SSF Real Estate… things are looking up

December 11, 2008 · Nicole Machado · 5 Comments

As 2008 wraps up and we all grasp onto our crystal balls to determine the fate of 2009… I wanted to end the year on a positive note with some statistics from the San Mateo County Multiple Listing Service that may help to give us all a positive outlook on the Real Estate market for 2009. South San Francisco was one of the Peninsula’s hardest hit cities with short sales and foreclosures, but by the looks of it, SSF seems to be bouncing back just fine. Read more

Where in the World is Brisbane?

November 30, 2008 · Kathy Wall · 6 Comments

Known as the “City of the Stars”, Brisbane is one of the Bay Area’s best kept secrets. It is a small, close knit community with a population of just under 4,000 people. It offers not only the tranquility of country living, but also offers lots of sunshine and moderate temperatures throughout the year. And, best of all, you can be in the heart of downtown San Francisco within 10 minutes and it’s only about 8 minutes to the airport. There is a free shuttle to Bart as well as a Park & Ride lot for those who want to take the bus or train.

To my mind, Brisbane offers the best of urban living in a country setting. Nestled on the side of San Bruno Mountain, it is surrounded by trees. There are many hiking trails and even hidden staircases throughout the town leading through the canyons up to the mountain. It is a walking town where most daily activities can be accomplished on foot. Read more

Do Home Sellers Want to Hear the Truth?

November 24, 2008 · Jean Joh · 9 Comments

On first impulse, most homeowners would say that, of course, they want their agents to tell them “the whole truth and nothing but” when it comes to the sale of their home. But do they really? There is a common mistake that home sellers make: choosing a real estate agent based on the price that the agent says they can get for the home. Don’t make this common mistake!

What is Staging?

November 24, 2008 · Francis G. Bautista · 7 Comments

Staging is when a home is furnished and decorated before it is put on the market for sale. A staged home that is well done will highlight each room, but not crowd it. The following are several questions that I will attempt to address, like: How much does it cost? How long will it be furnished for? Who pays for it? Will it yield the seller more money at the end of the sale?

Staging a home can cost any where from several hundred dollars to thousands depending on size of home, services provided and the specifics of each contract. The details of the services you expect from your stager must be outlined in the contract before you sign the dotted line. Staging companies will normally have a minimum time period (days/weeks) that a potential client should fully understand. The cost really depends on exactly how many rooms they (stager) are furnishing and for how long. The contract should stipulate several important items like exactly what time and date the furniture will be installed and removed, what would it cost if you wanted to extend or adjust the time period of your contract?, and who is responsible for the furniture while it sits in your home? It is also important to ask, when does the staging company expect to get paid? Read more

Has Daly City Seen the Bottom?

November 16, 2008 · Burt Tsuei · 7 Comments

No other city in San Mateo County has seen a greater depreciation in home value in the last year than Daly City. Back in September 2007, the average sales price of Daly City was $730,000, as compared to $565,000 in September 2008. This is a depreciation of almost 23%. The most common question is whether or not this is the bottom of the market. In this blog, I will share with you my expert opinion, as to why the bottom has come to Daly City, and this might be your last chance to get a great value. Read more

10 Reasons to buy a home in San Bruno

October 28, 2008 · Karin Cunningham · 3 Comments

I wrote something like this before but it’s been awhile! I am partial to San Bruno because I live here and my office is here as well, Prudential California Realty, San Bruno. My kids go to school within walking distance from our house, my office is only 8 blocks away, the corner store is 4 blocks away, and if we need to go San Francisco, it’s only 10 minutes away! So that would be the number one reason to buy a house in San Bruno because a home near San Francisco is desirable because a lot of people work there and don’t want a long commute, so…. Read more

Last Chance for SSF Home Owners…

October 27, 2008 · Nicole Machado · Comment here

Last chance for all you SSF home owners to get your sewer laterals replaced and have the City pick up half the tab. The City of South San Francisco introduced a program to aide home owners in replacing those pesky sewer laterals due to widespread overflow in the city sewars during heavy rains. SSF will pay 50% of the bill or a maximum of $2500.00 towards the replacement of your sewer lateral. Read more

That House Costs HOW Much?

October 13, 2008 · Jean Joh · Comment here

During my mall shifts at Serramonte & Tanforan Shopping Centers, I often interact with people who are just stopping by out of curiosity as to how much home prices are. The ones who own homes in this area are usually a little concerned about the value of their own homes. The ones who are renting in the area are curious to know if the prices are “at bottom” yet and if they should finally start thinking about buying a home. But it’s interesting to note the response of those who are visiting from out of town or even from another country. Their response goes something like this, “That house costs HOW much?”