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Keeping Your New Home Secure in Foster City CA

lenorewilkas — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:56:36 +0000

It’s official. Spring is in the air and your vacation plans may not be far behind. Whether you are embarking on a weekend getaway or an extended trip, it’s critical that you make arrangements to ensure the safety of your new home. Implementing the following suggestions will give you increased peace of mind on your get-away and a way to meet your neighbors, too!

Get to know your neighbors, especially next door and across the street from you. If they haven’t introduced themselves already, go over and do it yourself. If there isn’t a formal Neighborhood Watch program instituted on your block, this might be a good time to start one. You’re bound to have a neighbor willing to watch over your home while you are away so make sure you offer to do the same for them when they go away. Ask them if they’ll notify you or the police if something alarming occurs while you’re gone. Exchange phone numbers and email addresses right then, so you have them in your database.

What ever you do, do not tell the world about your vacation plans until after they are complete. Your voice mail, Facebook, Twitter, & other social networking websites provide information to sources that may not be your “friend.” Don’t leave notes on your front door, trashcans or mailbox, either. Ask your neighbor to pick up newspapers and to hold them or throw them away for your. If you’re expecting any deliveries let them know so they’re watching for them and can hold them for you.

It’s always best when your home appears to be occupied while you are away. Timers and volunteer police patrols can be utilized, and newspapers and mail can be placed on hold, unless you have a large, locking mailbox. You could also ask a friend to visually check-in on your home.
Try using a deadbolt or locking mechanism on your garage door while you are away for long periods of time and secure any pet entrances.
Remember that a well-maintained and well-lit home with timed lights and motion detectors can be a deterrent, as can loud dogs. Of course if you have a pet, you’ll also need to plan for its care while vacationing. Board your dog, hire a pet sitter, or have your neighbor feed your pets and walk them. If there’s a child in the neighborhood who loves pets this is a great short job for them.

When you return, be sure to begin all suspended services again. You will also want to thank those who watched over your new home so they will feel so inclined when your next vacation comes up.

2012 – An Affordable Time to Buy a Home in Burlingame CA

lenorewilkas — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 15:44:03 +0000

A combination of historically low mortgage rates and corrections in home pricing are resulting in the most affordable home market in two decades in San Mateo County. This is great news for home buyers if you are able to qualify for a loan. Stricter guidelines and qualifications make getting a home loan more challenging. Potential buyers must work with a highly qualified lender to determine their ability to buy a home before setting out to look in person.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) report that nearly 76% of new and existing homes sold in the last quarter of 2011 could have easily been purchased by buyers earning $64,200 (the national median income). The previous quarter showed nearly 73% of homes in that range, marking a 3% increase. Obviously this figure isn’t what we’re seeing in our home territory, mid-San Mateo County. We are seeing home prices beginning to move up once again because of a shortage of homes for sale in our immediate area and income needed to buy these homes is well above the national median.

Here are some stats just about San Mateo County and specifically from Burlingame to Foster City. Hold on to your hat because the pictures are pretty but the data is alarming once it’s explained to you.

Let’s start with inventory right now in the first two and half months of 2012. Real estate is often spoken about in absorption rates or the number of homes for sale versus the number of days it takes to sell them. Right now we have 3.5 months of inventory on the market in our four cities. That means if no other homes were listed it would only take 3.5 months to absorb these homes leaving nothing for anyone else by mid-June. Those are not healthy numbers because there are far more people looking to buy a home in our area today than there are homes to buy. That means prices rise but it may not mean that they appraise because the market moves up without comparison houses for the appraiser to use. This chart shows only 820 house for sale during this time. If you’re thinking of listing your home for sale, now is the time to do it, for this reason alone.

Here’s what it’s looked like the past 3 years when we were hearing almost daily that there was a flood of homes for sale. Not necessarily the case when you drill down to local levels.

The highest inventory of homes for sale in our four cities between January 2009 and today was in February 2009 with 6.8 months of inventory and the lowest, December 2009 with only 2 months. So you say, where’s the hidden inventory we keep reading about in the press? I don’t know. I’m not sure it really exists here, although I’m sure there is some. Here’s the chart showing you the data where it’s easier to read and you can see for yourself.

This data came from our local Multiple Listing Service so it is market specific. Interest rates have been at record lows and change weekly on 30-year loans with Freddie Mac reporting an average of 3.87%. 15-year loans were averaging 3.16%.

Click on The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index: History of Least and Most Affordable Areas spreadsheet located here to download the list of historical data on the most and least affordable areas in our community or browse their website to learn more.

Here are the average sale prices for homes in Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo and Foster City during the past 12 months. This is our reality and it’s very different than the rest of the State of California or the entire US. It’s not going to change from the look of things.

Here are some homes for sale in Foster City right now.

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 8. See more city of Foster City real estate.
(all data current as of 5/24/2012)

$899,000 : 1390 Ribbon St, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,860 sq ft

Lot size: 6,175 sqft

Year built: 1966
$949,000 : 261 Loon Ct, Foster City

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 2,450 sq ft

Lot size: 5,429 sqft

Year built: 1966
$890,000 : 188 Flying Cloud Is, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 2,120 sq ft

Lot size: 7,740 sqft

Year built: 1966
$1,295,000 : 643 Matsonia Dr, Foster City

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,430 sq ft

Lot size: 6,612 sqft

Year built: 1972
$809,000 : 786 Marlin Av, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,890 sq ft

Lot size: 5,734 sqft

Year built: 1967

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Here are some homes for sale in San Mateo right now.

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 66. See more city of San Mateo real estate.
(all data current as of 5/24/2012)

$469,000 : 224 Lindbergh St, San Mateo

3 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 1,110 sq ft

Lot size: 4,400 sqft

Year built: 1943
$529,900 : 1759 Cottage Grove Av, San Mateo

3 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 1,000 sq ft

Lot size: 5,250 sqft

Year built: 1952
$2,195,000 : 525 Fairfax Av, San Mateo

4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,500 sq ft

Lot size: 7,680 sqft

Year built: 1933
$519,000 : 215 N Kingston St, San Mateo

2 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 1,380 sq ft

Lot size: 5,000 sqft

Year built: 1948
$678,000 : 2915 Fernwood St, San Mateo

2 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 1,060 sq ft

Lot size: 5,040 sqft

Year built: 1951

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Here are some homes for sale in Hillsborough right now.

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 62. See more city of Hillsborough real estate.
(all data current as of 5/24/2012)

$2,680,000 : 500 Pepper Av, Hillsborough

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,840 sq ft

Lot size: 22,244 sqft

Year built: 1953
$4,449,999 : 25 Miranda Ct, Hillsborough

4 beds, 5 full baths

Home size: 5,172 sq ft

Lot size: 30,318 sqft

Year built: 1980
$1,776,000 : 175 Ridgeway Rd, Hillsborough

5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 4,840 sq ft

Lot size: 15,246 sqft

Year built: 1978
$3,750,000 : 100 Chateau Dr, Hillsborough

5 beds, 5 full, 2 part baths

Home size: 4,890 sq ft

Lot size: 26,571 sqft

Year built: 1991
$1,850,000 : 1035 Tournament Dr, Hillsborough

5 beds, 5 full, 2 part baths

Home size: 4,850 sq ft

Lot size: 26,350 sqft

Year built: 2001

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Burlingame listings are seen to the right of this post. We’re here to talk to you about your specific real estate needs and you can reach us online or by phone.

Why Has the US Post Office Disenfranchised Foster City?

lenorewilkas — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:06:24 +0000

According the the 2010 Census there are 30,567 residents living in Foster City. Foster City doesn’t even have it’s own zip code, making it the largest city in San Mateo County without its own zip code. Why then does the US Post Office no longer wish to deliver mail through the post office in Foster City when there are that many residents there? Why did someone arbitrarily decide that a city of this size doesn’t matter and in order to save money this city would be reduced to a town the size of, say Hillsborough, with only 9200 people and no post office?

If you live in Foster City you know your City doesn’t show up as Foster City in many web sites when you go to order products online. You input 94404 and up pops San Mateo. We don’t live in San Mateo, we live in Foster City. Sure we’re 1/3 the size of our sister city but we are own municipality and when other cities within this county, with smaller populations, have their own Zip Code and Post Office, we’re being treated like third-class citizens.

Do you realize that you now must must go to San Mateo to do any postal business with the exception of mailing out packages? All mail is now going out of the Delaware Street post office in San Mateo for Foster City mail, making more work for the workers there so they don’t have time in the day to deliver our mail as regularly as it used to be delivered. The local Foster City delivery people have been “repurposed”. Expect to stand in long lines at the San Mateo post office if you hold your mail when you travel. Plan on hours and hours of delay.

If you’re finding that your mail deliveries have been coming at different hours of the day, or on some days, not coming at all, this is the reason. Sure the US Postal Service is having financial difficulties and they need to streamline processes but is this the way to do it? How many other cities in San Mateo County no longer have post offices providing full services? How many other cities of the same size as Foster City do not have their own Zip Code?

If you live in Foster City and want things to change you need to contact Jackie Speier’s office and tell her how you feel about this. Contact her by email or phone: (650) 342-0300. It’s also time for the City Counsel of Foster City to demand some changes. Are you as mad as I am? If you are, let’s do something about this!

The Harvest Festival November 11-13: San Mateo CA

lenorewilkas — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:54:39 +0000

The Harvest Festival is coming to town! If you love buying hand made holiday gifts this is the place for you. It’s going to be held at the San Mateo Events Center on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 11 through 13. Can’t get there this weekend? Well you’re in luck because it’s going to also be held in San Jose Thanksgiving weekend at the San Jose Convention Center, November 25th through 27th.

This is a great family outing. The 2011 San Mateo Harvest Festival is helping the Peninsula Humane Society/SPCA by donating half of the shopping bag proceeds and all of the parcel check proceeds to this non-profit helping animals in San Mateo County. There are free drawings for an iPad 2 and handmade quilt that will take place at the conclusion of all of the Harvest Festival events taking place around California. The quilt is seen on the left.

The 2011 San Jose Harvest Festival is helping the Humane Society Silicon Valley with the same proceeds. If you’re a pet lover this is a no-brainer.

The Harvest Festival is a shop to you drop event with over 24,000 handmade arts and crafts. You can find art, toys, jewelry, photography and more. But that’s not all, there’s entertainment throughout the weekend and fun activities for the family from learning how to decorate a gingerbread house to making jewelry. It’s a full day of fun and activities.

The San Francisco Firefighters will be on-sight holding a toy drive and if you bring an unwrapped toy for donation you get $2 off your admission to the Festival in San Mateo. And anyone who brings an unwrapped toy, book or non-perishable food donation to the San Jose event will receive a $2 discount on admission and this is sponsored by the AT&T Pioneers, a group of retirees from AT&T.

Want to go? I have 5 pairs of free tickets to the first 5 people to answer these questions correctly.

1. When is this event taking place?

2. Where is it taking place?

3. How many gift items will be available for purchase?

Answer these questions in the comments section with a real email address attached so I can reach you and you’ve won a pair of ticket to either event. So get back to me now. First come. First won.

Shop to you drop!

Earthquake Safety is on my Mind: Foster City CA

lenorewilkas — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 01:34:16 +0000

It’s hard to believe that it was 20 years ago when Loma Prieta struck its fist above the earth and caused many deaths, fires, and fear throughout the region. Anyone who lived through it can tell you exactly what they were doing when it hit. It’s the last time our two baseball teams were in the World Series together, too. Perhaps we should keep that in mind when wishing for another Bay Bridge World Series!

This is a good time to remind you about earthquake safety. If you think this subject isn’t worth your time reading about, let me show you what can happen with a severe quake, the kind they’re anticipating again in the Bay Area. Much of this area is subject to liquefaction so pay attention. This kind of damage happens in an instant and we may, once again, be without power for a while so it’s important to have a safety kit handy.

The apartment building shown here, courtesy of the Merced Sun Star, was once 3 stories high with garage space under the first floor. A typical building found throughout San Francisco even today. Fire, collapse, and devastation were what was left.

How can you prevent this? You can’t. If you want to live in the Bay Area, this is Earthquake Country. In fact, the entire west coast is earthquake prone so there’s really no place to go to avoid it if you want to live here.

I’ve certainly written about earthquakes over the year, always around anniversary times either in April or October. Here’s something to help you with pet safety and here’s something on what to do to protect yourself and your family for the few days after the quake. And, whether you should buy earthquake insurance. I’ve written about the Great Quake of 1906 in San Francisco, too. It’s a subject near and dear to my heart, so please take note I’m serious about this subject

This subject is serious business and one that you should not ignore. Get some simple supplies in a large container and make sure that container is easy to reach, just in case your home collapses during the quake. Inside that box should be the following:

Fresh water (enough for 3 days)
Food that doesn’t require refrigeration or heat
Canned juices
Dried foods and milk if you have children
Food bars – protein bars are the best
Toilet paper
Paper Towels
Tissues
A First Aide Kit
Blankets
Pet food if you have pets
Emergency blankets
Can opener (manual)
Emergency radio – either wind up or one that requires batteries and if you use batteries make sure they’re fresh
Flash lights
Matches
Rubber gloves
Sanitizing wipes
Dust masks
A roll of Plastic sheeting or a small tent
Duct tape
Electrical tape
Pet containers nearby for your pet’s safety
Gas wrench for turning off your gas line should you smell gas. DO NOT do this unless you smell gas because it will take PG&E a while to turn it back on if you didn’t need to do this.

You can make this kit or buy it. eHow has instructions here. There are many companies who sell them at fairly reasonable price. Google earthquake safety kits and you’ll see many options. What ever you do, rotate your supplies frequently. Rotate the food and water and batteries every few months. Have cash handy since ATM’s will likely not be working and cash will be king during an emergency. If you can afford it, stow $100 somewhere that you can reach easily.

It’s also a good idea to stow an extra pair of shoes and warm jackets in the truck of your car along with a smaller version of the kit. We never know what time of day, or night, a quake can strike and it’s important to be able to survive. Keep a blanket in your car, too.

Have a safety plan in place for your family if you are not together when it happens. Who will be the telephone point person that everyone can check in with? Make that person someone who doesn’t live locally. Be sure to have some kind of charger for your cell phones, too. Phones will be down and if you only use a cell phone text people your where abouts.

Anniversaries of events are always good reminders for taking precautions. If you’re new to the Bay Area ask any one you know who was here in 1989 about the quake and you’ll hear many stories and do ask if they sustained damage to their home. Take some time to lay out a game plan and you will likely be just fine. It’s generally not the original quake that gets you, it’s all of the after shocks. These two houses were in the Santa Cruz area, closest to the epicenter where much damage occurred.

: Courtesy of KPIX-TV CBS5

AP Photo San Francisco Chronicle, John O'Hara

Market Report – San Mateo CA – 10.05.2011 Single Family Homes

lenorewilkas — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:41:26 +0000

San Mateo is the second largest city in San Mateo County, and as such is quite diverse. There is housing at entry level prices and housing at executive level pricing which is the same as one might pay to live in Hillsborough or Burlingame. There are 91,601 on people in San Mateo according to the 2010 census and lots of housing to select from.

San Mateo sits right between San Francisco and San Jose making it the perfect commuter location for couples working in opposite communities. It’s near 101 and 280, 92 takes you to the coast or across the bay to Hayward and beyond. Weather that’s temperate and a community that offers much to be desired. Take a look at what San Mateo offers.

Here’s the latest market report for single family housing. I’ll present the report for condos and townhouses separately.

90-day stats for Single Family properties in SAN MATEO, CA as of May 18, 2012
Median List Price:	$637,398	Average List Price:	$750,477
Total Inventory:	137	Price per Square Foot:	$446
Average Home Size:	1,466	Median Lot Size:	5,477
Average # Beds:	3.20	Average # Baths:	2.07
Homes Absorbed:	19	Newly Listed:	17
Days on Market:	98	Average Age:	63

If you’re looking to buy a home in San Mateo here are some of the current listings. If you are not represented by an agent please contact us to assist you. Don’t think that by working the the listing agent you’ll get a better deal because you can’t and won’t. No agent worth their salt will be able to represent both sides of a transaction ethically so do your self a favor and use your own agent to represent your best interests.

Showing properties 1 - 35 of 66. See more city of San Mateo real estate.
(all data current as of 5/24/2012)

$469,000 : 224 Lindbergh St, San Mateo

3 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 1,110 sq ft

Lot size: 4,400 sqft
$529,900 : 1759 Cottage Grove Av, San Mateo

3 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 1,000 sq ft

Lot size: 5,250 sqft
$2,195,000 : 525 Fairfax Av, San Mateo

4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,500 sq ft

Lot size: 7,680 sqft
$519,000 : 215 N Kingston St, San Mateo

2 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 1,380 sq ft

Lot size: 5,000 sqft
$678,000 : 2915 Fernwood St, San Mateo

2 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 1,060 sq ft

Lot size: 5,040 sqft
$650,000 : 1707 Eleanor Dr, San Mateo

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,400 sq ft

Lot size: 5,000 sqft
$499,900 : 1644 S Norfolk St, San Mateo

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,410 sq ft

Lot size: 5,814 sqft
$406,000 : 1016 Norton St, San Mateo

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,110 sq ft

Lot size: 7,500 sqft
$499,000 : 3821 Edison St, San Mateo

2 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 1,040 sq ft

Lot size: 5,490 sqft
$639,000 : 3659 San Benito St, San Mateo

3 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 1,440 sq ft

Lot size: 5,000 sqft
$699,000 : 251 N Claremont St, San Mateo

2 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 1,070 sq ft

Lot size: 5,175 sqft
$1,200,000 : 816 Crescent Av, San Mateo

4 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,540 sq ft

Lot size: 8,500 sqft
$1,328,800 : 838 Overlook Ct, San Mateo

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,270 sq ft

Lot size: 13,200 sqft
$988,000 : 3421 Kettering Ct, San Mateo

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,450 sq ft

Lot size: 14,500 sqft
$479,000 : 1539 Lorraine Av, San Mateo

2 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 930 sq ft

Lot size: 5,250 sqft
$895,000 : 3129 Monterey St, San Mateo

3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,500 sq ft

Lot size: 5,225 sqft
$998,000 : 601 Maple St, San Mateo

3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,570 sq ft

Lot size: 5,432 sqft
$890,000 : 337 Greenfield Av, San Mateo

3 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 2,540 sq ft

Lot size: 5,200 sqft
$1,099,000 : 212 Woodbridge Ci, San Mateo

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 2,660 sq ft

Lot size: 6,893 sqft
$2,348,000 : 262 Virginia Av, San Mateo

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,800 sq ft

Lot size: 11,760 sqft
$1,487,000 : 613 Oregon Av, San Mateo

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 2,540 sq ft

Lot size: 6,000 sqft
$348,000 : 228 N Humboldt St, San Mateo

2 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 970 sq ft

Lot size: 4,000 sqft
$725,000 : 1009 Sunnybrae Bl, San Mateo

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,640 sq ft

Lot size: 7,050 sqft
$749,000 : 409 E Bellevue Av, San Mateo

3 beds, 4 full baths

Home size: 1,900 sq ft

Lot size: 7,500 sqft
$822,800 : 1152 Wayne Wy, San Mateo

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,690 sq ft

Lot size: 2,564 sqft
$1,239,000 : 3740 Hacienda St, San Mateo

5 beds, 5 full baths

Home size: 3,140 sq ft

Lot size: 7,344 sqft
$499,000 : 405 Cavanaugh St, San Mateo

2 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 910 sq ft

Lot size: 4,900 sqft
$475,000 : 132 Ottawa St, San Mateo

3 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 1,140 sq ft

Lot size: 4,750 sqft
$699,000 : 952 E Grant Pl, San Mateo

5 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,730 sq ft

Lot size: 4,750 sqft
$799,000 : 3528 Broadview Ct, San Mateo

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,780 sq ft

Lot size: 2,958 sqft
$998,000 : 640 42nd Av, San Mateo

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 3,150 sq ft

Lot size: 11,000 sqft
$549,000 : 2352 Elliott St, San Mateo

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,470 sq ft

Lot size: 5,800 sqft
$2,150,000 : 420 Dorchester Rd, San Mateo

4 beds, 5 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,890 sq ft

Lot size: 10,354 sqft
$1,298,888 : 306 41st Av, San Mateo

5 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 2,980 sq ft

Lot size: 11,088 sqft
$1,485,000 : 228 Castilian Wy, San Mateo

3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,930 sq ft

Lot size: 5,885 sqft

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Market Report – Hillsborough CA – 10.03.11

lenorewilkas — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:34:34 +0000

We’re entering the end of 2011 as Fourth Quarter started over the weekend. What does this mean for real estate? We begin to see prices soften for those who must sell. We see homes come off the market as we approach Thanksgiving and the holidays as most people do not want to be bothered showing their home during intense family time.

There’s a good selection of homes in Hillsborough today and with Hillsborough offering some of the best public schools in California, if you want to move your children’s school this might be the way to do it.

Hillsborough offers large lots, large homes, easy commutes north or south and close proximity to SFO. It’s an executive’s dream location.

Here’s what going on in Hillsborough CA’s market now.

90-day stats for Single Family properties in HILLSBOROUGH, CA as of May 18, 2012
Median List Price:	$3,955,808	Average List Price:	$6,183,781
Total Inventory:	56	Price per Square Foot:	$798
Average Home Size:	4,888	Median Lot Size:	33,135
Average # Beds:	5.28	Average # Baths:	5.26
Homes Absorbed:	5	Newly Listed:	5
Days on Market:	143	Average Age:	43

If you’re thinking of moving to Hillsborough, these are the homes for sale today. If you’re not represented by an agent we’d be happy to assist you in seeing any of these fine homes. Just fill out the contact form and we will respond.

Showing properties 1 - 30 of 48. See more city of Hillsborough real estate.
(all data current as of 5/24/2012)

$2,680,000 : 500 Pepper Av, Hillsborough

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,840 sq ft

Lot size: 22,244 sqft
$4,449,999 : 25 Miranda Ct, Hillsborough

4 beds, 5 full baths

Home size: 5,172 sq ft

Lot size: 30,318 sqft
$1,776,000 : 175 Ridgeway Rd, Hillsborough

5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 4,840 sq ft

Lot size: 15,246 sqft
$3,750,000 : 100 Chateau Dr, Hillsborough

5 beds, 5 full, 2 part baths

Home size: 4,890 sq ft

Lot size: 26,571 sqft
$1,850,000 : 1035 Tournament Dr, Hillsborough

5 beds, 5 full, 2 part baths

Home size: 4,850 sq ft

Lot size: 26,350 sqft
$3,095,000 : 1340 Avondale Rd, Hillsborough

5 beds, 4 full baths

Home size: 4,400 sq ft

Lot size: 20,473 sqft
$2,399,000 : 645 Hillsborough Bl, Hillsborough

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,580 sq ft

Lot size: 25,844 sqft
$4,399,000 : 1160 Barroilhet Dr, Hillsborough

4 beds, 4 full, 2 part baths

Home size: 5,045 sq ft

Lot size: 24,208 sqft
$2,295,000 : 537 Craig Rd, Hillsborough

4 beds, 4 full baths

Home size: 2,750 sq ft

Lot size: 29,185 sqft
$1,675,000 : 6215 Skyline Bl, Hillsborough

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,810 sq ft

Lot size: 21,896 sqft
$2,595,000 : 540 Chelmsford Rd, Hillsborough

4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,890 sq ft

Lot size: 15,210 sqft
$3,898,800 : 50 Verbalee Ln, Hillsborough

6 beds, 6 full, 2 part baths

Home size: 9,000 sq ft

Lot size: 1.14 ac
$1,800,000 : 2480 Summit Dr, Hillsborough

3 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,080 sq ft

Lot size: 29,240 sqft
$3,795,000 : 2200 Redington Rd, Hillsborough

5 beds, 5 full, 3 part baths

Home size: 5,200 sq ft

Lot size: 26,789 sqft
$1,889,000 : 2440 Skyfarm Dr, Hillsborough

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,480 sq ft

Lot size: 33,750 sqft
$2,895,000 : 1020 Crystal Springs Rd, Hillsborough

4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 5,880 sq ft

Lot size: 2.80 ac
$4,950,000 : 55 Fagan Dr, Hillsborough

7 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 7,000 sq ft

Lot size: 24,698 sqft
$5,380,000 : 25 Eugenia Wy, Hillsborough

5 beds, 5 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 6,420 sq ft

Lot size: 35,066 sqft
$4,580,000 : 1215 Tournament Dr, Hillsborough

7 beds, 7 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 9,972 sq ft

Lot size: 41,643 sqft
$2,498,000 : 981 La Senda Rd, Hillsborough

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,520 sq ft

Lot size: 17,424 sqft
$2,675,000 : 2225 Summit Dr, Hillsborough

5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,860 sq ft

Lot size: 27,442 sqft
$3,980,000 : 140 Fallen Leaf Dr, Hillsborough

5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 4,240 sq ft

Lot size: 21,000 sqft
$4,588,000 : 445 Pullman Rd, Hillsborough

5 beds, 5 full, 2 part baths

Home size: 4,680 sq ft

Lot size: 2.00 ac
$4,495,000 : 40 Bates Rd, Hillsborough

5 beds, 5 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 5,378 sq ft

Lot size: 20,576 sqft
$3,495,000 : 45 Falkirk Ln, Hillsborough

6 beds, 4 full, 2 part baths

Home size: 4,950 sq ft

Lot size: 22,194 sqft
$4,095,000 : 521 Roehampton Rd, Hillsborough

4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,840 sq ft

Lot size: 18,850 sqft
$2,680,000 : 347 Alberta Wy, Hillsborough

4 beds, 4 full baths

Home size: 5,900 sq ft

Lot size: 21,754 sqft
$3,295,000 : 431 Hillsborough Bl, Hillsborough

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,580 sq ft

Lot size: 16,000 sqft
$2,128,000 : 1395 Avondale Rd, Hillsborough

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,099 sq ft

Lot size: 1.29 ac
$3,200,000 : 260 Robin Rd, Hillsborough

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,968 sq ft

Lot size: 2.00 ac

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

A New Listing in Burlingame CA: 1612 Ralston Avenue

lenorewilkas — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:05:37 +0000

A new listing is always something to talk about and we’re no exception in wanting to tell you about this one. Burlingame California is a community sought after by families for many reasons. Weather. Schools. Location. Community. Charm. This home is full of charm, and situated in the best Burlingame location possible. It’s on a flat lot about two blocks from downtown, making it an easy stroll down to “The Avenue” for coffee, dining, shopping or just taking a walk.

Presenting 1612 Ralston Avenue. Located in the best neighborhood in Burlingame (in my opinion although I’m sure there will be a fight about that from Easton Edition residents) because it is walking distance to downtown, the train, and Burlingame High School. This home’s elementary school is McKinley School, and McKinley offers an exciting program no other Burlingame elementary school offers and that’s a Spanish emersion program.

We’ve all found ourselves in a house at one time or another that draws you in with it’s ambience and this is one of those special homes. This wonderful family home originally was a 1921 bungalow and has been added on to and remodeled into a twenty first century home with heart and soul. Four Bedrooms, three baths, large formal living room and dining room plus a great room with a cook’s kitchen large enough for more than one cook, an attached family dining area and large family room. This room features French Doors out to the slate patio in the back of the lot.This is the perfect home for someone down sizing. This is a perfect family home, whether your children are young or school aged. The way this home is laid out everyone has their own space as well the family space.

Shown by appointment only we are happy to show it to you but you must contact us yourself or have your agent give us a call. Burlingame offers perfect weather. Great schools. Easy commutes to the City, South City if you’re in the biotech industry, or Silicon Valley. You’re a hop skip and jump to SFO for travel. Don’t like driving? Take CalTrain to work. If you aren’t happy with the schools your children have now, look no further than Burlingame.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 81137129 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

Loans Will Change on October 1 and Your Affordability Will Drop: Foster City CA

lenorewilkas — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:34:50 +0000

The home financing industry continues its turbulent trajectory

Conforming home loan limits are scheduled to decrease on October 1, 2011 from $729,750 to $625,500. What does that mean for you? Your home affordability will diminish. A lot. With a 20% down payment, the price range for a home buyer using a conforming loan will drop from approximately $910,000 to $780,000. The house you want and can afford today will be out of your reach by fourth quarter 2011. Unless you act now. The Housing Economic and Recovery Act of 2008 (HARA) temporarily increased the conforming loan limits to increase the housing market recovery. In high cost areas, like ours, HARA stipulates that government sponsored entities (GSE) can temporarily make loans up to $729,750. This temporary increase of loan limits allowed families to buy homes in our high cost area with conforming loans. This will not be the case too much longer because the United States Department of the Treasury and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a report to Congress in February, recommending and encouraging Congress to let the temporary conforming loan limits expire on October 1, 2011. This isn’t an issue for most parts of the Country, but to us in Fantasy Island, my pet name for our area, it’s a huge issue.

Jumbo Loan programs aren’t there any longer

We just don’t have the loan programs available for Jumbo loans that were available several years ago. Jumbo loan interest rates tend to be higher than rates for conforming loans. The $130,000 loss of buying power is huge to our market so for this reason alone, you should be active in the real estate market.

If you need financing with a loan amount between $625,500 and $729750 to either purchase a one to four unit residental property or refinance an existing loan secured by a one to four unit residential property, you may want to secure your financing prior to September 30, 2011. Jed Thibodeau, with Banker’s Preferred in Burlingame, is our lender of choice and he’s ready to help you.

There aren’t a lot of homes for sale

We are entering the most active time in real estate, the summer market. We don’t have a huge inventory of homes for sale any more and that means we are seeing multiple offers on the best of the best. San Mateo County has never seen a large surplus of housing. In fact, we have a shortage of housing for our communities which is why prices remain high. If you keep sitting on the fence, expecting prices to drop, you not only won’t see that but you won’t be able to buy as much as you can today. Short Sales and Foreclosures are around but not in large numbers. We are here to help you find your new home and the best loan available for you. We can provide you with the latest information on the housing available for you within your pre-approved budget. Let’s get started now! Give us a call.

Here’s what’s currently for sale in Foster City

Showing properties 1 - 16 of 16. See more city of Foster City real estate.
(all data current as of 5/24/2012)

$899,000 : 1390 Ribbon St, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,860 sq ft

Lot size: 6,175 sqft
$525,000 : 900 Beach Park Bl #149, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,337 sq ft
$949,000 : 261 Loon Ct, Foster City

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 2,450 sq ft

Lot size: 5,429 sqft
$890,000 : 188 Flying Cloud Is, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 2,120 sq ft

Lot size: 7,740 sqft
$669,900 : 1463 Marlin Av, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,530 sq ft

Lot size: 1,757 sqft
$1,295,000 : 643 Matsonia Dr, Foster City

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,430 sq ft

Lot size: 6,612 sqft
$625,000 : 1242 Moonsail Ln, Foster City

2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,350 sq ft

Lot size: 1,419 sqft
$560,000 : 1171 Compass Ln #112, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,593 sq ft
$639,999 : 32 Binnacle Ln, Foster City

2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,730 sq ft

Lot size: 1,944 sqft
$299,000 : 4218 Admiralty Ln, Foster City

2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 998 sq ft
$675,000 : 154 Albacore Ln, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,630 sq ft

Lot size: 1,800 sqft
$809,000 : 786 Marlin Av, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,890 sq ft

Lot size: 5,734 sqft
$269,000 : 6208 Admiralty Ln, Foster City

1 bed, 1 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 998 sq ft
$1,288,000 : 602 Bridgeport Ln, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,940 sq ft

Lot size: 4,560 sqft
$700,000 : 716 Crane Av, Foster City

4 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,760 sq ft

Lot size: 5,700 sqft
$1,089,000 : 760 Coronado Ln, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 2,110 sq ft

Lot size: 4,857 sqft

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Are You Feeling Financially Squeezed? San Mateo,CA

Alexander Wilkas — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 05:43:16 +0000

How to Escape the Grip of Foreclosure

No one wants to be in the situation of losing their home because of a mortgage interest rate reset. The reality is that millions of Americans across the country are struggling with unaffordable mortgage payments, and more than ever lenders are motivated to work with homeowners to come to a resolution. We can help advise you of your options and show you how to create a strategy that will loosen the hold that foreclosure has on your future.

You have options

When you began struggling with your mortgage payments, you may have felt that you had no way out of the situation, but you actually have many different options. We will guide you through the process of finding which option is best for you. By discovering and acting on your options, you’ll have the leverage to escape the grip of foreclosure.

Your Foreclosure Alternatives Include:

Short Sale
Reinstatement
Forbearance or Repayment
Mortgage Modification
Rent the Property
Deed-in-Lieu
Bankruptcy
Refinance
Service members Civil Relief Act
Sell the Property

Relieve the Stress

When you owe more on your home than it’s worth, and are struggling to make payments, the pressure you feel can go through the roof! If you are in a situation where your expenses exceed your income, have a verifiable financial hardship, and no other assets to pay off the balance of your mortgage, you may qualify for a loan modification or short sale.

We can help relieve the burden of an overwhelming mortgage by showing you ways to execute a dignified solution.

Do You Qualify For A Short Sale?

Do you have…

Financial Hardship: severe illness, military service, insurance or tax increase, etc. (Ask us for a full list of acceptable hardships)
Monthly Shortfall: business failure, job loss wage reduction, divorce, etc.
Insolvency: you currently owe more money than you have, or you are about to reach that point

If you answer YES to the above questions, you may qualify.

Calm your fears!

You may be anxious about whether your lender is motivated to work out a solution with you. The reality is that lenders lose much less in a short sale or loan modification than they do in foreclosure. The cost of foreclosure may cost your lender up to 50% of the loan amount while a short sale could only cost them from 15-30%.

What Does It All Mean?:

SHORT SALE
A short sale is when the lender agrees for the property to be sold at a price lower that the mortgage balance owed.

DEED-IN-LIEU
A deed-in-lieu is when the lender receives the house deed in place of the mortgage balance, although in some cases the lender will still pursue the homeowner for the leftover mortgage balance, which is called a deficiency judgement.

A short sale or deed-in-lieu through the government’s (HAFA) Home Affordable Affordable Alternative Project prohibits the participating lender from pursuing a deficiency judgment.

SHORT SALE BENEFITS
The financial implications of short sales are always less severe that the implications of foreclosure. Your credit score, credit history, employment applications, and future chances of acquiring a loan are all benefit from completing a short sale rather than being foreclosed upon.

Our job is to facilitate cooperation and communication between you and your lender and work toward the best solution for everyone. Knowing this should help you breathe a little easier when starting this process.

Call Us Today!

We know that you are grappling with unfortunate circumstances, and dealing with all the emotions that come with it. We are trained to guide you through this process, help you to restore hope, and empower your future. You are not alone in this situation.

We Are (CHS) Certified HAFA Specialists, (CDPE) Certified Distressed Property Experts) and (SFR) Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource Specialists.

We are here to help.