First Time Home Buyers in San Mateo: The Village vs Sunnybrae
San Mateo real estate offers first time home buyers exceptional opportunities in conveniently located neighborhoods between San Francisco and San Jose. The city features an active business community, beautiful housing options, and excellent public schools that make it one of the most desirable Mid-Peninsula communities for families and young professionals. Among the best San Mateo neighborhoods for first time buyers are The Village San Mateo and Sunnybrae San Mateo, each offering unique benefits and excellent value in the current market.
The Village San Mateo is nestled between Bayshore Freeway and El Camino Real around Hillsdale Boulevard, featuring charming ranch-style homes that have long attracted first time buyers. Most homes in this Mid-Peninsula neighborhood range between 1,100 and 1,300 square feet with no more than 3 beds and 2 baths. The closely spaced homes create an intimate, welcoming neighborhood atmosphere that appeals to buyers seeking community connection in San Mateo.
Sunnybrae San Mateo is located just north of The Village, above the Bayshore Freeway, offering similar Mid-Peninsula charm with slightly larger homes. This family-friendly neighborhood features 3 bed, 2 bath homes of various architectural styles set on scenic tree-lined streets, with average sizes closer to 1,500 square feet. Sunnybrae Park and Sunnybrae Elementary School make this San Mateo neighborhood particularly attractive for young families seeking quality education and recreation.
The San Mateo real estate market in 2022 brought welcome opportunities for first-time home buyers as market conditions softened. Median sales prices and average price per square foot on single family homes decreased across both neighborhoods, while homes stayed on the market longer and the sales price to list price percentage declined. These market shifts created favorable conditions for buyers working with top Mid-Peninsula real estate agents to find their first home. The chart below shows average price per square foot during 2022 for both San Mateo neighborhoods.
Since Sunnybrae homes are larger on average than The Village properties, comparing median sales prices provides additional insight for Mid-Peninsula home buyers (see chart below).
Both The Village and Sunnybrae represent excellent opportunities for first time buyers in the San Mateo real estate market. Current market conditions suggest Sunnybrae offers exceptional value, with average price per square foot on sold single family homes down 19.1% when comparing third quarter 2022 to first quarter 2022 figures. The Village saw a more modest 8.9% decrease in the same comparison period. Median list prices on active homes in both neighborhoods remained nearly identical at just below $1,700,000, making both areas accessible for well-prepared buyers exploring Mid-Peninsula real estate listings.
Well-priced homes in these desirable San Mateo neighborhoods continue to sell relatively quickly, with some properties still receiving offers over asking price. As of the publication date, only a handful of homes were available in each neighborhood, requiring buyers to act decisively when they find the right property. Working with experienced best Realtors in the Mid-Peninsula ensures first time buyers can navigate competitive situations with confidence and strategic guidance.
Veritas Homes is a boutique residential real estate brokerage serving home buyers and sellers across San Carlos, Belmont, Redwood City, and surrounding Peninsula communities. Founded by Val Vandervort, Veritas Homes (Latin for "Truth") is committed to providing outstanding customer service with integrity at the center of everything we do. Our team also supports causes that matter to our clients through Change Homes Change Lives, donating a portion of each commission to the charity of your choice. To learn more about Mid-Peninsula real estate trends, read "Is the Mid Peninsula Real Estate Market Bouncing Back?" or explore "Resort Style Living on the San Mateo Lagoon" for waterfront home insights. Ready to explore San Mateo neighborhoods? Contact us today to begin your home buying journey with trusted local guidance.
Your source for real estate news on the San Francisco Mid Peninsula
A seasonal guide for San Carlos and Mid-Peninsula homeowners.
Why the local sports culture makes our communities special.
Spring trails reveal stunning blooms in our local nature preserves.
Mid-Peninsula residents have the best access to Bay Area adventures.
Your guide to winter and holiday fun across the Mid-Peninsula.
Your guide to the Mid-Peninsula's top dog parks, trails, and pet-friendly living.
Explore enchanting date destinations near San Carlos and the Mid-Peninsula.
How local expertise and personalized service make all the difference when choosing your Realtor.
Check out the local blend of culinary excellence and community culture.
Learn strategies from our top Mid-Peninsula Realtors to maximize your home's market appeal.
Competitive 2026 market forecasts make this holiday and winter season a great opportunity.
Outdoor recreation makes these Mid-Peninsula communities perfect for families and active lifestyles.
Saturday and Sunday markets bring Mid-Peninsula community flavor.
Holiday Cheer & Winter Fun Across the Mid-Peninsula
Calling all shoppers. If you find yourself on the San Francisco Mid Peninsula (a truly beautiful place), make sure that you peruse the shops on Burlingame Avenue in Bu… Read more
When it comes time to sell your San Francisco Mid Peninsula home, your first task should be to find an outstanding Realtor. This important professional should have amp… Read more
Understanding what is happening with the Mid Peninsula real estate market is not an easy task these days. As Realtors centered in San Carlos CA, we have felt a market … Read more
There is no doubt in my mind that San Francisco is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The rugged terrain, beautiful architecture, and gorgeous views are hard t… Read more
Val Vandervort of Veritas Homes continues the discussion with Melanie Luders of Fidelity National Title Escrow. This time they discuss escrow title fees and how they a… Read more
The Big Story Silicon Valley housing market recession? Depends on who you ask. Quick Take: Home prices fell for the first time this year, declining 2.4% month-over-mo… Read more
A Seller’s Guide for San Carlos Homeowners
Val Vandervort of Veritas Homes sat down with Melanie Luders of Fidelity National Title Escrow to discuss residential title and escrow in San Mateo County. The purpose… Read more
During my years growing up in San Mateo, I was aware of the Hiller Aviation Museum. I saw it while driving along the 101 freeway. I saw small planes flying in and out … Read more
San Mateo is a great place to live. Conveniently located on the Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, the city has an active business community, beautiful hous… Read more
The California Residential Purchase Agreement is an ever-evolving document central to purchasing residential real estate in the state of California. In addition to a p… Read more
The ideal way to meet a great Mid Peninsula Realtor® is to ask trusted friends, neighbors, or work associates for a referral. It is likely that if they had a good expe… Read more
Even though the summer heat is still upon us, it is officially back-to-school time in the Bay Area. When I was a youngster (decades ago), this rite of passage never oc… Read more
New Price! 2708 Babe Ruth Avenue, San Jose 4 Bedrooms | 2 Baths 2,082 sq ft | 6,000 sq ft lot Built in 1976 Offered at $1,698,000 Beautifully remodeled one-story home … Read more
New Price! 2634 Sequoia Way, Belmont Offered at $1,998,000 3 Bedrooms, 2 baths 1,805 sq ft (per floor plan drawing), 5,280 sq ft lot (Realist) Nestled in the hills o… Read more
San Carlos Real Estate Just Listed! 132 Winding Way, San Carlos Offered at $1,988,000 3 bedrooms | 1 Bath 1,845 Sq Ft (per floor plan drawing) | 5,073 Sq Ft Lot (per … Read more
In Escrow! 1160 Elm Street, San Carlos 3 bedrooms | 2 baths 1,350 sq ft (per assessor), 4,800 sq ft lot (per assessor) Built in 1948 Located in the popular Oak Park ne… Read more
San Mateo is a suburban center along the San Francisco Peninsula, perched between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the San Francisco Bay. With a variety of housing, strong… Read more
One of the blessings of living on the Mid-Peninsula is the prevalence of beautiful architectural homes. We have a lot of them. Whether small or large, a well-designed … Read more
Christmas is upon us. If you are like me, I’m busy buying and wrapping Christmas gifts, planning meals, and other such busy holiday activities. Sometimes it gets so bu… Read more
Self care tips and more
Where function meets beauty
We have some pretty well-recognized owners and chefs here
Top Ideas for Unforgettable Day Trips
Sharing our favorite eateries that are open on Mondays
We're sharing some local spots to check out
Honoring the City of Good Living
San Carlos Experts, Mid-Peninsula Leaders
Experience the Season Locally
You’ve got questions and we can’t wait to answer them.
