“The Festa Foundation sponsored Festa Italiana Community Street Fair is one of the biggest annual events in San Mateo. For the past 20 years, people have come from all over the Bay Area to shop for art and handmade goods, sample Italian cuisine, listen to music, and take in the spectacular display at our annual chalk art gallery. See the 2008 list of booth vendors. There’s something for everyone. Street Fair events offer Bay Area citizens and businesses an unbeatable opportunity to get involved in their community while raising much-needed funds for people with developmental disabilities.

Join us on Sunday, July 20, 2008 from 10 am to 5 pm on North B Street between Tilton and 2nd Avenues in downtown San Mateo. The Street Fair kicks off at 10 am with an exciting parade that travels down B Street to the main stage in front of the Peninsula Italian American Social Club.”  — Festa Foundation Website

Events and Entertainment Resources:

Music
Festa Street Fair Entertainment & Schedule
Contact us to book your act

Chalk Art
ChalkArt Gallery
Artist sign up
Sponsor a display
Volunteer

Bocce Ball
Sponsor an athlete

Antique Cars
Register your car

Food
Become a vendor

In Hillsborough, you hear the sweet sound of - jackhammers?! 

If you haven’t been to Harmony Frozen Yogurt in San Carlos, what are you waiting for?  After lunch today I wanted a snack.  My friend said, “We have to go to Harmony.”  Can you believe that at  $4.5-something a gallon we drove from Redwood City to San Carlos just for yogurt?!  It was worth it, especially since I drove and she paid. 

The yogurt actually tasted like yogurt - not sweetened.  They had good-tasting toppings, which I could have done without - the yogurt was super refreshing.  I had strawberries and chocolate brownie-cake thing - oh, man, was it good.   The store was clean and light - real cute. 

You’ve got to check it out:

1226 Arroyo Ave.
San Carlos, CA 94070
650.596.8500

Hours:
Sun - Wed 11:00am – 9:00pm
Thu - Sat 11:00am – 10:00pm

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Classy, Not Trashy
Every area has its customs.  In San Mateo County, the standard deposit check is 3% of the purchase price.  With all contracts, there must be consideration.   

The reason for the 3% is that the agent representing the seller wants to insure that you have the ability to purchase the house.  If you don’t have that 3% it’s going to create doubt that you can actually can go through with the sale.   

Secondly, there’s a liquidated damages clause in the contract which, in essence, states that if you should default from the contract after you have removed your contingencies, the seller may sue you for damages.  What’s the most they can get out of you?  3% of the purchase price.  The seller’s agent is going to try to make sure that all that money is available to their client should you change your mind later than you should have. 

We’re Not In Kansas Anymore
In some areas, the standard is $1000 or maybe $5000.  That’s usually where the houses aren’t so expensive.  In the San Mateo area you’re talking about a $750,000 median price.  Asking a seller to hold their property for you for 500 or $1000 isn’t going to make them warm and fuzzy and isn’t going to encourage them to take your offer.

Those funds are held by the escrow company; a neutral third party who actually takes instructions from you!  Well, from me, but I work for you.  If you and the seller don’t agree, then the money doesn’t get released.  It stays in that account until you come to an agreement. 

Yippee!
Once all of the pieces of the contract have been completed - inspections, appraisal, loan approval, etc - the money is delivered to the seller and the keys are delivered to you.  (It’s not really THAT easy but you get the idea.)

Congratulations!

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I never get tired of talking about, reading, learning, researching real estate.  I do get tired of working though.  My favorite work-time distraction is Lolcats.  I have no idea what cats have to do with cheesburgers and I’ve had to pronounce the captions outloud to decipher what the four-legged cuties are saying, but it can be the biggest laugh of my day. 

If you love the silly things animals do, you HAVE to check out this site.

I can’t do one of my favorite things - real-estate-related things - I can’t look up statistics.  The multiple listing service - the omnipotent god of home sales data - is broken.  When it comes to statistics, it’s not that good in the first place.  Most of it has to be done with a calculator and several Advil.   Oh, they’re working on it.  I’m working on it too - working on making a living.  Don’t know when the stats functions - as limited as they are - will be available again. 

So…okay…I’m going to write an article about property taxes.  Larry had a good question about taxes: What do we pay them for?  Well…the San Mateo County site has undergone a facelift.  It went bad.  They hired the guy that uses animal anesthesia and kitchen utensils.  All the links are broken. 

So…now what?  I’m thinking…

Concert In The Square featuring Tempest (Celtic Rock) tomorrow night!

6:00pm to 8:00pm

Be enchanted at the San Mateo Public MAIN Library

Saturday, June 28 at 2:00 pm by the fantastic “Tales of the Enchanted Forest” Puppet Show. 

Nick Barone Puppets will entertain children of all ages at this free event. Don’t miss the grumpy talking tree!!!                      

The show is in the Oak room at the Main Library, 55 West Third Ave.

For more information please call (650) 522-7838. Free parking is available under the Library.

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