Bay Area Home Sales Spike in Newest Report

“Last month’s San Francisco Bay Area home sales were the highest for a December in nine years.." But, there's a catch.

Home sales last month among all Bay Area counties were up strongly compared to the previous month, according to data released today by research firm CoreLogic.

Among all counties in the region, 7,876 new and existing homes and condos were sold in December compared with 6,224 in November, an increase of 26.5 percent. Sales typically increase in the Bay Area between November and December, but this year’s increase was particularly high compared with a 9.7 percent average change between those two months since 1988.

“Last month’s San Francisco Bay Area home sales were the highest for a December in nine years and made for a strong finish to 2015, but there’s a caveat,” CoreLogic research analyst Andrew LePage said in a statement. “December sales got a boost from some transactions that normally would have been recorded in November but were delayed by days or weeks as the industry adjusted to new federal mortgage rules that took effect in October,” LePage said.

The Bay Area’s increase in sales was strongest on a month-over-month basis in Solano County, CoreLogic officials said. Sales increased to 668 homes in December from 498 in November, a 34.1 percent jump.

 

Alameda County recorded the second-highest increase in sales. Sales rose to 1,733 homes from 1,301, an increase of 33.2 percent. Last month’s sales were also up strongly from a year ago, an increase of 17.4 percent. Still, last month’s sales were off 6.6 percent from a 30-year average of 8,434 homes sold.

Median home prices in the Bay Area were up slightly last month from the previous month. The median price last month was $655,000, up 0.8 percent from $650,000 in November.

The December price is an increase of 12.9 percent from December 2014 when the median price was $580,000. The price is 1.5 percent below the peak of $665,000 set in June and July 2007, according to CoreLogic officials.

IRS Offers Free Tax Software

You may be eligible for free software to file your taxes as early as Tuesday.

The ever-amenable IRS will make it easier and potentially free (if not pain-free) to file your taxes.
Starting on Tuesday, certain eligible taxpayers will be able to file using one of 13 tax software products for free using the Free File program. Anyone with an adjusted gross income of $62,000 or less during 2015 is eligible for the freebie.

According to IRS spokesman Raphael Tulino, millions of past participants have saved nearly $1.4 billion by taking advantage of the software.

Free File is available only at IRS.gov/FreeFile. More than 70 percent of all taxpayers — 100 million people — are eligible for the software products, according to the IRS.

Tim Hugo, executive director of the Free File Alliance, said, “We are proud to once again offer the industry’s most innovative and secure tax software at no cost to 70 percent of American taxpayers. Tax time can be stressful, but Free File makes step-by-step help accessible to everyone making $62,000 or less.

IRS.gov/FreeFile is the one place where taxpayers can choose from a variety of industry-leading tax software options in order to prepare and e-file their federal tax returns at absolutely no cost.”

The IRS reminded people that the fastest way to get your refund is through e-file and direct deposit. All you need is your routing number and account number handy. Nine out of 10 taxpayers will receive their refunds within 21 days.

San Carlos, Step Up and Power Down

Jan 26, 2016

Home Upgrades Workshop – Plan Your Energy Efficient Home

Step Up and Power Down Resource Center
1101 Laurel Street
San Carlos CA 94070
07:00 PM -- 08:30 PM

Take your understanding of energy efficiency a big step forward. Learn how to make changes to your home that will result in greater comfort and energy savings.

We will teach you how to:
- ‘Bundle’ home improvements to maximize rebates
- Take the ‘whole house’ approach for comfort and energy efficiency
- Plan a Home Energy Assessment
- Find a contractor

Don’t miss out on this special event!
Bonus! You will receive a free advanced LED light bulb at the workshop.
Don't miss out on our yummy hot soup and freshly baked cookies!

RSVP

A limited number of spots are available. Please RSVP by 1/26/2016 to reserve your place at this event @
https://sancarlos.stepupandpowerdown.com/eventdes/?event_id=701j0000001lbTLAAY

How to Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing As Temps Drop

Experts offer tips you can follow now to avoid frozen pipes. And how to safely thaw them without burning the house down.

With the National Weather Service predicting temperatures will drop well below the freezing mark much of this week across Maryland -- including two nights in the teens -- it’s important to know how to prevent your home’s water pipes from freezing.

Frozen water pipes in unheated basements and crawl spaces can be messy and expensive to fix.
From the American Red Cross and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services:

 

Prevention

There are three common causes of frozen pipes:
1. Quick drops in temperature
2. Poor insulation
3. Thermostats set too low

Luckily, there are a number of preventative steps you can take to keep your pipes from freezing:

• Check the insulation of pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic. Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing.
• Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior).
• Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
• Use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.
• A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
• Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night. You might be in the habit of turning down the heat when you’re asleep, but further drops in the temperature – more common overnight – could catch you off guard and freeze your pipes.
• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
• Keep any garage doors closed if there are water pipes or supply lines in the garage. If attached to home, consider opening the door to the garage to allow home heat to enter the garage. DO NOT use kerosene or other fuel fed heating devices in the garage to heat it.

If Your Pipes Do Freeze...

• If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
• If your house or basement is flooding, turn off the water valve and immediately call 911.
• Do not touch or use electrical appliances in areas of standing water due to electrocution concerns.
• Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard. Every year, many building fires are caused by people trying to thaw frozen pipes. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.
• You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe. DO NOT use a blow torch or any other open flame to try and thaw out potentially frozen pipes.
• Again, if your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on and call 911. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Likely places for the water turn-off valve include internal pipes running against exterior walls or where water service enters a home through the foundation.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF.

Why Frozen Pipes Are a Problem

Water expands as it freezes. This expansion puts extreme pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor water faucets, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Also, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.
A 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can leak up to 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the immediate potential for mold.
In the U.S., frozen pipes cause significant damage every year, but they often can be prevented. Taking a few simple steps, even now, may save you the aggravation and expense.

Redwood City: El Camino Real plan looks to encourage affordable housing

Redwood City: El Camino Real plan looks to encourage affordable housing, retain small businesses

REDWOOD CITY -- The city will spend at least $195,000 on a plan that would, among other things, encourage the construction of affordable housing and the preservation of small businesses along El Camino Real.

The City Council voted unanimously Monday night to hire San Francisco-based Dyett & Bhatia Urban and Regional Planners to prepare the so-called El Camino Real Corridor Plan.

"It's arguably the most important corridor within our city, one that if you work or live within Redwood City you travel or walk on every day," said Community Development Director Aaron Aknin.

The initial goal, according to a report by Senior Planner Lindy Chan, would be to evaluate and consolidate four recently rezoned parts of El Camino Real into a cohesive plan for the corridor.

In addition, the plan would explore opportunities for the construction of affordable housing and the preservation of small businesses. It wouldn't increase building heights or intensify uses beyond what is already allowed.

Council members stressed the importance of connecting the plan to the Grand Boulevard Initiative, a collaboration of 19 cities, counties and agencies to improve various aspects of El Camino Real from Daly City to San Jose.

"We need to make sure we don't get too parochial about this," said Councilman Jeffrey Gee. "Otherwise we're going to screw up the mid-Peninsula even worse than some people think we are."

 

Gee said the city's immediate neighbors to the north and south are in the midst of making or considering changes to El Camino. San Carlos, for example, is getting set to break ground on its long-awaited Transit Village project and Atherton could potentially delete a traffic lane.

"I think we have to work with our neighboring cities to make sure El Camino connects and we don't get to a city limit and go from two lanes to one lane or three to two without a nice transition," he added.

Others viewed the plan as an opportunity to improve the look and feel of the busy thoroughfare.

"I don't think anyone here would argue that El Camino looks as good as we all think it could look," said Vice Mayor Ian Bain. "I think this plan gives us an opportunity to do that."

In approving the $195,604 contract with Dyett & Bhatia, the council also agreed to give City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz permission to spend $60,000 on a new traffic study and additional community workshops for the plan, which is expected to take 12 to 18 months to draft.

"This is a classic opportunity to get the collective wisdom, to really get people involved in some creative ideas and look at ways that we can really improve this long into the future," said Mayor John Seybert.
"I don't think El Camino has been significantly looked at since Grant Boulevard, since it was probably the main highway or the King's Highway and probably had ruts in it from the wagons."

Email Jason Green at jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com or call him at 650-391-1337; follow him at twitter.com/jgreendailynews.

See Aladdin Jan. 20-24

A Magical Journey for Kids

San Carlos, CA

Journey to the City of Enchantment this month as San Carlos Children’s Theater presents Disney’s ALADDIN JR. Featuring a cast of 75 talented students, this magical musical is filled with Academy Award-winning songs and production surprises that will charm  family. Performances run Jan 20-24 with 7 pm performances Wed-Sat and 1 performances Sat. and Sun. 

Mustang Hall, Central Middle School, 828 Chestnut St., San Carlos. Bring the kids and get set for 2 hours of delight. Advance tickets recommended: http://www.sancarloschildrenstheater.com.

The City of Good Living continues to excel in its water conservation

Congratulations San Carlos! The City of Good Living continues to excel in its water conservation efforts, more than doubling the state mandated reduction with a 34.4% cumulative savings from November 2013 through November 2015. The City would like to thank all residents for their continued efforts to help conserve water. Please also remember that, despite recent rain spells, California remains in a severe drought - please don't stop conserving!

Nonprofits may get tax relief: Agencies that provide affordable housing without state subsidies have seen property tax bills surge higher

Nonprofits that provide affordable housing without state subsidies may get some property tax relief under a bill introduced Monday by state Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo. 

Senate Bill 678 aims to help nonprofits and religious organizations that provide affordable housing by increasing their property tax exemption from $20,000 annually to $100,000 annually.

Some local agencies, including the Ministry Services of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and the St. Francis Center in Redwood City, have seen their property tax bills increase substantially as the area’s property values have skyrocketed.

The Daughters of Charity property tax bill for last year was $68,000 over the $20,000 cap.
“This money would go a long way to support the Missions of the Daughters of Charity to provide services to low-income families,” the agency’s Director of Ministry Services Jacqueline Day wrote in a letter to lawmakers.

The agency provides 40 low-cost apartments in East Palo Alto.

The bill is an idea born out of Hill’s eighth annual “Oughta Be A Law … Or Not” contest for constituents.
It was proposed by Sister Christina Heltsley of the Saint Francis Center, which provides 46 units of low- and extremely low-income housing in Redwood City.

The agency’s tax bill last year was about $24,000 over the cap.

“We are seeking relief so that we can reinvest whatever donations come to us into this community especially into low-income housing,” Heltsley wrote in a letter to Hill.

There are only 76 different properties in California currently being reported to the Board of Equalization by the county assessors that are subject to this cap, according to Meegen Murray, Hill’s legislative director. These properties are owned by 26 different nonprofit organizations. Only eight of those organizations might be approaching, are at or over the cap. Three of the eight organizations are in Hill’s district, according to Murray.

Hill said ultimately that he would like to lift the cap entirely so the entities won’t have to pay any property taxes.

“We can’t afford to lose affordable housing. These agencies can save a considerable amount of money toward providing critical services to those most in need,” Hill said.

The $20,000 cap became law in 2000. It was placed in statute following abuses by some nonprofit agencies in the 1990s that provided affordable housing but essentially acted as “slumlords,” Hill said.
Hill introduced nine bills Monday, two others of which were “Oughta Be A Law” contest winners. One, SB 681, was proposed by San Bruno resident John Dillon. The bill reduces the fine for right turn-on-red traffic violations from $500 to $250.

The other is SB 814, proposed by a San Mateo resident, which requires water districts to fine households that use excessive amounts of water each month.

bill@smdailyjournal.com
(650) 344-5200 ext. 102