Hello Bayarea 123:

If you are working with a Realtor, that Realtor should be able to point out to you all of the issues related to the home, and should know, from experience, some of the problems related to swale or slope of the yard. In this case, the rear yard is higher than the home and front yard, so this is called positive swaling, and means that water will run from the back to the front of the home and out to the street. In developed areas, such as Saratoga, such swaling is good to prevent flooding, but precaution should be taken around the home to ensure that the water is properly channeled around and away from the home and does not pool in any area.

Ground movement is only a problem if the area around the home regularly becomes saturated. Santa Clara has adobe soil, which is "expansive" soil with a high plasticity, so it will hold water and like a clay pot and expand if saturated with too much water. So keeping the water out from under the home and moving it toward the front yard is always a good idea. Concrete walkways--considered "fast" surfaces--will funnel much of the water away from the home, as will drains and other methods to remove water from the property. These issues are as important to the home on the hill as it is to a home on the "flat lands" in our valley.

Again, take a qualified and knowledgeable agent with you to look at the home, so that you can determine what if any issues should be reviewed by professionals.

Good luck!!

Sincerely,
Grace Morioka, SRES, e-Pro
Area Pro Realty

Thanks for your response - are there any factors to consider with this home built on area that is not elevated but rather goes down?

Hello Bayarea123

Thanks for your post. 13998 Alta Vista Avenue is a lovely home located on a fairly level piece of land and was recently relisted by Alain Pinel from Coldwell Banker, which is the reason for the price drop. The home was previously listed at over $3 million, but has been more appropriately priced at $2.9 million. This home is located near the backside of Saratoga High School--rather close to the football field, so, yes, there will be some ambient noise from the field and football games during home games and band practices. There are several upcoming football games at Saratoga High School, and the best time to test your tolerance for the ambient sounds and light from the field is to see the home during one of these games. The Saratoga Falcons will next be playing at home on Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m. I'd be happy to show you the home at that time if you are interested.

Other than football games, the only issues with noise from the school occur during "bells" (announcing the end of class), scheduled activities on the field where bullhorns or the field's speaker system is in use. You should not be bothered by the traffic patterns around the school, since this home is located away from the main Herriman entry areas.

If you are interested in purchasing this or any of the lovely homes in Saratoga, and want to save yourself money, consider hiring a Realtor/Facilitator to work with internet savvy professionals like you. A facilitator will do everything that a full-service Realtor will do at a greatly reduced fee, since you, as the buyer are spending all the time looking for the home. See my blog and save yourself as much as $50,000 on a transaction of this size.

Good luck!
Sincerely,
Grace Morioka, SRES, e-pro, Facilitator
Area Pro Realty
Email: GraceAreaProRealty@att.net