6AM City In-house

Real Estate

3 tips for navigating changing real estate market conditions in SJ
Presented by an SJtoday Partner
Aerial photo over a Sacramento, CA home, driveway, and street.
While you can’t always count on a hot housing market, you can count on the certainty of a cash offer from Opendoor. | Photo provided by Opendoor
Location, location, location — that’s been the name of the real estate game for decades. These days, though, you may be hearing more: recession, economy, inflation… terms that definitely have less appeal.

The real estate market is cyclical, and today’s market is currently trying to find out where it will land (albeit a bit dramatically). The difference? Unlike big market turns of the past, this time we’ve swayed quickly from one extreme to the other.

In just two short years, we’ve seen outsized home price appreciation in most US markets (like right here in SJ), followed by a swift decline in housing demand. The whiplash of these fluctuations (and the uncertainty about what happens next) can be hard to wrap your head around.

The good news is, even though none of us can predict what will happen next, that’s okay. If you’re a seller or a buyer (or both) currently stuck in the loop of dreaming, hoping, anticipating + dreading, the experts at Opendoor have three tips to help ride the wave.

Wide-angle view of a woman walking a dog in front of a row of brick townhomes in Dallas, TX.

In the absence of bidding wars, you have time to get to know a neighborhood, look at different housing options, and narrow in on your “must-haves”.

Photo provided by Opendoor

Tip No. 1: Don’t worry about finding the “perfect” time to sell or buy.

Hint: It doesn’t exist. The perfect time is what works best for you and your life. Some factors, like a growing family or a new job in another state, are an easy call. But other reasons require you to dig deep. Think:
  • Will a move improve your day-to-day life?
  • Will you gain more time, be closer to friends and family, or be nearer to activities that bring you joy?

Tip No. 2: Research your financing options.

The good news: You’ve got options. Whether you’re getting a new loan, refinancing, or looking to lower your payment, a mortgage calculator can help you figure out how much you can afford in minutes. There are also rate buydowns, which can help you lower your rate. Pro tip: A lender can help you figure out what your options are.*
TIP NO. 3
This content was created in partnership with Opendoor and written by Garcelle Vierra Erdie.*

If you’re house hunting (or considering it within the next 6 months), would the state of the economy cause you to stop or pause your search?
  1. Yes
  2. Maybe
  3. No
LET US KNOW
6AM City In-house

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Monday, Dec. 5
  • Karaoke Nights | Monday, Dec. 5-Monday, Dec. 26 | 9 p.m. | O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub, 25 N. San Pedro St., San Jose | Free | Sing your favorite tunes with friends at this weekly karaoke night.
Tuesday, Dec. 6
  • Turntables & Tacos | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 5 p.m.-2 a.m. | Mama Kin, 374 S. First St., San Jose | Free | Take a night off to splurge on these $2 tacos + $6 drafts all night long.
  • VinoPaint Event for Ornament Painting | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 6-8 p.m. | Tessora’s Barra di Vino, 234 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell | $45-$55 | Be inspired to create your own hand-painted ornament featuring holiday poinsettias.
Wednesday, Dec. 7
  • Santana Row Snow Showers | Wednesday, Dec. 7-Friday, Dec. 23 | 6-8 p.m. | Santana Row, 377 Santana Row, San Jose | Free | Enjoy outdoor snow showers and holiday tunes every 30 minutes in Park Valencia in front of Maggiano’s.
  • Meet John Doe | Wednesday, Dec. 7-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | The Stage, 490 S. First St., San Jose | $38-$62 | A reporter’s fake news turns a down-and-out derelict into a national hero and unknowingly makes him a pawn of big business.
  • Living Succulent Grapevine Wreath. | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | Tessora’s Barra di Vino, 234 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell | Enjoy some wine, food, and create something beautiful this season.
Thursday, Dec. 8
  • Creating in Clay: Hand Building and Sculpting | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 7-10 p.m. | School of Visual Philosophy, 1065 The Alameda, San Jose | $75 | Create a monstera bowl with water-based clay.
  • Sunday in the Park with George | Thursday, Dec. 8, Saturday, Dec. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | 3 Below Theaters and Lounge, 288 S. Second St., San Jose | $25-$55 | Inspired by George Seurat’s famous painting, this poetic masterpiece explores the challenges in understanding life and art.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
MORE THIS MONTH

Weather
  • 59º | Morning showers | 44% chance of rain ☔
Development
  • The Icon and Echo towers — two housing and commercial high-rises — recently received unanimous approval from City Council to be built across from City Hall. Both towers will stand ~280-ft tall and be among the tallest buildings in Downtown when complete. A construction timeline has not yet been announced. 🏗️ (San José Spotlight)
Transit
  • The Santa Clara VTA recently approved the purchase of a machine to create a subway tunnel as a part of BART’s planned expansion into Downtown. VTA will now apply for federal aid — expected to be as much as $4.6 billion — to take the BART into three new stations. 🚇 (Silicon Valley Business Journal)
  • Cupertino’s on-demand shuttle service, Via-Cupertino, will soon receive $8.5 million from the California State Transportation Authority to begin adding electric vehicles to its fleet. It is also being given five more years to operate following its three-year pilot program, and is expected to expand into San Jose and Sunnyvale. 🚍 (The Mercury News)
Drink
  • This brew is out of this world. Clandestine Brewing Co. released its Coffee Milky Way Stout — one of its oldest brews since it first opened in 2014. Sweet and full-bodied, it’s made with craft coffee from SJ-based roaster Boast Coffee to celebrate Boast’s fifth anniversary. 🍺
Giveaway
  • The San Jose Quakes are hosting a giveaway for travel accommodations and two tickets to its preseason games in Coachella Valley. All you need to do is submit your favorite US Men’s or Women’s team memory in 100 words or less by Sunday, Dec. 18 for a chance to win. ⚽
Seasonal
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Let there be brunch 🥞

30+ great brunch places to try in San Jose, CA
ToastCafeGrill
Fill up on a classic breakfast at Toast Cafe & Grill. | Photo via @yeu.mmy
In our opinion, brunch is always a good idea. Whether it’s an order of ricotta beignets from The Table or a quick stop at Benedict’s Café & Bar for a chicken waffle benedict, the combination of breakfast and lunch is something we hold very close to our hearts.

Fortunately for us, San Jose is home to plenty of brunch options. Here are a few we’ve been loving recently:
Which one will you be going to and what classic brunch beverage will you order? Let us know.
31 MORE BRUNCH SPOTS
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Alyson.

Editor’s pick: I went to Christmas in the Park over the weekend, and I was pleasantly surprised by a cool new-ish addition to the spectacle — a gigantic, inflatable holiday-themed tavern. Inside, it’s warm, decorated with snowflakes, and you sort of forget you’re in the middle of Downtown. I definitely recommend for my 21+ folks, apparently they just added the tavern last year. 🍻

Missed the last newsletter? We gave you some local gift inspo from Etsy.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Alyson Chuyang, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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