Single Level View Condominium

Seller is taking a rest and re-evaluating his situation.  Thank you to those who have previewed and shown this unit.

Seller update just in…I just had a meeting with this wonderful seller.  This gentleman has been through a lot - like many sellers these days.  If you visit us on 3/30/08 and want the background, just ask.  BTW, this Picassa photo is NOT the seller, but I think a pretty fair visual of how he’s feeling these days.

The seller is eager to make things as easy as possible on a qualified buyer.  He’s now working in Silicon Valley and wants to be closer to work.  He is the original owner since 2001 when these units were first sold by the builder.  He really wants to move on with his life and give the sale of his unit one last shot. 

Therefore, the seller has agreed to lower the price one final time - to $438K.  In addition, he has agreed to open the Unit for preview on March 30, 2008 from 2 to 3 p.m. only.  As you or your agent already know, the unit has been available for showing; he asked that I stop open houses in the last couple of months since the traffic was so slow.

We are pleased to have Catherine Sun from BayCal Financial joining us on Sunday 3/30 to talk about new loan options.  She also will be able to pre-qualify borrowers on site based on the new guidelines.  (This is not a pre-approval, but the first step, a pre-qualification).  If anyone is more comfortable speaking other languages, Catherine communicates comfortably in Cantonese, Mandarin and English.

If you’re serious, bring the family members who will help in the decision process, and any documents you’d like Catherine to take a look at.

Thank you for your consideration.  This will make a lovely home for someone who wants a convenient location, great access, and some recreational activities on site - in additon to covered parking for 2 cars and elevator access if needed.

I just had a great meeting with the wonderful seller of this great unit!  It’s still available.  There will be a price reduction and other details, so check back in another day or two…

There are so many wonderful choices in hardwoods now, especially for those who would like to move into an environmentally conscious direction.  One of the great features of this unit is that the new owner can choose the type and quality of flooring for their living style and budget.

Talk with your Realtor about how to handle that “want” if a desired flooring is important to you.  Here are a few ideas:

Choose a hardwood floor that has an appropriate finish to match your lifestyle.

The main two choices being unfinished and pre-finished, there is also reclaimed wood for eco-friendly options; ask your flooring contractor about the differences.

Choose your installer and understand what type of installation is best for the unit.

The three main choices are Floating; Glued; or Nailed.  You will want to understand which is best for this unit.

Choose a color and style that fits your personal taste.  This can be fun.  An example of style is the choosing the direction you prefer the planks to be placed.  Other considerations:  species (domestic or exotic), dimensions, pattern (in the example above), color and cut.  (Keep in mind that this unit has lots of natural light.)

Here’s are a few resources below, and ask your Realtor if they know of a reputable local installer to offer one of the bids:

http://www.woodfloorsonline.com/stylestrends/design_a_room.html

http://www.laminateflooringzone.com/hardwood-floors.htm

http://www.absolutefloors.com/eco%20friendly%20hardwood%20flooring.htm

http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/realmoney/articles/flooring.cfm

This is a good time to be checking out a good inventory of condos in Westborough.  If you are in the area, please stop by for some warm cider and perhaps someone may come to mind who would like to more about this good deal. 

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This is public Tax Information from MLS Listings Pro, of which I am a subscriber under DRE #01463986.

Remember to include taxes in your PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) in your monthly housing expense.  Your mortgage professional and/or Realtor(r) will help you calculate this number.  Property taxes in San Mateo County are approximately 1.1% of the purchase price.

Whenever a property exceeding $100 in value is sold in San Mateo County, a transfer tax is levied at the rate of 55 cents per $500 or fraction of $500 of value. That number equates to $1.10 for every thousand dollars of value. The value of existing liens or other encumbrances which are assumed by the new owner/buyer on the property is deducted before the transfer tax is computed.   Source: San Mateo County, Homeowner Resources.

For further information contact the San Mateo County Assessor’s Office.

We continue to get showings.  No Open House today, 11/18, but available to show.  One appointment already scheduled.

If you have been following the local market, you will notice that there are plenty of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms condos surrounding Carter Drive available.  This listing shows as the longest on the market.  Call me for the background on this if you are a serious prospective buyer.  This condo had a ratified offer in early July.  Don’t let the Days on Market number keep you away from checking this condo out for yourself!

This seller prefers to sell it as is and will accommodate offer terms as best he can.  Bring an offer if you agree that this is a great location and one of the best unit locations in the building and complex.

I will be there Tuesday afternoon 11/20 to get a bid for a window coverings upgrade for the 3 slider doors to patios.  Sliders in master bedroom, 2nd bedroom and living room.  I’m looking at the verticals with the sheers in-between. 

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One of the benefits of this location is its proximity to San Francisco, the coastside communities (Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Moss Beach, Montara, and Pacifica), and the mid-peninsula.

If you are a parent who has been thinking of helping your college or graduate student get into their first home by using some of your idle home equity, this is worth a serious look. The universities that this corner unit condo is close to are numerous:

San Francisco State University

University of San Francisco

Golden Gate University, San Francisco campus

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)

Academy of Art University

As the parent of a college student, I find that many students no longer wish to live on campus following their first year. While renting may be a good idea in the earliest stages of independence, some families see the value of getting offspring into real estate as early as possible. History has proven that even with its cycles, home ownership offers very good long term investment.

This may be worth some number crunching considering we live in an area of limited expansion and a worldwide destination for entertainment, culture, academics and weather. Craigslist is a good source to find what rentals are going for in the same area (2 br/2ba in South San Francisco, CA 94080). In the article, “Buy your College Kid a Condo?”, by Liz Pullian Weston, she states:

“It transcends just helping you with school,” said Vita, who’s now a software design engineer for Microsoft. “I got to learn to be a responsible homeowner. I learned about paying bills and taxes and about credit. . . . I learned to be pretty handy, and (when the house sold), it was the basis for a down payment on a really sweet place.” (Microsoft is the publisher of MSN Money.)

This great condo is still available! I’m holding this Open House from 3-5 p.m. today, October 28th, to celebrate (in my own little way) the fact that day light savings time will end soon and then it’s back to earlier open house times.

Another treat today, I’m bringing homemade double Ghiradelli chocolate chip cookies from the latest issue of Sunset Magazine. Look for the Coldwell Banker signs, if you don’t have a Realtor (r) with you, call me at 650-678-1108 for entrance code if the door is not already open.

As usual, I will have comparables, books, a map if you want to discuss various communities, and website resources.

Come by even if you just want to talk about this market - there’s lots of information out there that needs sifting through. A visit will be very worth your time whether your’re ready to take advantage of this market’s buying opportunities or just shopping. You are welcome either way.

Thanks,
Marian

p.s. See other posts to this website for articles on the convenient location of this condo.

3875 Carter Dr # 107, South San Francisco CA