The 'Guide Me Home to San Jose' Blog

Our first annual Go Green! Eco-fair was held on Saturday May 1st in the parking lot of our office at 1124 Meridian Avenue.

Visitors were able to recycle all manner of electronic waste courtesy of Earthcare Recycling. Many came with trucks and trunk loads to contribute. They won in two ways: recycling in a way that protects the environment and gaining extra space in closets and garages! Ace Hardware collected batteries as well as showcased many of their earth-friendly products. A very interesting item was an affordable, solar-powered attic fan. With summer close on, you may want to stop by and check it out. Additionally, many visitors left clothing and shoes for Innvision, a valuable, local non-profit that provides shelter and support for women and children. A link to their 2010 Wish List is on our website or email me and I will send you a copy.

Thinking of updating, greening, or remodeling your living space? Please consider connecting with Chris Donatelli Builders. They are ‘green certified’ and also have a division offering handyman services. Another popular resource was the booth of EcoProach. They are experts in advising you of ways to use solar and other resources to green your home. Conklin Brothers brought many ideas for natural flooring. Things in this area have certainly come a long way!

My personal favorite, being an avid gardener, was Monster Worms! Their slogan is “Let our worms do the dirty work!” We were all surprised at the ability of the worms to produce wonderful “soil” for enriching your garden. They work fast and for garbage! The Monster Worms website, with more information and ordering information, is found at www.MonsterWorms.com.

If you missed the event, please visit our Eco Fair partners online, and, if you would like two complimentary Altera Real Estate shopping totes, please stop by our office! Watch our website, look us up on Facebook, and check back with this blog for upcoming green events and resources.

Posted By: Colleen Badagliacco

Hold the date and plan to come by our office parking lot at 1124 Meridian (X Willow) on Saturday May 1.

From 10am to 2pm we will be holding a community recycling and eco-fair.

Earthcare Recycling will be there with a truck to collect all those keyboards, CD drives, cables, old computers, printers and the like that have been taking up space. Small appliances, as well as old TVs are welcome! Ace Hardware/Willow Glen will be collecting household batteries; please note, however, there will be no facilities for hazardous waste collection. Information will be available however, should this be a need.

Are you interested in green building, renovations, remodeling? We will have a builder for you to talk to (www.dcbuild.com), as well as Solmentum, providing home solar energy solutions. Ecoproach.com can provide information on home energy audits.

Are you a gardener? Come by and check out nature’s most efficient composter, presented by Monster Worms.

Got Bugs?! Killroy Pest Control can discuss natural, non-toxic alternatives.

Our office supports the services of InnVision. Please bring new or gently used items only.

Free re-usable shopping bags will be given to all visitors. Make May Day Green Day and get your Spring cleaning off to a great start. Please come by!

For more information and lists of participants and allowable donations, please go to our website, AlteraSV.com and click on the Go Green icon.

Posted By: Colleen Badagliacco

Altera Real Estate was established in 1980 as single independent office, known as Valley Properties. From 1993 until October, 2008 we were affiliated with RE/MAX International and were known as RE/MAX Valley Properties. In October, 2008 we ended our franchise affiliation and returned to our roots as an independent, regional firm. Altera Real Estate is a statewide network of independently owned successful, professional real estate brokerages. We are honored by association with them. Additionally, we are an affiliate of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World www.LeadingRE.com, a global network of over 700 offices in 35 countries representing leading firms in every market. If your real estate needs are outside of Silicon Valley, we would be pleased to refer you to an affiliate in that area.

Over the years we have grown to over 80 agents in three offices, San Jose/Willow Glen, San Jose/Silver Creek, and Morgan Hill. We consistently rank in the top four real estate firms in our market area, and are home to the most productive, professional agents in Silicon Valley. We serve the communities of the greater Silicon Valley area, including San Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Campbell and Sunnyvale in the mid-Santa Clara County ,Morgan Hill, Gilroy and San Martin in the South County area, and such neighborhoods as Almaden Valley and Willow Glen.

Our firm is home to real estate associates fluent in many languages, and with expertise not only in single family homes and condos, but investment properties, leasing, and tenant representation through our local referral network.

Though of course our name has changed over time, our commitment to our clients has not; we have, in fact, continued to 'upgrade' ourselves to meet the expectations of those who choose us to handle some of life's most important transactions. Our goal is not to merely close transactions but to establish life-long business relationships one satisfied customer at a time.

We look forward to serving you.