The Willows is a neighborhood in transition. One of the older Menlo Park neighborhoods, as can be seen in the charming old bungalows originally built in the 1920s and ’30s, The Willows is seeing a dramatic demographic change. Young families, many of which are Silicon Valley professionals who appreciate the convenient commute distance and great location, are investing in real estate in The Willows. They’re attracted not just by the comparatively short commute, but also by the excellent schools and the more rural feel of this Menlo Park neighborhood. In the heart of Silicon Valley The Willows offers everything young upwardly mobile professionals desire in primary residences and also long-term investment property.
Eclectic, Energetic Vibe
In the Menlo Park/Palo Alto real estate market, The Willows is a neighborhood that is capturing the interests of prospective buyers and investors. It is a beautiful neighborhood, with the San Francisquito Creek serving as a border between Palo Alto and the Willows, its timed architecture, and its gorgeous tree lined streets. There’s an optimistic, active energy throughout The Willows, seen in the number of young families buying and remodeling homes both to live in as well and rent out, as well as in the thriving local businesses.
Instead of the bland conformity of the Levittown style of suburban living, The Willows features an eclectic mix of homes and lot sizes. There are still some of the small, 1920s and ’30s two-bedroom, single-bath type of bungalows, as well as the larger three-bedroom homes from the 1940s and ’50s. There’s also a nice mix of much larger homes tastefully incorporated into the mix.
Lot sizes range from about 5,000 square feet to those measuring near half of an acre. Some buyers are looking more at lot size than home size, preferring to remodel and add on to a home on a large lot than buy a larger home on a smaller lot. These buyers are investing in real estate in The Willows with the long-term view in mind.
Changes Reflect Bigger Trends
The shifting demographics of The Willows is reflective of major changes in lifestyle trends in today’s young professionals. Young professionals seems to be more about building families and local communities than they have been in the past. There are a number of movements fueling similar changes, such as the movements toward eating locally and supporting local businesses instead of national corporate giants.
In The Willows, these larger cultural trends are woven into the fabric of the neighborhood, as seen in the loyalty shown to businesses in the small downtown area. The Willows is also just minutes away from Palo Alto’s downtown area, another site where local businesses flourish. These trends are also attractive to real estate investors, which can be seen in the growth in demand for professional Menlo Park property management services.
Contact us to learn more about the benefits of investing in real estate in The Willows. With the right management team in place, rental properties in this demographically transitioning neighborhood have great income potential, not just today, but also in the future.
David currently is the broker/owner of several real estate related businesses which manage and maintain 300+ client properties on the San Francisco Peninsula.
Trust, transparency, and performance guarantees are the foundation of these businesses. David challenges anyone to find a PM professional that offers services similar - extensive education, customer service, and performance guarantees.
David also provides consulting for his clients on property development feasibility, construction, and complex real estate transactions.
David has authored a published law review article, two real estate books, and over 120 real estate blog articles.
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