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Meet the team that helps Lenore & Alex Wilkas and their clients
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- Belmont
- Belmont Market Update
Tuesday is our Broker Tour Day. We get a list of all new listings available for us to see on Tuesday by late afternoon on Monday. Belmont, generally one of the hidden gems in our Fantasy Island had 10 homes over $1 Million Dollars today. Belmont - Belmont Homes for sale between $800,000 and $1,000,000
Belmont homes for sale between $800,000 and $1,000,000 - Belmont Homes for Sale between $1,000,000 and $1,250,000
Belmont homes for sale between $1,000,000 and $1,250,000 - Belmont Kicks Off Spring With an Art Festivals This Weekend
You know it’s Spring when Art Festivals begin and this weekend Belmont kicks off the Art Festival Season in San Mateo County. The - San Mateo County Easter Egg Hunts Are Just Around the Corner
Easter is just around the corner and with that comes Easter Egg Hunts! The first San Mateo County easter egg hunt takes place this coming weekend on Saturday, March 15th. Head over to Orange memorial Park’s Picnic Shelter - Belmont Condos and Townhouses For Sale
Belmont Condos and Townhouses for sale
- Belmont Market Update
- Burlingame
- Burlingame Condos and Townhouses For Sale
Burlingame Condos and Townhouses for sale - Do You Want to Live in Hillsborough or Burlingame? Now's the Time to Play Let's Make a Deal
So, you’re out there looking at houses every weekend, but you’re sure we haven’t hit the bottom in the real estate market so you’re afraid to make that offer. I hate to tell you, but there’s no way to know when we hit bottom until after it’s happened and the market is rebounding. Forget trying to time it. - San Mateo County Easter Egg Hunts Are Just Around the Corner
Easter is just around the corner and with that comes Easter Egg Hunts! The first San Mateo County easter egg hunt takes place this coming weekend on Saturday, March 15th. Head over to Orange memorial Park’s Picnic Shelter - Burlingame Market Update
It’s been a while since I posted any information about the Burlingame real estate market. Altos Research sends me reports weekly on all of the seven sister cities we cover
- Burlingame Condos and Townhouses For Sale
- Foster City
- Do You Live in the 94404 Zip? It's Time to Talk Insurance. Flood Insurance.
If you live in the 94404 zip code, FEMA may change your insurance coverage. Why? They are preparing new flood maps and because Foster City shares the zip code with a small part of San Mateo, Foster City residents may soon be required to carry flood insurance. - Foster City Market Report
Yesterday I was asked when I was going to report on Foster City. I’m pleased to give you a picture of what’s going on now. There aren’t a lot of homes for sale in Foster City right now with only 16 single family homes are on the market this week. - Foster City Homes for sale between $900,000 and $1,100,000
Foster City Homes for sale between $900,000 and $1,100,000 - Foster City Residents, Take Precautions to Save Your House Before an Earthquake. One is Coming…
The front page of the San Francisco Chronicle today features a story about the Hayward Fault. the earthquake fault expected to rumble next, and cause catastrophic damage to the Bay Area. Foster City, take precautions to save your house during an earthquake now, because once it comes, it is too late. Everyone knows about the San Andreas Fault. It runs down most of California coming onto land in Daly City and exiting land in the Sea of Cortez in Baja, California. The Hayward Fault runs parallel to the San Francisco Bay - Foster City Homeowners Do You Know What Needs to Be Permited Before You Do it?
I have clients ask me occasionally what they can and should do to improve their homes. I tell them it’s the usual stuff, paint, landscape, keeping things in working order and updating where feasible. In Foster City almost anything you do will require a permit - Hillsborough and Foster City Have Disappeared!
If you live in Hillsborough or Foster City you have disappeared! You no longer exist. At least as far as the United States Postal Service is concerned. - Foster City Condos and Townhouses For Sale
Foster City Condos and Townhouses For Sale
- Do You Live in the 94404 Zip? It's Time to Talk Insurance. Flood Insurance.
- Hillsborough
- Do You Want to Live in Hillsborough or Burlingame? Now's the Time to Play Let's Make a Deal
So, you’re out there looking at houses every weekend, but you’re sure we haven’t hit the bottom in the real estate market so you’re afraid to make that offer. I hate to tell you, but there’s no way to know when we hit bottom until after it’s happened and the market is rebounding. Forget trying to time it. - Hillsborough and Foster City Have Disappeared!
If you live in Hillsborough or Foster City you have disappeared! You no longer exist. At least as far as the United States Postal Service is concerned. - Hillsborough Homes Under $2,000,000
Hillsborough Homes for sale under $2,000,000
- Do You Want to Live in Hillsborough or Burlingame? Now's the Time to Play Let's Make a Deal
- Millbrae
- Millbrae Condos and Townhouses For Sale
Millbrae Condos and Townhouses for sale - Millbrae Homes for sale over $1,250,000
Millbrae Homes for Sale over $1,250,000 - Millbrae Homes For Sale Under $700,000
Millbrae Homes for Sale Under $700,000
- Millbrae Condos and Townhouses For Sale
- Neighborhing Communities
- San Carlos
- San Carlos Condos and Townhouses For Sale
San Carlos Condos and townhouses for sale
- San Carlos Condos and Townhouses For Sale
- San Mateo
- Do You Live in the 94404 Zip? It's Time to Talk Insurance. Flood Insurance.
If you live in the 94404 zip code, FEMA may change your insurance coverage. Why? They are preparing new flood maps and because Foster City shares the zip code with a small part of San Mateo, Foster City residents may soon be required to carry flood insurance. - San Mateo Condos and Townhouses For Sale
San Mateo Condos and Townhouses for sale - It's the Annual Line Up at Baywood School!
It happens every year. Parents lining up, sleeping bags in hand, wine and food being passed, a jolly good time be had by all, except this is for a couveted space in the 2008 Kindergarten class at San Mateo’s Baywood School. Registration doesn’t even begin until February 1st, which is this Friday. The line up began last night and parents are desperate to get their children into the local school with too few places for new kindergartener’s.
- Do You Live in the 94404 Zip? It's Time to Talk Insurance. Flood Insurance.
- Main category
- Determining How To Take Title at Your Signing Isn't Easy
If you are buying a new home in the San Mateo area, determining how to take title of your property is a major decision for you when it comes time to sign your loan documents at an Escrow company. ˜How do you want to hold title? is the question you will be asked and the person asking it, the Escrow Officer, can not help you with the answer. - KISS: The Key to Organizing Your Burlingame Home
We all know the acronym KISS means Keep It Simple Stupid and if you keep that in mind, you will find that organizing your home really can be simple if you break it down into little pieces. Ive talked about reducing clutter before, and I think one can never repeat this too often. Perhaps Im talking to myself, or my life partner Alex here, but organization is something we all need. If your house has become too full of too much stuff, its time to take stock of it and begin the process. - I Hear America Singing in San Carlos This Weekend!
This weekend, the Foster City Community Chorus and Heart & Soul present ˜America Sings an afternoon of music from North American composers. Come and hear us as we sing some great songs and lots of jazz. - How Much Does It Cost You to Live in San Mateo County?
In March of this year, over 200 San Mateo County residents met at Canada College to talk about the high cost of housing in our county. They were selected by random telephone calls. This month is your chance to sound off and voice your thoughts, concerns and comments about this issue. And someone will be listening! - Hillsborough Homes For Sale Between $4,000,000 and $5,000,000
Hillsborough CA homes for sale between $4,000,000 and $5,000,000 - Hillsborough Homes For Sale Between $3,000,000 and $4,000,000
Hillsborough CA Homes for sale between $3,000,000 and $4,000,000 - Hillsborough Homes For Sale Between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000
Hillsborough homes for sale between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000 - Burlingame Homes For Sale Between $900,000 and $1,100,000
Burlingame Homes for sale between $900,000 and $1,100,000 - Millbrae Homes Between $1,100,000 and $1,250,000
Millbrae homes for sale between $1,100,000 and $1,250,000 - Do You Live in the 94404 Zip? It's Time to Talk Insurance. Flood Insurance.
If you live in the 94404 zip code, FEMA may change your insurance coverage. Why? They are preparing new flood maps and because Foster City shares the zip code with a small part of San Mateo, Foster City residents may soon be required to carry flood insurance. - Burlingame Homes For Sale Between $1,300,000 and $1,500,000
Burlingame Homes for sale between $1,300,000 and $1,500,000 - Burlingame Homes For Sale Between $1,100,000 and $1,300,000
Burlingame houses for sale between $1,100,000 and $1,300,000 - Millbrae Homes For Sale Between $700,000 and $900,000
Millbrae houses for sale between $700,000 and $900,000 - Foster City Market Report
Yesterday I was asked when I was going to report on Foster City. I’m pleased to give you a picture of what’s going on now. There aren’t a lot of homes for sale in Foster City right now with only 16 single family homes are on the market this week. - San Carlos Homes For Sale between $1,000,000 and $1,250,000
San Carlos houses for sale between $1,000,000 and $1,250,000 - Belmont Market Update
Tuesday is our Broker Tour Day. We get a list of all new listings available for us to see on Tuesday by late afternoon on Monday. Belmont, generally one of the hidden gems in our Fantasy Island had 10 homes over $1 Million Dollars today. Belmont - Are Short Sales Really Good Deals in San Mateo?
Ive been showing short sales listings lately. I have a client who thinks theyre the way to go. A good deal. Bottom fishing. Guess what? They may not be all you think they are. You may find that youll end up paying past due taxes. If Home Owner Association dues are past due the association can place a lien - San Mateo County Sits Low in the Dafault Mess. Really!
Here’s a heat map of homes in default in the cities surrounding the San Francisco Bay. Check out the pretty colors. Light orange - San Carlos Homes For Sale Between $800,000 and $1,000,000
San Carlos houses for sale between $800,000 and $1,000,000, - We're Spring Cleaning Our Garage and It's Something You Too Can Do For Yours
If your garage looks anything like ours, it could use a good spring cleaning. But when it’s as full of stuff as it can get, it’s an overwhelming project. There are some easy things to do, if you’re willing to spend a whole weekend doing them. - Foster City Houses for Sale Between $1,100,000 and $1,300,000
Foster City homes for sale between $1,100,000 and $1,300,000 - Foreclosures in Mid-San Mateo County Aren't a Big Issue, Yet
I am asked quite often about buying Short Sales and houses in foreclosure. I really don’t like to work on short sales because there are too many things out ofany one’s control within the deal since ultimately the bank being shorted has the absolute final say on whether or not the sale goes through. Foreclosed houses are another thing. - San Mateo Homes for Sale Between $900,000 and $1,100,000
San Mateo Houses for sale between $900,000 and $1,100,000 - San Mateo Homes for Sale Between $700,000 and $900,000
San Mateo Houses for sale between $700,000 and $900,000 - Foster City Homes for sale between $900,000 and $1,100,000
Foster City Homes for sale between $900,000 and $1,100,000 - Belmont Homes for sale between $800,000 and $1,000,000
Belmont homes for sale between $800,000 and $1,000,000 - Belmont Homes for Sale between $1,000,000 and $1,250,000
Belmont homes for sale between $1,000,000 and $1,250,000 - Belmont Kicks Off Spring With an Art Festivals This Weekend
You know it’s Spring when Art Festivals begin and this weekend Belmont kicks off the Art Festival Season in San Mateo County. The - I'm In The Final Four! San Mateo Needs Your Vote
The gloves are off! It’s now or never. I need your vote on VarBuzz’s First Annual Blogging Brawl. It’s San Mateo against Foster City. Yee Ha! - San Mateo Condos and Townhouses For Sale
San Mateo Condos and Townhouses for sale - Burlingame Condos and Townhouses For Sale
Burlingame Condos and Townhouses for sale - Millbrae Condos and Townhouses For Sale
Millbrae Condos and Townhouses for sale - San Mateo County, Jackie Speier, and California Seceding?
Saturday we attended a coffee for Jackie Speier. She’s running for the vacant seat that the late Congressman Tom Lantos had. As you can see, she was surprised with a visit by the Easter Bunny, which was very cute. A good laugh for everyone attending, too. - San Mateo Real Estate News Needs Your Vote, Now!
You know the drill by now. One vote per blog. I’m still in Zone 4 but there’s only one other blog against me this time. I need your help to win. Win what? What ever, just to win. This is an East v. West contest. Okay, maybe there’s a mid-west contingency too, - Foster City Residents, Take Precautions to Save Your House Before an Earthquake. One is Coming…
The front page of the San Francisco Chronicle today features a story about the Hayward Fault. the earthquake fault expected to rumble next, and cause catastrophic damage to the Bay Area. Foster City, take precautions to save your house during an earthquake now, because once it comes, it is too late. Everyone knows about the San Andreas Fault. It runs down most of California coming onto land in Daly City and exiting land in the Sea of Cortez in Baja, California. The Hayward Fault runs parallel to the San Francisco Bay - San Carlos Homes for Sale Under $800,000
San Carlos Homes for sale under $800,000 - Belmont Homes for sale under $800,000
Belmont CA homes for sale under $800,000 - Do You Want to Live in Hillsborough or Burlingame? Now's the Time to Play Let's Make a Deal
So, you’re out there looking at houses every weekend, but you’re sure we haven’t hit the bottom in the real estate market so you’re afraid to make that offer. I hate to tell you, but there’s no way to know when we hit bottom until after it’s happened and the market is rebounding. Forget trying to time it. - Burlingame Homes for Sale Under $800,000
Burlingame Homes for sale under $800,000 - San Mateo Homes for Sale under $700,000
San Mateo Homes for Sale Under $700,000 - Foster City Homeowners Do You Know What Needs to Be Permited Before You Do it?
I have clients ask me occasionally what they can and should do to improve their homes. I tell them it’s the usual stuff, paint, landscape, keeping things in working order and updating where feasible. In Foster City almost anything you do will require a permit - San Mateo Made the Sweet 16. Vote For Me to WIN
Woo Hoo!! I’m in the Sweet 16. If you were one of those who voted for me, thank you all and one. Now, I need you more than ever! San Mateo must win over Virginia! - Millbrae Homes for sale over $1,250,000
Millbrae Homes for Sale over $1,250,000 - Millbrae Homes For Sale Under $700,000
Millbrae Homes for Sale Under $700,000 - Hillsborough and Foster City Have Disappeared!
If you live in Hillsborough or Foster City you have disappeared! You no longer exist. At least as far as the United States Postal Service is concerned. - San Mateo County Easter Egg Hunts Are Just Around the Corner
Easter is just around the corner and with that comes Easter Egg Hunts! The first San Mateo County easter egg hunt takes place this coming weekend on Saturday, March 15th. Head over to Orange memorial Park’s Picnic Shelter - San Carlos Homes for sale over $1,250,000
San Carlos homes for sale over $1,250,000 - Belmont Homes for sale over $1,250,000
Belmont homes for sale over $1,250,000 - San Mateo! Burlingame! Foster City! I'm Pimping Myself. I Need Your Vote!
San Mateo, Burlingame, Foster City, I need your vote. I need it now. I’m in the running to win in a Blog Brawl against other real estate blog sites. This is something new to me. - Burlingame Market Update
It’s been a while since I posted any information about the Burlingame real estate market. Altos Research sends me reports weekly on all of the seven sister cities we cover - San Mateo County, FHA Loans Are Now Available Here! Whoo Hoo!
I truly never thought I’d ever see the day. FHA loans for a house purchase in San Mateo County. Fantasy Island has finally met the rest of the country - San Mateo homes for sale over $1,300,000
Homes for sale in San Mateo over $1,300,000 - Foster City Homes for Sale above $1,300,000
Homes for sale in Foster City over $1,300,000 - Burlingame Residents This is a Good Time to Buy or Sell a Home!
We can’t go a single day without some one telling us that this is the worst real estate market ever. But is it, really? - Foster City Homes for Sale under $900,000
Foster City homes for sale under $900,000 - Hillsborough Homes over $5,000,000
Hillsborough homes for sale over $5,000,000 - Burlingame Homes over $1,500,000
Burlingame homes for sale over $1,500,000 - San Carlos Condos and Townhouses For Sale
San Carlos Condos and townhouses for sale - Hillsborough Homes Under $2,000,000
Hillsborough Homes for sale under $2,000,000 - Belmont Condos and Townhouses For Sale
Belmont Condos and Townhouses for sale - Foster City Condos and Townhouses For Sale
Foster City Condos and Townhouses For Sale - San Mateo Buyers: Be Sure to Ask Your Agent How Long the House Has Been For Sale - They Can Tell You
Last night I was watching Nightline and they had a segment about real estate agents that re-list homes for sale to make them - San Mateo County Blew It Not Notifying Neighbors About The Escape From The Juvenile Jail Last Week
Whoa there Nelly, how in heavens name could San Mateo County blow it so succinctly last week when Josue Orozco escaped from Juvenile Hall and not notify the Highlands residents? There are over 700 homes above the San Mateo County Youth Services Center and not one, I repeat, not one was notified of the escape of the gang member - San Mateo County Lost A Big Voice in Congress This Week With The Death of Tom Lantos
Upon hearing the news that Tom Lantos had died this week a blanket of great sadness engulfed San Mateo County. Congressman Lantos represented our district in Washington, DC for almost 28 years and he was a really important figure to all of us. He will be greatly missed by his constituents and by hiscolleagues in Congress. His courage, his outspokenness and his deep caring of those without a voice will be lost forever from the halls of Congress. He leaves very big shoes to fill. - If You Live in San Mateo and Need a Little Help Buying a Home, Heart Might Help You
Generally when I write about Buyer Assistance programs they’re for first time home buyers. There are several of them available that are designed to help the first time home buyer but now there’s one to help someone move to San Mateo County who already owns a home. - The 2007 Real Estate Market Was Great But That's Not News….
There’s a saying in the news business, “If it bleeds it leads”, meaning sensationalism sells the news. The press isn’t interested in hearing that the real estate market is doing well in some places. It’s not “news” to them. If you look closely at the statistics being used by the media, they flip the percentages showing the negative above the positive. The press in the San Francisco market is guilty of this big time and I see it everywhere I look. - Future Home Buyers for San Mateo, The Agent Helping You is Representing YOU, Only You!
For some reason people think that real estate agents only represent the interests of the seller in a transaction. Sure, that was true years ago but it sure isn’t the case today. When I represent a buyer in a transaction I am their advocate, their coach, and their representative 100% of the time. Did you know that it is possible for a buyer to have a contractual relationship between the agent and themselves, should they want one? - It's the Annual Line Up at Baywood School!
It happens every year. Parents lining up, sleeping bags in hand, wine and food being passed, a jolly good time be had by all, except this is for a couveted space in the 2008 Kindergarten class at San Mateo’s Baywood School. Registration doesn’t even begin until February 1st, which is this Friday. The line up began last night and parents are desperate to get their children into the local school with too few places for new kindergartener’s. - It's Time to Spring Clean Your e-Waste!
We all have this stuff hanging around our houses and garages, if you’re anything like us. You know what I mean. Old computer equipment, cords and cables that belong to who knows what, old zip drives, those old dead mice, outdated printers, keyboards or monitors that no longer work. - What are These Foreclosure Auctions and are They a Good Deal?
In today’s San Francisco Chronicle real estate section there were a lot of ads for auctions for foreclosed houses and this is probably just the beginning of this kind of thing. Are these auctions a good deal? - Why Don't Kids Play Outside of Their San Mateo Homes Any Longer?
I had coffee the other day with Mike Lanza, a fellow who has developed a website specifically looking for neighborhoods around North America that still have children playing outside in front of their homes called Playborhood. - Location, Location, Location. Great Buy if You Can Stand the Traffic!
Today was our Broker’s Tour day and the house I wrote about the other day was open for all Realtors to inspect. Location, location, location is the mantra for real estate - Burlingame is Seeing Home Break-ins. Here are Some Ideas to Help Prevent You as the Next Target.
It appears that the City of Burlingame is having a spat of house break-ins and the Police are working hard at finding the culprit. Burlingame has a low crime rate so it’s unusual to hear about more than one or two break-ins. This time there have been about 10 of them and the last ones are in a neighborhood close to 101 to making it easy for the robber to make his get away. - Location, Location, Location is the Real Estate Mantra. So What Were They Thinking?
We’ve been watching a house being built on a lot in San Mateo that has to be one of the worst locations possible for a luxury house. If you know San Mateo you know the corner I’m talking about, El Camino Real and Poplar Avenue. This lot once had a small building on it that was used by some utility company. All of a sudden, the lot was scraped and then construction began. - I Saw My First Blossoms on a Tree in Burlingame Today!
I saw the first blossoms of the out today while driving up Trousdale Blvd. in Burlingame today. I always get excited when I see them, and today it was the Tulip Magnolia popping out in flower. - Do You Know What Risk Based Pricing in Lending Is? Here's a Primer on Lending in San Mateo County.
One of my favorite lenders, Brandon Hoyes, answered a question I posed to him the other day about some new kinds of lending practices I’d heard about, Risk Based Pricing. Brandon tells me this isn’t new at all, and presents a good primer on lending - Want to Have Affordable Housing in San Mateo County? Here's an Interesting Idea.
If you’ve been reading me for any length of time you know I talk about our need for affordable housing, and lack thereof, in San Mateo County and my concerns about this. What if there were a way to permanently change this issue? What - The Ugly R Word Has Raised It's Head at Inman. Why Should You Care? Let Me Count The Ways!
The Big discussion yesterday at the Inman Real Estate Connect was, and is the Housing Debate. This discussion was made up of a panel of four real estate experts and moderated by Andrew Ross Sorkin, the Assistant Editor of Business & Finance with The York Times. - It's Official San Mateo County. The R Word Has Been Said. Will It Affect Us?
We’re in New York City right now attending the Inman Real Estate Connect where we’ve learned about what other real estate bloggers are doing and then what the big guys of the real estate industry - 94404. Foster City? San Mateo? Who Really Belongs to This Zip Code?
Last week, the Vice Mayor of Foster City, John Kiramis, wrote an op ed peice in the San Mateo Daily Journal that rang a chord with me. Foster City shares a zip code with San Mateo - If You Can Qualify, San Mateo County Has Assistance to Help You Buy a Home.
San Mateo County, as well as the rest of the counties throughout the state of California, has home ownership programs that can help lower and moderate income families buy a home. - San Mateo County Real Estate Bliss? Maybe if You Squint Your Eyes a Bit!
Winter Bliss in Tahoe! What is a better scene then a clear blue sky and clean white snow blanketing the countryside? We’re here in the Tahoe basin, really in the outskirts - Buying a Home In San Mateo County? Do You Know What Supplemental Property Taxes Are? You'd Better.
When you buy property in California your property taxes are determined by the sale price. Generally, the new property tax bill will be around 1.25% of that sales price. Part of your closing costs include pre-paying your property taxes - Do You Understand What Affordable Housing Is In San Mateo County?
Several years ago I was part of a community group discussing affordable housing in San Mateo County. What was most interesting to me was how many people participating had no idea what affordable housing meant. They made some pretty wild assumptions - Thinking About Buying in 2008? Here’s What NOT To Do This Holiday Season.
As the year comes to an end, people generally pick up their spending because, after all, they want to be generous to their family and friends, right? - Do Houses Get Sold in the Last 3 Weeks of the Year in San Mateo?
EEK, the year 2997 will end in 3 weeks! Does anyone buy a house during this time? Well yes, they do and if you are in the market to buy a home, it’s a great time to do it. - Real Estate Is a Funny Business in Burlingame
Real Estate is a funny business and I don’t mean it sarcastically but literally. It’s a very easy business to enter. Take some classes, take a test, pass it, get a license from the state, and put the license with a broker and you can say you’re in Real Estate. But, ah ha, are you? - Foster City, Do You Want a Charter High School or Performing Arts Center?
The last parcel of land left in Foster City is going to be developed with mixed use housing and possible retail. There is still a 2 acre parcel that will either house a charter high school or possibly a performing arts center. If you live in Foster City, which would you like to see built? - Start Your Weekend Off With Music in San Mateo
We like to bill ourselves as the Singing Realtors because we are members of the Foster City Community Chorus. Our holiday concerts are this weekend at Transfiguration Church in San Mateo. - Real Estate Has Ebbs and Flows Even Here in San Mateo County
Real estate, like many other industries, has ebbs and flows of the market. As we enter the final month of the year we are in one of the slow periods for buying and selling homes. San Mateo County’s real estate market has slowed down. - San Mateo County Market Overview YTD
I was asked to take a look inside my crystal ball today and try and guess what the market is going to be doing next fall. I tapped my magic wands furiously on both crystal balls and try as I might, I wasn’t able to give the kind of answer I know he wanted. Unfortunately there are too many outside forces - Living In Foster City, We Have Much To Be Thankful For Today
It’s trite. Everyone says the same thing, that we have much to be thankful for today, yet it is true. We are so lucky to live in San Mateo County where we have generally been spared - All Real Estate Is Local Especially in San Mateo County
I know you’ve heard that saying, - Are You New to San Mateo County? Here’s How Buying a House Works Here.
If you are new to California, and especially to San Mateo County, buying a house here is likely going to be a different experience than what you’ve experienced in your old state. - San Mateo Homes May Need Flood Insurance Soon
Some time in early 2008, FEMA is going to release new flood maps for San Mateo County. So what, you say? Well, if you live in certain areas of - Does San Mateo Have The Highest Prices For Gas Anywhere?
The other day I was driving on El Camino Real in San Mateo. At the corner of 20th Avenue and El Camino sits a Shell Station with perhaps the highest prices for gas in the entire city, if not the county, if not the state! - It’s Time To Buy A Home in San Mateo County.
San Mateo County has had a shortage of housing for as long as I can remember. I’ve lived around here all of my life, and I certainly remember when building was going on everywhere, but that’s not been the case for years. Sure, we read about possible new - San Mateo County, Should You Buy Earthquake Insurance or Chance It?
Tuesday evenings quake has people thinking about earthquake safety again. It’s not exactly a subject most of us want to keep top of mind, because franking earthquakes can be scary affairs. - This Was Not Just a Test! Quakes Are Real. Are you Ready?
Okay, Folks, the quake we all felt tonight was a precursor to The Big One. Are you ready? My bet is your answer is - San Carlos’ Market Update
San Carlos is the final mid-peninsula city we are going to talk about this week. It’s a charming town between Belmont and Redwood City. What I like so much about San Carlos - Belmont’s Market Update
Belmont is the second to last of our seven cities. It, too, is now a Cool Buyer’s Market. The median price of $948,000 was reflected over 51 homes for sale. - Foster City’s Market Update
Foster_City_10.15.pngFoster City, like the others I’ve reported about this week is also now a Cool Buyer’s Market. The Median price for homes on the market last week was $1,264,444. Foster City has top rated schools with three elementary schools and one intermediate school. - San Mateo’s Market Update
San Mateo is the largest of our local cities and has four zip codes that Altos Research follows for us. For the sake of simplicity I am focusing on their combined report but I’ll talk about each zip a little bit as I go along. - Hillsborough’s Market Update
We are beginning to see that the trend is continuing. Hillsborough is also a Cool Buyer’s Market. This is our local community with the highest median price for a single family home, $3,299,000. - Burlingame’s Market Update
The City of Burlingame, like it’s northern sister Millbrae, is also a Cool Buyer’s market. With 88 houses for sale and a median price of $1,495,000 one might think prices would be dropping, but alas it’s no such thing. - Millbrae’s Market Update
Well, it’s official. Millbrae is a Warm Buyer’s Market. Last week the median priced home for sale in Millbrae was $1,095,000. Prices eased down a little bit but it’s not expected that we’ll see much lowering of this median, so it’s a good time to buy if you are serious. - Preparation Before the Disaster Is Critical For You And Your Family
As I write this, Southern California is burning with 12 separate fires. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed and likely many hundred more will follow over the next couple of days. Are you prepared for the next disaster that could happen to you? It could be a fire, earthquake, flood or some other thing and are you ready? - How Do You Determine What Your House Is Worth?
Okay, it’s all over the press this week. San Mateo County has finally joined in the price decline. Hum. Maybe yes, and maybe no. There is still a shortage of housing in San Mateo County, especially in the mid-county area where we work, Millbrae, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo, Foster City, Belmont and San Carlos. Everything is just about filled in so if you want to live here you pay the piper. - Understanding Condominium and PUD Ownership
When I show property to new clients in Foster City or Redwood Shores they are often surprised to see HOA dues for single family homes. I would like to republish in this post some information North American Title provided to us earlier this week that does a great job of explaining why Home Owners Associations exist for single family homes. - Figure Out Your Debt Ratio On Your Own
Lenders today generally use two standard guidelines to determine how much of a monthly mortgage payment you can afford and what your debt ratio is. The first guideline is that your household should spend no more than 28 percent of its gross monthly income (before taxes) on monthly housing expenses, including: mortgage principal and interest, hazard insurance, real estate taxes and private mortgage insurance, if applicable. - Come By on Sunday and Say Hello and 623 Viewridge Dr.
This coming Sunday will the second Open House for our new listing at 623 Viewridge Drive in Pacifica. If you are searching for a large family home close to San Francisco look no further. - Come See Our Other Listing on Sunday in Millbrae
When you’re out and about on Sunday, we have a great listing for you to see at 7 Fairview Place in Millbrae. If the sun is out and shinhing the views will take your breath away as you watch the planes take off from SFO, and see Mount Diablo in the background. - We’re Moving! Now What?
Congratulations on the purchase of your new home! Now, for the next challenge: moving. Ive talked about how to go through all of your “stuff” and pare things down and out here. Hold that Garage Sale for the final clearance, see here on tips for that. - Color, Color Everywhere. What Were They Thinking?
It is said that most people make a snap judgment about something within 10 seconds of first seeing it. That especially goes for reactions to houses. You either like it or you don’t. Color choices in houses can be a real turn off to people. I think everyone has seen rooms in bright, obnoxious colors and wondered, - Here’s Your Fall Check-List of To-do’s This Week.
As the days grow shorter in the Fall season, Daylight Savings time will end one week later than we are used to, on November 4th so before it comes it’s time to finish up those last few to-do’s on your list. - Hey It’s Fall and Time to Clean Those Vents!
It’s Fall and the weather is moving towards cooler nights and mornings. It’s almost time for the furnace to be put back into use as winter approaches. Did you know that it’s time to have the vents cleaned out if you haven’t done it within the past 3 years? Yup, those vents are loaded with dirt and dust and impede the furnace from working correctly. - Tips For New Home Owners - Organization
The move is over. The boxes have been broken down and are stacked in the garage. And the mess is loosely organized meaning the stuff is in the right room but not really put away. There really are ways to make this easier than you think! It’s called organization. So take a deep breath, let it out, and get started in organizing your new home. - Paper Paper Everywhere. Help I’m Drowning in Paper!
If you’re like me, you are drowning in paper both at home and in your office space. Paper, paper everywhere. At home we have stacks and stacks of paper in the kitchen, family room and our office. What is it all and why do we need it? Well, we really don’t need most of it and with a few tips we should be able to reduce the paper load substantially. - Less Is More When You’re Space Challenged
San Mateo County homes generally lack a great deal of square footage so space is always an issue. Yesterday I wrote the first five hints to help you in your clutter removal tasks. I have five more hits to help you in your quest to pair down your junk into use able items of value in your life. Believe me, I am following these same rules, because I, too, have too much junk in my life. Read more about my comments about space here. - Space Issues? Less Is More.
Last week I talked about space and whether we really need huge houses. It’s not that big an issue here in our area where most homes built before the 1990’s were modest in size comparing to other parts of the county. So most of us have Space Issues. Did you know that in the 1950’s the average woman only had 4 pairs of shoes? Wow, what a change today! They say that the average number of shoes in the closet for women today is 27 pairs and many women own up to 50 . Add in the men, who average 12 pairs plus the women’s handbags, upwards of 10 and you have a Space Issue. Old homes do not have closet space. What to do? - What are My Escrow Fees Likely to Be?
Today I have a guest posting by Ellen Sanders, Vice President and Branch Manager of Old Republic Title Company in Burlingame. Ellen has been an Escrow Officer for many years and is answering the question I posed to her, - What’s the Best ROI on Flooring?
If you have an older home and are considering selling it within the next year or so, you are liekly already considering what ROI’s are best in preparing your home for that future sale. - Zillow Has Competition? Yes, Do Check it Out.
I’m asked quiet often about Zillow and their property valuations. Most of the time I laugh when I’m asked this question because the data is generally wrong. It’s either too high, or too low, but very rarely correct. Now it’s really not Zillow’s fault since they comb public records for their data and unless a property has changed hands recently they are only - It’s Getting to be Like Old Times….20% Down, Please!
We are approaching the end of the year, yup, Q3 is just about over, and then the year winds down with Q4. Did you know that there might be a way to find some much needed money to buy a house with the help of your family? If you have the income to pay a monthly mortgage on a house plus the insurance and taxes but don’t quite have enough cash to put 20% down, read on. - If You Hurry You Can See the Dickens House Early!
Every year the parents of St. Matthews Episcopal Day School in San Mateo run Dickens House. It is generally held in a Hillsborough mansion that a group of designers have redone and then the parents fill the house with unusual gifts and Christmas goodied for the public to buy. It’s always a great hit with the locals. Tickets always sell out and the lines are long.
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I know you’ve heard that saying, - Are You New to San Mateo County? Here’s How Buying a House Works Here.
If you are new to California, and especially to San Mateo County, buying a house here is likely going to be a different experience than what you’ve experienced in your old state. - How Do You Determine What Your House Is Worth?
Okay, it’s all over the press this week. San Mateo County has finally joined in the price decline. Hum. Maybe yes, and maybe no. There is still a shortage of housing in San Mateo County, especially in the mid-county area where we work, Millbrae, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo, Foster City, Belmont and San Carlos. Everything is just about filled in so if you want to live here you pay the piper. - Figure Out Your Debt Ratio On Your Own
Lenders today generally use two standard guidelines to determine how much of a monthly mortgage payment you can afford and what your debt ratio is. The first guideline is that your household should spend no more than 28 percent of its gross monthly income (before taxes) on monthly housing expenses, including: mortgage principal and interest, hazard insurance, real estate taxes and private mortgage insurance, if applicable. - Color, Color Everywhere. What Were They Thinking?
It is said that most people make a snap judgment about something within 10 seconds of first seeing it. That especially goes for reactions to houses. You either like it or you don’t. Color choices in houses can be a real turn off to people. I think everyone has seen rooms in bright, obnoxious colors and wondered,
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