I probably should’ve posted these a few days earlier… but nonetheless this is still rather interesting:

Well, what’s wrong with this house you might be wondering? After all, it looks pretty good. The garage is even a little sunken – that’s kind of neat.

Well… let’s take a look at a slightly different picture:

Wow. What a difference. I’m not photography expert, so I’d love some professional input here, but this is rather interesting. From a mini-mansion, this house now looks like it’s built for people like Yao-ming: Tall and skinny. Which is a good thing! After all, who doesn’t want to reduce their footprint on this beautiful planet of ours. 2100 sqft – of very skinny sqft. Maybe they should’ve used a new unit of measurement for this house!

Also, notice the difference in colors. What’s up with that? Any color experts here?

Is the second one, which I believe is the Realtor preferred one, better? Or worse?

Regardless, this is now $50k off – so it’s a great deal no matter which picture you like more. Go get it!

(Thanks to the very anonymous Burbed reader for this find.)

728 Stendhal Ln, Cupertino
$1,100,000

* Status: Active
* Bedroom: 4
* Bathroom: 2
* Year Built: 1961
* Lot Size: 6000
* Square Footage: 1516
* List Date: 4/1/2008
* Garage Spaces: 1
* MLS#: 788429
*
Description of 728 Stendhal La, Cupertino
Charming Cupertino Eichler-styled home, Features include 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Wood Ceiling with Foam Roof, modern kitchen, spacious counters and lots of cupboard space, large living/dining room for entertaining. This home is perfect for a large family with school age kids – schools are within walking distance. Large front atrium with glass throughout for viewing common areas. Internet Access.

Sweet! It’s a see through home. And it’s got a foam roof. (Does that mean asteroids will bounce off of it? What the heck?)

But wait… there’s more!

Alright Burbed readers! It’s Friday! That means it’s: “Write a story day”

My challenge to you: write a short story that explains what’s going on in these photos, why this person is selling, and what the guy in the photo saying to the potential customers.

Ready? Get set! Go!

22641 Alcalde Rd, Cupertino
95014
$1,199,000
* Status: Active
* Bedroom: 2
* Bathroom: 1
* Year Built: 1948
* Lot Size: 9310
* Square Footage: 1716
* List Date: 3/26/2008
* Garage Spaces: 3
* MLS#: 786969
BRING YOUR ARCHITECT AND BUILD YOUR CUPERTINO DREAM HOME ON THIS PRIME PIECE OF CUPERTINO PROPERTY. LARGE, FLAT LOT. DEFERRED MAINTENANCE TO CURRENT HOME MAKES THIS DWELLING UNLIVABLE IN CURRENT CONDITION. REMODEL OR REBUILD A MUST. AS-SALE. NO WARRANTEE. TRUSTEE SALE. HOUSE IN EXTREMEY POOR CONDITION. Schools: Stevens Crk, John F. Kennedy, Monte Vista.

I love how this house is advertised that it is in extremely poor condition and that this dwelling is unlivable. Two words: REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY

I bet after reading that, you said to yourself: MUST HAVE.

And must have you should! After all, buying this house gives you something that others can only dream of – FREEDOM. Freedom to build whatever you want. Freedom to start anew. It’s the way of the West, the American Dream, the glory of hope!

Oh my god, how can you resist this two punch attack of psychology and patriotic appeal.

And yes there was an open house – but would you have attended?

Reports
2325 HASTINGS DR, Belmont 94002 (Belmont)
$1,029,888 Beds: 3 bed(s) Baths: 2 1/2 bath(s) MLS: 756109

Property Overview
2325 HASTINGS DR
Belmont (Belmont) 94002
Attached Single Family (Class 1)
Bed/Bath: 3 / 2 1/2
SqFt: 2,210
Lot: 3,232 sq ft
Age: 31 years
List Price: $1,029,888
Assoc Fee:
Great Belmont Hills Neighborhood * Bargain Priced $230,000 Below Last Sale of Same Model Type on Same Bay and City Lights View Side of Street
This is a beautiful view home with bay, city lights, canyon and mountain views. Lovers of nature will enjoy the daily deer sightings just off the spacious back deck or from the private balcony of the huge master suite. This is a fantastic neighborhood with a little tike park located just up the street from the home. The current schools are the finest in Belmont with 2006 API Test Scores of 915 for Fox Elementary, 858 for Ralston Intermediate and 791 for Carlmont High School. This compares favorably with the statewide average of 721 and the San Carlos Elementary School District’s 873 average. This luxurious home has just been painted and also has new carpet to go along with the hardwood floors. Customize the home by changing out the original appliances in the kitchen. The yardwork is minimal aside from mowing the front lawn. A private enclosed courtyard is ideal for a fountain, garden, child’s play or pets and the backyard is nearly maintenance-free. This home is priced $230,000 less than the last sale price (September, 2007) of $1,260,000 for the same model home type on the same side of the street in pristine shape. This is an opportunity to create well over $100,000 of instant equity in your new home. Call Robert today to take advantage of this special opportunity.

Burbed reader Edward sent this in… apparently he feels that I give too much love to Redwood City and San Jose. I suppose so.

In particular, Edward was amazed that you could buy 3 deer for $1 million – he forgets that they’re very special deer. Probably the most open minded, Web 2.0 savvy deer there is.

Personally, I’m a bit surprised at the ad: look at that instant equity! How can any one resist. Buy it, refi it, and boom – suddenly you’ve got enough money to invest in assets like a nice car to go with your new millionaire status!

How can any one resist!

Thanks Edward!

Residential Lot – Vacant Land

Located across the street from community park in mature neighborhood where many homes are being renovated or replaced with custom construction. Minutes from downtown Palo Alto, Stanford U., and I-280. Lot is approx. 50 feet wide and 120 feet deep, 5,663 square feet. Zoned R-1. Currently leased to a neighbor for use as a vegetable garden, tenant to vacate in February 2008.
Address: 590 Maybell Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306
APN: 137-25-088
Price: $1,025,000
Viewing: Drive-by, open
Buyer’s broker: 2%
Seller’s broker: John A. Souerbry & Associates (Palo Alto)
Agent phone: John – (858) 945-5717
NOTE: Property is in probate, but is not a court sale. Offers must be valid for at least 15 calendar days to allow for review and processing.
Information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed, buyer to verify.

Thanks to Burbed reader PA Homeowner for finding this.

This is exactly what makes Palo Alto special. Did you know that those vegetables end up going to Ivy League colleges? Yep. Not only that, but those vegetables are constantly happy because they live in Palo Alto.

As we all know from watching Mountain View, they’re not making any more farmland around here. This is your last chance – better put in your bid for $1.5 million to be competitive. Besides, maybe you’ll get reimbursed by Facebook later!

On Monday, we showed you what a $1.295 million dollar house looks like in Greenwich, CT where the income regularly tops $500k. Let’s look a house in that price range here in the Bay Area:

MLS-2.com: Property Details
153 LOWELL ST, Redwood City,CA,94062 – $1,250,000

3 Beds 1584 Sq.Ft. Aprx. 2 Car Garage MLS#: 770296
2.0 Baths 6,500 Lot Size 68 Yrs Old Aprx. List Date: 2008-01-07

What’s new on MLS-2: Search by % Price Drop // Search by “MOTIVATED SELLERS”

Description – 153 LOWELL ST, Redwood City,CA,94062
Situated in the sought after Mt. Carmel neighborhood, this delightful home has been practically updated maintaining its original, intrinsic charm. Beautiful oak hardwood floors enhance the home throughout. There is an additional, separate studio guest unit with a full bath and kitchenette.

Yeah you could have the house in Greenwich, but in true Silicon Valley entrepreneurial style, this house offers you the opportunity to increase you revenue and monetize part of the property.

That’s an enormous benefit right there – you can live in your house, and make money from your tenants! Will that be possible in Greenwich, CT? Of course not – they’re all boring there. Buying this house will prove that you’ve got the chops to achieve the American dream of making money, unlike… say… your potential neighbor Eddie Lampert.

And above it all, you’re living in Redwood City. Wow… another drubbing for Greenwich, CT. Sweet!

On Monday, we showed you what a $1.295 million dollar house looks like in Greenwich, CT where the income regularly tops $500k. Let’s look a house in that price range here in the Bay Area:

MLS-2.com: Property Details
1149 AUDREY, CAMPBELL,CA,95008 – $1,250,000

4 Beds 1221 Sq.Ft. Aprx. 2 Car Garage MLS#: 753932
3.0 Baths 10,890 Lot Size 59 Yrs Old Aprx. List Date: 2007-09-25

What’s new on MLS-2: Search by % Price Drop // Search by “MOTIVATED SELLERS”

Description – 1149 AUDREY, CAMPBELL,CA,95008
Fixer upper! Large lot over 10,000 sq ft, huge backyard,opportunity to build custom home or remodel. Located on quiet street, excellent Campbell location

Now, Campbell is clearly better than Greenwich – how do we know that? For one thing, it’s got the Egyptian themed Fry’s. TAKE THAT GREENWICH! Also, Campbell has… uh… prunes. What does Greenwich have? Probably nothing! Yeah so Donald Trump lives there… but just think of all the amazingly famous people who live in Campbell. Can’t think of any? Well that’s because they prefer to be private.

It’s on the first day and we’ve already given Greenwich a good stomping… let’s see what tomorrow brings!

Thanks to Burbed reader R.D. for sending this a few weeks ago.

Wow… parking for 22 cars. That makes sense – after all, you’re living in Fremont which means you’re savvy – you’re saving some of your cash flow to invest in other assets like cars.

I bet you can buy this house now and flip it to Jay Leno or Ralph Lauren so they can park there cars in Fremont. Or, better yet – buy a big car and you can open your own Park ‘n’ Fly to SJC/SFO/OAK.

Smell the CASH FLOW BABY!!!! Too bad it’s sold already. Keep your eyes peeled for another great deal like this!

MLS-2.com: Property Details
18541 ASPESI DR, SARATOGA,CA,95070 – $1,130,0003 Beds 2022 Sq.Ft. Aprx. 1 Car Garage MLS#: 749886
2.5 Baths 10,454 Lot Size 48 Yrs Old Aprx. List Date: 2007-09-05

What’s new on MLS-2: Search by % Price Drop // Search by “MOTIVATED SELLERS”

Description – 18541 ASPESI DR, SARATOGA,CA,95070
MUST SELL!! SHORT SALE!! HUGE LOT OVER 10,000 SF, PARK LIKE SETTING. 3 bed / 2.5 bath home in Saratoga Sale price subject to lenders approval.

I don’t understand how the Realtor could’ve forgotten to say that it has easy access to Highway 85 and Quito – both of which are rarely used roads. And the only cars that go down them are quiet Maybachs. With ponies. And rainbows.

BTW, this house last sold on 7/11/2007 for $1,250,000. This just goes to show how good hearted Silicon Valley people are: they knew you needed this house, so they’re willing to sell it to you for a loss.

Would people do that anywhere else?

Nope. Didn’t think so.

It’s Christmas Eve! Whenever I think of Santa, I think of Miracle on 34th St. And that reminds me of Macy’s and New York.

Sure I could jump the shark and do a New York vs San Francisco post like this guy did, but let’s face it – SF would win by a landslide. After all, SF is safer, you never need a car, has great magnet public schools, has a diverse economy, low taxes and no taxes on clothing, is the only place with diversity and gay rights, the most and the best colleges, only place with diversity, and has mild weather. Oh, and we’ve got Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39!

Instead being that this is Burbed.com – let’s focus on the ‘burbs. Here, we have the shining star of Cupertino – the anchor of The Real Bay Area. So let’s look a comparable suburb city of Manhattan: Manhasset Hills.

They’re both pretty similar in distance from The City (ok, the Cupertino one is twice as far), they’re both solidly upper-middle class, and they both have great schools – heck, the high schools even have pretty similar racial/ethnic demographic – yes that’s right, the high school for the Manhasset Hills house below is 47% Asian!

So let’s take a look shall we?

The Cupertino contender, located 44.7 miles from the Macy’s in San Francisco’s Historic Union Square:

MLS-2.com: Property Details
10260 ORANGE AV, Cupertino,CA,95014 – $1,098,000

3 Beds 1015 Sq.Ft. Aprx. 2 Car Garage MLS#: 701195
1.0 Baths 7,405 Lot Size 62 Yrs Old Aprx. List Date: 2007-01-09

What’s new on MLS-2: Search by % Price Drop // Search by “MOTIVATED SELLERS”

Description – 10260 ORANGE AV, Cupertino,CA,95014
Best Cupertino Schools, Large Lot, Very Close to Monta Vista High School Nice Open and Sunny Lot, Ready for your plans.

Alright… so far so good. We have a $1 million dollar house on a 7405 lot that is ready for you to tear down and build your dream house. So far Cupertino is in the far lead!

Let’s look at Manhasset Hills – located 18.4 miles from the Macy’s in boring and jobless Manhattan:

MLSLI.com – Find a Home
MANHASSET HILLS
List Price: $1,059,000

Single family, 7 room Split
3 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths 1 Half Bath
Gas, Hw heating
A/C: Cac
Detached Stucco construction
Year Built: 1963
School Dist: Herricks
Lot: 73 X 115
Appearance: Diamond

GAH! Who wants that? A Diamond appearance? An 8000 sqft lot? 3 br/3.5 ba? How will you be able to build your own home when your home already looks like this? Boo! Hiss! Ridiculous.

See, another reason why Bay Area real estate is so expensive: you have the freedom to do what you want!

I don’t know why I even posted this – it was obviously going to be a landslide in favor of Cupertino. Don’t you agree?

Which would you prefer Santa to deliver to you tonight, readers?