In most parts of the country, inexpensive starter homes are making the greatest gains in value for buyers. But once again, the Bay Area is running counter to national housing trends. Owners in the San Jose metro area buying into the lower third of the market saw an 18 percent return last year, while high-end buyers saw a slightly higher 18.9 percent appreciation, according to real estate marketplace Zillow. In the San Francisco metro area, which includes Alameda County, starter homes appreciated 9.5 percent over one year while luxury homes went up 11.6 percent.
Source: The Mercury News