The volatile Silicon Valley market has been news in California and the nation for years. Now it seems to be taking a temporary breather in the near normal range.

"The overall real estate market has recently undergone changes, slowing down from the feverish pace earlier this yea," says Realtor Thomas McEvoy. "For sellers, aggressive marketing is a must and sellers need to remember that buyers have more to choose from, thus property condition and terms are important.

He advises buyers, "Different negotiating strategies are necessary to maximize the house and location for the price. There are signs that buyers have more negotiating room than before. With lower interest rates, hovering at historic lows, buyers can take advantage of an opportune time to make a purchase and start building equity in a home."

The area continues to be a big draw.

"Santa Clara County is a diverse community," says Realtor Terri Vellios. "A half hour drive to the beach, 45 minutes to San Francisco, and less than 4 hours to winter skiing."

She says, "Typical for Fall/Winter, real estate inventory starts to decrease, usually equates to less competition for sellers. However, we are still seeing inventory climb. The market climate is prime for both buyers and sellers. Interest rates are favorable. Savvy home buyers are taking advantage of the home inventory and desirable interest rates."

Realtor Mary Kirby suggests the timing is right for real estate investment.

"Given our current economy," she says, "this is an opportune time to invest in real estate, get a mortgage loan with interest rates at their lowest in over 35 years, and put little to nothing down. Like investing in stocks, the best time to buy is when your cost is low so that your future rate of return may be higher. Live in your home for two years or more, then rent it out, and buy another home for yourself. Practice serial investing and over 20 years, you will have acquired close to a dozen homes, some mostly paid off. Long-term real estate investments have been known as one of the most effective methods of accumulating a substantial net worth and monthly income. When you rent, you are paying for someone else's home. When you buy, you have privacy, freedom to decorate, you invest in yourself and in many aspects of your future."

Published: October 7, 2002

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Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. For more articles by Blanche, click here.