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Most Walkable San Mateo Neighborhoods

July 1st, 2010 by Rebecca Williamson
Filed under: Buyer Information, Living in San Mateo County, Real Estate, San Mateo Community

walkable San Mateo neighborhoods

Most Walkable San Mateo Neighborhoods

The most walkable San Mateo neighborhoods are going to be found near the revitalized Downtown area, which is between 2nd and 5th Street from about B Street to El Camino and near the new Bay Meadows Development.

Specific Neighborhoods Near Downtown San Mateo

The closest to Downtown San Mateo are Hayward Park and the Eastern Addition neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are a stones throw from restaurants, movie theater, shopping and other Downtown amenities.

If you want to get a bit farther away, you can cross El Camino to the San Mateo Park, Aragon and Baywood neighborhoods. The homes closest to El Camino would be considered the most walkable homes in these neighborhoods. However, with mostly flat terrain, a greater percentage of each of these neighborhoods are easily accessible to the Downtown area.

Specific Neighborhoods Near Bay Meadows

Near Bay Meadows, you’ll have the Bay Meadows neighborhood, Fiesta Gardens neighborhood and San Mateo Village neighborhood that will provide a great deal of walkability. The homes closest to Hillsdale Blvd in San Mateo Village and the townhomes located in Bay Meadows will be closest to shopping, restaurants and transportation. Fiesta Gardens is a bit longer of a walk, but still manageable with the flat terrain.

Curious About a Specific Address?

We’ve included the Walkscore for City Gardens Townhomes at 128 N El Camino, San Mateo in the Walkscore tile below. If you’re curious about a specific address, enter it into the box below.

Want to Learn More About these Neighborhoods?

Visit our San Mateo Neighborhood Guide for detailed descriptions of each of these neighborhoods.

Considering a Move to San Mateo?

Call us at (650) 655-2500 or email us at info@LivingWellinSanMateo.com to schedule a no obligation consultation. We’ll help you come up with a game plan to buy San Mateo real estate.

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Raymond Stoklosa, Chela Stoklosa and Rebecca Williamson are Realtors with The RayChel Realty Group specializing in Santa Clara and San Mateo Real Estate.

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San Mateo Homes Between $600k and $700k

June 26th, 2010 by Raymond Stoklosa
Filed under: Buyer Information, Featured Posts, First Time Buyers, Real Estate

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 Three 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 3 neighborhoods: Sunnybrae, Fiesta Gardens and San Mateo Village. All three of these San Mateo 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 over 800 on API statewide, standardized testing program, and is ranked a 5 on Greatschools.net with a Parent Rating of 4 out of a possible 5.

What Kind of Neighborhood is Sunnybrae?

Almost 60% of the existing housing inventory in San Mateo’s Sunnybrae neighborhood was constructed from 1940 to 1959 with virtually no new construction since 1980. Visually Sunnybrae is an older neighborhood with mature foliage and quiet streets. Sunnybrae homes located nearer Highway 101 experience highway traffic noise to varying degrees.

What Types of Homes are in Sunnybrae?

Typical lots are 4,500 square feet to 5,500 square feet with an upper limit of value approximately $700,000 within the Sunnybrae neighborhood. Most homes are of the 2 and 3 bedroom variety between 1,000sf and 1,300sf with 1 car garages and a handful of 4 bedroom, 1,500sf plus homes with 2 car garages.

San Mateo Neighborhood #2: Fiesta Gardens

Fiesta Gardens’ - a unique pocket neighborhood, out of the cross town traffic pattern – most noteworthy features are its International School, a two-way Spanish/English language dual immersion public elementary magnet school, and it’s active and proud neighborhood association. Rated a 4 by GreatSchools.net, the International School gets a 5 of 5 Parent Rating.

What Type of Neighborhood is Fiesta Gardens?

Visually Fiesta Gardens landscaping is not as mature as Sunnybrae with fewer trees and wider streets, but with better recreational facilities – park and ball fields. Neat, clean and well maintained, Fiesta Gardens is clearly a family oriented neighborhood.

What Type of Homes Can I Expect in Fiesta Gardens?

Only 3 homes for sale are located in Fiesta Gardens of a total of 83 single family homes currently for sale in the City of San Mateo. All are priced in the $600k-$700K range. Lot and building sizes are comparable with Sunnybrae, however there a smaller number of homes in Fiesta Gardens and they are generally newer and more updated than Sunnybrae.

San Mateo Neighborhood #3: San Mateo Village

San Mateo Village is one of San Mateo’s many neighborhoods built in the 1950s. In the past 10-15 years, many young families have moved into San Mateo Village and begun the process of renovating and remodeling their homes and have made San Mateo Village one of San Mateo’s more desirable neighborhoods to live.

What Type of Homes Can I Expect in San Mateo Village?

You can expect to find a 3 bedroom, 1 bath home of about 1,200 sq ft and a 5,000 sq ft lot. Some will have an additional bathroom that was added after its original construction.

Moving to San Mateo?

Check out our Buyer Representation page to learn more about us and how we work. We think you’ll like what you find! Then, contact us at (650) 655-2500 or email us at info@LivingWellinSanMateo.com to schedule a no obligation consultation to discuss how we may be able to help you have the best real estate experience possible.

Search San Mateo Homes Between $600k-$700k

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Raymond Stoklosa, Chela Stoklosa and Rebecca Williamson are Realtors with The RayChel Realty Group specializing in Santa Clara and San Mateo Real Estate.

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Belmont Homes Priced Between 700k-800k

June 20th, 2010 by Rebecca Williamson
Filed under: Buyer Information, Real Estate

Belmont homes 700k-800k

Belmont Homes $700k-$800k

Most Belmont homes priced between $700,000 and $800,000 will be North of Ralston Ave and west of El Camino Real in the Belmont Country Club neighborhood. You will find a few South of Ralston Ave in Belmont’s Carlmont neighborhood and a few in East of El Camino in Belmont’s Sterling Downs – Homeview Neighborhood.

What Kind of Home Can I Expect to Get in Belmont Between 700k – 800k?

Because Belmont is such a hodge podge of homes, it is difficult to standardize home sizes and styles in a certain price range. For the most part, however, most Belmont homes priced between $700,000 and $800,000 are 3 bedroom, 2 bath homes with around 1,500 sq ft of living space and 6,000 sq ft lots.

What Kind of Terrain Can I Expect?

Most Belmont homes priced between $700k-$800k are on hilly terrain with sloped lots. If you desire a flatter lot, it is best to look for homes closer to El Camino Real, where the lots flatten out. You can also look at the homes in the Sterling Downs – Homeview neighborhoods for a completely flat neighborhood.

What Type of Neighborhood is Belmont Country Club?

Belmont Country Club ranges from hilly terrain with no sidewalks, to a more flat neighborhood with sidewalks and a short walk to shops and restaurants. Belmont Country Club is most known for its steep sloping lots on either side of Alameda. Architecturally, the homes are very different and some of the homes towards the top of the hill have spectacular views.

Schools Make Belmont a Highly Desirable Place to Live

Over the years, Belmont has held its value largely in part due to the top notch schools we have. From Central, Cipriani and Fox Elementary School to Ralston Middle School and Carlmont High school, Belmont schools are among the peninsula’s best schools. Homeowners are willing to pay a premium to get their children into these schools.

Considering Moving to Belmont?

Being Belmont residents for 30+ years now, we’d understand why Belmont may be appealing to you. If you’re considering moving to Belmont, call us at (650) 655-2500 or email us at info@LivingWellinSanMateo.com to schedule a no obligation consultation. We’ll help you come up with a game plan to buy right.

Search Belmont Homes $700k-$800k

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Raymond Stoklosa, Chela Stoklosa and Rebecca Williamson are Realtors with The RayChel Realty Group specializing in Santa Clara and San Mateo Real Estate.

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How to Lower Your San Mateo County Property Taxes

June 15th, 2010 by Raymond Stoklosa
Filed under: Living in San Mateo County, Online Resources, Real Estate, San Mateo Community

San Mateo County property tax If you have bought a home in San Mateo County in the last several years, you may be eligible for a reduction in your property taxes. Upon request, the tax assessor will reassess the tax value of your home. By following a few rules, you may save yourself some money.

How to Lower Your San Mateo County Property Taxes – Thank Prop 8

In 1978, California voters passed Proposition 8, which allows for a temporary tax reduction when a home’s market value on Jan. 1 is less than the prior year’s assessed value.

Let’s say you bought a house in 2006 for $500,000. In January 2008, it should be assessed at $510,000, allowing for the 2 percent inflation adjustment which the law permits.

But suppose comparable homes in your neighborhood are now going for $400,000. You might qualify for a $100,000 reduction in assessed value, which would save you about $1,000 on your tax bill. Here is how to apply…

How to Apply

The first step is an informal review. Homeowners who think the value of their home Jan. 1 is less than the assessed value can request an informal review from their county assessor. The tax assessor, using sales data as of Jan. 1 for comparable homes in the neighborhood, will determine whether a temporary reduction is warranted. Homeowners can request an informal review by filling out this form.

If homeowner and assessor cannot agree on a value through this informal process, the homeowner can file a formal appeal with the county’s assessment appeals board. The appeal must be filed by Sept. 15 or Nov. 30, depending on the county, and might require a fee. The homeowner who disagrees with the tax assessor’s determination may submit his or her case to the appeals board, which has the final authority on the property’s value.

Property Tax Reduction is Only Temporary

You should be aware that the Proposition 8 reduction is only temporary. After you are granted a reduction, the assessor will automatically review your home’s market value as of Jan. 1 each year and may adjust the assessed value; however, the assessed value cannot go higher than it would have been had you never received the temporary reduction.

For more information, visit the San Mateo County CARE website or email the San Mateo County Tax Assessor at assessor@smcare.org to request a “Decline in Value” Reassessment Application Form.

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Raymond Stoklosa, Chela Stoklosa and Rebecca Williamson are Realtors with The RayChel Realty Group specializing in Santa Clara and San Mateo Real Estate.

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Tags: home owner, live in san mateo, live in san mateo county, san mateo county property taxes, san mateo county real estate, san mateo real estate
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Belmont Homes Priced Between $600k – $700k

June 15th, 2010 by Rebecca Williamson
Filed under: Buyer Information, First Time Buyers, Living in San Mateo County, Real Estate

Belmont homes $600k-$700k

Belmont Homes Between $600k and $700k

Belmont is one San Mateo County City that prefers to keep the “Country” feel. With only a small geographical area that could be considered downtown, most of Belmont is comprised of single family homes in neighborhoods.

Top Notch Schools Make Belmont a Desirable Place to Live

Because of the top notch schools, Belmont is considered one of the more desirable cities to live in San Mateo County. Belmont is home to some more expensive homes, that can be found at the top of Ralston Ave in Hallmark and some more moderate (well at least moderate compared to the rest of San Mateo County) neighborhoods.

What Can You Buy in Belmont for $600,000 – $700,000?

There are two Belmont neighborhoods with homes that sell for between $600,000 and $700,000: Belmont County Club and Homeview – Sterling Downs.

What Can You Buy in Belmont Country Club?

For between $600k and $700k you can expect to buy a 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 1,000 sq foot house on a 4,500-6,500 sq ft lot in Belmont Country Club.

Where is Belmont Country Club?

Belmont Country Club is bordered by Ralston Ave, El Camino, Ruth Ave and Alameda de las Pulgas.

View Belmont Country Club in a larger map

What Type of Neighborhood is Belmont Country Club?

What Can You Buy in Homeview – Sterling Downs?

By going a bit down Ralston to the Homeview – Sterling Downs neighborhood of Belmont, you’ll get one more bedroom and about 100 more sq ft of living space on average. Most homes between $600k and $700k in Belmont’s Homeview – Sterling Downs neighborhood are 3 bedroom, 1 bath, 1,100 sq ft homes on 4,500 to 6,500 sq ft lots.

What Type of Neighborhood is Homeview – Sterling Downs?

Homeview – Sterling Downs has more of a neighborhood feel for a more moderate price. The neighborhood is fairly flat and there are sidewalks throughout. The pride of home ownership is apparent here, with many homeowners improving and maintaining their home’s exterior appearance.

Where is Homeview – Sterling Downs?

Homeview – Sterling Downs is located to the East of El Camino over Highway 101.

View Homeview – Sterling Downs, Belmont in a larger map

Search Belmont Homes Between $600k and $700k

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Raymond Stoklosa, Chela Stoklosa and Rebecca Williamson are Realtors with The RayChel Realty Group specializing in Santa Clara and San Mateo Real Estate.

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