As most of you already know, any San Jose Realtor spends most of his/her active time driving around to check with one's own eyes properties available on the market, to take his customers to potential homes of interest to them, to familiarize himself with new neighborhoods in particular. As always, holiday season is the best time to drive around and enjoy the spectacle of lighted and decorated homes which sometimes disappear behind the decor. One area of San Jose always gives me great pleasure to drive through : Willow Glen.
From talking to real estate agents in Willow Glen, I understand that the tradition of Willow Glen Holiday Lights with decorated trees on the front lawn of each home goes back to the late 1950s/early 1960s. You may notice that most of the trees are all planted at the same distance from the sidewalk, in a conscious effort by Willow Glen residents to create a harmonious ' River of Light'.
Here are some rules as well as safety lighting tips I was able to gather from fellow Realtors, friends and contractors I work with: always inspect light strings and look for broken sockets or cracks in the cord, avoid leaving empty sockets to minimize overheat, do not use nails or staples to tie up light strings, stay away from retro-lights which are apparently not considered a 'valid tradition' by some Willow Glen homeowners and last by not least, do not forget to always put the white light at the top of the tree!
May the Christmas Lights shine upon you all for the Holidays and bring you safety, peace, happiness and love in 2011.
© Sophia Delacotte CDPE, SFR, CHS
San Jose Realtor
Cell: (408) 717-2575
Email: sophia.delacotte@cbnorcal.com
www.sophiadelacotte.com
DRE# 01873662