Wednesday, July 21, 2010

San Carlos Real Estate Statistics 1st Half 2010

We wanted to provide you with a semi-annual update on sales for single family homes in San Carlos.

Cur Inventory

Closed Sales

Avg DOM

Avg Sales Price

Median Sales Price

% LP Rec'd

First Half 2009

73

95

52

945,544

918,000

97.08

Second Half 2009

35

140

53

913,953

869,000

98.24

First Half 2010

81

113

43

972,569

890,000

99.83


This illustrates how San Carlos real estate is holding up for the first half of 2010 compared to the first and second halves of 2009. The average sales price is up 3% from the first half of 2009 and 7% from the second half of 2009. The inventory is up from both previous periods and yet the closed sales remain strong. The average days on market has tightened up a bit – homes are moving a bit faster than before. We are also seeing an increase in the percent of list price received. All of these are indicators that the San Carlos real estate market is recovering.

We hope you find this information helpful.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Visit the San Carlos Museum of History this Summer

San Carlos Museum of History

San Carlos Girl Scouts from Junior Troop #3136 visit the Museum of San Carlos HistoryIntroduction

The San Carlos Museum of History is located in downtown San Carlos at 533 Laurel Street. Drop by and learn more about the City of San Carlos and see first hand some of the historical items at the museum. You can call (650) 802-4354 for more information on the San Carlos Museum of History.

Pictured above: San Carlos Girl Scouts from Junior Troop #3136 visit the Museum of San Carlos History.

What's On Display

The newly renovated Museum is housed in a rebuilt fire house and contains many historical displays. The public is welcome to discover artifacts of the Indian and Spanish eras, the early San Carlos families and their homes (Phelps, Hull, Brittan and Drake families), the 1888 Train Depot, photographs of early San Carlos schools and San Carlos High School (1962-1982), the Chickens Ball(begun in 1940 and performed every two years), the Police and Fire Departments, the restored 1927 Seagrave fire engine, and theearly electronics firms of San Carlos (Ampex, Lenkurt, and Dalmo Victor to name a few). Of particular interest is a large aerial photo of the town taken in 1947.

Museum Hours & Website

The museum is open every Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. as well as during Hometown Days, the Art & Wine Faire and the Heritage Walk. To make arrangements for special tours, please call (650) 802-4354. The museum's web site is located athttp://www.sancarloshistorymuseum.org/

Docent Duties & Volunteers

Docent duties at the Museum are performed by the San Carlos Villagers. Membership in the San Carlos Villagers is open to all residents of San Carlos. Duties include greeting the public, conducting docent tours, and answering questions. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the San Carlos Villagers should call (650) 802-4354.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy 4th of July!

City of San Carlos - Avoid 23 Program

Avoid the 23 is a holiday tradition in San Mateo County. All 23 law enforcement agencies join forces to crack down on the drinking driver, adding overtime hours, reassigning officers and emphasizing drinking driver enforcement with officers on regular patrol. The campaign's methods are public education, community help and strict, quick enforcement. The Police Chiefs Association of San Mateo County sponsor the campaign. Avoid the 23 along with Avoid the 13 in Santa Clara County, Avoid the 21 in the East Bay and Avoid the Six Pack in Santa Cruz County in securing the Peninsula, East Bay and Silicon Valley against drinking drivers.

The Costs Of Drinking And Driving Are High

Here are approximate monetary costs for a first-time driving under the influence (DUI) misdemeanor:

  • Fine, penalty assessment, other assessments and fees, jail booking fee: $2,700
  • Emergency response fee charged by some police departments: $300
  • Insurance-added cost per year: $1,000
  • DMV License Reissue Fee: $120
  • Alcohol Education Program: $626
  • Car Impound Fee: $175
  • Lawyer's charges for pre-trial at consultations, trial and expert witnesses: $5,000
  • Transportation Costs: A six-month pass on SamTrans:$174
  • Missed work days: 14 days
  • TOTAL: $10,095

Drink And Drive - Lose Your License

The law enforcement officer who pulls you over will take your license away on the spot if you're caught driving with a blood alcohol level of . 08 or higher. You'll be issued a 30-day temporary driving permit pending a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles, which will suspend your license for four months. There is no court hearing or plea bargaining. If you're a repeat offender, your license will be suspended for one year.

What Can The Average Person Do?

  • Designate A Driver
    Before you go to a party, designate someone in your group who will stick to non-alcoholic beverages and drive everyone else home safely. Your judgment is the first thing to go once you start to drink, so don't wait until you get to the party. If everyone in your group wants to drink, call a taxicab to take you to the party as well as bring you home. The fare is a real bargain compared to the dangers and costs of drinking and driving.
  • Give Parties Responsibly
    If you're giving a party, ask your guests for the name of their designated driver the minute they come in the door and don't serve alcohol to that person. Serve food to buffer the alcohol, don't over-serve, pour standard drinks instead of doubles and serve non-alcoholic beverages and snacks during the last hour of the party so people can start to bum off the alcohol.
  • Give Law Enforcement A Call
    Call 911 if you see a drunk or impaired driver or any other crime in progress. The dispatcher will direct your call immediately.

Who Will Be On Patrol?

To help discourage drinking drivers, the San Carlos Police Department will put extra police officers on the street each night during the annual crackdown to patrol for drunk drivers.

During this time there will be 23 sobriety checkpoints, 14 nights of regional strike team enforcement and extra street patrols provided by the 61 Law Enforcement agencies from Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.