The Vadim Smelansky Realty Group

01/08/2026

Clients/Colleagues/Friends,
Experience the perfect blend of modern comfort and urban convenience in this rare 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom end-unit condo for $685,000, very affordable, 3% downpayment program. HOA is $468/month.
Call me for details at (415) 624-4999 and come to check it out. Next Open House is on 1/9/26 at 11-1pm.

Experience the perfect blend of modern comfort and urban convenience in this rare 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom end-unit condo. The spacious living room welcomes you with a soaring vaulted ceiling and abundant natural light, creating a genuinely open and airy atmosphere. The interior features brand new floo...

05/24/2025

Dear friends!
Welcome to 1536 Helena Drive, a meticulously remodeled home in Danville's desirable Greenbrook neighborhood. This residence perfectly blends timeless comfort with modern upgrades, showcasing a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and custom cabinetry. You'll also find beautiful new natural hardwood floors, new Berber carpet, updated bathrooms, and dual-pane windows, all enhancing its elevated style and comfort.
The Open House is this Saturday and Sunday 1-4 pm. Listed at $1,890,000. You may preview photos and video at https://www.1536sainthelenadr.com/
Hope to see you and your friends there.

View this amazing property, images, and listing information.

07/27/2024

Friends,
I am selling another nice 2bedroom/2bathrooms townhouse in San Jose, CA. If you are interested, visit me at the property at 1296 Previtera Ct., San Jose at 1:30-4:30pm tomorrow Sat 7/27/24.

10/15/2023

Friends,
I am hosting an Open House today. It’s a nice property for only $1,549,000 in San Jose. See details in the flyer and come to check it out.

07/29/2023

Friends,
I am hosting another Open House tomorrow (7/29/23) at 2036 Cunningham Ave, San Jose, CA.
It’s a great fully permitted triplex priced at only $1,349,000.
Call or visit me there. :)

07/16/2023

How Remote Work Expands Your Homebuying Horizons

Even as some companies transition back into the office, remote work remains a popular choice for many professionals. So, if you currently enjoy working from home or hope to be able to soon, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey, most working professionals want to work either fully remote or hybrid.
This trend is good news if you’re looking to buy a home because a remote or hybrid work setup can help you overcome some of today’s affordability and housing inventory challenges.

More Work Flexibility Equals More Home Options
Remote or hybrid work opens up a world of opportunities. That’s because it allows you to broaden your search for your next home since you’re no longer limited to living close to your workplace. With the freedom to work from anywhere, you can explore more affordable areas that may be located farther away from bustling city centers or your office. This flexibility can be a game changer while higher mortgage rates are making it difficult for some homebuyers to afford a home.
And, since the supply of homes for sale is still so low, another key challenge for you today may be finding something with all of the features you want and need. Because remote work allows you to broaden your search radius to include additional areas, you may actually have less trouble finding a home with the features you want the most because you’ll have a bigger pool of options to pick from.

Working remotely not only gives you more flexibility in your job but also presents a great chance to broaden your search for a home. Connect with me today at (415) 624-4999 to discuss how this can expand your choices and help you find the perfect home.

06/27/2023

What Homebuyers Need to Know About Credit Scores
If you’re thinking about buying a home, you should know your credit score’s a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to qualifying for a home loan.
Your credit score is one of the most important factors lenders consider when you apply for a mortgage. Typically, the higher your score, the lower the interest rates and better terms you’ll qualify for.

This means your credit score may feel even more important to your homebuying plans right now since mortgage rates are a key factor in affordability, especially today. You don’t need a perfect credit score to buy a house.
While many lenders use credit scores like FICO Scores to help them make lending decisions, each lender has its own strategy, including the level of risk it finds acceptable. There is no single “cutoff score” used by all lenders and there are many additional factors that lenders may use to determine your actual interest rates.”

If you’re looking for ways to improve your score, Experian highlights some things you may want to focus on:
Your Payment History: Late payments can have a negative impact by dropping your score. Focus on making payments on time and paying any existing late charges quickly.
Your Debt Amount (relative to your credit limits): When it comes to your available credit amount, the less you’re using, the better. Focus on keeping this number as low as possible.
Credit Applications: If you’re looking to buy, don’t apply for other credit. When you apply for new credit, it could result in a hard inquiry on your credit that drops your score.

When you’re ready to start the homebuying process, a lender will be able to assess which range your score falls in and tell you more about the specifics for each loan type. Feel free to connect with me at (415) 624-4999 if you are planning to sell or purchase a house.

06/17/2023

Are Home Prices Going Up or Down? That Depends!

Media coverage about what’s happening with home prices can be confusing. A large part of that is due to the type of data being used and what they’re choosing to draw attention to. For home prices, there are two different methods used to compare home prices over different time periods: year-over-year (Y-O-Y) and month-over-month (M-O-M).

Year-over-Year (Y-O-Y):
· This comparison measures the change in home prices from the same month or quarter in the previous year.
· Y-O-Y comparisons focus on changes over a one-year period, providing a more comprehensive view of long-term trends. They are usually useful for evaluating annual growth rates and determining if the market is generally appreciating or depreciating.

Month-over-Month (M-O-M):
· This comparison measures the change in home prices from one month to the next.
· Meanwhile, M-O-M comparisons analyze changes within a single month, giving a more immediate snapshot of short-term movements and price fluctuations. They are often used to track immediate shifts in demand and supply, seasonal trends, or the impact of specific events on the housing market.

The key difference between Y-O-Y and M-O-M comparisons lies in the time frame being assessed. Both approaches have their own merits and serve different purposes depending on the specific analysis required.

Why Is This Distinction So Important Right Now?
We’re about to enter a few months when home prices could possibly be lower than they were the same month last year. April, May, and June of 2022 were three of the best months for home prices in the history of the American housing market. Those same months this year might not measure up. That means, the Y-O-Y comparison will probably show values are depreciating.
There’s an advantage to buying a home now. You’ll buy at a discount from last year’s price and before prices start to pick up even more momentum.

06/13/2023

Why This Real Estate Market Is the Strongest of Our Lifetime?
When you look at the numbers today, the one thing that stands out is the strength of this housing market. We can see this is one of the most foundationally strong housing markets of our lifetime – if not the strongest housing market of our lifetime. Here are two fundamentals that prove this point.
1. The Current Mortgage Rate on Existing Mortgages
First, let’s look at the current rate on existing mortgages. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as of the fourth quarter of last year, over 80% of existing mortgages have a rate below 5%. That’s significant. And, to take that one step further, over 50% of mortgages have a rate below 4%.

2. The Amount of Homeowner Equity
Second, Americans are sitting on tremendous equity right now. Roughly two-thirds (around 68%) of homeowners have either paid off their mortgage or have at least 50% equity. In the industry, the term for this is equity rich. This is significant because if you think back to 2008, some people had to make the difficult decision to walk away from their homes because they owed more on the home than it was worth. But this time, things are different because homeowners have built up so much equity over the past few years alone.
We are in one of the most foundationally strong housing markets of our lifetime because homeowners are going to fight to keep their current mortgage rate and they have a tremendous amount of equity.
Feel free to connect with me at (415) 624-4999 if you are planning to sell or purchase a house.

05/25/2023

The Benefits of Selling Your House Now, According to Experts
If you’re trying to decide if now’s the time to sell your house, here’s what you should know. The limited number of homes available right now gives you a big advantage. That’s because there are more buyers out there than there are homes for sale. And, with so few homes on the market, buyers will have fewer options, so you set yourself up to get the most eyes possible on your house.

Inventory levels are still at historic lows. Consequently, multiple offers are returning on a good number of properties.

We have not seen the traditional uptick in new listings from existing homeowners, so undersupply of housing will continue to heighten market competition and put pressure on prices. Some markets are already heating up considerably, but price premiums that people saw last spring and summer are unlikely.

Well-priced, move-in ready homes with curb appeal in desirable areas are receiving multiple offers and selling for over the asking price.

If you’re thinking about selling your house, feel free to connect with me at (415) 624-4999 so I can share the insights you need to make the best possible move today.

05/23/2023

Why Buyers Need an Expert Agent by Their Side
The process of buying a home can feel a bit intimidating, even under normal circumstances. But today’s market is still anything but normal.
Advice and guidance from a professional real estate agent can be invaluable, particularly amid a hot or unpredictable housing market.

Here are just a few of the ways a real estate expert makes a big difference:
· Experience – Real estate professionals know the ins and outs of what’s happening today, how it impacts buyers, and how to navigate any hurdles that may pop up.
· Education – Knowledge is power when it comes to buying a home. Your advisor will simply and effectively explain market conditions and translate what they mean for you so you can feel confident in your decision.
· Negotiations – Your real estate advisor advocates for your best interests. Having an expert on your side provides assistance with the purchase agreement. An agent can also help you negotiate potential seller concessions if the inspection reveals issues with the home.
· Contracts – Real estate advisors guide you through the disclosures and contracts necessary in today’s heavily regulated environment.
· Pricing – Making an offer and negotiating with a seller can be one of the most difficult and stressful parts of the homebuying process. A skilled agent will help you understand what similar homes are selling for so you have the full picture of what you may want to offer.

It’s critical to have an expert on your side who is skilled in navigating today’s housing market.

If you’re planning to buy a home this year, feel free to connect with me at (415) 624-4999 for a free consultation. I will give you the best advice and guide you along the way.