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:
Pasta Dinner Fundraiser for Teacher’s Son in San Bruno
May 9, 2011 · Karin Cunningham · 6 Comments
This Friday, May 13th, 5:00-8:00pm, at St. Robert’s Church in San Bruno, the Friends Helping Friends committee is facilitating a pasta dinner fundraiser for my son’s teacher’s 6 year old son. The charge is $10. per adult, $5. children, and $25. per family of 4. There will also be a silent auction and raffle prizes. Cole Baker has stage 4 cancer and is undergoing chemo treatments. Mrs. Baker (Elisa) is a wonderful 4th grade teacher at Allen School in San Bruno. Her husband, Jim, has been writing an emotional, entertaining at times, blog/journal about the experience that he and his son are having. www.aboutcole.blogspot.com .
It’s always sad, frustrating, and heartbreaking when someone has cancer, especially a child. People in every community know the wrath of cancer and how devastating it is to loose someone or be with someone who has to endure this disease. I lost my father, David Cunningham, to cancer when he was only 58 and my dear friend and mentor, Michael Monozon, from my office who was 62. Having someone from my kid’s school have to deal with this hits so close to home again. I am so grateful for this committee for reaching out to help. The Friends Helping Friends committee has facilitated a good number of fundraisers in San Bruno who were/are battling an illness.
Please come and support your community, especially Cole. Help us spread the word and enjoy a pasta dinner with friends. Jackie Speier is planning to attend and we are pretty excited about that! -Karin Cunningham
Cole Baker Age 6
10 Reasons To Buy Bay Area Real Estate in 2011
January 15, 2011 · Karin Cunningham · 4 Comments
With the worst behind us, the real estate industry is already picking up steam in 2011. Bay Area real estate inventory is already growing, prices are lower, and the interest rates couldn’t be better!
1. People who want to sell, including banks, wait until after the holidays to go to market. We are seeing inventory grow everyday in the Bay Area so far since January 1st.
2. If you want to live in a particular city or neighborhood, there is probably something there waiting for you! Go to www.KarinCunningham.com to search for a home anywhere in the Bay Area!
3. Foreclosures are available in most mid to lower price ranges. When purchased, the monthly mortgage could easily be equal or less than what you pay in rent. Estimate: $400,000 home price with $14,000 down=$2,000 monthly payment (not including tax and insurance).
4. A lot of people need tax write-offs. There are a lot of write-offs when you own a home such as interest and improvements. Owning a home can actually save you money!
5. Prop 60 and 90 allows homeowners to sell their homes and transfer their original property taxes to the next home that they buy as long as it’s an equal or lower value. San Mateo and Santa Clara both participate in this. Check out this link for more counties and detailed information http://www.wwlaw.com/prop60.htm
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Is There a Prudential Real Estate Office at the Shops at Tanforan, San Bruno?
December 10, 2010 · Karin Cunningham · 3 Comments
At the Shops at Tanforan, San Bruno, Ca., our Prudential California Realty, San Bruno office has a kiosk where 1,00′s of people pass by each day. We display a lot of our residential listings for sale in cities from San Francisco to San Jose, even some in the East Bay! We provide information on qualifying for a loan, current interest rates and payment scenarios to people interested in purchasing a home. We can also show local homeowners the current market value of their homes or rental property!
The success at our kiosk also works as a great real estate market activity indicator. In the recent months, our agents have made contact with more inquisitive home buyers than in the months before. As a market indicator, it would seem that more people are out there buying. Our sales are steady and the flow of people through the mall is constant!
With the holidays here, the Shops at Tanforan have been doing a lot of promoting for their stores with the Shops at Tanforan Facebook page, newspaper ads, the My School’s Cool receipt program, Santa photos, cultural dance performances and radio shows!
No wonder our Prudential San Bruno kiosk does so well! Next time you are at the mall, stop by and see us! We’re happy to be your friends in real estate! You can also visit us at our Prudential San Bruno Facebook page!
Karin Cunningham
What is the perfect house warming gift…from your Realtor?
October 5, 2010 · Karin Cunningham · 5 Comments
I recently had the opportunity to represent two separate couples, no children, who purchased remodeled homes in the Bay Area. It’s been a pretty continuous trend of mine to represent people who are purchasing homes that require a lot of work. Bay Area homes are old, what can I say. This is not the case this time!
There is no need for Home Depot gift cards. Probably not a Lowe’s gift card either. I don’t want to give a basket with cleaning supplies and candy because they have all of that already! Wine and cheese, maybe? Gift certificate to a fancy restaraunt, maybe? I’m just not sure! I’m looking for suggestions! Thank you!
San Bruno Fire/Explosion Devastates an Entire Neighborhood
September 10, 2010 · Karin Cunningham · 2 Comments
Photo taken from The San Mateo Daily Journal
Prudential California Realty- San Bruno is deeply concerned for the families who are affected by this awful incident.
“The City suffered a devastating explosion and fire last night at approximately 6:15 PM. A major gas line explosion occurred in the Glenview area. The incident immediately erupted into a major fire that has impacted many homes. Safety Assessment teams convened this morning at 6 AM to begin formal damage assessment. …Fire units from nine San Mateo County cities and over 200 law enforcement personnel assisted the units and over 200 law enforcement personnel assisted the San Bruno police and fire departments personnel with fire and traffic control. Fire and police activities continued through the night and early morning hours.For emergency updates, please turn to Cable Channel 1 or the local news stations. To locate family or friends, please go to www.safeandwell.org. An emergency shelter has been established at the Recreation Center in San Bruno City Park. To volunteer, please go to www.volunteercenter.net. Donations to the victims can be earmarked by contacting the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS and specifying “San Bruno Fire”.”
-Author unknown
For up to date info on what’s going on or how and where you can help please visit: www.Facebook.com/SanBrunoLife and also http://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-San-Bruno-Fire-Victims/153711041314771?ref=ts
San Bruno Music in the Park 2010
July 26, 2010 · Karin Cunningham · 2 Comments
It’s almost that time again! We San Brunans love the summer music series at San Bruno Park! It’s held every Friday in August. It begins at 6:00 and ends around 8ish!
Every year my kids sell bags of my homemade, gourmet popcorn. It’s freshly popped in a pot, salted, buttered and parmasian “cheesed”! The kids walk around with a metal bucket full of bags, come back to refill, and they run out every time! Usually, kids of all ages play “sand lot” style baseball at the diamond behind the crowds of adults listening to their old 60′s, 70′s and 80′s favorites!
The concerts are FREE and a really great way to meet people or enjoy a group of old friends! Many of us bring bread, cheese, and other snacks. Some have pizza and some bbq at the picnic tables beforehand and then walk over to the concert! Here’s the schedule for this August 2010:
Aug. 8: Double Funk Crunch(Disco and 80′s)
Aug. 13: City Rocks (60′s-80′s SF Rock)
Aug. 20: The Refugees (Tom Petty Tribute Band)
Aug. 27: Just For Kicks (Classic Rock & Roll and R & B)
I love forward to seeing you there! Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Funny Real Estate Jargon
July 12, 2010 · Karin Cunningham · 4 Comments
"Great starter home"
Have you ever looked at a real estate ad and wondered if they were exagerating a little bit? Here are some funny descriptions and translations of some ads that makes one wonder….
Cute- small
Cozy- see cute
Charming-see cute, cozy then throw in “old”
Good starter- fixer upper
Old World Charm- OLD
Period details- OLD
Close to transportation- noisy trains and busses nearby
Low maintnance yard- no grass, no flowers, no trees Read more
San Bruno’s 70th Annual Posy Parade
June 2, 2010 · Karin Cunningham · 4 Comments
San Bruno’s 70th Annual Posy Parade is this Sunday, June 6th at 1:00 and it’s going to be a blast this year! The theme is “Green Transportation”. The annual “Festival of Flowers” started in 1941 as a tribute to children. The parade, traditionally for kids 14 and under has acheived both state and national fame for San Bruno.
Each year, the community gathers along San Mateo Ave. and Crystal Springs Rd. to watch marching bands, decorated floats from schools and service clubs, sports teams, dance troops, and the Posy Parade Princess and her court. The mayor passes by on a fire truck and police cars pull up the rear!
At the end of the parade we are entertained by a few baseball games including an all 8th grade game of St. Robert’s and Parkside and an all 10 year old game. We usually have great weather during the parade and it looks like we will be lucky again this Sunday! This is an event you won’t want to miss!
Karin Cunningham
http://www.facebook.com/sanbrunolife