Past President’s Homes
February 21, 2012
I really enjoyed checking out these properties from our past Presidents after they left office. Good read!
For each of the U.S.’ former Presidents, the most famous residence they inhabit over their lifetime is undoubtedly the big white one at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. But before they were elected and after they left the Oval Office, these policy makers called other addresses “home, sweet, home.” In honor of Presidents’ Day, we’re taking a look at the homes of Presidents — present and past.
Barack Obama
Prior to his current digs at the White House, President Obama lived off Greenwood Avenue in Chicago. The Obamas’ home, pictured above, was built in 1917 and features 6,199 square feet of living space. President Obama and First Lady Michelle purchased the brick home in 2005 for $1,650,000, shortly after Obama was elected to Senate.
George W. Bush
When it came time for former President George W. Bush to retire from the Oval Office, the 43rd President decided to go back to his home state of Texas, picking up a sprawling 8,000-square-foot home at 10141 Daria Pl, which was a downsize from the 55,000-square-foot White House. The Bushes also purchased the property next door but tore it down in 2008. People speculated at the time that the demolition was to expand the former first family’s yard.
Bill Clinton
Unlike many other Presidents, Bill Clinton didn’t own a home during his residency at the White House. Born and raised in Arkansas, the former President and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chose to stay on the East Coast, and purchased a home in Chappaqua, New York at the end of Clinton’s second term in office. By several accounts, the Clintons are quite popular in the small Westchester County town. Built in 1889, the Clintons’ home is situated on a cul-de-sac lot and has 5,232-square-foot of living space, 5 beds and 4 baths.
Ronald Reagan
Before Ronald Reagan lived at the White House, he lived among the star-studded hills of Pacific Palisades and Bel Air. His former Pacific Palisades property was he and wife Nancy Reagan’s home base until Reagan was elected in 1981. After two terms as the 40th President of the U.S., “The Gipper” and his wife returned to Los Angeles, picking up a prime slice of real estate in the posh Bel-Air neighborhood. The property remains Nancy Reagan’s home today.
Gerald Ford
Not one, but two of former President Gerald Ford’s homes are currently for sale — one listed in California and one in Colorado. Ford’s Vail home, pictured above, is a testament to his love of skiing and the outdoors. Listed for $9.85 million, the ski-in/ski-out home has been on and off the market starting in 2008 with a hefty price tag of $14.9 million. Gerald Ford’s other home is listed on the Rancho Mirage real estate market for significantly less. The $1.699 million listing is a mid-century ranch located on the Thunderbird Country golf course and contains some Presidential memorabilia, including a large portrait of Betty Ford hanging in the living room.
John F. Kennedy
One of America’s most famous families holds one of America’s most storied properties. The Kennedy Compound consists of 6 acres of waterfront property on Nantucket Sound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, a small village in the town of Barnstable. John F. Kennedy’s father, Joseph P. Kennedy, rented a summer cottage in Hyannis Port in 1926 and purchased the cottage 2 years later. The home, which Joseph enlarged and remodeled, became the summer getaway for the couple and their children, who enjoyed sailing on the sound. In 1956, after his marriage to Jacqueline Bouvier, Jack bought a smaller home nearby, and his brother Robert later purchased an adjacent home. Following the death of Massachusetts senator Ted Kennedy, the compound was donated to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.
George Washington
While we don’t have the first President’s childhood home– the one where he chopped down a cherry tree — we do have the home where George Washington reportedly slept. It is believed that the first general hung up his wig at this 1739 homestead, named the “Fowler House.” The number of nights Washington slept here is up for debate, but if you believe the historic marker on the home, he often stayed here on his way from West Point to Connecticut. The New York home is 5,800 square feet and has 5 bedrooms and 2 baths and was recently listed on the Brewster real estatemarket for $500,000.
Don’t Know Where to Turn? Call 211
February 17, 2012
If you or anyone you know needs food, housing, health care or other services, just call 211 from any phone.
The toll-free number connects callers to people who can link them to services. It’s a one-stop referral service with a mission to connect people with the help they need. The service is new to San Mateo County.
To provide the service, San Mateo County and the Community Information Project have teamed up with United Way of the Bay Area
211 is confidential and available 24 hours a day in more than 150 languages.
Problem dialing 211? Call 800-273-6222 (TTY 415-808-4440 or 711)
Visit 211bayarea.org for more information about 211 services throughout San Mateo County and the entire Bay Area.

Thank You for All the Birthday Wishes
January 28, 2012
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to thank all of you for your wonderful birthday wishes for me today. What an awesome day. My friends always have a way of surprising me. I have 2 neighbors that share my birthday, one is Jane Cotter (6th grade) and the other was my dear neighbor, Lee Merritt who passed away and we had his birthday and his celebration of life today (94).
When I returned home I spotted some balloons on my front porch from a dear neighbor. I am so blessed to live in such a great neighborhood. Thank you all!
My daughter took me out to dinner at the Melting Pot in San Mateo. I have never been there before and she had a couple of times and really liked it. A few months ago I mentioned that it would be fun to go there sometime and we did this evening. What a great time us girls had. Who would have thought that hours later you would be leaving the restaurant. The staff was great too!
Living On Your Own Island
January 8, 2012
I couldn’t resist posting this property for sale in Alaska, 2202 Sawmill Creek Rd, Sitka AK. Price at $1,495,00.
The city of Sitka sits on Alaska’s Baronof Island and is flanked on the east side by mountains and on the west side by the Pacific Ocean. It is surrounded by hundreds of small islands, some of which hold private homes. However, there’s only one Sitka home for sale that boasts both waterfront and island property.
The special parcel is populated by some very handsome structures, including a main house set back from the Sitka road system and completely hidden by trees. There’s also a boat house where a 180-foot steel walkway leads to guest quarters that are situated on quaint, separate Bart Island.
Listing agent Jason Shaffer testifies to the home’s uniqueness.
“This is the only property like this in Sitka. There are other islands near Sitka with city power with houses but they are only accessible by float plane or boat,” Shaffer said. “The beauty of this home is that it’s accessible from the main road system, but you feel like you’re on an island.”
Built in 1950, the main home has been completely renovated by the current owners with significant updates to the kitchen, including installation of high-end appliances and granite countertops.
Sitting on about 6.5 acres, the main home has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a little over 3,000 square feet of living space. The home also has custom, locally-made furnishings, pine floors, large wooden decks and an extensively landscaped yard.
Across the steel walkway, the half-acre Bart Island has a house and separate guest quarters. The 1,250-square-foot guest house was custom-built in 2000 and features a hot tub, vaulted ceilings, radiant heat in the tiled baths as well as complete city power, water, phone and cable.
The separate, 700-square-foot guest quarters was constructed in 2003 and has an additional two bedrooms, two bathrooms and wood decking and complete access to all utilities.
I am sure you would only want to live here in the summer.

Real Estate In Trust Information and Resources
December 27, 2011
At this time of year, I have some folks thinking that they should get their properties in a trust or how about a living will, directive, etc… I will plan on having some resources available for the end of this year for everyone. If anyone has a direct question you can always call or email me. This is important for all of us.
Here are some great resources for you if you have any further questions about how to put real estate in trust:
- http://wills.about.com/od/howtofundatrust/a/fundrealestate.htm
- http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_put_real_estate_into_a_trust
- http://law.freeadvice.com/estate_planning/trusts/property-living-trust.htm
Bethlehem A.D. in Redwood City
December 21, 2011
Bethlehem A.D. starts tonight on Middlefield in Redwood City. Bring the family for a walk thru the set of this remarkable scene. Makes you think about the true meaning of Christmas. You won’t be disappointed!
Dec. 21, 22 and 23 from 6 – 9:30. Rain or shine. Free
Redwood City Street of Lights
December 17, 2011
If you want an enjoyable drive through Redwood City, please see Topaz Street. I also found Dewey Street to be great. Maybe, it is just because the street uses all the homes nationalities for their decorations. Very fun!
Come and see 411 Topax, that really surprises us with their tremendous display. We all appreciate all the Christmas Spirit!
San Carlos Street of Lights
December 17, 2011
Everyone knows the great street in San Carlos on Eucalyptus. It is closed to one-way traffic at the moment. If you would like to see this street now is the time, when it gets closer to Christmas, it is almost impossible to get down the street.
These are the homes on Eucalyptus that have a great display. However, San Carlos does have other homes that are on Arroyo, Cordilleras and other streets as well.
Please come by and see the San Carlos light show…
| 1900 Eucalyptus Ave |
| 1932 Eucalyptus Ave |
| 1953 Eucalyptus Ave |
| 1957 Eucalyptus Ave |
| 1962 Eucalyptus Ave |
| 1963 Eucalyptus Ave |
San Carlos Holiday Guide
December 3, 2011
Get yours now. The new holiday guide for San Carlos….2011 San Carlos Holiday Happenings Guide
You can also pick one up at the Chamber of Commerce in San Carlos from Monday to Friday. Or you can download it from the site that I just mentioned. If you need one for someone that doesn’t have computer skills, or able to get out, I would be happy to deliver one for them.
2011 San Carlos Holiday Happenings Guide
Happy Holidays!
Seniors Being Targeted Lottery Scam
December 3, 2011
This is very scary and could happen to any of our family members or friends. Please take the time to talk to your seniors that are close to you. On December 1, in the middle of the afternoon at the San Carlos Trader Joe’s, a woman in her 70’s was returning to her vehicle after shopping at Trader Joe’s in San Carlos. She was approached by two Hispanic males who offered to let her take part in a large draw from a winning lottery ticket if she would give them some good faith money. Although hesitant, the lady was coerced into the vehicle driven by both suspects and taken to her home in Redwood City. The victim went into her home and retrieved a large amount of cash and gave it to the suspects. She was then driven to the corner of El Camino Real & Madison Ave. in Redwood City where she was dropped off and the suspects drove away. The victim called her daughter to pick her up and told her what happened. They then reported the crime to the Sheriff’s Office.
The suspects are described as follows:
#1 – Hispanic male 60-70 years old, 5’5”-5’7” tall, stocky build, wearing glasses
#2 – Hispanic male 20-25 years old, 6’0”-6’4” tall, thin build, short black hair
Suspect vehicle – White full size newer model van with a sliding door and windows that wrap around the entire vehicle.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to make families aware of this type of crime that frequently targets elders.
Families are encouraged to talk to their seniors about these types of predators and the warning signs that they are being victimized.

































