According to the news last week, San Mateo County is one of 3 or 4 California counties to have experienced a sustained rise in home sales and prices. Here’s a snapshot of the San Mateo County Real Estate Market for the past 12 months.
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Archive for September, 2010
San Mateo County Home Sales Are Improving
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Posted: Sep, 26 2010 
Filed: Blog
Farm Hills
West of Alameda de las Pulgas in Redwood City and just below Emerald Hills between Jefferson Avenue and Farm Hill Boulevard is the attractive, rolling hills neighborhood of Farm Hills. 
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0 Comments Posted: Sep, 26 2010 Filed: Blog, Communities
Emerald Hills
Nestled midway on the San Francisco Peninsula, resting in the low hills of the coastal range, lies one of Redwood City’s most prestigious neighborhoods: Emerald Hills. Located half way between San Francisco and San Jose off of I-280, this is the perfect location for those who like the adventures of big cities paired with the solitude of nature.
Bordered by the towns of Woodside and San Carlos, Emerald Hills attracts home owners looking for a more rustic setting with easy access to all the amenities of suburban living. Emerald Hills is ideal for those who love to fall asleep to the sounds of wind rustling the trees and wake up to birds chirping in the morning.
Set among the sloping hills, the majority of homes in Emerald Hills are custom built, and many offer spectacular views of the bay or neighboring hills. Whether you prefer the verdant foothills or the bay, it’s all found within this scenic community.
Emerald Hills offers an eclectic range of homes varying from 1960′s ranch-style, starting in the $700,000 range, to newer estate homes available into the $3,000,000′s. There are a smattering of small, gate communities and several cul-de-sac enclaves as well.
Started as a resort community during World War I for San Franciscans, Emerald Hills has two small lakes – Lynda Lake which is privately held by the surrounding homes and Emerald Lake with the Emerald Lake Country Club; a great place for swimming, sunbathing and picnicking in the summer. Also adding to the attraction of the area is Handley Rock, a 50 foot sandstone formation enjoyed by local rock climbing or nature enthusiasts.
Edgewood County Park has two entrances within Emerald Hills and is a 467 acre nature preserve with well-maintained trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Additional recreational facilities within Emerald Hills include the Emerald Hills Golf Course featuring a 9 hole, 3 par course, the Elk Lodge with pool and tennis courts and the Peninsula Community Center, offering a pool, tennis courts, gym and a wide variety of related classes operated by Peninsula Covenant Community Church.
The Emerald Market Center includes the Canyon Coffee Roastery, tasty Sancho’s Taqueria, SNAP Fitness and several other amenities. Located across the street is the legendary Canyon Inn- an Emerald Hills family staple. Locally owned and operated the Canyon Inn brings the local small town community diner to a whole new level. And just a five minute drive away is a larger variety of stores and restaurants close at hand in Sequoia Station, Redwood City’s main shopping center. Also within a five minute drive is the historic Downtown Redwood City with the newly updated Cinema 20 and many amazing restaurants and cafes.
Roy Cloud and Clifford, Redwood City’s highest ranked K-8 schools, serve the families who live in Emerald Hills.
Miscellaneous Facts
* Population (2010) 3,899
*Median household income (2010) : $141,255
*Average household size (2010): 2.74 people
* Median Age (2010) 41.8 years old
*Average estimated value of detached houses (2010) : $807,100
*2010 US Census
0 Comments Posted: Sep, 23 2010 Filed: Communities
Relax in the Living Room
Looking for a place to relax with friends without the work of entertaining at home? Try the Living Room on Broadway in Redwood City.
0 Comments Posted: Sep, 03 2010 Filed: Blog
Edgewood Park
Edgewood Park, Redwood City’s picture postcard neighborhood, is bordered by El Camino Real and Alameda de las Pulgas, Whipple Avenue and Edgewood Road. Conveniently located between I-280 and US-101, this top Redwood City neighborhood is almost equadistant to San Francisco and San Jose.
The gently curving, tree-lined streets are adorned with attractive, mostly larger homes (3,000 square feet and above) on larger lots (over 10,000 square feet), many of which are newly constructed or recently completely remodeled. With its inviting ambience of well-maintained homes and tree-lined sidewalks, Edgewood Park offers a more affordable alternative to Old Palo Alto.
Located on the northern border of Redwood City, adjacent to San Carlos, the neighborhood is within walking distance to both Redwood City and San Carlos downtowns, known for their charming shops and inviting restaurants. Residents enjoy easy access to Sequoia Station and El Camino Real as well.
Edgewood Park is located in the Redwood City School District and is served by Clifford School, Grades K-8, which is within biking distance. Stafford Park with a water play area, playground and picnic area is a few blocks away, and the San Mateo county park also called Edgewood Park, only a couple of miles up Edgewood Road, offers 5 different hiking trails looping through 467 acres of woodlands and grasslands.
According to City-Data.com, Edgewood Park’s median household income in 2008 was $80,225, and the average household size was 2.3 people. The average estimated value of the Redwood City neighborhood’s homes was $1,114,244.
Woodhill Estates
Bordering Woodside at the top of Farm Hill Road, just before the 280 freeway and across from Canada College is the gated community of Woodhill Estates. Built in the mid-1980′s, these higher end homes range in size from approximately 2800 – 4800 square feet and enjoy ample lots of approximately 10,000- 18,000 square feet. The majority of the homes are 2 stories with 3 car garages, some offering views of the bay and many with swimming pools.
Average estimated value of detached houses (2009): $1,738,333
Woodside Plaza
One of Redwood City’s many friendly neighborhoods is Woodside Plaza, bordered by Woodside Road, Valota Avenue, Alameda de las Pulgas and roughly McGarvey and Roosevelt Avenues. Many of the well-maintained homes reflect the post-war subdivisions’ 3 bedroom, 1 or 2 bath ranch style floor plans while several others have been remodeled to accommodate additional bedrooms and living areas and now have second stories. Residents frequent the tree-lined sidewalks, biking, strolliing and walking to nearby Woodside Plaza and Roosevelt Center for shopping, Maddux Park with playground and picnic are and Ford Elementary and Kennedy Middle School. Sequoia High School as well as the 280 freeway are close by, and the locale offers easy access to the 101 freeway as well.
Median household income (2008) : $86,525
Average household size (2008): 2.6 people
Average estimated value of detached houses (2008): $828,400
Sterling Heights
An adjunct of the Woodside Plaza neighborhood, this area of homes extends northwest of Alameda de las Pulgas along the perimeter of the Menlo Country Club and Redwood City Open Space. Tree-lined Fernside Street provides the main thoroughfare, connecting the arterial streets to Alameda de las Pulgas and McGarvey. While many homes have been remodeled to accomodate more square footage and more modern floorplans, the original 3 bedroom/2 bath/2 car garage 1950′s ranch style is evident. With a slight incline, sidewalks and well-maintained yards attract many walkers and runners. Adelante School and the trail entrance to Stulsaft Park are located in this neighborhood.
West Selby
Adjacent to Atherton, bordered by Stockbridge Road, Alameda de las Pulgas, Woodside Road and Nimitz Avenue is the eclectic neighborhood of West Selby. With homes ranging in size from 2 bedrooms, 1 bath on less than 3,000 square foot lots to 5 bedrooms,4 baths on 10,000 square foot lots, architectural styles also vary to include cottages as well as the essence of tuscan villas and of course the California ranch style. Smaller homes dating back to mid-century are interspersed with brand new, larger homes including several cul-de-sac developments and the 1970′s Montwood Circle subdivision, a pleasant loop of 3 and 4 bedroom homes. As an unincorporated portion of San Mateo county, the neighborhood offers a rural charm with few sidewalks or street lights and plenty of mature trees. Convenient to shopping and freeways, West Selby is served by Selby Lane School, K-8 and Woodside High School.
Median household income (2008) : $102,328
Average household size (2008): 2.5 people
Average estimated value of detached houses (2008): $1,020,054
3 Comments; Posted: Sep, 03 2010 Filed: Blog, Communities