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by: Lenore.Wilkas on 2007-06-08 @ 3.08:32 am
Okay, I know I am prejudiced about this but I become furious when I search for properties online and there are no pictures uploaded by the listing agent. If it bugs me does it bug you? Do you even want to go see a property in person if you can't inspect in online first?
I think most people fall into the first category but occasionally I do find someone in the second category. On the other hand, if I am working with a Senior buyer, the third category is 
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where they often land because many of them do not use computers in their daily lives so when I take them to show prospective homes that is the first time they will have seen it.
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by: Lenore.Wilkas on 2007-06-05 @ 6.51:24 pm
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I received a call today from Amber Farina, Coordinator of Community Services for the |
by: Lenore.Wilkas on 2007-06-04 @ 6.21:23 pm
 The San Mateo/Foster City School District has some important information for you to know about and it's likely you may not know it unless you have already been affected by it. When your Realtor writes up an offer to buy a house in our area there is a single page document that says the local school near this house may not be available for your child to attend. Reason: impacted class rooms. Since the San Mateo/Foster City School District started class size reductions to no more than 20 children in a K-3 class was started several years ago, a couple of schools have consistently been impacted at the kindergarten level. The one everyone knows about is Baywood School in San Mateo because there is a sleepover that takes place every February when local parents begin lining up in front of the school by Noon the day prior to Kindergarten registration takeing place. It's become somewhat of a party atmosphere as chairs, tents, TVs, wine and beer pop up as the evening grows dark. The parents of those already enrolled even come by with food and it is now a regular press event.What everyone does not know about is that all four of Foster City's schools are now also impacted. That mean the three elementary schools (Foster City Elementary, Audubon and Brewer Island) as well as Bowditch Middle School do not have space for any new children to enroll for Fall 2007. This is critical information to know since the Foster City Schools are always testing high along with Baywood School. Thus the four highest ranking elementary schools in the San Mateo/Foster City School District are impacted. What can you do if you already live in one of those school areas? Register your child. The SM/FC School District tells me today, that if your child is denyed admission to your local school because it is impacted they will guarantee admission the following year. But this may not be something they can continue to guarantee as more than half of the schools in the entire district are now nearing capacity. If you are concerned about this, it is important that you let the School District and the School Board know about this. Write them. Call them. Attend Board Meeting. It may be the only way you can guarantee that your local school is the school your child will attend in the future.
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by: Lenore.Wilkas on 2007-05-12 @ 12.55:05 am
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It is rare to see an old magnificent Hillsborough home in it's original condition. This week, while on our Broker's tour on Tuesday, we were treated to seeing one. This home must have been a real beauty when it was first built in 1928. It sure was well ahead of it's time with four bedrooms and three and one half baths, including a master bathroom and a 3-car garage. She still has her original bathrooms, original kitchen and beautiful tile floors.
It's listed as a Hollywood Mediterranean, but it really is a Mediterranean Colonial style home. The massive living room with rod iron work around the windows over-looking the gardens must have held many a party. The Rod Iron on the stairs, and throughout the house is a lost art. 
The character of the house is really special. It sits on a little over half acre of land in a prime Hillsbourgh area. The house is 3620 sq. feet. Beautiful mature gardens add the charm of this house.|
by: Lenore.Wilkas on 2007-05-06 @ 2.10:57 pm
I've come to the conclusion that those of us living on the San Francisco Peninsula really live on Fantasy Island.
In fact, anywhere you look for a home on Fantasy Island (it really runs from Marin County, throughout San Mateo County, and to northern Santa Clara County) with a good school district, will mean paying over a million dollars for a basic home. We buy our schools with the price of the house. There's a reason for this that goes back to the Serrano Priest decision in the 1970's and 1980's. It's the crazy way California collects property taxes and funds our schools. But that's for another time.
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How else could we get such crazy prices for houses? Today, I traveled down to Palo Alto and Mountain View for the weekly Broker's tour. I have clients who want to live there so I need to see what's coming on the market. Not much. Over priced. Guaranteed to garner multiple offers. And definitely not a castle or masion. Mr. Roarke, where are you?
I grew up in Palo Alto so whenever a property comes up in 
Our territory, the town of Burlingame , is priced as crazy but you do get a bit more for your buck. No more land, but generally a bit more house. So, I've come to the conclusion that we live in |
by: Lenore.Wilkas on 2007-05-06 @ 1.36:46 pm
What would happen to us if another quake of this magnitude were to strike our area today? Are you prepared? We had a taste of a major quake in 1988 with the Loma Prieta quake, which was measured at 7.2. If you weren't here then let me tell you it was pretty frightening, and I've been through a lot of quakes in my lifetime. But, it is frightening when you watch Victorian buildings crumble in front of your eyes. When you see skyscrapers rock and roll. When you find the bridge you've just gotten on to, closed because it broke apart. Do you have a supply of water, food, fuel to cook with or BBQ? Do you know how to shut off your gas meter, should you need to? Do you have a plan for your family of where to meet if a major quake strikes during daytime hours and your family is in different places? If you don't, you should. This Great Quake anniversary won't get the same attention it did last year, at the hundred year mark, but it always does get attention by the media and you need to listen. If you don't take the time to become prepared for disaster then if and when it occurs, and it will one day, you will not be ready. Here are a couple of stores for you to shop online that sell safety products: Quakecare and Geohazzards International. They are only a couple of starting places. It is well worth your time to browse their inventory and figure out what you need. Don't put this off. We never get warnings for earthquakes. They just happen. You can go to Home Depot or your local hardware store and buy simple things to protect yourself and your home. They often have whole areas with Earthquake Safely items for sale. Take a look and buy these things. There are special straps to attach to high items, such as bookcases or china cabinets, and then affix them to studs in the wall. These straps keep these items upright. Baby-proof your kitchen cabinets with the latches we all use to keep our babies out of the cabinets. These latches will keep your cabinet doors closed and items intact and unbroken. Museum putty is another great item that costs little but placed under items that are breakable can keep them firmly attached to the surface you have them standing on. Keep fresh flashlight batteries in your flashlights, and have them near your bed. If a quake hits at night, you may need to vacate your home and power could be off. Keep slippers by your bed to use just in case there's broken glass on the carpet or floor. Some people suggest you have an emergency stash of clothing under your bed to grab and change into. Keep a blanket in the trunk of your car, flashlights, emergency food, water and the like. If you find you are away from home for a few days you'll at least have some supplies. Finally, if you have family or friends living out of California, use them as your check-in person for your family and friends. Everyone can call that person and let them know you're okay. Keep your wits about you. Plan, plan and plan again. An earthquake generally lasts no more than 30 seconds. Once it's over, be prepared for the after shocks that continue for a while, but they, too, do subside. Since today is the Anniversary of the Great 1906 San Francisco Quake take some time to celebrate and go out and make sure to take care of your familie's safety before you need to. Celebrate today at a day to prepare for your future safety. 
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One hundred and one years ago, at 5:12AM, our San Francisco Peninsula was forever changed. This is when 
a minute of wild shaking. The epicenter, somewhere near the City by the Bay. Damage was severe in the City. Stanford University had major damage. Fences were moved as much at 6 feet. Train engines were toppled. It was bad. There are