Peter Gum, Realtor - 01928396 - KW Peninsula Estates

Peter Gum, Realtor - 01928396 - KW Peninsula Estates Experienced Peninsula Residential Realtor helping Buyers/Sellers/Investors achieve financial satisfaction. Recent Chair, Burlingame Planning Commission.

(each KW office independently owned and operated) EXPERIENCE

As a Keller Williams agent who's grown up in the Bay Area and lived on the Peninsula for over 25 years, Peter Gum brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate here. It's not the same everywhere, so you need someone you can trust for up-to-date information. Here are some of the things Peter Gum can do f

or you:


Find Your Next Home

You need someone who knows this area inside and out! I can work with you to find the right home at the right price for you, including all the neighborhood amenities that matter - not to mention the essential criteria you have for your ideal home. Sell a Home

When it's time to move, you need someone who will advertise your home, show to prospective buyers, negotiate the purchase contract, arrange financing, oversee the inspections, handle all necessary paperwork and supervise the closing. I can take care of everything you need, from start to close. Consult on Home Selling Tactics

Oftentimes buyers don't visualize living in your home the way you do. I can make your home attractive to its ideal audience - which can help you get top dollar. Things like staging the home, making repairs or minor improvements, or even simply painting the walls can be the difference between a home resting on the market and one that's sold fast. Peter lives in Burlingame with his wife Judy; children Nathan and Megan attend college at Santa Barbara. He has been active in the community receiving the PTA Honorary Service Award for fundraising and volunteerism in support of Burlingame schools, Boy Scouts, church, and youth sports. He served as Chair of the Planning Commission, Sub-Chair of the County Charter Review Committee and CMO of the United Flying Club. He also received the inaugural "Gumbo Award" for outstanding service to McKinley Elementary School and the City Beautification Award for the landscaping and hardscaping he created for his first house in Redwood City



As a landlord, property investor, and Realtor, Peter offers a unique background enabling a broad consultation on remodeling, local development, landlord/tenant relations, and referrals for contractors, architects, financial/tax/legal advisors, and home service vendors. Call Peter was recent Chair, Burlingame Planning Commission; Marketing Chair, United Flying Club; sub-chair of the County Charter Review Committee. He also received the inaugural "Gumbo Award" for outstanding service to McKinley Elementary School and the City Beautification Award for the landscaping and hardscaping he created for his first house in Redwood City

09/01/2026

Home Warranties: Are They Worth It?
THIS MONTH in REAL ESTATE
Must Know Info for San Mateo County Owners & Aspiring Owners

A home warranty is a service contract designed to cover the cost of repairing or replacing household systems and appliances that fail due to normal wear and tear. Unlike homeowner’s insurance, which protects against accidents, disasters, or theft, a home warranty addresses the everyday breakdowns that naturally occur over time. The question of whether to acquire one often comes down to your home’s condition, your financial priorities, and your tolerance for risk.

Here on the Peninsula, over half our housing stock was built before 1970 and many houses retain legacy systems. Major repairs such as replacing an HVAC unit, water heater, or kitchen appliance can cost thousands of dollars. A home warranty, usually costing between $500 and $1,000 per year plus service fees, offers a safety net. For those who prefer predictable expenses over unpredictable emergencies, this arrangement can feel reassuring. Additionally, warranties simplify the repair process by connecting you directly with contractors vetted by the warranty company. You don’t need a list of trade specialists nor need you scramble to find one in a potentially time-sensitive situation.

However, the benefits come with drawbacks. Home warranties often include numerous exclusions and conditions. Claims may be denied if the company deems the problem to be pre-existing, caused by improper installation, or due to insufficient maintenance. Some homeowners report delays, limited contractor availability, or repairs that prioritize cost savings over quality. If your home is newer, or if appliances are still covered under manufacturer warranties, the extra layer of coverage may add little value.
An alternative is to establish a dedicated repair fund. By setting aside the equivalent of a warranty premium each year, you maintain full control over service providers and avoid disputes about coverage.

Ultimately, whether you should acquire a home warranty depends on your situation. If your home is older and you value financial predictability, a warranty may make sense. Should you prefer flexibility and already have newer systems, self-funding repairs may be the better option. Give me a call, tell me about your home, I’ll do a quick analysis and share my findings.

08/18/2026

THIS MONTH in REAL ESTATE YouTube Peter Gum | [email protected]
Must Know Info for San Mateo County Owners & Aspiring Owners
Visit - YouTube Peter Gum or Email - [email protected]

08/01/2026

Techies Buy Homes Without Selling Stock
ONE MINUTE in REAL ESTATE
Must Know Info for Peninsula Owners and Aspiring Owners

Techies Buy Homes Without Selling Stock

Many Silicon Valley technology, biotech, and AI employees assume that buying a home means selling a large portion of their stock holdings. Whether they hold Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), common stock in a pre-IPO company, or shares from a recent IPO, many buyers are surprised to learn that some lenders offer financing solutions that allow them to leverage their stock wealth without liquidating it.

One of the most common programs is the use of RSU income for mortgage qualification. Many jumbo lenders serving the Bay Area will consider a borrower's history of vested RSU income when determining qualifying income. This can significantly increase purchasing power compared to qualifying on salary alone. Qualification typically includes a history of RSU vesting, evidence that future grants are likely to continue, the employer's vesting schedule, stock price volatility, and the lender's specific underwriting guidelines.

Another option is an asset depletion loan. Rather than relying primarily on W-2 income, lenders evaluate a borrower's eligible liquid assets—such as stocks, bonds, and certain retirement accounts—as supplemental qualifying income. They calculate a hypothetical monthly income by applying a discount to eligible assets and amortizing the resulting value over a prescribed period, often 360 months. This can be especially helpful for employees who have accumulated substantial wealth but may not have exceptionally high salaries.

For buyers who need cash for a down payment or temporary bridge financing—perhaps during a stock blackout period or while waiting for shares to vest—many financial institutions offer Securities-Backed Lines of Credit (SBLOCs) or Pledged Asset Mortgages. These financing options allow borrowers to use their investment portfolios as collateral, providing access to cash while allowing the investments to remain invested. Unlike traditional margin loans, SBLOCs often offer more favorable borrowing terms and are specifically designed for liquidity needs rather than purchasing additional securities.

Employees of companies approaching an IPO may have even more options. Certain private banks and specialized secondary-market firms work with technology professionals anticipating a liquidity event. Some may consider an employee's existing equity position, vesting schedule, company valuation, and anticipated liquidity event as part of a broader relationship-based credit evaluation. Where permitted under company agreements and applicable transfer restrictions, specialized secondary-market firms may also facilitate the sale of vested pre-IPO shares, providing liquidity that can be used for a down payment or other home purchase expenses.

The financing concepts described above can often be customized to fit a buyer's financial situation and long-term objectives. However, borrowing against investment assets carries risks. For many Silicon Valley professionals, the question isn't whether you have enough income to buy a home—it's whether you're working with a lender who understands equity compensation.

07/06/2026

AI IPOs Already Increasing Home Prices

The Peninsula housing market has always been tied to the technology industry. Legacy IPOs of Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn suggest that today’s OpenAI and Anthropic, with valuations for each targeted at nearly $1 trillion, will result in employees acquiring substantial holdings of common stock and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), much of which will be converted into home purchasing power. While the announcements are still months away, San Francisco’s median price has already jumped over 25% from $1.7M in June 2025, to $2.2M in June 2026. In Burlingame, we just sold a home for $400,000 over the asking price.

The most noticeable impact on housing will likely occur between the $2 million to $6 million price segment in neighborhoods favored by technology professionals and where inventory continues to tighten such as Hillsborough, Burlingame, San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, and Menlo Park. Looking back at inventory from five or six years ago, the Active Number of Homes in June was in the mid-700s in San Mateo County. This month it is 522. The perfect storm of low inventory, high demand, and readily available cash requires buyers to show a strong financial position.

Employees expecting future liquidity often begin house hunting before their shares become fully tradable. Specialized lenders increasingly offer solutions that utilize Restricted Stock Units (RSU) income to qualify for a larger mortgage, generate up-front cash loans during black-out waiting periods, or enable selling shares for the down payment. And they may not need to wait for the IPO to act.

Instead of waiting for their company to go public through an official IPO, some tech employees have reportedly cashed out early through private stock buybacks by either selling their shares back to the company or to approved private investors. However, recent reports suggest that OpenAI and Anthropic (among others) have significantly restricted Private Share Trading in order to control their cap table, protect valuations, and prevent speculative exaggeration ahead of the IPO.

If you’re in the market to acquire property, whether you’re a first-time buyer, downsizing, trading up, or moving out of the area, your circumstances are unique. To learn more about the dynamic real estate financing market, and how to optimize it to suit your aspirations, reach out for a personalized answer.

06/02/2026

Remodels Trigger Code Compliance
ONE MINUTE in REAL ESTATE
Must Know Info for Homeowners and Aspiring Owners in Burlingame and San Mateo County

When homeowners plan a remodeling project, they often focus on finishes, layout changes, and construction costs. But many are surprised to learn that remodeling can also trigger mandatory building code upgrades throughout portions of the home.

One of the most common requirements involves smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Under current California Residential Code requirements, smoke alarms must generally be installed inside every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of the home. Carbon monoxide alarms are also required in homes with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages.

For cities in San Mateo County, the requirements may be stricter. In Burlingame for example, hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms with battery backup are typically required when remodeling work removes wall or ceiling finishes or when attic access makes new circuits feasible. This means projects such as kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, room additions, garage conversions, ADUs, and major electrical upgrades (like replacing knob-and-tube wiring) can often trigger the requirement.

Another major code issue involves residential fire sprinklers. Many cities require a full fire sprinkler system in an existing home when additions or alterations exceed 750 square feet or 20% of the total completed home area—whichever is greater—and the home exceeds 2,000 square feet or two stories in height.

Before beginning a remodeling project, homeowners should consult with their city Building Division to better understand potential code upgrades when reviewing plans with contractors.

By Peter Gum, Realtor KWPE 1928396

05/02/2026

Tax on Home Value Transfer to Kids
THIS MONTH in REAL ESTATE
Must Know Info for Burlingame Owners and Aspiring Owners

When it comes to helping your children financially, few assets carry as much weight—or as many tax implications—as your home.

A common question homeowners face is whether to sell the house and gift the proceeds, or transfer the property itself. At first glance, selling and giving cash seems like a clean solution. In many ways, it is—but the tax story deserves a closer look.

If you give your home directly to your children, there are generally no immediate income tax consequences for you. However, you may be required to file a gift tax return if the value exceeds annual exclusion limits, and the gift may apply against your lifetime estate and gift tax exemption. Your children will inherit your original purchase price as their tax basis (known as “carryover basis”), along with the embedded capital gain—potentially passing along significant future capital gains consequences.

If you sell your home to a third party—and pay any applicable capital gains tax—then gift the remaining proceeds to your children, they can use that money to purchase their own homes at current market prices. If and when they sell their own home, they would pay capital gains tax on the difference between what they paid for their home and what they sold it for.

Beyond capital gains tax, there is property tax to consider. Under Proposition 19, a transfer of a primary residence to a child avoids full reassessment only if the child uses the home as their principal residence. Even then, the exclusion is limited: if the market value exceeds the parent’s taxable value by more than $1 million, a partial reassessment will occur.

This discussion focuses on wealth transfer during your lifetime. If instead you hold the property until your death and pass it through your estate, your children will receive a step-up in basis to fair market value at the date of death under current law, which will eliminate capital gains tax on prior appreciation.

There are other methods of transferring your home’s wealth—such as selling directly to your children below market value or carrying the financing—that involve additional tax and legal considerations which I’ll cover at another time.

(I am a licensed Realtor for Keller Williams, not a tax professional. This information is intended for discussion, not tax advice.)

04/02/2026

Don't Throw That in the Recycling Bin!
ONE MINUTE in REAL ESTATE
Must Know Info for Burlingame Owners and Aspiring Owners

Here are the top items often placed in the wrong bin – based on local Recology guidelines:

1. Plastic Bags, Films & Soft Plastics
• Grocery bags, sandwich bags, plastic wrap, zip-top bags, and other flimsy plastics jam sorting machinery and are not recyclable. They should go in the black garbage bin or to a store bag drop-off program like that found at Safeway. Green "Compostable" bags go in the green compost bin. Glittery/metallic wrapping paper and black plastics like plant containers go in garbage.

2. Paper and Contaminated Containers
• Soiled paper towels, napkins, and greasy pizza boxes should go to the green compost bin. Containers with leftover food, grease, or liquids (bottles, mayonnaise/ketchup/sauce jars) should be wiped or rinsed out before tossing in the blue recycle bin.

3. Small Plastic Bits & Loose Small Items
• Items like straws, utensils, bottle caps, small bits of plastic, and tiny packaging pieces can slip through sorting screens or be treated as contaminants; they should go in the black garbage (landfill) bin.

4. Hangers & Tanglers
• Wire or plastic hangers, cords, hoses, and similar items can tangle in equipment, are not acceptable, and should go to the black garbage bin.

5. Hazardous or Dangerous Materials
• Batteries, light bulbs, sharp objects (like broken glass/needles), paint cans, propane tanks, and some electronics belong in special hazardous waste or e-waste programs, or delivered to Recology's free public drop-off.

6. Styrofoam & Expanded Polystyrene
• Styrofoam and other like materials need to go in the black bin or be taken to a special drop-off service location.

Miscellaneous items that are acceptable for the blue recycling bin include uncontaminated aluminum foil, printed wrapping paper, clamshell plastic containers (berries/salads), plastic toys, buckets, and storage bins.

Check local “What Goes Where” guides on Recology’s site or WhatBin.com for further information.

Address

KW Peninsula Estates 1430 Howard Avenue
Burlingame, CA
94010

Telephone

+16506273791

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