View from the Trenches: I read so many market blogs and prognostications written by columnists, reporters, pundits, and Web designers, that I thought readers deserve best to hear a real "voice from the trenches" a 24/7 top agent, commited hands-on to the front lines of this market..here I am!:

The market is starting to pick up! After a a near impossible Fall 2008, and some early Spring sluggishness, April/May seems poised to deliver some solid sales with low days on market. A new wave of exciting new inventory is now on the market, and 2008 fence-sitters are seizing the moment to buy at prices that are perhaps still 10-15% discounted from peak markets of 2006-2007. A particularly active range right now is $2,000,000-$3,000,000 in Hillsborough, with 318 Ascot recently closing over asking at $2,950,000 with multiple offers, and 735 Endfield (list $2,395,000) and 729 Eucalyptus (list $2,395,000) both attracting multiple offers within 10 days on market. 1464 Vancouver in Burlingame's Easton Addition also just went pending with just 6 days on the market. This was a 3 years new custom home priced at $2,449,000. Irreproducible, the home boasted lofty ceiling heights that are impossible to build now with today's codes.

Speaking of that "new wave of exciting new inventory" yesterday's Broker Tour unveiled many suitably priced listings that I found well-positioned in the marketplace....here's some of my favorites:

• 321 Glendale Road, Hillsborough: Offered at $2,295,000. This is a cozy country-style architecture with a Monterey Colonial facade and usable flat yard. Good entry level price point for this location, and some real upside to reconfigure/expand kitchen.
• 720 Bromfield Road, Hillsborough: Offered at $2,995,000. This is a solid and surprisingly spacious family home. very accommodating for the larger family and nice layout opening to park-like level garden to the side. Needs updating, but space, floorplan, pristine integrity, and location deserve merit under $3M.
• 1612 Easton Drive, Burlingame: Offered at $1,350,000. Although we've seen the $1.3s range experience sluggishness this spring, that tide could be turning. This home offers a surpisingly complete floorplan including kitchen/family great room and roomy master suite. Impeccable move-in condition and a lovely front garden with courtyard add to the appeal.
• 1270 Drake Avenue, Burlingame: Offered at $1,699,000. This is a very unique architectural offering that may not be your typical Easton Addition home, but a stunning conversation piece nonetheless. 12 ft. ceilings set the tone of loft-like airy ambiance. Open floorplan aficionados rejoice!
• 25 Seville Way, San Mateo's Aragon: Offered at $1,459,000. This Aragon classic Mediterranean boasts impeccable quality inside and out, particularly showcased in the top-of-the-line chef's kitchen and landscaped gardens.
• 122 Castilian Way, San Mateo's Aragon: Offered at $1,749,000. This was probably my "toast of the tour" FAVORITE of yesterday's viewings.  Architecturally expanded and remodeled with sensitive attention to continuity, flow, and indoor/outdoor dynamics. While the remodel eschews the formal dining room, this "great room" remodel of an Aragon split-level should serve as a beacon and inspriration for maximizing livability and modern flow out of 1930s bones.
• 22 Seville Way, San Mateo's Aragon: Offered at $1,298,000. While not as fresh and savvy as 25 Seville, this home certainly represents a nice value for a 4 bedroom Aragon character home. Very nice back yard too.
• 511 Carmel Circle, San Mateo's Parrott Park: Offered at $1,599,000. This home anchors an oversized lot with excpetional landscaping front and rear. There is also an open kitchen/family great room (albeit could use some cosemtic updating, but nice layout) Very unique location and lot.