Before you remove a tree on a San Mateo property: the protected tree rules
San Mateo protects Heritage Trees, oaks of 10 inches or more and other species of 15 inches or more. Here is what the city’s protected tree page says about permits.
Eichler radiant heating: how the system works and what buyers should ask
Eichler radiant heat runs through pipes in the concrete slab. Here is how the system works, how it fails, and what buyers should ask before they buy.
For Sale in My Area: A Guide to Buying a Home in the San Francisco Bay Area
Searching for a home that is for sale in my area is often the first step toward finding a property that fits your lifestyle, budget, and long term goals. In the San Francisco Bay Area, that search can be especially important because home prices, property types, neighborhood characteristics, commute times, and amenities can vary significantly…
Investment Property: A Complete Guide for Real Estate Investors
An investment property can be an important part of a long term real estate strategy, whether the goal is to generate rental income, build equity, or potentially benefit from property appreciation over time. For many people, real estate offers an opportunity to own a tangible asset while creating another potential source of income beyond a…
The First Call I Make After a Seller Says Yes, and What Actually Happens After You Decide to List
What happens after you sign a listing agreement: the file, disclosures, title and HOA documents come first. The vendors come after, and here is why.
Aragon and Baywood: Two San Mateo Neighborhoods People Talk About as One Place
Aragon and Baywood adjoin in San Mateo and get treated as one place. How they really differ, and why the street matters more than the name.
What Sellers Look For in an Offer Besides Price, and Why I Start With the Buyer’s Agent
What sellers look for in an offer besides price starts before the offer arrives. Why I have recommended the lower one, and what buyers can do about it.
Buying a Condo in San Mateo County: Why Buyers Now Read the Building Before the Unit
Buying a condo in San Mateo County now means underwriting the building. What reserves, special assessments and the SB 326 balcony inspection tell you, in order.
What a San Mateo County Seller Actually Nets: The Line Items That Surprise People
What a San Mateo County seller actually nets: county and city transfer tax, commission, escrow and title fees, and the buyer credits that move the number most.
Sell First or Buy First? The Move-Up Sequencing Decision on the SF Peninsula
Sell first or buy first on the SF Peninsula? What a rent back, a bridge loan and a contingent offer each cost, and the four questions that decide which path is yours.