Sold by Maggie Ma · Palo Alto listing agent 2280 Saint Francis Drive, Palo Alto

An open house with a personal touch

This contemporary Green Gables home offered inviting indoor-outdoor living. I wanted its introduction to buyers to feel warm, considered, and memorable.

Its proximity to the freeway was something visitors would weigh for themselves. My focus was on giving them a welcoming opportunity to experience the home and appreciate what it offered.

The welcome began outside

I designed the front yard myself, considering the planting, the approach, and the impression visitors would have as they arrived. Inside, I designed the furnishings and room layouts to create a cohesive presentation.

Those preparations set the scene for the open house. Then came the detail I was especially excited about: the music.

A grand piano—and someone to play it

I arranged for a grand piano to be brought into the home and hired a pianist to play during the open house. As someone who loves singing and classical music, I saw an opportunity to bring something personal to the experience.

It took additional planning and coordination, but I wanted more than a piano on display. I wanted visitors to hear live music as they explored the home.

The result

The home received eight offers and recorded eight days on market. Listed at $4,988,880, it closed on September 2, 2026, for $6,300,000—$1,311,120 above asking, or 26.3%.

The piano was one part of the effort. The larger story was the care and imagination that went into preparing the home and welcoming buyers.