According to Wall Street Journal's Smart Money magazine, San Luis Obispo is among the top nine places to retire in the U.S. San Luis Obispo rated high in its city's "distinct civic personality" in terms of its smoking ban, and limits on drive-through restaurants.  While the article indicated that the median price of a two-bedroom home in San Luis Obispo is higher than the national average, at around $355,000, Smart Money also shared that San Luis Obispo is much cheaper than Santa Barbara, where the median home price is at $771,000. The weather, presence of a state university, namely Cal Poly, and nearby wineries also helped to push San Luis Obispo to the top of the list.  *************   If I can provide more information about San Luis Obispo real estate and surrounding areas, the hous... 10/30/2010

Sometimes called "Broker's Open Houses", "Pitch Meetings", or "Realtor® Caravans", these weekly meetings are hosted by the local Realtors® in each neighborhood or community.  Be sure to get out and attend several every week.  Usually there is a meeting for about 30-45 minutes, then a caravan (open houses for Realtors® only).  Why go to the meeting and the caravan?  Benefits:  (1) Connect with buyer/seller agents for your listings/clients.  Make deals happen & find great deals before they hit the MLS! (2) Preview houses and become familiar with listings in your local market (3) Develop good working friendships with other agents, with whom you may later do a transaction (4) Free food!  Breakfast, lunch, brunch, & snacks. (5) prizes & drawings (6) education (7) industry updates (8) meet ve... 10/25/2010

The California Association of Realtors (CAR) in releasing its California housing market forecast for 2011 is projecting small increases in both home sales and the median home price . . . .  Click to View entire CAR 2011 Economic Report  Click to View current the latest San Luis Obispo homes Sales Stats  Click to View my website SLOhomes4sale.com Or, call me direct at 805 235 3221  Paul Pickering Broker Associate, Bay Osos Brokers CA DRE License #0997005 SEARCH ENGINE KEYWORDS SAN LUIS OBISPO REAL ESTATE AGENT SAN LUIS OBISPO HOME VALUES SAN LUIS OBISPO HOMES FOR SALE SAN LUIS OBISPO HOME PRICES SAN LUIS OBISPO REAL ESTATE AGENT SAN LUIS OBISPO REAL ESTATE BROKERS 10/18/2010

Looking for the best deal as a buyer? If so, your best bet is on a San Luis Obispo home that's a bank-owned REO. Find out why . . . Click link for the latest facts: http://slohomes4sale.com/content/article.html/2468818/Bank-Owned-REO-Homes-vs.-Short-Sales Click to receive all San Luis Obispo REO homes by Email Click to view the most recent San Luis Obispo home sales stats  Click to visit my website: SLOhomes4sale.com Or, call me direct at 805 235 3221 Paul Pickering Broker Associate, Bay Osos Brokers CA DRE License #0997005 SAN LUIS OBISPO BANK OWNED HOMES SAN LUIS OBISPO REO SAN LUIS OBISPO SHORT SALES SAN LUIS OBISPO REAL ESTATE AGENT SAN LUIS OBIPSO HOMES FOR SALE 10/08/2010

Looking for the best deal as a buyer? If so, your best bet is on a Arroyo Grande home that's a bank-owned REO. Find out why . . . Click link for all the latest facts: http://slohomes4sale.com/content/article.html/2468818/Bank-Owned-REO-Homes-vs.-Short-Sales- Click to receive all Arroyo Grande REO homes via Email Click to view the most recent Arroyo Grande home sales stats  Click to visit my website: SLOhomes4sale.com Or, call me direct at 805 235 3221 Paul Pickering Broker Associate, Bay Osos Brokers CA DRE License #0997005 SEARCH ENGINE KEYWORDS ARROYO GRANDE REALTORS ARROYO GRANDE BANK OWNED HOMES ARROYO GRANDE SHORT SALES ARROYO GRANDE REO ARROYO GRANDE HOMES FOR SALE 10/08/2010

  In September there were 23 homes put onto the market in San Luis Obispo. By home I am referring to a single family residence on a foundation with 2x4 framing, not a condo, PUD or mobile home. Some interesting numbers come in from these 23 homes including quite a skewed price difference, common to San Luis Obispo. So what do the numbers say? According to the MLS, the most impacted price range of homes listed for sale is in the $500,000-550,000 price range. That being said there is a home listed for under $400,000 and on the other extreme; a home for $3.499M is listed. Talk about a broad spread! Running the numbers from September's listings only we see that the median price for homes listed last month is $589,000. So what does this say about the market in San Luis Obispo? To me it says ... 10/05/2010

As of 10/1/10 local home sales volume is up by 6 percent (when comparing the previous two 12-month periods), and The Average Central Coast home price is $475,000* Click to view the most recent San Luis Obispo home sales stats Click to view all available homes in San Luis Obipso County  Click to visit my website: SLOhomes4sale.com Or, call me at 805 235 3221. * based on SFR averages from Paso Robles (w/in city limits), Templeton, Atascadero, San Luis Obispo, Cayucos, Morro Bay, Los Osos, Pismo & Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande and Oceano, only.  Paul Pickering Broker Associate, Bay Osos Brokers CA DRE License #0997005 SEARCH ENGINE KEYWORDS San Luis Obispo HOME PRICES San Luis Obispo HOMES FOR SALE San Luis Obisp HOME SEARCH SLO HOMES SLO CONDOS FOR SALESLO REAL ESTATE FOR SALESLO REALTORS S... 10/05/2010

Lately there has been a lot happening in my life, most of which is good stuff. Friends getting married family recovering from illness buyers calling me and the infamous Indian Summer of San Luis Obispo finally arriving. That being said there are some other very big things happening in our beautiful little town, things that I would say are neither good or bad. Three issues are particularly interesting to me, pertain to real estate in San Luis Obispo and just so happened to be on the City Council of San Luis Obispo's agenda last night. Despite the fact that yesterday morning started out with a 6 AM 2 mile run and workout prior to a gauntlet of meetings and broker caravan; I decided that I simply could not miss the Council meeting last night. I adjourned my Rotaract Club meeting at 7:45 pm... 09/23/2010

LAST CHANCE "The Crock of Gold" alternating with "The Tavern."  7pm today; 8pm Friday; 4:30 and 8:30 pm Saturday and 6pm Sunday.  The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville, 1863 Front St., Highway 1, Oceano.  $18 to $22  489.2499 "The Fantastics" 8pm Friday & Saturday; 2pm Sunday, San Luis Obispo LIttle Theatre, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo.  $15 to $25  786-2440 "Invierno" various dates and times through Sunday.  Marian Theater, 800 S. College Drive, Santa Maria.  922-8313 or www.pcpa.org. NOW PLAYING "Always Patsy Cline" 6pm Friday and Saturday Sept 18 and 19  Musical, food and beverages available.  Centennial Park, 600 Nickerson Drive, Paso Robles, CA.  Free  237- 4741 "Forever Plaid"  Friday through Oct. 3, 8pm Friday & Saturdays 2pm Sept 26 and Oct  3.   Musical, Studio Theatre... 09/16/2010

The magazine Aviation Week and Space Technology, a prominent aerospace and defense industry publication, recently named Cal Poly the best in the nation for preparing its students for the work place.  Cal Poly moved up to the top spot after a second-place ranking in 2009.  The magazine's list of top schools, in order, is the following: Cal Poly Georgia Institute of Technology Pennsylvania State University Virginia Tech and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (tied) Purdue University According to Aviation Week, the magazine considered the academic reputation of the institutions and the success of their graduates in compiling its list.  The article about the rankings is available at http://sn.im/aviationweekpoly  09/04/2010

Cal Cal Poly Moves up in Forbes' Ranking   Cal Poly now ranks No. 177 on Forbes magazine's list of the 610 best colleges and universities in the United States for 2010, up 24 places from 2009, a university spokesman said.   The recently released list puts Cal Poly at No. 21 among the 50 California colleges and universities featured. Just as it was last year, Cal Poly is the highest-ranked California State University campus on the list.   This marks the third year Forbes has produced the list. Cal Poly appeared at No. 369 on the inaugural 2008 list, then at no. 201 in 2009. The rankings focus on things that directly concern undergraduate students, including interesting courses, speed of graduation, job prospects afterward and how much debt students rack up during their studies.   08/31/2010

Since I am a volunteer at Woods, I know the "Pet of the Week", RAMBO pictured below.  He is a sweet older little guy and so needs a forever home.  Won't you consider adopting him so he can leave the shelter?  Thank you.  Connie       Woods Weekly Mews A Volunteer Publication August 26th, 2010     This week's featured Pet Pal is Rambo   "There has never been a catWho couldn't calm me downBy walking slowlyPast my chair." - Rod McKuenSince the 1980's research studies have shown that sharing our lives with a cat is good for our health.  They can ease loneliness; agitation; help with chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure; give us a sense of purpose through our caring for them; and most of all, provide us with a sense of well-being.Viva Paws Vegas Baby!! We are happy to report... 08/26/2010

    Woods Weekly Mews A Volunteer Publication August 19th, 2010     "They say the test of literary power is whether a man can write an inscription.  I say, "can he name a kitten?" - Samuel ButlerViva Paws Vegas Baby!! The exciting event is almost upon us - this Saturday, August 21st from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Woods Humane Society is sponsoring a very special, one-day only, feline promotion.  All felines - both cats and kittens - will be available for an incredible adoption fee of only $21.00!  All have been spayed/neutered, micro chipped and are current on all vaccinations.  You can savor a cup of "Tropicata" punch, have a chance to enter our raffle for a fabulous night at Chumash Casino, and best of all - leave with one of our sweet, loving felines to add to your family.  What could... 08/19/2010

  SUNSET MAGAZINE NAMES SLO a TOP TEN DREAM TOWN   It's nice to be envied.  An issue of Sunset Magazine shows San Luis Obispo a lot of love, featuring the city as one of its top 10 Dream Towns - or, as the editors say, places to go "for the perfect vacation, or the perfect rest of your life." Grouped with locations such as the town of Eastsound on Washington's Orcas Island and Butte, Colorado, the two page spread starts with a flattering line:  "For your consideration, San Luis Obispo is the most Californian place in all of California." In particular, writer Matthew Jaffe notes the weather, Thursday's Farmers Market, and funky favorites, including Linnaea's Cafe and the Palm Theatre - "the only solar powered picture show in the country" - as proof of San Luis Obispo's charm. Sunset read... 08/12/2010

    Cal Polytechnic State University, or Cal Poly, was established March 8, 1901.  It is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California.  The university is one of two polytechnic campuses in the 23-member California State University System.  It's campus is located in a suburban area of the city covering 9,678 acres.  The colors are green and gold and the nickname is the Mustangs.  The official website is www.calpoly,educ.  The motto is Discere Faciendo which is latin for "to learn by doing".  There are approximately 1,203 faculty and 19,777 students.  The first incoming class was 20 students.  The school continued to grow steadily, except during a period from the mid 1910's to the early 1920's when World War I led to drops in enrollment and drastic budget cuts forced few cla... 08/12/2010

    Woods Weekly Mews A Volunteer Publication August 12th, 2010     Our pet of the week is Angelina"For me, one of the pleasures of a cats' company is their devotion to bodily comfort." - Compton Mackenzie Viva Paws Vegas!!  On Saturday, August 21st from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Woods Humane Society is sponsoring a very exciting, one day only, feline promotion.  Thinking about adopting your first cuddly cat?  Looking to add another furry feline to your current fold?  Feeling lucky?  Join us on the 21st, enjoy a cup of "Tropicata" punch, and take home one of our sweet, lovable cats or kittens for an incredibly low - and lucky - $21.00 adoption fee.  All cats and kittens have been spayed/neutered, micro chipped and are current on all vaccinations.  It's a win-win situation - you will be th... 08/12/2010

 The historic Whitmer House of 1903 awaits you in the heart of San Luis Obispo's Downtown district. This neoclassical row house offers numerous possibilities, situated on a 50 x 150 SF lot and zoned R2-H. The house has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, built in cabinetry and formal living and dining areas. Several classic interior accents date back to the Edwardian era when it was built. Outside, you'll find a separate laundry room, fenced yard, covered patio, mature landscaping, and brick hardscapes. Looking for more room than is presently contained in the main house? Open up the extensive attic space for more bedrooms, a studio or artist's loft! We're holding this beauty open for the first time since extensive remodeling and improvements have been completed, so these photos are actually a bit ... 08/11/2010

The other day I was doing some research on the City of San Luis Obispo's Parks and Recreation page and came across something that I hadn't heard of before. I was researching the upcoming "Box Art" project in Downtown SLO and saw a link for a Google map of public art in the City of San Luis Obispo and thought to myself that this was a strange concept for somebody to have embraced. Naturally, I clicked the link and abandoned my previous research. Upon landing on the Google map I realized that the user that had uploaded this map had done a very thorough job of documenting where each piece of San Luis Obispo's public art was by not only placing a pin on the map corresponding to location but they had also placed a photo of the piece as well as a description of the art and gave the artist cre... 08/11/2010

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in San Luis Obispo, CA   Much of California's history begins with the founding of the Spanish missions, a total of 21 from north to south along the El Camino Real ("King's Highway).  These missions had a significant impact on the area and the people already living there, with the growth of Christianity, but also brought many agricultural (livestock, fruits, vegetables) and cultural contributions that survive today, more than 200 years after being established in some cases.  A visit to one of the local California missions is a fascinating glimpse into the past history of the area, whether you are a local or a visitor. I have visited the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in Oceanside, and the Mission San Juan Capistrano, and on our recent trip to wine count... 08/07/2010

As a local young professional myself I often find myself out at various Chamber of Commerce mixers, business meetings and board of directors meetings but recently I have been noticing that there is a huge population of young professionals in San Luis Obispo that are working hard to make a positive difference in our community. At each of the aforementioned venues I attend there is a strong representation of us, the next generation of business owners and leaders. Yesterday was a typical Wednesday for me, wake up go to committee meeting, office, Rotary, office, coffee meeting, networking social at a local vineyard and then finish out the evening with a city league softball game with my Rotaract team and a couple emails. While I was at the game sitting in the dugout I started to look at my... 08/05/2010