Platinum Blog

I live and work in one of the best areas in the United States. Burlingame, California is located on the San Francisco Peninsula. There are so many reasons why Burlingame is a great place to buy a home - great schools, restaurants, weather, great communities, and much more. Of course, because Burlingame is such a great place to live the home values have remained relatively stable over the last couple of years when other areas have seen such a sharp reduction in home values, as high as 30-40%.  

Burlingame schools are ranked high in the top 1 1/2% of schools nationwide. California’s Department of Education’s API index (Academic Performance Index) shows API scores of 800 to over 900. Franklyn Elementary’s API is 922, while Lincoln is 925, and Burlingame Intermediate is at 899. While the strength of real estate is a reflection of great schools there has to be more that the area offers to make it withstand the recent real estate downturn. The City of Burlingame boast over 18,000 trees - it’s called the City of Trees - with around 29,000 residents and 23,000 jobs, close proximity to San Francisco International Airport, and Silicon Valley. Downtown Burlingame Avenue has many great restaurants, trendy boutiques, and cafes.

So what can you expect to pay for a starter home in Burlingame? A starter home of around 1200 to 1500 square feet will run anywhere from $750,000 and up depending on the number of bedrooms and the condition of the home.  It will be located in Burlingame Gardens, Burlingables or one of the many areas east of El Camino Real or California Drive. Homes locates west of El Camino Real in the Eastern Edition, and in the Burlingame Hills are over $1 million. The architectural charm of many of the homes include Craftsman homes, Spanish style, Tudors and Victorians. Search for homes in Burlingame and it’s neighboring Town of Hillsborough. has 2 Libraries

On February 28, 2010 at 14:00 PM, you are invited to an Open House at 1010 Park Avenue in Burlingame. If you are looking for a Resale - single family property in this area, don’t miss this rare opportunity to visit this magnificent property. For a preview of this Resale - single family property, check out my site at marydmurphy.topproducerwebsite.com. Please do not hesitate to Contact Me if you have any questions or wish to schedule a private showing.

In the San Francisco Bay Area the average home is between $800,000 to $1 million. If you live here you will know that the luxury homes market starts around the $1.5 million, and that right now homes over $1.5 million are in a sales slump. Do I hear the word – bargain?    I apologize for using the word ‘bargain’ when talking about luxury homes, I know, I know…it’s totally out of place. Luxury buyers are aficionados who don’t do bargain hunting - even if they had the time. But let’s be real here, even though we know bragging rights are not as acceptable today as they were a few years ago, we know luxury buyers would always love to share how they got the best real estate deal in town.  In San Francisco the best deal might be that spectacular view loft on Russian Hill for $2,150,000 or that $6 million dollar Hillsborough property with pool, tennis court, guest house, and all the workout equipment you could possibly want…for a whole lot less than you would have paid back in 2005.

On February 5^th, the San Francisco Chronicle’s business section had a very interesting story reflecting on the big decline in sales of million dollar homes in California see http://ow.ly/18odb If you happen to be dining downtown Burlingame Avenue trying to get a table for dinner, you’d never believe that credit is tight and that it’s time to tighten your belt.  But among millionaires the once conspicuous consumption has changed to a more frugal aesthetic…at least for now.  A few years ago Wall Street types were buying everything in sight and for top dollar.  Now local money is flowing from local entrepreneurs who know value and opportunity when they see it. The article mentioned that the average decline in prices in the million-dollar market is around 30% – 35%; on a $2 million home that’s over half a million dollars.  The article goes on to say that the bulk of last year’s sales in the $1 million plus category were of homes that went for $1 million to $2 million.  Also, only 332 sales statewide topped $5 million.

But before you decide that this is a great time to look for that dream property, you need to think about your lifestyle – what it is, or what you want it to be.  Acquiring a luxury property is just like acquiring any luxury product; you need to be thoughtful about what it is you want in your life.  A home is a statement of who you are and should positively affect the way you live your life. Buying property, more so than anything else you can acquire, is a careful balance between emotion and rationed thought.  Find the name of a great real estate professional with experience in assisting people like you acquire luxury property. The opportunities are out there right now, and this could be the perfect time to define your home and lifestyle in one of the best locations in the world. 

On February 14, 2010 at 2:00 PM, you are invited to an Open House at 1010 Park Avenue in Burlingame. If you are looking for a Resale - single family property in this area, don’t miss this opportunity - close to downtown Burlingame Avenue and it’s many shops, restaurants, coffee shops.  Walk to Burlingame High School. For a preview of this Resale - single family property, check out www.New1010PA.com or call 650.773.4999 if you have any questions or wish to schedule a private showing. See you on Valentine’s day!

Not sure what buyers are waiting for! Right now is what we call a ”perfect storm” of low interest rates, great prices and a governement tax credit of $8,000 when you buy a new home - and if you are an existing homeowner who has lived in your primary residence for 5 of the last 8 years you can now qualify for a $6,500 tax credit on an additional home purchase.

This opportunity ends soon!  You must sign a sales contract by April 30, 2010 and the home must close escrow by June 30, 2010. So what are you waiting for? 

There are some income restrictions - Your maximum adjusted gross income if you are a single filer is now $145,000. For married or joint filers it’s  as high as $245,000. The available credit does not have to be repaid if you remain in the home for a period of three years.

Interest rates can’t stay low forever - we wish - so call your trusted real estate professional, or call Mary & Olivia, The Platinum Group, to see if this is a perfect time for you to become a homeowner.

For the last 5 days we have been honing our skills and increasing our knowledge at the National Association of Realtors convention in San Diego. Staying current for our clients is our most important goal.  

I’ve just sold a Resale - single family property at 419 Princeton Rd in San Mateo. Come and visit my site to see other properties in that area. If you are interested in looking for or selling your home, please Contact Me.

I’ve just sold a Resale - single family property at 419 Princeton Rd in San Mateo. Come and visit my site to see other properties in that area. If you are interested in looking for or selling your home, please Contact Me.

I’ve just sold a Resale - single family property at 419 Princeton Rd in San Mateo. Come and visit my site to see other properties in that area. If you are interested in looking for or selling your home, please Contact Me.