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Utilizing the Internet for House Shopping In San Mateo County

Apr 12th, 2011
by Kathy Rain.
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When searching for your  San Mateo Coastal home don’t forget the most useful tool out there…..the Internet.   Whether you are moving across town or into the next state, you can rely heavily on what the internet can provide to help cut down on their costs of finding that perfect place.  Looking for a home in the San Mateo Coastal area? Below are 5 great tips to help you!

1. Narrow it Down- It’s possible to spend countless hours searching for homes and “oohing and aahing” over the interiors of those that are out of your league. It’s always fun to look, right?  Yet for those who are seriously searching, your best bet is to contact a lender and get pre-aproved for a mortgage.  That way, you know how much you can realistically afford, which will help narrow down your search.


2. Know Where to Look- Internet sites such as Trulia, Zillow and Realtor.com are nationally recognized as the top real estate sites.  These options include an abundance of homes as well as tools for financing, tips, area information and much more!


3. The More the Merrier- Don’t limit your search to a single site.  Check out many sites at once to get a larger picture of the housing market in the San Mateo area.  Think of each online tool as a piece to the puzzle in putting together a list of your tops homes!


4. Stay in the Know- Many internet tools offer rss feeds or email campaigns that you can have delivered right to your inbox!  These are a great way to stay on top of all that’s going on in the market- and all you have to do is sit back and allow the information to come to you!


5. Read Any Good Blogs Lately?- Real Estate blogs are a great way to keep a finger on the pulse of the latest news.  Of course, not all blogs are created equal (and we happen to think ours is pretty great!), but find local blogs to the area in which you  desire to find your home.  Oftentimes they’ll provide you with community information, new listings in the area and much more!

If you have any questions about your internet home-buying search; let us know!  We provide the latest services in technology to help both our buyers and sellers.  Check out other articles in this blog, or find out more information about the San Mateo Coast on our website!  Contact us for help finding your dream home!

/kh

Being Prepared to Purchase in San Mateo

Mar 15th, 2011
by Kathy Rain.
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If you are ready to buy a home in any of the coastal towns of Moss Beach, Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Pacifica or Montara and are getting ready to start the process, there are a few things to consider first. The process can be overwhelming and confusing to some buyers, especially first time homebuyers as to what they should be doing.

Here are some tips to keep in mind before you begin to ensure a smooth transaction in your San Mateo  home search:

Avoid making any major purchases – at least not on credit. If even you are pre-approved, do not make any large credit purchases or take out any loans before you close on your new home. For example:

  • Autos, boats or other vehicles
  • Furniture
  • Appliances
  • Electronics
  • Student loans
  • Refinanced property
  • Personal loans

The more legwork you do before you begin searching San Mateo homes, the better. One of the most important things to do is make sure your credit is in good shape. Check your report to make sure there are no mistakes or surprises.

Changing jobs is not a good idea. Unless you are moving up the ladder. They look at how steady and stable your employment history is and use this as an important deciding factor on you getting approved and it also affects the interest rate you receive on your San Mateo home mortgage.

Don’t skip the home inspection or rely completely on the seller’s inspection. Get an objective third party home inspection. Your real estate agent in San Mateo County can recommend one to you. Make sure that any repairs or problems are not on your contract.

Finding your dream home is a good feeling, but if you can’t afford it, DON’T buy it!  As sensible as this sounds, foreclosures are at an all-time high for this very reason. Talk to your San Mateo real estate agent about finding out the property taxes, utility bills, HOA expenses, insurance and maintenance. You pay for more than just the cost of the home! There are a lot of factors to consider!

Get pre-approved, be prepared and avoid home buying mistakes! You don’t want your dream home in San Mateo County to turn into a nightmare!

/kh

St. Patrick’s Day In Half Moon Bay

Mar 10th, 2011
by Kathy Rain.
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Check out the entertainment from 7 to 10 p.m. on March 17 for the Coastside’s premiere St. Patrick’s Day celebration when the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company at 390 Capistrano Rd., welcomes Celtic-based band Claddagh with Shana Morrison, Kevin Brennan & Grant Walters.

Chef Gason Alfaro is offering an Irish themed menu to be served throughout the day which includes traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage as well as Stout Beef Stew made with the Brewing Company’s Imperial Stout in Half Moon Bay.

Bring your family or meet your friend to St. Patricks day! This event starts at 7:00 pm and goes until 10:00 pm. For more information call 650-728-2739.

/kh

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