Coastal Real Estate and Lifestyles

“Independent businesses are an intregal part of why we live here and what gives Half Moon Bay a unique identity.” writes Barbara C. in the Coastsider on 9/17/09.  It just occurred to me to make my first Twitter list for ”Local Biz” so that my followers can see the local businesses in one handy place, not to mention this is FREE exposure for all of us doing business in Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Moss Beach, Montara, Pacifica and Pescadero.  Please check out these businesses and community services next time around if you don’t rely on them already.  The business has to have a Twitter account to be able to get on the list.

Ten Small Business Social Media Marketing Tips - Mashable 10/28/09.

These articles may also be of interest…

A Visual Explanation of Twitter

RE BarCamp Follow Up

Lower El Granada’s real estate market appears to be shifting in the last month.  Lots of buyers have been watching beautiful lower El Granada because there has been so much inventory.  There is still good inventory if you’re in the market, but these properties are under the microscope.  Sales Under Contract (those getting accepted offers and going into one of the MLS “pending” statuses) has risen 50% in the month of June 2009, the highest of any month in the last six months, since January 2009. 

Sales Under  Contract per MLS: 

Jan 09 - 3
Feb 09 - 0
March 09 - 3
April 09 - 4
May 09 - 4
June 09 - 8

One reason for this is that sellers now realize that our current economic situation is not a quick fix and the solution to getting on with their lives is to understand their goals - as a first step.  Once they understand their goals, if one of the action items includes selling a property, they are doing what it takes to sell it – preparing it, pricing it properly, and presenting it as best they can.  Buyers, too, are realizing that even in a declining market, the best and most unique properties will not last.  We’re moving to a phase where buyers and sellers are coming to the table more prepared, resulting in more sales going into contract.  Even though Lower El Granada is a small market, this activity is consistent with other markets in which I’m working now.

In my opinion, the most notable new listings within the last month in lower El Granada are:
179 West Point - a waterfront home in the Princeton Harbor area.
*523 Francisco St - a lot of house for the money plus tons of charm and character.
(*full disclosure:  this is my listing)
779 Palma St - a cute small house on a large lot with potential. 

What makes Lower El Granada so special?  Location. Location. Location.  Half way between Half Moon Bay and Montara on the mid-coast in the heart of Daniel H. Burnham’s unique design in the early 20th century.  Also located in the local “coastal sunbelt”.  Quaint neighborhoods and streets with mature trees and some ocean views.  Close proximity to the beach, Princeton, Pillar Point Harbor (where many people drive for miles to pick up fresh crab), close proximity to Cafe Classique, and great restaurants and the new Harbor Village, close proximity to the Coastal Trail, and much more.

I took these pics on one of my recent walks around the neighborhoods. Enjoy.

Rich, at local vacation home Harbor Vista includes me on his mailing list.  I got this notice this morning…then sent a note to see if I could make this available to my readers as well, so here’s the offer:

We’ve got an open week coming up at our house, from Jan 23 (update:  just booked this afternoon) Jan 25 to 30th.  I wanted to offer it to our mailing list first, at 50% off, or $200/night for Mon-Thurs and $250/night for Fri-Sun, with a 3 night minimum.  Lodging tax or pet fees are not included.

In case you need a reminder of our home’s amenities, our website is http://www.harborvista.us/. 

We recently converted the downstairs to a 4th bedroom, and pictures are available on our site.

I’m also offering February nights at 15% off.

If you’re interested, you can reach me at the number or email address below.

Regards,

Rich Gaushell

(650) 284-4098

owners@harborvistahmb.com”

Check the Coastside page for more fun things to do in the area.

This is a very local and locally-loved event.  I certainly appreciated our own small town fireworks display more when it wasn’t there…funny how that happens.  The year I read in the Review that the fireworks weren’t going to happen because there wasn’t enough money in the coffer, in 2006, some of us (me!) may have taken for granted that the lights would magically appear in the sky each year on July 4th!  Last year the show was awesome!

I don’t know when it started, but now the local chapter of the American Legion organizes fundraisers each year to raise money for our local fireworks displays.  Here’s the local celebrations and fundraiser activities that I know about:

Friday July 4th, 2008:

• Ol’ Fashion Fourth of July Parade, historic downtown Main Street, Half Moon Bay, 12 noon

(this is a photo I took from a few years ago of one of the floats!  Notice the blue sky, which we’re treated to on some..not all..4ths.)

• Town picnic, American Legion Post 474, 470 Capistrano Rd., Princeton, 1 p.m.
• Fireworks, Princeton Harbor at Sunset . . . definitely ON this year according to Bob Resch, Chairman, ALCF, and Owner, Princeton Welding.

Saturday, July 5th, 2008:

American Legion’s Commitment to Coastside Fireworks

http://www.americanlegioncoastsidefireworks.org/

Tips for enjoying the fireworks on San Mateo County coast’s Princeton Harbor:

Walk to viewing distance if possible.  Parking along Highway 1 near Surfer’s Beach/El Granada is usually prohibited.  Bring flashlight, blankets or folding chairs, binoculars if you want, a neighbor or two.  Bring or wear layers…the ocean is right in front of you.  Remember to keep the pets in a safe and secure place.

The harbor view homeowners (mainly in lower El Granada, (El Granada) Highlands and Miramar) need only set up chairs on the deck or porch for the best seats.  If you find you must have one of these homes in the short or long term, you can do an area search of these neighborhoods. 

Sometimes the sky is clear and sometimes we’re watching the light show through the fog.  You might ask, why would you sit there in the cold and watch fireworks covered in fog??  You’d have to be a local to understand that one!

A mid-day walk along one of the wide lower El Granada avenues.

I had to capture this lovely scene as I was recently driving around town on a recent Tuesday morning Broker Tour of new listings.  Glad I had my camera for this one.

It brought back memories of when I was the parent of a preschooler - a few moons ago…  My daughter attended Marty’s Alameda Station in El Granada and even now, as a college student, has continued friendships from the buddies she made while at Marty’s.

 More about El Granada neighborhoods HERE.

Another post about an El Granada neighborhood:

Quiet neighborhoods reaps the benefits of P.O.S.T.

Coastside Preschool Directory 2008, by Coastside Mother’s Club

There are very few condo developments on the Coastside.  Condo developments are limited in part by restrictions due to our area’s vacancy rate.  Due to the limited number, their value has held or grown. 

They are Cypress Cove Townhouses and Amesport Landing in downtown Half Moon Bay, Ocean Corners Condos, near Ocean Colony in Half Moon Bay, and the Pilarcitos Park area, also in Half Moon Bay.  In the northern tip of town known as Miramar, oceanfront townhouses were built a stone’s throw from the Coastal Trail.  In El Granada (Princeton area) are the Beach House condos, a luxury condo/hotel with fractional ownership - when there are units available for resale.

When I was reviewing the annual median price results, which I did with June median sales prices, I started with single family homes and noticed that the results were trending with the greater San Mateo County statistics.  What surprised me was the condo/townhouse market (MLS term:  Common Interest Development) June median sales price of $760K, up 20% from 2006’s $555K, and up 12.5% from 2005’s $430K.  That’s quite a jump in two years for condominiums.  Also, while the Coastside’s single-family-home days-on-the-market has increased in the last year (taking longer to sell),  the Coastside condos “days-on-market”  has decreased 24% in the last year, averaging 25 days.

We all know that statistics don’t tell the whole story, as there are many variables involved; however, this trend in our local market I thought a worthy topic.  Here’s a little info about each of the Condominium/Townhouse developments:

Cypress Cove - located on the east side of Highway 1 near Stone Pine Center in downtown Half Moon Bay.  These are lovely townhouses with charming patios or balconies, high ceilings, beautiful landscaping and attached garages.  A major bonus is the close proximity to downtown - just a short walk to all that Main Street - and the businesses off Main - have to offer.  A couple of many fun spots close to these townhouses are It’s Italia for a fabulous pizza, pasta dish or salad (the Salmon Ceasar Salad is my favorite, but I think it’s on the lunch menu only), or HMB Coffee Co., for soup-of-the-day, coffee drinks served in glass mugs, indoor and outdoor seating, and a great local vibe.  The median 2 bedroom sale price in 2006 was $650K.

Amesport Landing - These condos, some single story and some two-story, are also located downtown, west of Main, yet still on the east side of Highway 1.  Built in the early 1990’s just one block away from the all the local buzz, this complex is tucked behind beautiful mature trees and landscaping.  Great escapes from this location include M Coffee and Cunha’s Country Store.  The median 2 bedroom sale price in 2006 was $600K.

Ocean Corners - Built in the early 1990’s, these charming beach condos are a short distance from downtown Half Moon Bay; a short distance to the oceanfront golf courses, the beach, coastal trails, and the Half Moon Bay Ritz.  While these are farther away from downtown than the others, it could easily be a short bike ride.  The median 2 bedroom sale price in 2006 was $540K.

Pilarcitos Park -  There are a few small condo complexes in this area on the west side of Highway 1 near the Kelly St. intersection.  These conveniently located condos offer easy access to Strawflower Shopping Center, Hatch Elementary School, Tres Amigos, well as the beaches.  The median 2 bedroom sale price in 2006 was $502K.

View Larger Map

There may be small 2-3 buildings in El Granada.  There are no condos that I am aware of in Moss Beach or Montara.  Many condos are in Pacifica, which I will save for another post