So you say you are looking for a home where you can:

1) add value

2) build “sweat equity”

3) move the entire family

4) convenient location on the Santa Cruz Eastside

5) Walking distance to restaurants, shops and hospital.

Let me know if you’re interested… I’d love to help a buyer write a winning offer or find similar like properties that you can add your personal touches to and enjoy the Santa Cruz life style.

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I’m a transition specialist – I’m a native born SF, proud of my city and the Bay Area and I love helping families pursue their home goals. I’m a member of the National Association of Realtors, California Association of Realtors and Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. I have an advance certificate as a Senior Real Estate Specialist and I’m also an affiliate member of the Professional Fiduciary Association of California, Silicon Valley Chapter

Today  we feature three properties in Redwood Estates, Ben Lomond, and Los Gatos mountains that allow multi-generational housing, acreage for spreading out and the proximity of being near major tech hubs and headquarters. The properties in Santa Cruz Mountains offer exceptional views, peace & tranquility – what better place to gather family with a sprawling compound and room to play!

21399 Lee Dr Los Gatos, CA 95033 3 bedroom/ 3 bath 2,535 SqFt, 1 acre lot Listed by Compass at 1.45M

For more info: https://bit.ly/340XLDv

Wonderful neighbors, great community and excellent Los Gatos schools.

Coming Soon – Ben Lomond 3 bedroom / 5 Bath 5,656 SqFt 200+ acres Listed at 4,250,000.

Call me for more details: 831.346.2743

485 Cresci Road Los Gatos, CA 95033

4 bedrooms / 3 bath 3,263 SqFt, 4.5 acres Listed at 1.249 by Coldwell Realty

For more info: https://bit.ly/331c9ws

This property at the time of recording has been on the market for 138 days, but don’t let the days on market worry you about the stigma of ‘something must be wrong with the property’!

Often these mountain properties have longer days on market but also remember we had the CZU fires (Here’s my vlog post https://youtu.be/gLbKNZ9SX9I ) and sometimes new buyers who aren’t used to the features of country living (such as living with septic, well water, foundation inspection, just to name a few) all these new systems can be a bit alarming to ‘city folks’! Having an inspection and becoming familiar with reports is important so buyer and seller know how to proceed.

If you’re interested in any of these listings or interested in discussing what your home is worth, give me a call 831-346-2743 text or voice.

I’ll help you get through any new transitions you’d like to make with ease and confidence so you can focus on what’s important in your life. 

831-346-2743 text anytime!

Lynne Watanabe MacFarlane, MCDM, SRES | Realtor

PFAC Silicon Valley affiliate

Intero | A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate

Text/voice: 831-346-2743

DRE# 02066698

www.lynnemacfarlane.com

Lynne Watanabe MacFarlane, MCDM, SRES | Realtor

PFAC Silicon Valley affiliate

Intero | A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate

phone 831.346.2743

DRE# 02066698

In recent years co-living has gained popularity not only in younger 20’s demographics, but attracting popularity for 50+ Boomer generation. Typically, seniors who opt for the co-living lifestyle as homeowners enjoy additional income from roommates and companionship!

What’s the difference between Co-Living versus Co-Housing?

In co-living people without family ties choose to cohabitate in a single dwelling. Typically, each resident has a private bedroom but other rooms (such as kitchen, laundry room, family room) are considered shared common spaces. In a co-housing community, each individual or family has an independent living unit (single family home, condo or apt) and they might share common facilities such as pools, a library, conference or fitness space.

Silver Tsunami

In the SF Bay Area we know that the lack of affordable housing is difficult as it can hit the senior population hard. As the ‘Silver Tsunami’ and senior households continues to expand over the next two decades, households in their 80’s will be the fastest-growing age group according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Many of those households already face cost burdens.

Santa Cruz – Watsonville Share of Households age 65+ www.jchs.harvard.edu

As the cost of senior communities continue to rise, along with visitation restrictions which COVID19 has placed on family members not being allowed into these senior communities, the desire for multi-generational housing continues to escalate. These are hard questions all families must decided what is important to them. Families are looking for more options as our lifestyle has shifted during these stressful health crisis times our community and family interdependence has become of greater necessity.

What are Co-Living Advantages?

1. Sharing household responsibilities can lessen the load and housemates can have complimentary benefits such as one roommate’s ability to drive to the store and another can prep food and cook. This might allow individuals to live independent and active lives.
2. Fewer seniors own their own homes these days, more are likely to have a mortgage or even a second mortgage. Co-living can help homeowners afford to stay in their home but creating passive income with rent. Sharing space means dividing up utility costs and home maintenance expenses too.
3. Loneliness is one aspect of aging-in-place that co-living can help remedy. A sense of belonging and community can be nurtured with scheduled co-living events such as “Italian Night!” and plan cooking a dinner while playing Italian opera and watch a favorite Italian movie!

Preventing Co-Living Conflicts

Create a written agreement outlining who pays for what and when. Housemates with declining cognitive abilities and/or mobility issues can make living together difficult so a mutually agreed upon rental contract will help avoid co-living conflicts.

Make sure to interview to find the right fit housemate. Look for someone who is financially stable, and shares your interest, values and lifestyle. Always discuss privacy expectations and do consider looking outside an age range. When meeting with a prospective roommate for the first time, always meet in a neutral public location for safety reasons. Get references from previous roommates and consider a background check and credit check; protect oneself.

Consider a trial period and see if all personalities get along! Will pets or habits become irritating after two weeks? Will you need to consider ‘overnight guests’ and does each roommate need to seek permission and could this be considered an invasion of privacy for some? Some people need more privacy than others and having a written agreement can help communication and expectation.

It can be a wonderful experience co-living with others. Co-living can be multi-generational or the same age, but whatever one decides to do I hope you’ll enjoy the company and appreciate your differences!

** Looking for a Multi-Family Home? Click here for a Search for Single Family Homes with 5+ bedrooms, CA

If you’re interested in other cities, let me know, I can set-up your customized search to assist your needs.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out and contact me

980 Crockett Ave Campbell, CA 95008

SAT Dec 14th 1-4 PM

SUN Dec 15th 1-4PM

~ Happy Holidays! 🏡 Bring the entire family ~

Join me this Open House Weekend SAT and SUN (12/14 & 12/15) from 1-4PM at

4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, open floor plan with 2,886 SqFt living space with new hardwood floors, new carpet and interior paint and new stainless steel appliances. This would make an excellent multigenerational home with bottom floor bedroom and full bath, perfect for extended visits with grandparents/guests.

Soraya Hejazi, Wells Fargo mortgage consultant will be here Sunday to answer any questions and help you with the pre-approval process.

Welcome home!

More Information: https://lynnemacfarlane.realscout.com/homesearch/listings/p-980-crockett-ave-campbell-95008-mlslistings-258

Join me at my Open House at 448 N 21st Street San Jose

Aug 18th Sunday from 1PM – 4:30 PM

Following yesterday’s ADU (accessory dwelling unit) event called “Small Homes, Big Impact” sponsored by the Housing Trust of Silicon Valley and the AARP of California, I will host the open house at 448 N 21st Street in San Jose as example of a home built with an attached ADU in the backyard. There is 2,265 SF of living space with a lot size of 6,375 SF lot. This 5 Bedroom and 4 Bath is ready for move-in. All you have to do it think how you’d like to take title… as  a home allowing multi-generational living, one can pass the property down to adult children or two or three couples can purchase as tenants in common, it’s up to you how you would like to use the space.

This ADU is 404SF, complete turnkey with 1Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, kitchen with stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, a living room, and A/C. This ADU has a separate entryway allowing the resident independence from the main home. It can be used as a business office, an in-law/family unit, or rented for lease or AirB&B.

The structure has permits for all work and shows very well.

The pass-through garage looks like a single car garage, but actually allows 3 or more cars inside the long driveway.

Here’s my Open House video:

Let me know if you’re interested in receiving this home’s property report &/or disclosures. This is a fantastic turnkey property with many uses!

If you or anyone you know is looking to buy, sell or invest in the San Francisco Bay Area, I am never too busy for your referrals! Thank you.

Here’s my quick video preview of my  Open House – 448 N 21st St, San Jose, CA 95112

Friday (June 28th) 8:30 AM – 11 AM  &   Saturday (June 29th) 1 PM – 4 PM

This is a fantastic multi-generational home with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, 2,265 sqft, completely renovated including a desirable accessory dwelling unit #ADU (1BD/1BA, kitchen, 400+SF) which can be used as passive income rental or an in-law unit. Don’t let the modest exterior fool you, this has a modern design with multiple skylights, open floor plan kitchen/living area, quartz counters and gleaming new stainless appliances and a ‘faux single car garage’ – lots of parking space inside. Central San Jose location  near Hwys 101, 280/680 exchange, just a short commute to downtown and Diridon area, future Google development. Welcome Home!