There was one room in her house that was always kept locked… It was the garage!
Thanks very much to Burbed reader nomadic for finding this fascinating property that is today’s featured house.
956 TERRA BELLA Ave, San Jose, CA 95125
$2,475,000
BEDS: 5
BATHS: 4
SQ. FT.: 5,000
$/SQ. FT.: $495
LOT SIZE: 0.36 Acres
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Tudor
STORIES: 2
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 2001
COMMUNITY: Willow Glen
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81103858
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 59 daysCustom Tudor estate close to downtown Willow Glen restaurants and shops! Formal entry has 28’ceilings, red oak hardwood floors, dramatic chandelier, formal spiral staircase. Formal dining/living rooms with wet bar over sized fireplace. Epicurean granite kitchen has top quality appliances. Expansive 2,000sf game room and 7 tandem car garage. Backyard with granite outdoor kitchen! And SO much more!
Here’s what nomadic had to say about this house:
I was checking out the most expensive houses in Willow Glen, wondering "who in their right mind would spend $2.5M to live there?" Then I found this house. This house has a seven car tandem garage. It is two cars wide. Check out the satellite view. A house perfect for the car collector who doesn’t like to enjoy their cars and just keeps them in the garage all of the time.
Okay, check out the satellite view we shall!
Looks like the garage is the same size as the entire house. Somebody had their priorities straight. And I must say, a seven car tandem garage is pretty amusing, especially because the agent called it a “7 tandem car garage.” Plus it’s got granite, both inside and outside, so you can have that bubbly mid-oughties feel. But there’s a bonus in today’s feature, one I am very excited about. I am so delighted because I get to break out the red arrows again!
Look, everyone, it’s the return of the MAWBUL KAWLUM. Even in this master bedroom picture, there are all kinds of KAWLUM-like objects.
And the rooms that spared themselves KAWLUMnosity are almost as silly. Like the dining room where the swag matches the built-in cabinets and the picture frame.
Or the wine cellar. Nothing says grapes aged to perfection like halogen track lighting and both walls and ceiling painted to match Campbell’s Cream of Tomato Soup.
And what is that in the backyard at the right rear? Looks like the covered wagon was left in place, to remind them of their pioneer roots. And they value their history so deeply they’d leave that hayseed dispenser on the grounds despite destroying the entire house and erecting this neo-Tudor with a bunch of fourdoors in the tandem garage. There’s just the littlest hint of that 7 car garage in the upper left, showing how far they’ve come from horse-drawn farm vehicles.
Update: nomadic found the link to the virtual tour, so enjoy the 7 tandem car garage!
And a “bunus” picture FTW:
March 28th, 2011 at 9:00 am
The thought of a seven car tandem garage is so laughable- especially when it could have been billed as a “home gym” or something like that. Park your two cars like normal people and have a huge area for like 4 or 5 exercise machines. Would have been a better sell than a f’ing 7 car tandem garage.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:09 am
That’s enough room to shelter your pool–and an indoor pool is a lot more appealing to most people than a seven-car garage.
But hey, if your dream house includes room to keep seven cars up on blocks, why not?
March 28th, 2011 at 9:28 am
They should have said 2 super-stretch limo garage instead. Cause whoever owns this obviously has the taste and sophistication to only ever ride around in super stretch limos. When they’re ‘dressing down’ they take the super stretch Hummer.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:28 am
Even in this master bedroom picture, there are all kinds of KAWLUM-like objects.
I believe the fancy-pants set refer to them as pilasters.
I’m bummed they didn’t include any pics of the garage.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:33 am
Shwing – virtual tour:
http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/tour.asp?idx=1&t=691221&sreferer=www.mlslistings.com&home=www.mlslistings.com&slink=-2
lol
Other Distinguished Features: Convenient location to shopping, restaurants, and highways. Two parks within walking distance. Willow Glens best coffee shop is 3 blocks away. Anderson Low E dual pane windows and solid wood doors. All closets and pantries feature California Closet organizers. House ventilation system transfers heat from 2nd floor to 1st for constant temperature…
ES – they have the exercise gear in a 2000sf attic room. Good thing they have that ventilation system ’cause I imagine it would be hot up there in summer.
This puppy has a small basement too. The garage shots are at the end.
March 28th, 2011 at 11:39 am
Pretty sure BofA will finance you as long as you make $50,000 a year. Just tell ‘em you’re heavily invested in the state of CA to the tune of $5 and reasonably expect $215 million when you hit the mega millions next drawing.
March 28th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
#6- Let me fix that part about expecting $215 million:
“Just tell ‘em … you reasonably expect $215 million when you sell.”
March 28th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Beauty, nomadic, that’s a beauty. The 7 car garage is horrific – a true waste. Who says rich people aren’t dumb?
March 28th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
That garage appeals to a very small subset of people, namely the guy who built it. And maybe his cousin. That’s it.
March 28th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Anyone remember Saturday Night Live’s Depressed Persian Tow Truck Guy? This house is waiting for him to win the lottery.
March 28th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
Great find, nomadic. I’ve added the garage to the article so everyone can enjoy it.
March 28th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Great, thank you. Now where is the coffee shop?
Willow Glens (sic) best coffee shop is 3 blocks away.
March 28th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
whoa – The washer/dryer hookup is in the famed garage? 5000sf house and you (or rather, the little woman) get cold feet running out to do the wash?
March 28th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Wow. I was expecting a double yellow line and a no passing sign. Anyone have a yellow crayon?
March 28th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Just in case you were wondering about the title for today’s article, it’s the opening voiceover. But the song is pretty good, too.
March 28th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Thanks for the extra pictures!
March 28th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
I’m thinking that if the housing bubble hadn’t burst, most Bay Area cities would be designing their firehouses in the image of this home. And, the brave inhabitants would be raking in investment banker income.
March 28th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
The garage appeals to me. I spent 1.5 years looking for a house in the Bay Area with a large garage. I finally found an 1100 sqft house with 850 sqft detached garage. This is perfect for me since I am an avid woodworker/metalworker/general tinkerer. I spend more time in the garage than in the house on many days.
March 28th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
My guess: Most people who can actually afford this home don’t tinker in the garage.
March 28th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Well, mr. madhaus loves to tinker in the garage as well, and while he would love a workspace this size for his numerous hobbies and we could afford this… as nomadic said, if you have $2.5M to spend on a house, why would you want to live in Willow Glen? This neighborhood (at these prices) only makes sense if you work in downtown San Jose and need to entertain your work colleagues and associates a lot. Otherwise, there’s a lot to choose from in Saratoga with much better schools.
March 28th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
I’ll make the correction.
Correction:
My guess: Most people who are willing and able to buy this home don’t tinker in the garage.
March 28th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
who cares what most people do? It only takes one to conclude the sale.
March 28th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
As we know, the price is based on the second buyer…
March 28th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Ah, the Tudor period. Tudor law was especially harsh on the able-bodied poor. Those who left their parishes in search of work were termed vagabonds and could be subjected to punishments, including whipping, burning, execution and being put into stocks. Wealthier boys could often afford a special friend called a ‘whipping boy’. When the rich child was naughty, it was the whipping boy who received the punishment. What childhood dramas yielded forth this fantasy of pre-industrial domination? Is there any architectural style less suited to sunny San Jose? Oh, right–glass curtain wall. What a mess!
March 28th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Imagine all the toilet paper you can store in the garage!
The (smaller) house next door sold for $1,675,000 six months ago.
March 28th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
The (smaller) house next door sold for $1,675,000 six months ago.
But where would I put my other five cars? In the street, like a savage (or Palo Altan)?
March 28th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
I got a new permanent job today, plus also a guest editorship at Burbed.. I’m riding high!
March 28th, 2011 at 10:02 pm
It’s all downhill from here on!
j/kidding
you should buy a house while you’re hot, as they say in Vegas.
March 28th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
sonarrat, great news! Now you just need to buy a million dollar home in Palo Alto. Once you do it, you won’t have any problem of getting a trophy wife. 7 year younger, 7.25 yr younger, 7.5 yr younger, 7.75 yr younger, 10 yr younger, 20 yr younger -just pick a number. Just remember, no matter how many “permanent jobs” you have, it won’t be useful unless you have “a certain combination of diploma, address, and mate”. Just kidding!
March 28th, 2011 at 10:23 pm
#29- I’m suspecting it’s that new address that did the trick.
March 28th, 2011 at 10:40 pm
My “new address” is 95136. If that’s what got me this job, then I’ll live the rest of my days here.
March 28th, 2011 at 10:50 pm
#31, great news just continues coming in for you! If moving to 95136 is what it takes, then hellooooooooo Branham!
March 28th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
sonarrat,
With a permanent job, I would save every penny and buy a house that you can afford. I’d be the first to tell you don’t aim for Palo Alto. Aim to overcome the barrier to entry. With any house you are a better catch than a renter any day.
March 28th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
sonarrat, don’t listen to amateurs. If you cannot afford Palo Alto, you can still afford a small piece of it. It’s all about choice.
March 28th, 2011 at 11:46 pm
#33 would save every penny and buy a house that #31 can afford. Wow, that’s so generous of #33 to buy #31 a house! And #31 doesn’t even have to be a Trophy Wife to get it.
March 28th, 2011 at 11:48 pm
#34,
It’s all about you making the wrong choice by throwing a flat screen TV away month after month.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:19 am
Wow, that’s so generous of #33 to buy #31 a house!
—–
I think #33 said that he is going to buy a rental property that #31 can afford to rent. But #31 needs to wait, because #33 is going to buy his rental property when Congress will pass new law to make mortgage for rental property tax deductible.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:22 am
madhaus,
I won’t take credit for being the most generous person here. That title belongs to Pralay, who gives away a flat screen TV every month.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:35 am
“With any house you are a better catch than a renter any day. ”
Lol – dating advice from real estater. He’s probably right. Chicks often dig indebted and easily manipulated people. Nearly every property owner falls into one or both of those categories.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:42 am
Wrong. Chicks dig those people are not losers. Home ownership is a sign a person has enough competency to be a provider – having enough discipline to save for a down payment, and being able to keep a roof over one’s head. Chicks don’t dig people who are still renting in their 40′s, or still living with their parents.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:44 am
Lol – dating advice from real estater. He’s probably right.
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With a proven track record. Just look at Donald Trump and his
724 year younger wife.March 29th, 2011 at 12:49 am
Home ownership is a sign a person has enough competency to be a provider
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anon, I agree with Real Estater (very rare occasion, isn’t it?). Just imagine what would happen if Real Estater didn’t own a home 15 years back? Do you any chick would date and marry him?
March 29th, 2011 at 12:53 am
Keep in mind Real Estater now has 3 homes, which he didn’t have 15 years back.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:58 am
Seems backwards to me to get the house first, then the girl. By then, you’d either get the crumbs or you’d land a materialistic witch.
March 29th, 2011 at 1:00 am
what’s next in Real Estater land – get a house first to impress your teachers and therefore land a better diploma?
March 29th, 2011 at 1:01 am
Keep in mind Real Estater now has 3 homes, which he didn’t have 15 years back.
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Too bad! If he had 3 homes 15 years back, he would have got 3 chicks already.
March 29th, 2011 at 1:10 am
what’s next in Real Estater land
—–
Get a house first before he was born so that his parents…..
It’s Terminator movie, the real estate version.
March 29th, 2011 at 1:17 am
You have to concede though, the man does have allure.
Example:
- Hey, want to check my garçonnière in Tracy? You’ll be my Trophy and I’ll be your Lambo!
Irrepressible!
March 29th, 2011 at 1:19 am
This is Burbedinator. He comes back in time to insult renters in hopes he doesn’t grow up to become one.
March 29th, 2011 at 2:14 am
“Home ownership is a sign a person has enough competency to be a provider – having enough discipline to save for a down payment, and being able to keep a roof over one’s head.”
Apparently real estater has been asleep for the past decade. Beginning sometime circa 2002, home ownership required no competence, no ability to provide, no discipline, and no savings. Earning power wasn’t even required. The only thing one needed to obtain a house was a willingness to borrow and/or lie. Even today one can obtain a 400k house for 14k down.
AS to the “and keep a roof over one’s head,” well, that’s what the rent accomplishes. And, I will tell you, it is nice to know that the physical maintenance of that roof is not my problem.
March 29th, 2011 at 6:23 am
I might buy a house, but first I’m going to start putting away the legal maximum to my 401k (hello 6% match!) and my IRA, which is looking a little barren. If I have enough left over to buy a 3-bedroom condo or a little house, then that’s all I need.
March 29th, 2011 at 8:37 am
Awesome! I hope that Realtors (with a capital R) start to use this one in their ads: Yes! I want a girlfriend! Like that Conan O Brien joke about Paul Allen buying a MIG fighter jet: “If this doesn’t get me laid, I give up.”
March 29th, 2011 at 8:39 am
“but first I’m going to start putting away the legal maximum to my 401k (hello 6% match!)”
Our resident Real Estate expert would probably tell you that a 6% match is a one-time event, but RBA housing price appreciation is forever. And besides, there’s nothing better than paying property taxes that amounts to a flat screen television every month. If Real Estater really did own three houses, he’d be giving away what amounts to three flat screen televisions every month.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:51 am
“Keep in mind Real Estater now has 3 homes, which he didn’t have 15 years back. ”
This statement is hilarious.
Which position is superior:
A: 3 homes with negative equity like real estater (every purchase starts here due to the costs associated with transacting property)
B: 1 home with $0.01 equity
?
March 29th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
I hope that Realtors (with a capital R) start to use this one in their ads:
—-
Alternately, Century 21 should replace “Susanne researched this” commercial with following one:
Buy home. Susanne The Chick will find you competent enough to keep roof over her head.
March 29th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Heh. Maybe an alternate wording:
Buy a house. Because some dumb [removed by madhaus] might think it bears some relevance as to your ability to provide.
March 29th, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Trophies want STUFF, anon. Lots and lots of stuff.