Off the Air
By Dan Robinson | February 18, 2009
The East San Carlos Blog will be down temporarily while I am out of town dealing with a family emergency. I hope to be back soon.
Sincerely,
Dan Robinson
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Lowering your San Carlos Property Taxes…Don’t get Ripped Off
By Dan Robinson | February 10, 2009
There is an official looking letter being delivered to many houses in San Mateo County promising to help people lower their property taxes. Here is a response from Warren Slocum and instructions on how the homeowner can apply for a reduction to their property tax bill without paying a private party.
DON’T GET RIPPED OFF
A cautionary note from Warren Slocum, San Mateo County’s AssessorDear County Colleagues,
In the past week, San Mateo County property owners have been blanketed with solicitations from private companies that are luring people to spend money to reduce their property taxes. These companies cannot guarantee a reduction in property taxes to anyone. The law establishes which properties are eligible for this property tax relief program known as a “Decline in Value.”
A “Decline in Value” request is FREE to any homeowner. We need your help to get the word out–tell your constituents, employees, friends, neighbors and family NOT to get ripped off–do NOT pay for these services. If anyone should ask, this is how the Decline in Value program works:
First, a property owner requests a Decline in Value review by filling out a simple form and sending to the Assessor’s office (online, by fax, mail or in person). It only takes a couple of minutes to complete.
Second, our offices review the request. If a property’s assessed value is more than its market value as of Jan. 1, the property owner will be eligible for a temporary reduction in assessed value. We will start the process that will lower their property tax bill or earn them a property tax credit.
Third, if the property is ineligible for relief, we will advise the owner as to why their property did not qualify for a reduction.
Where can someone get a form? Decline in Value request forms are available online and in downloadable paper formats from our web site at www.smcare.org. We will also mail them to a property owner and forms are available in our office if a person stops by.
And lastly, properties that are reduced are reviewed by the office on an annual basis. If the property continues to qualify, it will remain on the program in future years until the property’s value is regained.
Please help us spread the word. I’ve attached the press release that we sent to the media and samples of the solicitations. You will note that is very professional looking and that is why it may snare unsuspecting property owners into this scam.
Thank you,
Warren Slocum
Topics: Real Estate News | No Comments »
San Carlos Open Houses for the weekend of 2/7 & 2/8
By Dan Robinson | February 6, 2009
Here is this weekends list of San Carlos Open Houses. If you want further information on these homes or would like to see pictures or virtual tours CLICK HERE. If you would prefer to schedule a private tour, let me know and I would be happy to schedule one for you.
| Street Address | List Price | Beds | Baths | Bldg SqFt | Open House |
| 1950 EUCALYPTUS AV | $1,895,000 | 4 | 3 1/2 | 2750 | Sun 2/8 1:00-4:00 |
| 290 OAKVIEW DR | $1,525,000 | 4 | 3 | 2594 | Sun 2/8 1:00-4:00 |
| 260 OAKVIEW DR | $1,525,000 | 4 | 3 | 2567 | Sun 2/8 1:00-4:00 |
| 19 CAMBORNE AV | $1,399,000 | 4 | 2 1/2 | 2880 | Sun 2/8 1:30-4:30 |
| 156 NORMANDY CT | $1,399,000 | 3 | 2 | 2440 | Sun 2/8 1:00-4:00 |
| 2734 VICTORIA MN | $1,399,000 | 4 | 2 1/2 | 2470 | Sun 2/8 1:00-4:00 |
| 1461 CRESTVIEW DR | $1,349,000 | 3 | 2 1/2 | 2860 | Sun 2/8 1:00-4:00 |
| 204 CLIFTON AV | $1,249,000 | 3 | 2 1/2 | 1910 | Sun 2/8 1:00-4:00 |
| 3141 LA MESA DR | $1,249,000 | 3 | 2 | 2045 | Sat 2/7 1:00-4:00 Sun 2/8 1:00-4:00 |
| 18 COLEMAN CT | $1,199,999 | 3 | 2 1/2 | 1710 | Sat 2/7 1:00-4:00 |
| 280 OAKVIEW DR | $1,195,000 | 4 | 3 | 2835 | Sun 2/8 1:30-4:30 |
| 117 CRESTVIEW DR | $1,145,000 | 4 | 3 | 2490 | Sun 2/8 1:30-4:30 |
| 1460 CORDILLERAS AV | $1,050,000 | 4 | 3 | 2380 | Sun 2/8 1:00-4:00 |
| 10 DEL REY CT | $1,020,000 | 3 | 2 | 1890 | Sun 2/8 1:00-4:00 |
| 92 MADERA AV | $988,888 | 4 | 2 1/2 | 2400 | Sun 2/8 12:00-2:00 |
| 465 WELLINGTON DR | $935,000 | 4 | 3 | 1770 | Sat 2/7 1:30-4:30 Sun 2/8 1:30-4:30 |
| 19 BUTTERCUP LN | $799,000 | 2 | 2 1/2 | 1793 | Sun 2/8 2:00-4:00 |
| 117 BELVEDERE AV | $799,000 | 2 | 1 | 1260 | Sun 2/8 1:00-4:00 |
| 524 PROSPECT ST | $799,000 | 3 | 2 | 1270 | Sat 2/7 2:00-5:00 Sun 2/8 1:30-4:30 |
| 643 DARTMOUTH AV | $759,000 | 3 | 2 1/2 | 1510 | Fri 2/20 1:00-4:00 |
| 657 Prospect ST | $749,000 | 2 | 2 1/2 | 1308 | Sun 2/8 1:00-4:00 |
| 436 LAUREL ST | $729,000 | 2 | 1 1/2 | 1200 | Sat 2/7 1:00-4:00 Sun 2/8 1:00-4:00 |
| 68 FAY AV | $719,000 | 2 | 2 | 1490 | Sun 2/8 2:30-4:30 |
| 402 PORTOFINO DR #3 | $638,000 | 3 | 2 | 1570 | Sun 2/8 2:00-4:00 |
| 406 PORTOFINO DR #4 | $570,000 | 3 | 2 | 1570 | Sun 2/8 2:00-5:00 |
| 3319 LA MESA DR #4 | $529,000 | 2 | 2 | 1040 | Sun 2/8 1:30-4:00 |
| 757 ELM ST #11 | $509,000 | 2 | 1 1/2 | 1000 | Sun 2/8 1:30-4:00 |
Not all homes listed offered by RE/MAX Today.
Topics: Homes for Sale | No Comments »
School Tax back on the ballot in San Carlos
By Dan Robinson | February 6, 2009
As most of you know Measure ‘S’, the parcel tax increase to designed to support San Carlos Schools, failed by the narrowest of margins in the last election. Well, it is back on the ballot, and I suggest that you think seriously about voting for it…even if you don’t have kids in the San Carlos School System.
The excellence of San Carlos Schools has a huge impact on property values in this city. It is one of the major factors that make San Carlos such a desirable place to live. The $78 per year will be rewarded back to you many times over if we keep our schools at a high level.
Here is yesterdays article from the San Mateo Daily Journal about this subject.
A six-year $78 annual parcel tax will go before San Carlos voters through an all-mail ballot in May with the goal of lessening the need for cuts in the upcoming school year.
While facing an estimated $2 million in cuts, the San Carlos Elementary School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to put a parcel tax to an all-mail ballot in May. Recent favorable survey results shaped the proposal, which is the district’s second attempt with a parcel tax during the current school year. A supportive public campaign will be critical for success, district officials said.
Although the measure would not cover anticipated losses, it would make up about half of the estimated cuts, Trustee Seth Rosenblatt said.
Trustee Mark Olbert agreed adding that passing the tax would be part of a set of shared sacrifices needed in these troubled economic times.
“There definitely will be cuts of various kinds,” Olbert said. “We don’t see how we’re going to avoid that. The parcel tax would have an impact on the taxpayers in the community. By no means will this be one-sided.”
Trustee Tom Quiggle explained the new measure acknowledges the no vote from the public in November while attempting to meet the growing needs of the school district.
Maintaining hands-on science and literacy programs, attracting and retaining teachers and preserving music and art are among the measure’s proposed intent. If passed, it would require an oversight committee, an independent audit and offer a senior exemption.
Results from a 400-person telephone survey facilitated by Godbe Research were shared with the board in January. From the beginning, 74 percent supported a parcel tax in general with 23 percent opposing the idea. A $108 parcel tax generated 65 percent approval. Support increased as the amount questioned decreased. Support rose to 70 percent at $98, 71 percent at $88, 74 percent at $78 and 77 percent at $68.
This would not be the first parcel tax in San Carlos.
Voters passed a $98 annual parcel tax through 2011, Measure D, in 2003. The tax is now about $109 with cost-of-living adjustments. If approved, the new parcel tax would be independent of Measure D. With the levy end approaching, officials put forward Measure S in November. The measure was poised to replace Measure D and permanently increase the levy by $75 to $185 annually.
Despite polled support, the measure was narrowly defeated with 65.6 percent of the vote — just shy of the 66.7 percent needed. If it had passed, the money would have covered most of the $2 million in cuts the district faces in the upcoming school year. The announcement of looming cuts led to parents urging the district to give a parcel tax another try.
Topics: Community News | No Comments »
San Carlos Open Houses for weekend of 1/24 & 1/25
By Dan Robinson | January 23, 2009
Here is this weekends list of San Carlos Open Houses. If you want further information on these homes or would like to see pictures or vitual tours CLICK HERE. If you would prefer to schedule a private tour, let me know and I can take care of that for you.
| Street Address | List Price | Beds | Baths | Bldg SqFt | Open House |
| 1950 EUCALYPTUS | $1,895,000 | 4 | 3 1/2 | 2750 | Sun 1/25 1:00-4:00 |
| 574 VISTA AV | $1,749,000 | 4 | 3 1/2 | 2490 | Sat 1/24 1:30-4:30 Sun 1/25 1:30-4:30 |
| 125 COVENTRY CT | $1,599,000 | 3 | 2 1/2 | 2860 | Sun 1/25 1:30-4:00 |
| 928 WALNUT ST | $1,550,000 | 4 | 2 | 2000 | Sun 1/25 1:00-4:00 |
| 248 BAYVIEW DR | $1,499,950 | 4 | 3 1/2 | 3700 | Sun 1/25 1:00-4:00 |
| 774 KNOLL DR | $1,450,000 | 4 | 3 | 2310 | Sun 1/25 1:30-4:30 |
| 1040 DRAKE CT | $1,399,000 | 4 | 4+ | 2500 | Sun 1/25 1:00-4:00 |
| 870 CRESTVIEW DR | $1,399,000 | 4 | 2 | 2250 | Sun 1/25 1:00-4:00 |
| 6 MADRONA ST | $1,359,000 | 4 | 2 1/2 | 2940 | Sun 1/25 2:00-4:00 |
| 1461 CRESTVIEW DR | $1,349,000 | 3 | 2 1/2 | 2860 | Sat 1/24 1:00-4:00 Sun 1/25 1:00-4:00 |
| 104 WINDSOR DR | $1,225,000 | 3 | 2 | 1850 | Sun 1/25 1:00-4:00 |
| 3130 MELENDY DR | $1,149,999 | 3 | 2 1/2 | 2570 | Sun 1/25 1:30-4:30 |
| 2753 BROMLEY DR | $995,000 | 3 | 2 | 1710 | Sat 1/24 1:30-4:30 Sun 1/25 1:30-4:30 |
| 3291 BRITTAN AV | $879,000 | 3 | 3 | 2260 | Sun 1/25 1:00-4:00 |
| 448 EMERALD AV | $838,000 | 3 | 1 | 1200 | Sun 1/25 1:00-4:00 |
| 1983 BELLE AV | $789,000 | 2 | 1 | 1070 | Sun 1/25 2:00-4:00 |
| 68 FAY AV | $719,000 | 2 | 2 | 1490 | Sun 1/25 2:30-4:30 |
| 347 FAIRFIELD DR | $529,000 | 2 | 1 | 820 | Sat 1/24 1:30-4:00 Sun 1/25 1:30-4:00 |
| 977 HOLLY ST | $515,000 | 2 | 1 | 910 | Sun 1/25 1:30-4:30 |
Not all homes listed by RE/MAX Today.
Topics: Homes for Sale, Uncategorized | No Comments »
San Carlos Open Houses for weekend of 1/17 & 1/18
By Dan Robinson | January 16, 2009
Here is a list of open houses for this weekend in San Carlos. To get more information or to view pictures and virtual tours, CLICK HERE.
| Street Address | List Price | Beds | Baths | Open House |
| 1950 EUCALYPTUS AV | $1,895,000 | 4 | 3 1/2 | Sun 1/18 1:00-4:00 |
| 270 OAKVIEW DR | $1,624,000 | 4 | 3 | Sun 1/18 1:00-4:00 |
| 125 COVENTRY CT | $1,599,000 | 3 | 2 1/2 | Sun 1/18 1:30-4:00 |
| 928 WALNUT ST | $1,550,000 | 4 | 2 | Sun 1/18 1:00-4:00 |
| 1040 DRAKE CT | $1,399,000 | 4 | 4+ | Sun 1/18 1:00-4:00 |
| 6 MADRONA ST | $1,359,000 | 4 | 2 1/2 | Sun 1/18 2:00-4:00 |
| 204 CLIFTON AV | $1,299,000 | 3 | 2 1/2 | Sun 1/18 1:00-4:00 |
| 104 WINDSOR DR | $1,225,000 | 3 | 2 | Sun 1/18 1:00-4:00 |
| 18 COLEMAN CT | $1,199,999 | 3 | 2 1/2 | Sun 1/18 1:00-4:00 |
| 1404 CRESTVIEW DR | $1,195,000 | 4 | 2 1/2 | Sun 1/18 1:30-4:30 |
| 65 MAPLE WY | $1,149,000 | 4 | 2 1/2 | Sun 1/18 1:00-4:00 |
| 117 CRESTVIEW DR | $1,145,000 | 4 | 3 | Sun 1/18 1:30-4:30 |
| 10 DEL REY CT | $1,095,000 | 3 | 2 | Sun 1/18 1:00-4:00 |
| 1333 WOODLAND AV | $849,000 | 3 | 2 | Sat 1/17 1:00-4:00 Sun 1/18 1:00-4:00 |
| 1116 CEDAR ST | $798,500 | 2 | 1 | Sat 1/17 1:30-4:00 Sun 1/18 1:30-4:00 |
| 1983 BELLE AV | $789,000 | 2 | 1 | Sun 1/18 2:00-4:00 |
| 643 DARTMOUTH AV | $779,000 | 3 | 2 1/2 | Sun 1/18 1:30-4:00 |
| 68 FAY AV | $719,000 | 2 | 2 | Sun 1/18 2:30-4:30 |
| 347 FAIRFIELD DR | $529,000 | 2 | 1 | Sat 1/17 1:00-4:00 Sun 1/18 1:00-4:00 |
| 977 HOLLY ST | $515,000 | 2 | 1 | Sat 1/17 1:30-4:30 |
Topics: Homes for Sale | No Comments »
Two East San Carlos Homes came on the market today.
By Dan Robinson | January 16, 2009
Two new homes came on the market this morning in our East San Carlos Neighborhood. Both are being offered for sale by RE/MAX Today. Both Houses will be open for viewing this weekend. I will be at Holly St from 1:30-4:30PM on Saturday and Mary Yeargain will be at Fairfield from 1-4 on both Saturday and Sunday. Come on by for a visit.
977 Holly Street
This is a 2 bedroom 1 bath home with hardwood floors throughout on an over sized 5850sq/ft lot. The house is not updated but is clean. The backyard is big and has a nice deck and spa.
347 Fairfield
This is also a 2 bedroom 1 bath home. It is 820sq/ft on a 5000sq/ft lot. It does back up to the businesses on Industrial Rd, but does have a nice large backyard…great for kids.
Topics: Homes for Sale | No Comments »
High Speed Train coming to San Carlos?
By Dan Robinson | January 14, 2009
MEETING FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT
If you are interested in hearing more about or commenting on the potential impact of the California High Speed Rail project on the Caltrain Peninsula Corridor work, a public meeting will be held Thursday, January 22 from 3 - 8 pm in the auditorium of the SamTrans building at 1250 San Carlos Avenue. Input is encouraged. The goal of the public meeting is to provide the public, agencies and other stakeholders the opportunity to suggest what should be addressed during the EIR (Environmental Impact Review) process now getting underway for California High Speed Rail Project on the Caltrain Corridor.
Topics: Community News | No Comments »
New homes coming to the Market in East San Carlos
By Dan Robinson | January 13, 2009
There are two new 2 bedroom/1 bathroom homes coming to the market in East San Carlos in the next week or so. Both homes are being sold by RE/MAX Today and should be priced around $525K.
Check back here later this week or contact me for more details.
Topics: Homes for Sale | No Comments »
Where are housing Prices going in 2009?
By Dan Robinson | January 13, 2009
Where are housing prices going? Well, that is the questions everyone wants answered. Unfortunately the best any one of us can do is give you an educated guess.
The S&P Case/Shiller Home Price Index tracks 20 of the largest housing markets in the country. According to their latest numbers they forecast the both San Francisco and San Jose as losing approximately 10% of it’s value through May of 2009, but predict a 40% increase in the next 5 years. So while they acknowledge it is tough right now, they do predict a nice rebound. Most economists I have read seem to indicate that we should not expect the economy to rebound until the fall of 2009 at the earliest
Here in East San Carlos we have seen approximately a 10% decrease in home prices, depending on how you measure them. Our excellent school system, local downtown area and small town feel have kept our prices from falling further. San Carlos is still a desirable place to live and people are still trying to move here.
Our biggest problem is that it is much harder to get a loan now that it has been in the past. We live in an area that attracts a lot of first time home buyers and those buyers have been affected dramatically by new lending guidelines. Low down payment loans are really tough to find…and it is difficult to save the $130,000 it takes to put 20% down on a typical $650K home in our neighborhood. At some point the economy will turn around and lenders will get back to lending money a bit more freely. When that happens, we should see our housing prices start to creep up again.
When will that happen? We can only guess, and be hopeful it will happen soon.
Topics: Community News, Mortgage News, Real Estate Information | No Comments »
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