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Great Service – Real Value

4 Tips for Buying a Home in Pacifica!

Looking to buy a home on the San Mateo Coast?  The towns of Half Moon BayEl Granada, Moss Beach, Pacifica and Montara are all beautiful coastal communities and buying a home in any of these would be a good choice!  As San Mateo Coastal Realtors for many years, we’ve come to know each of these towns very well and feel that they each have unique characteristics that would draw home buyers to them.  Today we’d like to focus on the Coastal community of Pacifica!  If you’re a first time home buyer or haven’t been involved in the Coastal Real Estate market for a while, we’ve come up with four tips that will help you in deciding on the best option for your new home!

The breathtaking town of Pacifica is located just 12 miles south of San Francisco and is known for its natural beauty.  If you’re looking to move to a town where you can enjoy the outdoors, Pacifica may be just the place!  There are many hiking trails that wind through forested canyons and along the coast where you can enjoy ocean views.  Pacifica has a rich history and well-loved community spirit that welcomes newcomers in with open arms.  So, how do you know if a Pacifica home is right for you?  Here are four great ways to determine your next move!

1.  Location, Location, Location- You’ve heard it many times, but the location of your home plays a large role in your quality of life.  Is the Pacifica home you’re hoping to buy close enough to your work place or, if not, are you willing to deal with the commute?  Another good factor to look at is the school system.  Even if you don’t have children, a good school system can come into play when reselling your home.  Luckily, Pacifica is home to many great schools!

2.  Home Features- Come up with a list of important features you are looking for in your Pacifica home.  Of course the number of bedrooms and bathrooms is almost always first on the list, but take into consideration storage space, room for pets, a growing family or need for guest space, and the amount of potential projects versus the home being in move-in condition.

3.  Ask Questions
- It’s exciting to take tours through beautiful Pacifica homes, but make sure you are aware of the pros and cons.  Feel free to ask your Pacifica Realtor any questions openly.   A few good questions would be:  How much are property taxes?  Which appliances are included and how old are they?  Have there been any major repairs to the home and, if so, when were they completed?

4.  Scrutinize- Look at the home from an objective perspective.  It may be easy to get swept away by the stunning Pacifica views or a few key features, but don’t be afraid to do a thorough inspection of the home.  Look in closets and cabinets, take note of the window casings,  examine walls and ceilings to note any damage, etc…  You’ll feel better making an offer on a home that you feel meets your standards.

We hope these tips have been helpful as you search for homes in Pacifica!  If you have any questions about Pacifica or any of the other San Mateo Coastal areas, please let us know!  We would love to help you in your home search as our goal is to make the home buying process as stress free as possible!  Contact us today!

Kathy & Michael Rain
Your San Mateo Coastal Real Estate Experts

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What’s Your San Mateo Coast Home Worth?

Have you recently wondered what your San Mateo Coast home is really worth?  A trend across the Real Estate board is downsizing.  Many people are re-evaluating their current living situation and wondering if a smaller, more affordable home would be a better choice.  There are many things to take into consideration when approaching the decision to sell.  Price is a large proponent of selling and there are ways to determine a reasonable selling price for your home.

- Solds:  Research homes that have recently sold in your area that are similar to yours.  Seeing what other properties are selling for will give you a good idea of your homes’ value.

- Expireds:  Many listings are put on the market at the top asking price or even overpriced.  You will see that these homes will sit on the market and will eventually expire as there are not buyers willing to pay the asking price.  Looking at these listings will give you an idea of what buyers are willing or not willing to spend.

- Currents:  How does your property compare with current homes on the market?  It’s a buyers market so they, in effect, determine the value of your home.

- Value Boosters:  These include any maintenance or improvements that will boost the value of your home.  Keep an open mind to change as buyers preferences may not be your preferences. These changes to your home can change a buyers’ mind.

As there are many factors that play into a home’s value, determining what your home is worth can be tricky.  If you are starting to look into selling your home and have questions, we’d love to help!  We can give you the most up to date information on the San Mateo Coast market and will assist you from the beginning to the end of the home selling process.   We look forward to hearing from you!

Kathy & Michael Rain
Your San Mateo Coastal Real Estate Experts

San Mateo Coastal Real Estate
View San Mateo Coastal Listings
Visit Our Website
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Great Service, Real Value: White Glove Housecleaning

Great Service – Real Value: White Glove Housecleaning:

For windows and housecleaning, I have used and highly recommend White Glove Housekeeping. Francisco can be reached at (650) 773 4033.

His father-in-law Rick does handyman work (fences, spackling, painting, prepping houses for sale) and helps Francisco.

Thanks to tipster Cynthia Stern for her recommendation!