San Mateo is the largest of our local cities and has four zip codes that Altos Research follows.  For the sake of simplicity I am focusing on their combined report but I'll talk about each zip a little bit as I go along.  San Mateo like the other cities I've written about this week is a Cool Buyer's Market but there are  two exceptions, 94401 and 94404, both Cold Buyer's.  This is the first time we have seen anything at the cold buyers level.The median price for the entire city is $784,444.  Almost half of the houses on the market have seen price reductions and the average days on the market is 59. As we look at each zip code in San Mateo we begin to see a different picture. 94401 has a median price of $667,994 and 54% of the homes on the market have seen price reductions.  Altos tells ... 10/26/2007

I couldn't resist, but to follow up on my previous attempt to lure you to Lure Restaurant in San Mateo, CA.  Here is the reason - their new Fall menu. If I was you, I would start thinking how to come to the Bay Area on the way to or from the Expo!Dear Valued Guests,   Despite the unseasonably warm weather we've been having, the team at Lure has decided that it is high time to take advantage of the autumn harvest.  This is lucky for our diners, as Fall is Chef May Yong's favorite time of year.   Join us this season for a comforting meal such as:   Autumn Mushroom Pot Pie to start, followed by the Pan Roasted Sea Bass with Celery Root Pancakes and Raisin, Lemon and Almond Pesto, or the Fried Whitebait appetizer followed by Roast Stuffed Quail with Spaetzle and Banyuls Braised Red Cabbage ... 10/23/2007

With all the newspapers, TV News and stories on the internet in regards to what's going on in mortgage industry, sometime it might be a little scary to even think about getting a loan.  Loan programs have changed or have been entirely discontinued, everyone has heard about the sub-prime problems, in fact you may have a sub-prime loan right now as you're reading this. Mortgage companies all across the US have closed their doors. Actually, things are not as bad as they seem. There are still plenty of loan programs available to current homeowners, investors and first-time buyers. Despite what the news reports have been implying, there are actual senior loan officer's across the US, including myself,  who are reputable and are willing to take the time to talk to their clients and help them ... 10/21/2007

Westwood Knoll neighborhood of San Mateo, CA is a quiet, hilly place with homes moderately price (for the SF Peninsula) in the range of approximately $800,000 to slightly over $1,000,000. You can find real estate statistics for the neighborhood in the Trulia’s Real Estate guide for South San Mateo, Westwood Knolls is part of. The neighborhood has good public schools; it hosts the County Medical Center and have plenty of ethnic food and eating places. It is also in close proximity to the largest mall on the Peninsula, the Hillsdale Mall.  The following few pictures reflect the character of the neighborhood.  To see more pictures, click HERE. 10/12/2007

I have reviewed the September MLS statistics for Single Family Homes in San Mateo, California. Please listen to my podcast to learn about the key trends and indicators in this area. If you have any questions about the market, feel free to give me a call at 408-829-4141 or e-mail JohnPinto@jvpinto.com Thank you, John V. Pinto 10/09/2007

I have reviewed the September MLS statistics for Condominiums & Townhomes in San Mateo, California. Please listen to my podcast to learn about the key trends and indicators in this area. If you have any questions about the market, feel free to give me a call at 408-829-4141 or e-mail JohnPinto@jvpinto.com Thank you, John V. Pinto 10/09/2007

Some time ago in my post Is there anything special about San Mateo, CA? I listed Lure Restaurant as the best place to eat in San Mateo (for those who enoy eating treats beyond hamburgers and pizzas). I just had another opportunity to visit the last Saturday.  It was a culinary experience. The only way I can share it with you as to print their Autumn menu!  Here it is:    Also you can visit Lure's own website (unfortunately on their website they still have their Summer menu!). So, if you get to the Bay Area don't forget to stop here.  While San Francisco an the Bay Are have man great places to eat - this one is very special! 10/08/2007

3714 Hacienda St., San Mateo, CA 94403 See it in person - Negotiate on line™ It is real estate as you know it, but with open online bidding and negotiations. When a property is listed on BuySquareFeet.com, buyers, sellers and spectators can see all the bids in real time. This service is now LIVE! The first property is available for sale -- 3714 Hacienda St in San Mateo. As a buyer, you can bid what you want, when you want. You can be the first to buy your home in this area with BuySquareFeet.com. Just go to http://www.buysquarefeet.com and to start bidding! You'll see what others are bidding and what the seller considers the best bid so far. Or you can just observe how this process works as a guest. No login is needed. Bidding and Negotiations: Now Open Bidding Ends: Sunday, October 14... 10/08/2007

I have reviewed the August MLS statistics for Condominiums & Townhomes in San Mateo, California. Please listen to my podcast to learn about the key trends and indicators in this area. If you have any questions about the market, feel free to give me a call at 408-829-4141 or e-mail JohnPinto@jvpinto.com Thank you, John V. Pinto 09/12/2007

I have reviewed the August MLS statistics for Single Family Homes in San Mateo, California. Please listen to my podcast to learn about the key trends and indicators in this area. If you have any questions about the market, feel free to give me a call at 408-829-4141 or e-mail JohnPinto@jvpinto.com Thank you, John V. Pinto 09/12/2007

The largest city in our immediate area is San Mateo with almost 100,000 people living there.  It has a large spread of housing and the prices run from entry level in the high $500,000's to almost $3 million.  Obviously what you get for the smaller amount is far different than the larger amount and so is the neighborhood. San Mateo has four zips, three of them will be covered here. Altos Research breaks down San Mateo into zip codes as well as providing a city overview.  Let's talk about the city first, and then I'll break the data down to zip codes.  Last week there were 150 homes for sale and the average time on the market was 57 days with half of these listings coming to market within the past month.  That's an improvement from recent weeks.  Overall the city is conside... 09/02/2007

I have reviewed the July MLS statistics for Single Family Homes in San Mateo, California. Please listen to my podcast to learn about the key trends and indicators in this area. If you have any questions about the market, feel free to give me a call at 408-829-4141 or e-mail JohnPinto@jvpinto.com Thank you, John V. Pinto 08/23/2007

I have reviewed the July MLS statistics for Condominiums & Townhomes in San Mateo, California. Please listen to my podcast to learn about the key trends and indicators in this area. If you have any questions about the market, feel free to give me a call at 408-829-4141 or e-mail JohnPinto@jvpinto.com Thank you, John V. Pinto 08/23/2007

Someone asked me recently on Trulia Voices if there are any Old Town areas in San Mateo. Author of the question liked my reply, therefore I decided to share it with you: There are no Old Town area in San Mateo so to speak. However there is nice down town (between 2nd and 4th Ave and B and El Camino Real) and great area to be in the evening is "B Street Theatre District (a part closer to B Street). The place is very vibrant. Plenty of good entertainment, for example a wine festival last weekend. Great restaurants (check Lure!). A simply nice place to hang out. And of course movie theatres. Click on the link below to find out more interesting trivia about San Mateo. The good news is that you can have a great house near buy (either in San Mateo or Hillsborough and walk to the down town ar... 06/28/2007

Today I am continueing my discussion of the real estate market here in San Mateo County with the City of San Mateo.  It is the largest city in our immediate area with about 94,000 people.  San Mateo has four zip codes and I'll break down the information about the city by zip.  As before, all of my data is coming from Altos Research, the company we subscribe to for all of our research data.  Last week the city of San Mateo had 129 homes for sale with an average time on the market of 81 days.  Inventory and days-on-market have been climbing compared to years past, but the Market Action Index is still flat.  The trends point toward a weakening market but Altos tells us it is still a Warm Sellers Market of 38.  Since San Mateo has been pretty much built out, th... 06/24/2007

There are many “nice” things about San Mateo, CA.  It has a mild climate, a lot of beautiful homes (as the one below), interesting (but not necessarily exciting) history, etc. But is there anything special or unusual about San Mateo?   Here are 10 things I came with:  You Tube was a San Mateo startup (http://youtube.com/ ). They are in San Bruno, CA now. Here is their Last Day in San Mateo Movie studio around 1923-5 - I read about in the Daily Journal, but cannot find the link!). San Mateo had a shot at becoming Hollywood, but I guess the weather in the South is better! Can you help to find the link??? Bay Meadows Race Track – it still exist, but it might be its last year. Seabiscuit ran here! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_Meadows ) Lure Restaurant – if you look for a special (San F... 06/12/2007