Have you driven past a house with a yard that looks like a dump and then wondered if the owner’s had any pride of ownership?   We’ve all seen those houses.  When you’re getting ready to sell your home it’s very important to look at your yard closely because it may be time to consider hiring a gardener, or getting help from family and friends, to make some needed changes as soon as possible so your house looks picture perfect. The right gardener can transform the most jungle-like backyard into a beautifully manicured area of peace and tranquility, in as little as a day!  With all the other tasks associated with selling your home, landscaping is a great project to outsource.

Before hiring a gardener, ask friends or neighbors for referrals. And don’t forget, you can always ask us or your own Realtor for a referral to a good gardener, too.  Once you have a few recommendations, make a list of what you need done and ask questions and raise any concerns you may have with the gardeners/landscapers you decide to interview.

Some key points to discuss are how often you would like service and what you need included at each visit. Services range from simple mowing to complete care, with reseeding, new sod, watering and fertilizing options. Don’t be afraid to ask your new gardener for help with ideas and improvements that could increase your property value and alert your gardener as to the property status, since there may be times when you may want extra service (such as before an open house).

Keep in mind that a specialty garden is not the same as basic maintenance. If you have special circumstances, you may want to write down your needs along with any verbal instructions for your final choice of landscaper or gardener. Don’t forget that maintenance costs, liability insurance and worker’s compensation coverage are all topics you will want to discuss before entering into any final agreement.

Once you have begun your service, inspect the initial work and take time to notice the changes occurring in your landscaping. As you offer feedback to your gardener and become a part of the process, you will see your home evolve into a well-kept, beautifully groomed masterpiece. Your home will create the best impression possible and deliver the message you want to share with potential home buyers.

This may be costly but you will find this will be repaid with a higher sale price in the end allowing you to recoup your out of pocket costs. Your ROI will a good one.   Above all else, don’t forget to keep good records of everything thing you do to prepare your home for market as this can be part of your adjusted basis when you finally sell your very last house.

Here are some San Mateo homes for sale today.

Showing properties 1 - 24 of 24. See more city of San Mateo real estate.
(all data current as of 2/25/2012)

1. $919,000 : 117 15th Av, San Mateo
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,840 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,000 sq ft

   Year built: 1925
   
2. $998,000 : 406 Edgewood Rd, San Mateo
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 1,270 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,090 sq ft

   Year built: 1936
   
3. $699,000 : 849 N Delaware St, San Mateo
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 1,150 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,960 sq ft

   Year built: 1927
   
4. $798,888 : 1411 Maple St, San Mateo
   
   3 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 1,470 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,000 sq ft

   Year built: 1941
   
5. $979,056 : 629 30th Av, San Mateo
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,580 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,096 sq ft

   Year built: 1942
   
6. $949,888 : 3200 Del Monte St, San Mateo
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,270 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,750 sq ft

   Year built: 1951
   
7. $825,000 : 3985 Oneill Dr, San Mateo
   
   5 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,320 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,000 sq ft

   Year built: 1950
   
8. $779,999 : 1665 Wellesley Av, San Mateo
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,270 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,750 sq ft

   Year built: 1955
   
9. $899,000 : 430 Highland Av, San Mateo
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,510 sq ft

   Lot size: 4,560 sq ft

   Year built: 1912
   
10. $675,000 : 4004 Martin Dr, San Mateo
    
    4 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,690 sq ft

    Lot size: 5,000 sq ft

    Year built: 1951
    
11. $680,000 : 19 Hillbarn Ct, San Mateo
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,480 sq ft

    Lot size: 6,800 sq ft

    Year built: 1951
    
12. $699,500 : 950 S Fremont St, San Mateo
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,260 sq ft

    Lot size: 5,000 sq ft

    Year built: 1936
    
13. $799,000 : 606 36th Av, San Mateo
    
    3 beds, 3 full baths

    Home size: 1,840 sq ft

    Lot size: 6,000 sq ft

    Year built: 1960
    
14. $760,000 : 121 28th Av, San Mateo
    
    3 beds, 1 full bath

    Home size: 1,240 sq ft

    Lot size: 5,904 sq ft

    Year built: 1948
    
15. $848,000 : 3404 Cheryl Ct, San Mateo
    
    3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 2,200 sq ft

    Lot size: 4,664 sq ft

    Year built: 1982
    
16. $800,000 : 172 Starlite Dr, San Mateo
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,540 sq ft

    Lot size: 9,006 sq ft

    Year built: 1959
    
17. $675,000 : 320 Monte Diablo Av, San Mateo
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,180 sq ft

    Lot size: 5,520 sq ft

    Year built: 1910
    
18. $749,000 : 514 E 16th Av, San Mateo
    
    4 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,180 sq ft

    Lot size: 4,750 sq ft

    Year built: 1946
    
19. $878,000 : 23 Denali Dr, San Mateo
    
    4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 1,990 sq ft

    Lot size: 2,999 sq ft

    Year built: 1988
    
20. $650,000 : 2048 Texas Wy, San Mateo
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,240 sq ft

    Lot size: 5,000 sq ft

    Year built: 1954
    
21. $800,000 : 3734 Hacienda St, San Mateo
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 2,000 sq ft

    Lot size: 5,830 sq ft

    Year built: 1951
    
22. $899,888 : 331 N Delaware St, San Mateo
    
    4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 2,500 sq ft

    Lot size: 5,313 sq ft

    Year built: 2000
    
23. $1,000,000 : 25 N Railroad Av, San Mateo
    
    6 beds, 5 full baths

    Home size: 2,200 sq ft

    Lot size: 9,800 sq ft

    Year built: 1890
    
24. $879,000 : 527 E Capistrano Wy, San Mateo
    
    2 beds, 1 full bath

    Home size: 1,370 sq ft

    Lot size: 8,232 sq ft

    Year built: 1942
    

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

If you find yourself in a no-win situation regarding your mortgage, it can be helpful to speak with your lender and ask about loan modifications that can be made in the short term.  You can ask about the short sale process, too, and see if that may be a viable option for you.  A short sale is when your lender agrees to accept a lower price than is owed on your property as payment in full.  There is a lot of paperwork that accompanies this type of sale and it is helpful to use a real estate agent that has short sale experience with this type of transaction.  In fact, some real estate agents like us, and some home buyers, specialize in just this type of sale and can be a great help to you!

If you want to stay in your home, rather than sell, programs such as the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) , or the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA)  offered by Freddie Mac may all be options.  Fannie Mae and your individual lender may have other programs that can assist you as well.  Please click here to view a variety of tools on how to avoid foreclosure.  Remember that you do have options, if you are willing and able to face them.  It will take time to explore them but don’t give up!

If you would like to talk to a certified expert on short sales and foreclosures, Alex Wilkas is just the person to call.  Our number is at the top of this page.  Call us so we can walk you through the options you have before it’s too late and you lose your largest life investment, the home you and your family are living in.  San Mateo County is one of a handful of counties in California that hasn’t seen a great deal of foreclosures but short sales have been plentiful.  Don’t be embarrassed to talk to us about this.  We are here to help you.

The median price for a San Mateo house selling in 2011 was $805,138.  That’s for the city of San Mateo not the county.  The median price for all of California homes sold in December 2011 was $304,770.  The 2011 statewide median prices haven’t been published yet, but this is a good number for comparison.  San Mateo County is unique to California.  It’s unique to the US housing market.  It is not what you are hearing about on television, from the radio, on the internet or in print whether that’s a newspaper or magazine.

• The average price of a housing being listed in San Mateo was $839,380
• The average list price, which is the last price in the MLS when an offer comes in was $819,414
• The average sale price was $807,135.
• The most expensive sale in 2011 was $3,330,000
• The least expensive sale in 2011 was $257,250.
• The sales prices were averaging between 96% and 99% of the list price.

Why is this happening here and not other places in California?  There are a couple of reasons.  San Mateo County has little land for housing but lots of vacant land.  It’s built out and sits between San Francisco and Santa Clara Counties.  We have a vibrant tech community and businesses are generally doing well.  There is a shortage of housing here, and always has been.  If you want to live here you pay more to do so.

The condo market in San Mateo is large and prices vary significantly from entry level to luxury for people down sizing.  There were 317 condos or townhouses sold in 2011 in San Mateo.  Because of the way the Multiple Listing Service combines townhouses with condos, not everything is truly a condo in the 317 count.  Many of these may also be townhouses that sit on land that is owned by the homeowner and not part of a condo community.

It took an average of 102 days to sell one of these homes (condos and townhouses).  This is considerably longer than other communities in our area and that’s likely due to the shear number in the city as well as the larger number of entry level units.  Condos generally take longer to sell in comparison to either townhouses or houses.

• The average price was $389,705 and the median price was $340,000
• The most expensive condo was $1,378,000 and there were 2 others that sold for over a million dollars
• There were  5 that sold between $800,000 and $1 million
• The average sold price for the city was $390,263
• The sales prices were between 92% and 96% of list price but we did see some sell above asking price

We’re here to tell you more about our local real estate market and tell it like it really is.  Are there bargins out there?  Well, if you search hard enough, you do see a few.  We are seeing short sales but there are few bank owned out there and when the bank owned properties do come on the market the banks are now fixing them up and pricing them at market price.  It’s very hard to find a real deal in our area.  It’s not something you can do without the help of a seasoned Realtor so give us a call and talk with us about your wants and needs and let us help you.

Above all else, you must be pre-approved before starting your buying process.  The banks are making everyone jump through hoops so be prepared and be ready.

Here some of the current houses for sale in San Mateo

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 65. See more city of San Mateo real estate.
(all data current as of 2/25/2012)

1. $500,000 : 334 N Ellsworth Av, San Mateo
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 1,200 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,250 sq ft

   Year built: 1912
   
2. $919,000 : 117 15th Av, San Mateo
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,840 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,000 sq ft

   Year built: 1925
   
3. $499,000 : 629 Prospect Rw, San Mateo
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 1,770 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,850 sq ft

   Year built: 1924
   
4. $1,198,000 : 3035 Monterey St, San Mateo
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,390 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,200 sq ft

   Year built: 1946
   
5. $1,349,000 : 145 Castilian Wy, San Mateo
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 2,311 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,050 sq ft

   Year built: 1936
   

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

Here are some of the current condos or townhouses for sale in San Mateo

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 61. See more city of San Mateo real estate.
(all data current as of 2/25/2012)

1. $585,000 : 111 E 9th Av #103, San Mateo
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,450 sq ft

   Year built: 1979
   
2. $257,000 : 904 Peninsula Av #405, San Mateo
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 758 sq ft

   Year built: 1965
   
3. $257,000 : 320 Peninsula Av #421, San Mateo
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 930 sq ft

   Year built: 1987
   
4. $239,900 : 3041 Los Prados St #101, San Mateo
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 956 sq ft

   Year built: 1963
   
5. $538,000 : 1 Baldwin Av #404, San Mateo
   
   1 bed, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,100 sq ft

   Lot size: 2 sq ft

   Year built: 1988
   

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

Hillsborough only has single family homes.  There are no condos. No townhouses.  Only large stately homes on large lots.

The least expensive home sold for $1,195,000. There was only one at that price, probably a bank owned in need of work, and who ever bought it got a steal of a price.  The land value is probably more than that.

• 12 homes sold between $1,700,000 and $1,800,000.
• 9 homes sold between $1,600,000 and $1,700,000.
• 8 homes sold between $1,400,000 and $1,500,000.
• 14 sold between $1,800,000 and $2,000,000.
• 87 sales were above  $2,000,000.

The average list price for 2011 Hillsborough California homes was $2,775,773 and the average sales price was $2,627,551.  91% of the listings sold at the original price.  93% sold at a reduced price and the average time on the market from listing to close of escrow was 73 days.

Does this tell you that our market is in distress?  It sure doesn’t say that to me.  Homes are selling under 90 days.  Many places around the US would kill for statistics like this.  If you want to live in Hillsborough California and enjoy the benefits of this community, you pay for it.  Top schools.  Top weather.  Top location.  Privacy.  Close to everything.  Can we show you some of these homes?  Call us now and begin enjoying the Good Life in 2012!

Here’s what’s on the market in Hillsborough today.

Showing properties 1 - 15 of 47. See more city of Hillsborough real estate.
(all data current as of 2/25/2012)

1. $1,799,000 : 380 Moseley Rd, Hillsborough
   
   3 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,050 sq ft

   Lot size: 21,687 sq ft

   Year built: 1956
   
2. $3,495,000 : 10 Victor Park Ln, Hillsborough
   
   6 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,880 sq ft

   Lot size: 21,780 sq ft

   Year built: 1961
   
3. $2,350,000 : 463 Remillard Dr, Hillsborough
   
   3 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,670 sq ft

   Lot size: 39,600 sq ft

   Year built: 1957
   
4. $2,990,000 : 1220 Black Mountain Rd, Hillsborough
   
   5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 4,700 sq ft

   Lot size: 31,903 sq ft

   Year built: 2000
   
5. $3,750,000 : 410 W Santa Inez Av, Hillsborough
   
   7 beds, 5 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 4,950 sq ft

   Lot size: 19,878 sq ft

   Year built: 1935
   
6. $3,595,000 : 541 Ravenscourt Rd, Hillsborough
   
   5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 4,460 sq ft

   Lot size: 27,878 sq ft

   Year built: 1930
   
7. $4,585,000 : 20 Rockridge Rd, Hillsborough
   
   5 beds, 4 full baths

   Home size: 4,324 sq ft

   Lot size: 26,136 sq ft

   Year built: 2002
   
8. $2,995,000 : 555 El Cerrito Av, Hillsborough
   
   4 beds, 4 full baths

   Home size: 3,440 sq ft

   Lot size: 25,351 sq ft

   Year built: 1955
   
9. $4,000,000 : 2990 Privet Dr, Hillsborough
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 4,166 sq ft

   Year built: 1980
   
10. $4,195,000 : 2980 Privet Dr, Hillsborough
    
    5 beds, 4 full baths

    Home size: 5,496 sq ft

    Year built: 2010
    
11. $1,899,000 : 25 Warmwood Wy, Hillsborough
    
    3 beds, 3 full baths

    Home size: 2,510 sq ft

    Lot size: 21,900 sq ft

    Year built: 1958
    
12. $2,380,000 : 1125 Bromfield Rd, Hillsborough
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 2,822 sq ft

    Lot size: 19,200 sq ft

    Year built: 1949
    
13. $5,495,000 : 145 Fallen Leaf Dr, Hillsborough
    
    5 beds, 5 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 6,500 sq ft

    Lot size: 36,630 sq ft

    Year built: 1976
    
14. $15,750,000 : 925 Seabury Rd, Hillsborough
    
    6 beds, 9 full, 2 part baths

    Home size: 14,250 sq ft

    Lot size: 1.27 ac

    Year built: 2007
    
15. $5,580,000 : 820 Chiltern Rd, Hillsborough
    
    7 beds, 6 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 7,870 sq ft

    Lot size: 1.13 ac

    Year built: 1981
    

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

There were 221 closed sales of single family homes in 2011 with an average of 51 days on the market.  For those of you who don’t know what that means, it is the time it takes from the listing to the close of the escrow and recording of the new owner with the county.

• The average price was $1,257,035 and the median price was $1,196,000.
• The largest number of homes sold was in the $1,200,000 to $1,300,000 price range, with 25 sold.
• Then 19 were sold between $1,100,000 to $1,200,000
• There were 18 sold between $1,400,000-$1,500,000 and 18 sold over $2,000,000.  The top end of the market was selling very well in 2011.
• The sale prices were averaging between 96% at the list price and 98% of sold price.

The condo market is Burlingame isn’t a huge one compared to the other communities around us but there were 31 closed sales of condos in 2011 with an average of 77 days on the market.

• The average price was $616,461 and the median price was $535,000.
• The majority of these sales was between $475,000 and $600,000 with 12 sold.
• Luxury condos do sit in Burlingame and there were 3 sold above $950,000.
• The sale price was averaging between 94% at the list price and 97% of sold price

So, what does it mean when there are two sales prices listed?  The list price is the original price that a listing comes to market, and homes were selling between 94-96% at that price, which isn’t shabby.  If there was a price reduction, the second number is the percentage of homes selling at that price.  97-98% of all of the properties with price reductions sold at the reduced price.  This means demand is strong in Burlingame for real estate and prices are holding.

The old saying is if you want to live here you’ll pay the price, is holding true.  Burlingame has great schools, weather and location.  Let us know how we can help you find your dream home by calling us now.

Here are some current Burlingame houses for sale.

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 36. See more city of Burlingame real estate.
(all data current as of 2/25/2012)

1. $934,900 : 1754 Quesada Wy, Burlingame
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,740 sq ft

   Lot size: 8,712 sq ft

   Year built: 1956
   
2. $749,000 : 812 Howard Av, Burlingame
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 1,010 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,250 sq ft

   Year built: 1926
   
3. $985,000 : 107 W Fey Dr, Burlingame
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,330 sq ft

   Lot size: 17,767 sq ft

   Year built: 1965
   
4. $759,000 : 308 Bayswater Av, Burlingame
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,690 sq ft

   Lot size: 4,692 sq ft

   Year built: 1986
   
5. $1,698,000 : 1124 Drake Av, Burlingame
   
   3 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,400 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,000 sq ft

   Year built: 1924
   

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

Here are some current Burlingame condos for sale.

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 7. See more city of Burlingame real estate.
(all data current as of 2/25/2012)

1. $925,000 : 107 El Camino Real #105, Burlingame
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,862 sq ft

   Year built: 2000
   
2. $450,000 : 1477 Floribunda Av #207, Burlingame
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,019 sq ft

   Lot size: 999 sq ft

   Year built: 1974
   
3. $735,000 : 525 Almer Rd #101, Burlingame
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,562 sq ft

   Year built: 1975
   
4. $578,000 : 1110 Bayswater Av #105, Burlingame
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,245 sq ft

   Lot size: 100 sq ft

   Year built: 1983
   
5. $439,000 : 1515 Floribunda Av #304, Burlingame
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 935 sq ft

   Year built: 1977
   

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

This chart shows the Median price in the county.  The county is made up of 19 cities.  If you want to see the real time stats for any of our local communities please ask and we can provide them for you.  Our research is almost real time, as it’s a week late by the time we get it and no one else can provide that kind of data to the market.

Here’s the condo and townhouse report for San Mateo County during 2011.  In our local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) condos and townhouses are listed together.  There is a difference, though, as most townhouses in the county sit on land that is owned by the family who owns the townhouse.  Condos are part of a shared property and all owners share the ownership of the land the units sit upon, even if they are townhouse style.

As you can clearly see, the value is in the house and the land.  We as a county, are built up, and no one is making any new land.  New construction taking place is mostly multi-family condo type of housing, not single family homes.  When you are buying a home in San Mateo County you are essentially buying the dirt the house sits on and then the sticks that make up the house.  If you can stretch to buy a single family house, that’s the way to go.

Prices corrected the most in the condo arena but this is the median price and doesn’t reflect the high end condos in Burlingame, San Mateo and Menlo Park.  Prices for those can, and often do, exceed $1 million.

Would you like a copy of your own report?  Let us know or sign up through the Market Mapper link.

Finally, a website has come along that aggregates demographic data including census data, and research data to provide a picture of a community.  Take Foster City for instance.  I ran a report on this city and some of the information being provided includes General Lifestyles, Neighborhoods, Schools, and Crime.  The website is PicketReport.com and as someone who has always loved data, this site is cool.  The picture on the left is a heat  map of the demographics in our immediate area.

According to the PicketReport, Foster City is made up of Flourishing Families (affluent middle-aged families and couples earning prosperous incomes and living very comfortable active lifestyles).  Foster City has a high walk-score, high school scores, and almost no crime.  Now, this is a lot of the data I can legally give about Foster City and do, but it also drills down further about the demographics, which is the stuff I can’t legally give.

If you’re a data wonk, and want to know more about the communities around Foster City such as San Mateo, Hillsborough and Burlingame, this will give you the info all in one place.  You will love this site if you are in marketing.  It’s not 100 percent accurate but it does give you an idea of what our communities are all about in one place.  The ask you to sign in but if you register I don’t see any value to you as the end user.  You can get your snap shot of the zip code you’re interested in without registering.

It’s a free service and you can get the information by zip code just keep in mind it isn’t totally perfect.  Then again, almost nothing is perfect, is it?

Here’s what’s for sale in Foster City today.

Showing properties 1 - 7 of 7. See more city of Foster City real estate.
(all data current as of 2/25/2012)

1. $1,059,800 : 1407 Melbourne St, Foster City
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,070 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,778 sq ft

   Year built: 1985
   
2. $865,000 : 650 Matsonia Dr, Foster City
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,670 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,605 sq ft

   Year built: 1964
   
3. $1,179,000 : 269 Avocet Ct, Foster City
   
   5 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,690 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,630 sq ft

   Year built: 1969
   
4. $869,000 : 632 Matsonia Dr, Foster City
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,760 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,320 sq ft

   Year built: 1964
   
5. $999,990 : 850 Gull Av, Foster City
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,160 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,320 sq ft

   Year built: 1966
   
6. $1,529,000 : 1001 Monterey Av, Foster City
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,170 sq ft

   Lot size: 8,540 sq ft

   Year built: 1978
   
7. $1,189,000 : 760 Coronado Ln, Foster City
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 2,110 sq ft

   Lot size: 4,857 sq ft

   Year built: 1977
   

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

Things Not to Do When Buying a Home

Here are Ten Things a future Home Buyers Should Never Do Before Closing on a Home.  If you do any one of them, it could cause a huge delay in your closing.  Lenders are very tough on borrowers today and they check and double check your credit and work history prior to lending.  They don’t like surprises and you shouldn’t give them any.

The process is well underway for buying your new home. You’ve made the offer and the sellers have accepted it.  Your escrow has been opened. You’re counting the days until you close escrow and get the keys to start to make the house your home. Your lender pre-approved you and sent your application through underwriting, so buying the house is a sure thing, right?

Not quite. Nothing is certain until the keys are in your hand and the deed is recorded. There are still hurdles to get past before it’s yours, and your actions between now and closing can create headaches, slowdowns and even stop the transaction. Yes, stop the transaction cold.

1. Don’t Make a Major Purchase of ANYTHING without talking to your lender first

You’ve just found out your credit is A+. That’s great news, because a new car would look fantastic in the driveway of your new home. But hang on–if you are depending on a mortgage to move in, you’d better wait until after closing to buy that car.

An increase in your debt to income ratio reduces the amount of monthly income available for your mortgage payment.

If you tack on a higher car payment, the bank might decide you can’t afford the home.

Using cash to purchase the car could also create a problem, since banks consider cash reserves when approving your mortgage. If you must make a major purchase before closing, talk to your loan officer before you do it.

2. Don’t Change Jobs Unless It’s Necessary

Lenders like to see a consistent job history. They didn’t used to be nervous if you changed jobs within the same field, but it’s better to stay put until the house is yours. If you do need to change your job, your escrow will slow down while the lender waits to see four (4) pay stubs to make sure your new income will allow you to still purchase that home.  That slow down could effect not only your seller but others if the seller is buying a new home, too.  The seller could ask you for additional funds because of the delay.  Don’t do it unless it’s absolutely necessary.

3. Don’t Give an Earnest Money Deposit Directly to a For-Sale-By-Owner Seller

Your good faith deposit should go into a trust account. Some for sale by owner sellers don’t understand that funds are not their’s to spend until closing. The only place a trust account should sit is with a Title & Escrow Company.  Escrow Companies are neutral third parties to a purchase and they take their instructions from the buyer and the seller.  They are impartial and if you buy that For-Sale-By-Owner home write your deposit check out in an escrow company’s name only.

I’ve heard many stories about sellers who spent the deposit money prior to closing. When the transactions didn’t take place for valid reasons–such as financing or repair issues, the buyers had to fight for a refund.  That can’t happen when the funds sit in an escrow account.

Find an attorney or escrow company who will hold the deposit for you until closing day and make sure your contract dictates what happens to the funds if the transaction doesn’t close.

4. Don’t Let Your Emotions Take Over

Keep a cool head during the entire home buying process, especially during and after a home inspection. Be realistic. No home is perfect, especially older homes. It’s not unusual for new owners to take care of some repairs themselves. Don’t let the seller’s refusal to do a small repair kill the deal on a home you truly love.  Realors are able to negotiate for things you might not be able to do so ask your agent if some things are possible and let them work on it.

On the other hand, don’t fall so much in love with the house that you’ll buy it no matter what needs to be done–unless you’re sure you can handle it emotionally and financially. Decide what type of repairs you can realistically tackle, then stick with the decision.

5. Don’t Forget to Switch Utilities

That sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to apply for utility service at their new home. Call the utility companies as soon as you have a contract. Find out how many days lead time they need to switch the service, then get back with them when you have a firm closing date.

Don’t forget to discontinue services at your old home.  That doesn’t mean to shut off utilities it means to make sure the new owner’s have their name on the bill from the day of closing forward.  If they haven’t done this call your Agent to help.

6. Don’t Forget to Line Up Your Fire & Hazard Insurance

A no-brainer, right? But it’s another often-forgotten task that buyers scramble to take care of at the last minute. Before closing, your lender will want to see an insurance binder showing you have coverage for the new home. Get it as early as possible so that closing isn’t delayed.  Your Escrow Officer will need the name of your Insurance Agent for her files, too.

In some locations, additional types of insurance coverage might be necessary such as Flood Insurance. Talk to your lender about insurance requirements well before the closing date.

7. Don’t Become Best Friends with the Seller

I’ll get some flack on this one. It’s great to be friendly, but don’t get into too many long discussions with the sellers, because personality conflicts often cloud judgments.

Remember, this is their home. You’re excited about moving in, and if you didn’t like the house you wouldn’t have offered to buy it. But you’ll make changes–everyone does. A casual statement about “ripping up that ugly carpet” might be hurtful enough to keep the seller from negotiating with you about repairs or other issues that crop up.

8. Don’t Panic if the Appraisal Comes in Low

At least not at first. There are some things you (and your agent) can do to correct the problem. Study your options and talk with your agent about the best things to do. Today it’s very difficult for an Appraiser to do his/her job with prices dropping significantly in some areas.  If your appraisal comes in really low, you can ask for a second appraisal from a second person.  Appraising is not done with computers so everyone doing it does it a little differently.  Lenders are also asking for sales comparisons closer to your purchase date and that isn’t always easy to provide today.

9. Don’t Go It Alone

If you’re working with an agent, it’s the agent’s duty to track many of the day to day details that involve the lender, the seller, or the seller’s agent. Be sure your agent schedules a final walk-through just before closing. At this final walk-through make sure everything is the same as it was when you made your offer.  It is the Seller’s responsibility to keep their home the same all during the escrow period.  If it isn’t, this is the time to find out, not after you own it.

Should you find additional problems during this walk-through, it’s not too late for additional inspections and negotiation with the seller.

10. Don’t Ignore Lender Requirements

Know what is expected of you and take care of it. For instance, a Certificate of Eligibility is required to move forward on a VA loan. That’s something you must handle yourself. Answer your lender questions and make sure that you provide required paperwork as quickly as possible–moving into your new home depends on it.

Your lender will call your employer to verify your employment.  They are likely to do this several times so don’t be surprised.  The lender talks with HR if you work in a large company or with your boss if it’s a small company.  The lenders do this to make sure you are still employed before giving you your loan.  They expect you to be able to pay them back and being employed is a large part of this.

If you follow these 10 things during your escrow period, you’ll get those keys and own your new home without any hiccups.

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!

Saturday afternoon at 3 PM listen to the Foster City Community Chorus sings a program called “We Are Lights” at Transfiguration Episcopal Church in San Mateo, and repeats it again Sunday afternoon same time and same place.  Ticket information here  and they are $20.

Also on the same weekend Peninsula Cantare performs their holiday program in Palo Alto at the First Baptist Church at 7:30 PM and the following afternoon, 3 PM at Trinity Presbyterian Church in San Carlos.  This is the final concert for Music Director Janice Gunderson, who is retiring and features Mozart Requiem and selections of the Handel messiah and solosits Susanna Jimenez, Soprano; Donia Gariaeff, Alto;  Brian Thorset, Tenor; and Michael Morris, Bass.  Tickets available at the door and are $20 for general admission and $15 for students/seniors.

Masterworks Chorale of San Mateo performs their program, “Carols Around”, the  following weekend, December 11 and 12. The Saturday program is at 8 PM and the Sunday program is at 4 PM, both are at Grace Lutheran Church in Palo Alto.  Buy tickets here and are $20 advance purchase, $25 at the door, and $10 for students.

Finally, Viva la Musica! performs Sunday December 11 at 4 PM and the following Sunday, December 18 at 4 PM.  The musical selections are Gloria’s by John Rutter and Randol Alan Bass accompanied by brass and percussion ensemble and organ.  Tickets available here are $25 preferred, $22 general, $20 seniors and $15 students/groups.

All of these choral groups are non-profit organizations and the sales of tickets helps to keep them singing.  If you love to sing, check them out and see which one might be a good fit for you.  They’re always looking for new voices to make music with.