The San Carlos Real Estate Week in Review: 9-15-12.

San Carlos Real Estate Summary.

Buyers got some very welcome news this week with an announcement from the Federal Reserve that they will be taking aggressive measures to stimulate the economic growth in the country.   More details on this are forthcoming in a separate post, but suffice it to say that this action will ensure that interest rates are at very attractive levels for a long time.     The housing market in San Carlos seems oblivious to whatever else is happening in the rest of the country.    Great houses on great streets still command hot bidding wars and multiple offers, as was evidenced at 2084 Alma Street this week.    And no matter how many listings get pushed onto the market, the inventory never seems to climb above the low-30 mark.

Here are the numbers for the week:

By The Numbers.

Below is a high-level snapshot of the market performance for single-family residences in San Carlos. This data is for the week ending 9-15-2012:

>>> Click Here to Read the Full Post
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Coming This Weekend: 935 Alameda, San Carlos

Exceptional Value in San Carlos.

You just don’t expect to see the word “value” associated with a home for sale in San Carlos these days.  With demand skyrocketing for just about any home that’s remotely close to downtown, prices have been following suit.  It’s almost impossible to find a 3-bedroom house on the downtown side of Alameda in San Carlos that doesn’t start with a “9″, or worse yet a 7-digit number starting with  a “1″.   At the time of this post, there are only 5 homes total for sale in all of White Oaks/Oak Park and Howard Park with only one of them being in Howard Park — and that one is a whole lot closer to $2M than it is $1M.

That’s why I’m pleased to offer a very nice alternative to those looking for a really great Howard Park home without breaking the bank:  935 Alameda in San Carlos.

Open This Weekend.

When you come through the door, you’ll immediately see that 935 Alameda is a whole lot of house for just $899,000.   This home is in absolutely move-in condition and has the following features:

• 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms in 1,760 square feet of living space.
• Large 8,250 square foot lot, 2-car garage.
• Huge living room with elegant tile fireplace.
• Spacious kitchen/family room combination area.
• Updated bathroom with new tile, tub and modern shower.
• Gleaming hardwood floors in the living area and throughout the upstairs bedrooms.
• Finished basement area that’s ideal for craft room or home office.
• Indoor laundry area (in basement).
• Great central location that’s close to everything you need in San Carlos.

Here are just a little taste of what you’ll see this weekend:

Open house hours this weekend will be on both Saturday and Sunday from 1:00-4:00 PM with first showings available on Friday – contact me or your agent if you’d like to see this great home.  Don’t miss out on this one!
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Are you ready to step up to the most comprehensive data available about the San Carlos Real Estate market? Then subscribe to the White Oaks Blog for free by clicking here. Be sure to follow the White Oaks Blog on Facebook at https://Facebook.com/WhiteOaksBlog , and on Twitter @WhiteOaksBlog.
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The San Carlos Real Estate Week in Review: 9-8-12.

San Carlos Real Estate Summary.

As expected, buying activity continued at a brisk pace this past week, with 9 homes ultimately finding new owners.    Now that summer is just about over, buyers are back on task and out looking in full force.  The foot traffic at open houses definitely picked up this week, and it’s expected to remain that way throughout the fall — provided there’s enough inventory to give people things to look at.  On that note, only 4 listings made their debut last week which wasn’t enough to push the inventory back above 30 again.   This, combined with the number of multiple offers that still appear to be happening, has made this year a very frustrating one for many home buyers in San Carlos.  Patience and persistence are two qualities that are going to be essential in the coming months…

Here are the numbers for the week:

By The Numbers.

Below is a high-level snapshot of the market performance for single-family residences in San Carlos. This data is for the week ending 9-8-2012:

>>> Click Here to Read the Full Post
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Are you ready to step up to the most comprehensive data available about the San Carlos Real Estate market? Then subscribe to the White Oaks Blog for free by clicking here. Be sure to follow the White Oaks Blog on Facebook at https://Facebook.com/WhiteOaksBlog , and on Twitter @WhiteOaksBlog.
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The San Carlos Real Estate Week in Review: 9-1-12.

San Carlos Real Estate Summary.

It was a BIG first week for the fall real estate market in San Carlos in several respects.   First, there was a much-needed surge in inventory with 9 new homes being added to the list, and there looks to be more on the way in the coming weeks.   And two of the three highest priced listings in San Carlos went into contract in the same week:  5 Coronado Avenue ($5.2M) and 109 Kings Court ($2.7M) are now both pending sale.    And finally, 2826 Brittan Avenue posted its closed sale number of $2.3M.

All of that made for an uncharacteristically busy week in the upper price range for San Carlos, and it sets the stage for a strong last 1/3 of year in the San Carlos real estate market.

Here are the numbers for the week:

By The Numbers.

Below is a high-level snapshot of the market performance for single-family residences in San Carlos. This data is for the week ending 9-1-2012:

>>> Click Here to Read the Full Post
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Are you ready to step up to the most comprehensive data available about the San Carlos Real Estate market? Then subscribe to the White Oaks Blog for free by clicking here. Be sure to follow the White Oaks Blog on Facebook at https://Facebook.com/WhiteOaksBlog , and on Twitter @WhiteOaksBlog.
Get the best coverage on the San Carlos real estate market delivered right to you!
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Video Marketing: Taking Your San Carlos Listing to the Next Level.

Photos Are Not Enough.

How your home appears online is one of the most critical factors in generating a buzz of excitement about your home to prospective buyers.  Why?  Because thanks to the internet, online is where probably 95% (or more) of them will first see your home — and that critical first impression is often the difference in whether they decide to jump in the car and come out to see it…or take a pass.  Even if your home isn’t the exact fit with what they’re looking for, if it looks spectacular online, they’re going to show up and check it out.   It’s exactly that kind of buzz that drives up the demand for your house.

Until recently, marketing homes online was limited to just posting a few still-photographs on the MLS.   But the MLS only recently increased the number of photos that could be included with a listing from about a dozen to a max now of 25.    And if you’ve looked at enough listings online, you know that the quality of these photos varies pretty widely from a few do-it-yourself iPhone photos to a well-lit professional shoot.   The evolution of single-property websites and panoramic shots allowed agents to create a central “location” for information and additional photos of the home.  But while usable, these sites are generally static.

The bottom line is that photos alone, no matter how spectacular they may be, don’t give the buyer a true feel of the spatial essence of a home.  To the contrary, the clever use of a wide-angle lens can make any tiny room seem downright palatial!   Overhearing a potential buyer say “This house looks nothing like it did in the pictures!” is usually not something a listing agent wants to hear.

“VideoTour”: The Next Level.

Clearly, something new and exciting is needed to differentiate your home from the rest of the other listings that are competing for the same pool of buyers.  That’s why I’m pleased to announce the creation of the White Oaks Blog “VideoTour” — now a standard feature for every one of my listings.   What’s a VideoTour, you ask?   Take a look at my two most recent ones that we created:

• 121 Northam Avenue, San Carlos
• 919 Wilmington Way, Emerald Hills

What makes a VideoTour so unique is that utilizes a clever blend of HD video and high-resolution still-photos to turn a standard ho-hum virtual tour into an exciting multi-media event.    The platform is totally flexible, so it can be tailored to the unique characteristics of your home.  And the video portion is completely portable so it can be uploaded to any video site such as YouTube (which also happens to be the world’s second largest search engine), as well as on the White Oaks Blog.  Here’s a good example:

The Neighborhood Matters, Too.

Another unique factor of my VideoTours is that they also sell the community, not just the house.  Despite what we may think, not every buyer out there knows all the intimate details that make San Carlos (or Emerald Hills) a special place to live.  Creating excitement about the community is almost as important as the house itself — especially if a buyer is considering other cities in their search.

And since the structure of the video is modular, it’s easy to vary the community shots on your particular VideoTour so that they don’t all appear to be the same.  There are enough interesting things to shoot in San Carlos that can’t be captured in a 2-3 minute video segment.

Step Up Your Marketing.

So if you’re ready to take the marketing of your home to the next level, let’s talk about doing a VideoTour for your home.   After all, you’ve spent a ton of time, effort, and money getting your house to look like a million bucks (and hopefully, to sell for that much too!)  Shouldn’t your property marketing be able to keep pace?
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Are you ready to step up to the most comprehensive data available about the San Carlos Real Estate market? Then subscribe to the White Oaks Blog for free by clicking here. Be sure to follow the White Oaks Blog on Facebook at https://Facebook.com/WhiteOaksBlog , and on Twitter @WhiteOaksBlog.
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Just Listed: 121 Northam Avenue, San Carlos

Beauty on a Grand Scale.

I’m pleased to announce that my most recent listing at 121 Northam Avenue in San Carlos is now officially on the market!  For those of you who are looking for a larger home and newer construction in San Carlos, you’ll definitely want to see this home.  With 5 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms on two levels, there’s plenty of room for most any family.    Constructed only 7 years ago, there’s not a detail that has been overlooked in this home:  Luxurious Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, elegant chef’s kitchen that opens up into the informal dining area and family room for that sought-after “great room” feel, and beautifully appointed bathrooms.  You truly have to see it to appreciate it.

Elegant Chef’s Kitchen…

And there’s one thing this home has that seems to be missing more frequently in new construction:  A formal dining room!   Yes, people still want formal dining rooms for those special occasions.  And this home has a beautiful one that connects directly to the kitchen.

Formal Dining Room…

Intelligent Layout, Great Views, Top Schools.

One of the things I like best about this house is the layout.  With some two-story or split-level homes, the bedrooms are often located in places that are simply not ideal for families — especially those with small kids.   That’s not the case with 121 Northam.  The luxurious master suite and two generously sized bedrooms are located on the lower floor, and the other two bedrooms are on the main floor.  This flexibility allows the upper two bedrooms to be used as a full master suite for those extended guests and a separate home office.

And if you’re into views, this home won’t disappoint.  You’ll get a sweeping, panoramic view of the coastal range and many gorgeous sunsets from the back deck.    And unlike many homes that are located up in the hills, this home has a large flat lawn in the back that’s perfect for entertaining or just turning the kids loose.

Views…

Speaking of the kiddo’s, this home sits within the boundary of Arundel Elementary, Tierra Linda Middle School, and Carlmont High School.  This triad is very high on the list with many home buyers looking to establish root in San Carlos.   Of course, you should always confirm the school boundaries with the district before you purchase a home.

How to See It…

I will be holding this house open tomorrow on broker’s tour from 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM.   You’re welcome to drop by and check it out — you don’t need to be an agent!    If you can’t make it tomorrow, I will be holding it open this coming weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 PM on both days.   But definitely see it.

In the interim, check out the video presentation that we created for this home:  121 Northam Avenue Video Tour

PS — more on marketing your home with video in tomorrow’s post…

 
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Are you ready to step up to the most comprehensive data available about the San Carlos Real Estate market? Then subscribe to the White Oaks Blog for free by clicking here. Be sure to follow the White Oaks Blog on Facebook at https://Facebook.com/WhiteOaksBlog , and on Twitter @WhiteOaksBlog.
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The San Carlos Real Estate Week in Review: 8-25-12.

San Carlos Real Estate Summary.

Summer vacation “officially” ended this week for many, as all of the local public schools will be back in session tomorrow.  That means the fall real estate season will be in full swing starting this week.  This is always an interesting phenomenon, because everything that happens in the fall market is in such a compressed time-frame.  Unlike the spring market, which lasts 4-5 months (depending on what month you consider the start to be), the fall market only lasts about 2.5 months — basically until the Thanksgiving weekend. But this year, buyer demand is so high that it’s conceivable that the market will steam right through the holidays.

Generally speaking, in order to get their homes sold in the fall, sellers are wise to get their home on the market by the second week of September for maximum visibility.  For buyers, these next three weeks will tell you whether you’ll have more to choose from in the remaining months of the year, or if pickings will continue to be slim.

Here are the numbers for the week:

By The Numbers.

Below is a high-level snapshot of the market performance for single-family residences in San Carlos. This data is for the week ending 8-25-2012:

>>> Click Here to Read the Full Post
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Are you ready to step up to the most comprehensive data available about the San Carlos Real Estate market? Then subscribe to the White Oaks Blog for free by clicking here. Be sure to follow the White Oaks Blog on Facebook at https://Facebook.com/WhiteOaksBlog , and on Twitter @WhiteOaksBlog.
Get the best coverage on the San Carlos real estate market delivered right to you!
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Breaking the $2M Barrier in San Carlos

A Magic Number.

Unlike some other well-heeled communities around us on the Peninsula, it’s still an eyebrow-raising event when a home sells for over $2M in San Carlos.  After all, last year not one single home of the 278 ones that sold in San Carlos broke the $2M mark (the highest was $1.8M).  And in 2010, only 3 homes achieved that magic mark, representing only 1% of the total homes sold in San Carlos that year.  So when a house pops that $2M barrier, it’s usually a noteworthy event for those who follow the real estate market in San Carlos.

There are a number of reasons why homes don’t yet fetch $2M here.  The vast majority of the existing housing stock in San Carlos simply isn’t $2M material.  With the typical home in the flats being of the 3BR/2BA 1,500 square foot variety on a smallish-sized lot, that kind of price simply isn’t going to happen — we’re not Menlo Park, after all   You have to head into the hills to see homes large (and new) enough to command a price north of $2M.

Age is another factor.  Many of the homes in  San Carlos were built around WWII, which means they’re pushing 60-70 years of age now, and many are in dire need of upgrading.

But all of this is about to change.

The 4 Minute Mile.

It won’t be an overnight phenomenon, but there’s a significant shift occurring in San Carlos right now that will make the $2M mark tumble with more regularity.    There are several key factors behind this shift:

• The Economy:  It’s no secret that the housing market is on absolute fire right now here in the City of Good living.   If you follow the weekly updates on this site, you’ll know that good homes are fetching 5-15% above their asking price, so homes don’t have to list at $2M to actually fetch that price.  Such was the case with 1528 Saint Francis Way, which listed at $1,895,000 and sold for over $2M with multiple offers earlier this year.   The buyers of high-end properties are back in the game, and they’re not shy about spending this kind of money for the right place.
• Development.  The strengthening economy is putting a whole bunch more money back in the pockets of homeowners and consequently developers.   As you drive around town, you will start to see more and more chain-link fences going up around homes as significant development projects get underway.   There is one prominent builder in San Carlos who has no fewer than 5 high-end building projects going on right now — you can rest assured that a number of these will sell for over $2M.   And there are other developers ready to pounce on the right opportunity to replace some of the aging homes in San Carlos with a sparkling, brand new large home.
• Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Burlingame.   As funny as it sounds, San Carlos is still a bargain when you compare it to the stratospheric prices that homes in these communities are fetching.  $2M sales???  Burlingame already has 23 this year, and Menlo Park has 50.  Palo Alto?   How about 106??!!   Some wealthy buyers who are tired of getting priced out of this frenzy are finding that they can get more for their purchasing dollar right here in San Carlos.  So far this year, that appears to be the case as San Carlos has already racked up 5 $2M sales.

It’s similar to the 4-minute mark in the mile run — once Roger Bannister shattered that vaunted milestone, it didn’t take long for everyone other elite runner to make that achievement seem mundane.

Look for that to happen with the $2M mark in San Carlos over the coming months.
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Are you ready to step up to the most comprehensive data available about the San Carlos Real Estate market? Then subscribe to the White Oaks Blog for free by clicking here. Be sure to follow the White Oaks Blog on Facebook at https://Facebook.com/WhiteOaksBlog , and on Twitter @WhiteOaksBlog.
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