San Luis Obispo is located approximately half way between San Francisco and Los Angeles on US Highway 101.  It takes about four hours to get to San Luis Obispo using US Highway 101 but there is another way from San Francisco which is the gorgeous scenic Highway 1 thru Big Sur.  This way takes about six hours and is curvy but must be seen sometime during one's lifetime.  City Population 44,206 County Population 254,566 Physical City Size  10.5 square miles Founded 1772 Incorporated February 18, 1856 You can also reach SLO by air and by train.  San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport is served by United Express and US Airways.  The airport is five miles south of downtown on Highway 227 (Broad Street). www.sloairport.com.  The Amtrak depot is located at 1011 Railroad Ave., www.amtrak.com. ... 08/04/2010

Meet the new magazine in town! Tom Franciskovich, publisher of SLO Life Magazine, has put together a very attrractive first issue, encompassing much that makes San Luis Obispo special in a format that is easy and fun to read. At present, the magazine is a quarterly, but Tom hopes to make it bimonthly by the end of the year. Tom had worked at both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times before he and his wife decided that the family needed to move to a smaller, more friendly town in order that they could savor a slower, warmer, more community-oriented life. The selection process took nearly six years, with San Luis Obispo gradually rising to the top of the family's list of possibilities. As anyone who has lived here long enough realizes, SLO is a sort of glorified graveyard for ge... 07/27/2010

Fannie Mae to prohibit lenders from changing home appraisalsTo comply with the stricter lending guidelines of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and to avoid accusations that the loans sold to Fannie and Freddie are based on inflated appraisals, some real estate professionals have reported lenders lowering home values on appraisals submitted to them.  However, effective Sept. 1, Fannie Mae is prohibiting the purchase of loans from lenders who change appraisers' numbers. MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS Generally, lenders order a low-cost electronic valuation-based on publicly available statistical data-to review the accuracy of the information submitted by the appraiser.  If there is a discrepancy between the electronic valuation and the appraiser's report, the lender's underwriters may... 07/22/2010

As a bit of useful information for the general public there were 12 new listings added to the current inventory of San Luis Obispo Single Family Residences (SFR) this week. These include 2 condos and 10 standard homes. The median home price of these twelve homes is $564,000. This doesn't mean that the median home price in San Luis Obispo is $564,000, it simply is a reflection of this weeks new listings. The median home price for a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom or larger home to date is $575,000. That is, of all of the homes sold in 2010 that are at least 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms the median price is $575,000. There are a total of 118 such sales that have closed prior to this article's publication. For more up to date statistics and numbers please feel free to call or e-mail Dom Tartaglia or che... 07/09/2010

Don't miss this fun event! There will be free carnival games, sweet treats, face painting, balloon animals and live music through the day. The bands playing at the event include the SLO County Band, Pacific Horizons Chorus, Sugar Daddy Swing Kings and SLO Little Theater Best of the Legends.If you missed the Legends during their regular shows, now is the time to hear these fabulous singers do their stuff! I can personally vouch for the Sugar Daddy Swing Kings as the hottest swing band in the county. And who could miss the County Band playing the patriotic music we all love? Come on and join in the fun and admire the Rotary Bandstand where all the music is happening. There will also be a fundraiser barbecue.Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.Place: Mitchell Park More infoformation: 781-7300 07/03/2010

Remember when people were saying:  "San Luis Obispo home prices will never fall?" Now they're saying that interest rates will "never go up."  Interest rates-- as with home prices-- are cyclical.  And, with the growing national debt, the Fed will be forced to raise the current rates that, in my opinion, are artificially too low.     Whether its your first home, second home, or rental property, a long term real estate purchase is still one of the best investments you can make these days.  Seize the opportunity with today's low rates before they are raised in the near future.    To view current mortage rates, click the rates link to my website at slohomes4sale.com  or, Click to Search All Available Homes in San Luis Obispo County!  Paul Pickering Broker Associate, Bay Osos Brokers CA DRE L... 07/02/2010

If your home isn't priced correctly, and if rates go up, it will fall further behind what I call the "affordability index."  It's still going to be a good year to sell a home-providing you have a competitive price and a good marketing plan.  If you want to sell, call me and we'll put an effective listing price and plan together!  If you would like a current estimate of the value of your home,  . . .  Click to Search Your Home's Value with My Free Market Analysis    Click to Visit My Website at SLOhomes4sale.com to view all current San Luis Obispo homes currently for sale!       "Mr. Statistics" Paul Pickering Broker Associate, Bay Osos Brokers CA DRE License #0997005 SEARCH ENGINE KEYWORDS SLO HOME PRICES SLO HOME VALUES SLO HOMES FOR SALE SLO HOME SEARCH SLO HOMES SLO MARKET ANALYSIS S... 07/02/2010

Interested in finding out what your Pismo / Shell Beach home is currently worth?  If so,   click for a Free/No Obligation Market Analysis of your Pismo / Shell Beach home. In the meantime, here are the latest year-to-date sales numbers, averages prices, and number of days homes in Pismo / Shell Beach are currently spending on the market (as of 1/1/10):    Area                   Total Sales        Average Sales Price                     Market Time Pismo Beach 26 618,000 119 Stats are for single family homes and are derived from the Central Coast Multiple Listing Service and are subject to change & copyright law.  Copyright 2010.  Click to Visit My Website at SLOhomes4sale.com to view all current Pismo / Shell Beach listings!     "Mr. Statistics" Paul Pickering Broker Associate, Bay Osos... 07/02/2010

Interested in finding out what your San Luis Obispo home is currently worth?  If so,   click for a Free/No Obligation Market Analysis of your San Luis Obispo home. In the meantime, here are the latest year-to-date sales numbers, averages prices, and number of days homes in San Luis Obispo  are currently spending on the market (as of 1/1/10):    Area                                 Total Sales         Average Sales Price           Market Time SLO                                        122                        615,000                      90 Stats are for single family homes and are derived from the Central Coast Multiple Listing Service and are subject to change & copyright law.  Copyright 2010.  Click to Visit My Website at SLOhomes4sale.com to view all San Luis Obispo homes for sale!... 07/02/2010

  Doing anything special tonight? Come on down to Mission Plaza for the second in this summer's series of Concerts in the Plaza.  Join hundreds of your neighbors who gather in downtown San Luis Obispo every Friday between June 4th and August 27th for a free, two-hour concert from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. This summer concert series features the best local musicians, while local restaurants and eateries provide snacks and food for hungry concertgoers. Firestone Brewery and Edna Valley Vineyards supply beer and wine for purchase. Non-alcoholic beverages are provided as well. Over 50 bands apply each year to fill the 13 week line-up. Past participants include Central Coast favorites: Resination, Damon Castillo Band, Big Daddy’s Blues Band, Still Time, Siko and many more. Beginning in 1996 with only... 06/11/2010

ReStore is a building materials warehouse and thrift store that sells new and used building materials at affordable prices. All items sold at ReStore are donated. Proceeds from ReStore are used to fund the construction of Habitat for Humanity homes for low-income families and to operate the affiliate. ReStore also helps our environment by reducing the amount of usable building material that goes into local landfills.Volunteers are needed to work Wed-Sat. 9am-12:30 or 12:30-4pm. Tasks include receiving and pricing merchandise as well as general customer service.Currently, the Templeton (North County) location is closed for relocation, but the San Luis Obispo store is open.187 Tank Farm Rd, San Luis Obispo546-8699Email: restoresouth@hfhsloco.orgBusiness Hours: WED - SAT, 9am-4pmDONATE!Don... 06/10/2010

Here's a useful snapshot of real estate activity in the city of SLO, from January 1 to May 31, 2010: 150 homes sold $548,400 = average price $459,950 = median price 1722 square feet = average size 219 homes active today 17 homes are contingent 58 homes are pending There has been a gradual but sustained upswing in activity for several months. Prices continue to drop off slightly, but sales have increased. It looks as if equilibrium will be reached soon, and then the market should improve with better prices and continued strong sales. Mortgage rates remain very low and thus quite encouraging for selling homes. 06/09/2010

       With San Luis Obispo home prices getting beaten up pretty badly over the last few years, and depending on what and where you want to buy, it's likely they are about as low as they'll get.  So if home prices are already low, where is the real bargain these days?  In my opinion, "The most valuable bi-product-- or bargain-- of our current distressed economy is the current low mortgage interest rates." Remember when people were saying:  "home prices will never fall?" Now they're saying that interest rates will "never go up."  Interest rates-- as with home prices-- are cyclical.  And, with the growing national debt, the Fed will be forced to raise the current rates that, in my opinion, are artificially too low.     Whether its your first home, second home, or rental property, a long ... 06/03/2010

Interested in finding out what your San Luis Obispo home is currently worth?  If so,   click for a Free/No Obligation Market Analysis of your San Luis Obispo home. In the meantime, here are the latest year-to-date sales numbers, averages prices, and number of days homes in San Luis Obispo  are currently spending on the market (as of 1/1/10):    Area                                 Total Sales         Average Sales Price           Market Time SLO                                        85                        616,000                      92 Stats are for single family homes and are derived from the Central Coast Multiple Listing Service and are subject to change & copyright law.  Copyright 2010.  Click to Visit My Website at SLOhomes4sale.com to view all San Luis Obispo homes for sale! ... 06/03/2010

  City of San Luis Obispo leads the fight against tobacco Once again, the city of San Luis Obispo California is leading the way to combat the issue of smoking in public places. Back in 1990 the city voted to make it illegal to smoke at any indoor public venue within the city. That groundbreaking law has been followed up again in 201o and as of May 20, 2010 residents and visitors are subject to a new city regulation that makes it illegal for smokers or tobacco users to use what has been deemed by the FDA as one of the top class of carcinogens in any public area. This includes public streets, parks, patios, parking lots and within 2o feet of any enclosed area that prohibits smoking. Residents and visitors alike are sure to take issue with this new law and the local police force has stated... 05/24/2010

Today I picked up my camera, a backpack and the world's best hiking buddy, Riley, and took to the trails. Initially I had planned to hike up Valencia Peak in Montana De Oro but realized that dogs are not allowed in that wilderness. I readjusted my plans to hike up Bishop's Peak in San Luis Obispo. To get to the trail head you simply drive West on Foothil Boulevard in San Luis Obispo and stop at the pullout just past the last residential neighborhood leaving SLO. The trail is very well maintained and accomodating for dogs and hikers alike. The beginning starts a little bit steep and climbs up into some wonderful Oak Trees and then shoots you right into the sage brush, wildflowers and large stone staircases heading up to the top of Bishop's Peak. Along the trail you can expect lots of swi... 05/16/2010

Interested in finding out what your San Luis Obispo home is currently worth?  If so,   click for a Free/No Obligation Market Analysis of your San Luis Obispo home. In the meantime, here are the latest year-to-date sales numbers, averages prices, and number of days homes in San Luis Obispo  are currently spending on the market (as of 1/1/10):    Area                                 Total Sales         Average Sales Price           Market Time SLO                                        60                        645,000                      100 Stats are for single family homes and are derived from the Central Coast Multiple Listing Service and are subject to change & copyright law.  Copyright 2010.  Click to Visit My Website at SLOhomes4sale.com to view all San Luis Obispo homes for sale!... 05/10/2010

If the price chosen to market your San Luis Obispo property was based solely on price comparisons of properties that have sold, you could either be leaving money on the table or making certain that your home is "sale proof" by overpricing it.   Click to View My Entire Article "Get and Appraisal First Before Selling!"  If you list your San Luis Obispo home with me, and subsequently have an independent 3rd party professional appraisal completed, I'll be happy to reimburse the cost of the appraisal if I'm able to sell your home. Click to Visit My Website at SLOhomes4sale.com to view all current San Luis Obispo homes currently for sale or to see how I can help you sell your home, FAST!  Paul Pickering Broker Associate, Bay Osos Brokers CA DRE License #0997005 SEARCH ENGINE KEYWORDS SLO HOME... 05/05/2010

In response to the fed's "first-time & move-up home buyers' tax credits" due to expire on 4/30/10, the State of California has new legislation extending a tax credit of up to $10,000 to San Luis Obispo home buyers.  The credit is spread evenly over three years and is available to anyone who buys a newly built home or to first-time home buyers who buy a newly built or existing home.   To use this $10,000 credit, a home buyer must owe at least $3,333 in state income tax in each of the three years. A home buyer who owed only $2,000 in one year would lose $1,333 in tax savings that year. The unused credit cannot be used to reduce taxes owed in past or future years.  This program begins May 1, 2010 and extends to the end of the year. Click to Visit My Website at SLOhomes4sale.com to view all... 04/12/2010

Interested in finding out what your San Luis Obispo home is currently worth?  If so,   click for a Free/No Obligation Market Analysis of your San Luis Obispo home. In the meantime, here are the latest year-to-date sales numbers, averages prices, and number of days homes in San Luis Obispo  are currently spending on the market (as of 1/1/10):    Area                                 Total Sales         Average Sales Price           Market Time SLO                                        43                        639,000                      119 Stats are for single family homes and are derived from the Central Coast Multiple Listing Service and are subject to change & copyright law.  Copyright 2010.  Click to Visit My Website at SLOhomes4sale.com to view all San Luis Obispo homes for sale!... 04/07/2010