April Sales at a Glance
April was a busy month for real estate on the SF Peninsula! As is typical this time of year, sales are picking up pace and when homes are priced right buyers are starting to snatch them up quickly! This is encouraging as we all continue to look for signs of a healthy real estate market.
Some of the cities where I specialize:
* Atherton - 8 sales, 99% to list price, 45 average DOM
* Belmont - 25 sales, 101% to list price, 52 average DOM
* Burlingame - 27 sales, 102% to list price, 66 average DOM
* Menlo Park - 26 sales, 105% to list price, 29 average DOM
* Palo Alto - 38 sales, 109% to list price, 13 average DOM
* Redwood City - 70 sales, 100% to list price, 60 average DOM
* San Mateo - 73 sales, 102% to list price, 52 average DOM
* San Carlos - 40 sales, 100% to list price, 20 average DOM
* Woodside - 7 sales, 100% to list price, 91 average DOM
IMHO*: I’ve learned in the past 25 plus years of selling houses to take each bit of news as it comes. But if you are ready to buy or sell a home, April brought some signs of good news mixed in with the rest. Give me a call and let me help you with a strategy that is right for you. (*In My Humble Opinion – which I’m always happy to share.)
Kitchen Countertops: Marble vs Granite
Many of the upscale kitchens I’ve seen as a real estate agent along the SF Peninsula have at least this in common: gorgeous countertops, often marble or granite. In fact, these stones have been used for hundreds of years as both decorative and practical surfaces.
In a kitchen, a stone countertop takes on both roles as a thing of beauty that must also double as a work surface. And although many consider marble a timeless beauty, it comes with additional care requirements when used as a kitchen countertop that granite does not require.
Marble is a porous and soft stone that is easily stained and etched by acids, heat, and water (basically, by a typical kitchen environment). To protect a marble surface, you must seal the surface annually, clean it with only a mild cleaner, and guard against spills or wet dishes being allowed to sit. Because of this, many consider marble best used as a backsplash or small pastry surface. Modern kitchen design, in fact, might include countertops of mixed surfaces including marble, stainless steel, and wood.
Granite, on the other hand, is a much harder stone that for the most part resists stains and scratches. It is easily cleaned and does not require the same constant surveillance as marble. It is the workhorse of stone surfaces, and yet still adds a tone of luxury to a kitchen.
IMHO*: In the thousands of kitchens that I’ve visited I’ve seen many examples of each stone used well, and examples of each used poorly. Mostly it’s a matter of personal taste, but if you are wondering how your kitchen would look to a potential buyer, please give me a call. I’m happy to share my two cents! (*In My Humble Opinion, which I am always happy to share.)
Landline vs Wireless
I read recently that just over 20% of California households are “wireless only” and no longer maintain a landline. As a real estate agent, I keep my home landline so that I am accessible to my clients. But I also work with many clients who get by just fine with wireless phones and no landline. Clearly, this is a trend and it got me thinking. What is the case for keeping a landline, and what about the case for ditching it?
3 Reasons to Keep a Home Phone
1. Multiples - Landlines are helpful when more than one person use the phone number, or you want multiple receivers in different rooms.
2. Power - In a power outage, your landline phone will still work (although cordless receivers may lose battery power). This is true for a wireless phone, of course, as long as you remember to keep it charged…
3. 911 - Knowing that emergency services can more easily locate you when you call 911 from a landline is probably the most compelling argument for keeping it.
3 Reasons to Ditch the Home Phone
1. Telemarketing - Telemarketers do not have the same rights to call wireless numbers as they do landlines. Fewer telemarketing calls = more peace.
2. Mobility - Moving is a snap! when all you have to do is change your billing address. Keeping your home number during a move however may or may not be possible.
3. Access - Never miss a call! There is something appealing as well as alarming to near-24-hour-access to you via your wireless phone. Great for your children, but maybe not a power you want to grant your boss…
IMHO*: Living as we do in the heart of the Silicon Valley, I imagine the wireless-only rates along the SF Peninsula are higher than the average for California. In this fast-paced world, we are all looking for ways to simplify our lives and enjoy some savings along the way. I don’t think it could hurt to evaluate your needs for one or both from time to time. (* In My Humble Opinion, which I am always happy to share.)
New Year’s Resolutions
Welcome 2012! It’s a great time to reflect on the past year and think about goals for the new one. I know not everyone is a fan of making New Year’s Resolutions, but I definitely think it is possible to set some achievable goals and stick to them! Here are a few ideas that might help you.
* Write Them Down - Things always feel less daunting to me if I just write them down. It helps when you can state a goal clearly and take that first step towards figuring out how to tackle the goal.
* Take a Partner - Reaching a goal is so much more enjoyable with a friend or family member by your side. And if your goal involves setting new habits, support can be key in changing behavior.
* Call for Help - I’ve got some great resources if your goals involve home improvements or upgrades. Tap into my 25 plus years of experience as a Real Estate Agent on the SF Peninsula and save yourself a lot of legwork!
* Re-Evaluate - Don’t be so committed to the specifics of a goal that you miss an opportunity to achieve it a new way. Flexibility can really help diffuse stress.
* Move On - Most of us have experienced New Year’s Resolutions that we did not keep. So what! Just keep moving forward and find a new goal that works better for you.
IMHO*: I’ve kept resolutions, and I’ve broken them. I admire the efforts of family and friends to learn from past experiences and try to make each year better than the one before. So give yourself a pat on the back for making resolutions, and give me a call if I can help in any way. (*In My Humble Opinion, which I am always happy to share).
Congress Helps CA Buyers
I don’t have to tell you that the SF Peninsula has remained a pricey housing market even through the past few years of economic uncertainty. So as a real estate agent, I breathed a sigh of relief last month when Congress reinstated higher limits for FHA-backed mortgages in high-cost areas.
In expensive housing areas such as San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, the limit for FHA-backed loans had dropped to $625,500 from $729,750 on October 1 of this year, creating an obstacle to home ownership. However, effective November 18, 2011 the former limits were reinstated.
The provision passed by Congress and signed by the President reinstates the FHA loan limits through 2013 at 125% of local area median home prices, up to a maximum of $729,750 in the highest cost markets. (Please note that Congress chose not to apply the loan limits restoration to mortgages by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which will remain at 115% of local area median home prices up to $625,500.)
IMHO*: This is very good news for our own local housing market, where prices trend higher than national averages. I am concerned about any obstacles my clients encounter when trying to purchase a home. If this news just opened a door for you, please give me a call and I’d be happy to strategize a plan to meet your real estate goals. (*In My Humble Opinion, which I am always happy to share.)
Trend Alert - Over the Top Garages!
I found an interesting article on Forbes.com this week featuring Garages to Make Auto Enthusiasts Swoon. I suspect that most of us are content with a reasonable 2-3 car garage and perhaps some room for storage and a workbench. However, if you are an auto enthusiast you just might be craving an auto showroom with museum-like displays.
So if you want to take your garage to the next level (or a couple levels up) here are some of the features found in these eye-poppers:
* Temperature controlled, humidified, and sometimes hermetically sealed environments.
* Massive space to house dozens of vehicles or more.
* Hydrolic lifts to increase storage, ease repairs, and even improve visual appearance.
* Bar and lounge area centered around viewing the vehicles in the garage.
* Retro gas station decor (does your garage have a theme?).
IMHO*: Of course, after 25 plus years as a real estate agent along the SF Peninsula, I’ve seen my fair share of garages in all shapes and sizes. Remodeling a garage is not usually a high-return home improvement. So if you want to improve your space, consider some simple do-it-yourself projects like a painted epoxy floor or new cabinets to hide away that box of books from college that you just haven’t gotten around to rereading. (*In My Humble Opinion - which I am always happy to share.)
“Climate Best By Government Test”
That sounds delightful - where do I find this place? Well, since 1925 it has been the official slogan of none other than Redwood City. A richly diverse gem of the peninsula, Redwood City is an inviting home for families and a thriving hub for business.
History buffs out there might enjoy learning more on the Path of History Walking Tour or visiting the Local History Collection of the Redwood City Public Library. Learn about the Alhambra Bar, where Wyatt Earp liked to visit, and the Sequoia Hotel, where Herbert Hoover stayed.
Redwood City showed steady sales for September. There were 45 single family homes sold at 98% to list price after an average of 61 days on the market (DOM).
Some of the other cities where I specialize:
• Atherton - 6 sales, 99% to list price, 40 average DOM
• Palo Alto - 33 sales, 102% to list price, 30 average DOM
• San Carlos - 26 sales, 96% to list price, 53 average DOM
• San Mateo - 66 sales, 98% to list price, 53 average DOM
• Woodside - 8 sales, 93% to list price, 139 average DOM
If you want to discuss real estate on the market in Redwood City, or more specifics on sales in your town, please give me a call.
IMHO*: I’ve learned in the past 25 plus years of selling houses to take each bit of news as it comes. But if you are ready to buy or sell a home, we can work together today to develop a strategy that is right for you. (*In My Humble Opinion – which I’m always happy to share.)
Remodel Challenge: Small Bathrooms
Working with small spaces can be challenging, and if your home is one of the Bay Area’s classic bungalows or adorable cottages, you are all-too-familiar with small bathrooms. I have seen many creative solutions during my many years as a real estate agent, including these two pictures I snapped just last week.
Big TIPS for Little Loos
There are many ways that you can avoid making your small bathroom feel like a cave. Here are some of the best ideas I’ve come across, both in person and after perusing www.HGTV.com.
• A glass shower opens up the room visually and allows light to shine from wall-to-wall. Notice in the picture above that there is no “curb” which allows the glass wall to extend all the way to the floor.
• A small sink can be a beautiful focal point without taking more than its fair share of wall space. I love the use of a unique corner sink in the picture above. A pedestal sink is another great option for a more traditional look. Avoid a cabinet below the sink which adds bulk to the small space.
• Use of open shelving provides much-needed storage without added bulk.
• Use of mirrors creates the appearance of a larger space.
• A niche uses the “hidden” space within the walls much like a recessed medicine cabinet does. Create new space such as a shampoo shelf in the shower, or a soap dish above the sink.
IMHO*: There are many ways to make a small space feel bigger. But sometimes the best option is to knock down a wall and steal some space from a closet or hallway. I’d be happy to share my two cents on any remodel challenges in your own home. (*In My Humble Opinion - which I am always happy to share.)
August Sales at a Glance
San Carlos showed steady sales this month, with 26 single-family homes sold at 99% to the list price after an average of 45 days on the market. San Carlos has been a wonderfully family-oriented city for a long time, and continues to invest in its lifestyle.
In fact, grab the kids because next weekend (9/24) the city will reopen Laureola Park (503 Old County Road) after a renovation to the playground. The renovated park will feature new playgrounds, art structures, and a splash pad (bring a towel!). San Carlos has excellent schools and tons of terrific restaurants. Who could ask for anything more?
Some of the other cities where I specialize:
* Atherton - 5 sales, 97% to list price, 59 average DOM
* Palo Alto - 46 sales, 106% to list price, 22 average DOM
* Redwood City - 41 sales, 98% to list price, 50 average DOM
* San Mateo - 59 sales, 99% to list price, 52 average DOM
* Woodside - 10 sales, 97% to list price, 126 average DOM
If you want to discuss real estate on the market in San Carlos, or more specifics on sales in your town, please give me a call.
IMHO*: I’ve learned in the past 25 plus years of selling houses to take each bit of news as it comes. But if you are ready to buy or sell a home, August once again brought some signs of good news mixed in with the rest. Working together we can develop a strategy that is right for you. (*In My Humble Opinion – which I’m always happy to share.)
