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Posts Tagged ‘Silicon Valley Real Estate’

Palo Alto Year Round Farmers’ Market

March 1st, 2010 by Altaire Townhomes

It’s hard to beat the experience of a Farmers’ Market….the sights, the smells and colors are all a welcome escape from our daily, hectic lives. Altaire is very fortunate to have a year-round farmers’ markets right here (every Sunday) in Palo Alto California Avenue Farmers’ Market. This wonderful venue is run by Urban Village Farmers’ Market Association, a Non-profit Mutual Benefit Corporation providing “the best possible opportunity for farmers, food vendors, and community members to preserve, enhance, and enjoy regional fresh quality foods.”*

A leisurely day at the market followed by a meal prepared with fresh picked ingredients makes for the perfect Sunday! Stroll the aisles for produce, baked goods, fresh meats and crafts. The good people at Urban Village have taken the time and compiled this very helpful resource list to aid in making your shopping experience a memorable one:

Use the market as a place to plan your meal. Go to the market, and get inspired. Learn to shop and eat “seasonally.” Produce harvested and picked vine or tree ripened always taste better and will enhance any meal.
Talk to the producer. Get invaluable information on even the most common fruits and vegetables.
Buy a new item every once in a while. Ask the person next to you or the producer to give you some ideas on how to use it. Or trust your intuition and take it home, taste it raw, steam, roast, grill or stir-fry whatever is in season. This is one of the keys to creative cooking.
Get the kids involved. Give them a few dollars and let them buy whatever produce they want and will eat. It’s a great way to make them responsible rather than you for eating fruits and vegetables.
Take your favorite basket or cloth bag. It’s sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Recycle your plastic bags. After each market, tuck them back into your market basket. Again, it’s an environmentally friendly thing to do.
Use your senses to find the best items. Smell, touch (gently) and taste.
Bring a friend to the market. Turn someone else on to the rich satisfaction that can be found through the food and community at the Farmers’ Market.*

California Avenue Farmers’ Market has an excellent selection of fresh items sure to please all shoppers.

Don’t miss this nice collection of market photos to put you in the mood -> here.

Happy Shopping!!

Location:
California Avenue (at El Camino)
Palo Alto, Santa Clara County

Open:
Sundays
9:00am – 1:00pm
Year ’round

*http://www.urbanvillageonline.com

Altaire is an Upscale Community located in beautiful Palo Alto. Now Selling New Contemporary-Style 1,2,3 and 4 bedroom homes.
Altaire Homes 3901 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303 | 650.966.8881 Exclusively represented by: Pacific Marketing Assoc. #01220373

Tags: Altaire HomesAltaire Palo AltoAltaire TownhomesBuild it GreenFarmers MarketGreenGreenPoint Ratedhttp://www.regishomes.com/altaire/New HomeNew HomesNew Homes For SaleNew TownhomesPalo AltoPalo Alto Farmers MarketPalo Alto Real EstateReal EstateSilicon Valley Real EstateSustainable Real EstateTown HomesTownhomeUpscale Townhomes in Palo AltoUrban Village Farmers Market

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What’s Tweeting Palo Alto?

Posted in Palo Alto

February 25th, 2010 by Altaire Townhomes

We are always on the hunt for an insiders scoop on upcoming art events, restaurant recommendations, happy hour deals and fun things to do in Palo Alto. More than ever, consumers are communicating in real-time via smart phones linked to Twitter about their first-hand experiences at local lunch spots, art galleries and entertainment venues by posting reviews on Yelp and check-ins with feedback on Foursquare or Gowalla. These local tweets can provide insight, feedback and even recommendations on a variety of topics.

Interested in what people are tweeting about near Altaire?

Take a look at our new, custom umapper map. You can zoom in and out (top left) and recent tweets will load automatically in the new map.

Search keywords in twitter by using the search tab in the bottom right of the map.
Try typing keywords like SVRE, Altaire or real estate to see what locals are saying about the housing market. An interesting trend is to see tech-savvy real estate agents and brokers use their smart phones to check-in to each open house on Broker Tour days and provide feedback via Twitter or leave feedback on those communities listed on geo-tagging sites like Foursquare and Gowalla. A great real-time client service!

Recently, SF Beer week was on twitter and it was fun watching nearby tweets recommend different ales and brews or pairings and tasting locations. Interested in art, music or wine? Try those keywords…you may hear about something new in the neighborhood!

You can even view the map and tweets in full screen mode by clicking on the full screen tab (top right).

Another way to stay tuned-into the local happenings is to follow the Altaire local Twitter list, a compilation of 125+ local businesses! http://twitter.com/AltairePaloAlto/local

Friends of Altaire, be sure to join us on our Facebook Page too!

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The Hottest Paint Colors of 2010

Posted in Our Community

February 23rd, 2010 by Altaire Townhomes

Congratulations on your new home! Now it is time to personalize your space and make it your own. One of the easiest ways to add a little personality is with a fresh coat of paint. Picking a paint color can be a daunting task. It’s a tricky balance between lighting, personality, mood and current trends. Are you one of those people whot feels overwhelmed by the process and are left with a dozen swatches on walls and no direction? Have a look at what the experts are saying about the freshest colors of 2010 and browse the list of The Hottest Paint Colors of 2010 in this House Beautiful article.

Our personal favorite is Pantone’s 2010 Color of The Year – PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise. Pantone supplies and tracks color for fashion and home decor, among other industries. Experts agree that the color is both universally appealing & puts everyone in a positive state of mind – think “vacation”! Even in small doses turquoise can inspire a sunny disposition…

More about Pantone and the color of the year pick can be found in this online article.

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Your partner has less than stellar credit, now what?

Posted in Our Community

February 18th, 2010 by Altaire Townhomes

Starting a life with each other can be both exciting and challenging. You’ve owned before, but your partner hasn’t. It’s time to find the perfect place to start your life together. So what happens when you begin looking for your first home together and find out that one of you is less than perfect on paper? Suddenly, you love everything about your significant other, except their credit score.

Usually when a couple applies for a mortgage, a lender will review the credit history of both applicants. A negative history of one individual is likely to have an effect on both. These days it is rare, but if one individual has sufficient income to obtain the mortgage on their own (as a sole applicant), then only one credit history may be used for the mortgage loan.

What can you do to move forward together?

If you are ready for the commitment, plan ahead. There is still time to improve your credit history and take advantage of home ownership in today’s real estate market.

Obtain a copy of your credit report. Credit Reporting Act guarantees you access to a free credit report from each of the three nationwide reporting agencies — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — every twelve months. It’s free here.
Eliminate issues – Pay down large sums of any revolving debt. Spot identity theft. Dispute any inaccuracies.
Practice good habits – Lenders will be looking at your rental payments, car payments, etc. Pay your bills on time! Most lenders look for 1 year’s worth of good history. Demonstrate to a lender you are capable of making monthly mortgage payments.
Establish a credit history – If you lack one, secure a credit card and begin making timely payments. Make sure the credit card company reports your payment history to credit reporting agencies.
Talk about your housing needs together – Do you have realistic goals? Do you share priorities and a vision of what your new home will be? Does the area include future employment opportunities? Your first home may not be your dream home, but it should be a place that you envision sharing for a minimum of 2-3 years.

Purchasing a new home in today’s climate certainly has its advantages, including historically low rates, competitive pricing, tax write-offs and tax credits. Don’t be discouraged by a less than stellar credit report. Make the changes today, so that you are prepared for tomorrow.

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Chinese New Year Celebration – Year of The Tiger

Posted in Events

February 15th, 2010 by Altaire Townhomes

Gung Hay Fat Choy! 2010 is the Year of the Tiger – Lunar Year 4708

Did you know that San Francisco’s Chinatown is the largest outside of Asia? Lifestyle on the Peninsula allows us close proximity to so many international destination spots. So how will you celebrate the Chinese New Year?

One event not to be missed is the Chinese New Year Parade! The SF Chinese New Year Parade was originally introduced in the 1860′s to educate locals and introduce them to the Chinese culture. It is such a large part of the Bay Area’s rich history and there are so many ways to celebrate that it is difficult to keep track! Let us know your favorite events and we will add them to this post to share with others.

The 2010 Chinese New year Festival and Parade is on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 5:15 pm.

A San Francisco tradition since just after the Gold Rush, the Chinese New Year Parade continues to entertain and delight the many hundreds of thousands of people that come to watch it on the street or tune in to watch it on television.

Celebrate the lunar new year parade with gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes and exploding firecrackers. A crowd favorite is the spectacular 201′ Golden Dragon (“Gum Lung”) It takes a team of over 100 men and women from the martial arts group, White Crane to carry this dragon throughout the streets of San Francisco.

This year’s Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade promises to warm your heart and electrify your senses, come rain or shine.

Want to celebrate locally in Palo Alto?
(Palo Alto Online listed this special Lion Dance event at Ming’s Chinese Cuisine and Bar to celebrate the Chinese New Year)

Ming’s Lion Dance Performances:
Ming’s celebrates Chinese New Year with special banquet lunches/dinners (Feb. 13-28) and traditional Lion Dance performances (Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m. & Feb. 21, 12:30 p.m.) by the Young Lion Dancers. Reservations recommended. For more information, call Ming’s at 650-856-7700 or visit www.mings.com. Ming’s Chinese Cuisine and Bar, 1700 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto

Don’t miss this! The Swinging Chinatown Exhibit looks amazing… A special exhibition featuring Chinese Nightclubs from the 1930′s to the 1960′s at the Old Mint, February 11 – 21, 2010

For a complete list of 2010 SF Chinatown Events – Chinatown Calendar

You can also follow information about San Francisco Chinatown on Twitter. @sfchinatown

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French Baguette Baking Class at Mayfield Bakery & Cafe

Posted in EventsPalo Alto

February 11th, 2010 by Altaire Townhomes

mayfields Calling all Palo Alto Foodies! This is a great way to spend a Saturday morning, just minutes from our community. If you are a lover of great bread the way we are, don’t miss the Mayfield Bakery & Cafe French Baguette Baking Class on Saturday, February 27th from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Join Baker Josh Grünig for Mayfield’s very first artisan bread baking class geared towards the home baker.

You will learn the following techniques and more…

How to properly measure
Mixing techniques
How to shape dough
Proofing and Scoring
Baking and how to use your home oven
Steaming techniques
How to make Poolish (starter)

At the end of the class, you will be able to go home with a wealth of new baking knowledge, a selection of breads, starter Poolish to use at home AND recipes. Make a day of it! Bring a friend and go for a swim, catch a pilates or yoga class at the OFJCC campus after your bake class. New to Palo Alto? If you’ve recently moved, this is a great way to meet someone that shares an interest in your local area.

The story behind Mayfield Bakery & Cafe is best summed up on their website: ‘Chef Gordon Drysdale and Pastry Chef Nancy Pitta combined their vision and love for food, which led them to the creation of Mayfield Bakery & Cafe. Together his love of savory dishes and her passion for all things pastry have resulted in a harmonious relationship of sweet and savory.’

Mayfield Bakery & Cafe is located in Palo Alto’s Town & Country Village. The price of this class is $65, exclusive of tax. To reserve your spot, please call them at 650.853.9200.

P.S. You don’t have to look far to find updates for Mayfield Bakery & Cafe…their Facebook Page is listed on Altaire’s Page as one of our local favorites!

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Feeling the need to get outdoors?

Posted in Palo Alto

February 8th, 2010 by Altaire Townhomes

View Larger Map

Spring is just around the corner. Don’t let the winter blues get you down. Button up and head out to visit these great parks within a few miles from our community at Altaire. We created a custom map to help you locate all of the great parks to enjoy the outdoors nearby.

Whether you enjoy bicycling, birdwatching, running or hiking, our good friends at Patagonia in Palo Alto have just what you need to enjoy the outdoors even more!

Patagonia Palo Alto is located at 525 Alma Street. (P.S. They are on Facebook + Twitter too.)

And when the weather clears up, you can even give rock climbing a try. If you’ve never given it a try, watch this video and be inspired!

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Hurry – Only 6 Remain at Altaire!

Posted in Our Community

February 4th, 2010 by Altaire Townhomes

Altaire-6-remain

Only 6 left…one of each floor plan remains! If you have been thinking about buying at Altaire, now is the time. Don’t miss out!

And if you purchase this weekend, you are still eligible to register your children in the Palo Alto school district for the 2010/2011 school year. School Districts are the #2 most desirable amenity when selecting a new home, second only to location. (According to our Altaire blog poll.) We’ve listed all of the important registration details below for your convenience.

Important Dates

2010/2011 School Year*

Priority 1 Status:

Registration must be submitted online between January 5 and February 10, 2010

Priority 2 Status:

Registrations completed after February 10, 2010 are date and time stamped based upon online submission date.

In October, 2009 we shared an article by Chris Kenrick from Palo Alto Online: Palo Alto fourth in state among K-12 districts.

“On California’s basic measure of academic achievement, the California Standards Tests (CST) in English and math, 85 percent of Palo Alto second- through eighth-graders scored “advanced” or “proficient.” More than 50 percent scored “advanced.” Read Full Article

If you would like more information on Palo Alto Unified School District and its strategic plan to provide a first-class educational program to all of its students, more information is on the PAUSD site. PAUSD Website

* Important dates taken directly from the PAUSD website (link above). Be sure to review all registration requirements carefully, as there is no guarantee of registration. If you have questions, contact Central Attendance at centattendance@pausd.org or (650) 329-3707.

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Altaire Don’t Miss the February Events at Oshman Family JCC

Posted in Our CommunityPalo Alto

February 2nd, 2010 by Altaire Townhomes

Just a short walk from the front doorstep of your new home at Altaire, you can enjoy Palo Alto’s Oshman Family JCC! With state-of-the-art facilities and organized programs serving preschoolers to retirees, and those in-between, there is something for everyone to enjoy in our amazing community!

The JCC has a variety of cultural events for the whole family. Check out their reviews on Yelp!
The following is a list of February events at the JCC:

MonthlyCalendar_Feb2010

The days of rushing in all different directions for work, school, daycare, culture, and recreation are over. Take a deep breath and reflect on a life well lived. Relax by the pool, in the yoga studio or at your favorite cafe. If you are seeking a more balanced approach to living, look no further than Altaire Townhomes in Palo Alto.

Phase Close-out! Only a few remain…

http://www.regishomes.com/altaire/

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Palo Alto is the “Biggest Gainer”as Housing Market Starts to Pick Up in Bay Area

Posted in Palo Alto

January 28th, 2010 by Altaire Townhomes

altaire_recovery

If you are still waiting for the “bottom” to hit, it may have already happened.

Per this recent article on the online Wall Street Journal, homes in the Bay Area are starting to show signs of a tentative recovery. According to DataQuick, a La Jolla-based data provider for the housing industry, cities closer to the Coast are recovering better than inland properties.

“We appear to be in the early stages of a fragile recovery,” said Andrew LePage, a DataQuick analyst. Coastal communities dominated the the increase in housing prices, accounting for 24 of the 29 regions that posted positive price gains.

Palo Alto led the way in price appreciation. The median home prices of Palo Alto more than doubled from a year ago to $1.1 million. According to the article, Palo Alto’s price per square foot soared 98.7% last year and area real-estate agents say homes sales are brisk.

This is good news for the peninsula as a whole, and Palo Alto in particular. So if you are still on the fence, you may want to revisit the idea of owning a new home in an economically stable area in a great neighborhood with excellent schools for your family.

Altaire offers homeowners more than just ownership. Our beautiful, newly constructed Townhomes are already updated with all of the features and finishes that you may find necessary when buying used, saving you from having to live through a remodel. Altaire also offers an ease of lifestyle with access to the beautiful new OFJCC just steps from your front door, where you and your family can enjoy fitness, culture, events and the arts.

Still undecided? Stop by our sales center for a tour! We’d love to meet you and show you around.

http://www.regishomes.com/altaire/

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Posts Tagged ‘Silicon Valley Real Estate’

Palo Alto Year Round Farmers’ Market

*http://www.urbanvillageonline.com

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What’s Tweeting Palo Alto?

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The Hottest Paint Colors of 2010

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Your partner has less than stellar credit, now what?

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Chinese New Year Celebration – Year of The Tiger

Gung Hay Fat Choy! 2010 is the Year of the Tiger – Lunar Year 4708

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French Baguette Baking Class at Mayfield Bakery & Cafe

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Feeling the need to get outdoors?

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Hurry – Only 6 Remain at Altaire!

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Altaire Don’t Miss the February Events at Oshman Family JCC

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Palo Alto is the “Biggest Gainer”as Housing Market Starts to Pick Up in Bay Area

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