Not Sure Which Belmont Neighborhood is Right for You?
Check out our Belmont Neighborhood Guide
We got such positive feedback from our San Mateo Neighborhood Guide, we decided to dive into Belmont. Belmont is one of the more desirable cities on the peninsula for families because of their top notch schools.
Belmont has more of a Village Feel
If you're looking for urban living, Belmont may not be the city for you. Though there are shopping and restaurants conveniently located to all Belmont neighborhoods, one shopping complex on each side of the city and one in the middle, very few locations are walkable and none are considered “downtown.”
Looking ...
Central Park San Mateo
San Mateo's Central Park
Central Park in San Mateo has something for everyone. Picnic grounds, playground, train, baseball/softball field, Japanese Tea Garden, Arboretum Society and tennis courts are just some of the amenities you'll find.
Where is Central Park?
Central Park is bordered by 5th Ave and 9th Ave and Laurel Ave and El Camino Real in San Mateo, CA.
View Central Park San Mateo CA in a larger map
Central Park has several playgrounds with all sorts of equipment. Slides, monkey bars, play structures and plenty of space for the kids to run around. There are also plenty of benches and ...
San Mateo Homes Between $700k – $800k
San Mateo Homes Priced Between $700,000 and $800,000
The majority of San Mateo homes priced between $700,000 and $800,000 will be in three San Mateo neighborhoods: Westwood Knolls,
Brittan Heights Condos San Carlos
Brittan Heights condos are located at the top of Brittan Ave in the San Carlos hills. It is quite a large complex, with 433 units, covering several blocks on a few different streets. Most of the units are apartment style, one level condominiums, but there are a few two story townhouses mixed in.
What About Brittan Heights' HOA?
Brittan Height's Homeowners Association is a professionally managed association by a local company in San Jose, which is a huge plus for a complex of this size. From what our past clients who've moved to Brittan Heights have told us, the ...
Cost of San Mateo Home Ownership Will Soon Decrease
Flood Insurance Required for Homes in FEMA Flood Zones
When a home is in a FEMA designated “Flood Zone” home owners who have a mortgage loan are required to purchase flood insurance, which can be pretty expensive. But, if you can't afford to pay cash for the house, it is the only way the lender will finance the property.
Several San Mateo Homes are in Designated Flood Zones
A lot of people don't realize that many parts of the City of San Mateo are designated flood areas and require flood insurance. However, that may change soon!
Construction of New San ...
Home Selling Tips for Increasing Value
In my last post, we gave you some tips for improving curb appeal to increase home value for improving the look of the outside before selling your home. Today, we'll take a look inside.
Tips for Increasing Home Value
Here are some improvements you can make to the inside of your house to increase value.
Front Door – a new front door instantly enhances your home’s appearance; it invites buyers in.
Window treatments – whether its elegant draperies or easy valances attractive window treatments offer accents that soften the rough edges around window openings.
Upgrade inefficient windows – trade in old, energy squandering windows ...
San Mateo Homes Between $600k and $700k
What Can I Expect to Buy in San Mateo Between $600,000-$700,000?
You're Looking at Two San Mateo Neighborhoods
Currently in the City of San Mateo there are 18 single family homes for sale priced between $600,000 and $700,000; 12 homes are located east of El Camino Real and west of Highway 101. The majority can be found in 2 neighborhoods: Sunnybrae and Fiesta Gardens. Both neighborhoods offer similar convenience to shopping and transportation, yet they have their distinctions.
San Mateo Neighborhood #1: Sunnybrae
Sunnybrae’s population is about 3,100 people living in roughly a ½ mile square. The recently remodeled Sunnybrae Elementary School scored ...
Hallmark Belmont Homeowners Association Meeting
January 2010 Meeting Minutes
Lt Daly from the Belmont Police Department joined our meeting and gave an update on the Al Korn murder case. Tyer Hutchinson is now in San Mateo County Jail and is expected to be arraigned on Thursday Jan 21st.
Hallmark Traffic Study Update
Lt Daly also updated us on the traffic study that was done on Hallmark Drive and Benson Way after a resident of Hallmark Drive complained of speeding and safety in the area especially at school drop off and pick up times. He advised us that the administration at Fox School has also expressed ...
How Markets are Affected by Foreclosures
The Tale of Two Markets
The local real estate market – any market area – is really the story of two categories of homes. The first is the traditional, conventional market of homes for sale, and the second is the distress marketplace of homes owned by people in the midst of a financial crisis. Foreclosure markets move through their cycle at a much faster rate than the traditional real estate market. A period of intense activity can change abruptly and a period of virtually no activity can suddenly spike to an intense level. In either event what you believed to be ...
20 Most Expensive San Mateo Homes Sold in 2009
Fewer Luxury San Mateo Homes Sold in 2009
The luxury San Mateo real estate market saw a significant drop off in the number of homes sold over $2,000,000 in 2009. Compared to 2008's 367 homes sold, 2007's 473 homes sold, 2006's 453 homes sold and 2005's 499 homes sold, 2009's 251 homes sold for more than $2 million dollars is quite a drop off.
San Mateo's Most Expensive Real Estate
However, some pricey San Mateo County homes did sell for the original list price in 2009, though most sold for less, some much less, than the original list price. Most ...
8 Critical Factors Affecting the Real Estate Market in 2010 Part II
Yesterday, we showed you the first 4 of our 8 critical factors affecting the San Mateo real estate market in 2010. Today, we're going to give you the rest.
The Final 4
Climbing Interest Rates
Stricter FHA and Fannie Mae Underwriting Rules
Rising Foreclosure Levels
Loan Modifications Fail
Climbing Interest Rates
The cycle aberration of 5% money ends and by the 2nd quarter of 2010. San Mateo mortgage interest rates will begin to rise and the days of cheap money will be a historical footnote. Buyers who hold fast to the notion that rates will drop again will lose that bet. For buyers, this means ...
8 Critical Factors Affecting the Real Estate Market in 2010 Part I
The 2010 San Mateo County Housing Market will present challenges and opportunities as never before to home buyers, home sellers and real estate investors. Here’s how we see the 2010 San Mateo County real estate market.
The First 4
Today, we'll give you the first four of our 8 critical factors affecting the San Mateo real estate market in 2010.
Bi-Focal Market Persists
Upper End Price Tier Correction
Cash Rich Investors
Tax Credit Deflated
San Mateo is a Bi-Focal Market
The San Mateo County (CA) housing market is a tale of unique two markets. In the most vigorous segment, we find home buyers and investors competing for the ...
11 Most Common Reasons Short Sales Fail to Close Escrow
San Mateo Short Sale Reality – Can Take 3-9 Months to Complete IF they Close
Short sales occur when the homeowner sells a San Mateo home for less than the mortgage balance owed with the lender’s approval and their agreement to accept a short payoff. A short sale may be the right solution – but not the only solution - for homeowners who are unable to make their mortgage payment due to a personal hardship, such as, job loss, divorce, serious illness or medical expenses and involuntary employment relocation that significantly depletes the borrower’s assets. However, many home owners and home buyers are ...
10 Questions Every Condo Owner Should Ask HOA Before Selling
10 Questions Every Seller Should Ask the HOA before Selling a San Mateo Condo is a guide for condominium owners to facilitate the sale of their condo. Selling a condominium is more complicated than selling a single family home. A single family home sale is simply the land and everything attached to it.
With a Condo, 3 Things are Sold
The UNIT itself, the place the owner lives
A set of EASEMENTS controlling the use of the common property
A PROPORTIONATE INTEREST in the common property governed by the business entity called the Homeowner’s Association (HOA)
Which of These 3 Can Be the Biggest Impediment?
It’s the ...
4 Biggest Mistakes when Buying Bank Owned Homes
The 4 Biggest Mistakes When Buying Bank Owned Homes in San Mateo County
The San Mateo County real estate market, while not deluged with bank owned homes has had its fair share based upon household income, demographic make-up and employment base. Buying bank owned homes in San Mateo County can be tricky and a unique set of rules apply. Still, profit opportunities exist.
How to Improve Your Chances of Success when Buying Bank Owned Homes in San Mateo County
To improve your chances of success when buying bank owned homes in San Mateo County, pay attention to these four buying blunders.
#1: ...
20 Questions to Ask Before Buying a San Mateo Condo
Buying a condominium in San Mateo involves asking lots of questions…and getting the answers.
Who is Best Suited for San Mateo Condo Living?
Buying a condominium is a great way for young families to get into the San Mateo real estate market. It’s also a good option for empty nesters or anyone wanting to downsize and rid themselves of the hands on aspects of home maintenance.
San Mateo Condos are Usually More Affordable than Single Family Homes
San Mateo condos tend to be more affordable overall and the chronic shortage of single family houses in San Mateo means that condominiums may be a viable ...
20 Questions Every Seller Should Ask About a Buyer Before Accepting an Offer
20 Questions Every Home Seller Should Ask About The Buyer is a tool to help San Mateo home sellers understand the likelihood that the buyer will actually close escrow in a timely manner.
Buyers and Realtors are Conditioned to Question the Seller
San Mateo home buyers and Realtors representing the buyer are told to ask of the seller: Why are you selling? Where are you going? When do you have to move? How much do you owe the bank?
Shouldn’t sellers know comparable things about the buyer before accepting an offer from a buyer who may not have the ability to perform or ...
Need to Sell? Tips for Making Your Condo the Best Value
The San Mateo County Condo Market is Still Very Competitive
The San Mateo County, California Condominium Market is very competitive for a seller in what is still Buyer’s Market for most condominium price points. There are a couple of things you can and should do before trying to sell your San Mateo County condo to help put yours at the top of a buyers list.
Position Your San Mateo County Condo as One of the Best Values on the Market
Make sure your San Mateo County condo looks great. Put all systems and components in good repair and improve its ...
It’s Not a Bubble – It’s a Balloon!
My 2009 San Mateo County Real Estate Prediction
In five years we’ll look back and say to ourselves: “I wish I bought more San Mateo County real estate in 2009.”
People Want to Live in San Mateo County
Face it, California is growing. People want to live here – particularly San Mateo County. There is a powerful ongoing migration from the less desirable areas such as the “rust belt” to the less harsh areas in the west and south. People will always chase job opportunities, comfort, convenience and perceived lifestyle improvements.
Real Estate Values Have Continued to Rise Over ...
The Professionals’ Guide to Buying a Home
I love the concept of a blog, it's a great way to get information pushed out quickly to the people the need it, but I see its limitations as well. So, I've put together the Professionals' Guide to San Mateo Home Buying , a new booklet that summarizes our best tips and tricks to buying a home when you are strapped for time (and money).
Most of my clients are young professionals who are excellent candidates for buying a home, and have been for awhile, but are just too busy with work, kids, and their lives to take the time to ...
Raymond Stoklosa, Broker/Co-Owner
Chela Stoklosa, Realtor/Co-Owner
