2166 UNIVERSITY Ave
East Palo Alto, CA 94303

$650,000

Well well well. What do we have here.

Are you ready for the end of the world? Do you own this home? Hint: The answers are connected.

In particular, I love the idea that this place has a 3 car garage with half bath. Now that’s a survivalist ready for action.

I bet that wood fence is actually hardened steel with a birch veneer (from Ikea).You should see if you can get the survivalist vehicles that are parked there to be included with the house!

Are you ready for the end of times? Well, if you had this house, you would.

Housing at Mayfield mall site dumped for offices 

After almost a decade of contentious planning and untold millions to design, the 27-acre housing community planned for the Mayfield Mall site has been ditched for a $90 million deal to re-use the existing buildings as an office campus.

Congratulations to the citizens of Mountain View! You are victorious!

You stood tall and proud in the face of evil developers who threatened to add more housing to the Real Bay Area.

You fought valiantly at efforts to reduce commute times and potentially prevent housing prices from eternally going up.

You held your ground when confronted with the threat of allowing more people to live in your city.

Kudos to you Mountain View citizens. Kudos to you!

And kudos to the commenters of the Mountain View Voice website! Like this one!

Bravo to office space vs. housing and all the traffic that would bring. What a lot of wasted time and money over this past decade trying to fight the housing development(s). Went to a lot meetings at City Hall to fight the developments and did not feel our council members did enough for the existing neighborhood. Am very grateful the existing structure will be reused and that our beautiful trees will remain. I hope traffic through our neighborhood will be kept to a minimum. The old Mall/HP campus is lovely when the trash is picked up and and the weeds are kept down.

Because nothing says less traffic like more office space!

Like any long-running blog, Burbed has developed a few inside jokes.  One of them is our fondness of the most important element in classical architecture.  That’s right.  Mawbul Kawlums.  (And if you haven’t seen this video yet, please go watch it, because it’s a classic.  Ha ha!  Classic, get it?) 

Ever since we featured this empty spec house, Burbed readers have asked for more homes in KawlumVision.  Today’s featured listing says “Break out the red arrows!”

Thanks very much to Burbed reader Swan for this super structure in Saratoga at an even more super price!

13815 PIERCE Rd
Saratoga, CA 95070
$6,988,000

BEDS: 6
BATHS: 5.5
SQ. FT.: 8,000
$/SQ. FT.: $874
LOT SIZE: 1.87 Acres
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Mediterranean
STORIES: 2
VIEW: Mountains
YEAR BUILT: 2008
COMMUNITY: Saratoga
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81215397
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 13 days

This elegant 8000+/- sf Italian Villa on 1.5+/- view acres will awaken all your senses. The elaborate paver driveway with 3 entrances leads you to a beautifully designed front steps and door. Great curb appeal! The 3 levels include an excellent open floor plan with 6 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, Brasilian Cherry hardwood floors, marble bathrooms, spiral staircase, Best Anderson windows and More!

Here’s why Swan shared this home with all of you:

I am in mawbul kawlum heaven!

Kawlums in front, kawlums at the garage, kawlums in the entry hall, kawlums in the master bath, kawlums in back, kawlums at the gazebo!

Are there enough red arrows in the world for this home?

This house may very well have broken the Burbed KawlumVision generator, because there actually are kawlums hiding behind other kawlums.  We assure you that every single red arrow in the big picture above is pointing to a unique kawlum. It’s just that some of them are shy.

You can see the wallflower kawlums from this slightly different angle of the façade, available from this home’s virtual tour. Plus it also has the aforementioned garage kawlums. 

The MLS listing has 14 yummy pictures, many of them with kawlums to drool over.  But if you can’t get enough kawlumnage, plus more eye-popping “They put that in there?” you simply must check out the tour as well.  And bring your red arrows.

Remember, nothing says “Rich people live here” like mawbul kawlums.  Well, that and a $7 million listing price.

Areas close to the high-tech jobs are so desirable right now, homes for sale there are snapped up before the seller finishes signing the contract with an agent.  Meanwhile, far-flung exurbs are not doing as well.  Commuting an hour, or even more, is not desirable to most buyers with Silicon Valley jobs.

So what about the places that are still within what we think of as Silicon Valley, but aren’t a relatively easy commute to the job centers?  What if those areas were Foreclosure Central during the credit crunch?  What if some of the residents in those neighborhoods aren’t exactly Junior League material? Let’s take a look at such a big lot Berryessa listing from Burbed reader Tracy Tea House.

1199 PIEDMONT Rd
San Jose, CA 95132
$748,800

BEDS: 3
BATHS: 2
SQ. FT.: 1,448
$/SQ. FT.: $517
LOT SIZE: 0.46 Acres
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Ranch
STORIES: 1
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 1956
COMMUNITY: Berryessa
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81214183
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 20 days

LARGE LOT, Value in land, city allowed to build 3 houses couple years ago, contact city to verify status of approval. Near Piedmont high, Piedmont Middle, elementary school and library. It is very rare to find large lot like this in North Valley. Check with City to explore other possibility. VERY LARGE DOG, DO NOT DISTURB OCCUPANT, DO NOT ENTER PROPERTY. WRITE OFFER SUBJECT TO INSPECTION

Since you won’t be entering the property (VERY LARGE DOG, DO NOT DISTURB OCCUPANT), good thing this home listing has 24 pictures.  Here a few of our favorites.

24 pictures of the same six parts of the outside of the house.  But the good thing about these photos is you can play Where’s Waldo with them, assuming Waldo’s the name of the VERY LARGE DOG.

There are a number of ways to measure whether a market is favoring buyers or sellers.  Right now, it’s Spring selling season, and the buyers are definitely out there.  It’s a challenging time to buy, because there’s much less for sale.  So is it really a sellers’ market, or are the sellers waiting until prices go up even more?

Today’s find from Burbed reader Petsmart Groomer shows that even an unloved listing will find a suitor in this market.  This home went pending last week after a price reduction, and the agent promptly pulled the photos down.  But that didn’t stop us from checking every real estate site until we found them for you.  Today’s I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-violating-their-MLS-contract site is ZipRealty!

179 HAMWOOD TER
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94043
Listed for $849,999, reduced from $869,000

3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom, 0.0 partial bath, 1,612 square feet, Single Family

Lot Size: 1,742

Year Built: 2007

Neighborhood: North Whisman

School District: Mountain View Whisman Elementary School District, Mountain View-Los Altos Union School District

FIPS: 06085

APN: 160-81-013

Source: Public Records
Walk Score^®: 43

This is a Single Family home located at 179 HAMWOOD TER, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA. 179 HAMWOOD TER has 3 bedrooms, 3.5 full bathrooms, 0.0 partial bathrooms, and approximately 1612 square feet. The property has a lot size of 1742 square feet and was built in 2007.

We found the photos, but there’s no listing copy, just boilerplate assembled by a computer.  Although several living, breathing Real Estate Professionals could have come up with “has 3.5 full bathrooms, 0.0 partial bathrooms.”

The reason PG sent in this home (other than this excellent photo of the spacious deck) is that the house previously sold near the peak of the bubble market.  2008 was post-peak for most areas except the Special parts.  We’d have to look at the other first-time sales in this development to determine if this was as rich as it got.

Sold on June 18, 2008 for $820k and it is now on the market for $869k. Anybody thinks it has gone up $49k since 4 years ago? Or is it just in hope of breaking even after commission?

You mean It was on the market for $869K!  At the reduced price the FBs won’t break even, unless they had a pet agent who would sell the house for free.

Even the homes that weren’t selling are now selling.  And this one is full of location win.

Close to freeway, tasty street name, conveniently located steps from historic Superfund sites, what more could anyone ask for?

Yesterday we suggested you could spend more than two million dollars on an empty spot of land in the middle of flipping nowhere.  Today we’re also flipping, with a quick-turnaround sale found by Burbed reader Mr. Kiasu.  Oh, and did we mention that the market is hot, hot hot?  Except for here.

1448 FOWLER Ln
Los Altos, CA 94024
$2,665,000, reduced from $2,995,000, reduced from $3,295,000

BEDS: 6
BATHS: 3.5
SQ. FT.: 4,876
$/SQ. FT.: $547
LOT SIZE: 0.35 Acres
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STORIES: 2
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 1900
COMMUNITY: South of El Monte
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81211504
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 36 days

Turnkey 1900 Craftsman style Plantation home. .. own a piece of LA History. Poss Mills Act Tax Savings. 4800sf + 1800sf basement. Updated w/ new kitchen w/ marble countertops, remodeled baths and wood floors throughout. Newer fndtn, new copper plumbing, upgraded elect. panels, new zoned heating. Expansive back yard w/ pool & large lawn. Great cul-de-sac w/ LA Schools. Poss Seller financing options.

Here’s why Mr. Kiasu thought you’d like to see this home on the front page.

Spring bounce in Los Altos!

Bought in oct 2011 for 1.5, now on sale for 3.29.

Probably a flip but we’d need to see the pictures for last October I guess. Neighbors are all in the 1.5 range.

No history before the October sale, so maybe it’s been in the same family since 1900.

Wait, $3.29?  Not anymore.  Now it’s $2.65.  And still very much for sale.  Even with all those mawbul kawlums.  How could that be?  It’s on a cul-de-sac and there’s a gate to keep out the riffraff and everything.

Fortunately, the old pictures are still available for our perusal, so thank you Redfin!  Here’s a lovely pair from the old and the new of the same room.  Do you think they replaced the pool table?  Which one is the new sale?

Yes, comparing the old and the new listing photos really is something.  For example, just a quick glance led to this find of bunus kawlums not available in the current listing!  So it definitely pays to check selling history when looking at a property listing.  That’s when you notice how many things in this house haven’t been updated and then wonder how the seller can justify more than doubling the price on this flip.  We can see just how successful that gambit was.

Now sit back and listen to some really annoying light jazz while you enjoy the virtual tour.

Thanks very much to Burbed reader steve for calling this house out in comments.  Yes, an actual house (not a condo!  not a townhouse!) in 94301 in a nice area (not near train tracks!  not on or near El Camino or any other busy street!)  This was a fine find requiring an official site visit with some custom photos you won’t see on the listing.  Plus, it’s about time we featured another pink house.

And since it’s in Palo Alto (hot! hot! hot!), it’s probably pending already, despite this article being written up the night of the Open House (4/29).

746 HOMER Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301
$838,000

BEDS: 2
BATHS: 1
SQ. FT.: 660
$/SQ. FT.: $1,270
LOT SIZE: 1,960 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Cottage/Bungalow
STORIES: 1
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 1926
COMMUNITY: Community Center
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81215282
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 4 days

Tucked away in Community Center end of cul de sac, Palo Alto. A charming 1926 remodeled bungalow Fondly referred to as the "Pink Bungalow" it has 660 interior sq ft, 1,960 ext sq ft, 2 br & 1 ba. fully remodeled, hardwood floors! Tranquil and peaceful yet blocks to Downtown Palo Alto. Addison, Jordan and Paly

Look at those incredible schools.  Whoever buys this house can fill it to the brim with kids to take advantage of Addison, Jordan, and Paly.

There is actually a driveway for this house, which I had seriously doubted after seeing how small the lot is (1,960 ext sq ft).  However, that picture above doesn’t really do justice to how useful that “garage” is.  Have a look with an actual non-1926 vehicle parked in front to get a sense of scale.

Much more photos after the break!

(more…)

Remember the above and remember it well if you are trying to buy or sell a house.  Here’s an example from Los Gatos from Burbed reader nomadic!  Thanks very much.

Remember, if you have a listing that you think belongs on the front page, please send it in to one of our emails on the right hand column.  “Bunus” points if you let us know why you’re sharing it.

104 HARWOOD Ct
Los Gatos, CA 95032
$2,099,000

BEDS: 4
BATHS: 4
SQ. FT.: 4,146
$/SQ. FT.: $506
HOA DUES: $23/month
LOT SIZE: 1.01 Acres
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Tudor
STORIES: 2
VIEW: City Lights
YEAR BUILT: 1981
COMMUNITY: Los Gatos/Monte Sereno
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81146396
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Pending Without Release
ON REDFIN: 177 days

JUST REDUCED PRICE by $400k!Enjoy striking 180 degree views from this hilltop Tudor mansion. Formal dining room has sculptured ceilings, soffet, hrdwd floors. Kitchen open & bright w/ walnut plank wood floors. Freshly painted interior. Approx. 350sft studio (could be additional 2 car garage)Backyard has wrap around deck, built in spa, garden, landscaped w/ many fruit trees. Top Union Schl

Here’s what nomadic had to say when sending in this 834-square-feet-too-small-to-merit-the-ginormous-tag tumor.

Check out the last 3 pictures in this listing (#23-25).

“Agent related to Seller” – $400k price reduction, kitchen and baths need to be gutted, and HDR at its worst.  Nice combo. 

I was actually looking at this house because I thought it was a REO, but I guess it isn’t.  And this definitely isn’t the RBA!  Twenty years later they’re trying to eke out a price double.  You won’t have to worry about this house going pending before you feature it.

Au contraire mon frère! It indeed went pending before we featured it! The market is hot, I tell you, hot, hot, hot!

But OMG look at that HDR.

In case you don’t know what HDR is, have a look at this recent article where we covered the joy of High Dynamic Range as used in real estate photography.    And it’s no coincidence whatsoever that that example of what not to do with HDR is also in Los Gatos.

In particular, look for the odd glow whenever sky meets, well, anything else.  See how the tree on the left is emitting some serious Cherenkov radiation?  Maybe those Los Gatos Mountains have an actinium mine below.  Or maybe whoever bought this house, before moving in, needs to do a radon test.

At right is another egregious example of bad HDR in the listing photos.  Look at the windows.  Notice the dark ovals in the middle?  That’s what’s actually outside.  The HDR process created the lighter artifacts around the inside of the window frames.

Holy crap, when was that kitchen last done?  It’s got tiled countertops.  Better get some glittery hair gel to go with.

Now check out the bathroom.

Does something here look kind of familiar?

Can’t quite put a finger on it, but this bathroom photo is producing some serious déjà vu.  Or maybe in this case, déjà vomutu.

Bunus: HOA fees!

What do you predict this house finally sold for after half a year?  And how much overbidding was involved after all the price reductions finally fixed this house?

Want a house in the lovely Rose Garden area of San Jose?  So do a lot of people!  Central location, big houses on beautiful lots… what’s not to like?  Tracy Tea House found a real goodie that shows every rule has an exception, and every good neighborhood has some Fail.

Now this property is gone,  It’s not on Redfin at all, nor on Movoto even, and Trulia says it’s off-market.  Guess who still has it.  Zillow.

1135 Yosemite Ave
San Jose, CA 95126
$699,000

Beds: 2
Baths: 2
Sqft: 2,868
Lot: 13,068 sq ft / 0.30 acres
Type: Single Family
Year built: 1922
Parking: —
Cooling: Central
Heating: Forced air
Fireplace: –

Spacious floor plan on a large lot. Tons of potential to add bedrooms if needed. Charming home located in the Historic Rose Garden area. Formal dining room with plenty of natural light, living room with wood burning fireplace, separate family room looking out into backyard and pool. Perfect for entertaining. Hardwood floors, A/C, side yard with space for boat or RV parking.

Here’s what Tracy had to say about this find.

The price on this house keeps dropping like a stone. I looked at it a few times over the years and it is a great old place, full of charm. Except it has location FAIL. It is located at the corner of Yosemite and Race, famous for the prostitution ring, busted across the street. Shares a wall with a Mexican restaurant parking lot, and is down the street  from the “water Garden.”  If only it was located a few more blocks into the Rose garden.. Sigh..

Looks like we had best get some pictures up before Zillow gets a friendly visit from the wild and crazy lawyers who work for MLS.  They even have a much better front view than the one they led with.

There are several higher-resolution photos of an empty house.  This is a photographer who loves the interplay of light.  See these and more photos after the break.

(more…)

Burbed began its life as a housing price and mortgage insanity site back in 2006.  And if home prices keep going up, up, up like they are now in some Very Special Places, we could be back to our glory days soon, when every article had over 100 comments no matter how meh the listing was.

Not only are listing prices up Where It’s Special.  So are lease costs.  Have a look at this well-situated rental, courtesy of Burbed reader Adennris.

229 Polaris Ave
Mountain View, CA 94043
For Rent: $1,195,000/mo

Beds: —
Baths: —
Sqft: —
Lot: 15,246 sq ft / 0.35 acres
Type: Single Family
Year built: 1973
Parking: —
Availability: now
Lease term: ContactForDetails
Cooling: —
Heating: —
Fireplace: —
On Zillow: 21 days
MLS #: 81211034
Other facts

This may be a bigger entry error than simply putting in a sales price in the monthly rental field.  Here’s this same property on a realty site (photo right) and here’s the listing copy.  It’s a little different than what Zillow had.

Great income opportunity for the right buyer. 1031 exchange is possible. 2 buildings on one lot. Many possible uses in the ML disdrict of Mountain View. Near the worlds greatest companies and close to many of Mountain View’s wonderful services and delights. Easy commuting access to El Camino, Central Expressway, 85, and 101.

Last updated on  4/25/2012

More Details for 229 POLARIS AVE

Property Class:Commercial Industrial
Listing Status:Active
City:Mountain View
Area:203 North Shoreline
County:SANTA CLARA COUNTY
State:CA
Lot Size:15164.00 SF
Stories:2
Year Built:1973
MLS#:81211034
List Date:3/24/2012

So it’s not a single-family home, then?  But the upside is you definitely can bring your arc welder.

Trulia calls it an income/investment.  But Zillow wasn’t the only one to assume this place was a residence.  Check it out!

This is a 380 square foot, single family home, which can rent for only $608 a month.  No beds or baths, but it has assigned schools, and more importantly, places doing business.

Redfin never heard of this location or either MLS listing number above.  That’s because this site is a 6019 sf office building for sale.  And this description might explain all the confusion.

Check this out!!
Real close to downtown Mountain View.
16 unit office building in ML district of Mountain View.
2 buildings on one lot.
Recent Zoning changes have allowed for additional uses.
ML zoning.
Buyer to check with City of Mountain View for precise zoning uses allowed for this location.

Near down town Mountain View.
Blocks from El Camino.
Easy access to highway 101, Central Expressway and highway 85.

If you read all these conflicting real estate offers for the same location, you will also notice that it’s been described as being in three different neighborhoods.  That’s because Mountain View is so cutting edge, it transcends space, time, and money.  No wonder it’s so hot, hot, hot!