Los Gatos Free Music Concert Series: Music in the Park, Jazz on the Plazz and Vasona Vibrations Schedule of Events and Performers

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Los Gatos Free Music Concert Series Collage Summer 2022 small

Summer 2022 is just around the corner, and Los Gatos is gearing up for a season of music to remember! The last couple of years many of Los Gatos’ free concert series were canceled due to Covid, but this year they’re ready for a comeback.

Some of our old favorites, like Jazz on the Plazz, are back for the first time since 2019, some are gone for good, and some newfound favorites are returning! Most artists and schedules have been announced and, knowing that you are as excited about these as I am, I have compiled a calendar of free outdoor music events for us all!

Below please find a compilation of the FOUR different Los Gatos free musical concert series. As always, the information below is believed to be reliable, but as with any concert or outdoors event it is subject to change, so double check the website prior to going and always read the rules (especially if you plan to picnic). Hope to see you there!

2022 Summer Concert Series: Free Music and Fun in Los Gatos

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Los Gatos real estate market trends and statistics

The Los Gatos real estate market remains hot, but we are hearing of some cooling, fewer numbers of offers, etc., so it is a little mixed. Some of the closed data is hitting new highs, and some are easing slightly.

As of today, May 5, some info on single family  homes in LG 95030 & 95032:

  • 43 single family homes on the market in “Active” status (of those, 3 are listed as “agent only, show” – not on other sites, and 6 are “agent only, do not show”). The agent only listings means that they are not syndicated to other websites.
  • 3 houses are under contract but there are contingencies of some kind in place (could be loan, appraisal, property inspection, buyer to sell current home, seller to find a replacement home) – so those sales may not go through.
  • 27 houses are sale pending, no contingencies (this is a huge number compared to the active listings)
  • 33 houses have closed escrow in the last month, from April 5 to May 5 (more pendings – sales are picking up speed). The average sale price to list price ratio for these 33 houses was 118%.

 

Here is some data that I pulled directly from the MLS this morning:

Lack of inventory is the major issue here. Inventory rose slightly, but I looked at the April numbers back to 2005 and no other April was this low.

 

Los Gatos 95030 and 95032 inventory 

 

Demand is still outpacing supply, as we see from the current (today) numbers I listed above. Prices rise when that’s the case, but what’s unusual here is the amount prices have come up.

 

Sale Price to List Price Ratio for Los Gatos 95030 & 95032 houses

The sale price to list price ratio is a new high in April (I checked back to 2005.) That’s interesting given that some data points are a little softer.

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The Monte Sereno real estate market

Monte Sereno Stained Glass Click HereThe City of Monte Sereno is a popular community bordering Los Gatos, Saratoga, and the Santa Cruz mountains. It’s also quite small, with just about 3,500 residents, so tracking the real estate market trends for the area can be tricky.

The number of houses sold in any given month will always be extremely small and the data will jump around. Checking the Los Gatos market will also help, but the best pulse on the market will come from particular sales in particular neighborhoods.

Houses make up most of Monte Sereno – there are no commercial buildings, just a post office, city hall, and an elementary school. There are also extremely few residential properties that are not detached single family homes. We don’t track the condo or townhomes in this area as we do in other communities because there just wouldn’t be enough (if any) data for it!

First up for the market analysis is the Altos Research weekly profile for Monte Sereno (uses list prices, not sales). This is updated automatically, so feel free to check this article weekly to see what’s happening now with list prices.

 

 

Below is the Monte Sereno Real Estate Report (click to view the complete Real Estate Report).

Trends at a Glance from the RE Report:

The April chart shows only 6 home sales, an average of 8 days on market, and prices around $4.2 – $4.3 million. According to the MLS, that’s a pretty good summary. Most homes took exactly 8 days to sell, while one took 7 days and another took 9, half sold between $3.7 – $4 million and the other half ranged between $4.5 – $5.3 million. The sale price to list price ratio is sky-high and a little over last year. Inventory has been extremely low with high demand, but April saw some slight balancing compared to the month before. Monte Sereno is in a strong seller’s market!

 

Trends At a Glance Apr 2022 Previous Month Year-over-Year
Median Price $4,212,500 (-9.9%) $4,675,000 $3,450,000 (+22.1%)
Average Price $4,316,600 (-5.6%) $4,574,850 $3,352,000 (+28.8%)
No. of Sales 6 (-25.0%) 8 5 (+20.0%)
Pending 5 (-44.4%) 9 10 (-50.0%)
Active 7 (+75.0%) 4 7 (0.0%)
Sale vs. List Price 116.6% (+4.5%) 111.6% 115.3% (+1.1%)
Days on Market 8 (-26.4%) 11 7 (+17.6%)
Days of Inventory 34 (+125.6%) 15 41 (-16.7%)

MLS info pulled directly: the charts below all were pulled from MLS Listings.com

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The Vista del Monte neighborhood in Los Gatos

The Vista del Monte neighborhood is a cherished and attractive area in Los Gatos 95030.

Few quick points about why the Vista del Monte neighborhood is so popular:

  • scenic area close to the hills, tree lined streets
  • many streets have sidewalks
  • enjoys a beautiful neighborhood park
  • highly prized Los Gatos schools
  • out of the downtown hustle and bustle – but close by!
    • most sections have a wonderfully quiet sound score on the HowLoud.com website
  • the terrain is mostly level or gently sloping, but there are a few homes with views.
  • there’s a video drive through at the end of this article – click through to see it!

 

Vista del Monte tree lined street

 

Like most of Los Gatos, there is some variation in the size of the houses and lots, but to describe the area generally, it’s fair to say that most are ranch style homes (single story, split level and 2 story homes) built in the late 1950s to mid 1960s, with some built in the late 70s. The average home size is about 2300 SF (most range between 1500 and 3000 SF) and the average lot size is about a quarter acre (many are 8000 to 10,000 SF, but a few are far larger). Most houses include attached 2 car garages, but a few of the larger homes or those built more recently offer 3 car garages.

This is a nicely maintained area where you’ll find pride of ownership in the upkeep of homes and yards.

 

Vista del Monte corner home

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Fanciful roof art

My work takes me all over Los Gatos, but usually I’m driving. The other day I noticed some fanciful roof art as I was a passenger and had the leisure of looking up, down, and all around while my husband kept his eyes on the road.

I did almost miss it, as the large trees enjoyed in the Glenridge neighborhood made the fanciful roof art visibility more like a Where’s Waldo? game. (For a better view, click on the photograph below and you’ll see a larger version of it.)

2022-04-28 fanciful roof art in the Glenridge neighborhood of Los Gatos

 

I did a double take and then we doubled back when I noticed something on the roof’s peak. We do see interesting weather vanes, and sometimes intricate wood details on Victorians, but this was something else.  This time Jim also got to see it and we decided it was worth parking the car to take a photo with a simpler backyard. (Click image to see larger photo.)

 

2022-04-28 fanciful roof art detail in Glenridge - clearer view

 

I’ve never seen a gargoyle on a residential roof before, but I thought it was wonderful and worth sharing. It’s topped off by the dragon weather vane!

These can be seen along Pennsylvania Avenue in the Glenridge area of Los Gatos. Are there other homes with curious and fun art on the roofs here in town? If so, I’d love to see them!

The Annual Great Race

The Annual Great Race, hosted by the Los Gatos Rotary Club, is back and in a new venue.

The Great Race: some new twists

Photo of runners - The Great Race in Los Gatos - annual run from Saratoga to Los GatosSince 1978, the Great Race was plotted along Highway 9 between Los Gatos and Saratoga. Apparently it has become too costly to use that route, so this year, 2022, it will happen at Vasona Lake County Park and Oak Meadow Park (which are connected).

This year’s main event will take place on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at 8:30 a.m.

The Rotary Club’s website states that “Another benefit of start/finish line in Vasona Park is that for the first time ever, we are offering a 1-Mile Kids Fun Run at 8:10am prior to the main event.” And Sharkie will be in attendance, too!

While many participants do jog or run, others walk or stroll. It’s a family-friendly fundraiser sponsored by the Rotary Club of Los Gatos and is open to all. That said, the Rotary Club’s website also describes the race as “fast”!

The Rotary club offers this fun event each year with the help of a number of sponsors. For many years in a row, Sereno, where I work, has been a major sponsor for years. Many other local business back this great fundraiser too. See the list of sponsors, a map of the route, and run information at the Rotary Club link below.

To get all of the details for the Great Race, including pricing and links to register early, visit the Los Gatos Rotary’s website page dedicated to this event.

 

Los Gatos Spring Wine Walk

Los Gatos Wine WalkThe Los Gatos Spring Wine Walk will take place on Saturday, April 23 2022 from 1 pm to 4 pm- rain or shine!.

The tickets can sell out fast, so get yours today! Cost is $50 advance, or $55 day of the event.

For more details and info on how to register, please see the Los Gatos Chamber’s website. Cheers!

The location will be

Downtown Los Gatos
N. Santa Cruz Avenue & Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030