Holiday Tradition in San Carlos

It's that time of year again! Time for the glorious decorations on Eucalyptus Ave. between Orange and Tamarack in San Carlos to shine like the stars for Christmas. If you haven't experienced driving down this street at night during the holidays - don't miss out! It is truly breathtaking and a lot of fun.

Check out some of the homes at:
http://www.lightsofthevalley.com/Properties/San_Carlos.asp

Monthly Home Maintenance - December: Miscellaneous

• Clean your garage and get rid of anything you don’t use.
• Neatly organize all of your tools, garden equipment and appliances.
• Wander the house with a screwdriver and tighten screws on drawers, doors and furniture.
• Make a list of any small repairs that need to be made. If needed, go to your local hardware store and purchase the necessary items to make your repairs.

For a complete 12 month guide, please contact us @ sold@ClarkeTeam.com or 650-489-5399

Monthly Home Maintenance - November: Upholstery and Carpeting

• Vacuum all sofas and pillows.
• Spot clean all upholstery and carpeting.
• For extra cleaning, consider hiring a professional service to clean
your upholstery and carpeting.


For a complete 12 month guide, please contact us @ sold@ClarkeTeam.com or 650-489-5399

Watch the nation vote in real time.

Happy Halloween & Go Giants!

 Happy Halloween & Go Giants! What a day for Orange and Black!

Want to know what your San Carlos home is worth in this market?

http://www.sancarloshomefinder.com/sell/

San Carlos Wins Helen Putnam Award for Budget Innovations

Sacramento, CA — The League of California Cities has selected the City of San Carlos as a 2012 Helen Putnam Award winner. The 2012 award winners were honored during the Opening General Session of the League's Annual Conference & Expo at the San Diego Convention Center held Sept. 5 – 7.

The Award will be formally presented to the City of San Carlos at an upcoming City Council Meeting in October.

San Carlos' Winning Program
San Carlos won the award in the category of Internal Administration for its program titled "A Different Approach to the Budget: Cutting Costs & Adding Service."

The city resolved a $3.5 million structural General Fund budget deficit and increased services to the public over an 18 month period. This was done in the areas of police, fire, parks maintenance and recreation services through a mix of shared services, contract services and becoming a Recreation Service Provider in partnership with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, and cities of Redwood City and Half Moon Bay.

The Helen Putnam Award for Excellence
Established in 1982, the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program recognizes outstanding cities that deliver the highest quality and level of service in the most effective manner possible. Particular attention and credit is given to applications specifically advancing the League’s strategic priorities (www.cacities.org/priorities), which are determined each year by the board of directors.

The award is given annually in 11 categories: CCS Partnership Intergovernmental Collaboration Award; Community Services and Economic Development; Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, and Community Involvement; Health and Wellness Programs; Housing Programs and Innovations; Internal Administration; Planning and Environmental Quality; Public Safety; Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation; the Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government; and the League Partners Award for Excellence in City-Business Relations. Of the 99 nominations submitted in 2012, 12 cities were honored with awards.

A Few Words About Helen Putnam
Helen Putnam was a mother, school teacher, principal, mayor, and county supervisor. But most of all, Helen Putnam was a person who viewed meeting one's potential as the measure of success.

Excellence, to Helen Putnam, was shown by someone who did his or her very best. She was as supportive and loving of people who did their best as she was of people who did the best.

To the League and to California cities, Helen Putnam defined excellence. The Award for Excellence is given in her memory.

League of California Cities
Established in 1898, the League of California Cities is a nonprofit statewide association that advocates for cities with the state and federal governments and provides education and training services to elected and appointed city officials.

Want to know what San Carlos school district a home is in?

Go to: -->

Elementary: http://locator.decisioninsite.com/?StudyID=103283

Home Maintenance for October – Fireplace and Chimney

• If you have a fireplace, make sure you have the chimney checked
out by a professional chimney cleaner before starting the first fire.
• Be sure your fireplace tools are in good working order.
• Pull out your nonflammable rug and place it in front of the
fireplace.
• Once you start building fires, clean ashes out regularly but ensure
ashes have completely cooled before discarding.


Stay on top of routine maintenance by breaking down tasks throughout the year.
For a complete 12 month guide, please contact me.

 Kelly Clarke 
The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com

Getting the most for your home

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First impressions count in real estate! To get a better idea what kind of face your home presents to a potential buyer, walk outside and up to your front door.  How does the front of your home look? Is your front yard neat and tidy? Are your gutters and paint in tip-top shape?
This objective look at your home can let you “see” it through the eyes of buyers. If your home makes a positive first impression a buyer will immediately be drawn in and want to know more. Visual appearance can make the difference between attracting big traffic—or feeling like you’re in a ghost town.
Buyers’ interest will increase when they see an attractive yard and tidy landscaping. Garbage of any kind is a no-no, as are parked cars, RVs, boats, and piles of “stuff” that can ward off all but the most resolute buyers. Trimming your trees and shrubs will allow for a better view from the street, and of course, mowing the lawn and sweeping the entryway will help to make an impact as well.
Simply paying attention to small details like these will help you market your home for top dollar. We can help you discover even more proven techniques to get your home noticed and get you the results you want. Please give us a call or send us an e-mail if you’d like to learn more about how we can help you move your home. 

Kelly Clarke
The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com

Habitat Social

Habitat Social

Home Maintenance Series-September:Seals

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• Check the weather stripping around your windows and doors and make any necessary repairs in preparation for the winter months.

• Make sure your refrigerator door seal is tight.

• Caulk any drafts in your basement, such as around your dryer vent.

• Make sure your roof is in good condition and not missing any shingles, tiles or slates.

What Can $1 Million Buy You Today?

JulyArticle

Our latest review: "Efficient service and a great experience."

I was working with Kelly Clarke, and she was very responsive. Most of the time, she responded to my inquiries in a few hours at the most.

She made sure, even after escrow closed, to stay in contact with us. We were renting the house back to the sellers, and she made sure things were on track with that. I never got a feeling that she thought her job was done after escrow closed, and I hope to be in touch in the future. She was great.

I really liked that, once we signed the contract, she gave us a calendar of escrow items to close. It was great, because we could target specific dates and plan out the things we needed to do.

by Rahul S
San Carlos homebuyer

PG&E Service Outage in San Carlos

6/27/2012

San Carlos - June 27, 2012 - PG&E contacted the City earlier this afternoon to report a power outage that lasted 28 minutes and affected customers in San Carlos. The outage specifics are outlined below:

Date: Wednesday, 6/27/12

Time: 12:44 p.m. to 1:12 p.m. (28 minutes)

Number of Customers Affected: 7,146 (5,059 in San Carlos & 2,087 in Redwood City)

Key Accounts/Areas Affected in San Carlos: Central, White Oaks and Brittan Acres Schools and businesses along Laurel Avenue and El Camino Real.

City of San Carlos Accounts Affected:

Traffic Signals – Holly & Industrial; ECR & St. Francis; Brittan & Laurel; ECR & Howard; Brittan & ECR

City Hall – 600 Elm

Youth Center – 1001 Chestnut

Fire Station – 1280 Alameda de las Pulgas

Cause – Under investigation.

In their update to the City, PG&E said "We know that any outage is an inconvenience and our apologies to you and your staff for these outages. We are available if you have questions or require additional information."

Does San Carlos have a financial program to assist homebuyers?

Yes, the City of San Carlos Redevelopment Agency offers a Downpayment Assistance Loan Program for first-time homebuyers who are buying a home in San Carlos. Thirty-year, second mortgage loans up to $55,000 are available at a 3 percent interest rate with payments deferred for the life of the loan. Eligible applicants must have lived or worked in San Carlos for one year prior to applying and must meet certain income limits. The income limits are by family size. For more information call (650) 802-4263 or visit:
1 person, $71,100;
2 people, $97,500;
3 people, $109,700;
4 people, $121,900;
5 people, $131,650;
For more information call (650) 802-4263.

Monthly Home Maintenance – June is for Windows

J_u_n_e_ _– _W_i_n_d_o_w_s_ _

• Wash the inside and outside of your windows (once the rainy season has stopped).

• Inspect and wash window and door screens and repair any with holes.

• Make sure all doors and locks are working properly and are in good condition.

• Clean tracks and lubricate hinges.

• Clean drapes, dust blinds and shutters.

We hope this guide helps make your home maintenance easier. If you would ever like recommendations for professional service vendors that can help you with your home maintenance, please call us at anytime. To request a guide for the entire year, please call or email us.

The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Would You Like Listing Information?

Buying a new home is one of the largest financial transactions that most people ever undertake. Because the process can be lengthy and sometimes confusing, we want you to know that we are here to help you through every step. Our goal is to help you find the home of your dreams and also make your home buying experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.

If you are interested in seeing current home listings, please call or email us with the following information:

* Your time frame for buying a home

* Cities and neighborhoods that interest you

* Type of home (single family, multi-family, townhouse, condo, manufactured home, mobile home)

* Your minimum and maximum price range

* Minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms

* Any other information about what you're looking for

We will analyze your requirements and send you information on currently listed properties meeting your search criteria. We will also send you information on new listings as soon as they come on the market.

In the meantime, we will pass along valuable information about the buying process, financing your home, negotiating the purchase, and tips on closing and moving. Please feel free to email or call us if you have any questions.

The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

iPad App to Help You With Your Home Search – Realtor.com

Technology is changing the way we search for homes. First it was newspapers, then the Internet, now mobile devices like the iPad. Nowadays, your new home search doesn’t need to take place while sitting in your current home

REALTOR.COM

REALTOR.com updates its more than 4 million listings every 15 minutes. App features also include a map search, saved searches and listings synchronized with its website, private ratings and notes, and the ability to share listings with your friends, agent and social network.

Cost = Free

Ease of Use = Simple

The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Thinking of Making A Move?

There are many factors to consider when you are contemplating making a move. Price is one of the most important.

Another factor to consider is when to sell. The decision about when to put your home on the market is usually determined by when you want or need to move. Once you have decided on a move date, we can analyze the approximate time your home should take to sell by looking at the average time on the market for comparable homes in your price range. We would be happy to gather that information for you when you are ready.

When you do decide to sell, you'll want to view your home through the eyes of a potential buyer. Some points of consideration are:

* Is your home in 'show shape'?

* Are there repairs that need to be made?

* Does the paint need a bit of touching up?

If you would like, we can take a quick tour of your home and suggest some simple ways to prepare your home for the market.

Proper pricing and a home that is in 'show shape' will eliminate some of the hassles and help sell your home faster, maximizing your time and profits.

Please feel free to call or email us. We will be happy to provide you with valuable information so you can feel comfortable with the process and make an informed decision about when you want to move.

The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Noteshelf - iPad App to Help You With Your Home Search

Technology is changing the way we search for homes. First it was newspapers, then the Internet, now mobile devices like the iPad. Nowadays, your new home search doesn’t need to take place while sitting in your current home

NOTESHELF

Want a quick and easy way to make notes during an open house, or jot down features you’d like to have in your next home? Noteshelf is the easiest and smoothest note-taking app out there. You can use your finger to draw or an iPad stylus to create multiple notebooks. Then export your notes and share with me when we meet.

Cost = $4.99

Ease of Use = Simple

The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Monthly Home Maintenance – May is for Bedrooms and Closets

M_a_y_ _– _B_e_d_r_o_o_m_ _a_n_d_ _C_l_o_s_e_t_s_ _

• Thoroughly clean all bedding (bedspread, blankets, sheets, mattress protector). If you have a duvet insert, have it professionally cleaned.

• Change bedding for summer months, if desired.

• Go through your drawers and closets and donate old items that you haven’t worn for a while.

• Rotate and flip mattress, if needed.

We hope this guide helps make your home maintenance easier. If you would ever like recommendations for professional service vendors that can help you with your home maintenance, please call us at anytime. To request a guide for the entire year, please call or email us.

The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Free Mortgage Payment Calculator for iPad

Technology is changing the way we search for homes. First it was newspapers, then the Internet, now mobile devices like the iPad. Nowadays, your new home search doesn’t need to take place while sitting in your current home.

MORTGAGE PAYMENT CALCULATOR FREE

This app is just what the name says – it’s a free mortgage calculator. Not a whole lot of bells and whistles, but it works and it can help estimate the monthly mortgage on any home you’re considering buying. Monthly expenses like HOA and property tax are also taken into account.

Cost = Free

Ease of Use = Simple We hope you find these iPad apps helpful when looking for your next home. If you have any questions about listings you find interesting, feel free to give us a call.

The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

iPad App to Help You With Your Home Search - Evernote

Technology is changing the way we search for homes. First it was newspapers, then the Internet, now mobile devices like the iPad. Nowadays, your new home search doesn’t need to take place while sitting in your current home.

EVERNOTE

Evernote is a web clipping app that lets you save web content and pages for reference later. It works on multiple devices so you can sync data to your phone, iPad, computer etc. It is best used as “enhanced bookmarking” for information you come across online like real estate market articles or property listings. Just save any URL or portions of a web page, then add a title, description or keywords to that “note” so you can easily reference it later.

Cost = Free

Ease of Use = Simple

We hope you find these iPad apps helpful when looking for your next home. If you have any questions about listings you find interesting, feel free to give us a call.

The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

San Carlos Real Estate Market Takes Off!!

Spring has sprung and the market is HOT in San Carlos! The buyers are out there, and inventory remains low compared to demand. There are currently only 19 active single family homes available for sale in San Carlos.

We are seeing multiple offer on most properties and homes are often going above asking price. Check out the current sold vs. listing price trend at:

http://www.sancarloshomefinder.com/mimarket/zip/94070/

If you are considering selling your San Carlos home, now is a great time. if you are looking to buy, be sure you have your pre-approval ready and request a heads-up on exclusive properties before they come on the market.

Whatever your real estate needs, feel free to call or email us anytime to discuss how this information can benefit you! As always, we are happy to help.

Monthly Home Maintenance – April is for Yards

A_p_r_i_l_ _– _Y_a_r_d_s_ _
• Check your sprinkler systems to make sure they are working properly.
• Cut back any trees or branches that are touching the siding or roof.
• Clear out debris from under decks or porches.

We hope this guide helps make your home maintenance easier. If you would ever like recommendations for professional service vendors that can help you with your home maintenance, please call us at anytime. To request a guide for the entire year, please call or email us.

The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Some Home Facts

Some Home Facts

￿The typical seller has lived in their home for nine years, which is up from 6 years in 2007.

￿Although 61% of sellers said that they reduced the price of their listing once, the average home

(not foreclosure or short sale) sold for 95% of the listing price.

￿In 2011, 37% of homebuyers were first time buyers, which is down from 50% in 2010.

￿In 2011, 88% of homebuyers used the Internet to search for a home.

￿The top 3 factors in choosing an area (neighborhood) were quality of the neighborhood,

closeness to a job, and affordability of the home.

Source: National Association of Realtors

April Fools Day Quiz

Every April Fools’ Day we hear outrageously false stories and are challenged to sort out the April Foolery from weird stuff that is actually true. Here is a quiz from the Museum of Hoaxes of actual headlines. Some are April Fools’ Day jokes and others are real news stories. Can you tell the difference?

1_:_ _D_o_n_’t_ _D_i_s_t_u_r_b_ _t_h_e_ _S_q_u_i_r_r_e_l_s_ _
In 1993 city officials in Cologne, Germany imposed a new regulation on people jogging through the city park. Runners were required to pace themselves to go no faster than six mph. Any faster, the city officials cautioned, could disturb the squirrels that were in the middle of their mating season.
•T_R_U_E_ _•A_P_R_I_L_ _F_O_O_L_S_’ _

2_:_ _C_r_u_s_t_l_e_s_s_ _B_r_e_a_d_ _
For those who just can’t stand the taste of crusts, and are too lazy to cut them off themselves, Sara Lee introduced the ultimate in convenience: crustless bread. Available in stores everywhere!
•T_R_U_E_ _•A_P_R_I_L_ _F_O_O_L_S_’ _

3_:_ _P_e_t_ _T_a_x_ _
The city of Philadelphia, faced with a looming budget shortfall, last year announced a new tax targeted at pet owners. The owners will be charged a base fee of $10 per pet, and then $1 extra for every additional pound the pet weighs over ten pounds.
•T_R_U_E_ _•A_P_R_I_L_ _F_O_O_L_S_’ _

4_:_ _P_r_e_h_i_s_t_o_r_i_c_ _P_e_n_g_u_i_n_ _M_u_r_a_l_s_ _
In 1991 prehistoric murals were discovered on the walls of an underwater cave in eastern France revealing that penguins and man once lived side-by-side in that region. Historians, accustomed to seeing prehistoric depictions of animals such as bison and deer, were extremely surprised to find the penguins.
•T_R_U_E_ _•A_P_R_I_L_ _F_O_O_L_S_’ _

5_:_ _V_o_d_k_a_ _B_a_r_s_ _
Recently a Russian beverage company announced a new product designed to appeal more specifically to Russian tastes: chewy Vodka bars. The company hopes the candy bars will compete successfully against popular western imports such as Mars and Snickers bars. The Vodka bars will be available in lemon, coconut, and salted cucumber flavors.
•T_R_U_E_ _•A_P_R_I_L_ _F_O_O_L_S_’ _

6_:_ _B_a_n_k_ _T_e_l_l_e_r_ _F_e_e_s_ _
In 1999 a Connecticut-based bank announced that due to rising costs it would be forced to charge a $5 fee every time a customer visited a live teller. The bank promised that the fee would actually help to improve the quality of customer service.
•T_R_U_E_ _•A_P_R_I_L_ _F_O_O_L_S_’ _

Buying or selling a house is nothing to fool around with. If you’re interested in learning more about today’s real estate market, please feel free to contact us.

The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Monthly Home Maintenance – March is the Kitchen

M_a_r_c_h_ _– _K_i_t_c_h_e_n_ _

• Clean the range-hood filter in your kitchen.
• Remove all the items from your cupboards and pantry. Wipe shelves clean, check expiration dates on all products and toss anything old.
• Clean your refrigerator and oven.
• Don’t forget to move your household clocks forward on March 11 during Daylight Saving Time

We hope this guide helps make your home maintenance easier. If you would ever like recommendations for professional service vendors that can help you with your home maintenance, please call us at anytime. To request a guide for the entire year, please call or email us.

The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Once you purchase a new home, how will you decorate it? Free iPad App Can Help!

Once you purchase a new home, how will you decorate it? CNN says Houzz is the “wikipedia of interior and exterior design.” It contains the largest database of home design ideas with more than 150,000 high res photos. Browse photos by style, room and location and save them to your virtual idea book for easy searching, saving and sharing. You’ll also find everyone from local designers to architects and contractors who can help you realize your ideas.
Cost = Free
Ease of Use = Simple

The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

How Does the San Carlos Community Measure Up?

Are you curious as to how San Carlos schools are doing? Click on the link below (or copy and paste in your browser) for access to the "Market Insider" which includes valuable insight into San Carlos by looking at household incomes, crime risk, education levels attained, and potential for extreme weather. Use the map to locate points of interest like shopping, restaurants, and healthcare services.

http://www.sancarloshomefinder.com/micommunity/zip/94070/

Call or email us anytime to discuss how this information can benefit you! As always, we are happy to help.

The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

D_o_n_’t_ _L_o_s_e_ _S_l_e_e_p_ _WHEN DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME RETURNS ON MARCH 11!

Be sure to mark your calendar for Daylight Saving Time on March 11 and spring your clock forward one hour…but don’t lose sleep over it!
The annual “spring forward” event can cause sleep disruptions for both children and adults. By making a few lifestyle changes, most people can minimize sleep loss and achieve the sleep that is needed to feel alert, refreshed and ready to take on the day.
For children:
• Maintain your child’s regular sleep, wake and nap times. Try not to compensate for the lost hour by delaying bedtime or allowing your child to sleep in.
• Make gradual adjustments. Some parents find it is best to try to start making adjustments on Saturday night rather than wait until Sunday (a school night).
For adults:
• Try to sleep more than usual a few nights prior to and immediately following the time change.
• Take a nap in the afternoon on Sunday if you need it, but not within a few hours of your regular bedtime.

The Clarke Team
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Use Internet Marketing To Expand Your Reach

It goes without saying that the Internet has radically affected how people find homes today. And savvy Realtors know how to use modern technology to combine the power of fabulous new tools with market trends and proven strategies.

Thanks to the Internet, you now have worldwide reach and incredible visual capabilities at your disposal, allowing you to intimately market your home to millions of potential buyers. Internet marketing is not only effective—it is an essential element of every successful marketing campaign.

We have the knowledge and expertise to bring these and many other tactics to work for you. If you would like to learn more, please give us a call or reply to our e-mail. You won’t be disappointed.

The Clarke Team
Realtors
www.clarketeam.com
sold@clarketeam.com
650-489-5399

Strategic Marketing

Selling your property successfully and for top dollar takes a strategic marketing plan. we have designed a comprehensive program that utilizes a variety of marketing vehicles to position your home to the right buyer.

From staging your home in preparation for sale to advertising the property through print and via the Internet, from virtual tours to broker open homes, we will utilize a powerful array of programs to successfully market your home and quickly get the results you want.

For more information about selling your home, please call us today.

Does Your Home Have Nose Appeal?

This is a truly sensitive subject, but because everybody’s nose is different, what smells good to one person can ward off a potential buyer who thinks otherwise!

The smallest amount of odor can be off-putting to a buyer who steps into your home for the first time. Sometimes the difference between a potential sale and just another visitor begins with vacuuming and mopping your floors. And because clean homes sell faster—usually for their asking price or higher—that means you are able to close and move on quickly.

While you’re at it, we recommend ridding your home of any clutter—put it in storage if necessary— and deep clean your home to eliminate any lingering odors, like those caused by pets and smoke. A professional carpet cleaning will also brighten up your place and help the nose appeal of your home immeasurably! (Let us know if you need a recommendation.)

We are available to help you with many more proven tactics like these, to ensure that your home presents itself in the best way possible. Please call or e-mail me at your earliest convenience, we look forward to hearing from you.

Rent vs. Own

There’s nothing quite like a home that you can truly call your own. A place where you can have the gleaming hardwood floors you’ve always dreamed of, a space to cultivate your own vine-lined patio, a way to provide a good neighborhood for your kids to grow up in, and a freedom from the whims of your landlord. These are the images that immediately come to mind, for many of us.
Yet some of the biggest advantages of owning a home are less romantic and more practical – in fact, there are financial advantages to owning a home:
• Tax Deductibility—You can deduct the cost of your mortgage loan interest from your state and federal income taxes. Since interest generally will account for most of your payment during the first half of your mortgage, the savings can be significant. Some of your costs at the time of closing (including prepaid mortgage interest) can be taken as deductions on that year’s income tax return, and points paid up front at the time of closing represent additional mortgage interest and may be taken as a deduction.
• Tax Deductibility of Property Taxes—You can deduct all of the property taxes you pay.
• Appreciation Potential—Real estate is considered a strong long-term investment because it usually appreciates in value. The effects of borrowing potential can increase as the value of the home appreciates.
• Capital Gains Exclusion—When it’s time to sell your home the amount of capital gains you have to pay is reduced. A homeowner can exclude up to $500,000 per couple if married and filing jointly, or $250,000 if single or filing separately for homes that have been the taxpayer’s principal residence for the previous two years.
• Capital Gain Treatment—Congress allows preferential tax treatment on gains from capital assets held for more than one year. This would be important for a homeowner who has gains in excess of the allowable exclusion.
• Principal Accumulation—Mortgages are designed to pay the interest for the time that the money has been used, as well as to retire the principal debt over a period of time. This payment plan means that part of the payment each month is for principal accumulation.
• Personal Enjoyment—Pride of ownership is a valid reason for wanting to own a home. You can personalize your home while enjoying the financial benefits.
For the best evaluation of your financial situation, consult your financial advisor. He/she will be the most qualified to discuss the financial consequences of a home purchase decision, as well as help you to establish a plan that will achieve your home ownership goals.

How Do San Carlos Schools Measure Up?

Are you curious as to how San Carlos schools are doing? Click on the link below (or copy and paste in your browser) for access to the "Market Insider" which includes detailed information on school districts, school ratings, test scores by grade, student-teacher ratio, and much more.

http://www.sancarloshomefinder.com/mischool/zip/94070/

Call or email us anytime to discuss how this information can benefit you! As always, we are happy to help.

Judy Clarke & Kelly Clarke MBA
Unparalleled service that creates lifetime relationships.
Coldwell Banker
650-489-5399
sold@clarketeam.com

Your Home Is As Unique As You Are

Your home is a unique investment—one that reflects your personal desires. And since you may have lived in your home for some time now, it will undoubtedly have much of your own personality built right into it, as you’ve redecorated and maybe even remodeled it to suit your style.

In this market, homes like yours are a valuable commodity. We are certain that a buyer is out there who is prepared to pay the highest price the market will bear. Our job is to find that “just right buyer” and show them the inherent value of your real estate investment.

We would welcome the opportunity to schedule some time with you to plan how we can make sure that you get top dollar for your beautiful home. Please call us at your earliest convenience. We look forward to hearing from you.

Find Your New Home—Not More Frustration

Getting information on homes doesn’t have to be a frustrating experience. If you’ve been getting the run-around and feel like you’re not being given the information you’re looking for, we can put an end to that!

We treat our customers differently, and know how to listen carefully, so we can understand exactly what you’re looking for. we won’t bury you with useless information or withhold facts that are important to you, and we will always respond to any requests you have immediately. From help with listing notifications, to private showings and anything related to real estate, we would be delighted to be of assistance.

If you’re feeling frustrated, please don’t hesitate to call or reply to my e-mail at any time. We can provide you with time-saving tips and informative checklists to put the fun back into your search.

We are confident that we can meet and exceed your expectations and help you find the perfect home.

Are you ready to apply for your home loan?

Filling out a loan application doesn’t have to be a stressful event. Simply gathering the information you’ll need before you sit down with a loan officer to begin processing your application will save you a ton of time and aggravation.

If you are interested, we’ve prepared a mortgage worksheet that details all the information that you will need. Just call or e-mail us and we’ll get it out to you right away.

And if you haven’t selected a lender yet, we would be more than happy to provide you with proven contacts that have worked fabulously with us and our customers. They are all extremely professional and know how to find the loan that best suits your needs.

We hope to hear back from you soon and look forward to helping with all of your real estate needs.

Would You Like To Receive Automatic E-mail Notifications?

With the recent changes in the market, many of our clients are asking for our opinion about the current value of their property. To provide them—and you—with even better service we offer an automatic e-mail notification, to alert individual recipients each time a property in their area (and in their price range) comes on the market.

These free listing alerts can also be very helpful if you are considering a move—just let us know the areas you are interested in and we can set the parameters of the search for you, right down to bedroom and bath count, square footage and more.

Because individual circumstances and market nuances surrounding each sale usually have an impact on the price, it is necessary to look closely to know the details pertaining to a specific property. We can also provide you with more detailed information on any home that comes up in your e-mail alerts. And, we can also make sure that we are up-to-date on the inventory in your area, helping you know everything you want—and need—to know about homes that you are interested in.

Sign up for myREalert today at www.ClarkeTeam.com

Kelly Clarke
The Clarke Team
www.ClarkeTeam.com
650-489-5399

How About a Hassle-Free Tax Season?

Happy New Year! January marks the beginning of the new year and it also marks the beginning of tax season. If you’re like us, you’ll begin optimistically in January saying that you’re going to get an early start, but on April 15th you’ll be scrambling to get the last forms mailed!
We’ve made a New Year’s resolution to have a hassle-free tax season. Here are four preparation steps that can help ensure a less stressful tax-filing process:
Step 1: Plan your filing strategy. If you do your own taxes, now is the time to upgrade your software. If you use an accountant, call him or her now to start the process. We have some great contacts if you are ready to try someone new.
Step 2: Consolidate your financial information. Set up a file to keep all your financial information in a central location. Include W-4 forms, various 1099 forms showing income such as interest, dividends and business profits, and any other key reporting statements. When it’s time to prepare your taxes, you’ll have everything in one secure location.
Step 3: Gather deduction documentation. Gather all documentation regarding expenses and deductions. If you don’t have a good system for tracking deductions, this is a good time to create one! Not only will you benefit this tax season, but you’ll be organized throughout the year and even better prepared for future tax years.
Step 4: Review your tax-advantaged investments. Many tax-deferred investment vehicles allow you to make contributions until April 15th for the 2011 tax year. Reviewing your portfolio now will enable you to take full advantage of various tax-advantaged instruments such as IRAs. Contact your broker or investment company professional to ensure you are maximizing tax-advantaged investments.
Paying taxes is never pleasant, but this year we’re determined to get an early start. We hope these strategies will help you have a hassle-free tax season this year!

A Successful Sale Is Just A Phone Call Away

We like to keep what we call the Three Ps at the top of our mind: Passion, Professionalism and Perseverance. Because we love what we do, we treat our clients the way we would like to be treated ourselves. And we never give up.

These Three Ps are the keys to the success of our clients, and they are also at the heart of our business. Our job as Realtors is to help our clients build personal wealth while making the experience satisfying—and fun! And the sooner we're involved in the planning of your home sale, the more positive the experience will be.

Please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail us, we look forward to putting my expertise to work for you.

How is the Real Estate Market in San Carlos holding up?

Are you curious as to how the real estate market in San Carlos is doing? Click on the link below for access to the "Market Insider" which includes price trends, market trends, property ownership along and additional statistics.

http://www.sancarloshomefinder.com/mimarket/zip/94070/

Call or email us anytime to discuss how this information can benefit you! As always, we are happy to help.