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Not Sure Which Belmont Neighborhood is Right for You?

March 8th, 2010 by Rebecca Williamson
Filed under: Buyer Information, Featured Posts, First Time Buyers, Living in San Mateo County, Real Estate

Belmont neighborhoods

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 for a Downtown Urban Lifestyle?

For those of you looking to live more in a neighborhood setting with great schools, Belmont may just be the ticket. Belmont does have a variety of terrain both steeply sloped and flat lots as well as neighborhoods with sidewalks and neighborhoods with dirt shoulders.

If a more urban lifestyle with a genuine downtown appeals to you, check out our San Mateo Neighborhood Guide. We think you’ll more likely find the neighborhood you’re looking for there.

What Are You Looking for in a Belmont Neighborhood?

Whether you prefer a flatter neighborhood, or a more rural neighborhood with no sidewalks, you can use our Belmont Neighborhood Guide to find out which neighborhood is right for you.

Head Over to Our Belmont Neighborhood Guide and Check it Out!

Search Belmont Homes for Sale

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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

March 5th, 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

March 3rd, 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?

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.

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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Local Issues that Will Impact Buyer’s Satisfaction

March 2nd, 2010 by Raymond Stoklosa
Filed under: Buyer Information, First Time Buyers, Real Estate

SFO Airport at Night

Local Issues Impact How Much You’ll Like Living in Your San Mateo Home

In San Mateo, as in any market, there are a variety of local issues that can have a significant impact on the buyer’s satisfaction with their purchase. Here are a few of the considerations unique to San Mateo County that you should be aware of:

Earthquake Faults
Flood Zones
Land Slide Zones
Highway 92 Construction
Highway 1 Construction
Highway 101/Poplar Avenue/Peninsula Avenue Improvements
School Enrollment Restrictions
Building Improvement Requirements and Limitations
Property Tax Reassessments
Sewer Connection Strictures
Airport Noise
Water Restrictions
Private Roads & Street Maintenance
Fire Protection Coverage
Private Transfer Fees
Mello Roos Zone Assessments
City and County Transfer Fees
Litigation Judgments
Liquefaction Zone

When You Find a Home, Ask Questions First

A competent real estate broker can advise you of these and other local issues that may affect the property you are looking to buy. Ask questions and prepare yourself for the reality that your potential home offers.

Want to Discuss How These Issues Will Impact Your Satisfaction?

If you’d like to discuss these or other issues you have encountered, please feel free to call us at (650) 655-2500 or email us at info@LivingWellinSanMateo.com to set up a no obligation consultation.

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Tags: first time home buyer, live in san mateo county, Places To Live in San Mateo County, san mateo home buyer
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Central Park San Mateo

March 1st, 2010 by Rebecca Williamson
Filed under: Featured Posts, Living in San Mateo County, Real Estate, San Mateo Community

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 open space for parents and, of course, dogs.

On the weekends, kids can ride a train for $1.50 per ride and get a snow cone. Obviously during the week the park is much less busy than on weekends, but there is still enough to do for everyone to stay pretty spread out.

Parties and Picnics?

There are several picnic tables and BBQ pits at the San Mateo Rotary Picnic Grove located just inside the gates on the El Camino Real and 9th Ave side. On the weekends these tables do fill up fast so get there early to make sure you get a table.

San Mateo Japanese Tea Garden

A unique addition to San Mateo’s Central Park is the Japanese Tea Garden, which is open from 10am – 4pm on weekdays and 11am – 4pm on weekends. There are beautiful plants, and most importantly for kids, large fish in the pond that they like to watch.

Check out my slide show of what you can expect to see at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Mateo’s Central Park.

Tennis Courts

Public tennis courts are located on the 5th Ave side of the Park.

Baseball/Softball Field

A full baseball/softball field is located on the 5th Ave side of the park. Adult night softball leagues and kids’ little league teams play in this park, which has grandstands for people to watch.

Getting Hungry?

If you get hungry while you’re at the park, you can head over to the snack bar, which is right outside the baseball field. You can also go right across the street to Downtown San Mateo where you’ll find restaurants, coffee and sandwich shops.

Take a Tour of San Mateo’s Central Park

Check out my slide show of San Mateo’s Central Park. You can also check out our Central Park Photo Gallery on Facebook. Have a picture you’d like to add? Upload it on our Living Well in San Mateo Facebook page.

Have Something You’d Like to Add About Central Park?

Leave us a comment here, or head over to our Living Well in San Mateo Facebook page and add it there! We’d love to hear what you think of Central Park.

Search Downtown San Mateo Homes

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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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