When Policy Creates Friction, Opportunity Rewards Foresight

Market Insight

Silicon Valley’s real estate market — long fueled by high-income tech talent and global capital — is quietly entering a new phase. The newly implemented $100,000 H-1B visa petition fee isn’t just a policy shift; it’s a ripple across the region’s housing and property patterns. With fewer new foreign-tech hires, short-term demand could moderate. But existing homeowners, executive buyers, and institutional investors are doubling down on income-producing properties, farmland, and strategic land holdings that hold value under any macro condition.

Market Focus: From Speculation to Stability

Savvy homeowners and investors are shifting toward tangible properties that balance return, security, and long-term value:

• Land-based holdings: Agricultural, mixed-use, or developable parcels with long-term entitlement upside.

• Cash-flow properties: Multi-unit homes, ADU-integrated residences, or short-term rental options providing consistent yield.

• Tax-optimized strategies: Cost segregation and 1031-like reinvestment leveraging bonus depreciation returning in 2025.
  

The new visa fee reframes buyer and homeowner psychology: fewer new arrivals mean greater focus on property quality, stability, and location. Use this moment to educate your audience that real estate remains the most reliable inflation hedge — especially when stock volatility and policy changes dominate the headlines.

From Homeownership to Portfolio Growth

A Silicon Valley client transitioned from a single residence into a portfolio of land and income properties across Santa Clara County and San Benito. Through cost segregation and bonus ,depreciation, they reduced taxable income while increasing passive cash flow — turning equity into generational wealth. Their story underscores today’s market truth: those who reposition now will lead the next cycle.

Market Data Snapshot

• Median single-family price (Santa Clara County): $1.99M (+5% YoY)

• Average sale price: $2.49M (+7.9% YoY)

• Active listings: +10% year-over-year

• Demand strongest in: Cupertino, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy

  
  

The $100K H-1B fee may slow short-term inflows of new tech professionals, but it’s

concentrating wealth and focus within the existing market base. The winners of this cycle are those who act now — repositioning equity into real property with intrinsic utility and long-term value.

Now Is the Time to Reposition Your Equity

Schedule a confidential strategy session to analyze your holdings, timing, and 2026

repositioning options.