PruCalVoices is a real estate blog supported by Prudential California Realty located in San Bruno, California and www.PruCal.com
Here is a selection of my recent posts:
Karin Cunningham:
Top 5 Reasons to Buy a House in the Bay Area in 2012
January 30, 2012 · Karin Cunningham · 2 Comments
1. Prices are down!
2. Interest rates are a low 4% and below. With interest rates low and prices down, people who have had the same income for the past 2 years can qualify for home loans easier.
3. FHA loans requires only 3.5% down.
4. The Bay Area is the leading real estate market next to New York. There is always a demand for housing here whether it’s San Francisco, San Mateo County, Marin, or East Bay. If you buy in 2012 and hold on to your property you may prosper in the years to come!
5. It’s a great rental market! If your desire has always been to invest, you won’t have trouble finding renters in 2012.
Karin Cunningham
www.KarinCunningham.com
www.FaceBook.com/SanBrunoLife
650-438-3504
Is it a Good Time to Buy a House in San Mateo County? Part 1
December 12, 2011 · Karin Cunningham · 2 Comments
I recently posted a blog called “Is it a Good Time to Buy a House in San Francisco?”. Today,I would like to expand my suggestion to a different type and style of home altogether…a home in San Mateo County!
San Mateo County is made up of 20 cities that have their own individual characteristics AND real estate prices. The first place that people search when they are priced out of San Francsico but want to feel like they are living in “the City” is Daly City. Daly City is the very next town south of San Francisco. In many parts of Daly City you actually have awesome views Read more
Is it a Good Time to Buy a House in San Francisco?
November 26, 2011 · Karin Cunningham · 5 Comments
People love San Francisco! It’s a diverse city with tons of character and charm. Its real estate appeal attracts people from all over the world! It hasn’t always been easy to purchase a home in San Francsco because of its sky high prices but things have changed! For example, you can buy a home in the Sunset/Parkside or the Mission District for around $500,000+.
The City is an awesome place to live. I know this because I grew up in the Sunset where the streets are wide and Ocean Beach is our backyard. Contrary to belief, there is actually plenty of parking for those who own their own homes in San Francisco. Houses come with garages and driveways and if you lived in the Sunset like me, there was always places to park on the street. Not true when you live downtown or rent an apartment and there are some people who don’t even bother owning a car in the City because there is a bus stop on almost every corner!
Rents are still high in San Francisco so if you want to live there, it would make sense to buy at this point and time. If you put 3.5% down on a house that’s $500,000 ($17,500) your payment would be $2,300 per month. That’s a 30 year fixed with a 4% APR. That’s not including property tax or PMI but it would be around the same amount as renting!
There are other deals to be found in San Francisco as well! There are smaller houses that require a little handy work for $400,000 in some areas like Visitation Valley and Silver Terrace or you can buy a very cool 2 bedroom condo in the Ingleside or Diamond Heights for the same price!
Anyways, there is always something for someone in San Francisco and if you can’t find exactly what your looking for, then let me tell you about the San Mateo peninsula but that’s another blog!
Energy Rebate in San Bruno Up To $17,000 Per Household!
October 26, 2011 · Karin Cunningham · 2 Comments
Get an inspection and see if your home qualifies for up to $17,000 in energy rebates. This is a San Bruno City and San Mateo County package funded by Energy Upgrade California. The program ends March 31, 2012 so make your reservation today to join us!
Save Money, Save Energy with Energy Upgrade California
- Air Sealing
- Tank-less Hot Water
- Insulation
- Solar Hot Water
- Heating & AC
- Windows & Doors
- Fireplace
- Solar & Roofing
Thursday November 10th 6:30pm-8:00pm San Bruno Home Owner Workshop Prudential California Realty 180 El Camino Real, San Bruno 94066 R.S.V.P. today! Call 650-989-1220 or register online:
To search for homes www.KarinCunningham.com
For San Bruno community events and activities www.Facebook.com/SanBrunoLife
San Bruno Music in the Park 2011
July 15, 2011 · Karin Cunningham · 2 Comments
It’s that time of year again! Hooray for San Bruno Music in the Park! This is a FREE event sponsored this year by Artichoke Joe’s, San Bruno Cable, San Bruno Rotary Club, the Shops at Tanforan, La Petite Baleen, Inc, and Lunardi’s Supermarket! The City of San Bruno Community Services Department is the one who put it together as well as some help from the San Bruno Chamber of Commerce. It should be a great experience this year with some new twists, I hear! Are there going to be food trucks?? I don’t know but it sounds like a great idea!
I enjoy this event every August with my family and friends! My kids usually walk around with a bucket of home made popcorn for sale! I’m trying to teach them to be entrepreneurs!
Anyways, here is the 2011 schedule for Friday evenings 6:00 pm, Music in the Park!
July 29 Just For Kicks & West Bay Rhythm (Classic Rock & Soul)
August 5 Houserockers (Rock & Roll and R & B)
August 12 The Plastic Onion Band (Beatles Cover Band)
August 19 Tin Man (Classic Rock)
August 26 Groove Kings (Rock & Soul)
By the way, if you have been thinking of buying a house lately, you are on the right track! Two bedroom condos on the San Mateo peninsula are starting in the $200,000′s and single family homes are starting at $350,000! I am a full time real estate agent, if you didn’t know, and I would love to help you find a deal! It costs more to rent these days than to own your own place! We have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. Call or email me! I’d love to help! Thanks!
Karin Cunningham 650-438-3504 karinc@prucal.com
San Bruno Park Swimming Pool 2011
June 22, 2011 · Karin Cunningham · 3 Comments
“The San Bruno City Park Pool is located at Crystal Springs and Oak Avenues in San Bruno City Park, adjacent to the Veterans Memorial Building. The pool is a seasonal pool open from June-September. The pool is an “L” shape, 25×20 yards, 3 to 10 feet deep, and heated to approximately 83 degrees. The facility also has a toddler pool approximately 1 foot deep. Only coastguard approved flotation jackets are allowed. Parent must be in the water with the child if they are wearing a lifejacket. Before June 1st the contact number is (650) 616-7184, after June 1st the pool office number is (650) 616-7191. ”
http://sanbruno.ca.gov/parks_sbpool.html
Rec Swim is Mon-Fri 1-3:30 and Sat. and Sun. 1-4:00 It’s only three bucks! You can’t beat that!
I love bringing my kids to the pool because they always run into other kids from school. It’s also right in the park so we can hang around afterwards and picnic. The staff is also very nice and friendly!
Being a Realtor in San bruno is a pleasure when you get to talk about all of the city’s ammeneties, the pool being in the top 10!
San Bruno Posy Parade 2011 Celebrates a “City with a Heart”
June 10, 2011 · Karin Cunningham · 2 Comments
“This annual “Festival of Flowers” was started in 1941 as a dedication to children. It was patterned after the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, choosing the “posy” as the signature flower. The parade, traditionally for youngsters 14 years old and under, has achieved both state and national fame for San Bruno. Each year the Community gathers to celebrate and support our children at the Posy Parade. The San Bruno Lions would like to thank ALL who continue to cherish this San Bruno tradition.”
Every year, I find my spot on Crystal Springs and Cypress and sit with my family, take pictures, catch flying candy, and go to the baseball games in San Bruno Park following the parade. This year was so much fun and it’s cool that the San Bruno Patch made a video for all to see!
What a great way to kick off the summer in San Bruno! Don’t forget about the San Bruno Library summer reading program!
FREE Summer Activities in San Francisco and the Peninsula
May 18, 2011 · Karin Cunningham · 6 Comments
Summertime is almost here and that means school’s out! Yay! I have the opportunity this year to spend a good portion of the summer with my 11 and 7 year old kids. I am really looking forward to it! First, I looked into local summer day camps and they charge around $140. per week! Are you kidding me? The Junior Giants program filled up in an hour. Even the waiting list is full! So, I am in the process of creating a list of fun, FREE, or super cheap things to do nearby for us to enjoy. Once I get the list compiled, I am going to put them on the calendar just like I do in my real estate business, otherwise they may not get done! Ha! I don’t want to end up in front of the tv or lounging around ALL summer now! SO, here is what I have so far and I can’t wait! Read more