Comments on: Why Is San Carlos More Expensive Than Belmont? http://sancarlosblog.com/2007/08/why-is-san-carlos-more-expensive-than-belmont/ The 411 on the 070 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:53:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Bob Bredel http://sancarlosblog.com/2007/08/why-is-san-carlos-more-expensive-than-belmont/comment-page-1/#comment-708 Bob Bredel Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:03:13 +0000 http://sancarlosblog.com/?p=53#comment-708 This is a great question, and one that is slowly starting to creep into the minds of prospective San Carlos buyers. The short answer is that I think it would be naive to think that it would not have some effect. However, I do not believe it is enough to close the gap on the percentage differential of Belmont vs. San Carlos. Most people moving into San Carlos have either just started a family or are thinking of starting a family. There seems to be a prevailing attitude of being overly concerned with the elementary and middle schools...the high school situation seems to be a distant concern. Many of my buyers in San Carlos are either (1)figuring on a private high school, (2)are not even sure if they will be in San Carlos long enough for it to matter, or (3) figure they will worry about it at a later time. As to your second question on whether or not this should be a consideration for a buyer looking in San Carlos....I would have to say that it depends on the particular buyer. If you are planning on staying in San Carlos (a)long enough for your kids to go through high school and; (b) you want them to have a public education and; (c) would prefer Carlmont over Sequoia, then it is most likely a consideration. The tough part is balancing the other factors such as the eventual re-sale of your home, importance of having a downtown, etc. I would summarize my opinion on the matter as follows: This is a highly individualized decision, but the vast majority of San Carlos buyers will not be dissuaded solely on the Carlmont policy. Thanks for the post. Bob Bredel REMAX Today The This is a great question, and one that is slowly starting to creep into the minds of prospective San Carlos buyers.

The short answer is that I think it would be naive to think that it would not have some effect. However, I do not believe it is enough to close the gap on the percentage differential of Belmont vs. San Carlos.

Most people moving into San Carlos have either just started a family or are thinking of starting a family. There seems to be a prevailing attitude of being overly concerned with the elementary and middle schools…the high school situation seems to be a distant concern. Many of my buyers in San Carlos are either (1)figuring on a private high school, (2)are not even sure if they will be in San Carlos long enough for it to matter, or (3) figure they will worry about it at a later time.

As to your second question on whether or not this should be a consideration for a buyer looking in San Carlos….I would have to say that it depends on the particular buyer. If you are planning on staying in San Carlos (a)long enough for your kids to go through high school and; (b) you want them to have a public education and; (c) would prefer Carlmont over Sequoia, then it is most likely a consideration. The tough part is balancing the other factors such as the eventual re-sale of your home, importance of having a downtown, etc.

I would summarize my opinion on the matter as follows: This is a highly individualized decision, but the vast majority of San Carlos buyers will not be dissuaded solely on the Carlmont policy.

Thanks for the post.

Bob Bredel
REMAX Today

The

]]> By: San Carlos Buyer http://sancarlosblog.com/2007/08/why-is-san-carlos-more-expensive-than-belmont/comment-page-1/#comment-707 San Carlos Buyer Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:46:37 +0000 http://sancarlosblog.com/?p=53#comment-707 Thank you for all of the very helpful information. Do you believe that the 10-15% price difference in San Carlos vs. Belmont will begin to change at all if the Carlmont High School enrollment rules are changed? Or should this not be a consideration for a buyer looking in both cities? Thank you for all of the very helpful information.

Do you believe that the 10-15% price difference in San Carlos vs. Belmont will begin to change at all if the Carlmont High School enrollment rules are changed? Or should this not be a consideration for a buyer looking in both cities?

]]> By: Janice D. http://sancarlosblog.com/2007/08/why-is-san-carlos-more-expensive-than-belmont/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Janice D. Fri, 31 Aug 2007 17:26:38 +0000 http://sancarlosblog.com/?p=53#comment-32 I think it is a matter of choosing house size over some of the other benefits listed in the original posting. We were able to buy a 4 bedroom 2,200 square foot house in Belmont for 950K....for 950K in San Carlos we would have a 3/1 or 3/2 at 1,300-1,500 square feet. For us, it was more important to have a more functional home. We are close enough to travel to downtown San Carlos or San Mateo if we want to take advantage of their downtowns. We also do not mind the slightly cooler temperatures, especially with this week's weather! I think it is a matter of choosing house size over some of the other benefits listed in the original posting. We were able to buy a 4 bedroom 2,200 square foot house in Belmont for 950K….for 950K in San Carlos we would have a 3/1 or 3/2 at 1,300-1,500 square feet. For us, it was more important to have a more functional home. We are close enough to travel to downtown San Carlos or San Mateo if we want to take advantage of their downtowns. We also do not mind the slightly cooler temperatures, especially with this week’s weather!

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