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Moss Beach

Donate to San Mateo Local Charities

‘Tis the season to be charitable! There are many great local San Mateo charities and donation centers that could use your help this holiday season! This would be a great time to clean our your homes and donate unneeded items to a good cause.

Here is a list of a few reputable charities that would appreciate your donations:

Assistance League of San Mateo County Turnstyle Thrift Shop
LOCATION: 60 North B Street @ Baldwin Avenue San Mateo, CA 94401
PHONE: (650) 342-2367
HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00am – 4:00pm

Funds from resale are used to purchase new clothing, uniforms and books for underprivileged elementary school children; new books for family literacy programs; new clothing for sexual assault victims at San Mateo County General Hospital; and to fund a coordinator for a home visit program for the elderly in San Mateo County.

NEED: Clothing & accessories, housewares, small furniture items, books, jewelry, collectibles, toys, small appliances, small furniture pieces, portable color televisions and decorative items for the home. 

DO NOT NEED: Large furniture or appliances, computers, videos or record players. 
 
Episcopal Church of Saint Matthew Service League Thrift Shop
LOCATION: Corner of Baldwin Avenue & El Camino Real San Mateo, CA 94401
PHONE: (650) 344-0921
HOURS: Thursday – Saturday 10:00am – 2:00pm

Funds from resale are donated to a variety of San Mateo County charities.

NEED: Clothing & accessories, housewares, books, jewelry, collectibles, toys, small appliances, small furniture pieces and decorative items for the home. 

DO NOT NEED: Large furniture, appliances, computers, TVs or stereos. 
 
First Step for Families (Shelter Network)
LOCATION: 325 Villa Terrace San Mateo, CA 94401
PHONE: (650) 340-8814
HOURS: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm. Please call first.

All donated items are provided free of charge to shelter families or are used in shelter facilities.

NEED: Household appliances, bedroom and bathroom linens, brooms, dustpans, cleaning supplies, kitchenware and utensils, lamps, televisions, clock radios, strollers, highchairs, school supplies, sports equipment, books and games for teenagers, educational toys, Halloween costumes, unused toiletries and computer games for Windows-based PCs. 
 
Friends of the San Mateo Public Library San Mateo Public Library, Main Branch
LOCATION: 55 West Third Avenue @ El Camino Real San Mateo, CA 94403
PHONE: (650) 373-4802 (Administration)
HOURS: Mon – Thu 10:00am – 9:00pm, Fri – Sat 10:00am – 5:00pm; Sun 1:00pm – 5:00pm

The San Mateo Public Library Foundation uses funds from resale to purchase new books and support adult literacy programs and children’s library services.

NEED: New & used books; CDs and videos (in perfect condition).

DO NOT NEED: Textbooks, Reader’s Digest condensed books, National Geographic and Smithsonian magazines. 
 
Goodwill Industries Thrift Store
LOCATION: 28 West 25th Avenue @ El Camino Real San Mateo, CA 94403
PHONE: (650) 525-2780

Use this opportunity to show your family how it truly is better for the soul to give than to recieve this holiday season by donating to these San Mateo charities.

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Have a Successful Open House!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           If you’ve been thinking of selling your home in any of the coastal towns of Moss Beach, Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Pacifica or Montara, having an open house is a great way to get buyers in your house! 

  As San Mateo Coastal Real Estate agents; we understand the importance of hosting a great open house.  Buyers want to see the ins and outs of your home and there are six key ways to help your home have a successful open house!

1. Make it Generic- While it’s great to make your home personal, your pictures, children’s art or your to do list on the refrigerator can be a large distraction to potential buyers.  They need to be able to envision themselves in your home, so putting away those personal items will help buyers picture their life in your coastal home.

2. Clear Counters- Look at your kitchen or bathroom counters from a outsiders viewpoint.  Do you have too many appliances cluttering your kitchen counter?  Clearing this space will make their appear to be more room for cooking or their own storage.  If your bathroom counters are filled with perfumes, toothbrush holders, etc… take time to put them in cabinets or drawers so buyers can see the actual size of the space.

3. Set the Table- This may not seem necessary, but having your dining room table set with nice place settings add a touch of class and can help the San Mateo Coastal buyer envision hosting their own dinner parties.

4. First Impressions- Believe it or not, a nice doormat or attractive porch can really set the tone for the entire open house.  If there’s an old doormat , chipped paint or nothing special about the entrance to your home, buyers may feel that you don’t really care.  A welcoming setting from the start will instantly let buyers know that your home is well-maintained and that each area of your home is cared for.

5. Get to the Heart- The best way to appeal to the buyers’ heart is through offering something special when they walk in the door.  Whether you bake fresh cookies, have hot chocolate or coffee in the cooler months, or have lemonade for them on your counter as it starts to get warmer; these added touches will set your home apart.

6. Don’t Stick Around- While it may be tempting to want to hear what the potential buyers have to say, it can be awkward when the seller is present.  They will feel that they can’t openly express their thoughts to the agent and will not feel as comfortable when looking throughout the home.  Even if you take a walk through the neighborhood, being away from the home during an open house can make all the difference.

Hosting an open house can seem like a nerve-wracking process, but it’s the best way to get your home sold.  By taking note of these tips; you’ll be well on your way!  If you have questions about selling your San Mateo Coastal home; please let us know!  You’ll want someone who knows the area, has experience in selling homes on the coast and can be with you every step of the way.  Feel free to contact us with any questions you have or to learn how we can help sell your home!

San Mateo Auction

Are you looking for a unique gift this holiday season for that hard to buy for person? Take a break from big box stores and the mall and visit an auction house! You never know what you’re going to find at an auction or what kind of bargain you can get.

Here are the details:

When: Tuesday Dec. 20, 2011
Where: San Mateo Events Center – Sequoia Hall  1346 Saratoga Drive San Mateo CA 94403
Time: Registration Starts Promptly at  12:00 p.m. Auction starts promptly at 1:00 p.m.
What to bring: Cash or cash equivalent (permitted forms of checks should be made payable to yourself or Auction.com, LLC) required on auction day. Government-issued identification required on auction day.
 
This is an exciting event with antiques, treasures and rare finds. Come out to this local San Mateo event and see what unique items you can buy!