Margaret Shendal, Realtor The Agency RE

09/24/2026

Unpermitted Improvements: What California Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

That converted garage, finished basement, remodeled kitchen, or backyard studio may look beautiful—but was the work properly permitted? In California, unpermitted improvements can create important issues for both buyers and sellers. And in Silicon Valley, where remodeling and additions can represent a significant portion of a property's perceived value, understanding what was actually approved can be especially important. Here's what homeowners and buyers should know....

That converted garage, finished basement, remodeled kitchen, or backyard studio may look beautiful—but was the work properly permitted? In California, unpermitted improvements can create important …

09/22/2026

Before Buying a Condo, Read These HOA Documents

When you buy a condominium or townhouse in California with a homeowners association, you're buying more than your individual home. You're also becoming part of an association that may be responsible for roofs, exterior structures, landscaping, private streets, pools, elevators, balconies, insurance, and other shared property. That means the HOA's financial health, rules, insurance, and maintenance obligations can directly affect your cost and experience of ownership....

When you buy a condominium or townhouse in California with a homeowners association, you’re buying more than your individual home. You’re also becoming part of an association that may b…

09/17/2026

Builder’s Remedy in California: What It Could Mean for Silicon Valley Real Estate

If you've heard about large housing projects proposed in communities traditionally known for single-family homes, you may have encountered two words that are reshaping California's housing conversation: Builder's Remedy. For Silicon Valley homeowners and buyers, this isn't simply a planning issue. Builder's Remedy projects have the potential to change development patterns, housing supply, neighborhood density, and the character of individual properties and communities....

If you’ve heard about large housing projects proposed in communities traditionally known for single-family homes, you may have encountered two words that are reshaping California’s hous…

09/15/2026

How Stock Compensation Can Affect a Silicon Valley Home Purchase

RSUs and stock compensation can complicate a Silicon Valley home purchase. Learn how equity compensation may affect financing, down payments, and buying strategy. In Silicon Valley, a buyer's financial picture isn't always captured by salary alone. Restricted stock units (RSUs), stock options, employee stock purchase plans, and other forms of equity compensation can represent a meaningful part of total compensation for technology executives and employees....

RSUs and stock compensation can complicate a Silicon Valley home purchase. Learn how equity compensation may affect financing, down payments, and buying strategy. In Silicon Valley, a buyer’s…

09/10/2026

The “Golden Handcuffs” of a 3% Mortgage: When Does It Still Make Sense to Move?

Have a 3% mortgage but thinking about moving? Learn when giving up a low rate may still make sense for California and Silicon Valley homeowners. If you bought or refinanced a home when mortgage rates were near historic lows, you may be holding one of today's most valuable financial advantages: a mortgage rate around 3%. But that advantage can also feel like a constraint....

Have a 3% mortgage but thinking about moving? Learn when giving up a low rate may still make sense for California and Silicon Valley homeowners. If you bought or refinanced a home when mortgage rat…

09/08/2026

What Is a Home Inspection Contingency? A California Buyer’s Guide

What is a home inspection contingency in California? Learn how inspections work, what buyers may discover, and why contingency deadlines matter. A beautiful home can make a great first impression—but what you see during a showing is only part of the story. That's where a home inspection contingency comes in. For California buyers, an inspection contingency can provide an important opportunity to investigate a property's condition before proceeding with the purchase....

What is a home inspection contingency in California? Learn how inspections work, what buyers may discover, and why contingency deadlines matter. A beautiful home can make a great first impression—b…

09/07/2026

Happy 4th Birthday Birdy. 🎂🎁💗🐩

09/03/2026

Luxury Homes with ADUs: Are They Worth More?

Do ADUs increase the value of luxury homes in California? Learn how guest houses and accessory dwelling units can affect marketability, flexibility, and value. Does adding an ADU automatically make a luxury home more valuable? Not necessarily—but a well-designed, properly permitted accessory dwelling unit can make a luxury property more versatile and potentially more attractive to buyers. In California, where housing costs are high and multigenerational living, home offices, guest accommodations, and rental flexibility are important to many homeowners, ADUs have become an increasingly significant property feature....

Do ADUs increase the value of luxury homes in California? Learn how guest houses and accessory dwelling units can affect marketability, flexibility, and value. Does adding an ADU automatically make…

09/01/2026

Should You Lock Your Mortgage Rate Now or Float It?

Should you lock your mortgage rate or wait for a better one? Learn how rate locks work and what California homebuyers should consider before deciding. You've found the home, your offer has been accepted, and now your lender asks an important question: Do you want to lock your mortgage rate or float it? For California buyers—especially in high-cost markets like Silicon Valley—even a relatively small change in a mortgage rate can affect the monthly payment and overall borrowing cost....

Should you lock your mortgage rate or wait for a better one? Learn how rate locks work and what California homebuyers should consider before deciding. You’ve found the home, your offer has be…

08/27/2026

Why Inventory Matters More Than Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates dominate real estate headlines. But if you're buying or selling a home in Silicon Valley, there may be another number that deserves just as much attention: housing inventory. Interest rates certainly affect affordability. But inventory—the number of homes available relative to buyer demand—can influence competition, pricing, negotiating power, and how quickly homes sell. Understanding both can give you a much clearer picture of what's actually happening in your local market....

Mortgage rates dominate real estate headlines. But if you’re buying or selling a home in Silicon Valley, there may be another number that deserves just as much attention: housing inventory. I…