unit assessment just for roof replacement. These kinds of expenses are becoming more common as buildings age, balcony inspection requirements increase, and insurance costs rise due to wildfire risks. Despite these challenges, condos are still a vital option for first-time buyers in California’s competitive housing landscape. My goal is always to help clients fully understand both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with condo ownership, so they can make confident, informed decisions for their future.

Santa Clara County’s assessed property values have now topped $750 billion—a milestone that underscores the ongoing strength and resilience of our real estate market. This past year, countywide growth averaged about 5%. While that’s a bit slower than most years in the last decade, it still edges out the growth from the previous year. What’s particularly noteworthy for homeowners and investors: residential ownership changes drove around 50% of the added value, outpacing gains from commercial properties, new construction, and inflation adjustments. Residential transaction numbers held steady, and median sale prices saw a slight uptick, helping to reinforce the county’s tax base through reassessments tied to each property sale.

Diving deeper into local trends, Sunnyvale posted about 7% blended growth, and Los Altos led among residential markets with nearly 6%. Los Altos Hills, Monte Sereno, and Morgan Hill also performed strongly. San Jose alone accounted for over a third of the county’s tax base, contributing $280 billion, with the assessor noting the impact of data centers on local revenues.

As someone who’s guided hundreds of clients through Bay Area real estate for over 20 years, I’ve seen how these numbers reflect both opportunity and stability in our neighborhoods. My focus remains on helping you navigate these shifts with clarity and confidence, always keeping your best interests at the center of every transaction.

San Jose continues to play a vital role in our region's real estate landscape, with assessed property values rising by about 4% in the latest update. At $280 billion, San Jose now accounts for more than a third of the county’s property tax base—an impressive figure that highlights just how central our city remains to local funding for schools and community services. While this growth is just below the county average, it shows a steady and reliable upward trend, which is encouraging for both homeowners and buyers here in the Bay Area. Recently, local officials gathered for the annual assessment update, emphasizing the importance of property values to our community’s well-being. As someone who’s been helping clients navigate Bay Area real estate for over 20 years, I see firsthand how these shifts impact your long-term plans and investment goals. Staying informed about these trends is just one way I help clients make confident decisions in a dynamic market.

As someone who’s navigated Bay Area real estate for over 20 years, I’ve seen San Jose’s fast-paced market firsthand—but Mid-Q1 2026 set a new benchmark. The typical San Jose home spent just 12 days on the market—making it the fastest-moving city in the nation, and a stark contrast to the 66-day US median. Choices for buyers were scarce, with only 0.76 homes listed per 1,000 residents. Over 60% of homes sold above asking, reflecting the fierce competition. Sellers rarely needed a second weekend of showings; buyers, facing limited options, acted quickly on almost every new listing. Despite median list prices sitting well above $1 million, strong tech-sector incomes and limited space—thanks to our mountains, waterways, and development restrictions—continue to drive this rapid pace. While the national market has cooled, San Jose’s tempo has only slightly eased, with homes still moving in close to a two-week window. It’s a unique market dynamic I focus on closely, always committed to guiding clients through these swift changes with clarity and confidence.

This past quarter, we saw a notable shift: about one in five home listings experienced price cuts, while fewer than 6% were delisted. Many sellers chose to remain active and adjust their expectations, rather than withdraw from the market entirely. Mortgage rates also made headlines, with the conforming 30-year fixed rate climbing from the high-6% range early in the month to above 7% by mid-month and continuing upward. By late Q3, active inventory had surpassed 1.16 million homes, and the median listing price eased by roughly 1% month-over-month to $419,300. This movement has offered buyers a bit more negotiating room, even as new listings dipped about 2% month-over-month to around 395,000. Economists have pointed out that higher borrowing costs continue to hold some buyers back from fully taking advantage of these changes. As we head into early Q4, industry watchers are keeping a close eye on whether these tougher conditions will lead to deeper discounts, more frequent price cuts, and longer selling times nationwide. In my experience working with buyers and sellers throughout the Bay Area, adapting to these evolving conditions is key to making confident real estate decisions.