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Help Create an Eco-Friendly Environment for Your Home and Half Moon Bay!

Living with an eco-conscious viewpoint is something that those living in Half Moon Bay and surrounding areas regard as a way of life.  Their passion to keep the environment free from trash, plant gardens and trees, and live as sustainably as possible is the reason many choose to live in the vibrant community of Half Moon Bay.  While shops, restaurants and beautiful homes are in abundance; residents feel strongly about keeping their environment as the first priority.

If you want to join Half Moon Bay residents in keeping the area healthy, there’s an opportunity to volunteer this Saturday, January 22nd!  The non-profit organization from Santa Cruz, Save Our Shores, will be hosting a beach and river clean up on Miramontes Point Beach and along Arroyo Canada Creek.  This FREE event will take place from 10am-12pm and SOS will be providing all cleanup supplies.  View more information for this volunteer opportunity, or view the Save Our Shores website for more information on future events!

While this coming Saturday will be a great time to volunteer, you may be wondering what you can do on a daily basis in your Half Moon Bay home!  We’re glad you asked!  There are many ways to be eco-friendly in your home and we’ve listed a few key ideas below.  Even though seemingly small; these daily choices can add up to a big difference in saving energy and helping our environement!

1. Bundle Up- Feeling chilled?  Instead of turning up the thermostat, throw on a pair of socks or an extra layer.  These small choices to not turn up the heat can really add up in energy savings!

2. Set the Timer- Set your thermostat to lower temperatures while you’re away from your Half Moon Bay home or while you’re sleeping.  This will automatically help reduce energy used as well as costs just by programming your thermostat.

3. Unplug- Not using an appliance?  Unplug it!  The Department of Energy notes that, even if appliances are not being used, they are still using energy.  40% of electricity used for your home electronics is used when they’re turned off, but still plugged in.  Getting in the habit of unplugging will be prove to be a smart habit in the long run!

4. Let the Sunshine In
- During the day, be sure to leave blinds and curtains open to let in the sunlight and natural heat.  At night, shut them to help “trap” the warmth.

5. Switch our Your Lights- All of your lights can be changed out for energy efficient LED lights!  With the sun setting earlier, you’ll be using your indoor lights more often and your energy usage will increase.  Switching out your light bulbs can make an incredible difference.

6. Light a Fire- It’s amazing how a fire in your fireplace can heat up a room instantly!  Consider lowering your thermostat on cooler evenings and lighting a fire instead.

7. Stop Leaks- Check all doors and windows for drafts.  You can easily seal windows and doors to prevent the warm air from your Half Moon Bay home from escaping while making sure the cool air doesn’t leak in!

We hope you have the opportunity to get involved with the cleanup this weekend in Half Moon Bay, or that you can begin making these small changes in your home.  Either one will make a difference in our environment; remember every little bit helps!

If you have questions about going green in your home, or have been considering buying a home in Half Moon Bay in order to be a part of its’ vibrant community;  please let us know!  We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have or show you around the area.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Kathy & Michael Rain
Your San Mateo Coastal Real Estate Experts

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Sellers Now Have a Short Window of Opportunity

Super Bowl Sunday can’t come fast enough for the real estate market.  Historically, this is when the floodgates open and sellers start putting their homes on the market.  Good news for Buyers but not as good for Sellers.  Read what is happening in the Bay Area below.

“What’s happening? First-time buyers are rushing to take advantage of the federal tax credit before it expires this spring. Unfortunately, we aren’t seeing a commensurate number of sellers bringing homes to the market to capitalize on this. There are inventory shortages throughout the Bay Area. Open homes are attracting a flood of serious buyers. The result is that attractive, well-priced homes in good neighborhoods are getting lots of interest and, in some cases, multiple offers. 

Without as much competition for buyer’s attention, a well-maintained home could stand out like a redwood tree in a desert. This may not last for long as more homes come on the market in the weeks and months ahead (don’t forget the old adage that people start listing homes after the Super Bowl).

So by and large, it’s pretty much a conversation about inventory when you talk about our Bay Area real estate market.  Even the luxury market, while admittedly slower than lower price points, has inventories trending down.  Take San Francisco, for example, for homes over $2 million.  The luxury market finished out December 2009 with a 6 months supply of inventory – compared to 10 months supply for the same period in 2008.  You’ll find similar trends in the high end in many of our communities in Silicon Valley, Peninsula, Marin, and the East Bay.  Accuracy in pricing and attention to detail in showing condition remains critical in the luxury markets, but sales activity is picking up and inventories are going down.”  by Rick Turley, President, Coldwell Banker San Francisco Bay Area

THAT SOUND YOU HEAR IS OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING.

THE HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT HAS BEEN EXTENDED AND EXPANDED. 

 Current homeowners can now receive a $6,500 tax credit, while first-time buyers are still eligible to receive an $8,000 credit. 
But act soon, the opportunity of a lifetime ends April 30th, 2010.

First time Home Buyer Credit has now changed 3 times.  The biggest change came in December 2009:
Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010 under the Binding Contract Rule-“as long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until June 30, 2010 to close.
Who Qualifies-First-time homebuyers and current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five (5) consecutive years within the last eight years.
Increased Buyer Income-Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit-effective on November 7, 2009, single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000-may receive the maximum tax credit.
Price-Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.

HURRY IF YOU’RE THINKING OF PURCHASING OR YOU’LL LOOSE OUT ON FREE MONEY!