Welcome to Day 2 of San Jose week!

377 Serrano Ave, San Jose, CA 95127 Alum Rock MLS# 80752661 - Property Details

$449,000

* Status: Active
* Bedroom: 2
* Bathroom: 1
* Year Built: 1952
* Lot Size: 7074
* Square Footage: 950
* List Date: 9/18/2007
* Garage Spaces: 2
* MLS#: 80752661
GOOD HOME FOR TWO(2)FAMILIES TO LIVE TOGETHER BUT INDEPENDENTLY & MORE PRIVACY.MAIN UNIT CONVERTED TO 3BEDROOMS WITHOUT PERMIT.GARAGE CONVERSION WITH 2BEDROOMS I BATH DONE BY PREVIOUS OWNER WITHOUT PERMIT.FUTURE OWNER MAY LIVE IN ONE UNIT & RENT REAR UNIT FOR EXTRA INCOME TO HELP PAY MORTGAGE.HUGE SIZE LOT WITH PLENTY OF PARKING SPACES.

Come celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley! When you buy this house, you can live together but with privacy. Silicon Valley is famous for its strong family values, and this house definitely shares those as well.

But wait… it gets even better, there’s amazing extra equity involved! Let’s check the big Z:

ZESTIMATE®: $356,500

Sold 08/19/2008: $356,400

Wowsers! This was just sold recently! But no matter, their pain is your gain. Boom you can now have $92k in instant equity by buying this house. And then, you’ll be able to rent out that extra house for what… $1500? $2000 a month? (Rent is soaring, haven’t you heard?)

The deals these days… it’s simply amazing. Wow - the money to made around here is simply amazing.

BOOM times are just around the corner - now’s the time to get yourself in on this deal you investor you.

FARGO Ave (Unable to map) San Leandro, CA 94579
Price: $430,000

Beds:     5
Baths:     2
Sq. Ft.:     1,862
$/Sq. Ft.:     $231
Lot Size:     7,735 Sq. Ft.
Age (Years):    60
Year Built:    1948
Type:    Detached Single Family
Style:    Ranch
Stories:    1 Story
View(s):    Neighborhood
Neighborhood:    Alameda County
County:     Alameda
MLS#:     80813184

Fixer-upper
Needs your TLC. This is your chance to own a PRICED-TO-SELL-FAST home conveniently located near freeways, fire station, schools, restaurants & shops, but bring your toolbox because this house needs some work. This is great for big family having a big backyard, bonus bedroom and bathroom and in a quiet neighbohood. A once in a lifetime opportunity. Desperate owner needs action!

Burbed generally doesn’t venture much into the East Bay, after all it is fly over land. That said, Burbed reader James sent this great find in.

Usually Realtors, professionals at the craft of prose and poetry write in such amazing language that it takes scholars years to decrypt the hidden meaning.

This Realtor is clearly aiming at the common man. He’s helping make housing accessible to everyone. “Located near freeways, fire station” - the honest is refreshing. “Desperate owner needs action!” - wow, now the realtor is headed in the risque direction. Very bold. Very very bold.

Props to you for this literary work. People will be discussing this for years. Thanks James for this find!

372 Arleta Ave, San Francisco, CA 94134 Visitacion Valley MLS# 346045 - Property Details
$429,000

* Status: Active
* Bedroom: 1
* Bathroom: 1
* Year Built: 1947
* Lot Size: N/A
* Square Footage: 460
* List Date: 8/21/2008
* Garage Spaces: 1

This is a conservatorship sale subject to court confirmation. Fixer upper. Enter at your own risk. 50 x 100 lot with small home and older garage. Property to be delivered as is, loaded with the personal property and effects of the decedent left in place. Some view toward south bay.

Well… so far not too bad. Some view of the bay, free personal property, small hill.

Let’s look at some more pictures shall we?

Um…

Uh…

Er…

Eh…

Huh…

So… $429,000 for this. Ok, I can see that. Maybe you can clean this up a little (Junk King anyone?) and flip it for $800k. After all, it’s San Francisco - and they’re not making anymore San Francisco (except where they are.)

Frankly though, I’m simply amazed by this - and I bet you are too. I thank the two Burbed readers who sent me this (Heather and sonarrat) for this find.

Now… it’s Friday, and that means only one thing - story writing contest!

Who amongst you can come up with the most clever story to explain this fine piece of Real Bay Area Real Estate? Was there another earthquake? Corporate shake up? Let’s hear it!

427 Commercial Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080 MLS# 80823291 - Property Details

$499,000

* Status: Active
* Bedroom: 2
* Bathroom: 1
* Year Built: 1910
* Lot Size: 3000
* Square Footage: 1000
* List Date: 7/22/2008
* Garage Spaces: 1

* MLS#: 80823291
Starter home with new paint and carpets. 2BD/1 BA home with detached 1 car garage. Additional uncovered parking at back of house. Perfect for investors or contractor’s looking for a light remodel. Close proximity to the shops and restaurants of Grand Avenue. Also close to freeway access for easy commute to City or South Bay.

If you ask me, I sort of wonder if this house is actually detached.

That said, this house is near super star Genentech - which once acquired by Roche for $200 per share, will instantly cause the RE market in South San Francisco to soar. Just think about all the new millionaire employees that will be generated. Plus, think of all the expansion and hiring they will do.

Personally, to me, the biggest draw is that this is near the shops and restaurants of Grand Avenue. Wow. Grand Avenue. I mean, it’s so…. uh… grand!

With the money you’ll be making from buying this house, you’ll be able to invite your neighbors (whom you will know rather well) out to dinner all the time!

Bernal Heights Real Estate: 339 Crescent Ave at home-SanFrancisco.com
339 Crescent Ave
2 Bedrooms

1 Bath
approx 750 Sq ft

$449,000

Look at the price.Contractor’s special. Located on a level 25×100 RH-2 lot. This is a fixer not for the faint of heart. Needs extensive renovation with plenty of deferred maintenance. This is a tremendous opportunity for handy person or the savvy developer. Currently occupied but will be delivered vacant. Please make appointment. Owner reserve the right to accept or reject any or all offers.

Listing firm: Smith R.E., Michael (MLS Only); Listing agent: Michael R Smith NM.

Burbed reader Mia wanted to share this with everyone. Sure it might collapse, but just think, if it does, you instantly get a lot where you can build 2 new homes. Spend a few bucks more and boom - you’ve got $2-3 million dollars worth of real estate.

Or, I suppose, you could just clean this unit up a little and live in it. You might even be able to write a book and get a deal out of it: “Falling down in Bernal Heights - a year of instant equity”.

I’m telling yah, at $449,000, this is yet another clear sign that the bottom has been reached. Just think of all the possibilities.

Frankly, I’m surprised Mia didn’t snap this up for herself - but thanks for sharing Mia!

185 DALE DR, San Jose 95127 (San Jose)
$499,888 Beds: 2 bed(s) Baths: 1 bath(s)    MLS: 80768953

Property Overview
185 DALE DR
San Jose (San Jose) 95127
Detached Single Family (Class 1)
Bed/Bath:    2 / 1
SqFt:    1,028
Lot:    18,295 sq ft
Yr Built / Age:    1932 / 76 years
List Price:    $499,888
Assoc Fee:
Remarks
This unique house is ready to move in conditions, two bedrooms and one full bathroom two car garge with a nice espacius workshop with electric power, with 1028 sqft of living space and parcial basement. Don’t miss this oportunity to own this property, located in a nice area. Call for more Informacion.(As is Sale)

You see them all the time. Cookie cutter McMansions that have the same mute tones, and no personality whatsoever.

This house, on the other hand, really stands out. With a fence that can impale, the paint alone says: “Look at me, I’m special! I’m unique!”

Nothing will ring in your head like pride of ownership like this amazing charm. Here, let’s look at another glamour shot:

Wowser! It’s like walking into Tiffany’s and being surrounded by… Tiffany’s!

If you don’t call this house a jewel, I don’t know what your tastes are.

Property Detail
Offered at $429,000
1552 ALCATRAZ AVE  BERKELEY, CA 94703

6BD/2BA former residential care facility located on Alcatraz in Berkeley. The bldg. may be able to be converted to a lrg (2195 sq ft) home or multi-units (chk w/city), or operated as a nursing or boarding home (its current zoning). Lrg. lot (6450 sq ft), bonus rms, 2-car garage. Needs rehab.

Believe it or not, this is actually the first home in Berkeley ever featured on Burbed. Thanks to Burbed reader mrbogue for this find (sorry it took me so long to post it!)

Burbed doesn’t know much about Berkeley, other than it’s the other pillar of the Smart People factory that the Bay Area is. So, help me out… is this a good deal or not? Could you rent this to 24 undergrads to turn a profit?

616 Cypress Ave, Sunnyvale 94085
$450,000

* Status: Active
* Bedroom: 3
* Bathroom: 1
* Year Built: 1955
* Lot Size: 5000
* Square Footage: 1008
* List Date: 2/24/2008
* Garage Spaces: 2
* MLS#: 780135

Nice home in a great location, hardwood floors throughout. Great for first time buyer, home needs a little love, easy access to 101. WASHING MACHINE, DRYER,REFRIGERATOR, AND KITCHEN CABINETS INCLUDED IN LISTING PRICE.

Does this house look familiar? It should! It was just featured here on Burbed not too long ago!

Last sold on 02/22/2006 for $620,000, this owner has an amazing value proposition for you: not only will you get $170,000 in instant equity, but you will also get the washer, the dryer, the refrigerator, and the kitchen cabinets.

Most first time buyers don’t know this, but often times, the kitchen cabinets aren’t included. You get the keys, you move in, and you’re like “Oh shit! Where do I put the dishes? The kitchen cabinets are gone!”

This seller is bending over backwards my friends. Squeezing blood from a turnip. Doing what it takes to make you the buyer happy. He’s even throwing in the kitchen cabinets along with the $170k in instant equity. What more do you want?

And, it still has lots of room for your fleet of cars!