THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF SAN BENITO COUNTY
JULY 31, 2020
HITTING THE PEAK A supplement to the Hollister Free Lance
Property values reach a record high in latest report, but a sharp drop expected in coming years P2
GARDENING P6 | HOME OF THE WEEK P10 | REAL ESTATE P11
Property values peak Decade-long economic boom comes to an end with Covid-19, assessor warns By ERIK CHALHOUB
JULY 31, 2020
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anta Clara County’s real estate value hit another record in 2019, while San Benito County has continued to experience year-to-year growth over the past decade. But in Santa Clara County’s recently released Assessment Roll report, officials warned that those values have hit their peak, and a “crash landing” due to Covid-19 and the subsequent economic downturn is expected. On July 1, County Assessor Larry Stone delivered the annual assessment roll, which reflected the assessed value of all property as of the lien (valuation) date, Jan. 1, 2020. The total net assessed value of all real and business property grew by $35.5 billion to a total of $551.5 billion, a 6.87 percent increase over the prior year. Gilroy’s assessment roll grew to $9.8 billion, a 6.14 percent increase. Morgan Hill, meanwhile, grew to $10.8 billion, a 6.12 percent increase. “There is little doubt that the 2020 assessment roll captures the peak of the longest economic boom in Silicon Valley’s history,” Stone said. The 2020 assessment roll for San Benito County has not yet been released. However, in 2019 County Assessor Tom J. Slavich reported that the total assessed ➝ 4
AT ITS PEAK A surge in new residential construction, such as Glen Loma Ranch in Gilroy and
the Allendale development in Hollister, has contributed to the rise in property values.
Photos by Erik Chalhoub
JULY 31, 2020
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Erik Chalhoub
GOING FAST New homes in Glen Loma Ranch have been quickly grabbed by buyers.
JULY 31, 2020
PROPERTY VALUES PEAK
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value reached a new plateau exceeding $9.2 billion. Slavich attributed the nearly $727 million in assessed value over the previous year mainly due to rising property values, a surge in new residential development and new construction. During the past seven years the assessment roll in San Benito County has grown by 52 percent in assessed value. For Santa Clara County, the major beneficiaries of property tax revenue are public schools, community colleges, cities and the county. Fifty percent of local property tax revenue generated goes to fund public education. But things are likely to change quickly. “Since property assessments are based upon market value of property as of January 1, I fully expect this year will be a transition year,”
Stone said. “Next year will not be as positive, as we will be considering the full economic impact of Covid19 on real estate values. “Earlier this year, I advised schools and local government officials that there were signs of a decline in the same geographic areas. It was becoming clear the economic boom of the past 10 years was not sustainable, and that the 2020 assessment roll would reflect the apex of 10 consecutive years of economic prosperity. “I had hoped for a gradual decline. Instead the pandemic-triggered recession, and the political chaos that followed, has created the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. I expected the next recession would be a ‘normal’ recession, a ‘soft landing.’ Unfortunately, we are facing a ‘crash landing,’ that one analyst described as like being in a wheelchair pushed down a very long flight of stairs.”
Real estate rebounds in June According to the National Association of Realtors, home sales rebounded by nearly 21 percent in June, showing signs of a market turnaround after three straight months of sales declines caused by the ongoing pandemic. The numbers in Santa Clara County were strong as well. According to the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors, home sales increased by 72.4 percent compared to May. Gilroy had 69 sales of single-family residences in June, compared to just 20 in May. Fifty single-family residences sold in Morgan Hill in June, compared to 37 in June. San Benito County’s residential real estate market bounced back in June. According to data by MLS Listings, 53 units sold in
June compared to 25 the previous month. The total number of active listings dropped by 35 percent in June, pointing to increased sales activity. But with Covid-19 cases surging once again, and certain business sectors being forced to shut down, the market may be in for another drop. According to online real estate database Zillow, low mortgage rates have enticed buyers throughout the pandemic, which are expected to remain for the foreseeable future. “There are some storm clouds gathering, however, including broader uncertainty due to the surge in coronavirus cases and the prospect of disappearing fiscal support,” a July market snapshot by Zillow reported. “Historically low levels of for-sale inventory could also thwart the strong gains the housing market has recently enjoyed.”
GARDENING
Inspect your garden
DISEASE CUES Wilting that doesn’t resolve overnight can point to a larger problem.
Learning to recognize problems early can keep plants healthy
away from the plant, or a disease has taken over. Fungal diseases, such as fusarium wilt, onion white rot, and verticillium wilt block the flow of water and nutrients through vascular tissue, causing plants to wilt. Other fungi can cause girdling that leads to wilting and plant death. Nematodes may also feed on roots, causing wilting. Learning to recognize the specific symptoms and treatments for these conditions can help you keep your plants healthy. Ragged leaf edges and middles can mean many different things. It may be that local goldfinch populations have discovered your sunflowers or sparrows are devouring your chard. It can also mean sowbug
Kate Russell is a UCCE Master Gardener in Santa Clara County. For information, visit mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu or call 408.282.3105 between 9:30am-12:30pm, Monday through Friday.
JULY 31, 2020
By KATE RUSSELL
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ou may be busy watering and weeding your garden, but that makes it the perfect time to take a closer look at what is happening to the plants under your care. Wilting, ragged leaves, unproductive flowers, and mummies are just a few of the clues that may indicate a problem in your garden. Afternoon wilting is common in summer, especially among largeleafed squash plants, but any wilting that doesn’t resolve overnight can mean there’s a problem. Closer inspection may show that borers have taken up residence in the stems, irrigation water is being diverted
populations have gone out of control. Flea beetles, cabbage loopers, stink bugs, and Fuller rose beetles are just a few of the pests whose feeding is a sign of a problem. Many garden crops start out as flowers. When those flowers fail to produce it means something is wrong. It may mean high temperatures have damaged the pollen, but it can also mean pesticides and insecticides have killed off local pollinators. It may also be fungal disease. Closer inspection will give you the information you need. While you are out inspecting your garden, be sure to take a closer look at fruit for signs of moth larvae and check the nooks and crannies of bark and branch crotches for signs of pest eggs, plum bud gall mites, and other insect invaders. And be sure to check for aphids. Catching problems early on makes correcting them a lot easier. Inspecting your garden regularly also gives you clues about what is thriving and what needs a little extra care. A notebook can be a very handy tool for these inspections. You can create your own with a loose-leaf notebook, use a tablet, buy one online, or get a lovely handmade gardening diary. Whichever type you select, these notebooks are organized by month. Taking notes on what is sprouting, blooming, fruiting, fading or having problems each month will, over time, show you trends in your garden that occur each year. You can also note insect migrations, rainfall amounts and other helpful information. This will help you be better prepared for what’s to come, making your work in the garden easier and more productive.
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Calm Under Stress
Cindy is excited to be your real estate agent. She has
Client Satisfaction Jill’s mission statement is always the same; client satisfaction. No detail is left unfinished. Her unique understanding of neighborhoods and real estate markets of our area enables her to guide buyers and sellers; a quality necessary for successful realtors. Jill’s long professional experience allows her a strong advantage when helping clients buy or sell a property. Based in Gilroy, she works and lives in the communities she represents. She has the power of long-standing Coldwell Banker Realty behind her. Call her today for your complimentary market analysis or how to work through the market as a buyer.
JILL TOLER
REALTOR®/ Notary | Coldwell Banker Realty | DRE #02081395
being able to work calmly under stressful situations. Cindy
8050 Santa Teresa Blvd, Ste 210, Gilroy, CA 95020 www.calljillfirst.com | jill.toler@cbnorcal.com 408.848.7954 | 408.813.9477
“Cindy has helped me personally with the purchase and pleasure working with her. She is professional, aware of of the qualities one would want in their real estate agent.”
| DATE 00-00, JULY 31, 20202020 SOUTH VALLEY MAGAZINE
“I truly loved working with Cindy. She helped me stage my
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good things about her.”
Your Local Mortgage Expert has been growing over her 25 years as a mortgage expert. She has a reputation for uncompromising ethics and attacks every home loan with the tenacity needed recognized as a President’s Club level producer and to receive a personal and professional approach on your home loan!
CINDY DOMINGUEZ
INTERO | BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY | CalRE# 01803310
408-497-6291 cdominguez@intero.com Intero Real Estate 175 E Main Ave #130 Morgan Hill, CA 95037
NMLS ID: 236890 CA CA - CA-DOC236890 - 41DBO-68350 - NMLS ID # 1598647 (Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) CA - Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight, Divi- sion of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act Lic #41DBO-68350 - Guaranteed Rate A nity, LLC is a registered trademark of Guaranteed Rate, Inc., used under license. Guaranteed Rate A nity, LLC is a subsidiary of Guaranteed Rate, Inc.* Source: Mortgage Executive’s Top 1% Originators list, 2019.
TIFFANY DOYLE
VP OF MORTGAGE LENDING 950 Tennant Station Morgan Hill O: 408.962.6868 | C: 408.607.9421
REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT Pamala Steps Right In “We met Pamala at an Open House. John had been transferred and we had not sold our house on the East Coast yet, so we were out on a house hunting trip thinking that it would be 6 to 9 months before our house would sell. Knowing that Pamala was still eager to take us on a Grand Tour of Morgan Hill and surrounding areas so that we could better understand the area and start to plan our move. Little did we know that within 45 days our house would sell and one of the conditions was that we needed to vacate quickly. Pamala stepped right in, found us several different homes that would work for us and was very supportive throughout the difficult selection process. We even saw a home that was not yet on the Market and that was the one we eventually purchased.” – John and Amy Wyatt What do you want that you don’t have now? Call Pamala Now at 408 891 4931 to get more of what you want!
PAMALA MEADOR DRE #01330749
pmeador@interorealestate.com | www.pamalameador.com 408.891.4931
Exceeding Client’s Expectations
Dorothy Coulter, a Real Estate agent for Exit Realty Keystone, has helped people in the South county community buy and sell their homes for many years. Upon arriving in 1985, she focused on the best advice she ever received: “Bloom where you’re planted!” For Dorothy, Experience, Ethics, and Empathy will always help an agent succeed. “Buying and selling homes is a complex process that an experienced agent can help navigate. One time, a seller wanted to accept an offer that was higher than the other offers presented. However, the loan dictated that the final sale price depended on the home appraisal. An experienced agent knows how to handle these issues. Every transaction is a new story and creativity and experience is essential!” “Once a seller wanted to cancel a deal past the point where it could be cancelled easily. A less ethical agent might have engaged in questionable practices to please their client, but it wasn’t the right thing to do. We don’t serve ourselves--we serve our clients!” “This job is impossible without empathy and understanding. Knowing what your client wants is crucial. Empathy is what keeps me going. You need an agent who will serve you from the heart!” Exit Realty Keystone is a staple of the real estate market here in South County and Dorothy brings her energy, experience and creativity to every transaction. If you’re interested in buying or selling a home, look her up. You won’t regret it.
DOROTHY COULTER
EXIT REALTY KEYSTONE | DRE# 01800430
MARGO SPARKS
Realtor, Notary | Coldwell Banker Realty | DRE #01993517
408-375-4052 MargoSparksRealEstate | Margo@margosparks.com 950 Tenant Street, Morgan Hill, Ca 95037
408-712-3314 dorothy.coulter@gmail.com www.DorothyCoulter.com 16175 Monterey #A, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
DATE 00-00, 2020 | SOUTH VALLEY MAGAZINE JULY 31, 2020
As a Realtor I love my job and working with great people. I have always put my clients first in every transaction. It is my goal to exceed my client’s expectations every time. I am a full service Realtor®, which means I assist with staging, photography, inspections, marketing and so much more. What I have found is that my clients express their appreciation of my negotiation skills the most. All clients want to get the best financial results from the purchase or sale of their home and I work hard to make that happen. I advocate on your behalf!
Bloom Where You’re Planted
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JULY 31, 2020
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A digital solution for real estate professionals to attract prospects, sell homes and build listings For more information contact 831.458.1100
PREPARING FOR WILDFIRE
Wood roofs burn like kindling
FIRE HAZARD In the summer, wood shingles can be nearly bone-dry and easily ignited by embers.
Consider replacing with fire-resistant material
at the roof. Houses with wood shake or shingle roofs are many times more likely to be destroyed during a wildfire. Using wood shakes or shingles for roofs in high fire hazard areas is like stacking hundreds of pounds of kindling on top of your home. During the hot summer months, the shakes or shingles
can be nearly bone-dry and easily ignited by embers. The embers come from pieces of burning material that can be lofted high into the air during a wildfire and travel a mile or more from the actual fire. Unfortunately, there is no effective, inexpensive long-term solution to the ember threat to wood roofs. We recommend replacing wood shake or shingle roofs with a rated, fire-resistant roofing material, such as asphalt composition shingles, metal or concrete or clay tile. Although this can be
Fire Marshal Dwight Good, MS, EFO, serves the Morgan Hill Fire Department, South Santa Clara County Fire Protection District and Cal Fire Santa Clara Unit. He has 24 years of fire service experience. For questions or comments, email Dwight.good@fire.ca.gov or call 408.310.4654.
JULY 31, 2020
By DWIGHT GOOD
T
he most reliable way to predict which houses will survive a wildfire and which will be destroyed is by looking
expensive, it may well be the one thing that saves your home when the embers arrive. Most people believe that wildfires ignite homes through direct contact with flames, but it is rare to have a home ignite this way. Thanks to effective defensible space campaigns, very few homes are in direct contact with traditional wildland fuel models (e.g., uninterrupted fields of seasonal grass, flammable brush or tree canopies). The collective experience of our wildland firefighters suggests that homes most commonly ignite from airborne flaming brands and embers. Flaming brands and embers can travel a mile or more ahead of the active front of a wildfire, and scientific research finds that up to 60 percent of wildland/urban interface home ignitions result from embers landing on flammable materials such as roofing or landscaping materials, or ember penetration into concealed spaces through vents and other structural openings. Most of the activity that makes a home less vulnerable to ignition focuses on the home and its immediate surroundings. Defensible space preparations are part of the equation, but they do not address the ember threat. The Ember Aware campaign is intended to educate people on the risks of ember cast and the actions they can take to reduce those risks, to encourage residents to harden their homes against embers and/or to maintain those ember-resistant features, and to practice ember-safe housekeeping and landscaping. You can learn more at www.emberaware.com.
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HOME OF THE WEEK
Submitted photo
GRAND ENTRANCE This San Juan Bautista home is located at the end of a private street.
Panoramic private views San Juan home in gated community includes extensive remodel
JULY 31, 2020
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his San Juan Bautista home is located within the 140-home gated community of Rancho Larios, but thanks to strategically located trees and a panoramic view of 1,000 acres of preserve land, it has a feeling of privacy. Located at 603 Calle San Antonio, the 3,468-square-foot home includes four bedrooms and four baths. According to a listing on Zillow.com, $450,000 was spent on
a remodel of the home, which was built in 2002. The kitchen upgrades include Carrara Marble countertops, an island with wine refrigerator, new backsplash, black stainless steel appliances and new fixtures. The bathrooms have new tile and fixtures. New carpet and paint are also throughout the home. The home also includes two double-car garages. It is listed at $1,290,000 by Fireside Realty. For information, visit tinyurl.com/y4mk8dqo.
REAL ESTATE Hollister Rentals 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Home. Very Private, water included in rent Rent $2,500.00 Month Security Deposit $3,000.00
HOLLISTER RENTAL PROPERTIES For more information, call
831.637.1691
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Open daily 8:00am for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Sunday Brunch 8am-1pm 7400 Monterey Street, Gilroy • 408.842.3454 www.oldcityhall.biz