In Silicon Valley, Real Estate Remains Strong (BusinessWeek)

Wednesday July 9, 8:08 am ET By Prashant Gopal Mountain Home Road in Silicon Valley's Woodside community is a pleasant, tree-lined street. At first glance it might seem like any other upscale suburb, until it becomes apparent that few of the homes are visible from the road. That's because this, and streets like it all over California's San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, are where Silicon Valley's most powerful people live -- and they like their privacy. Silicon Valley's technology titans also try to keep a low profile when they put their mansions up for sale -- especially when the prices equal the value of many of the area's startups. The most expensive properties in America's technology capital are often sold privately and without the help of the multiple listing service. But many of the homes themselves are decidedly... [read full story]