San Carlos Made The Top 10 Cities to Live in In California!

I have lived in San Carlos now for 25 years.  It has a small town feel, great schools, a vibrant downtown, and yet is close to three metropolitan areas and international airports making it a great location for jobs and travel.  Who could ask for more?

www.movoto.com/ca/best-places-in-california/

How to Make the Most of a Tiny Kitchen

By Good Housekeeping | At Home – 01/06/2014 - By Sherry Rujikarn

 
Smart ways our food editor maximized space in her tiny kitchen

Our food editor loves to cook but doesn't have much space to do it in. Here's how she reorganized things to make the most of her small kitchen.

 

When I renovated my small, galley-style kitchen in my New York City apartment, there were some major space issues that I really wanted to address. I had never seemed to have the time or energy to deal with them before, so I seized the opportunity -- and total upheaval -- of the reno to completely reorganize. Here were my biggest small-space concerns and how I tackled them.

Issue #1: Not enough counter space
Counter space is a precious commodity in any kitchen, but particularly in a small one. Without enough room to spread out, cooking can quickly devolve into a stressful nightmare. To free up more counter space, I installed a long, wall-mounted magnetic knife strip, thus eliminating the need for a space-hogging knife block. The magnetic strip also more easily accommodated my eclectic collection of knives (3 chef's knives, 3 paring, 2 serrated, 1 extra long slicer, 1 cleaver, 1 boning knife, and more) that would never fit in one block anyway. If you have small kids, place the knife strip high enough so it's out of their reach or storing your knives in a drawer, if you have one to spare. 

Issue #2: Too many unused tools out on the counter
To pick what I stored on my counter vs. stashed in the drawer, I just had to sit down and viciously weed out tools that I don't use on a daily basis. I wanted to go from three crocks on my counter for holding cooking utensils to two. Potato masher and balloon whisk? In the drawer you go! Wooden spoons and tongs? Stay right where you are. Everybody's list of regular-use tools will be slightly different, so you have to decide for yourself which ones are your countertop essentials.

Issue #3: Limited access to pots and pans
I have so many pots and pans and I love and use them all. But my cookware hoarding meant I also had to store pots stacked in tall towers two rows deep under my kitchen sink. This made it difficult (and loud!) to access all but the ones at the tops of the front-most stacks. When I replaced all the cabinets in my kitchen, I knew I wanted to install at least a couple of deep, wide drawers to hold short stacks of my pots. Now my cookware is super easy to identify and reach. We have similar drawers at the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen and they are fantastic. For my skillets, I installed metal shelving from which we hang them in a neat little row -- now they're both part of the décor and within easy reach.
  
Issue #4: Using the oven as storage
Like many who live in a typical, New York City apartment, I use my oven for storage (pans, cookie sheets, etc.), but it made it such a hassle every time I wanted to, you know, actually use my oven. This meant being ruthless once more and actually getting rid of never-used/broken items, like that thermal lunchbox someone gave me 5 years ago, storage containers with no lids, and some splintered bamboo placemats. With a little purging, shifting, and rearranging, everything I really need has its space and my oven is free and clear any time I need to roast or bake. 

Issue #5: Hard to get into lower cabinets
I was so excited when my deep cabinets were installed. Extra storage space, huzzah! The ones that were drawers worked beautifully, but we quickly realized that it would be impossible to access the things located in the back of the shelf-only, lower cabinets; at least not without crouching and pulling everything out. Been there, done that, and hated it. We toyed with the idea of plastic bins/baskets, but those were impractical and hard to organize. Instead, we found these great roll-out metal racks that screw into your cabinet/shelf. They come in sizes/shapes to accommodate both larger items like food processors and mixers, as well as lids. I was able to install these in less than an hour with only a drill and a little determination.

Homebuyers: To get the house, get there first

(Money Magazine)

Housing inventory is stiflingly tight in many locations, making it a challenge to find, much less land, your dream home.

The number of available houses in the hottest markets has dropped dramatically over the past year, says the National Association of Realtors: In the Boston area, for one, inventory levels are down 29% vs. 2012. And Denver, Seattle, and San Francisco aren't far behind.

"Some homes are flying off the market in a matter of days," says Paul Bishop, VP of research for NAR.
Shopping in a popular spot? You'll have to go beyond the usual sellers' market tactics, such as getting prequalified for a mortgage. These strategies will help you find homes first, stopping a bidding war before it starts.
Go unlisted
One way to head off the competition is to look for so-called pocket listings, homes that are for sale but don't show up on the multiple listing service, where brokers post available properties.
Owners may choose not to list because they want to keep details about their houses private, or simply because they don't want to deal with staging the home and taking photos, says Zillow contributor and agent Brendon DeSimone, who works in New York and California.
Related: Secret 'pocket listings' return in hot housing markets
To find these homes, you'll need a well-connected broker. "You want someone who has an inside track," says DeSimone. Agents who have experience with pocket listings should be able to tell you about examples of off-the-radar houses they've handled in the past, as well as any they are currently aware of (keep in mind that pocket listings are most common in areas with tight inventory).
A caution: Buyers considering an unlisted property should be on the lookout for defects and check that the price is in line with the area, says San Francisco broker Samuel Cadelinia. Owners sometimes use this low-profile method to avoid calling attention to a problem or to see if they can sell for more money.
Get the real-time scoop
Many would-be buyers depend on automatic search, a regular roundup of listings sent out by the local MLS. But by the time these emails go out to shoppers, included homes may have been online for hours or even days.
Ask your agent about real-time MLS alerts, emails that are sent the moment a new listing goes live. While not yet in all markets, the alerts are available in the San Francisco Bay area, Las Vegas, Columbus, parts of Connecticut, and more.
Related: 10 things to know about buying a home
Agents often have a home for 24 hours or so before entering it into the MLS, so your broker may be able to give you a heads-up on a house he just received. To increase your chances of getting that call, tell him that you'd like to be notified immediately, and be sure he knows exactly what type of house you're after.
See through bad listings
Don't be scared off by a hideous paint job, bad lighting, or unflattering photos. "Sometimes sellers don't listen to agents about getting the house ready for sale," says DeSimone.
In a tight market, he says, it's worth checking out marginal listings to avoid missing a badly packaged gem -- just factor in the price of any project required to bring the home up to snuff.

 

Céline Dion's $28 million island mansion

Set your search criteria a bit higher than your target price; you'll likely catch some overpriced homes that may eventually go for less. How will you know? The number of days on the market is one telltale sign, says Cadelinia.
Related: For sale by owner: Homeowners ditching brokers
For example, if most homes in the area are gone within a month but this one's been on the market for two, the owner may be willing to consider a lower offer. If the listing is new, get a sense of how realistic the cost is by comparing it with the recent sale price of similarly sized houses in the same area.
Spot would-be sellers
Finding a home that's not for sale but might be soon is tricky but not impossible.
One strategy: Ask your agent to search expired listings, says Mark Cenci, a Chillicothe, Ohio, realtor. Owners who tried to sell a couple of years ago may not be up on rising home values (June median home prices were 16% higher than two years prior, says the NAR) and might be swayed by what you're willing to pay.
Rental properties are another prospective target, since landlords may also be out of touch with current prices. Sure, it's a reach, but in this market, says Cenci, "you need to explore every option."

Why You Should Sell Your House Now

Many now realize that it is a great time to buy a home.  It might also be an opportune time to sell your house.  Here are the five reasons we believe now may be a perfect time to put your house on the market.

1. Demand Is High

The most recent Existing Home Sales Reports by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) show a double digit percent increase in sales year-over year; sales have remained above last year’s levels for over 25 months.  There are buyers out there right now and they are serious about purchasing.

2. Supply Is Beginning to Increase

Total housing inventory is again approaching historic norms of a 5 month supply compared with 4.3 months in January.  Many expect inventory to continue to rise as 3.2 million homeowners escaped the shackles of negative equity in the last 12 months and an additional 1.9 million are expected to enter positive equity in the next 12 months.  Selling now while demand is high and before supply increases may garner you your best price.

3. New Construction Is Coming Back

Over the last several years, most homeowners selling their home did not have to compete with a new construction project around the block.  As the market is recovering, more and more builders are jumping back in.  These ‘shiny’ new homes will again become competition as they are an attractive alternative for many purchasers.

4. Interest Rates Will Again Rise

Although Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have softened recently, most experts predict that they will begin to rise later this year.  The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are in unison projecting that rates will be up almost a full percentage point by this time next year.
Whether you are moving up or moving down, your housing expense will be more a year from now if a mortgage is necessary to purchase your next home.

5. It’s Time to Move On with Your Life

Look at the reason you are thinking about selling and decide whether it is worth waiting.  Is the possibility of a few extra dollars more important than being with family; more important than your health; more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?
You already know the answers to the questions we just asked.  You have the power to take back control of your situation by putting the house on the market today.  The time may have come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire.  That is what is truly important.

Trick-or-Treating on Eucalyptus Avenue in San Carlos

The street that’s more known for its annual Christmas extravaganza also puts on an amazing spectacle for Halloween. Much like they do around the holidays, virtually every home on the two blocks of Eucalyptus Avenue is decorated to the nines. These two short blocks have gotten so popular in recent years, that they actually blocked the street off last year,  which made it more like Mardi Gras than it did Halloween. Just missing the beads…

It’s a great place to take the kids — the decorations are incredible, and the neighbors are VERY generous with the candy.   With fire pits blazing in some of the driveways, you’ll very likely run into tons of friends and neighbors there, too.  Just keep a close eye on your trick-or-treater, because with so many kids milling around in costume, it’s amazingly easy to lose track of your kid even when they’re only 10 feet away.

Happy Halloween!

Monthly Home Maintenance - October

October is the month to take care of your 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

Monthly Home Maintenance - September

September is the month to check your seals around the house.

• 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.

San Carlos Hometown Days are this weekend!

San Carlos Hometown Days!

May 17, 18 and 19, 2013

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Welcome to San Carlos Hometown Days!

San Carlos Hometown Days voted "Best Family Festival" by Bay Area Parent Magazine!
May 17, 18, & 19, 2013
Friday Night 5:00pm - 7:30pm - SCEF Celebrates Music Kickoff!
Saturday & Sunday 10am - 5pm (Ticket booth for games closes at 4pm on Sunday)

Hometown Days Vision

The vision of the San Carlos Hometown Days Steering Committee is to make San Carlos Hometown Days an annual, self-sustaining event which brings together various constituents in the community at large to promote community spirit, provide a venue for fundraising and community outreach, and provide wholesome family entertainment.

Hometown Days Mission

The mission of the San Carlos Hometown Days Steering Committee is to create an annual event for family enjoyment which celebrates the community, upholds tradition and strives for innovation to keep it fresh and competitive with other events of its type.

Hometown Entertainment for 2013

Entertainment for HTD 2013 has been booked. If you would like to participate in 2014, please fill out the application form on the HTD website when it becomes available after January 1st, 2014. Thank you.

Hometown Days Community Partners

Testimonials

I like EVERYTHING about Hometown Days! – Tina
We like walking in the parade. The Velez Family, Connor Grason, Nicole
I like the marching bands in the parade. Seth Digel
We love all of the kids’ activities! Wendy
My favorite things are the rides. Ashley Lazzaroni
My favorite thing about Hometown Days is the Petting Zoo. Caleb Streck
Playing the games! David, Jesse, Erika R., Austin
I like the pony rides! Sarah, Alison, Abbey
Our favorite thing about Hometown Days is how it reminds us of what a wonderful community we live in. The Rak Family
We love seeing friends and listening to music. Colleen Gwinner
I like the singing. Michael
I like the bouncy house! Caitlynn Reynolds
Gavin likes everything!

Go Green!

Remodeling your home?  Please consider donating any reusable items to ReSale in San Carlos - a home improvement resale business and see if there is anything there that you can reuse.  Go Green!

http://www.habitatgsf.org/restore#.UXQfSoUVHI0

Thinking About Selling Your Bay Area Home? Your Timing May Not Be Better!

	They say timing is everything in life. And that’s particularly true when it comes to real estate. If you’ve been thinking about selling your home but are not sure if this is the right time, think again: There may not be a better time to sell than right now. We are experiencing a severe shortage of homes for sale in our area. Our inventory of listings is at the lowest level it has been in many years. Buyers are out there each weekend scouring the neighborhoods for homes to buy; buyers are ready to make a move when they find a house to buy. With so few homes available in this market, if you were to sell your home now you could potentially get the highest price since the downturn of the housing market. With buyers far outnumbering available homes for sale, sellers are often getting multiple offers – sometimes a dozen or more – often closing at a price that is significantly more than their asking price. We’re not alone here in the San Francisco Bay Area. The low inventory of for-sale homes is creating a seller’s market throughout the country, according to an article by the National Association of Realtors®. Quoting Rick Turley, President of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage for the San Francisco Bay Area, NAR reported that “Buyers and Agents are literally waiting for the next house” to come on the market in many cities. According to NAR, the supply of existing homes for sale reached nearly an eight-year low in January. Nationwide, there is a 4.2-month supply of existing homes for sale and it could take some time before we reach a more balanced market. There are a number of reasons for the shortage of listings. The number of distressed houses for sale is decreasing as the foreclosure crisis recedes. New home construction is improving but still at low levels in most areas of the country. And many homeowners still believe they are too underwater on their mortgage or may not have enough equity in their property to buy their next home. But you may be surprised at how much the tide has turned in the last year. Multiple offers and bids over the asking price are pushing up home values in many areas. Properties that looked like they would have to sell as a short sale have ended up pricing out as a traditional equity transaction with homeowners walking away with cash from the sale. We are experiencing this change in the market every day. In a recent Money magazine article, reporter Beth Braverman said homeowners might be wise to sell now rather than hold off. “It’s tempting to postpone selling to hold out for a better price,” she said. “But if you want to move to a larger place, act sooner rather than later.” While you might be able to sell your home for more if you wait, there’s no way to tell what the future will hold. When more homeowners eventually decide to come into the market, the balance of supply and demand could change in favor of buyers once again. And even if prices go up in the future, the appreciation on a trade-up home could be even greater. As we travel through life, housing needs evolve. You may have outgrown your starter home and need more space now that you have children. Perhaps you want to move to a similar home on a quieter street. You’ve decided to downsize now that the kids are on their own and you are empty nesters. Or you’re just tired of maintaining that big yard in your current home. Whether you’re moving up, across or downsizing, whatever the reason for your move, it’s important to work with a well-qualified professional Realtor® who can help make the transition a success. In order to get the best possible price for a home, you must expose it to the largest number of potential buyers. Start by hiring an Agent from a reputable firm who specializes in your local area. Your Agent must be able to showcase your home in a variety of traditional and online media including professional photography, direct mail, property flyers, listing syndication, social media, and electronic communication to area Agents. Additionally, your Agent should also identify the key selling features of the home and actively promote the property to other Agents during the brokers’ tour and to potential buyers during an open house. Your best choice is to start by hiring the San Francisco Bay Area’s leading real estate services company, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Our proven marketing plan will showcase your home to the widest possible audience of qualified buyers and net you the best price possible for your property. Selling your home can be a complicated and stressful process. But it doesn’t have to be, especially when you are working with the best. As a full-service company, we are with you every step of the way, keeping you informed about the entire transaction. As your professional Realtor®, I can help you navigate through the process of selling your home and even help you find your next home that fits your current situation. Contact me today for a private consultation and to learn more about my comprehensive marketing program. As they say, timing is everything.

	©2013 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office Is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully. DRE License #01908304

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

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

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.

Happy New Year!

We wish everyone a happy and healthy 2012.

Holiday Lights on Eucalyptus Street in San Carlos

We always drive down Eucalyptus Street in San Carlos as part of our Holiday tradition. Each home is decorated with so many lights and ornaments it is truly magical. If you haven't experienced it, you will not want to miss it!
It is becoming very popular and can get congested, so you may want to consider parking and strolling up the street. Perhaps stop and get a cup of coffee or hot chocolate to keep you warm. You won't be sorry!

Review of the Clarke Team: Patient and Determined. They helped us find our perfect home.

Review: This was our first experience with The Clarke Team and it was much better than I ever dreamed possible.

My husband and I had difficult parameters as far as what we wanted in a house and the price we wanted to pay. We were looking for different things in a home. The Clarke Team helped us find the house of our dreams, which encapsulated the qualities and features that we were both looking for in one house.

Not only did Judy Clarke accommodate a bimodal desire in homes, but she was also entirely positive throughout the process. She handled everything with gentleness and sweetness.

Working with The Clarke Team was an amazing experience. They are the best listeners in the world. They get you the house you want and they have fabulous attention to detail. This attention to detail can provide insight about potential home defects they see. My husband and I had not two but three pairs of discerning eyes to spot the flaws as well as the positive features of the homes we looked at.

The Clarke Team never lost patience or determination to assist us in finding our perfect home.

Marciana and Denis O'Halloran

Reviewed By: Marciana & Denis O.
Review Date: 20 Jan 2009

Making the Most of Change

Buying and selling real estate is much different today than the way it used to be—and it’s not just the prices that have changed! From new ways to finance property to constantly changing laws that govern disclosures and the buying/selling process, innovation and change is the order of the day.

The role of Realtors has also changed. Today, in addition to finding our clients the best properties at the right prices, we also guide them through the entire home buying process as they move through the phases of finding the right home, making the offer, going through the inspections and closing the deal.

What’s still the same? Well, buyers still want to buy and sellers still want to sell. The goals never change—buying a home is still a fun, exciting process that yields deep emotional and economic rewards. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an e-mail.

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

Review of the Clarke Team: The best decision I have made.

Review: This was my second time purchasing a home. Kelly and Judy made the transaction easy and smooth from beginning to end. We looked at homes with an open mind for sure and she gave me ideas along the way as to how to upgrade them. My budget was small and that meant not the best neighborhoods. She always researched the areas and made sure I new "There is a hospital and four way stop sign there. There are a lot of cars and apartments on this street" And when we found the gem she made sure It was the right choice. Comments like " There is a school 2 blocks away so we should drive by when it gets out to see how busy it is. There are nice well maintained homes and ample parking all around. It has been the best decision I have made to use the Clarke team in finding my Gem. Thank You.

Reviewed By: jessica l.
Review Date: 02 Apr 2009
Reviewer Location: Redwood City, CA

Review of the Clarke Team: All-around good experience: Quick, effective, and fun to work with.

Review: We decided to use The Clarke Team to sell our house because I knew Kelly from a previous business we had worked in together. I was confident in her personality and sales skills, and knew that she was a results person.

We challenged The Clarke Team a bit because we gave them a month to sell our house. However, they worked quickly and effectively to get things done. Within 4 days, they had an open house, and we received a full-price offer the following day.

They were incredibly organized, had a plan, and their communication was excellent. They managed the selling of our home like a project, setting our expectations in terms of what we needed to do and what we could expect.

The way that they interacted with us was very impressive, as we have had other agents that were not responsive and did not answer our questions. The Clarke Team also was fun to work with. They just get it -- all of the different aspects of the process, from the emotional to the financial/practical, that you are going through.

John Matterson

Reviewed By: John M.
Review Date: 12 Nov 2009
Reviewer Location: Vancouver, BC