San Mateo County residents

Acceptable E-Scrap: camcorders, cell and desk phones, computers, computer monitors, connectors/cables, DVD players, fax machines, keyboards, lab equipment, laptops, main frames, mice, optical drives, PC boards, PDAs, printed circuit boards, printers, radios, scanners, servers, stereos, storage discs, tape and ZIP drives, televisions, UPS power supply units, video game consoles, and VCRs. Maximum of 3 standard size banker boxes (10″x12″x15″) per household for document shredding; proof of San Mateo residency required. 

This event is sponsored by “Rethink Waste” and this would be a great opportunity for parents and teachers to teach the younger generation about the importance of E-Scap. Local events in San Mateo like these will help keep our community green and beautiful! For more information call:  650-802-3500.

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Buy Applicances that use less water and electricity.

Many companies sell appliances like washing machines and dishwashers which use 10-15% less energy and water than standard models.  Not only are the appliances using less, but they save money when it comes to the electricity and water bills.

Use Environmentally Friendly Flooring

A wood floor produced without VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) keeps the air clean in the house.  Cork flooring helps maintain a constant air temperature in the room thanks to it’s natural thermal insulation properties and is a renewable resource.  This is because only the cork bark is trimmed from the tree and the cork oak trees continue living.  In addition, cork has a waxy substance called suberin, which repels bugs, mold, mites and even termites, keeping allergens at bay.

Change Lights with Energy Efficient Models

According to the U.S. Department of Energy ENERGY STAR program, if every American home replaced it’s five most frequently used lights, such as kitchen, outdoor post lamps, living room table lamps etc. with fixtures that have earned the ENERGY STAR, almost $8 billion would be saved each year in  energy costs and greenhouse gasses reduced at the rate of almost 10 million.

Remember, money and time isn’t the only things you are saving!  You can feel good about these changes not just because it will give you the edge of selling your home,  but because you are doing your part to save the Earth!   If you interested in learning more about creating a “green’ home and it’s impact on potential buyers, contact us today and see how we can help you!

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Held in the Pumpkin Capital of the World, the festival includes pumpkin carving and pie-eating contests, a Halloween costume contest, haunted house, Great Pumpkin Parade, giant weigh-off champion pumpkins, homestyle foods, harvest-inspired arts and crafts, and three stages of blockbuster entertainment.  The festival is presented by the non-profit Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee.

If you are a fan of arts and crafts you will love this event! Here you can purchase one of a kind unique works of art directly from its creator. Over 250 artists and craftspeople from throughout the West will display their creations in the beautiful autumnal atmosphere of the San Mateo coast.  This world-famous festival showcasing works in media ranging from wood, stone and metal to clay, leather and textiles features everything from masks and moccasins to mobiles and musical instruments

This great family friendly event in our community is on October 15th and 16th from 9am-5pm! Admission is free.  Hope to see you there!

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 As San Mateo Coastal Realtors for many years, we’ve come to know each of these towns very well and feel that they each have unique characteristics that would draw home buyers to them.  

Love the outdoors?  Pacifica may be just the place for you!  There are many hiking trails that wind through forested canyons and along the coast where you can enjoy ocean views.  Pacifica has a rich history and well-loved community spirit that welcomes newcomers in with open arms.  So, how do you know if a Pacifica home is right for you?  Here are four great ways to determine your next move!

1.  Location, Location, Location- You’ve heard it many times, but the location of your home plays a large role in your quality of life.  Is the Pacifica home you’re hoping to buy close enough to your work place or, if not, are you willing to deal with the commute?  Another good factor to look at is the school system.  Even if you don’t have children, a good school system can come into play when reselling your home.  Luckily, Pacifica is home to many great schools!

2.  Home Features- Come up with a list of important features you are looking for in your Pacifica home.  Of course the number of bedrooms and bathrooms is almost always first on the list, but take into consideration storage space, room for pets, a growing family or need for guest space, and the amount of potential projects versus the home being in move-in condition.

3.  Ask Questions- It’s exciting to take tours through beautiful Pacifica homes, but make sure you are aware of the pros and cons.  Feel free to ask your Pacifica Realtor any questions openly.   A few good questions would be:  How much are property taxes?  Which appliances are included and how old are they?  Have there been any major repairs to the home and, if so, when were they completed?

4.  Scrutinize- Look at the home from an objective perspective.  It may be easy to get swept away by the stunning Pacifica views or a few key features, but don’t be afraid to do a thorough inspection of the home.  Look in closets and cabinets, take note of the window casings,  examine walls and ceilings to note any damage, etc…  You’ll feel better making an offer on a home that you feel meets your standards.

We hope these home buying tips are helpful to you.   We would love to help you in your home search as our goal is to make the home buying process as stress free as possible!  Contact us today to learn more about our team and our ability to help you find your dream home on the beautiful San Mateo Coast!

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General Parking is $10.00 (cash only) at 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo, CA 99403. First 250 cars get FREE PARKING!

Go green and save some green! Ride your bike or take public transit! You can walk or ride in off Delaware Street at the West Entrance. 

San Mateo residents won’t get a chance to attend these events until next season so come out this Friday and come hungry!

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You may have experienced some level of stress in buying your San Mateo Coastal home due to the very rigorous rules and regulations. Or you may be looking into the San Mateo Coastal real estate market and are uneasy about applying for a loan because you don’t quite know where to start! New regulations on loans are sometimes confusing and the process can easily become frustrating, but there’s hope!  Andy Block a Loan and Personal Finance Advisor has come up with 7 Tips to Save Your Sanity during the loan approval process. We’ve listed them for you below!

1. Be expedient and thorough- When initiating a loan, and throughout the loan process, it is imperative to provide complete documentation to your Mortgage Advisor as quickly as possible. For instance, if all pages of the bank statement are requested, it really means all pages. While you and I might not think it’s necessary to include the reconciliation page of the statement, the lenders do. And, when they receive only five of the six pages of said bank statement, the loan process can become inefficient and stalled.

2. Keep detailed financial records- If it is necessary to transfer funds from one account to another or to sell stock for a down payment, keep a detailed paper trail of all transactions, deposits and liquidations. Lenders will request it.

3. Spill the details- Be sure to notify your Mortgage Advisor of any changes to the purchase transaction. Unidentified last minute changes, such as escrow holdbacks, seller credits or termite work can wreak havoc with closing dates.

4. Keep your day job- Lenders always contact your employer just before the loan funds. If you have left that company (quit, moved to a new company or retired), the lender will stop the loan from funding and recording.

5. Know the facts- If you are in the process of divorcing, most lenders will not approve or fund a mortgage loan until the final decree (settlement terms) is recorded.

6. Safeguard your social security number- Talk to your Mortgage Advisor before making any significant credit or purchase decisions. Lenders rely on using credit scores to assist in mortgage credit decisions. Incurring new debt during the loan process increases your debt-to-income ratio and could reduce the amount you can borrow. Each credit inquiry – whether you ultimately make a purchase or not lowers your credit score. The same holds true for pre-approved credit card offers that you receive in the mail; responding to them will result in a credit check.

7. Be available- Be sure to leave a contact phone number with your Mortgage Advisor if you are traveling for business or on vacation. Until all the loan approval conditions are met, you may be required to provide additional documentation or information.

We understand that buying a home is a huge investment! The paper work, hoops to jump through and getting everything you need in order can be a lot to handle. Using these seven tips will help cut down on the stress and will help streamline the process. If you are looking to buy a home on the San Mateo Coast, we can help! We’ve had years of experience and would love to help you find the home of your dreams! There are many great homes in the San Mateo Coastal Area from which to choose. Contact us and we’ll be happy to answer your questions and give you a tour of the homes in the area!

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Local vendors will also be present with their merchandise/services available, and free prizes from these local vendors and The Melting Pot will be given out. If this sounds like a good time to you, then come on out to 2 North B Street in San Mateo for great food and lots of fun with your girlfriends!

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If you are aware of these specific costs and budget for them, they won’t surprise you on closing day and cause you financial stress.

Below is a guide to some of the more standard costs that you may be faced with on closing day.

• Loan Origination Fee or Points: These are the fees charged by the lender for generating your loan.
• Broker Fee: These fees are occasionally combined into the Loan Origination Fee.
• Credit Report: Lenders may require this fee up front to obtain and review your credit history. (Approx. $21 – $60)
• Appraisal Fee: This fee is normally non-refundable and will vary depending on the value of the home.
• Inspection Fee: Fees paid to have a Certified Home Inspector evaluate the structural and mechanical condition of the home.
• Title Search: This search will provide verification that the seller owns the house you are buying.
• Title Insurance: This fee insures against losses as a result of any title defects.
• Prepaid Interest: To pay up the mortgage interest to the first of the following month.
• Mortgage Insurance: Insurance to protect the lender in the event that the borrower (mortgager) is unable to repay the loan.

These are some of the most common costs involved with closing. Once you have applied for your loan, the lender will provide you with a Good Faith Estimate of what they anticipate the closing costs to be.

Be sure to do your homework and ask extensive questions about these items and your closing on your new California coastal home will go much smoother on closing day.

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Prior to the event, the map with the garage sale locations will be available at the same web address. Remember, by opting to pass along reusable items to others rather than taking them to the dump, you will conserve natural resources, reduce the burden on the local landfill, help out others in the community, and make some money in the process! Whether you are buying or selling this Saturday in Half Moon Bay, this is an even that you don’t want to miss!

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Below are some of the top mistakes sellers make that you want to avoid when you are preparing your house for the market:

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to go it alone, get advice from others on what looks neat and organized. Get your realtor’s advice; or if selling on your own, have a trusted third party walk the home with you and point out areas that look cluttered or cramped.
• There is no need to make extensive renovations or replace all the furniture. Keep things simple and your investments small. Updates to paint, replacing light fixtures or changing out pillows or bedcovers can all go a long way to giving your home an updated look without major expense.
• Leave out personal items and knick-knacks. Be sure to remove family photos, school projects and other personal items that might make it hard for a new family to envision themselves living in the space.
• If you need some inspiration, visit a few model homes for sale for ideas on attractive staging ideas for open spaces. Open up heavy curtains with tie backs and make sure that your furniture isn’t in the way of creating bright open spaces. If you need to take some things out, try temporary storage.
• Avoid painting with dark or intense colors. Keep your wall and flooring colors to neutral, adaptable tones. Even if bright or varied color palettes are trendy, they are too much for most prospective buyers.
• Avoid over-staging with accessories. Over the top accessories, including flowers, scents, and home décor items not only make it look like you are trying too hard, they can detract from the real form and functionality of your house.

Keeping it simple is the key to getting results from staging your home. Clean, uncluttered and neutral surroundings show off the possibilities of your home to your potential buyers.

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