“How much is my home worth?"

Today, most homeowners can get an answer in seconds.

Real estate headlines love one number: Home prices are up. Or: Home prices are down.

At first glance, the markets can look surprisingly similar.

In Willow Glen, buyers gain negotiating power when a property has been sitting longer than expected, reduced its price, needs work, has competing listings nearby, or the seller has a specific timing need.

If you are shopping in the $2 million to $3 million range in Silicon Valley, there is a good chance Willow Glen and Los Gatos will eventually end up in the same conversation.

If I had to describe today's Silicon Valley market in one sentence, it would be: Sellers still have the structural advantage, but buyers have regained tactical leverage.