It’s been far too long since we’ve checked in with East Palo Alto.  Today’s featured home, courtesy of Burbed reader Petsmart Groomer, shows that you can have luxury at an affordable price.  Remember, if you’re choosing from luxe, low, large, and location, you can usually have two.  Let’s have a look at today’s low and large!

919 RUNNYMEDE St
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
$750,000

6 Beds 
4 Baths 
3,036 Sq. Ft.
$247 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 2010 
Lot Size: 6,733 Sq. Ft. 
On Redfin: 127 days
Status: Active
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Community: East of U.S. 101
MLS#: 81228693
Stories: 2
County: San Mateo

2Homes!!2years new luxury 2 story homes * 3,000plus living space * Main unit4bed/2.5bath 2nd unit 2bed/1.5bath which is rented for $1,600 * Vaulted ceiling * This stunning property boasts a bright & open floor plan that is easy for entertaining * Gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances * 3 car garage, Patio * 1st floor master bed W/ walking closet *

When PG sent this in, the house was simply noted as “East Palo Alto wonder.”  As, we wonder why anyone would build a house in East Palo Alto to this level of finish.  Let alone two houses. 

Then we realized that the builder either took too long to catch the last bubble, or is positioning to catch the next one.  And isn’t $750K a reasonable price to pay for 2 houses in an up-and-coming neighborhood (that is, if by up-and-coming, we really mean “last up, first down”?)  Good thing the agent is pinching pennies by not wasting them on extra spaces in the listing copy.

Also, check out how well these luxe lodgings fit in with the neighborhood!

Let the gentrification begin!  Again!

We continue our look at crapboxen lower-priced homes.  Here’s another more affordable property that you can no longer purchase because someone beat you to it.  Didn’t we tell you the market was hot, hot, hot?  Why aren’t you running out there and buying a house right now?  Do you want to be PRICED OUT FOREVER?

Thanks very much to Burbed reader Petsmart Groomer for passing along this excellent property in East Palo Alto.

533 WEEKS St
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
$260,000

BEDS: 2
BATHS: 1
SQ. FT.: 1,170
$/SQ. FT.: $222
LOT SIZE: 6,325 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Traditional
STORIES: 1
YEAR BUILT: 1947
COMMUNITY: East of U.S. 101
COUNTY: San Mateo
MLS#: 81214470
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Pending With Release
ON REDFIN: 41 days

great property for invester or first time hom buyer.

Here’s why PG shared this home with you:

9 words, 2 typos.  Close to Facebook, though.

And since a picture is worth a thousand words, best we share the rest of the photos.

Isn’t this place charming?  Now look at the Google Streetview.

Curb appeal!

1102 HOLLYBURNE Ave
Menlo Park, CA 94025

$319,500

These the rage is all about reducing your footprint on the earth. Well, this house takes it to the next level. Look at how much this house achieves in just a 2,744 square foot lot. Wowsers!

It’s unclear how many square feet this house is… but let’s just say that all your furniture better be kind of skinny. You’ll also need a really really really flat and thin screen tv or it might not fit at all.

Take that Japanese Pencil Buildings! We’re coming after you!

DEALS, we have DEALS, this is the place for the DEALS!  We haven’t visited Palo Alto’s favorite neighbor in a while, so let’s see how the bottom of the market is faring there.

We’re going to show you the second cheapest home today, because the one with the rock-bottom lowest listing price is 1. Pending and 2. Already featured on Burbed when the SJ Mercury News discovered that there were some crapboxes in the Bay Area.  Note to the Merc: We look at crap several times a week, every week!

2280 GLEN Way, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
$180,000

BEDS: 2
BATHS: 1
SQ. FT.: 760
$/SQ. FT.: $237
LOT SIZE: 2,500 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Contemporary
STORIES: 1
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 1954
COMMUNITY: East of U.S. 101
COUNTY: San Mateo
MLS#: 81119301
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 219 days

Gorgeous 2bd/1ba with granite counter tops throughout the kitchen. Easy access to all major freeways and shopping. A must see home.

xxx

I agree this is a must see.  Who knew you could find a trendy 2010 white kitchen in East Palo Alto?  With granite, yet.

The agent seems to have the camera permanently jammed up against her face, and neglected to turn it the other way.  So we’ll turn to the GoogleCam for a better look at the exterior.

Yowza!  This must be a Burbed record.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen FOUR different houses in a Streetview shot before.  And “bunus” points for the car with its hood open.  I checked and…

I can’t tell if that’s a DHO behind the hood.  What say you?

Did you know that Burbed is just about five and a half years old?  There are a lot of amazing listings in the archives, at some even more amazing pricing!  In fact, Burbed reader Petsmart Groomer was just taking a stroll through them and noticed that this incredible old listing.

I know that pricing had gotten out of control in 2007, but… $1.25 million for EAST PALO ALTO? Burbed wasn’t using tags for posts then, but that entry would have needed something stronger than WTF, that’s for sure!  Anyway, PG wants you to know this property is back on the market, after selling in May, 2008 for $950,000. 

Care to take a few guesses what it’s listed for now?  Why don’t you mull that over, and join us after the break.  Then you can find out!  (No peeking on Redfin!)

(more…)

Thanks very much to Burbed reader Michael Boltonestater for this double-your-pleasure set of listings.  Michael says this is a great street name, as it reminds him of one of his favorite film characters.

6 Sparrow Ct, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
$300,000

BEDS: 4
BATHS: 3
SQ. FT.: 2,940
$/SQ. FT.: $102
LOT SIZE: 8,190 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Traditional
STORIES: 2
YEAR BUILT: 1994
COMMUNITY: East of U.S. 101
COUNTY: San Mateo
MLS#: 81126961
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Pending With Release
ON REDFIN: 23 days

Want a description?  Too bad.  However, the place next door is for sale, and they can arrange for one!

4 Sparrow Ct, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
$499,900

BEDS: 4
BATHS: 3
SQ. FT.: 2,940
$/SQ. FT.: $170
LOT SIZE: 5,600 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STORIES: 2
YEAR BUILT: 1995
COMMUNITY: East of U.S. 101
COUNTY: San Mateo
MLS#: 81123303
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 46 days

Amazing Curb Appeal. Beautiful Home Nestled at the end of a Cul-De-Sac. Enjoy all the features of a newly built home. Vaulted Ceilings, Bright Open Floor Plan and Spacious Design. Great CASH FLOW for Investment. Make offer subject to inspection. TENANT OCCUPIED-RENT CONTROL. DO NOT DISTURB OCCUPANTS.

Your decision to make: Do you want the exact same house on an 8,000 sf lot for $300K, or do you want to pay an extra $200K for the same house on 2,400 fewer square feet… BUT… you get a description!  Also, 4 Sparrow has been foreclosed not once, not twice, but three separate times!

Take all the time you need to decide.  I think you should go with 4 Sparrow: it sold for $790K in 2006, so it has much more instant equity, and therefore much better stories about the previous owners.  That’s #4 in the red outline, and #6 with the big lot at the end of the block.

Keep your eye on the sparrow!

This house has it all!  Not just granite countertops, spacious closets and a marble fireplace, but location, location, location, and talk about history!  If you want a home of historical interest, this one is for you!  Our thanks to Burbed reader SEA for finding this winner… winner of the I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butchered award for overdone listing copy.

1324 Modoc Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
$399,900

BEDS: 3
BATHS: 1
SQ. FT.: 1,020
$/SQ. FT.: $392
LOT SIZE: 4,900 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Traditional
STORIES: 1
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 1950
COMMUNITY: East of U.S. 101
COUNTY: San Mateo
MLS#: 81104404
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 33 days

Completely remodeled home. Vacant and ready to move in. Brand new beautiful hardwood floors throughout which accentuate the pristine granite countertops in the kitchen. Spacious closets including walk-in closet in main BR. A marble fireplace in the living room will keep you and your family warm for years to come. Fenced backyard fully equipped with a storage shed and a cheery, mature lemon tree!

So, location, location, location?  Maybe not, as the listing copy sings the praises of the house rather than the ‘hood.  When the agent sells you on cocooning, better check if the mulberry grove is healthy… um, East of US 101? 

But that cheery, mature lemon tree is going to be the cherry on top of this domestic sundae!  Have you ever read such beautiful listing copy?  Vacant and ready to move in!  Maybe this agent is a frustrated novelist, and anyone trying to buy his house is going to find it a real thriller.  Yes, I said his house.  See this in the listing features?

Just expect that contract to be a real page-turner.  And speaking of lots of pages, did I mention historical interest?  Have a gander at THIS!

Not only is the current owner trying to flip this place for a $100K profit (how much did those granite countertops cost, anyway?), it’s been in foreclosure not once, not twice, but three different times.  Three times within four years.  Okay, maybe twice; it’s a little suspicious that it foreclosed at the exact same price in both April and November 2004, despite yet another couple sales between them.

Perhaps this house has such an interesting financial history because it’s haunted by a banker.  But no problem, just head to the backyard and take comfort from the cheery, mature lemon tree!  Because when you have lemon-painted lien-bait like this lulzicious listing, all you can do is make lemonade.

If you read the news about possible congestion pricing on the San Mateo and Dumbarton bridges, then you’re an informed, savvy real estate investor!  So why not start picking up some Peninsula properties now, because they’re going to be HAWT, HAWT, HAWT!

1227 Sevier Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
$380,000

BEDS: 4
BATHS: 2
SQ. FT.: 1,916
$/SQ. FT.: $198
LOT SIZE: 5,750 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Traditional
STORIES: 2
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 1946
COMMUNITY: East of U.S. 101
COUNTY: San Mateo
MLS#: 81041407
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 165 days

Short sale approved at this price. Large remodeled home with nice touches. Maple cabinets, granite counters, pergo flooring. Great price for this much square footage. Outside needs works in the back. Great Opportunity!!!

See, even the bank knows this one will be selling shortly, so they raised the asking price after the last contract fell through!  I bet those bank vice-presidents know some people on the bridge committee, too!  It really is all about who you know, and this one’s going to be selling for a thousand a square foot real soon now!  Don’t you want to be able to tell your friends that you snagged it at $198 a foot?  Of course you do! Hurry, before something happens in the back, like your worst enemy closing on this place before you can pick up the phone!

This is a no-brainer, everyone!  It’s in Belle Haven, and you know anything French is just tojours l’amour to rich people!  I bet it even includes a free staircase inside!

Here’s a great find from burbed reader Herve, who says, “Check out that location and tell me if anyone would want to spend $1,250,000 there.”

$1.25M in Menlo Park?  That’s not out of line at all for a larger house.  Menlo Park has some very nice neighborhoods.  Unfortunately, this is not in one of them.

1151 Windermere Ave  Menlo Park, CA 94025
$1,250,000

Beds: 5
Baths: 3
Sq. Ft.: 2,330
$/Sq. Ft.: $536
Lot Size: 5,403 Sq. Ft.
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Stories: 2
Year Built: 1947
Community: East of U.S. 101
County: San Mateo
MLS#: 81044545
Source: MLSListings
Status: Active
On Redfin: 14 days

NOT AN REO OR SHORT SALE!!! 5-6 BED, 3 BATH, 2 STORY HOME LOCATED ON A GREAT CORNER LOT WITH RV ACCESS, 2 MASTER SUITE AND CENTRAL HEAT AND AIR. TOTALLY REMODELED IN 2006. MUST SEE TO APPRECIATE!

What is the price point when a listing isn’t in all-caps?  Silly me, I had thought it was in six-digit land.  Guess the rules are different when the listing is NOT AN REO OR SHORT SALE!!!

The first photo above seemed odd, because it looked like it was taken from a street behind another street.  It was:

At least Howard street doesn’t go through; there’s a sidewalk cutting it short.  Nothing like living at a five-way intersection for great feng shui.  And nothing like the neighborhood for great property values:

Oops.  This place isn’t just on the Wrong Side of of El Camino Real.  It’s in the exciting community of Belle Haven, Wrong Side of 101!  Let’s see how Belle Haven compares with its zip code.

Um… wow.  Guess they came up with that $536 a square foot price by averaging the neighborhood cost per foot with the whole zip code.  But look, the house sold for $145,000 in 1989, right as the last bubble was running up, It’s more than doubled in 20 years, so it has to be in the Real Bay Area!  Plus it was TOTALLY REMODELED IN 2006.  This is definitely the neighborhood to do an expensive remodel (did you see that Jacuzzi?), because the price has nowhere to go but up, up, up!

427 Larkspur Dr, East Palo Alto 94303 (East of U.S. 101)
$279,500

* Status: Active
* Bedroom: 3
* Bathroom: 1
* Year Built: 1954
* Lot Size: 5100
* Square Footage: 1020
* List Date: 3/19/2008
* Garage Spaces: 2
* MLS#: 785751

Can you get to Home Depot in your sleep? This cute but tired 50′s era rancher will really pay off for the diligent investor or first time home owner willing to put in the work. Decent size lot with lots of off street parking and still plenty of room left over for a front lawn. Tankless water heater = energy efficiency positive! Offered “as is”. BE CREATIVE, MAKE OFFERS!!!

Wow… the steals in East Palo Alto keep rolling in! When they talk about EPA having a high crime rate, what they’re talking about is how houses are going for a steal!

This house comes with a tankless water heater. Amazing. And, since it’s conveniently located within walking distance to Home Depot, you can easily furnish the rest of this house with pipes, walls, and more.

Most notable is the challenge the Realtor is presenting you: “BE CREATIVE, MAKE OFFERS!!!”.

Clearly, just offering a high price won’t help – might I recommend offering to sign a contract promising to feed the squirrels, or choosing one of the many other helpful tips I offer here to help buyers stand out?

Come on – you live in Silicon Valley. You can think of something innovative to do here!