Real Estate Briefs: Surge in $1 million-plus home sales Real Estate Briefs: Surge in $1 million-plus home sales (March 23, 2005)

Coldwell Banker reports that its sales of local homes valued at $1 million or more surged in 2004.

Total Coldwell Banker 2004 sales of such homes by town are: Menlo Park, $316 million, up 37 percent from 2003; Atherton, $303 million, up 66 percent; Woodside, $180 million, off 15 percent; and Portola Valley, $151 million, up 16 percent.

The top price paid for a local home in 2004 handled by Coldwell Banker was $14.5 million in Atherton, the company said.
Assessor's Office warns of misleading mailing

The San Mateo County Assessor's Office says it has been swamped with questions about a recent mailing to property owners from a company calling itself Property Tax Assessor Records Corp.

The mailing offers, for a $25 fee, to assist homeowners to obtain a $7,000 property tax exemption.

"No one needs to pay $25 for this service," said county assessor Warren Slocum. "We provide it for free."

He also cautioned homeowners about providing personal information, such as Social Security numbers, to such companies.

For information on the homeowners' exemption, call the assessor's office at 363-4500 or go to www.smcare.org.
Quetzal Grimm named sales manager

Quetzal Grimm has been promoted from sales associate to sales manager in the Woodside office of Alain Pinel Realtors.

As sales manager, he will assist 30 real estate agents, said Mary Gebhardt, manager of Alain Pinel's Woodside and Menlo Park offices.

Mr. Grimm joined Alain Pinel in 2003 and previously worked for seven years in construction equipment rentals. He will continue to sell real estate with his business partner, Diane Chesler.
Coldwell Banker wins Habitat honors

Coldwell Banker Northern California announced it has received two Golden Hammer awards from Habitat for Humanity for most funds raised and most volunteer hours donated among Coldwell Banker companies worldwide.

Last year, the Northern California brokerage raised $300,000 and the company's agents and staff volunteered 4,400 hours working on six Habitat for Humanity projects in Northern California, the company said. The $300,000 will be donated to nine Habitat projects in Northern California. Habitat for Humanity mobilizes volunteers to build homes with no-profit, zero-interest mortgages for low-income families.

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