Where to Watch Fireworks in San Mateo County?

Foster City Fireworks Every year since I can remember, Foster City has been the main city in San Mateo County to host a fireworks show. This year, the fireworks will start at 9:30pm and can be viewed from Leo Ryan Park and from strategic locations in the hills of Belmont, San Carlos and Redwood City. Looking for something to do during the day? Foster City has an entire day of festivities planned. Starting at 8am at the Island United Church, there will be a Pancake Breakfast, followed by a Family Parade at 11:05am at the Shell Blvd. Entrance of the ...

Real Estate Myth Busted: I Need to Find the Right House Before I Apply for a Home Loan

Fact: The loan amount guides the process and should be the first step in the home buying process, before looking for a home. Before you begin looking for homes, it is a good idea to meet with a San Mateo Mortgage Advisor to analyze your financial situation and determine how much you can afford. When you meet with your loan professional, they will look at your assets, income and credit history and help you structure a loan program that is best suited for you at this point in your life. I Already Spoke with Someone over the Phone and was Pre-Qualified…Is ...

Water Dog Lake Park Improvement Project

Currently, the trail at Water Dog Lake Park is so close to the waterline of Water Dog Lake, parts of it is unusable to hikers during wet weather. However, thanks to several volunteers and Belmont Parks and Recreation staff, the existing trail loop is being realigned 15 feet above the high waterline. The trail will also be widened to accommodate strollers and attempt to maintain a steady grade. The existing trail will be re-vegetated to improve the quality of the wetlands. The project will also will attempt to minimize water quality impacts due to hikers walking in ...

LivingWellinSanMateo Named One of the Best San Francisco Bay Area’s Real Estate Blogs

Relocation.com, the largest online marketplace connecting consumers who are moving to professionals that can best service their needs, evaluated San Francisco Bay Area real estate agent’s blogs in the San Francisco Bay Area. Six blogs made the list and….LivingWellinSanMateo.com was one of them! What Categories Were Considered? The folks at Relocation.com sought out to find hyper local real estate blogs that provided information about neighborhoods, market data and published explanatory real estate articles about current, relevant topics like foreclosures. What Did Relocation.com Have to Say About LivingWellinSanMateo? Living Well in San Mateo from Raymond Stoklosa, Rebecca Williamson, and Chris Williamson does a ...

True or False: Banks Don’t Have to Provide Disclosures

False! We are about two years into the housing market correction, and we still hear REO Listing Agents tell us that banks and their asset managers do not have to provide disclosures. They say the bank is exempt because they acquired the property through foreclosure. What is the Only Disclosure Banks Do Not Have to Provide? In California, the fact is the only disclosure the bank does not have to provide is the Seller Transfer Disclosure Statement known in the business as the TDS-14. This is the mandated seller disclosure form created by the State Legislature. What Must Be Disclosed to the ...

July 11th: First Time Home Buyer Seminar

You are just starting to hear it in the news and you may have read it in our May 2009 San Mateo real estate price report…San Mateo real estate is starting to resurge! The homes in good locations, served by good schools and priced right are selling quickly. Some are even seeing multiple offers. Though we aren’t seeing the crazy overbids of years past, San Mateo County homes are selling. What Does this Mean to You? If you are a San Mateo first time home buyer, you may only have a small window of opportunity left to buy San ...

15 Questions to Ask Before Making an Offer on a Short Sale in San Mateo

Could the Inevitable Rise in San Mateo Mortgage Interest Rates Wipe Out Your Advantage?

If you read our May 2009 San Mateo Real Estate Price Report, you’ve seen the data. We may have already hit the bottom in San Mateo County real estate prices. If you’ve been following the news lately, you’ve also noticed interest rates have started to creep up. What does this Mean for San Mateo First Time Home Buyers? Those of you still on the fence about buying a San Mateo home let me help you understand the effects of interest rate and home price fluctuations. As home prices have been going down, interest rates hit records lows about 3 ...

May 2009 San Mateo County MarketWATCH

A Positive Trend in San Mateo County Real Estate Established A dramatic spike in the number of newly initiated single family home sales, called pending sales, in San Mateo County is reported for May, 2009. The number of pending home sales, 749, exceeded the number of new listings, 568 brought onto the market by 24.2% based on data released by the Multiple Listing Service. This is the second straight month that the number of pending sales exceeded the number of new listings. April 2009 data shows 684 pending sales versus 649 new listings. With May, 2009 sales volume over ...

Belmont Makes #11 on Forbes’ Top Towns to Live Well

  Our own hometown of Belmont, CA made #11 on Forbes’ Top 25 Towns in America to Live Well published last month. With a population of 24,625 and a median income of $102,466, Belmont received high scores in the emerging businesses category and has attracted $878 per capita in venture funding according to the report. Belmont also scored in the top 25% of towns with its number of bars and restaurants. (Some of our favorites include The Iron Gate, The Vans and Caprino's. Why Didn’t Belmont Make the Top 10? Although the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) scored Belmont high ...

What is a Trustee Sale Requiring Court Approval?

  What is a Trustee Sale Requiring Court Approval? Occasionally, you may come across a property listed for sale that is a trustee sale requiring court approval. The term “trustee sale” can be a bit confusing since the same phrase “trustee’s sale” is used when a Trustee sells a property in foreclosure. In today’s context, trustee’s sale refers to a Probate sale conducted by a Judge at the Superior Court in the County where the property is located. What Does this Mean? When a trustee sale (Probate) requires court approval, the court has final say in who will purchase the property. ...

Real Estate Myth Busted: I’ll Get the Best Deal if I Call the Agent Listed on the For Sale Sign

Won't I Save Money Using the Listing Agent? One of the longest running myths in real estate perpetrated by Listing Agent’s is the buyer can pay less money for the house by buying directly through the Listing Agent than when represented by their own agent. Since the Listing Agent has a legal and ethical duty to get the highest price, the best terms, the fastest sale with the fewest problems for the seller, how can a buyer expect those same benefits working through the Listing Agent? How Does It Work? Here’s how it works. When a property is listed for sale, ...

June 6th Home Buyer Seminar: How to Buy Foreclosures

REOs, foreclosures and short sales have generated quite a buzz in the media and among San Mateo County home buyers lately. Are these properties really all they are cracked up to be? Why You Must Attend if You Are a San Mateo County Home Buyer Join us at this San Mateo home buyer seminar where to learn The differences between REOs, foreclosures and short sales The process for buying a short sale, foreclosure or REO (because it isn’t the same as buying a house from a traditional seller) How to finance an REO, foreclosure or short sale The risks associated with these complex transactions How to ...

Neighborhood Spotlight: Belmont’s Hallmark Neighborhood

Where is Hallmark? Hallmark is located at the top of the hill on Ralston Ave and is one of the better neighborhoods in Belmont. The main street entering the neighborhood is Hallmark Drive. Hallmark is situated near the 280 corridor and is surrounded by open space. However, even though the freeway is just over the hilltop, there is minimal freeway noise. What are Hallmark’s Amenities? The Hallmark neighborhood in Belmont has a lot to offer its residents. First of all, the lot sizes are large and the San Francisco views from the homes at the top of the hill are spectacular. ...

Want a Little Extra Piece of Mind to Buy in 2009?

In an effort to give first time home buyers extra piece of mind for first time home buyers who are hesitant to enter the housing market for fears of potential job loss, the California Association of Realtors®’ Housing Affordability Fund launched a mortgage protection plan. Santa Clara and San Mate County first time home buyers who lose their jobs due to layoffs may be eligible to receive up to $1,500 per month for six months to help make their mortgage payments. Co-borrowers can also participate and receive up to $750 per month for up to six months. Who is Eligible? To be eligible ...