San Carlos Approves New City Budget

The city council approved the more than $55 million proposed 2011-2012 budget last night, despite some hesitance from mayor Andy Klein about the council's recent spending decisions and the slow decrease of the city's newfound surplus.

The budget was passed with a 4-1 vote. Klein was the no vote.

Klein said the city has reimplemented several programs it had previously cut which was cutting into its surplus and he feared the future would show only more spending.

The more than $55 million proposed budget includes $11,886,350 for the city’s redevelopment agency, and takes into account the $510,000 the city will spend on one-time costs for dissolving the Belmont-San Carlos fire department.

“It is a one-year budget and as proposed reflects an operating surplus of approximately $394,600,” city documents said.

That money will be split, with half going to the city’s Capital Improvement Fund 25. That is a fund used for city infrastructure including technology, capital improvements, street resurfacing, system upgrades and storm pump, said administrative services director Rebecca Mendenhall.

The other half of the surplus will be placed in a reserve fund known as the Economic Uncertainty Fund.

“It is anticipated that there will be future liabilities related to the dissolution of the Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department,” city records said. “As these costs have not yet been finalized, they have not been included in the budget.”

Mendenhall said she anticipated the unfunded liabilities to be around $800,000 to $1 million.

Staff broke down the various reductions and additions to the city. The budget reflects reductions in park maintenance, human resources recruiting, public notices and Recreation Activity Guide expenses. It also includes the elimination of the youth basketball contract, the IT Systems Analyst and Payroll and Benefits Technician and the dissolution of the Belmont-San Carlos JPA.

Additions to the budget include the funding of part-time staff to maintain the homework lab at the Youth Center, a part-time staff to maintain the Youth and Adult Center wellness programs, the restoration of code enforcement through shared services, more funding for the Night of Holiday Lights, an increase in operating expense for records retention program, additional funding for Sheriff’s contract for part-time traffic enforcement and additional funding for on-call GIS services.

The city also restored the Jobs for Youth program and gave additional funding for television recordings to include taping of the Planning Commission meetings and other broadcasts. The new contract with Half Moon Bay to provide Recreation Services was also named as an additional service.

Free Electronics Recyclying Event in San Carlos

The Old Black Mountain Water Building located at

1390 EL CAMINO REAL, SAN CARLOS, CA 94070

When? JULY 23, 2011 from 9:00AM to 4:00PM

Items that we can recycle:

Computers- Printers- T.V.’s- Any electronic items

to save the environment.

Getting Prepared to Buy a Home

Before you step foot into the first home you look at, it's a good idea to thoughtfully determine your wants and needs, and the difference between the two! By analyzing your needs you will be able to get a clear picture of exactly what you want your new home to look like and how it should function for you. Once you're in the thick of viewing homes, it's all too easy to fall in love with someone’s decorating or a home’s outstanding architecture – and to completely overlook that there aren't enough bedrooms or bathrooms to fit your needs.

First, you should write down why you're looking for a home. For example, are you currently renting and would like to have a home where you can begin building equity? Maybe you have outgrown your existing home or changed jobs which required you to move to a new city. These factors will all have an impact on how you approach your home search.

It is important to identify what you envision your home to look like and what features it should have. Writing this down helps to avoid ambiguity later in the home search process. You should make at least two lists: one should describe everything you would ideally like and the other should list the features of the home that are an absolute must. It is most likely that you will blend the two lists into one as you progress through the homebuying process. This is a natural and evolutionary process that becomes clearer as you determine what you want and what is available.

Benefits of a Buyer's Agent

For most of us, buying a home is the biggest single investment we’re likely to make – and we’re only likely to do it maybe once or twice in a lifetime. The process is, by nature, filled with checks and balances – and many complex details. Traditionally, agents were legally obligated to protect the interests of the home seller. Today preferences are changing. One of these changes is that more homebuyers are choosing to have their own real estate agent, known as a buyer's agent, to legally represent them.

A buyer’s agent represents you, the buyer, not the seller, and has full fiduciary duties, including loyalty to you. By definition, the buyer’s agent has your best interests in mind throughout the transaction. The percentage of homebuyers with buyer representation has grown significantly in the past decade. According to a recent National Association of Realtors® survey, nearly half (46%) of home buyers used the services of a buyer’s agent last year, and four out of every five buyer’s agent agreements were in writing.

The benefits of buyer representation is the dedication of a buyer’s agent to the home buyer. The buyer’s agent and homebuyer establish a mutual agreement, known as a buyer agency agreement, that will entitle the homebuyer to, but is not limited by:

Loyalty The real estate agent must act in the best interest of the buyer.

Disclosure All material facts such as relationships between agent and other parties, existence of other offers, status of earnest money, seller’s financial condition, property’s true worth, commission split with other brokers, and legal effect of important contract provisions.

Confidentiality Any discussions, facts, or information that should not be revealed to others but does not include responsibility of fairness and honesty in dealings with all parties.

Accounting in dealings Reporting of where any money placed in the hands of the broker is kept.

Reasonable Skill and Care Arriving at a reasonable purchase price and advising the buyer of such, affirmatively discovering material facts and disclosing them to the buyer, investigating the material facts related to the sale. With a buyer agency, the interests of the homebuyer will be represented in the purchase of the home. This scenario is different from a typical transaction where the buyer is not technically represented.

Questions? We are happy to help! For more information please contact The Clarke Team at 650-489-5399 or sold@clarketeam.com

Andy Klein Becomes Mayor of San Carlos

An emotional Andy Klein was unanimously appointed the new mayor of San Carlos Monday night, succeeding the late Omar Ahmad and fulfilling a lifelong dream in the process.

“I’ve been very conflicted all day,” Klein said as he fought to choke back tears moments after City Clerk Christine Boland officially swore him into office. “Today I achieved a childhood dream but the way I got it was losing my best friend.”

Klein’s close friend Omar Ahamd died suddenly last month of a heart attack, leaving the position of mayor open. As Vice-Mayor, Klein was poised to be voted into the position but an arrest the day of Omar Ahamd’s funeral on suspicion of drunk driving caused Klein to initially take himself out of the running.

The day after Klein removed himself from mayoral contention, the district attorney announced his blood tests revealed he was below the legal blood alcohol limit. Klein told San Carlos Patch that same afternoon he would be re-entering the race.

“This is a very difficult thing,” said councilmember Grassilli before Klein was appointed. “It shouldn’t be difficult but certain events have happened in the city; the tragic loss of Omar Ahmad. In a different time, the Vice-Mayor would be considered but events that have come up that have clouded it.” Grassilli went on to vote for Klein’s appointment to mayor.

The unanimous appointment to mayor was the fulfillment of a dream, Klein said, for as long as he can remember.

“I went to school with Don Eaton’s children and used to think how cool it would be to have a dad who was the mayor of San Carlos,” Klein said. “San Carlos means the world to me. I don’t feel the need to ever leave. I don’t think you find towns like this that often.“

A San Carlos native, Klein attended high school in the city and has served on the council since 2009. He is the member of several boards and committees including the fire board, Rotary club and is the Vice-President of the San Carlos Villagers.

“No one who knows San Carlos any better,” said councilman Randy Royce. “I’m really excited to have a great leader.”

Who pays for what?

A major question in every escrow is: "Who pays for what?" The answers vary by county ordinances and standard practices. What is listed below are “customary” practices. All fees charged are governed by terms of the sales contract and other written escrow instructions. Note: on some FHA, VA or other government-backed loans, the buyer will pay some fees that governmental regulations will not allow you to pay.
Seller's Generally Pay: Real estate commission Document transfer tax ($1.10 per $1,000 of sales price) Notary fees Property tax proration (to date of acquisition) Special delivery/courier fees, if required Document preparation fees Document recording charges Homeowner’s association statement fee and prorata dues Home warranty (according to contract) Work/repairs required (according to contract) Matters of record against the property or seller (loans, tax liens, judgments, etc.) and fees required to clear them (statement fees, reconveyance/trustee fees and prepayment penalties) Bonds and assessments (according to contract)	Buyer's Generally Pay: Title insurance policy premiums (lender’s and buyer's) Escrow fees Notary fees Property tax proration (from acquisition date) Special delivery/courier fees, if required Document preparation fees Document recording charges Homeowner’s association transfer fee and prorata dues City costs Home warranty (according to contract) Inspection fees (according to contract) Matters of record against the buyer including tax liens, judgments and fees required to clear them Fire insurance premium for the first year Assumption/change of records fees if the buyer is taking over an existing loan Lender’s new loan charges Interest on new loan from date of funding to 30 days prior to the first payment Other prorations (rents, insurance etc.) if applicable

Redistricting of School Boundaries in Belmont and Burlingame

The Belmont -Redwood Shores School District is discussing changing the boundaries in Belmont. Belmont has 4 elementary schools and Redwood Shores has 2. All students attend Ralston Middle School. This district also services part of San Mateo and San Carlos. Buyers who are thinking of purchasing in any of our Peninsula cities must get all the current information from the respective school district. For expample the Burlingame School District decided in March of 2011 to open up the old Hoover site as a K-5 neighborhood school by August 2014. This will effect many homes in the area. Currently there are 5 elementary schools and 1 middle school. For up-dates on the boundary line decision-making progress, please visit the Burlingame District’s website www.bsd.k12.ca.us or Belmont-Redwood Shores District www.brssd.org

Seller Disclosures 101

During the escrow process, you must inform the buyer of specialized conditions that affect your home. These may include the following conditions:

Lead Paint
Sellers of properties built prior to 1978 have the following obligations:

• Provide buyers with a HUD pamphlet entitled "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home"
• Disclose all known lead-based paint and related hazards and provide any available reports
• Include a standardized warning as an attachment to the contract
• Complete and sign statements verifying that requirements have been met
• Retain the signed acknowledgement for 3 years
• In addition, you must provide the buyers with a 10-day opportunity to test for lead

Natural Hazards
California law requires sellers to disclose, via a "Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement" or NHD, if properties are located in one of six predetermined "natural hazard" zones. (If the property is not within one of these zones, you, of course, have no such obligation.)

The six zones are:

• A flood hazard zone as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• An area of potential flooding after a dam failure (also known as an inundation area)
• A very high fire hazard zone
• A wildland fire area, also known as a state fire responsibility area
• An earthquake fault zone
• A seismic hazard zone

If an NHD is delivered to the buyer after both parties have signed the Purchase Agreement, the buyer will have three days to rescind the agreement. However, if the buyer received the NHD before they signed the Purchase Agreement, then they cannot use the NHD to rescind.

Mello-Roos Districts
Especially (but not exclusively) if you are selling a home in a newer area, you may be within a Mello-Roos tax district, and you must provide to the buyer a "Notice of Special Tax." If this notice is delivered to the buyer in person, they have three days to rescind their offer. If it’s delivered via U.S. mail, they have five days to decide.

Basically, a "Mello-Roos Community Facilities District" is formed by a local government, district, or agency to finance public services and facilities including police and fire departments, ambulance and paramedic services, parks, schools, libraries, museums and cultural facilities.

Condominiums etc.
If you’re selling a condominium, townhouse or other planned development (for purposes of this discussion, we will call them all "condominiums"), there are the buyer needs to know about common areas (such as greenbelts and recreational rooms) and the homeowner’s association.

The buyer will be required to make monthly payments, known as regular assessments, to maintain common areas, as well as special assessments to replace a roof or repair the plumbing, as determined by the homeowner’s association (HOA.)

Condominiums also may have regulations regarding architectural requirements, limitations on pets, and age restrictions (i.e., senior housing). These must be formally disclosed to the buyer during escrow. You may provide this information via the following documents, to the extent that they exist and are available:

• Declaration of Restrictions: Commonly known as "CC&Rs", or Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions
• Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Association Bylaws
• All current financial information and related statements, including operating budget, estimated revenue and expenses, HOA reserves, estimated remaining life of major components (including roofs, plumbing etc.), and regular and special assessments
• A statement describing the HOA’s policies and practices in enforcing lien rights or other legal remedies for default in payment of its assessments
• A summary of the HOA’s property, general liability, and earthquake and flood insurance policies
• On existing HOA’s, a statement describing any restrictions on the basis of age, such as authorized senior citizen housing

Many smaller HOAs will not have all of these documents, but must provide what they do have.