1317 Mildred Ave, San Jose, CA 95125

Behind the ivy-covered brick and shingled rooflines of this 1936 storybook home, you'll find 2,272 square feet of real Willow Glen character: three bedrooms plus an oversized and bright family room, two recently remodeled bathrooms, and a full bed and bath on the main level. The living room sets the tone with beamed ceilings, an arched wood-burning fireplace, preserved hardwood floors, and old-world windows framing one of the neighborhood's prettiest tree-lined streets. The windows are one of many surprises of the home, as they keep the vintage look without the vintage age: they're Renewal by Andersen, installed just a few years ago. The white kitchen pairs classic cabinetry with a commercial-style gas range, and the formal dining room looks straight out to the garden. Upstairs, the primary suite has a soft window seat made for slow Sunday mornings and arched built-ins you simply don't get in new construction. Out back, brick-edged paths connect a covered cabana, a patio sized for...