3 Crucial Factors to Consider When Home Buying

There are many great San Carlos area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a list of Featured Properties so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (650) 595-5500 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

Everyone wants a great deal when looking for a new home. When market prices are anywhere from $500-$1,500 per square foot, you need to take 3 things into consideration:    

1. Price      
2. Configuration  
3. Location

If the price is too high, people will often substitute location - they'll go for a home that's in a favorable area; if they can't find a home that has all the ideal amenities (configuration), they'll buy a home for a low price that they can enhance later on.

Right now, there is a lot of great value in San Mateo County that's currently underutilized. We have clients from areas like Palo Alto and Redwood City who sold their homes for a high price and now want to live somewhere nice, close, and conducive to a relaxing lifestyle. When they come to us looking for such an area in San Mateo County, we recommend Coastside.

When the rest of the markets in our area heat up, Coastside is the last to catch fire. If you want the best bang for your buck, Coastside is the place to go. There are some great opportunities out here, and we want you to take advantage of them before it's too late.

If you're interested in the Coastside area, or have questions about anything real estate related, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to help make your real estate dreams come true!

Is Solar Energy Right for You?

There are many great San Carlos area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a list of Featured Properties so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (650) 595-5500 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

To solar or not to solar? That is the question. Right now, there is a huge push for solar energy and solar products in the marketplace. It is a great option for most homeowners, but what about those who don't see themselves living in their solar powered home for long?
 
The problem with homes that are solar powered, but not paid off in full, is that somebody is going to have to continue making those payments. How are you going to get a buyer to commit to paying an extra $30,000 or $40,000 and assume the payments?

What it comes down to is this: If you are going to be living in your home long-term, more than 10 years, it absolutely makes sense to invest in solar energy. On the flip side, if you don't plan on staying in your home for very long, just remember that when it's time to sell, it can create a little bit of a sticking point for the buyers if they don't want to take on the payments.

From an economic standpoint, investing in solar energy long-term is a smart move. But if you don't think you will be there very long, think about how you will pay for it and how you will sell your home with solar energy.

If you have any questions about solar energy or about real estate in general, give us a call or send us an email. We would love to help you out!
 

What do the Numbers Mean?

There are many great San Carlos area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a list of Featured Properties so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (650) 595-5500 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

We want to talk to you today about 'the numbers'. You hear numbers being thrown out there all the time in our economy, but what do they really mean? In the real estate world, numbers are constantly being thrown out there, so we do our due diligence in analyzing the numbers so you can understand them better. So, here's some of those numbers and what they mean.

In San Mateo County right now, the affordability index, or how many people can afford to buy a home, is 12%. This may seem ridiculous given the high rate of employment in the area, but it's not all black and white. We are in an explosive boom of employment, and are feeling the curse of success, so to speak. So many people are employed and making money, it's harder to get a home because prices are being driven up. It's both a blessing and a curse.

Overall, the statewide market is very healthy, but still has plenty of room to grow. For the next couple of years, things will keep moving forward and growing. If you have any questions about the market or about real estate in general, give us a call. We'd be glad to answer your questions!