Johnston's Saltbox - Open Now!

A family owned restaurant,  featuring a from-scratch kitchen committed to using local artisan products.

johnston's saltbox

1696 laurel street
san carlos, ca 94070

650.592.7258
sean@johnstonsaltbox.com

hours

lunch

tues–sat
11.30am-2.00pm

dinner

tues–sat
5.30pm-9.00pm

brunch

sat–sun
10am-2:30pm

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Are you curious as to how the real estate market in San Carlos is doing?

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 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.

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/

Defend the Trend: Are Mixed Metals Classy or Too Brassy?

by Briana Mowrey January 10, 2014 BRIANA: It’s 2014, which means we’ve got a whole new class of trends to defend…or not. One look that stood out on House Beautiful’s 2014 design trends list was mixed metallics. Our own Brian Patrick Flynn played with different shades of gold in a recent office makeover. So, what do you think? Have you taken a shine to mixing silver and gold or do you think metals should stay solo?

MARIANNE: I am all for it. I don’t decorate with silver or chrome much but I love to mix warm metallics like gold, copper, and brass. I mean, get a load of this glamour kitchen from designer Jean Louis Deniot. Hubba hubba:

CAMILLE: Metallics are neutrals, so it’s always okay to mix them. HANNAH SLAUGHTER: I like mixing metals but tend to stick to small groups of accessories. If you’re going to do it in a whole room, you better have the money to a) pay to do it with the top notch stuff and b) change it – metallics look dated so quickly. GRANT: I can’t mix metals. A while back, I was looking around my house when something horrifying came into focus — all the hardware was different! Kitchen knobs were silver, chandelier was gold — doorknobs to outside were nickel, while interior door hardware was brassy gold. How I missed this for so long is beyond me. But once the issue was on my radar, I couldn’t get that mess corrected fast enough. From doorknobs to door hinges to ceiling fan pulls to cabinetry hardware, everything is now nickel — and I am at peace. ALYSSA: I’ve mixed metals with my jewelry, so I say it translates just as well to home design. KAYLA: Same here, Alyssa. And considering my home is one big room, it’s impossible for me to not mix metals. So I’m hoping I get a resounding “do it!” from the team. NANCY FIRE, Design Director of HGTV HOME: I’m all about the mix. It works in our HGTV HOME Heavy Metal trend story and [we're] getting great feedback from on-air response. Also, anything that BPF does looks fab!! ! KERI: Metallics are my jam. I love any and all of them. I love the industrial look, and I feel like you can’t achieve that without mixing your metals. It’s fun and a lot less stuffy than an all gold or silver space. ALYSSA: Kayla — I feel like Keri’s answer is actually what you wanted to hear. (re: industrial) FARIMA: I’m all about gold, but I love mixing too. You really can’t go wrong with shiny! NANCY FIRE, Design Director of HGTV HOME: I am at Heimtextil in Germany and they are all over industrial mixes with metallic. It looks hip and NOT tacky at all…updated and very cool!! - See more at: http://blog.hgtv.com/design/2014/01/10/mixed-metals-trend/#sthash.69zSCVP3.dpuf

Boomerang Buyers Flying Back

by The KCM Crew on January 17, 2014 in Infographics

Note: “Boomerang buyers” are former homeowners who have gone through a short sale, foreclosure, or bankruptcy in the past few years and are saving up for a down payment to purchase a home again.

https://www.customerlobby.com/reviews/159/the-clarke-team/ 

Upcoming Events

San Carlos Children's Theater
"Disney's Little Mermaid"
January 22-26, show times vary
"Doctor Dolittle"
March 7-16, show times vary
www.sancarloschildrenstheater.com

15th Annual Week of the Family
January 25 - February 1
Various family - oriented activities:
i.e., hikes, story time, scavenger hunts
www.sancarlosweekofthefamily.org

Community Crab Feed
Friends of the ACC
January 23, 4:30 pm
601 Chestnut Street; $40
Tickets: 802-4113

Construction Noise Work Hours

Due to the improving economy we have seen an uptick in residential construction. The increase in building activity may result in an increase in construction related noise complaints. To ensure a reasonable amount of peace and quiet for neighbors, the City limits construction noise to:

8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday thru Friday
9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday

Construction related noise activities are also not allowed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Complaints related to construction noise activity should be directed to the Building Official at 802-4261.

To file a complaint after hours or on holidays please call police dispatch at 363-4911.

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

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

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

Habitat Social

Habitat Social

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.