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Are You Ready to Buy a Home in San Mateo in 2026? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions
Key Takeaways Your personal readiness matters more than timing the market. Stable income, manageable debt, and clear goals are stronger indicators of success than waiting for perfect conditions. San Mateo’s market has normalized from peak years. While still competitive, buyers today often have more negotiating power than during the height of the market. January is one of the best times to buy in San Mateo. Fewer active buyers and motivated sellers can create opportunities
Andrew Benson
2 days ago3 min read


Is January the Best Time to Buy a Home?
According to Keeping Current Matters, January can be one of the best times to buy a home in San Mateo, especially for budget-conscious buyers. Home prices tend to be lower, buyer competition is reduced, and sellers are often more motivated to negotiate. These factors can translate into meaningful savings and a smoother buying experience. While every situation is unique, January often offers opportunities that are harder to find during the busy spring season. Main Takeaways: J
Andrew Benson
Dec 23, 20253 min read


San Mateo Housing Market Forecast 2026: Price Trends, Inventory, and Buyer Outlook
According to Forbes, the housing market is entering 2026 on much steadier ground, with slowing price growth, improving inventory, and more predictable mortgage rates creating a healthier environment for buyers and sellers alike. While affordability challenges haven’t disappeared, today’s conditions reward preparation, patience, and smart local decision-making rather than rushed moves. Is San Mateo, CA still a smart buy for homebuyers in 2026? San Mateo remains a smart buy for
Andrew Benson
Dec 17, 20254 min read


San Mateo County Real Estate Market Update | December 2025
Is San Mateo Still a Smart Market to Buy or Sell in 2026? Yes — San Mateo remains a strong market in 2026, but with nuanced conditions buyers and sellers should understand. The late-2025 slowdown followed normal seasonal patterns, with fewer listings and softer activity, yet well-priced homes continued selling quickly and competitively. As the market resets in early 2026, demand typically rises sharply from mid-January into spring. Lower mortgage rates, improving stock indice
Andrew Benson
Dec 9, 20253 min read


A Return to Classic Christmas Style: San Mateo's 2026 Vintage
Main Thoughts: Vintage Christmas décor brings nostalgic warmth and character, using antique finds, colorful glass ornaments, ceramic trees, and bottle-brush accents to create a classic, old-fashioned holiday atmosphere. Mixing old and new is essential for balanced holiday styling—pairing retro pieces with modern touches, layered textures, and curated focal points helps create a cohesive, inviting look in any home. Vintage elements work beautifully indoors and outdoors, from c
Andrew Benson
Dec 5, 20254 min read


Rent vs. Own: Why Homeownership Continues to Pay Off Long-Term
According to Keeping Current Matters, renting often feels simpler and more affordable, especially in today’s market. You pay once a month, skip the repairs, skip the property taxes, and never have to think about interest rates. It’s easy to see why renting appears to be the less stressful option. But there’s one major downside that’s easy to overlook: renting doesn’t build your financial future. Month after month, your payments support someone else’s investment. Homeownership
Andrew Benson
Nov 26, 20252 min read


High Point Market 2026: The Top 6 Home Design Trends
According to Forbes, keeping a close eye on major design and lifestyle events is key to understanding how buyer preferences are evolving. One of the most significant of these gatherings is the High Point Fall Market in North Carolina - an expansive, multi-building showcase often regarded as the home-furnishings equivalent of CES. Every year, thousands of designers, manufacturers, and industry experts walk through more than 11 million square feet of showrooms to preview upcomi
Andrew Benson
Nov 20, 20254 min read


San Mateo County Real Estate Market Update | November 2025
Source: compass.com National and regional statistics are generalities, essentially summaries generated by thousands of unique, individual listings and sales occurring across different market segments. They are best seen not as precise measurements, but as broad, comparative indicators with reasonable margins of error. Anomalous fluctuations in statistics are not uncommon, and last period data should be considered preliminary estimates which may be revised in future updates. D
Andrew Benson
Nov 11, 20251 min read


From Contract to Keys: Your Guide to a Smooth Home Sale
Selling a home isn’t just about finding a buyer — it’s about reaching the closing table with confidence. Between accepting an offer and handing over the keys, there’s a critical stretch filled with details that determine how smoothly the sale goes. In today’s market, where every transaction is unique, knowing what to expect — and preparing for it — can make all the difference. Here’s how to keep your sale on track from start to finish. 1. Start Strong: Preparation Is Everythi
Andrew Benson
Nov 4, 20253 min read


Mastering Real Estate Cycles: Strategies for Long-Term Success
According to Forbes, real estate is full of exciting opportunities. Neighborhoods are constantly evolving, demand for properties shifts in interesting ways, and market changes can create openings for smart investors. While headlines often focus on short-term fluctuations, the most successful strategies focus on long-term growth. By understanding market cycles, staying informed, and making thoughtful decisions, you can turn these natural shifts into opportunities to build last
Andrew Benson
Oct 28, 20253 min read


Tech Meets Luxury: How Smart Homes Are Redefining Lifestyle
Luxury has always evolved with time. Once, it meant grand architecture, sweeping views, and exquisite materials. Today, it’s about something more subtle – how effortlessly a home understands and responds to the people living in it. Technology has become the quiet signature of modern luxury. What was once futuristic – voice commands, automated climate control, or homes that “learn” routines – has become a defining part of high-end living. The smartest homes don’t just make lif
Andrew Benson
Oct 21, 20254 min read


San Mateo County Real Estate Market Update | October 2025
Source: compass.com National and regional statistics are generalities, essentially summaries generated b y thousands of unique, individual listings and sales occurring across different market segments. They are best seen not as precise measurements, but as broad, comparative indicators with reasonable margins of error. Anomalous fluctuations in statistics are not uncommon, and last period data should be considered preliminary estimates which may be revised in future updates.
Andrew Benson
Oct 13, 20251 min read


From Lower Payments to Tax Savings: The Real Benefits of Refinancing
According to Kiplinger, refinancing your mortgage offers more than just lower monthly payments — there are several strategic tax...
Andrew Benson
Oct 7, 20254 min read


Downsizing Without Debt: How More Homeowners Are Buying Their Next House in Cash
According to Keeping Current Matters, a growing number of homeowners are choosing to downsize without taking on new debt — and instead...
Andrew Benson
Sep 30, 20252 min read


Rates Fall Again — Refinance Activity Hits Highest Since 2022
According to FOXBusiness, mortgage rates continue to ease — a welcome development for buyers and homeowners considering refinancing. The...
Andrew Benson
Sep 21, 20252 min read


Why Half of Homes Sell Below Asking — And How Smart Pricing Can Help You Win
According to Keeping Current Matters, nearly 50% of homes today are selling for less than their asking price — and we believe there’s...
Andrew Benson
Sep 14, 20253 min read


San Mateo County Real Estate Market Update | September 2025
Source: compass.com National and regional statistics are generalities, essentially summaries generated by thousands of unique, individual...
Andrew Benson
Sep 7, 20251 min read


How Home Appraisals Work — What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
According to Kiplinger, a home appraisal is one of the most important steps in any real estate transaction — whether you're buying,...
Andrew Benson
Aug 31, 20254 min read


4 Myths About Buying a Newly Built Home — and Why They’re Not True
According to Keeping Current Matters, many buyers hesitate to consider newly built homes because of myths they’ve heard along the way....
Andrew Benson
Aug 24, 20253 min read


Home Searches Hit a Two-Year High: Why Now Is the Time to Act
According to Keeping Current Matters, online home-buying search terms reached a two‑year high in July 2025. Data from Google Trends shows...
Andrew Benson
Aug 17, 20252 min read
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