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!

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?

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!

Today is the last entry of a string of hella fine housing from Burbed reader Petsmart Groomer.  We hope you have enjoyed Petsmart Groomer week.  Next week we’ll return to a mix of properties from all over the Bay Area submitted by some of our other readers (if we still have any).

Many thanks again to Petsmart Groomer for all the finds, including this, um, place that’s been on Burbed twice already!  But you’d have to go all the back to 2008 to remember this one.  That was so long ago we were still using the MLS website for our listings!

And then we revisited the same house again three months later!

Now it’s back, and it’s better than EVEH!  You can find out how much better after the break!

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Here’s a fantastic find from Burbed reader Petsmart Groomer for your Super Tuesday pleasure.  Almost anything with a Mountain View address is going to sell in a New York minute, so imagine how Rocky Mountain High the overbidding will go with a brand new house!

The new UPDATE is at the bottom, with more pictures!

285 STIERLIN Rd
Mountain View, CA 94043
$1,500,000

BEDS: 5
BATHS: 4.5
SQ. FT.: 3,235
$/SQ. FT.: $464
LOT SIZE: 5,001 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Modern/High Tech, Contemporary
STORIES: 3
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 2012
COMMUNITY: North Shoreline
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81205009
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 25 days

Here’s why Petsmart Groomer sent this house in for some Burbed loving:

Definitely where people want to spend $1.5M: Walking distance to Social Services Agency.

That sounds really handy.  Pick up your disability check and your government cheese without needing to borrow a shopping cart from the Safeway.

And we can see from the 25 photos of the house that the inside is just loving its close-up.  Wonder why the outside was so shy?  Nary a shot of the house or the grounds.  Let’s see if Google Streetview can help.

Looks like the Googlecam is overdue for a neighborhood spin.  Fortunately, there’s a Virtual Tour available.  And I do suggest you check this one out, because it has dozens and dozens of pictures not found on the listing.  The Virtual Tour is not afraid to show us what the house looks like.  Click on through to see those pictures and so much more!

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It’s always fun when a house previously featured on Burbed comes back for a second look. Sometimes it’s a flip that’s awful in a new way, sometimes it’s the same problems ensuring that the house will be bidless for a long, long time.  Today’s Mountain View mansion, courtesy of Burbed reader dollarbin, has some changes since its last appearance, but it’s not just the house that’s had things moved around.

290 CHIQUITA Ave
Mountain View, CA 94041
$888,000

BEDS: 3
BATHS: 3
SQ. FT.: 1,565
$/SQ. FT.: $567
LOT SIZE: 4,414 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Traditional
STORIES: 2
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 2009
COMMUNITY: Downtown
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81150934
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 48 days

Curb Appeal-Perfect 10. Own this 2.5 yr old Single Family Home for the price of MV townhomes and Condos. Warm & BEATIFULLY designed. Very energy efft/extra insulation w/ E. Eff appls. Showroom finish 2car garage. Gated access for added security/privacy n kids to play. Walking dist. to Downtown restrnts/shops/farmrs mrkt/CalTrans & Parks. Xcllnt APIs for schools. Nice fenced back yard w/ patio. NO HOA Dues.

And here’s a reminder of how the house looked in its previous incarnation:  (warning, 180 comment thread)

Here’s what dollarbin has to say about why you should take another look at 290 Chiquita:

One of burbed’s most talked about houses is back on the market, baby!

What’s more, unlike 2009, it now sports lucky 8′s in the price tag.

Plus, unlike 2009, the assigned elementary school will be Castro, rather than having to schlep your kids across El Camino into the fancy side of town to attend Bubb with all of those obnoxious rich kids.

Also, thanks to Habitat for Humanity, you’ll have new neighbor families enjoying “eight ownership homes for ‘very low- and low-income families’ ” at 300 Chiquita Ave.”

You may object that the “Xcllnt APIs for schools” was not intended to be a factual statement, and there will be BMR housing next door.  The crime rate might be higher than you’re comfortable with.  You may not be too excited about the sex offender who lives around the corner on Villa Street.  And two different Redfin agents complained about how small the bedrooms are.

None of this matters in the least.  The agent presents picture #21 to refute all Negative Nellie natterings.

Start your overbidding!

110 COLLEGE St
Mountain View, CA 94040

$434,900

<snarky comment> <sarcastic comment> <snarky comment>

Wait a minute, this feels like déjà vu ALL OVER AGAIN.

Oh this is why:

December 7, 2009

House are now affordable in Mountain View

110 COLLEGE St, Mountain View, CA 94040 | MLS# 80945064
$499,950
110 COLLEGE St Mountain View, CA 94040

Wow, what’s up with this! This house is still on the market after all this time? Please, for the love of god, could someone just buy this house and put it out of its misery? It’s time to bring this to a close!

Someone, make it your new year’s resolution to buy this house ASAP!

Let’s finish up with the Black Friday DEALS, DEALS, DEALS as close to the Googleplex as we can.  This is the best DEAL in Mountain View!

177 FAIRCHILD Dr, Mountain View, CA 94043
$390,000

BEDS: 3
BATHS: 2.5
SQ. FT.: 1,720
$/SQ. FT.: $227
LOT SIZE: 5,367 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STORIES: 1
YEAR BUILT: 1945
COMMUNITY: Whisman
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81114167
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 264 days

This is a bank owned property to be sold as is.

No muss, no fuss, no silly listing copy to make claims it can’t keep, and best of all, it’s already been featured on Burbed back in March, 2010!  Only back then, it was selling for (are you sitting down?) $760K!  All that instant equity could be yours, because it’s probably worth a million now! 

All this, and still close to freeway!

Did you ever shop at a warehouse club and have to buy three of something when one was all you needed?  This listing, sent in by Burbed reader Petsmart Groomer, will make you feel like you’re caught in the gloomy caverns of Costco.  Only it’s real estate, so it will cost more than $200 to pass GOogle.

This may be the cheapest house in Mountain View, if you buy in bulk!

674 WILLOWGATE St, Mountain View, CA 94043
$1,250,000

BEDS: 6
BATHS: 3
SQ. FT.: 720
$/SQ. FT.: $1,736
LOT SIZE: 0.32 Acres
STORIES: 1
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 1965
COMMUNITY: North Shoreline
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81112528
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 256 days

THREE 2 BEDROOM 1 BATH HOMES ALL UPDATED IN WALKING DISTANCE TO DOWNTOWN MOUNTAIN VIEW. ALL HOMES HAVE THERE OWN GARAGES. AMPLE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES . MATURE LAND CONVENIENTLY LOCATED TO CENTRAL EXPY AND 85 YET STILL PRIVATE. LIVE HERE AND RENT OUT OR RENT OUT ALL 3 ENJOY THE LOCAL TRAILS AT DAY & DINE DOWNTOWN AT NIGHT. BUYER TO VERIFY SF. EXPENSES BASED UPON SELLERS EST.

Take that, Palo Alto!  This place is listed at a whopping $1736 a square foot!  In your dreams beating this one!

I can’t understand why these bargain has been wasting away on Redfin for so long?  Three different houses, if you get tired of one, then move into another one!  Rent out one, two, or all 3!

Haven’t you always wanted to be a slumlord?  This is your chance to get in at the ground level.

And talk about location, location, location?  Just steps away from the train station!

You’re going to have to step across Central Expressway, but that will get you into great shape fast!

Today we have a short but sweet guest post from z2amiller!  It’s another luscious listing in the location, location, location land of Mountain View, but this time z left the confines of the immediate neighborhood and found us something even better.

Unfortunately it was sent over the transom as a PowerPoint slide deck.  Given how close this house is to a thriving commercial district, you should be jumping on it as a Web 3.0 opportunity.

Please give z2amiller a big, warm and profitable Real Bay Area welcome as today’s Guest Blogger!

911 BORANDA Ave Unit A, Mountain View, CA 94040
$594,500

BEDS: 2
BATHS: 1
SQ. FT.: 523
$/SQ. FT.: $1,137
LOT SIZE: 3,160 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Cottage/Bungalow
STORIES: 1
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 1900
COMMUNITY: Miramonte
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81144771
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 39 days

Cute cottage style bungalow with nice size backyard. .. tiki hut with tropical look and feel. .. perfect for entertaining. Property is walking distance to downtown Mountain View. Gorgeous kitchen, with cherry wood cabinets, newer stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, and beautiful hardwood floors.

This one made me WTFOL (WTF out loud): @ ~600K

• 523 sqft (Not counting the tiki hut! Tiki hut?)
• 523 sqft house with a $100K kitchen (stainless steel, granite, cherry cabinets)
• Bedroom Desk (picture 7, with laptop) is a Costco steel wire rack – with 523sqft you have to think vertically!

• Okay actually the tiki hut is kind of awesome (photos 11-14)

• Only a short block away, and more importantly, downwind from Clark’s Hamburgers – your tiki hut will always smell like fresh hamburgers!
• Appears to be in the backyard of a strip mall with a tattoo parlor (Revolution Ink)
• Look at the shape of that lot!   Maybe 3100 sqft but at it looks like about 1/3 – 1/4 of that is useless.

Sorry no time for a full write up, only bullet-point snark