Kavanaugh Group

Kavanaugh Group Our business is based on putting our clients needs first and delivering exceptional service.

Personal Background

Born in Chicago, Illinois
Bachelor of Music ’63, Manhattanville College, Purchase, New York
Master of Music ’64, Pius XII Institute, Florence, Italy
Resident of Portola Valley since 1973
'As a Portola Valley resident for 38 years, I've had the chance to learn about the intricacies of local planning and development issues
Husband, Jack and family, John and Michele, Joe, Bob and

Laura and their daughters Kate and Eve


Professional Experience

Real Estate Sales since May, 1985
Previews Property Specialist for Woodside, Portola Valley, Atherton, Menlo Park,Palo Alto and Los Altos Hills
My familiarity with area schools and community organizations, my focus on details of home sales and purchases and my commitment to achieve client goals enable me to provide the best full service representation in this area. Nationally ranked in the Top 5% of all Coldwell Banker Agents
# 1 Producing Agent (Portola Valley Office) since 1994
Relocation – Referral Benefits Specialist for Coldwell Banker
Active Virtual Tour Agent


Associations

Member of the National Association of Realtors®
Member of the California Association of Realtors®
Silicon Valley Association of Realtors®:
Community Service
Member of the Advisory Board to the Portola Valley Schools Foundation
Past Member of the Board of Trustees, Woodside Priory
Past Volunteer Member of the 21st Century Fund Committee for the Portola Valley Schools
Past Co-President of Executive Board for Portola Valley Schools Foundation
Past Membr of the Foundation Board of Summit Prep Charger High School
Sustaining member of Peninsula Children's Center Charter Auxiliary


Awards

International President's Premier 2003-2010
Nationally ranked in the Top 5% of all Coldwell Banker Agents
Top 1% Sales Associate for Coldwell Banker Northern California
#1 Producing Agent - Coldwell Banker Office, Portola Valley 1994-2011


Specialty Markets

Relocation
Luxury Properties
Lot/Land
First Time Buyers
Buyer Representative

FLASHBACK FRIDAY - Before Palo Alto Was Palo Alto 📬This photo takes us back to 1886, outside the Mayfield Post Office.As...
09/04/2026

FLASHBACK FRIDAY - Before Palo Alto Was Palo Alto 📬

This photo takes us back to 1886, outside the Mayfield Post Office.

Assistant Postmaster Lizzie Weisshaar stands in the doorway while J.S. Spaulding sits on the windowsill reading the newspaper.

Lizzie was the daughter of F.W. Weisshaar, an early California pioneer who arrived in 1855 and settled in the community that would eventually become the town of Mayfield.

Nearly 40 years after this photo was taken, Mayfield residents voted overwhelmingly to become part of Palo Alto, officially consolidating on July 6, 1925.

It’s incredible to think that the neighborhoods, homes and streets we know today grew from communities like this one.

Real estate tells us what a place is worth today. History reminds us how it became a place worth calling home.

John Kavanaugh 415.377.2924 | DRE 02058127
Joseph Kavanaugh 650.400.5312 | DRE 01351481

The Kind of Home Buyers Are Willing To Pay More For 🏡That extra bedroom, in-law suite, finished basement, second kitchen...
09/02/2026

The Kind of Home Buyers Are Willing To Pay More For 🏡

That extra bedroom, in-law suite, finished basement, second kitchen, or separate entrance may be worth more than you think.

Multi-generational living is growing, with nearly 4 million U.S. households now including three or more generations under one roof. And buyers are actively looking for homes that make that lifestyle easier.

In 2025, multi-generational homes commanded roughly 22% more per square foot than similarly sized traditional homes and received 13.5% more online views.

For sellers, that means flexible living space isn't just a nice feature. It can be a serious selling point.

If your home offers space for extended family, guests, or independent living, make sure buyers understand its value.

Thinking about selling? Let’s talk about what features could make your home stand out.

John Kavanaugh 415.377.2924 | DRE 02058127
Joseph Kavanaugh 650.400.5312 | DRE 01351481

PORTOLA VALLEY • PALO ALTO • STANFORD • MENLO PARK WEEK 1 | SEPTEMBER AROUND THE MIDPENINSULAPost: Sept. 1-3September is...
09/01/2026

PORTOLA VALLEY • PALO ALTO • STANFORD • MENLO PARK

WEEK 1 | SEPTEMBER AROUND THE MIDPENINSULA
Post: Sept. 1-3

September is one of the best times to enjoy this part of the Peninsula. Warm afternoons, cooler evenings, outdoor events, farmers markets and trails all reinforce something buyers sometimes forget: you're not simply choosing a house here, you're choosing a lifestyle.

Highlight local September happenings, including the weekly Portola Valley Farmers Market on Thursdays from 2-6 PM, community programming in Palo Alto and Menlo Park, and the return of fall activities throughout the area. Portola Valley's September calendar confirms the farmers market continues into September.

From walking downtown Palo Alto or Menlo Park to an afternoon at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, this is the stuff a property description can't fully capture. Location isn't just commute time and school districts. It's what your Saturday looks like.

John Kavanaugh 415.377.2924 | DRE 02058127
Joseph Kavanaugh 650.400.5312 | DRE 01351481

Privacy Is Becoming the New LuxuryIn the ultra-luxury real estate market, buyers are looking beyond square footage, fini...
09/01/2026

Privacy Is Becoming the New Luxury

In the ultra-luxury real estate market, buyers are looking beyond square footage, finishes, and prestigious addresses.

Privacy, security, and the ability to truly retreat have become increasingly valuable.

From gated estates and private compounds to homes designed around discretion and seclusion, affluent buyers are placing a premium on properties that offer something increasingly difficult to find: space away from the world.

Swipe through to see how privacy is influencing luxury real estate and what today’s high-end buyers are prioritizing.

John Kavanaugh 415.377.2924 | DRE 02058127
Joseph Kavanaugh 650.400.5312 | DRE 01351481

Tomorrow, Portola Valley turns up the volume.PV Palooza returns Saturday for a full day of live music, local food, w**e ...
08/29/2026

Tomorrow, Portola Valley turns up the volume.

PV Palooza returns Saturday for a full day of live music, local food, w**e and b**r, art, kids’ activities, and neighbors coming together at the Portola Valley Town Center.

With 30 musical acts across multiple stages, there’s something happening throughout the day.

📍 Portola Valley Town Center
📅 Saturday, August 29
⏰ 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM
🎟️ FREE

Bring the family, meet up with friends, discover some local music, and spend a summer Saturday celebrating the community.

This is Portola Valley at its best. 🌲🎸

FLASHBACK FRIDAY | BEFORE PALO ALTO WAS PALO ALTO 🌲Long before Silicon Valley, Stanford University, or the city we know ...
08/29/2026

FLASHBACK FRIDAY | BEFORE PALO ALTO WAS PALO ALTO 🌲

Long before Silicon Valley, Stanford University, or the city we know today, there was a tree.

El Palo Alto, the towering coastal redwood along San Francisquito Creek, became such a recognizable landmark that it eventually gave Palo Alto its name, Spanish for “tall tree.”

When Leland Stanford established Stanford University in memory of his son, the surrounding community began taking shape. In 1894, Palo Alto officially incorporated.

More than 130 years later, El Palo Alto is still standing.

Think about that.

The city grew around it. Stanford rose nearby. Orchards became neighborhoods. Silicon Valley emerged. Generations came and went.

And the tree that gave Palo Alto its name is still there.

Sometimes the history of a place isn’t hidden in a museum.

Sometimes it’s been standing there the whole time.

Where design, technology, and everyday living come together.At 141 Lake Rd, the kitchen is more than a place to cook. It...
08/29/2026

Where design, technology, and everyday living come together.

At 141 Lake Rd, the kitchen is more than a place to cook. It’s the heart of an open, light-filled home designed for gathering, entertaining, and enjoying its natural surroundings.

An oversized statement island, high-tech appliances, wet bar, w**e fridge, soaring ceilings, and skylights create a space that feels both elevated and effortless. From here, the home flows into expansive living areas and outdoor decks, with views stretching through the surrounding greenery toward the Bay.

Beyond the kitchen, smart-home technology, solar, Tesla Powerwall, a permitted attached ADU, multiple outdoor spaces, and direct access to nearby open space and hiking trails make this a home designed for the way we live today.

141 Lake Rd is modern living, surrounded by nature.

Interested in seeing it for yourself? Call us to schedule a private tour.

John Kavanaugh 415.377.2924 | DRE 02058127
Joseph Kavanaugh 650.400.5312 | DRE 01351481

Smart real estate decisions are always in style. ✨Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply thinking about your next mov...
08/29/2026

Smart real estate decisions are always in style. ✨

Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply thinking about your next move, having the right team in your corner makes all the difference.

Local knowledge. Trusted guidance. Your best interests, always.

Thinking about making a move? Call us and let’s talk real estate.

John Kavanaugh 415.377.2924 | DRE 02058127
Joseph Kavanaugh 650.400.5312 | DRE 01351481

Before fall arrives, now is the perfect time to give your home a little attention.Late summer is ideal for tackling the ...
08/26/2026

Before fall arrives, now is the perfect time to give your home a little attention.

Late summer is ideal for tackling the maintenance projects that are easy to put off: refreshing landscaping, clearing gutters and drainage, touching up exterior paint and caulking, servicing the HVAC system, inspecting the roof, and taking care of those lingering repairs.

But if selling your home this fall is even a possibility, don’t start spending without a strategy.

Some improvements can strengthen your home’s value and buyer appeal. Others may cost more than they’ll ever return.

Before you start checking projects off the list, let’s talk about which updates are actually worth your time and money.

Thinking about selling this fall? Call or text me before you start making improvements.

John Kavanaugh 415.377.2924 | DRE 02058127
Joseph Kavanaugh 650.400.5312 | DRE 01351481

Chapter three of our 120 Years of Architecture series takes us to the Tudor Revival, a style that brought centuries-old ...
08/21/2026

Chapter three of our 120 Years of Architecture series takes us to the Tudor Revival, a style that brought centuries-old English design to neighborhoods across America.
For 120 years, the Coldwell Banker® brand has been there as historic houses have become beloved homes.

Address

116 Portola Road
Portola Valley, CA
94028

Telephone

+16504008076

Website

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