May 8, 2008

Almaden residents open new realty office in Willow Glen

By Carol Rosen
Editor

At least 100 people came out on a Friday afternoon in April to christen a newly remodeled building in Willow Glen as the new office for Castle View Realty.

Cutting the ribbon for the grand opening of Castle View Realty are, from the left, Pierluigi Oliverio, Farah Bani Taba, Mo Bani-Taba, Pat Dando and Nancy Pyle. Photo by Carol Rosen

The realty company is owned by Almaden residents Farah and Mo Bani-Taba and has been operating for 10 years but had grown out of its home in Almaden. The couple both were raised in San Jose and graduated from San Jose State. Farah has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and statistics and Mo a master’s in business administration.

A large tent sheltered people from the hot day, while musicians from the San Jose Youth Symphony and Timeless Band featuring Jonah entertained attendants.

A crowd of more than 100 people were present for the opening, which featured a speech by Pat Dando, president and CEO of the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce as well as Councilmembers Nancy Pyle from District 10 and Pierluigi Oliverio from District 6. All three gave short speeches about the need for small businesses to expand and flourish.

“While large businesses get all the attention, it’s the businesses in San Jose and in the United States that drive our economy,” Dando told the crowd. Castle View has generated more than $500 million in sales within the community. It has 25 sales positions to generate money and jobs in spite of the country’s current uncertain economy.”

She went on to question how Farah has the time to hold down a full-time career and volunteer. “She finds her way into helping schools and PTAs in the Almaden area [where she lives] as well as volunteering with Almaden Helping Hands where she helps make miracles by helping people in need.”

Pyle elicited laughter with a comment about the remodeled building. “When I was in real estate, the office didn’t look like this,” she quipped.

Farah told friends, colleagues and family, some of which had traveled from as far away as Iran and Seattle or from Danville and San Ramon for the event, that the Almaden office had grown too small. Mo noted that the number of women running businesses in California was huge and growing.

Castle View Realty is 12 years old and is a product of the husband-wife team.

Farah has been involved with real estate for 17 years and has worked at Century 21, Cornish & Carey and Prudential Investments. The couple says they strive to satisfy clients’ real estate needs with a personal touch, with agility and dedication.

To learn more about Castle View, visit www.CastelViewRealty.com.