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Buying a home in the San Mateo Coastal area can be an exciting time!  With so many great homes in Half Moon Bay, Pacifica, El Granada, Montara or Moss Beach- it may be hard to choose which is right for you!  There are many things within the home to look for when buying.  You want to make sure that, even if it’s a great deal, that the home is in good shape and that it fits your needs and lifestyle.   So, you may have found your dream San Mateo area home, but have you considered it’s surroundings?

Oftentimes homebuyers don’t place as much emphasis on the neighborhood that a home is in, and this is something of which to be very cautious.  You may know the basic things to look for when trying to choose a safe neighborhood, but there are a few less obvious things that you want to be on the lookout for when choosing your new home.

Multiple-Use Areas-  Sure, it’s great to have a park close by, but is the park secluded or surrounded by a lot of trees?  Would you feel okay with sending your kids to the park if it’s not visible by others?  Look for places that have multiple-use areas such as a park next to the post office or coffee shop.  Below are a list of great park districts in the San Mateo Coastal area!

With parks, beaches and trails to explore; these area parks have much to offer!  Visit the links below to get more information on the parks in your area!

- Pacifica Parks

- Half Moon Bay Parks

- El Granada Parks

- San Mateo Parks

Well Maintained Land and Buildings- Homeowners or business owners that take pride in keeping up buildings and area land are sending out a non-verbal that the area is cared for and is being watched.  Crime is far less prevalent in well maintained areas.

Unobstructed Lines of Sight- Make sure homes in the area are not hidden by tall shrubs and multiple trees.  Places people play or walk should be visible- it’s a way of having an unofficial neighborhood watch in place.

Neighborhood Nightlights- Do the neighbors keep porch lights or driveway lights on at night?  This is a great way to detour nighttime theft and break-ins.

Active Streets- When perusing the neighborhood, do you notice people out and about?  If you see that others feel safe with walking around the area by themselves or even allowing their children to play outside, it’s a good indicator that it’s a safe and trustworthy neighborhood.  ( Need some ideas for activities for your kids?  Check out these creative ideas near Montara!)

Real House Fronts- It may seem obvious that all homes have house fronts, but not really.  There are those homes that are mostly garage or driveway space in the front.  If most of the homes in the neighborhood are like this, it means that most of the activity takes place in backyards and the street goes unwatched.

It’s reassuring to know that there are many great neighborhoods in the San Mateo Coastal area! Here area some quick links to an overview of our favorite neighborhoods!

- El Granada

- Pacifica

- Montara

- Half Moon Bay

- Moss Beach

If you have further questions about the area neighborhoods or want to find one of the homes along the San Mateo Coast that best suits you- let us know!  We’d love to answer your questions and show you around!  Hope to hear from you soon!

Kathy & Michael Rain
Your San Mateo Coastal Real Estate Experts

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