It was a typical week in the Springtime San Carlos real estate market with good activity in new homes coming on the market - 10 of them - and a good amount of sales - 8 of those.   There are currently 63 single family homes on the market in San Carlos. The 10 homes that got listed in San Carlos this week were:973 Cherry St - $539,900 - 2/1 - 980 sq ft2647 San Carlos Ave - $793,000 - 4/4 - 2,500 sq ft163 Ruby Ave - $799,000 - 3/1.5 - 1,250 sq ft260 Beverly Dr - $799,950 - 2/2 - 1,416 sq ft 45 Shelford Av - $839,000 - 3/2.5 - 1,440 sq ft 132 Garnet Av - $1,110.000 - 4/3 - 2,268 sq ft  3211 Melendy Dr - $1,149,000 - 3/2.5 - 2,830 sq ft 19 Anchor Ln - $1,299,000 - 6!!!/4 - 3,650 sq ft - not often that you see a 6 bedroom house come up in San Carlos204 Exeter Av - $1,349,000 - 4/3.5 - 3,450... 05/15/2011

"OMG. We love this house! We watched planes coming & going from SFO and realized we can see the GG bridge [Golden Gate Bridge] peaking up thru the hills (with binoculars). Amazing." This is an email I received this morning from my client who closed a week ago on a fabulous home located in the San Carlos hills. This is why I work so diligently to help my buyers be victorious in multiple offer situations; This is why I listen to my clients' worry and frustration with the lending process, and encourage them to continue sending in paper after paper requested by the underwriters, assuring them it will be worth it in the end; This is why I make sure the transaction stays on course, that deadlines are met throughout the contract period; This is why I love being a Realtor® in San Mateo County -... 04/30/2011

The Market is Hot in San Carlos, CA 94070 Last week I wrote about my listing at 122 Hillcrest Road in San Carlos, how we received a good offer after 5 days on the market and are now in contract. The market is hot in San Carlos CA. On Tuesday property contingencies were removed and the appraisal came in at value.   Today I'd like to tell you about my buyers' purchase of 55 Hartford Avenue.This is a lovely house with spectacular views from downtown San Francisco to the East Bay and south bay hills; views of 3 bridges crossing the bay; views of twinkling lights of San Carlos and nearby towns. This is a house on a 17,000 sq.ft. lot, very large for San Carlos, where deer roam and wildflowers bloom--it's like having a mini Edgewood Park in your own back yard! This is the house they had been s... 04/28/2011

A Zillow Tale - Home Sold in San Carlos CA and Zillow's Zestimate This morning's email contained a notice from Zillow about one of my listings, 1925 Belmont Avenue, San Carlos. First, here are a few facts about the listing: it went on the market 2/6/11 it was under contract 4 days later, with 6 offers received sale finalized and recorded 3/15/11 list price: $1,129,000 sale price: $1,207,000 A couple of things jumped out at me when I saw the Zillow link today: first, it appears to be an active listing, and second, the Zestimate is w-a-a-y off. Take a look at the screen shot: While Zillow is an interesting site, the Zestimates can be pretty zany! This one is off by more than 20%! This will be good reference for buyers and sellers when they tell me, "....but Zillow says the house is worth ... 03/24/2011

Wood's Coffee and Sandwiches in San Carlos, CA 94070 Have you ever found yourself wishing for a friendly neighborhood spot in San Carlos, California, in a quiet location, where you could relax with a cup of coffee and light meal? Well, your wish has been granted! Open since December 2010, you'll find Wood's Coffee and Sandwiches tucked away at 1665 Laurel Street, between Central Avenue and St. Francis Street, on the South end of Laurel Street. This warm, inviting shop is open for early morning coffee and rolls, and stays open until mid-afternoon, offering sandwiches and light lunch fare. Free wi-fi, a quiet relaxed atmosphere, good food and a friendly staff make Wood's Coffee and Sandwiches a very welcome addition to the White Oaks neighborhood. Open since December of 2010, this is the ... 02/18/2011

"How many houses are selling over the asking price?" .....asked a client as we were meeting in San Carlos, California, preparing to write up an offer earlier this week. "Not as many as sell for less than asking," I replied. "However, when a house has that 'WOW' factor and is priced on the low side, anything can happen."  And anything did. We knew there would be two offers, possibly three, and my clients wrote a very clean offer, slightly above list price. The next morning, as I presented the offer, I learned 10 offers were expected. Later that evening, the tally was up to 14 offers! The real estate market is hot here in San Carlos! We were pretty stunned at the activity level. I knew buyers were out in great numbers -- I'm working with 5 active buyers right now, and 3 others who are thi... 02/03/2011

Houses are selling in San Carlos, CA 94070!! This morning was a happy day for my buyers--finally, loan documents were in and the signing we hoped to accomplish last Friday took place. Early last December these first-time buyers entered into contract to purchase this sweet home, a home they're looking forward to enjoying with their young son. Sometimes serendipity comes into play in real estate. The sellers wanted a long close or a rent back; they were remodeling their replacement home and weren't ready to move in December. My buyers had a lease on their rental that continues into March, 2011. The solution: close of escrow about 7 weeks out, January 28 to be exact; a rent-back to the seller for 30 days at the buyers' PITI (principal, interest, taxes and insurance). A sweet deal that wor... 01/26/2011

One house always seems to stand out, doesn't it? Tuesday is Broker Tour day in my part of San Mateo County, California. Today's tour was by far the largest in recent months. In the areas I serve, I had a choice of 111 properties to view. After scanning each listing, I focus on ones that might be good fits for all of my buyer clients, check out others that are comparable to any listings I have, current or upcoming, and others that, for one reason or another, would be of interest to friends and clients. Most weeks one house stands out above the others, and today was no exception. High in the hills of San Carlos, California, with views of the San Francisco Bay, East Bay hills, city lights from one direction, and Edgewood County Park and Skyline Ridge from the other side, is 3154 La Mesa D... 01/25/2011

Sunrise in San Carlos, CA 94070 -- This morning San Carlos welcomed a new January day with this gorgeous sunrise as viewed from my back yard! Life in San Mateo County and the Silicon Valley is pretty sweet. While much of the country is shivering and shoveling snow, we're running in T-shirts, working in short sleeves, and enjoying the warming trend. Temperatures are expected to be 58 degrees today, and in the 60s over the weekend. If you want to explore whether living here is right for you, give me a call! 01/13/2011

Wende’s Week at a Glance for San Mateo County Real EstateHere's a quick look at San Mateo County Real Estate activity in Wende’s 6 select  cities – San Carlos, Redwood City, Woodside, Atherton, Menlo Park and Portola Valley - for the week of 12/31 -1/7/11. The first week of the new year has been a busy one in San Mateo County Real Estate with a few sales closing, a smattering of new listings coming on the market, and the bulk of business concentrating on helping buyers get into contract - 43 newly pending sales - and helping home owners with plans to sell their homes in the upcoming months.  Here's an example of what buyers are seeing to buy this weekend.  This San Carlos home has returned to the market after a 4-month hiatus and is now listed for sale for $1,049,950 by Dave Blewett of ... 01/07/2011

Condominiums and Townhouses in San Carlos, California, 94070 As I do every week for a number of communities, this morning I checked all San Carlos activity in the condominium and townhouse market. Here's what I found entered into our multiple listing service for condos and townhouses in the City of San Carlos: 24 - Active listings  8 - Pending sales  3 - Sales closed since 11/1/10 The Active listings range in price from $799,000 to $275,000; the median price is $555,250. The Pending sales range in price from $744,000 to $399,000; (more about these below) The Closed sales  ranged in sales price from $849,000 to $499,000, with a median price of $559,500. I found the pending sales of great interest. The 4 lowest priced properties all all short-sales, with median asking price of $407,000. T... 01/06/2011

Yesterday in San Carlos, California, 94070 Yesterday was the first broker tour of the new year in San Carlos and surrounding communities. Properties on tour were sparse. I check specific San Mateo County cities where I work, and there were 45 properties on tour, instead of the more typical 85-110. And most of those were re-tours of properties that have been on the market a while. It will take us a week or two to get back up to speed! As I do weekly for a number of communities, I checked all San Carlos real estate activity regardless of tour status. Here's what I found entered into our multiple listing  service for single-family homes in the City of San Carlos: 32 - Active listings 21 - Pending sales  8 - Sales closed since 11/15/10 The Active listings range in price from $2,799,000 to $... 01/05/2011

Mystery Photo Contest- the Answer and the Winner! Earlier this month I asked you to tell me: where in San Mateo County CA is this structure located? what is on the top of it? and a bonus question this month: what is the structure's name? This was difficult for those of you out of the area, but David Ames, Barbara Le Pine, and Jane Peters all knew at least one of the answers. (And Jane's answer that the bridge was named "Fred" cracked me up!) However, the winning name drawn is that of Bev Wright, a newsletter reading in San Carlos. Bev knew that the bridge is part of Interstate 280, and is the Eugene A. Doran Memorial Bridge. Bev, congratulations! You've won a gift certificate to Mack's Smoked BBQ Restaurant in downtown San Carlos. Mack grew up right here in the White Oaks area, and now ... 12/15/2010

A fitting image for the first week in December and because there was just one house that got listed in San Carlos last week.  It is that time of year, when there is so very little that comes up on the market.  Thankfully, there is some accumulated inventory for our December buyers in San Carlos to choose from.  For those of you out buying, we currently have 55 single family homes on the market in San Carlos.  A year ago, we were at 66.  Quite a bit of a difference.   The one house that listed last week in San Carlos was: 21 Coleman Ct - $1,299,000 - 5/3 - 2,200 sq ft - This is a really great house: cul-de-sac, fairly open floor plan, views AND usable yard, and cool wine room. There were 4 homes that sold last week in San Carlos.  They had an average of 36 days on the market (DOM).  The ... 12/02/2010

What Should You Donate to Your Local Food Bank? At this time of year our local food banks are looking for donations to try to meet holiday and daily needs of many of our neighbors. This year the need is more crucial than ever; donations have been down and the need up. Second Harvest Food Bank serves San Mateo County and the Silicon Valley, and you're likely to see their collection barrels in stores and companies around our local towns. Have you ever wondered what types of items are the most helpful? Here's a list a fellow runner compiled recently and shared with our group:   The Basic List - nutritious, non-perishable items Meals in a can (stew, chili, soup) Tuna and canned meat Peanut butter Canned foods with pop-top lids Low-sugar cereals 100% fruit juices in single serving boxes Cann... 11/28/2010

It is interesting because it is feeling as though we are experiencing a slowing in the San Carlos real estate market, but the absorption rate numbers for the month of October in San Carlos were good.  However, inventory is relatively high at 68 single family homes on the market in San Carlos.  A year ago we had about 10 fewer homes on the market in San Carlos.  My impression is that buyers are sitting on the sidelines right now and that there are going to be many that activate in the beginning of 2011, making for an active market in the early part of the year that will continue on through the typical busy Spring market.  Buyers who buy between now and the end of the year are going to score deals that those who delay until the new year are not going to get.  That's my prediction. You sa... 11/22/2010

Night of Holiday Lights-San Carlos CA 94070 The City of San Carlos and the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce are presenting the first ever "Night of Holiday Lights" in downtown San Carlos. This is a FREE community event, to be enjoyed by all. Restaurants and businesses will be open, there will be children's crafts and train rides, music and carolers, and festive lights with a snowfall forecast! This special event will take place on Friday, December 3, 2010, between 5:00 and 8:00 pm, with the lighting festivities scheduled for 6:30 PM. Downtown Laurel Street is the location. Hope to see you there! 11/17/2010

Mystery Photo Contest: The Answer and the Winner Last month I asked you to tell me: 1)    what type of business or service is depicted here, and2)    the name of the town shown in these pictures Many of you knew or guessed the right answer--the CalTrain station in San Carlos, California. This train station, built in 1888, is one of the oldest buildings in San Carlos. It was built with the same sandstone and by the same stonemasons as the original buildings at nearby Stanford University. It housed the city's first post office and first library, and has now been declared a historial point of interest. (My thanks to the San Carlos Villagers for the above information.) Today the station is home to the Depot Cafe, Mary's Place, serving breakfast and lunch daily. Richard Lake, a newsletter re... 11/17/2010

It's time for the 2nd Annual Goblin Walk in San Carlos, California When: Friday, October 29, 2010, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Where: the 600-800 blocks of Laurel Street, downtown San Carlos What: It's Trick or Treat time! The 2nd annual Goblin Walk is presented by the San Carlos Park and Recreation Department and the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce Cost: Free! For Whom: all spooks, witches and ghosts and other goblins 7 years old and under, accompanied by an adult. Come dressed in costume and pick up a Goblin Walk bag, then trick or treat at any merchant's store displaying a Goblin Walk plaque in their window. Why: to provide a fun, safe Halloween activity for children, and to promote the downtown San Carlos shops For more information: take a look at the Goblin Walk flier Don't miss out -- and if... 10/26/2010

    Antoinette Galindo | Alain Pinel Realtors | (650) 302-7411 3300 Bay Court, Belmont, CA   Simply serene this home has an ideal floor plan and is in an excellent location. MLS # 81037554   4BR/2+1BA Single Family House   offered at $968,000 Year Built 1967 Sq Footage 2,220 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 5,500 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION REDUCED---Much sought after quiet lower canyon location. Excellent floor plan with 4 bed/2 ba plus laundry room on the 2nd level. The first level consists of living rm, dining rm, kitchen/family room, 1/2 ba. Flat corner lot. Two car garage with ample storage plus a woodworking room.   see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central heat Fireplace Hardwood floor Tile floor Family room Liv... 10/08/2010