Ralph and Rachel T. Rodriguez - Compass Real Estate

09/10/2025

Fall brings cooler weather and football season, a great time of year!

The stock market remains strong, however the job market is softening and beginning to concern economists and job seekers. So much so that the consensus believe the Feds will definitely lower the Fed Funds rate this month and most likely again later this year. Home buyer activity has been showing improvement and the available inventory of homes for sale is trending down, this should bode well for both buyers and sellers for the remainder of 2025. Economists and investors still remain unsure of how the tariffs will impact inflation; although, most are expecting less impact than initially feared. The possibility of a recession remains, fortunately the chances of that happening are trending lower. Mortgage rates have dropped to the low 6% range, if they drop below 6% that may bring a lot more buyers hitting the market, fingers crossed! The available inventory of single-family homes for sale in Santa Clara County is 1,150 and for both single family and condo/townhomes the total is 1,943. Buyers are definitely being more selective and looking at all options before submitting an offer, however recently updated properties and/or properties that are priced appropriately are selling relatively quickly, and some are selling above the list price. There are opportunities for buyers and sellers, please give us a call if you would like to discuss the real estate market in your area.

Below is the link for our September 2025 Santa Clara County Real Estate Report. Our real estate market is constantly changing, please let us know if you would like to discuss current market conditions, the forecast for the next 3-6 months, or if you have any questions. Take care and let us know if there is anything we can do to better serve your real estate needs, or those of anyone you know.

Buy, sell, and rent smarter with Compass. Partner with a local real estate agent to find the home or apartment that’s right for you.

05/23/2025

Have a wonderful Memorial weekend the kick off to our summer real estate market.
If you have any RE questions or would like info. on the current market activities. Please contact Ralph and Rachel 408.807.3073
DRE #: 01169616/01415559

05/09/2025

The weather is warming up, summertime is coming!

It's been just over a month since the tariffs were announced, and it's been a roller coaster of a ride. The uncertainty has shaken investors, and the economists have no idea the impact they will have on the economy in the short or long term. A deal was just struck with The United Kingdom and talks with China are scheduled for this week, let's keep our fingers crossed that the talks lead to deals with our trading partners soon! The possibility of a recession remains, however if the trade negotiations are resolved quickly, we may avoid one altogether. Mortgage rates have held steady, although there are concerns about inflation that could push them higher. The Feds met this week and decided to leave rates unchanged and have indicated they are taking a wait and see approach before reacting. The available inventory of homes for sale in Santa Clara County has been steadily increasing and we now stand at about 2,000 available properties on the market in Santa Clara County. This is great for buyers that have been on the sidelines waiting for this opportunity, please give us a call if you would like to discuss the real estate market in your area.

A new law was recently introduced preventing Realtors from advertising the commission a seller will pay the buyer's agent and requiring buyers to negotiate the compensation a buyer's agent will receive when representing the buyer in the purchase of their home. On January 1, 2025, this new law will become mandatory practice. We now have over a three-month sampling of this new normal, and fortunately the impact has not negatively affected the majority of buyers or sellers. The most of sellers are paying the buyer's agent's commission, why you may ask, because buyers understand and agree they benefit from being represented by a knowledgeable professional Realtor and sellers understand the best way to receive maximum activity, which results in selling their home for the highest price and best terms, is to hire a knowledgeable Realtor and be willing to pay the buyer's Realtors' compensation. Many buyers do not have the savings to pay the down payment, closing costs, and their Realtor's commission, therefore many buyers are asking their Realtors to exclude listings where the seller is not paying the buyer's agent's commission. Ultimately, this may result in less activity and a lower selling price, and likely lower net proceeds. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to discuss this in more detail.

Below is the link for our May 2025 Santa Clara County Real Estate Report. Our real estate market is constantly changing, please let us know if you would like to discuss current market conditions, the forecast for the next 3-6 months, or if you have any questions. Take care and let us know if there is anything we can do to better serve your real estate needs, or those of anyone you know.

DRE #01169616/01415559

Buy, sell, and rent smarter with Compass. Partner with a local real estate agent to find the home or apartment that’s right for you.

05/01/2025

Just listed this beautifully renovated single-level 4 bedroom / 3 bathroom home located in the heart of Santa Clara. LP$2,088,000
Call Ralph and Rachel for more information. 408.807.3073

Open Houses: Sat. 5/3 & Sun. 5/4, 1:30PM-4:00PM

DRE #01169616/01415559

04/16/2025

Located in a desirable Campbell neighborhood, this 5BD/2BTH, 2,208SF home is well-maintained and in original condition offering a fantastic opportunity for the next owner to update and personalize LP$2,288,888. Call Ralph and Rachel for more information. 408.807.3073 DRE #01169616/01415559

Open Houses: 4/17 & 4/18 4PM-7PM; 4/19 1:30PM-4PM

04/11/2025

Greetings,
The past week has been an economic whirlwind, filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and fear. Of course, I am referring to the tariff war that was initiated on 4/2/2025 and then paused for 90 days on 4/9/2025. Moving forward I hope the negotiations will yield positive results and the United States, our allies, and all of our trading partners. The possibility of a recession remains, however if the trade negotiations are resolved quickly, we may avoid one all together. Mortgage rates have held steady, however there are concerns about the bond market that could keep the elevated. The available inventory of homes for sale in Santa Clara County surpassed the 2024 peak and are trending up. This is great for buyers that have been on the sidelines waiting for this opportunity, please give us a call if you would like to discuss the real estate market in your area.

A new law was recently introduced preventing Realtors from advertising the commission a seller will pay the buyer's agent and requiring buyers to negotiate the compensation a buyer's agent will receive when representing the buyer in the purchase of their home. On January 1, 2025, this new law will become mandatory practice. We now have over a three-month sampling of this new normal, and fortunately the impact has not negatively affected the majority of buyers or sellers. The most of sellers are paying the buyer's agent's commission, why you may ask, because buyers understand and agree they benefit from being represented by a knowledgeable professional Realtor and sellers understand the best way to receive maximum activity, which results in selling their home for the highest price and best terms, is to hire a knowledgeable Realtor and be willing to pay the buyer's Realtors' compensation. Many buyers do not have the savings to pay the down payment, closing costs, and their Realtor's commission, therefore many buyers are asking their Realtors to exclude listings where the seller is not paying the buyer's agent's commission. Ultimately, this may result in less activity and a lower selling price, and likely lower net proceeds. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to discuss this in more detail.

Below is the link for our March 2025 Santa Clara County Real Estate Report. Our real estate market is constantly changing, please let us know if you would like to discuss current market conditions, the forecast for the next 3-6 months, or if you have any questions. Take care and let us know if there is anything we can do to better serve your real estate needs, or those of anyone you know. DRE #01169616/01415559

Buy, sell, and rent smarter with Compass. Partner with a local real estate agent to find the home or apartment that’s right for you.

03/29/2025

Excited to present this stunning home in the beautiful Evergreen area in San Jose! Join us for the first open house weekend on Sunday, 3/30 from 1:30PM to 4:00PM. LP $3,148,888

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ralph and Rachel 408.807.3073.

DRE #:01169616/01415559

02/12/2025

Hello,

The local real estate market remains active, due to low inventory and strong demand, which should continue through the first quarter of 2025, with no major spikes anticipated. Especially if the stock market remains stable, the job market remains healthy, and mortgage rates hold steady or trend lower. It is still unclear what effect the new administration's policies will have on our economy, we will just have to wait and see.

On August 17th a new law was introduced preventing Realtors from advertising the commission a seller will pay the buyer's agent and requiring buyers to negotiate the compensation a buyer's agent will receive when representing the buyer in the purchase of their home. On January 1, 2025, this new law will become mandatory practice. We now have over a three-month sampling of this new normal, and fortunately the impact has not negatively affected the majority of buyers or sellers. The most of sellers are paying the buyer's agent's commission, why you may ask, because buyers understand and agree they benefit from being represented by a knowledgeable professional Realtor and sellers understand the best way to receive maximum activity, which results in selling their home for the highest price and best terms, is to hire a knowledgeable Realtor and be willing to pay the buyer's Realtors' compensation. Many buyers do not have the savings to pay the down payment, closing costs, and their Realtor's commission, therefore many buyers are asking their Realtors to exclude listings where the seller is not paying the buyer's agent's commission. Ultimately, this may result in less activity and a lower selling price, and likely lower net proceeds. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to discuss this in more detail.

Below is the link for our February 2025 Santa Clara County Real Estate Report. Our real estate market is constantly changing, please let us know if you would like to discuss current market conditions, the forecast for the next 3-6 months, or if you have any questions. Take care and let us know if there is anything we can do to better serve your real estate needs, or those of anyone you know.
D: 408.807.3073 DRE:01169616/01415559

Buy, sell, and rent smarter with Compass. Partner with a local real estate agent to find the home or apartment that’s right for you.

01/09/2025

Happy New Year!

Rachel and I would like to wish all of our family and friends a Happy New Year and best wishes to you and yours in 2025!

In 2024 the Feds lowered the Fed fund rate one percent, and the forecast for 2025 will be another two reductions totaling a half percent. The Fed fund rate is associated with credit cards, personal loans, and auto loans, so these reductions are welcomed by all because they should reduce monthly expenses at a time when most Americans are struggling to keep up with rising costs. The local real estate market remains active, due to low inventory and strong demand, and should continue through the first quarter of 2025. We are not expecting a spike in the available inventory of homes for sale in Santa Clara County over the next three months, and if the stock market remains stable, the job market remains healthy, and mortgage rates hold steady or trend lower, the first quarter of 2025 should be solid.

In August 17th a new law was introduced preventing Realtors from advertising the commission a seller will pay the buyer's agent and requiring buyers to negotiate the compensation a buyer's agent will receive when representing the buyer in the purchase of their home. On January 1, 2025, this new law will become mandatory practice. We now have over a three-month sampling of this new normal, and fortunately the impact has not negatively affected the majority of buyers or sellers. The most of sellers are paying the buyer's agent's commission, why you may ask, because buyers understand and agree they benefit from being represented by a knowledgeable professional Realtor and sellers understand the best way to receive maximum activity, which results in selling their home for the highest price and best terms, is to hire a knowledgeable Realtor and be willing to pay the buyer's Realtors' compensation. Many buyers do not have the savings to pay the down payment, closing costs, and their Realtor's commission, therefore many buyers are asking their Realtors to exclude listings where the seller is not paying the buyer's agent's commission. Ultimately, this may result in less activity and a lower selling price, and likely lower net proceeds. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to discuss this in more detail.

Below is the link for our January 2025 Santa Clara County Real Estate Report. Our real estate market is constantly changing, please let us know if you would like to discuss current market conditions, the forecast for the next 3-6 months, or if you have any questions. Take care and let us know if there is anything we can do to better serve your real estate needs, or those of anyone you know.

Buy, sell, and rent smarter with Compass. Partner with a local real estate agent to find the home or apartment that’s right for you.

11/08/2024

Excited to present this beautifully updated home in Belmont! Join us for the first open house weekend on Saturday, 11/9 and Sunday, 11/10 from 1:30PM to 4:00PM. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ralph and Rachel.". 408.807.3073

DRE #:01169616/01415559

10/08/2024

Just sold our beautiful listing in the Silver Creek Valley Country Club Community.
SP $2,740,000 - 2,916 SF - 5 beds - 3 baths
Please call Ralph and Rachel to answer your real estate questions. 408.807.3073 DRE #01169616/01415559

10/02/2024