Sue McAllister of the Merc’s Silicon Valley Real Estate Blog reports that searches for San Jose real estate rose 73.7%, according to data released by Realtor.com.

Almost all of the cities where search traffic increased 50 percent or more are in California or Florida. Which could indicate that a lot of buyers who hope to get steals in places where home prices are under (downward) pressure are keeping an eye on the market

Home buying is down and many of us have certainly noticed the abundance of houses on the market for months– something not only apparent by the length of time in real estate databases, but also by their accompanying brown lawns. While the financial crisis and constant coverage of sub-prime lending problems are the second most talked about topic these days, many of us might be lost in the wall of terms and information flooding our brains.

Have you actively searched for the value of houses in your neighborhood? Are you looking for investments or are you curious how low a neighborhood home’s asking price has fallen? Or do you know of people from out of state looking for a great deal in our fair valley?

Leave a comment below!

There are a couple of guys wandering around the country offering magic potions, each magic potion having its own ingredients to cure all of your grievances. They want to be your best friend. Well, they want to be your friend at least until early November.

If you are planning to vote in the November 4 Presidential General Election and you have never registered before or you need to re-register you must do so by October 20.

You will need to re-register if you have moved, changed your name or wish to change the political party from your previous registration.

You can download and print a form from the Registrar of Voters Website here. Look for the Register to Vote link on the left.

You can also pick up the registration forms at post offices, libraries, and most local government offices and at the registrar’s office, 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2, San Jose.

Mailed registration forms that are postmarked no later than October 20 will be accepted. Voters may also return the forms to the registrar’s office no later than October 20.

If you are uncertain that you are registered to vote, check here.

More voter information on the Secretary of State Website here.

Registrar of Voter’s Office: 408-299-8683