Vicky Costantini

San Carlos Market Statistics for the last 6 months of 2011-2012

vcostantini — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:20:01 +0000

Status: Pending w/ release (13)
	List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
Min	$399,000	5	-	2	1	1938	820	4,000	$354
Max	$1,035,000	101	-	4	4	1965	2,630	10,600	$721
Avg	$692,684	33	-	3	2	1948	1,382	6,250	$528
Sum	$9,004,888		-
Status: Pending w/o release (9)
	List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
Min	$437,660	1	-	2	1	1933	780	4,800	$453
Max	$1,226,000	119	-	4	3	1965	2,320	16,000	$801
Avg	$779,418	48	-	3	2	1950	1,477	8,157	$547
Sum	$7,014,760		-
Status: Pending, do not show (3)
	List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
Min	$586,000	28	-	2	2	1934	1,120	5,080	$454
Max	$850,000	124	-	3	3	1951	1,700	6,600	$536
Avg	$678,633	77	-	3	2	1944	1,370	5,617	$497
Sum	$2,035,900		-
Status: Sold (Closed Sale) (87)
	List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
Min	$425,000	0	$410,000	2	1	1923	790	3,560	$368
Max	$1,950,000	221	$1,750,000	5	5	2006	4,300	25,756	$750
Avg	$977,101	27	$977,499	3	2	1954	1,820	7,245	$555
Sum	$85,007,796		$85,042,419
Status: All (112)
	List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
Min	$399,000	0	$410,000	2	1	1923	780	3,560	$354
Max	$1,950,000	221	$1,750,000	5	5	2006	4,300	25,756	$801
Avg	$920,208	30	$977,499	3	2	1953	1,729	7,159	$550
Sum	$103,063,344		$85,042,419

Woodside Market Statistics for the last 6 months of 2011-2012

vcostantini — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:16:04 +0000

Status: Pending w/o release (1)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$1,549,000	84	-	4	4	1986	2,930	649,044	$529
	Max	$1,549,000	84	-	4	4	1986	2,930	649,044	$529
	Avg	$1,549,000	84	-	4	4	1986	2,930	649,044	$529
	Sum	$1,549,000		-
Status: Pending, do not show (5)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$569,000	12	-	1	1	1930	1,089	7,200	$385
	Max	$1,499,000	371	-	3	4	1989	3,500	540,144	$735
	Avg	$1,087,600	150	-	2	2	1959	2,243	155,498	$508
	Sum	$5,438,000		-
Status: Sold (Closed Sale) (16)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$899,000	1	$875,000	1	1	1930	1,500	17,424	$396
	Max	$8,000,000	381	$6,625,000	5	6	1995	6,040	438,649	$1,660
	Avg	$3,335,575	50	$2,922,033	4	4	1969	3,632	146,487	$837
	Sum	$53,369,200		$43,830,500
Status: All (22)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$569,000	1	$875,000	1	1	1930	1,089	7,200	$385
	Max	$8,000,000	381	$6,625,000	5	6	1995	6,040	649,044	$1,660
	Avg	$2,743,464	74	$2,922,033	3	4	1967	3,284	171,379	$744
	Sum	$60,356,200		$43,830,500

Redwood City Market Statistics for the last 6 months of 2011-2012

vcostantini — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:12:30 +0000

Status: Pending w/ release (12)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$250,000	4	-	2	1	1925	780	3,885	$255
	Max	$995,000	268	-	4	3	1979	2,460	29,040	$577
	Avg	$475,966	62	-	3	2	1951	1,305	7,639	$363
	Sum	$5,711,591		-
Status: Pending w/o release (21)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$289,900	5	-	2	1	1910	890	2,775	$216
	Max	$949,999	222	-	5	4	2012	3,790	9,000	$618
	Avg	$634,121	65	-	3	2	1951	1,580	5,843	$421
	Sum	$13,316,537		-
Status: Pending, do not show (22)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$220,000	8	-	2	1	1915	840	4,200	$180
	Max	$1,399,900	382	-	9	6	2005	4,140	34,790	$604
	Avg	$612,938	69	-	3	2	1958	1,668	8,295	$362
	Sum	$13,484,638		-
Status: Sold (Closed Sale) (158)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$199,000	0	$205,000	1	1	1913	0	0	$158
	Max	$2,198,000	283	$1,925,000	5	6	2011	3,770	30,500	$1,100
	Avg	$768,630	35	$758,989	3	2	1953	1,603	7,797	$481
	Sum	$121,443,511		$119,920,201
Status: All (213)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$199,000	0	$205,000	1	1	1910	0	0	$158
	Max	$2,198,000	382	$1,925,000	9	6	2012	4,140	34,790	$1,100
	Avg	$722,799	43	$758,989	3	2	1953	1,591	7,647	$456
	Sum	$153,956,277		$119,920,201

Outdated House? Or too Plain to Stand out?

vcostantini — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:19:57 +0000

Lighting, Painting, Trim and Doors seem to be the ugly stepsisters to old kitchen and
bathrooms. I see it all the time. A potential seller has a home that they
bought for top dollar at the height of the market and everything is as outdated
as the day they bought it. In order to potentially get their money back or at
least minimize the loss there will need to be some cost effective updates made.

They waited because they wanted the best! Don’t we all? When it comes to reselling a home though all we need or want is updates
done on a dime. I am not promoting cutting corners, but I am telling you that
you have to stand out within your means in this type of market.

Paint is the cheapest and fastest update, but in a box of a room with no trim it may
not be as effective as it could be. In an outdated living room a couple of hundred
dollars spent on a nice crown molding and trim may go a very long way. It gives
the perception that this is a newer house. It’s like a beautiful frame put on a
poster! It is still a poster, but now it looks like a painting. New doors are
another somewhat cost effective update. A great resource for doors, molding,
windows, siding and hardware is Pioneer Millworks in San Carlos. Here is their
website and my favorite sales person is Tom Sheehan http://pioneermillworks.com/. They have
it all!

Cleaning and staging is great, but if there is cracking tile or avocado green appliances
it just won’t do the trick. Need a kitchen or bathroom spruce up and can’t
spend a lot. If you can’t afford the kitchen of your dreams but you either have
a crumbling atmosphere or are in need of updating before selling Terrence seems
to be a “go to” guy. My investor clients had just bought a shabby duplex and
needed to get it marketable to rent efficiently and economically. They called
Terrence and the job was done in just under 2 weeks. For the price of my stove they had cabinets,
granite, and appliances all installed. Was it breathtaking? No, but it was very
attractive, clean and modern though. They rented the place before the kitchen
was even done. I have also called him for clients that have left the kitchen remodel
as the last renovation and suddenly find themselves having to move. Here is their
info below. http://www.bm2005.com/.

Good Luck and don’t hesitate to reach out when you need ideas or recommendations. I’m
a phone call, text, or email away.

Buying Real Estate is a Long Term Investment

vcostantini — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:47:22 +0000

The thought over the past decade of “getting rich” buying
and selling real estate may seem like a thing of the past to some. That “some”
may define “rich” as someone who can buy most anything they want at any given
time. True wealth is not in fact a dollar amount one holds in the bank, but
what they are worth overall if they had to sell everything they have. If what
you want is to drive brand new cars and wear all the latest clothes, then real
estate as an investment was never for you. If what you want is for your
children and grandchildren to be comfortable later in life, and for yourself to
have a nice nest egg, then real estate as an investment may be just the thing.
The key words here are long term, and not immediate. Building true wealth takes
patience and very careful decision-making.

Let’s talk about real estate in the present tense, and lets
leave the past where it belongs. Still living in the past is what in my opinion
seems to still be holding back the market in some sense. So presently there are
a lot of HUGE opportunities out there for those with the ability to buy and the
positive cash flow to hold real estate as a long term investment. Also, a cash
buyer may with the right advice purchase distressed properties in nice areas
and remodel them for resale. This model seems best suited for buyers with
building abilities or connections.

Many rehab buyers do tend to turn the home around in the
same market, and some are able to make a decent amount of money doing so. The
long term model though still seems to be a better option for those who are able
to hold these properties and allow them to be paid down and appreciate.
Remember that life is long, and immediate pleasure can cloud our ability to
think far forward to our retirement and the possibility of creating positive
cash flow for that point in our lives.

Typical buyers, whom I should be focusing on here are buying
a house for themselves or their family to live in. In that case though the long
term model still absolutely holds true! Buy it to hold it! Take care of it,
update it, make it a quality home. One day if you decide that a bigger or
better house is what you need, you can sell this primary residence for top
dollar. Buyers are savvier every year and they recognize a home that needs very
little compared to someone’s old money pit.

One of my favorite questions for an older person with a home
in a prime neighborhood is “May I ask what you paid for this place?” Of course
with a few strokes on the keypad I can gather this information, but it is so
much more exciting to hear from the horse’s mouth. Typically the answer is in
the 5 digits!! I constantly thank my stars that my dad kept our childhood home,
because sadly he sold many others in the wrong market. He bought that place for
around $75,000.00 and it has been worth anywhere from $825,000.00 to as low as
$625,000.00. The fact that the market price fluctuates is of no concern because
when the market price is low the rent gets higher. Also, the market has
continuously swung back upwards eventually. He could never have saved that kind
of money with a family to support! The cash flow he has gotten renting that
place over the years has enabled him to save down payments for other investment
properties. He has built a long term wealth vehicle without selling for any
type of immediate gain.

I hope my point is made here because I need to move on to
organizing my real estate files….Good wealth and good luck.

Selling a Good Smelling House

vcostantini — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 16:40:56 +0000

There is not a buyer in the world that doesn’t immediately
take in the smell of a house upon entry. If the house is smelly….well then
there goes your first impression.

It is absolutely and undisputable a buyer’s market still, so
we need to make sure we capture the few that walk-in and are truly qualified to
buy.

First things first! We need to be one step ahead of the
competition, so without getting into the more expensive and physically
difficult parts of home preparation we will start at the first and easiest
step. SMELLS!! We don’t want any at all. No one wants to smell any sort of
odors upon entering or looking around.

Erik of Erik’s carpet cleaning says that most times the
first phone call comes from the realtor. “Most people didn’t even know that
their home smelled. They have gotten used to it and they have to hear it from
another person before they become aware. Even after I have thoroughly cleaned a
carpet it is up to the homeowner to keep the personal smell from coming back.”
My suggestion is daily airing out of the home, consistent linen washing and
making sure pets stay clean and food stays covered and refrigerated. It should
go without saying that smoking inside is one of the easiest ways to make a
house smell awful.

An independent opinion is not easy to get without asking. I
have never personally entered a house and said “Wow, what’s that smell?” What I
do usually do is include an article like this in my “Get your house ready for
the market” pamphlet. If my sellers have read it then they usually bring up the
conversation.

At this point most of my clients have read that the two most
common smells are pets and cigarettes. They are usually the first kind of
client to say “Do you smell the dog?” Or “From now on I will only smoke in the
garage or outside” To which I respond “Only outside!” The garage is just as
important as the rest of the house as most people spend a lot of time either
doing laundry or storing things in the garage and are hoping for a pleasant
experience.

Carpets and cat urine are the two biggest enemies of any
seller. If you know that urine has been in contact with your carpet, or worse
your carpet that is over wood, you absolutely need to address it!!! Everyone
will smell that smell upon entering even if you don’t. It will kill all first
impressions as visitor’s picture the floor rotting. Most of the time the only remedy
is to remove the carpet, remove the pad, seal the floor, and then replaces the
carpet and the pad. That seems pricey, but it will be nothing compared to the
reduction in sales price if the issue is ignored. Cleaning the carpet can help.
But humidity will raise the odor from the padding or floor beneath.

In any case it is best to first consult a professional
carpet and upholstery cleaner before trying to fix the problems yourself.

Paint and Carpet People or Remodelers?? That is the Question…

vcostantini — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:12:16 +0000

Remodeling can quite possibly be the continental divide between and
agent and their potential clients. If I had a dollar for the amount of
times a client didn’t like the configuration of a room and I was tempted to say
“You could just rip out this wall…” You could almost hear me pull the e-brake. These
are not easy statements for most buyers to hear and are sadly typical among
realtors. Most people will automatically picture me at that point writing a
blank check on their behalf, which is not the best way to try to sell them their
largest investment. Casually stating any type of heavy construction like that
to a buyer means that I did not qualify them before heading out together to
tour houses. I don’t like to waste my day, so I definitely shouldn’t be wasting
a potential client’s day either.

First impressions are everything, so I always try to make our
first meeting the most impactful! One of my first questions when I meet buyers
is “Are you paint and carpet people or are you remodelers?” This is by far the
most important clue you will be giving me in finding your new home! Chances are
that if you are buying in the Bay Area the home is not going to be “new” to
anyone but you, so I need to know your “remodeling capacity” long before we
ever get into the car.

Over the years I have learned that price can sometimes determine one’s
ability to fix up a house….but as your realtor I should have some
inclination as to what is realistic for my client’s situation. Years ago, after
several remodels my husband and I decided to tear down a house and rebuild it. At
the time I clearly thought we were capable of anything. Having already worked
with contractors for several years I somehow thought I could do their job. I
will never forget the first tradesman on the project, John Peet. He ran the
backhoe that initially tore down the house and made several reappearances as
the home was built. He said to me “So, how long ya been married?” I said “ Oh,
about 13 years….why?” He said because building this house is going to test your
marriage beyond what you can imagine.” I was a little stunned, and a little
gulled, but I never expected him to be dead on right. Those were a very hard
couple of years. Arguing started at every decision. I was always there, and he
was always at work so making choices, time management, and finances plagued the
build from beginning to end.

My point is that we had a pretty high threshold given our experience
and connections. The average buyer has been through much less and a
simple remodel may become daunting. On the other hand, if you were in some sort
of trades presently or previously, remodeling a kitchen may be old hat. In
either case getting to know each other a bit is the key in finding the right
home in the near future.

Call me soon so that we can discuss your real estate goals! Vicky Costantini 650-430-8425

Curb Appeal Before the Sign Goes Up

vcostantini — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 06:00:41 +0000

Looking at your house through the eyes of others seems to be a challenge to some. You have become used to the way it looks and feel good about it. Here is a little exercise you may go through to really see your home the way others do. Try going across the street, or better yet take a picture of it. Is it still living up to its fullest potential? Or are the blue and green garbage cans screaming for cover? Is the hose you so neatly piled up looking like a pile of clothes outside? Does the peeling porch paint stand out when you never thought twice about it? Chances are when you look at this blown up picture on your monitor you are going to see where the possibility for improvement lies.
Making your house look its best is not too difficult if you’ve been maintaining the paint and gardens. If not it is going to be a little pricier to soup it up, but imperative if you are going to put it on the market. Do not make the mistake of thinking that these things didn’t bother you, so they won’t bother a potential buyer. The first day your house is on the market is like a debutantes coming out party. She is going to be presented to society as your house is being presented to the market, so chances are she will never look better than that day. Making sure your house is in its best shape ever is the single most important thing you can do to assist your agent in getting top dollar for your home.
Here are a few things you can do to get your home started:
MANICURE YOUR GARDENS! If grass is patchy you will need to reseed and this can take time. If the grass is brown and dying then rolling sod will be a worthy investment. Also, make sure that there is not a lot of exposed dirt between plants. Spreading ground cover makes a world of difference.
PAINT! Is your home the most unique color on the block? If it is you should probably get some really honest opinions from family or friends on its appeal. There are some colors that should just not be on a home and they will make the house difficult to sell. Remember that the front picture of the home is the first glimpse any potential buyer has of your home! If they like that picture they keep looking, and if they don’t your dead in the water. If your color is a nice neutral or the opinion of your color is favorable, then just making sure it is touched up and in great shape will suffice.
DEBRIS! Make sure there is none! This means visible garbage cans, hoses, newspapers, furniture that doesn’t match or is in bad shape, gym bags and shoes…etc…All gone.
DECORATE! Matching porch furniture is a worthy investment! Stage your porch so people want to come in. I often go to OSHA or Kmart and buy a nice matching set for a couple of hundred dollars.

These are just a few examples of how to better prepare your home for its market debut. Please call me for a free, no obligation consultation.

1320 Edgewood Road, Redwood City Ca

agentevo — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:17:15 +0000

Private and serene home surrounded by a seasonal creek and rock formations. Main house is 3 bedrooms, and there are 2 additional studios on property. One is a legal rental and the other is an in law. Home is contemporary and light filled. This is a must see original home. Full basement is absolutely huge. Too many original features to describe.

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AgentEvolution

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List item 1
List item 2

Listing Price: 1,265,000.00
Address: 1320 Edgewood Road
City: Redwood City
State: Ca
ZIP: 94062

MLS # (if any): 81144011
Square Feet:
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4
Status:

The Importance of Remodeling the Bathroom

agentevo — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:52:32 +0000

Oddly, I often find that bathrooms are the last room in the
house to get remodeled. I have seen many houses on real estate tours that are
all dolled up until you enter the throne room. I get it, it’s a hassle to take
apart your bathroom, especially if it is your only bathroom, but it is beyond
important! A beautiful bathroom can be uplifting on many levels: it improves
your home’s resale value and provides you with a welcoming environment in one
of the most-used rooms of your house. If your bathroom has become the room in
the house you least want to visit, it may be time to consider some
cost-effective upgrades.

Paint is still the cheapest, easiest way to freshen a room’s
look and that’s true even in the bathroom. While painting a bath can be a bit
more complicated than other rooms because of obstructions like mirrors,
showers, tubs and the commode, it’s still a project well within the abilities
of most do-it-yourselfers. Good paint can be had for as little as $25, and most
bathrooms will only need a gallon or two. Painting older cabinets is also a
very cost effective way to either freshen up or update a style that may no longer
be popular.

Outdated tile can be replaced by a granite or stone slab.
This is a quick alternative to going through the various steps of tile
replacement. In the past it was a much more expensive product, but with many
manufactures now making pre-cut slabs it easy to stay well within a budget.

Fixtures are another dead give-away that a bathroom is
outdated. Brass fixtures can be replaced by a homeowner with a little know how.
Popular alternatives are chrome, brushed nickel, iron, or oil rubbed bronze.
Spray painting is an even cheaper way to go but requires proper preparation and
application. I personally would spend a little more to get quality fixtures as
these tend to be your bathrooms jewelry. Nice and unique fixtures can add interest
and show that care was used when remodeling.

Last but not least, I would advise that if this is not your
forever house, which most of us cannot predict….I would not get too personal
when redecorating a bathroom. Neutral colors tend to look cleaner and will allow
a new homeowner to see their own things and personal touch in the home.
Basically saying, just because you like lavender doesn’t mean a lot of other
people do…

Good wealth and good luck.