I am proudly presenting my new listing  at 112 Madison Ave. #204 in San Mateo, CA 94402. This top floor/1200 sqft end unit in a small 20 unit building will appeal to first time buyers and buyers who are downsizing alike.

The kitchen has been up-grated with granite counter tops and high end stainless steel appliances. Everything has been painted and the new carpet was just installed last week. The building has an elevator and the unit has laundry hook ups for a full size washer/dryer. The underground garage offers secure parking. A rather large balcony faces a lovely, very quiet backyard. We hope you will visit us this weekend January 30/31 between 1-4PM. More pictures can be seen www.chrismolnarhome.com

The Peninsula Regent in San Mateo www.PeninsulaRegent.com offers a retirement community in an urban setting. Located just two blocks from the San Mateo downtown area, residents can easily walk to shops, restaurants, the park andmovie theatres. I looked at several condominiums that are currently for sale. A lovely 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo with a remodeled kitchen is listed for $ 359,000.(listing agent Arlene Sullivan/Coldwell Banker, San Mateo) asullivan@cbnorcal.com)  An other floor plan offered a second bathroom and a den for $ 399,000 but didn’t have the kitchen up-dates. (listing agent Annie Kraemer/Coldwell Banker San Mateo annie@anniekraemer.com) Unit # 410 was a spacious 1300 sqft condo with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The Regent is based on the  independant living concept, however if in need, residents can temporarily move to the assisted living wing. In addition to purchasing a condo, residents pay a monthly membership fee and need to pass a physical exam and qualify financially. The Peninsula Regent is offering a retirement planning seminar on Sunday November 7th. RSVP 650.579.5500.

If you like contemporary and are looking for a great school district, 45 Roxbury Lane in San Mateo is a must see. Listed by Karyl Eldridge/Coldwell Banker 650.558.6910 keldridge@cbnorcal.com for $ 1,848,000, this beautiful home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bath. The house has 2700 sqft of living space and sits on a 19,000sqft very private lot with canyon views. This Eichler was completely remodeled in 2007 with exquisite taste and beautiful materials. An Open House is scheduled for this Sunday, June 7th from 2-4PM.

Buyers are very price sensitive right now. If buyers preceive a value, they are buying. Currently there are 163 single family homes for sale and 53 are in contract. Half of the pending houses are in the under $ 600,000 price range. Most of these homes are located in the Shoreview, Parkside and San Mateo Village area of San Mateo. But then again a home listed for $ 3.8Mio in San Mateo Park just sold on Friday and is due to close this week. People want a deal and if they find it, they will buy regardless of the price range. 

The beautiful new 10 townhome community in San Mateo called Barneson Place has been well received. This was our second weekend to be open to the public and 4 homes have been sold.  Buyers started arriving at 11AM and we finally closed the doors at 6:30PM today. This confirms that even in a challenging market, there is always room for a quality product. All floor plans have 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms and attached garages. Buyers love the beautiful kitchens, master suites, high ceilings, hardwood floors and design colors throughout. If you are looking for a quality townhome in the Baywood/Arragon school district, make sure you stop by this week. Prices start at $895,000 – $ 949,500. The sales office is located at 80 Barneson Ave in San Mateo and is open from 11AM-6PM every day. For pictures and floor plans go to: www.barnesonplace.com

We are excited about this new project of 10 new townhomes in San Mateo. Barneson Place is centrally located in the Baywood/Aragon school district on Barneson Ave between El Camino Real and Alameda de las Pulgas. The builder has spared no expense to create first class townhomes with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths which are about 1700sqft in size. Here are some of the highlights: maple kitchen cabinets and granite countertops, stainless steel appliances including refrigerator, hardwood floors, solid entry door, beautiful master suite with walk-in closet, luxurious master bath with bathtub and separate shower …..The Grand Opening is scheduled for Sunday, October 19th! For more information or to schedule a pre-view on October 18th please go to: www.barnesonplace.com  

Home buyers who want to live in a high scoring school district in San Mateo county still have to compete with other buyers when they write an offer. Especially the $ 800,000 – $ 900,000 price range is very competitive. Despite the financial turmoil we hear about daily, there are apparently lots of buyers who can obtain a loan, or should we assume that everybody is paying cash these days? Since last week I have seen a house in Belmont draw 7 offers and a house in San Mateo’s Baywood school district attracted at least 6 offers. Homes in Burlingame have sold in 2 days ( 1520 Ralston Ave asking price $ 1,495,000) and 5 days ( 341 Dwight Rd asking price $ 1,499,000). Properties that are priced to market and show well still attract multiple offers and buyers are willing to write an offer without hesitation.

Whether you are searching for a rental unit, an Independent Living or an Assisted Living Community in San Mateo County, here are 8 senior communities that are worth investigating. Schedule an appointment for lunch/tour and meet the staff and residents. Please let me know if you would like me to come along for a visit! 

• Fountain Glen, San Mateo  www.fountainglen.com
• Leslie Senior Communities, Half Moon Bay
• www.leslieseniorcommunities.org
• Magnolia of Millbrae, Millbrae www.themagnolia.com
• Sunrise Senior Living, Belmont www.sunriseseniorliving.com
• The Peninsula Regent, San Mateo www.peninsularegent.com
• The Stratford, San Mateo www.thestratford.com
• Versailles Luxury Condominiums, San Mateo www.versailleslife.com
• Woodside Terrace, Redwood City www.aboutwoodsideterrace.com

The Peninsula Regent www.peninsularegent.com at 1 Baldwin Avenue in San Mateo is a beautiful retirement community. Currently there is a 2 bedroom/ 2 bath condominium offered for $ 499,000. This home is listed by Ann Kraemer/Coldwell Banker Tel: 650.558.6843. The Regent offers the elegance and service of a first class hotel with on site health care. Residents do own their own home and live independently. While enjoying the fine dining and luxury services, residents have the peace of mind that if needed there is a temporary assisted living wing. Downtown San Mateo which is just a few blocks away, offers movie theatres, shopping, restaurants and beautiful Central Park. If you don’t feel like walking just call for the Rengent’s Limousine. The monthly fee for one person is approximately $ 3,400. For health and financial requirements please contact Ann Kraemer or the Peninsula Regent directly.

Threshold 2008 is a nonprofit community effort committed to increasing the understanding of housing issues in San Mateo County and to making the process of developing housing policies and solutions more inclusive. For residents who do not have time to attend planning commission and city council meetings this web-based forum provides an opportunity to voice your opinion and to ask questions. Experts on housing and related issues are available on line from May 5-16, 2008. For more information and registration visit: www.threshold2008.org