This is the first time I have ever seen someone actually pumping gas at this station. This gas station has the highest gas prices in the entire San Francisco Bay Area! … (13 comments)
san mateo real estate news: It's the Annual Lineup at Baywood School!
- 01/31/08 02:04 PM
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 coveted 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 kindergarteners. It has become such a spectacle that the local television stations come down from San Francisco to shoot the story and air it. I … (2 comments)
san mateo real estate news: I Saw My First Blossoms on a Tree in Burlingame Today!
- 01/17/08 06:12 PM
I saw my first blossoms out today while driving up Truesdale Blvd. in Burlingame. I always get excited when I see them, and today it was the Tulip Magnolia popping out in flower. Wow, it's the middle of January and spring flowers are beginning to come out and it's one of my very favorite trees in blossom first, too. For those of you living in other parts of the country, this is not unusual. It is not because of Global Warming. It is quite normal for our part of the world. In fact, I expect to see more blossoms on trees … (4 comments)
san mateo real estate news: Do You Know What Affordable Housing Is In San Mateo County?
- 12/16/07 06:54 PM
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 and generally that meant that it was ghetto housing. As the two days concluded, it was really reassuring to see some dramatic changes in the understanding of what it was. In short, in San Mateo County, affordable housing means something the average person can buy, a house for under $500,000! Well under. It takes a lot of income to … (1 comments)
san mateo real estate news: Thinking About Buying in 2008? Here's What NOT To Do This Holiday Season.
- 12/12/07 06:51 PM
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? Reconsider if you're at all thinking of buying a new house next year. Yes, there is plenty of money available for mortgages but only if you have stellar credit, so pay cash for your gifts, and keep to a budget because you don't want to regret your gifting. Here's what not to do if you're thinking about buying a house in the early part of 2008. Don't buy a new car on credit. Wait until … (5 comments)
san mateo real estate news: Do Houses Get Sold in the Last 3 Weeks of the Year in San Mateo?
- 12/10/07 06:05 PM
EEK, the year 2007 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. But, if your house is for sale, don't forget to keep it looking Just Right, because your future buyer just might be out there. And looking. It is not unheard of an offer coming in on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or even New Year's Eve. We don't usually see too many new listings come on the MLS the final weeks of the … (2 comments)
san mateo real estate news: Real Estate is a Funny Business in Burlingame
- 12/05/07 09:21 AM
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? The school you might have gone to in order to learn the stuff needed to pass the test really teaches you nothing about the business. And yes, this is a business and finally we're seeing it run more like one in many brokerages. Why am … (1 comments)
san mateo real estate news: Foster City, Do You Want a Charter High School or a Performing Arts Center?
- 12/02/07 06:39 PM
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? Foster City is the only city outside of Hillsborough in the San Mateo Union High School District without a high school. The 16 acres of land between Shell Blvd. and Foster City Blvd. that is to be developed is exactly where a high school was originally to … (1 comments)
san mateo real estate news: Real Estate Has Ebbs and Flows Even in San Mateo County
- 11/29/07 01:43 AM
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. We are seeing fewer homes coming on the market and fewer people at open houses. Sure, there are serious buyers out there and for those who want or need to buy a new home this is really a great time to do it. Altos Research has placed all of our 7 cities, Millbrae, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo, Foster … (2 comments)
san mateo real estate news: San Mateo County Market Overview YTD
- 11/26/07 12:46 PM
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 coming to a collision course between now and then and that's not factoring in a presidential election. So, all holds are barred. San Mateo County, and specifically my 7 cities, Millbrae, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo, Foster City, Belmont and San … (0 comments)
san mateo real estate news: Living In Foster City, We Have Much To Be Thankful For Today
- 11/21/07 07:07 PM
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 from the huge real estate losses that other parts of California, Arizona, Michigan, and Florida are experiencing. We live in a county with only so many homes, and not much land left to build new ones on. We pay a price for that for sure, but in doing so, we are fortunate to see our house values hold pretty steady. Alex and I live in … (3 comments)
san mateo real estate news: All Real Estate Is Local Escpecially in San Mateo County
- 11/19/07 12:28 PM
I know you've heard that saying, "All Real Estate is Local" many times and in San Mateo County and especially in Burlingame and Hillsborough it's really so. Lately, all media screams out at us on a daily basis how bad investing in real estate is and that everyone is being hurt by the sub-prime mess. Guess what? That just isn't the case. Sure there are some areas of San Mateo County that truly are in trouble because of the sub-prime mess but certainly not Burlingame or Hillsborough. The prices haven't dipped a bit all year. <!--{PS..0}--> Let me give you … (0 comments)
san mateo real estate news: Are You New to San Mateo County? Here's How Buying a House Works Here.
- 11/18/07 06:40 PM
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. To begin with we do not use lawyers in the buying and selling process. In our area, Northern California, the Title and Escrow Company is the key to everything that we do once a contract has been ratified. Once your offer has been accepted by the seller, your good faith deposit check is deposited into an escrow account. The Escrow company is the holder of all funds that you must … (3 comments)
san mateo real estate news: Many San Mateo County Homes May Need Flood Insurance Soon
- 11/13/07 06:52 PM
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 San Mateo and Redwood Shores you should worry because if, as expected, FEMA says you are in a flood plain, you will be required to have flood insurance. And yes, I did say required. No options here, you will have to purchase it and baby, it's expensive. Part of San Mateo, North Shoreview to be exact, is already considered to be within a flood zone. What's expected is that the rest of San … (1 comments)
san mateo real estate news: Does San Mateo Have The Highest Prices For Gas Anywhere?
- 11/12/07 06:40 PM
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! I hope you can see the sign because it says $4.15 for regular, $4.27 for mid-grade and $4.39 for supreme. I had to take a picture of the price sign because you wouldn't believe me if I told you this without proof. We must be setting some kind of record here. Now, this is the one and … (2 comments)
san mateo real estate news: It's Time To Buy A Home in San Mateo County
- 11/11/07 06:47 PM
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 subdivisions being built periodically. There's talk about one in Redwood City, along the bay. In San Mateo, once Bay Meadows shuts down, there are plans for a large mixed use community of homes, townhouses, apartments, businesses and parks. Redwood Shores may see one last open space developed, too. But these are all years … (2 comments)
san mateo real estate news: This Was NOT Just a Test! Quakes Are Real. Are You Ready?
- 10/30/07 06:37 PM
Okay, Folks, if you live in San Mateo County, the quake we all felt tonight was a precursor to The Big One. Are you ready? My bet is your answer is "no". This wasn't a test to see how you're doing. Earthquakes are real and they cause enormous damage to property and our nerves. So, what are you waiting for? What we do know is that more quakes are sure to come and it's so easy to be prepared if you take the time. This quake was on the Calavaras Fault. It's been about 20 years since the last quake rattled … (3 comments)
san mateo real estate news: San Carlos CA 94070 Market Update
- 10/29/07 06:11 PM
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 is its downtown which is filled with locally owned shops and restaurants. The train station, sitting along El Camino Real, was built in the late 1800's and is a wonderful landmark for the city. Like the six other cities I've written about this past week, they too are at the Cool Buyer's level in our Altos Research report. The median price of homes for sale last week was at … (0 comments)
san mateo real estate news: Belmont CA 94002 Market Update
- 10/28/07 01:59 PM
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. Belmont is a small communities sitting between San Mateo and San Carlos, generally up in the hills. There are some fabulous views from some of these homes and of course, the better the view, the more the house costs. Belmont is the home to Notre Dame de Namur University, a private Catholic co-ed university in the heart of the town. The Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School District has four elementary schools and one … (5 comments)
san mateo real estate news: Foster City CA 94404 Market Update
- 10/27/07 07:46 PM
Foster 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. Like Hillsborough, there is no high school in the city so the kids can select from any of the San Mateo Union High School District high schools, and they generally pick either Hillsdale, Aragon, or San Mateo. And like Hillsborough, Foster City shares a zip code with another community, 94404 in San Mateo. There were only 16 … (0 comments)
Commenting primarily on seven cities on the San Francisco Peninsula where I live, work and play. I believe that education about the real estate process is key in my desire to help people find their next home.
If you are looking for research data about a community I write about, I have it. If you have questions about how to buy a home for the first time, I like answering those questions and educating you about real estate.
Are you considering a Divorce in your life? Don't do it without talking to me first because there are huge financial ramifications to keeping the family home. You need to talk to a Realtor before talking to an attorney in order to protect yourself. Want more info about why? Read my blog.
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