Comments on: Groceries cost 14% more in the Bay Area than Seattle or Washington DC http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/ SF Bay Area Real Estate, Home Price and Mortgage Insanity Blog - Burbed.com Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:32:32 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Pralay http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48119 Pralay Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:32:00 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48119 <i>Some of us also get airline miles and hotel points.</i> ----- That sounds sooooo on-topic! What do you do with miles and points? Buy grocery? :) Some of us also get airline miles and hotel points.
—–

That sounds sooooo on-topic! What do you do with miles and points? Buy grocery? :)

]]> By: zanon http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48111 zanon Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:05:17 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48111 RE actually makes a good point. about 6 weeks ago, the airport suddenly went from empty to packed (I go through SFO every week). Not just here either, also on the other side. RE actually makes a good point. about 6 weeks ago, the airport suddenly went from empty to packed (I go through SFO every week). Not just here either, also on the other side.

]]> By: Axxel http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48107 Axxel Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:48:07 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48107 > Many in the Bay Area get free drinks at work. Wow, <a href='http://members.microsoft.com/careers/mslife/benefits/plan.mspx' rel="nofollow">I'm sure that's something that only happens in the RBA</a>. > Google employees get free dinner. Good to know that <a href='http://www.google.com/support/jobs/bin/static.py?page=loc.html&loc_id=1100&dep_id=1173&by_loc=1' rel="nofollow">Google only has offices and cafeterias in the RBA</a>. > Some of us also get airline miles and hotel points. It's true, business travel in the US is only done to and from the Bay Area. In fact, credit cards with travel points are uniquely RBA and not generally available to every American with a pulse. > Many in the Bay Area get free drinks at work.

Wow, I’m sure that’s something that only happens in the RBA.

> Google employees get free dinner.

Good to know that Google only has offices and cafeterias in the RBA.

> Some of us also get airline miles and hotel points.

It’s true, business travel in the US is only done to and from the Bay Area. In fact, credit cards with travel points are uniquely RBA and not generally available to every American with a pulse.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48103 Kevin Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:19:23 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48103 "In the rest of the country, it costs 100-150 $/sf to build, but in the RBA somehow wood, drywall and nails cost so much more and can’t be simply transported in." The actual cost of materials isn't appreciably higher, but the cost of labor is a lot higher, as are permits. However, that doesn't explain appraisals. I was recently looking at a house that was listed for $599k. It was a 3 bedroom place, around 1400sq ft, that had been recently remodeled. It's appraised value put the building at $280k and the balance in the land. A nearly identical home anywhere else would have seen the building appraised for less than half of that. I can totally understand the higher value of land. It makes complete sense -- but why do buildings become more valuable just by virtue of where they're located? Is the plywood of a higher quality? Is the drywall magic? “In the rest of the country, it costs 100-150 $/sf to build, but in the RBA somehow wood, drywall and nails cost so much more and can’t be simply transported in.”

The actual cost of materials isn’t appreciably higher, but the cost of labor is a lot higher, as are permits.

However, that doesn’t explain appraisals.

I was recently looking at a house that was listed for $599k. It was a 3 bedroom place, around 1400sq ft, that had been recently remodeled.

It’s appraised value put the building at $280k and the balance in the land.

A nearly identical home anywhere else would have seen the building appraised for less than half of that.

I can totally understand the higher value of land. It makes complete sense — but why do buildings become more valuable just by virtue of where they’re located? Is the plywood of a higher quality? Is the drywall magic?

]]> By: DreamT http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48099 DreamT Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:37:28 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48099 Irvine, do you mean John Wayne/Santa Ana? That airport is never packed, even after labor day. Even San Jose is busier. Irvine, do you mean John Wayne/Santa Ana? That airport is never packed, even after labor day. Even San Jose is busier.

]]> By: Real Estater http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48098 Real Estater Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:20:53 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48098 The above list is misleading. Many in the Bay Area get free drinks at work. Google employees get free dinner. Some of us also get airline miles and hotel points. For example, I'm prepping for another business trip (to OC). Will definitely check out Irvine. From what I've seen, airport is packed. Lots of folks are traveling despite the downturn. The above list is misleading. Many in the Bay Area get free drinks at work. Google employees get free dinner. Some of us also get airline miles and hotel points. For example, I’m prepping for another business trip (to OC). Will definitely check out Irvine. From what I’ve seen, airport is packed. Lots of folks are traveling despite the downturn.

]]> By: Axxel http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48097 Axxel Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:36:32 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48097 It's a little known fact that <a href="http://agr.wa.gov/AgInWA/" rel="nofollow">Washington is a barren wasteland</a>. Incapable of growing <a href="http://seattlefarmersmarkets.org/" rel="nofollow">local produce of any kind</a>. All food must be transported in from California, which, given the vast distances involved, probably takes weeks, right? I hear the ethylene gas used to warehouse ripen Burbed's "Red Roma Tomato" is better here too. Seriously folks, local food in the Bay Area is quite good, but its not unique. It’s a little known fact that Washington is a barren wasteland. Incapable of growing local produce of any kind. All food must be transported in from California, which, given the vast distances involved, probably takes weeks, right? I hear the ethylene gas used to warehouse ripen Burbed’s “Red Roma Tomato” is better here too.

Seriously folks, local food in the Bay Area is quite good, but its not unique.

]]> By: no estater http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48094 no estater Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:27:55 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48094 #11 - steve, Los Altos is just clearing out "dead wood." Obviously those folks didn't deserve to live in the RBA. #11 – steve, Los Altos is just clearing out “dead wood.” Obviously those folks didn’t deserve to live in the RBA.

]]> By: rick http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48093 rick Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:47:15 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48093 Um, yeah our groceries are grown local, even groceries in Washington is probably grown here though, we make up 1/3 of the produce in the US. Um, yeah our groceries are grown local, even groceries in Washington is probably grown here though, we make up 1/3 of the produce in the US.

]]> By: steve http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48092 steve Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:51:14 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48092 a little icing for your 4th of july cupcakes: <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Menlo-Park/435-Blake-St-94025/home/1259752" rel="nofollow">435 BLAKE St</a> Menlo Park, CA 94025 Beds: 3 Baths: 3 Sq. Ft.: 1,538 $/Sq. Ft.: $1,167 Lot Size: 8,250 Sq. Ft. Jun 26, 2009 Listed $1,795,000 Mar 30, 2007 Sold $2,005,000 Aug 10, 2005 Sold $1,375,000 Apr 12, 1996 Sold $530,000 Wow! 2005 buyer was a genius. No loan docs on file, so I don't think it is a short sale. Not to go all RE on you, but if this moves north of $1.5M I'd view it as a sign of strength. a little icing for your 4th of july cupcakes:

435 BLAKE St Menlo Park, CA 94025
Beds: 3
Baths: 3
Sq. Ft.: 1,538
$/Sq. Ft.: $1,167
Lot Size: 8,250 Sq. Ft.

Jun 26, 2009 Listed $1,795,000
Mar 30, 2007 Sold $2,005,000
Aug 10, 2005 Sold $1,375,000
Apr 12, 1996 Sold $530,000

Wow! 2005 buyer was a genius. No loan docs on file, so I don’t think it is a short sale. Not to go all RE on you, but if this moves north of $1.5M I’d view it as a sign of strength.

]]> By: steve http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48091 steve Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:42:34 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48091 one to watch in PA. despite the market this one will likely double in 10. <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Palo-Alto/2340-Dartmouth-St-94306/home/967466" rel="nofollow">2340 DARTMOUTH St</a> Palo Alto, CA 94306 Beds: 2 Baths: 1 Sq. Ft.: 1,088 $/Sq. Ft.: $1,190 Lot Size: 6,250 Sq. Ft. DOM:10 Jun 24, 2009 Listed $1,295,000 Jun 23, 1999 Sold $575,000 seems like a clean apple from the photos one to watch in PA. despite the market this one will likely double in 10.

2340 DARTMOUTH St Palo Alto, CA 94306
Beds: 2
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft.: 1,088
$/Sq. Ft.: $1,190
Lot Size: 6,250 Sq. Ft.
DOM:10

Jun 24, 2009 Listed $1,295,000
Jun 23, 1999 Sold $575,000

seems like a clean apple from the photos

]]> By: steve http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48090 steve Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:37:43 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48090 an unhappy 4th in LAH: <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Los-Altos/27741-Elena-Rd-94022/home/1174883" rel="nofollow">27741 ELENA Rd</a> Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 DOM: 12 Jun 22, 2009 Listed $1,089,000 (REO Jun 03, 2009 Sold $1,337,419 (foreclosure) Mar 22, 2007 Sold $1,805,000 (resale) Jun 29, 2005 Sold $1,635,000 (resale) that's $468K in down lost by the 2007 buyer and a min of $200K lost by WaMu an unhappy 4th in LAH:

27741 ELENA Rd Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
DOM: 12

Jun 22, 2009 Listed $1,089,000 (REO
Jun 03, 2009 Sold $1,337,419 (foreclosure)
Mar 22, 2007 Sold $1,805,000 (resale)
Jun 29, 2005 Sold $1,635,000 (resale)

that’s $468K in down lost by the 2007 buyer and a min of $200K lost by WaMu

]]> By: anon http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48089 anon Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:24:22 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48089 Safeway's become a retail business. Their markups are as high as mall stores... Safeway’s become a retail business.

Their markups are as high as mall stores…

]]> By: burbed http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48087 burbed Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:32:11 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48087 <i>Our produce is grown locally, so is of much higher quality.</i> At Safeway? <i>Madeleine cookies? For a July 4th BBQ? Are you a girlie man?</i> It was really hard to find cookies that weren't on sale at one of the 3 safeways I compared. Our produce is grown locally, so is of much higher quality.

At Safeway?

Madeleine cookies? For a July 4th BBQ? Are you a girlie man?

It was really hard to find cookies that weren’t on sale at one of the 3 safeways I compared.

]]> By: nomadic http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48085 nomadic Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:43:08 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48085 Oh, I thought a "grocerant" was a rant about how your local grocer screws up. Like when I go to my Safeway and they're out of friggin' bananas! :-) Oh, I thought a “grocerant” was a rant about how your local grocer screws up. Like when I go to my Safeway and they’re out of friggin’ bananas!

:-)

]]> By: Steve Johnson http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48080 Steve Johnson Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:44:20 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48080 Grocery stores are now turning into food asembley plants were consumers go in and pick from a variety of ready to eat or ready to heat food components to take home and place on the table. In other words they are becoming Grocerants. Most consumers do not cook them simply assemble meal s particularly Monday – Friday. Lets look at prepared food ready to eat next time; that is how america is eating. Grocery stores are now turning into food asembley plants were consumers go in and pick from a variety of ready to eat or ready to heat food components to take home and place on the table. In other words they are becoming Grocerants. Most consumers do not cook them simply assemble meal s particularly Monday – Friday. Lets look at prepared food ready to eat next time; that is how america is eating.

]]> By: Fourth of Julyer http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48079 Fourth of Julyer Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:46:27 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48079 "Our unskilled day laborers aren’t just going to give away their unskilled labor in the RBA! Instead of 5 bucks an hour, it’s 20 bucks an hour!" Yep, and unlike most of the country, ours are undocumented. “Our unskilled day laborers aren’t just going to give away their unskilled labor in the RBA! Instead of 5 bucks an hour, it’s 20 bucks an hour!”

Yep, and unlike most of the country, ours are undocumented.

]]> By: zanon http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48078 zanon Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:29:40 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48078 Not a good comparison, burbed. Our produce is grown locally, so is of much higher quality. Not a good comparison, burbed.

Our produce is grown locally, so is of much higher quality.

]]> By: Herve Estater http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48077 Herve Estater Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:05:38 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48077 Madeleine cookies? For a July 4th BBQ? Are you a girlie man? Madeleine cookies? For a July 4th BBQ? Are you a girlie man?

]]> By: steve http://www.burbed.com/2009/07/03/groceries-cost-14-more-in-the-bay-area-than-seattle-or-washington-dc/#comment-48076 steve Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:59:13 +0000 http://www.burbed.com/?p=3610#comment-48076 after all, they have mortgages to pay after all, they have mortgages to pay

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