Although every household in the San Mateo-Foster City School District is assigned to a neighborhood school, parents have many choices for their children. Parents can choose to send their child to their assigned neighborhood school, apply to transfer to another neighborhood school, or apply to one of the Magnet schools.



The Borel Family is deeply entrenched in San Mateo’s history.  Alfred Borel came to California from Switzerland in 1855 with money to invest in California prosperity. He operated as a commission banker and bought and sold anything that would turn a profit for his Swiss investors.

Alfred’s brother Antoine came in 1861 until his death in 1915.  Antoine operated a private bank where money deposited was invested on behalf of the clients.  He later became the director of Bank of California. Antoine was also a director of the Spring Valley Water Company and he ran the California Street Railroad.

“Antoine had married a local girl Grace Canitrot and they had five daughters and two sons. One son, Alfred, died at the age of 4. Three of their daughters married. Alice married Aylett Cotton, who later became a judge. Sophie married John M. Lewis. Grace met and married Louis Bovet in Switzerland , although they came to live on the family property in San Mateo. Guadalupe and Chonita remained single. The remaining son Antoine A. Borel married Mardie McMahon. After both Alice and John Lewis died, Sophie married Aylett Cotton, her former brother-in-law.”

In 1980, Miller Ream, along with Borel’s great grandsons Hal and Ron Fick, formed The Borel Bank.  The headquarters are still on the grounds of the former Borel Estate in San Mateo.  Other family enterprises include Borel Place Associates and The Borel Estate Company.

Living In Earthquake Country

I just had a conversation with a San Mateo home buyer who doesn’t want to live near an earthquake fault. If you don’t want to ever risk being in an earthquake, you don’t want to live here.

The San Andreas Fault – the largest fault in North America – is in our backyard. In fact, I walk the adjacent trail every Thursday (above).

Friends from Florida think it’s crazy to live here; I think it’s crazier to live where there are hurricanes. No matter where you live you can’t hide from Mother Nature.

Earthquake Preparedness For San Mateo Residents

The City of San Mateo’s Community Emergency Response Team has a variety of downloadable literature and forms to help you get ready for the inevitable. There’s also a free class available.

If you don’t have a lot of time at least get the items on this list.

San Mateo Renters Beware

Tweeters have been tweeting.  Also heard about it happening in San Francisco. But now it hit San Mateo.

Scammers are finding vacant houses on craigslist, changing the locks and renting them to unsuspecting people.

Unfortunate victims pay rent and security, then move in to find out they have to move right back out because they rented from a scammer instead of the actual home owner.  Where’s their money?  Gone.  By the time the scam is discovered their money is long gone.

Craigslist is still the best source for a lot of things, including renting a house in San Mateo, but beware!

Search Homes for Rent in San Mateo

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 27. See more city of San Mateo real estate.
(all data current as of 9/2/2010)

1. $3,400 : 5 Laurel Hill Ct, San Mateo
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 1,910 sq ft

   Lot size: 8,400 sq ft
   
2. $3,500 : 97 Mission Drive, San Mateo
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 1,930 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,912 sq ft
   
3. $1,800 : East Laurel Creek Dr, San Mateo
   
   1 beds, 1 full bath

   Size: 640 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a
   
4. $1,375 : 3001 Los Prados St #208, San Mateo
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 950 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a
   
5. $2,200 : 511 N San Mateo Dr, San Mateo
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 1,083 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a
   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Hey – that rhymes – almost.  I must be tired.  Anyway, I had to be in Half Moon Bay this morning at o’dark thirty.  The steam was coming up off the Crystal Springs Reservoir – it was gorgeous.  I didn’t realize how eerie the picture would be and I didn’t realize how dang dark it was at that time of the morning.

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 280. See more city of San Mateo real estate.
(all data current as of 9/2/2010)

1. $279,900 : 688 Mariners Island Bl #112, San Mateo
   
   1 beds, 1 full bath

   Size: 726 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a

   Year built: 1968

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 0
   
2. $557,000 : 1103 7th Av, San Mateo
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Size: 1,330 sq ft

   Lot size: 4,750 sq ft

   Year built: 1937

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 1
   
3. $189,900 : 155 N El Camino Real #11, San Mateo
   
   1 beds, 1 full bath

   Size: 710 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a

   Year built: 1949

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 1
   
4. $430,000 : 110 N Fremont St, San Mateo
   
   3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

   Size: 750 sq ft

   Lot size: 8,400 sq ft

   Year built: 1900

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 1
   
5. $930,000 : 131 Madison Av, San Mateo
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Size: 1,831 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a

   Year built: 2005

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 1
   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Here is the Parkside San Mateo Real Estate Market Report for 2009 brought to you by the San Mateo Real Estate Blog.

Parkside

On Parkside’s north end is bordered by Pershing, Van Buren and Crestview.  Highway 101 borders the west side; Marina Lagoon marks the east border.

Joinville and Parkside Aquatic Parks are in the neighborhood as well as Parkside Elementary and Bayside Middle School.

Parkside Real Estate:
Available, New and Sold Listings, by Month 2009

The Wrap Up

The most expensive home sale in Parkside was 1745 Lake Street at $960,000.  Lake is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath of 1,620 square feet. The least expensive 1819 Hamlet which is also a 3 bedroom 2 bath.  Hamlet, a “contractor’s special,” sold for $380,000 – $19,000 under its asking price.

Available Parkside Homes

Showing properties 1 - 1 of 6. See more Parkside community real estate.
(all data current as of 9/2/2010)

Thanks for reading the San Mateo Real Estate Blog.

Vicki Moore, Realtor
Alain Pinel Realtors, specializing in San Mateo, CA Real Estate.

Need real estate help?
Contact me at 650.888.9268 or Vicki[@]CallVicki.com.

Here is the Laurelwood San Mateo Real Estate Market Report for 2009 brought to you by the San Mateo Real Estate Blog.

Laurelwood

Laurelwood is bordered by Highway 92 and Sugarloaf Mountain Open Space.  The neighborhood is also home to Laurelwood Shopping Center.

Laurelwood Shopping Center Real Estate:
Available, New and Sold Listings, by Month 2009

The Wrap Up

The most expensive house to sell was 3129 Allanhill at $1,285,000; the least expensive 3365 Shasta Drive for $839,000.

The high median was in November, $1,91,250; the highest percentage of sale price to list price received was 100.76%.

Available Laurelwood Homes

Showing properties 1 - 1 of 15. See more Laurelwood Etc. community real estate.
(all data current as of 9/2/2010)

1. $899,000 : 1917 Parkwood Dr, San Mateo
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 1,700 sq ft

   Lot size: 8,250 sq ft
   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Thanks for reading the San Mateo Real Estate Blog.

Vicki Moore, Realtor
Alain Pinel Realtors, specializing in San Mateo, CA Real Estate.

Need real estate help?
Contact me at 650.888.9268 or Vicki[@]CallVicki.com.

Here is the Homestead / Husing San Mateo Real Estate Market Report for 2009 brought to you by the San Mateo Real Estate Blog.

Homestead / Husing

Homestead / Husing between Alameda De Las Pulgas to the west and El Camino Real to the east; Hobart is the north border, Highway 92 marks the southern end.  Borel Park is at the southwest corner of the neighborhood.

Homestead / Husing Real Estate:
Available, New and Sold Listings, by Month 2009

The Wrap Up

The most expensive house to sell in the neighborhood was 1531 Locust at $1,293,500; the least expensive 530 Borel for $625,000 – $36,000 over its asking price.

The high median was in May, $1,238,000; the highest percentage of sale price to list price received was 99.26%.

All Available Homestead / Husing Homes

Showing properties 1 - 3 of 7. See more Homestead / Husing Subdivision community real estate.
(all data current as of 9/2/2010)

1. $930,000 : 131 Madison Av, San Mateo
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Size: 1,831 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a
   
2. $1,089,999 : 1431 Alameda De Las Pulgas, San Mateo
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Size: 1,830 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,000 sq ft
   
3. $1,099,000 : 1420 Shafter St, San Mateo
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 1,930 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,000 sq ft
   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Thanks for reading the San Mateo Real Estate Blog.

Vicki Moore, Realtor
Alain Pinel Realtors, specializing in San Mateo, CA Real Estate.

Need real estate help?
Contact me at 650.888.9268 or Vicki[@]CallVicki.com.

Here is the Eastern Addition San Mateo Real Estate Market Report for 2009 brought to you by the San Mateo Real Estate Blog.

Eastern Addition

Eastern Addition’s boundaries are Peninsula Avenue at the north end, 4th Avenue at the south.  It’s west border is marked by El Camino Real, the east side is Delaware Street.  The downtown is thriving with great restaurants like King Fish and a 12 screen movie theater.

Eastern Addition Real Estate:
Available, New and Sold Listings, by Month 2009

The Wrap Up

The most expensive house to sell in Eastern Addition / Downtown was 321 Elm at $1,165,000; the least expensive 415 East Santa Inez for $350,000.

The high median was in October, $1,100,500; the highest percentage of sale price to list price received was 102.43%.

All Available Eastern Addition Homes

Showing properties 1 - 3 of 29. See more Eastern Addition/Downtown Area community real estate.
(all data current as of 9/2/2010)

1. $468,900 : 427 N Claremont St #4, San Mateo
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Size: 1,380 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a
   
2. $315,000 : 1 Baldwin Av #218, San Mateo
   
   1 beds, 1 full bath

   Size: 930 sq ft

   Lot size: 2.00 ac
   
3. $295,000 : 1 Baldwin Av #702, San Mateo
   
   1 beds, 1 full bath

   Size: 930 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a
   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Thanks for reading the San Mateo Real Estate Blog.

Vicki Moore, Realtor
Alain Pinel Realtors, specializing in San Mateo, CA Real Estate.

Need real estate help?
Contact me at 650.888.9268 or Vicki[@]CallVicki.com.

Here is the San Mateo Village Real Estate Market Report for 2009 brought to you by the San Mateo Real Estate Blog.

San Mateo Village

San Mateo Village is located between Hillsdale Boulevard on the north end; East 40th is the southern boundary.  Delaware to the west; Highway 101 to the east.  The neighborhood includes Casanova Park and George Hall Elementary.

San Mateo Village Real Estate:
Available, New and Sold Listings, by Month 2009

The Wrap Up

The most expensive house to sell in The Village was 201 Santa Clara at $890,000; the least expensive 17 McClellan for $401,000.

The high median was in December, $778,000; the highest percentage of sale price to list price received was 101.85%.

All Available San Mateo Village Homes

Showing properties 1 - 3 of 11. See more San Mateo Village/Glendale Villa community real estate.
(all data current as of 9/2/2010)

1. $785,000 : 3672 San Benito St, San Mateo
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 1,225 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,000 sq ft
   
2. $429,950 : 606 Santa Clara Wy, San Mateo
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 1,750 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,200 sq ft
   
3. $749,900 : 337 E 39th Av, San Mateo
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 1,911 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,000 sq ft
   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Thanks for reading the San Mateo Real Estate Blog.

Vicki Moore, Realtor
Alain Pinel Realtors, specializing in San Mateo, CA Real Estate.

Need real estate help?
Contact me at 650.888.9268 or Vicki[@]CallVicki.com.