City of Morgan Hill Offers Amnesty for Add-ons and Upgrades
Date: Sunday June 20, 2010Posted in: real estate, Morgan Hill
Good news for those of you who have done unpermitted work to your property! The City of Morgan Hill is offering an opportunity to those of you who decided to go ahead and do the work - and worry about the permit later. For the next two years, until June 30, 2012, you can make sure that your unpermitted work meets life and safety compliance without having to pay any penalty fees for work already done. As stated in the City of Morgan Hill’s website:
“Overview
In an attempt to assist property owners in securing retroactive permits for work that has already been performed, a temporary Building Permit Amnesty Program has been implemented. The program will allow property owners that have constructed room additions, remodels, or performed other work that would otherwise require a building permit, to apply for the appropriate permits without paying penalties. The primary objective is to achieve code compliance for life and safety aspects of the code, and therefore reduce liability and increase safety for property owners and/or tenants. This program will only be in effect until June 30, 2012.
Fees
All current applicable permit and impact fees would still be due; however, the penalties would be waived–which could mean hundreds or even thousands of dollars in savings.
Process
- The applicant applies for a building permit and all penalty fees are waived;
- The Building Inspector performs a preliminary inspection of the property to determine the scope of the work, and if plans will be required;
- As-built plans are submitted, if deemed necessary;
- If the inspector determines that the unpermitted work will comply with current applicable codes, permit fees are paid, an active building permit is issued to the property owner, and a final inspection takes place.
Codes and Regulations
It will be necessary for the unpermitted construction to comply with all current codes. In cases where there has been extreme divergence from zoning and building codes, the illegal construction will not be permitted. In this situation, the property owner will be required to restore the structure and/or site to its previous condition.”
amnesty program building permit City of Morgan Hill code compliance Morgan Hill property property owner real estate room additions
New Premier Listing in Morgan Hill
Date: Friday June 4, 2010Posted in: listings, Morgan Hill Real Estate, luxury real estate
Exquisite, private estate nestled on 5.64 acres in a highly desirable gated area of Morgan Hill with magnificent views of the valley, mountains and city lights from every room. Well-thought out 5603 square foot floorplan with 5 bedrooms, office and 6 bathrooms.
Priced at $2,595,000
For more information, contact me at 408-892-9015 or Sold@GretchenMerrick.com
Also see: www.2220LiberataDrive.com
(Click on thumbnail picture to enlarge)
· Grand front entrance with sweeping staircases and panoramic views · Soaring ceilings throughout home· Gracious living room and dining room designed for lavish entertaining
· Large designer kitchen includes slab granite counters and island, custom alder cabinets, stainless steel built-in refrigerator, three stainless steel ovens plus microwave oven, two sinks, central vacuum “crumb catcher”, and a spacious, bright breakfast nook · Kitchen adjoins large family room with a wood burning fireplace, wired for flat screen tv above, built-in alder bookcases and cabinetry, wet bar with wine refrigerator
· Large master retreat includes a wet bar with refrigerator, fireplace and lovely views · The master bathroom features lighted crown molding, a large walk-in marble shower, jetted bathtub, two sink areas, huge walk-in closet with complete laundry room (in addition to downstairs laundry room)
· Richly appointed office features built-in alder bookshelves, desks and cabinetry · Downstairs second family room may be used as an entertainment/media room and contains a beverage center, built-in shelving, wall niches · Four additional large bedrooms each with an adjoining bathroom and spacious walk-in closets with built-in shelving and all with breathtaking views · 550 bottle wine cellar with lovely trompe l’oeil wall paintings · Rich mahogany flooring throughout much of the home · Communications closet for easy access to: smart cable run to every room, monitored alarm system (fire and security), telephone system, TV system, stereo system, closed-circuit tv camera · Dramatic backyard courtyard perfect for entertaining · Built-in barbecue and beverage center with sink and refrigerator · Putting green for perfecting your putting skills · Terraced entertaining areas featuring a roomy spa at the top with commanding views of the valley and mountains beyond
· 106 installed low voltage landscape lights throughout property · Area for future guest house· Rock retaining walls and low maintenance plantings and grassy areas · Hundreds of trees recently planted on the property · Numerous amenities throughout the home include high ceilings, crown molding, antique bronze hardware, custom drywall texturing, wall niches, built-in storage · Water is treated by a $10,000 commercial water conditioning system (Beatron Water Filter and Conditioner) · Security camera placed on the exterior of the home and accessible from the internet and recorded · The home features 3 distinct heating and cooling zones with 3 heaters and 3 air conditioners · Three 5000 gallon tanks are located on the property for house use, irrigation and fire safety sprinklers. Annual water costs very low. · Two laundry rooms· Central vacuum system · The estate is located on a gated, private road which leads to only three residences. The home is 1200 feet to Main Avenue. · Easy access to Highway 101, yet still very private
listing luxury Morgan Hill real estate residences Santa Clara CountyPristine Morgan Hill Listing Sold In One Day
Date: Tuesday March 30, 2010Posted in: Sellers, real estate, Morgan Hill
I put a beautiful new listing on the market last Thursday, March 25th. We received an offer for over the asking price of $859,000 the next evening, and had a ratified contract by Saturday. Whew! I haven’t seen a listing in that price range sell that quickly in a long time. It just reinforced what I had told my sellers, this is a GREAT time to put your home on the market! Inventory is extremely low right now and there are plenty of buyers out there looking and wanting to take advantage of the low interest rates and buyer tax incentives.
This is a five bedroom, three full bathroom home with 3176 square feet living area. The lot size is 12,196 square feet with the majority of the square footage in the backyard since this is a cul-de-sac lot. The home was built in 1988 and has many charming features.
The home is pristine and well-cared for. With a large, park-like backyard this home offers a wonderful, private area for entertaining. The pool and spa are enhanced with the rock waterfall. There is a corner of the yard for growing vegetables and many fruit trees as well as other flowering trees and redwoods.
The remodeled kitchen features slab granite, custom cabinetry, stainless appliances, a wet bar with a wine refrigerator and large tile flooring throughout the kitchen and adjoining family room. The huge master suite has a large sitting area and walk-in closet. There are a total of five bedrooms and one bedroom is on the ground floor with a nearby full bathroom.
This light and airy home shows extremely well and so buyers were quick to place their offer on it. Another example of a well-cared for home, priced at market value, receiving what these sellers were hoping for: a quick, above asking price offer!
To see a virtual tour of this property, click on this link: http://www.3cim.com/3cim/tour.do?method=viewTour&id=1269276194078&view=3
buyers homes listings months of inventory Morgan Hill prices pricing real estate residences sales Santa Clara County sellers sellers marketMorgan Hill Seller’s Market?
Date: Wednesday March 3, 2010Posted in: real estate, Morgan Hill, seller's market
What a difference a year makes! A year ago many residences sat languishing on the market while buyers were waiting on the sidelines. Fast forward to the present day: large numbers of well-qualified, motivated buyers are combing the sparse south Santa Clara County real estate inventory and now sellers are sitting on the sidelines! With the low real estate inventory in Morgan Hill and the rest of south Santa Clara County, is it a seller’s market? Let’s look at the data:
The first graph shows the number of residences for sale in Morgan Hill. As can be seen clearly, the number in the past few months has been quite low relative to the past two years. This data is backed up by the second graph which shows the months of inventory for active residential listings on the Morgan Hill real estate market. The months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell all of the inventory currently on the market using current number of sales per month to determine this number.
With these two graphs in mind, sellers should feel confident in listing their homes in this current market. However, as with any market, pricing is the number one factor in whether your home will sell and how quickly it will sell.
The third graph shows the average sale price for single family residences in Morgan Hill over the past two years. Although it does look like prices have inched up over the past few months, sellers should beware asking exhorbitant prices for their homes - if they are serious about selling their home.
Inventory will gradually increase over the next months in Morgan Hill. But for those sellers currently on the market with a well-priced listing — enjoy your opportunity to choose from the multiple offers you are quickly receiving!
buyers homes listings months of inventory Morgan Hill prices pricing real estate residences sales Santa Clara County sellers sellers marketMulti-million Dollar Real Estate Sales
Date: Tuesday December 8, 2009Posted in: real estate, Morgan Hill, sales
Two high-priced properties went under contract in South County last week. 16367 Reynolds Drive in Morgan Hill, priced at $2,995,000, is a spectaular single-story home located on a prestigious street in the Paradise Valley area of Morgan Hill.
This 5125 square foot home is located on 1.8 beautifully landscaped acres and has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. A gorgeous kitchen is situated in the midst of all the activity. The family room boasts open hand-hewed ceiling beams. The huge master suite features a fireplace and retreat. The library, wine room and pool table room with wet bar create several spaces for entertaining and relaxing. The backyard also features areas for entertaining including an expansive outdoor dining pavilion with wood fireplace, pizza oven and kitchen. There are formal gardens, along with a custom pool and spa. The real slate roof is another high-end feature on this one-of-a-kind wonderful custom home.
15175 Sycamore Drive, Morgan Hill priced at $2,750,000, also sold last week. An equally spectacular property, this home is 6921 square feet located on 5 level acres and is in the Paradise Valley area of Morgan Hill as well.
This Tuscan inspired villa features all the amenities to be expected in this type of custom estate. The main home is 6300 square feet and includes 4 bedr00ms, 2 offices, 5 full baths, and 2 powder rooms. The detached pool house is 990+ square feet with a full kitchen and full bath. There is parking for 8 cars, a 580 square foot gym/game room with a 1/2 bathroom and a separate workshop.
These two high-priced real estate sales last week are remarkable in that there have only been two closed home sales during all of 2009 that were priced over $2 million.
gilroy high end home house Morgan Hill price pricing real estate residential residents San Martin soldWhat’s Happening to Sales Prices in South County?
Date: Monday September 28, 2009Posted in: real estate, Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy, pricing, sale price
What’s been the trend in sales prices for south Santa Clara County real estate? I’ll break it down by city looking at detached single family residences:
Morgan Hill median Sold Prices, down 31% August ‘08 vs. August ‘09:
Gilroy median Sold Prices August ‘08 vs. August ‘09 down 9%:
San Martin median Sold Prices, down 58% August ‘08 vs. August ‘09:
Mosey on down to Morgan Hill’s charming downtown to experience the annual Taste of Morgan Hill Festival this weekend, September 26 - 27, 2009. The Chamber of Commerce organizes an excellent array of enticing activities and nibbles that draw people back year after year.
The expected 40,000 to 50,000 visitors will get to partake in:
- Fine arts and quality crafts
- Delicious food from local restaurants
- Award-winning wine and microbrew from local wineries and breweries
- Fun rides and entertainment
- Custom and Classic Car Show
- Quilt Show in the Community Center
All of the above including three food courts, two live music stages and a great Kid Zone with rides, crafts and children’s entertainment. What is holding you back?!
The Taste of Morgan Hill is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday. Find the fun downtown on Monterey Road between Main Avenue and Dunne Avenue.
Morgan Hill real estate taste of morgan hillHow South Santa Clara County Schools Performed
Date: Tuesday September 22, 2009Posted in: Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy, school
2009 Academic Performance Index (API) scores are now available. How did the Morgan Hill Unified and Gilroy Unified School Districts perform?
MORGAN HILL UNIFIED
Elementary School
- Barrett 801
- Burnett 723
- Charter School 881
- El Toro 763
- Jackson 794
- Los Paseos 808
- Nordstrom 871
- P.A.Walsh 731
- Paradise Valley 870
- San Martin/Gwinn 768
Junior high school
- Britton 755
- Martin Murphy 743
High school
- Sobrato 770
- Live Oak 719
- Central Continuation 556
GILROY UNIFIED
Elementary School
- Antonio Del Buono 767
- El Roble 767
- Eliot 780
- Glen View 757
- Las Animas 814
- Luigi Aprea 857
- Rod Kelly 766
- Rucker 785
Middle school
- Brownell 751
- Solorsano 810
- South Valley 738
High school
- Gilroy High Not Available
- Gilroy Early College Acad. 894
- MACSA El Portal Leadership Academy 520
- Mt. Madonna 531
Above information taken from the San Jose Mercury News 9/16/2009.
api gilroy home listings Morgan Hill property real estate residential San Martin schoolSouth County Real Estate Sales Week of September 14 - 20, 2009
Date: Monday September 21, 2009Posted in: real estate, Morgan Hill, South Santa Clara County, San Martin, Gilroy, statistics
Sales remained steady in the south Santa Clara County towns of Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy during the week of September 14 through September 20. There were 33 residences that went from active to pending status as compared to the previous week’s 31. This is down from the typical number of sales this summer when weekly sales numbered in the 40s. Of all the sales this past week, 29 were single family homes and 4 were townhouses/condominiums.
The highest priced listing sold last week was 1026 Llagas Road in Morgan Hill, a 4,893 s.f. bank-owned home on a 90,604 s.f. lot priced at $899,000. This home had been on the market for 44 days. 
The lowest priced listing sold last week was also a bank-owned condo at 7598 Monterey Street in Gilroy, a one bedroom/one bathroom priced at $78,900. This 3 year old property had been on the market for 54 days.
Seventy-three percent of the sales this week were priced under $500,000 and only 6% were above $800,000.
Of these sales, the list price ranges were:
Less than $200,000 = 5 sales (15% of total)
$200,000 - $500,000 = 19 sales (58% of total)
$500,000 - $800,000 = 7 sales (21% of total)
$800,000 - $1,200,000 = 2 sale (6% of total)
As of September 20, 2009, there are 287 residential (single family homes and condos) listings active on the market in Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy. There are currently 378 pending residential listings. Therefore, 57% of the total listings are pending under contract as of this date. However, many of the pendings are short sales and therefore take a long time to close. This keeps our pending percentage up artificially high.
Only 15 residential real estate listings closed escrow during the past week in the south county towns of Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy. If homes continued to sell at this rate it would take 19 weeks to sell all south county listings. Therefore, as of this past week, we have 4.8 months supply of inventory.
Tune in next week for an update on the number of sales in South Santa Clara County!
active gilroy home Homescopes listings Morgan Hill pending listings real estate real estate listings residential listings San Martin Santa Clara County single family sq ftSouth County Real Estate Sales Week of September 9 - 13, 2009
Date: Monday September 14, 2009Posted in: real estate, Morgan Hill, South Santa Clara County, San Martin, Gilroy, statistics
Real estate sales numbered 31 in the south Santa Clara County towns of Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy during the week of September 7th through 13th. There were 31 residences that went from active to pending status and the majority of these sales were in the low price ranges. Of all the sales this past week, 26 were single family homes and 5 condos a townhouses/condominiums. The highest priced listing sold last week was 1955 Killarney Court in the Eagle Ridge community Gilroy, a 4729 s.f. home on a 14,195 s.f. lot priced at $999,000. The lowest priced listing sold last week was at 1221 Juniper Drive #E in Gilroy, a 864 s.f. regular sale condo priced at $125,000. A whopping 84 percent of the sales this week were priced under $500,000 and only 3% were above $800,000.
Of these sales, the list price ranges were:
Less than $200,000 = 5 sales (16% of total)
$200,000 - $500,000 = 21 sales (68% of total)
$500,000 - $800,000 = 4 sales (13% of total)
$800,000 - $1,200,000 = 1 sale (3% of total)
As of September 13, 2009, there are 289 residential (single family homes and condos) listings active on the market in Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy. There are currently 376 pending residential listings. Therefore, 57% of the total listings are pending under contract as of this date. However, many of the pendings are short sales and therefore take a long time to close. This keeps our pending percentage up artificially high.
Thirteen residential real estate listings closed escrow during the past week in the south county towns of Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy. If homes continued to sell at this rate it would take 22.2 weeks to sell all south county listings. Therefore, as of this past week, we have 5.5 months supply of inventory.
Tune in next week for an update on the number of sales in South Santa Clara County!
active gilroy home Homescopes listings Morgan Hill pending listings real estate real estate listings residential listings San Martin Santa Clara County single family sq ft
