So annoying “robocalls” are supposedly illegal in California, as reported in Wednesday’s SJ Mercury-News.

You mean those calls asking us to help find Bella the Dog violated state law? What about those all-school reminder voicemails you get from Booksin’s principal or other SJUSD dignitaries?

Someone died in that house!

Okay, it is an odd topic, I know … Fifty years ago, it was normal for people to die in their homes and the buyer that subsequently purchased that house had no concerns about it (if it was even disclosed — disclosures 50 years ago is a whole different topic!).

Today, buyers are leery of buying a home someone died in. Even if it was natural causes. Does this indicate society has superstitions, a fear of ghosts or a just a general fear of death? (You know, you are not getting out of this life alive right??).

I recently went on a broker tour of my local area of San Jose, Willow Glen, and we toured a house that had two recent deaths in the home. The first died of natural causes and the second died from a heroine overdose. Both were non violent deaths. Even as we were about to go through the house with over 40 ‘live’ agents, I heard comments from people who did not want to go in the house. That heightened my awareness and I tried to use my best psychic abilities and see if I could feel anything.

Although I did not feel or see anything unusual it was a topic of discussion for about 15 minutes before and after seeing the house. During those discussions, I learned that the house nearby also had a recent death in it. That makes the count 3 deaths and I heard some people say, ‘well death comes in three’s so the bad luck has passed.” To be honest, I would be a bit uncomfortable purchasing a house that someone had died in, and I shyly admit to being a bit superstitious.

Would you buy a house someone had recently died in?

Do you think a death in the house should result in a lower asking price?

Why do you think disclosing a death in the home is such a hot topic?

WGx wants to know what percentage of WG homes could be haunted by a previous occupant’s at-home death … Someone died in that house … and still we’re overpriced?

Unfortunately – or perhaps fortunately if you are already a home owner here – the list is of America’s Most Overpriced ZIP Codes, and 95125 comes in at #10:

To live there, residents are paying the city’s highest prices relative to what they could pay to rent similar properties in the same area. When you compare mortgage payments to the value of a similar home on the rental market, the price to buy is 26.1 times higher, one of the biggest differences in the country.

Willow Glen is one example of a neighborhood where homeowners are still taking chances on future appreciation–and paying a premium above and beyond their neighbors for that confidence.

If you can get past the article’s confusing opening reference to car license plates and worshiped deities, there may be some information to be gained. Or maybe not.

September 7, 2008

Mark your calendars for a fun day to renew old friendships, dance to some great music, and support local schools.

The Willow Glen Foundation is reaching out to Alumni on September 7, from 1:00 to 5:00, on the WGHS campus.

Alums from every WGHS class are invited to bring their children – and grandchildren – and have fun getting caught up with their Ram buddies.

“Honorary” Alums are welcome, too! The “Garage Band” will play music that everyone can dance to, and there will be games and raffles, and tours of the campus, a BBQ meal for purchase, and a “Ram Shop” with themed items to buy.

This Thursday night, WG’s own Cinelux Almaden Theater is hosting a midnight preview of the latest “Mummy”movie sequel, starring Brendan Fraser.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor opens in most theaters on Friday, August 1 … making the midnight premiere right here in Willow Glen your first chance to see the film.

Tickets are $9 for adults and $675 for kids and seniors. And you can buy them online (fee-free!). Makes you feel special, doesn’t it?

With new kid boutiques opening almost daily on Lincoln Avenue, it made sense that the venerable Bay Area Parent publication would eventually notice.

With new clothing stores, cooking classes, cafes, and new toy stores opening right and left, BA Parent has expanded its distribution outlets in Downtown WG, with more racks in more locations.

And now they are working on a special Willow Glen advertising insert, slated to be included in the September edition. Since the magazine is the go-to publication for family-friendly advertising, you should contact them if you want to be aprt of the WG edition.

It’ll be just like the old fashioned drive-ins, right?

The Willow Glen Movie Night was so successful last year, that it will return this summer for a second showing, hosted by Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio. This time around, it’ll be “Cars: The Movie” (yeah, the Disney one), scheduled for 6:30 pm at Willow Street Park.

In August, I will be hosting my 2nd Annual Movie Night and Safety Fair at Willow Street Park. Last year’s movie night was a success. Over 500 residents came out to see Happy Feet and Schurra’s chocolates gave out complimentary candy. This year it will be held on August 29, 2008.

– Pierluigi Oliverio

By complete coincidence, WGx was on a tour of Bramhall Willow Street Park this morning. Note to Councilmember: If the movie is going to be shone in the amphitheater, you might want to turn on the sprinklers so the grass is alive by the end of August …

——

Also, if cars aren’t your thing — and you would rather watch bees — Oliverio is presenting a Rosegarden Movie Night a week earlier, on Friday, August 22. The RG equivalent will be hosted at the Rose Garden, featuring Bee Movie.

Local Realtor Holly Barr – hey! I’ve heard of her – and Willow Glen PAL Soccer are teaming up to host a special community Safety Fair on Saturday, August 16, at River Glen Park.

Along with the soccer league’s festive “Pre-Season Games,” the entire community is invited to meet representatives of the SJ Fire Depart and the SJPD Mounted Police Unit – yes, the horses!

Realtor Holly Barr continues her ongoing WGx column with a twist this time around. During a quiet week for the home tour, she instead brings word of a Produce Exchange hosted by neighbors in the Rosegarden area:

Highlights of July 17, 2008 Willow Glen Realtor Tour

Tricky to find a theme this week. I did see a lot of unusual homes.

Just for the record if your third bedroom does not have a closet it is not a bedroom. Also, if your third bedroom is in a separate structure, like a garage, appraisers state that it is technically not a 3 bedroom house. I recommend you put a clear description of where that bedroom is.

On a neighborhood update note I went to the first neighborhood produce exchange. Well, the neighborhood was Rose Garden, but we are all neighbors right? Anyway, gotta love the idea. Basically you bring some produce in 2 to 4 lbs. bags between 4:00 and 7:00 and Cass has a table in her front yard. You trade what you brought for a mixture of the items other people brought. I brought two bags of large nectarines, I walked away with a big zucchini, some apples, plums and lemons. All organic and fresh let me know if you want to exchange produce next month.

Here are some interesting numbers about this past week in Willow Glen’s real estate scene:

• 10 sales last two weeks in area 10 (Mostly 95125)
• 229 active listings in Willow Glen this week 7/17/08

210 active listings is the gold standard for a sign of a healthy market for this area. The fact that we are consistently in the 230-240 range indicates Willow Glen to be a stable market.

If you ever have any questions about what I put here, or would like to see me take a different approach with this weekly summary of the tour, please let me know!

The “eWaste drop-off fundraiser” activity may be totally played out … now that Goodwill of Silicon Valley has gotten involved. Instead of searching for a local drop-off near you, you only have to go to your nearest Goodwill Donation Center, where they now accept all forms of electronic waste. (more…)