How Saratoga Home Selling Has Changed Since 1994

As a luxury realtor who has navigated the Bay Area’s evolving landscape for over 30 years, I’ve had a front-row seat to one of the most remarkable transformations in real estate history. For long-term homeowners—especially those who haven’t moved since the mid-1990s—the world of home selling today looks like a different planet.

Using Saratoga as our backdrop, let’s explore how 30 years have changed the value of your greatest asset and the way we bring it to market.

1. The Numbers: From “Expensive” to Exponential

Thirty years ago, Saratoga was already a prestigious enclave. But “luxury” had a very different price tag.

In 1994: A beautiful, spacious family home in the Saratoga “Golden Triangle” or near the Village might have sold for $600,000 to $850,000. At the time, that felt like a staggering sum.
Today (2026): That same home, even without a major renovation, is often valued between $3.5 million and $5 million+.

We’ve seen the median sale price in Saratoga climb to approximately $3.8 million as of early 2026. For a homeowner who has held their property since the 90s, the equity gain isn’t just a “nest egg”—it’s a life-changing legacy.

2. From the “MLS Book” to Global Digital Domination

In the early 90s, the real estate world was a guarded ecosystem.

Then: I used to carry around a thick, physical MLS book that was updated weekly. If you wanted to see what was for sale, you had to call a realtor. Marketing meant a black-and-white photo in the Mercury News and a “For Sale” sign on the lawn.
Now: The “First Showing” happens on a smartphone at 11:00 PM. High-definition cinematic video, drone photography, and 3D virtual tours are the bare minimum for luxury. We aren’t just selling to the family down the street; we are marketing to international buyers and tech executives moving from across the globe.

3. The Prep: Staging is No Longer Optional

Back then, “preparing a home” meant a deep clean and maybe a fresh coat of “Swiss Coffee” white paint.

Today, selling a luxury home is akin to a high-end product launch. We use professional staging to curate a lifestyle. Modern buyers, especially the younger tech demographic now dominating the market, have a “HGTV expectation.” They want a home that feels move-in ready and aspirational. In Saratoga, a well-staged home can often command hundreds of thousands of dollars more than an empty or cluttered one.

4. Speed and Strategy: The “Offer Date” Phenomenon

The pace of the transaction has accelerated beyond recognition.

The 90s Pace: You might list a home, wait a few weeks for a couple of interested parties, and spend a few days negotiating back and forth via fax machine.
The 2026 Pace: We often set a “Review Date.” After one or two weekends of high-traffic open houses, we might receive multiple non-contingent offers. Negotiations that used to take days now happen in hours via digital signature platforms.

Why Experience Matters More Than Ever

While the technology has changed, the emotional complexity of selling a long-term family home has not. After 30 years, I know that your home isn’t just “inventory”—it’s decades of memories.

The “new” way of selling requires a sophisticated digital strategy, but it also requires a steady, experienced hand to navigate the intense pressure of Silicon Valley’s multiple-offer environment.

Curious about what your Saratoga home is worth in today’s market? I can provide a comprehensive equity report and a custom roadmap for a modern “stress-free” sale. Would you like me to create a comparative market analysis for your specific neighborhood?