2581 Hallmark Drive – JUST LISTED!

Four walls and a roof over your head isn’t the only way we define the word ‘home.’ Home is more than just a shelter, it’s where we love, it’s where we feel, it’s where we can be ourselves and it’s where life happens—this home fulfills all of those dreams. We could describe it as chic, luxurious, inviting, and comfortable, but one really must see this home in-person to appreciate the complete experience.

Built by Blackwell, this home is the highly coveted single-level “Carlmont” model in prestigious Upper Hallmark. It has been lovingly enhanced, remodeled, and remade in a contemporary style best described as “living at the same time; belonging to the same time”. The result? Gracious, streamlined spaces that radiate harmony.

Step from the slate tiled front porch, inside to the formal entry and step upon rich hardwood flooring that emanates throughout the entire living area. We first come to the large open office and spacious remade great room which includes a custom modern gas fireplace with tiled mantle façade.

Soaring ceilings guide you through the open style formal dining room to a copious entertainment area encompassing a family room with a glass gas fireplace and granite hearth, nearby an expansive gourmet kitchen. 

This remarkable kitchen was redesigned with soaring ceilings and a generous island offering a place for casual meals, conversations or food preparation station. Here we also find a butler’s bar with built-in wine storage, and a smart glass doored pantry. Crisp white cabinetry wakes up one’s senses and are keenly offset by the warm Caesarstone® counters. A welcoming array of high-end stainless appliances including a large LG® refrigeration unit, Viking® combination microwave and convection oven, Dacor® six burner gas stove top with Viking®stainless hood, and Bosch® dishwasher make this kitchen deeply functional while staying true to the sensible flow for guests and home chefs alike.

Down the hallway we uncover three more bedrooms and several more baths—all updated to today’s demanding standards. The owner’s ensuite enjoys its own private place to bathe in luxury with a grand walk-in shower and seamless glass doors. A secluded water closet with Toto commode, dual sinks, while the fine cabinetry even has powered drawers to keep the Caesarstone® counters uncluttered while the adjacent full walk-in closet can accommodate the most extensive wardrobe.

The level rear yard is perfect for entertainment options which features a wood deck with overhead LED illuminated lighting, patio dining area and grass play area. Dine alfresco and enjoy the wooded Hallmark Park backdrop in this delightful rear yard.

Prestigious Belmont Heights, also known as the Hallmark area of Belmont, is an admired and picturesque location. This area is adjacent to over 1,000 acres of open space and trails, with sweeping panoramic views of San Francisco and the Bay. Over the back fence is Hallmark Park which has tennis courts, children’s play area, with views of neighboring Crystal Springs Reservoir and the open space. 

Belmont is ideally located on the Peninsula between San Francisco and the Silicon Valley with SFO International airport just a short drive away. It’s close proximity to major travel arteries—Highway 101, 280 and Caltrain are only a few miles away. For this very reason, many who choose to live here select this strategically ideal location. The Carlmont Village Shopping Center offers a variety of retailers and restaurants including Starbucks, Hassett Ace Hardware, Lunardi’s, Bank of America and Ladera Nursery. Nearby popular gathering spots include, Vivace Ristorante, Iberia Restaurant, Waterdog Tavern and the Farm House Restaurant.

Contact us to find out why more people are moving to the Mid-Peninsula. 650-508-1441

  • Four bedrooms—one currently employed as an office
  • Two and 1/2 updated baths—shower over tub
  • Owners ensuite—hardwood flooring, Toto® commode, walk-in closet with built-in organizers, recessed lighting and soaring ceilings.
  • Updated island kitchen with newer sleek appliances including L.G Refrigerator and Bosch® dishwasher, Dacor® six burner gas stove, Viking® stainless hood and oven including microwave and convection oven.
  • Large open communal kitchen and family room—granite façade glass rock gas fireplace
  • Large great room with soaring ceilings, recessed lighting—full wall tiled gas fireplace
  • Approximate sq. ft. ~2,210 sq. ft. home
  • Substantial ~7,800 sq. ft. lot
  • Built in 1974—updated by current owner
  • Rich engineered hardwood flooring
  • Multiple outdoor dining and entertainment deck areas—level rear grass yard area
  • Newer heating and air conditioning—NEST® controls
  • Solar panels (owned) with German Sonnen® battery storage system
  • New electrical panels and wiring
  • Rachio® smart watering system
  • Ring® security cameras
  • Three-car attached garage—completely finished space
  • RV or boat parking with power and dump station
  • Award winning Belmont schools
  • Conveniently close to San Francisco International Airport, Half Moon Bay and Coastal towns, major commute arteries, nearby parks and plenty of excellent shopping and dining options

Reports available to qualified parties

Click here for a 3D tour of this fantastic home!

HOMES SALES TANK DURING SHELTER IN PLACE

When Critical Thinking Skills Vanish

We’re not sure what housing market the National Association of Realtors are referring to, but their headlines continue the “glass is half full” mentality which only serves to mislead the public in an effort to bolster their own organization—one which I might add, we are forced to be a part of, for better or for worse.

Take these headlines ripped from the email blasts by NAR just today…

This first one is a classic example. Sight unseen offers are growing from what? From when before the shelter in place order when no buyer in their right mind would buy a home sight unseen?

Then there’s this glass half full headline. All this tells me is that 75% of buyers do NOT accept the virtual buying scenario. And it’s not as if buyers really have a choice right now, so 25% took a leap of faith and dove in to the pool of house hunting no matter what is happening in the world.

What we do not know for certain yet, but soon will find out, is that these buyers are probably taking advantage of desperate sellers, and getting deep discounts on home prices. We’ve been hearing anecdotal stories from our colleagues of prices renegotiated downward immediately following the COVID outbreak.

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And lastly, the electronic signature platform Docusign’s CEO pronouncing that they have yet to see a slowdown. Wonder why? Since sales have dropped in San Mateo county by 78% this year compared to last year during the same period, from when the shelter in place order was initiated until today (one month).

Perhaps it’s because today, that is the ONLY way one can sign a contract, when before it was optional?

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Here are the facts. In San Mateo County during the period from March 17th until April 17th of this year, during the COVIT 19 shelter in place order, when it became illegal to show an occupied home, sales of single-family homes have dropped 78% over the same period in 2019.

The amount a seller has received from the few sales that have already closed, indicates that sellers are receiving on average 100% of their asking price. Not bad, all things considered, yet that’s a 5% downswing over the same period last year.

Truth be told, it’s too early to measure the damage that the mishandling of the COVID 19 outbreak will inflict upon the housing industry, or the economic health of the U.S. as a whole. 

We seem to be getting enough mixed messages from our leaders, and we would hope that the REALTOR trade organizations wouldn’t fall into the same trap, as if our fragile sanity relied upon drinking Kool-Aid from a glass always half full. 

Drew & Christine Morgan are REALTORS/NOTARY PUBLIC in Belmont, CA. with more than 25 years of experience in helping sellers and buyers in their community. As Diamond recipients, Drew and Christine are ranked in the top 50 RE/MAX agents nationwide and the top 3 in Northern California.  They may be reached at (650) 508.1441 or emailed at info@morganhomes.com.

For all you need to know about Belmont, subscribe to this blog right here. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Morganhomes and on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/morganhomes

The information contained in this article is educational and intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute real estate, tax, insurance or legal advice, nor does it substitute for advice specific to your situation. Always consult an appropriate professional familiar with your scenario.

California to Offer $3,000 Subsidy for Earthquake Retrofitting

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re living near a major earthquake fault. Now if you’re unsure if you live near an active fault, this web site . Temblor, co-founded by Ross Stein from the USGS, is very useful for determining the proximity to, and estimating the damage from, an earthquake near your home.

We don’t have to go into graphic details about what could happen to your home and those who may reside within in the event of a significant earthquake, but here’s a good image from the California Earthquake Authority as to what damage can be done to homes with older unbraced foundations.

Sure one can purchase earthquake insurance, but that only helps to rebuild after the devastation of an earthquake has occurred. What earthquake retrofitting is designed for is to help prevent damage to your home, property or lives during or after an earthquake.

We did a blog post not long ago about the benefits of an automatic gas shut off valve. This article has to do with the program California is offering of up to $3,000 of a subsidy towards retrofitting your home’s foundation to help withstand an earthquake under a program entitled Earthquake Brace and Bolt, or EBB.

Limitations apply, for example Belmont didn’t even make the cut this year for retrofits, while San Carlos, Foster City, San Mateo and Redwood City along with a whole host of other cities nearby did. This is a link to a complete list of towns covered by the program this year. 

Additionally, this is not for homes with a slab foundation, or homes built after 1979, and there are other restrictions such as the height of your home’s cripple wall, so follow this link to get some more details from their short video.

The window for registration is open now and closes fast:

2019 EBB Program ZIP Codes – Registration Period will Open October 9 – November 13, 2018

Drew & Christine Morgan are REALTORS/NOTARY PUBLIC in Belmont, CA. with more than 20 years of experience in helping sellers and buyers in their community. As Diamond recipients, Drew and Christine are ranked in the top 50 RE/MAX agents nationwide and the top 3 in Northern California.  They may be reached at (650) 508.1441 or emailed at info@morganhomes.com.

For all you need to know about Belmont, subscribe to this blog right here. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Morganhomes and on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/morganhomes

The information contained in this article is educational and intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute real estate, tax or legal advice, nor does it substitute for advice specific to your situation. Always consult an appropriate professional familiar with your scenario

 

 

Housing Stall in 2018 Has Homebuyers on Fence

Wouldn’t it be nice if all market stalls were this pretty?

Welcome to our world, where the new question du jour is “Is there a market crash on the horizon?”, or some equally broad request eliciting a prognostication beyond our worldly abilities. We say, “define horizon?”

Market Stall
Market Stall

In 2017 there was little discussion about the Peninsula housing market and its sustainability. Yet since June of 2018, it’s what everyone seems to be talking about. So, we want to know, what’s really going on?

It never ceases to amaze us how short term the memory is for so many buyers and many agents. We did a blog post in May of 2016 and again in July, about the stall in the market back then. Of course, that too was an election year, and that post is as relevant today as it was back then. Right when everyone thought the sky was falling, after the election and inauguration,  the housing market rebounded to where it had left off, bringing on more misery for buyers as multiple offers once again ensued.

But will that happen again? Will the forces of higher interest rates coupled with fewer tax deduction incentives cause a permanent slowdown in the housing market even after the mid-term elections?

We measured the time period between August 1stthrough October 1st to get an accurate read on the current market conditions.

In Belmont, there were 59 new listings in 2017. This year during the same duration there have been three less—at 56. And although we’re hearing buyers and even some agents espouse how many more new listings there are, there are actually fewer in the same period.

In San Mateo, looking a price reductions during this same period, in the Presidential election year of 2016, 24% of sellers lowered their asking price. In 2017 only 9.8% of sellers had to lower their initial asking price, and so far this year, another election year, 26% of sellers have lowered their asking price.

What is changing is the rate of absorption—or how many homes are selling. The Months of Inventory is a measurement of how long it would take to sell the current inventory of homes at the current pace of sales. Nationwide, this number typically stands around 6 months. In Belmont, that number has been below 1 month for most of the year, with a striking anomaly. The inventory stands at 1.3 months now, the same as it was in 2016 & 2017 during the same seasonal window.

In Belmont, during the same period in 2016-2018 the number of homes sales went from 33 in the presidential election year of 2016, to 43 last year in 2017, to 35 this year in the run up to the mid-term elections. That’s a decrease in sales of ~19% YOY, and that’s what is causing higher inventory levels—not the number of new listings.

On a more macro level, home sales in San Mateo County as a whole went from 752 units sold in 2016, to 734 in 2017 and this year 681 sales—an increased slow down each year-over-year.

How are seller’s weathering the storm? In 2017 Belmont homes sellers were receiving on average 112% of their asking price. That number dropped to 110% this year during the same period.

While in 2017, of the sellers who had to lower their asking price, they averaged a downward adjustment of only $89,000, this year that adjustment increased to $190,000—another sign of weakening demand.

How did the prices hold up overall during these two periods?

In 2017 the median price for a home in Belmont averaged $1,660,000 for these two months, while this year they averaged $1,821,000—indicating a 9.7% median home price increase YOY in Belmont.

What’s the take-away?

  • Home prices have begun to top out as fewer and fewer buyers can afford the median home price.
  • Government intervention in limiting the property tax deduction to only $10,000 per year and capping the mortgage interest deduction to the first $750,000 has a direct bearing on peninsula home values as the average cost to homeowners will now far exceed both of these caps.
  • Interest rates continue to creep up which will only further compound the ability of buyers to qualify for a Peninsula home.
  • We expect to see a more equilibrium in the market which will be less favorable to sellers while the playing field may finally be leveling.
  • Don’t expect prices to drop, but sellers can’t expect to get as many offers for as much over asking as their neighbor did a year ago.
  • Then there’s the stock market. We’ll let the experts talk about what’s going on there, but clearly with another huge unknown comes more uncertainty, and we can only imagine there will be further pull-back in the housing sector until the uncertainty wanes.
  • With strong job growth, buyers may want to buy now, as if history repeats itself, the Spring market will swing back in the favor of sellers.

 

Drew & Christine Morgan are REALTORS/NOTARY PUBLIC in Belmont, CA. with more than 20 years of experience in helping sellers and buyers in their community. As Diamond recipients, Drew and Christine are ranked in the top 50 RE/MAX agents nationwide and the top 3 in Northern California.  They may be reached at (650) 508.1441 or emailed at info@morganhomes.com.

For all you need to know about Belmont, subscribe to this blog right here. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Morganhomes and on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/morganhomes

The information contained in this article is educational and intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute real estate, tax or legal advice, nor does it substitute for advice specific to your situation. Always consult an appropriate professional familiar with your scenario

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing Remains the Same, Except Change

Nothing remains the same, except change—with each change being slightly different than the one before…

By The Numbers

Now that the waning dog days of summer are upon us, we felt it was time to summarize the second quarter sales for the year. I mean, doesn’t everyone want to know, “How is the Market”? It’s the question posed to us most frequently, and I guess rightly so. After all, for many, ok, I’ll expand that for most people, their Bay Area home is their largest asset—their nest egg. It’s akin to people in other areas of the country, where home prices are more understandable, tracking their 401k’s, stock performance, or their own bank accounts on a daily basis.

When the market takes a nose dive again, and it will, if you’re anywhere near retirement, you had better have a plan “A” now, or you’ll invariably be implementing the alternative, plan “B”, which means you might just get stuck in retirement purgatory waiting for the values to come back so you can cash-out on all of that equity you once had.

This is also the time of year when many of my colleagues come to me in hushed voices wearing ghastly, pasty facial expressions contorted into the most unpleasant sight and reeking of fear, asking me if I noticed that the market is down…that there’s been a shift, and did I notice it, and do I feel the same way. I don’t. I’ve been tracking home sales statistics for my entire career, and it’s normal, heck it’s expected that in the summer the market slows. In typical fashion, agents will post these dire statistics from summer to what amounts to nothing more than fear mongering. Of course the market has slowed down, its summer!

Why? Because people have lives—and they go live them. It’s interesting to observe that the better the economy, the more pronounced how this housing hiatus manifests itself—more money, more market confidence, means you might as well pack up the family and head off for an extended vacation to some romantic or adventures place, like Disneyland. Because let’s face it, once the kids are out of school, parents have to do something to burn off that pent-up energy and it’s certainly not going to be tamed traipsing around open houses every weekend.

Then there’s the inarguable fact that the high bidders for homes in the spring market have already won. They’ve got the home they want, and now they’re leaving the housing hunt rat race in the dust and soaking up all of the equity future buyers will be serving up to them on a silver platter.

So instead of looking back at the spring market and wishing our business was just as brisk and our pipeline as full, we do what one should do and that is to compare and contrast the same period year-over-year to better understand, without hyperbole, pre-conceived notions, or hysteria, what the heck is really going on.

To this we look at the entire market of San Mateo County. It gives us a better more macro view of home trends than say limiting our analyses to a small town like Belmont, however charming it is, but also highly susceptible to wild swings in its small market sample size.

Here we see a different story emanating from the lines of a spreadsheet. The market isn’t down, any more than it should be for this time of the year, and in fact it’s quite strong.

The median home price for San Mateo County in Q2 rose $185,000 YOY or 13%, while sellers also enjoyed receiving 3% more over their asking price.

The number of new listings was up 9%, while sales were down 4%, causing the housing inventory to rise an aggregate 19%.


So the sky isn’t falling. The activity in the market is not quite as brisk, but with all that meddling in people’s mortgage tax deductions that’s to be expected. Now, everyone can go back into their happy place imagining that home values will always go up in the Bay Area with the trajectory of a missile launch, until that missile misfires and lands right back from where it took off.

Drew & Christine Morgan are REALTORS/NOTARY PUBLIC in Belmont, CA. with more than 20 years of experience in helping sellers and buyers in their community. As Diamond recipients, Drew and Christine are ranked in the top 50 RE/MAX agents nationwide and the top 3 in Northern California.  They may be reached at (650) 508.1441 or emailed at info@morganhomes.com.

For all you need to know about Belmont, subscribe to this blog right here. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Morganhomes and on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/morganhomes

The information contained in this article is educational and intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute real estate, tax or legal advice, nor does it substitute for advice specific to your situation. Always consult an appropriate professional familiar with your scenario

 

 

 

1812 El Verano Way, Belmont OPEN SAT & SUN 8/4 & 8/5

1812 El Verano Way, Belmont LISTED FOR $1,598,000

  • Remodeled and enhanced with contemporary finishes
  • Three generous bedrooms
  • Two full taupe-tiled baths
  • Rich Oak hardwood flooring
  • Owners ensuite with walk-in shower, dual pane windows and recessed lighting
  • Freshly updated kitchen with newer sleek modern Samsung® appliances including silent-style dishwasher, five burner gas stove, microwave, stainless basin sink—granite counters
  • Large open communal living room with gas insert fireplace, recessed lighting, and new hardwood floors
  • New electrical panel
  • New front and rear landscaping
  • Multiple outdoor dining and entertainment patio areas—grass play area
  • Two car attached garage with new modern garage door
  • Approximately ~1,220 sq. ft.
  • Substantial ~7,102 sq. ft. lot
  • Built in 1955– and updated by current owners
  • Freshly painted interior with designer colors
  • Award winning Belmont schools, near Carlmont High School
  • Sought after Central Belmont location, nearby Carlmont Village Shopping Center
  • Several blocks from Barrett Park Community Center with its many recreational activities, childcare, dog park and socializing
  • Conveniently close to San Francisco International Airport, Half Moon Bay and Coastal towns, major commute arteries, nearby parks and plenty of excellent shopping and dining options

Reports available to qualified parties

1812 El Verano Way, Belmont

HANDSOME REMODELED CALIFORNIA RANCH | COVETED BELMONT HILLS AREA | INCREDIBLE BACKYARD

Designed and constructed by famed engineer and builder, ‘Andy’ Oddstad, this rolling hills location was chosen for its idyllic surroundings and its warmer microclimate—insulated from the cooler western hills exposure–hence the name El Verano, meaning “The Summer”. This post-WWII enclave of modest homes offer spacious lots, wide streets and community friendly sidewalks—rare for Belmont’s rural surroundings.

This single level home resides upon a bluff and enjoys level topography on an oversized lot. The home has undergone extensive enhancements and has been nicely updated with contemporary finishes. New hardwood flooring is throughout the home, along with the generous use of LED recessed lighting.

The nicely updated kitchen features Maple colored soft-close style drawers, granite counters, all new Samsung®stainless appliances including a quiet style dishwasher, five burner gas stove with self-cleaning oven, and French door stainless refrigerator.

Conveniently located in the galley kitchen is a dinette area for casual meals, and the adjacent more formal dining area opens to the spacious living room, augmented by a centerpiece wood burning fireplace, and highlighted by LED recessed lighting. Access to the expansive entertainment patio and newly sodded sunny flat grassy backyard is also available from this room. The amazing rear yard is perfect for evening get-togethers and outdoor enjoyment.

The two-car garage has fresh Shield-Crete epoxy slurry flooring, and new modern roll-up garage door with sidelights and Wi-Fi compatible belt drive Lift Master opener.

It’s coveted location also benefits from its proximity to both downtown areas of Belmont, as well as convenient travel corridors. Located near the Carlmont Village Shopping Center with a variety of retailers, restaurants and popular gathering spots, such as Starbucks, Vivace and Waterdog Tavern with pet friendly outdoor dining. Other businesses include ACE Hardware, and the upscale Lunardi’s Grocery.

For shopping, Hillsdale Mall is a short drive away and is undergoing a complete renovation, with stores such as Nordstrom, Macy’s, Williams-Sonoma, Sephora and Trader Joe’s. Enjoy dining options like Paul Martin’s American Grill, The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, and The Counter.

Belmont is ideally located on the Peninsula between the Silicon Valley and San Francisco. It’s popular because of its close proximity to major travel arteries—Highways 101, 280, 92. Caltrain and San Francisco International Airport is also conveniently nearby.

Contact us to find out why more people are moving to the Mid-Peninsula. 650-508-1441

OFF-MARKET OPPORTUNITY 1926 Oak Knoll Drive, Belmont

Every so often, there’s a home so special that words cannot do it justice. We could describe it as chic, modern, high-tech, luxurious, inviting and comfortable, but one really must see this home in person to appreciate the complete experience.

This nine-year new classically crafted home has been designed in a contemporary style best described as offering clean lines, proportions, open layouts and abundant natural light. Additional characteristics include flat and shallow-pitched roofs, large expanses of glass, clean unencumbered walls, and an intrinsic connection between the indoor and outdoor space. The result? Gracious, streamlined spaces that radiate harmony.

The entire main floor is thoughtfully laid out with a ground level bedroom, full bath, great room, grand dining area, and kitchen combination. The great room on the main level, encompasses a professional styled kitchen, impressive communal dining area, and an eat-at bar and separate enclave for casual meals or conversations. Functionality includes a six burner Viking® stainless stove and oven combination, warming drawer, deep soft-close drawers while industrial-styled custom concrete countertops complete the chic feel. With a separate stainless prep sink and custom metro shelved pantry, this kitchen remains deeply functional while staying true to the minimalist aesthetic.

Rooms are naturally illuminated with a combination of celestial skylights and transom room transitions. Floor–to-ceiling windows feature expansive views of San Francisco City, the Bay, Mt. Diablo as well as 180º views from the pronounced view deck—harmoniously integrating the indoors with the world.

Bamboo hardwood flooring and stainless cabled railings flow gracefully throughout the home and the inverted layout with the bedrooms below, exemplifies the views from the upstairs main living area.

Down the naturally illuminated open stairwell, we find the lower level bedrooms—perfectly located for warm summer nights. The lower area consists of a main hall with nine foot ceilings leading to the laundry area, two bedrooms serviced by a central hall bath, and a bonus room or 5thbedroom. Also on this level is the owner’s ensuite, which enjoys its own private deck access with spa overlooking the bay. A dual floating sink vanity is in the owner’s suite bath along with a seamless separate shower enclosure and oversized soaking tub and a walk-in closet is nearby.

To visit 1926 Oak Knoll is to realize the passion that went into creating this unique home. We are excited to proudly present this enchanting retreat— welcome home!

FEATURES:

HOME

  • Nine-year new construction with ~68 posts and piers
  • Quiet cul-de-sac
  • Protected micro-climate location
  • Street level entry main living area-reverse floor plan
  • Hardwood Bamboo floors
  • Smooth stucco & sheetrock wall finish
  • Contemporary styling
  • Transom windows
  • Solid core doors
  • Led recessed lighting
  • Stainless cabled railings
  • Dual pane Anderson windows
  • Tankless water heater

MAIN LEVEL

  • Great room with ~11’ gradient ceilings
  • Large communal dining area
  • Celestial windows with automated opening system
  • Open style great room floor plan with pitched ceilings and stunning views
  • Corner low-heat glass fireplace
  • Office, Media room or additional bedroom
  • Two car garage—S.F. views, and plumbed for H&C convenient car washing

CHEF’S KITCHEN

  • Six burner Viking® stove & stainless hood
  • Built-in Viking® microwave
  • Side prep sink
  • Deep cabinetry drawer for professional cooking vessels
  • Walk-in pantry includes custom metro shelving
  • Appliance garage
  • Built-in warming drawer
  • Stainless basin sinks
  • Stainless floating hood
  • Custom concrete counters

FUNCTIONAL VIEW DECKS

  • Multiple private view decks with spa—plumbed for natural gas outdoor grill
  • 180º  bay views of San Francisco downtown & Bay, Mt. Diablo to the south bay
  • Eastern profile for dramatic sunrises year round

GROUNDS

  • Level lower area with large flat paved space suitable for basketball (hoop installed w/lighting), play area or entertaining
  • Gardening beds
  • Mature plantings on almost ¼ acre includes chicken coop and run

OWNER’S SUITE

  • Expansive walk-in closet, soaking tub and separate seamless shower enclosure,
  • Dual raised sinks on floating cabinetry
  • Access to private second level decks and spa
  • ~9’ ceilings

LOWER LEVEL

  • Owner’s Suite and three additional bedrooms
  • Amazing lower level storage areas with ideal wine storage capacity
  • 2nd level room could be 5th bedroom
  • 9’ ceilings

Prop 13 May Die a Slow Death

Do you remember proposition 13? If you do, you probably own a home, but prop 13 may be dying a slow death, at least for industrial and commercial properties.

THE BACKSTORY: On June 6th, 1978, nearly two-thirds of California’s voters passed Proposition 13, reducing property tax rates on homes, and businesses by about 57%. Proposition 13 forever altered the way property taxes would be levied on real property, or so voters were promised.

Under Proposition 13 tax reform, property tax value was rolled back and frozen at the 1976 assessed value level. Property tax increases on any given property were limited to no more than 2% per year as long as the property was not sold. Once sold, the property was reassessed at 1% of the sale price, and the 2% yearly cap became applicable to future years.

Prior to Proposition 13, the property tax rate throughout California averaged a little less than 3% of market value. Additionally, there were no limits on increases for the tax rate or on individual ad valorem charges. (“Ad valorem” refers to taxes based on the assessed value of property). Some properties were reassessed 50% to 100% in just one year and their owners’ property tax bills increased accordingly.

But change is inevitable, and that’s exactly what proponents of the newly proposed initiative are counting on.

WHAT’S IN STORE: A new ballot initiative that takes aim at how commercial properties are taxed under California’s Proposition 13 could raise $6 to $10 billion more each year for schools and other programs and services, according to a new analysis by the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

At the heart of the initiative, (which is still being reviewed by the state attorney general’s office), is a property tax law enshrined in the state constitution since 1978. Proposition 13 caps taxes for all kinds of properties — residential and commercial — at 1 percent of a property’s purchase price, allowing for increases of no more than 2 percent per year, even if the value of the property triples or quadruples over time.

The initiative would change the constitution so that commercial and industrial properties — and land not intended for housing development — are instead taxed based on their current market value. The idea, long favored by critics of Proposition 13, is often called a “split roll” since it would not affect protections for residential properties. Businesses whose total property holdings are valued below $2 million would be exempt.

Supporters of the ballot initiative include the League of Women Voters, California Calls, PICO California and other civic and community groups.

But that’s not the end it. The California Association of REALTORS wasn’t to put more teeth into the initiative by adding an initiative to the proposition 13 overhaul that changes how those homeowners over 55 can transfer their tax base.

Currently, Proposition 60, enacted into law in 1986, allows for the one-time transfer of your current home’s tax base to a replacement property of equal or lesser value after the age of 55 of either spouse, providing that the replacement property was located within the same county.

The problem for most people wishing to benefit from this tax base transfer is they are limited to moving within the county in which they currently reside, or moving to one of only a handful of reciprocal counties (Alameda, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Ventura, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or El Dorado).

The new proposed initiative tied to proposition 13 amendments would allow homeowners over 55 to carry with them their current tax base whenever, (as many times as they like), and wherever they move—so long as they stay within California.

Proponents of the initiative say it will help free up the housing inventory shortage, as many long-time homeowners are reticent to move if they can’t carry their low tax base. While opponents, such as San Francisco-based YIMBY Action, a pro-development, millennial-led group say that this initiative is just helping the rich get richer—implicit in their argument is that if you own a home, you must be rich.

Thanks to the San Jose Mercury for providing much of the article’s investigative analysis and insight.

Drew & Christine Morgan are REALTORS/NOTARY PUBLIC in Belmont, CA. with more than 20 years of experience in helping sellers and buyers in their community. As Diamond recipients, Drew and Christine are ranked in the top 50 RE/MAX agents nationwide and the top 3 in Northern California.  They may be reached at (650) 508.1441 or emailed at info@morganhomes.com.

For all you need to know about Belmont, subscribe to this blog right here. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Morganhomes and on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/morganhomes

The information contained in this article is educational and intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute real estate, tax or legal advice, nor does it substitute for advice specific to your situation. Always consult an appropriate professional familiar with your scenario

 

 

 

Winning the Bid May Actually Be Losing

Are agents terrible at pricing homes for sale, or is there another reason so many homes sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars over the asking price?

When a home is underpriced, or overpriced for that matter, it often has to do with the fact that the listing agent is from out of the area. They miss the mark because in their home turf, homes may be selling for less (or more) than where their listing is located, and when they apply their native pricing strategies to a listing they have out of the area, they can be pretty far off at times.

The same goes for an agent who represents a buyer in an area where they’re not as familiar with the local home values. They may grossly overestimate a home’s worth, based upon their experience in the area where they concentrate, thus recommending an offer price to a buyer that is too high and artificially driving the prices up.

Then there’s the phenomenon known as the “Winner’s Curse”, hence while you may be winning the bid, you’re actually losing. The winner’s curse may occur in any auction where less than complete information is available. The winner’s curse says that in such an auction, the winner will tend to overpay. The winner may overpay or be “cursed” in one of two ways: 1) the winning bid exceeds the intrinsic value of the asset or 2) the value of the asset is less than the bidder anticipated, so the bidder may still have a net gain, but will be worse off than anticipated.

The Winner’s Curse phenomenon also manifests itself in the home buying process in several additional ways, some of which are introduced by the buyers.

When a buyer tries to outbid their competition by purposefully offering more than the home should be worth, just to win the auction, they may win the bid, but by definition, they paid too much, since the average bid typically defines the value, and the winning bid is the outlier.

Since homes are not a commodity, as in oil or gas for example, wherein the value is pretty well understood and, more importantly, oil is oil and it either makes sense to purchased it at “x” price or it doesn’t. Wherein when it comes to homes, at least those located outside of tract areas, are unique unto themselves, and buying a similar home may not be nearly as emotionally appealing. In this way, it’s more like adopting a child, no two are the same.

From a listing agent’s standpoint, pricing a home at the selling price of the home across the street typically backfires. Here’s why. Let’s say that the home across the street was listed at $1,000,000, and sold with ten offers for $1,400,000. The high bidder, who won the bid, and by definition paid too much—because they paid more than any other buyer was willing to bid—is now out of the pool of potential bidders for the next home—the one you just listed across the street. This means out of the nine residual buyers, none were willing to pay $1,400,000 and some may have even already moved on, or are in contract on another home. What did the other nine buyers bid? Only that listing agent will ever know, but the next highest bidder is the one you need to attract and who knows how much they offered.  And this of course assumes that the homes are identical—which they never are. The second highest bidder might not even like your listing, might be out of town the week you go on the market, which means now you are relegated to the third, fourth, or fifth bidders in order of their declining tolerance for bidding or ability to pay.

This is one reason agents will intentionally list a home at what seems to be irresponsible—far below what it might eventually sell for, based upon the recent comparable sales in the area. And while this practice might be viewed by some as false advertising, which is illegal, as the home might well be priced lower than recent sales, it might actually be priced appropriately for its intrinsic value.

In residential real estate valuation, there are several ways to ascertain the intrinsic value of a home. The three accepted practices in real estate are known as the Comparative Market Approach, also known as the sales comparison approach, the Principle of Substitution, (what else could I buy), and the Cost Approach, (how much would it cost to build a similar home from scratch).

Agents and buyers alike tend to rely heavily on the sales comparison approach, as it makes sense to compare the home they are buying to those which have recently sold, but if the buyers are bidding too much on homes, than the comparable sales are less trustworthy, and looking at the Cost Approach, or what it would cost to build a new home might be more effective, if nothing more as a check and balance against the price one might offer.

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Drew & Christine Morgan are REALTORS/NOTARY PUBLIC in Belmont, CA. with more than 25 years of experience in helping sellers and buyers in their community. As Diamond recipients, Drew and Christine are ranked in the top 50 RE/MAX agents nationwide and the top 3 in Northern California.  They may be reached at (650) 508.1441 or emailed at info@morganhomes.com.

For all you need to know about Belmont, subscribe to this blog right here. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Morganhomes and on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/morganhomes

The information contained in this article is educational and intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute real estate, tax or legal advice, nor does it substitute for advice specific to your situation. Always consult an appropriate professional familiar with your scenario