Let’s return again to our roots and feature one of the homes that Burbed was best known for. Have a look at this spacious place while we take a good look at some prices.

418 ALDEN St
Redwood City, CA 94063
$390,000

1 Beds
1 Baths
640 Sq. Ft.
$609 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1925
Lot Size: 5,000 Sq. Ft.
On Redfin: 18 days
Property Type: Detached Single Family
View: Neighborhood
County: San Mateo
Stories: 2
Community: Lenolt
MLS#: 81312880

NEW KITCHEN WITH GRANITE COUNTER TOP, NEW WINDOWS, NEW BATHROOM. CONVENIENTLY LOCATED CLOSE TO SHOPPING, FREEWAY AND TRANSPORTATION.

For $390K, you’re only going to get one GRANITE COUNTER TOP and one NEW BATHROOM and zero photos of either. But that’s not the only reason we’re featuring this delightful dwelling.  Have a look at the listing from the last time it went on the market, as a short sale.

418 ALDEN St
Redwood City, CA 94063
Sold for $239,000

1 Beds
1 Baths
640 Sq. Ft.
$373 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1925
Lot Size: 5,000 Sq. Ft.
Sold On: Jun 10, 2011
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Community: Lenolt
MLS#: 81053292
Stories: 2
County: San Mateo

SHORT SALE. SALES PRICE AND COMMISSION SUBJECT TO LENDER’S APPROVAL.

Just because the price went up 63 percent due to a GRANITE COUNTER TOP doesn’t mean we’re in a bubble. 

Why, just take a look at the price history for this palace.  We have a lovely little line graph for you as well as the screenshot from Redfin.

Obviously there’s no Bubble 4.0 in this part of Redwood City, because it was completely derailed after 2006. All the dots on the graph are sales except for the last one on the right, that’s the current asking price.

Do you have any doubt where this investment is heading? In case you don’t, the house itself has the answer for you.

Welcome to one of the Scrabble “bunus” rounds of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge! Yes, some of the letters are worth more points, because they’re Quite harder to play. And there aren’t any cities in the entire Bay Area that start with the letter Q, so we’re going to have to come up with another Quality. And we’ll have the same Quixotic Quest again when we deal with X and Z!

So, are there any other place names we can use? Neighborhoods, local landmarks, that sort of thing?  San Francisco has 118 distinct neighborhoods, and not one starts with the “Scrabble Challenge Trio.”  Ditto for the 33 hoods in San Jose.  (Which raises a Question: why does San Jose, with more geography and more people, have much fewer place names?)

Fortunately, we are about to be Quietly rescued by Redfin, who helpfully has their very own Quirky neighborhood names!

Update 10:16 AM: See added picture and graf toward the end. Quite Quintessential.

2705 NORBERT Ct
San Jose, CA 95148
$740,000

4 Beds
2 Baths
1,713 Sq. Ft.
$432 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1978
Lot Size: 7,980 Sq. Ft.
On Redfin: 3 days
Property Type: Detached Single Family
View: Mountains, Neighborhood, Valley, City Lights
County: Santa Clara
Stories: 1
Community: Evergreen
MLS#: 81312097

AMAZING EVERGREEN HOME–ONE HOUSE AWAY FROM GROESBECK HILL PARK! BRIGHT VAULTED ENTRY, GOURMET KITCHEN WITH STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, GRANTITE COUNTERTOP, SEPERATE DINING RM W/ GRANITE WET BAR, TILE IN KITCHEN AND HARDWOOD FLOOR IN HALLWAY, BAY WINDOW IN LIVING RM, CEILING FANS IN MOST ROOMS, FLAGSTONE PATIO WITH SPORTS COURT, FRUIT TREES, CUSTOM-BUILT VIEWING DECK IN BACKYARD! RENTS $3,100/MO

Upcoming Open Houses

Saturday, Apr 20: 2:00-4:00 pm

Now while this home isn’t the sine Qua non of Questionable real estate, it has certain Qualifications for the front page. Head off to the comments with your Questions and Quell any doubts that we would come up with some Quip.  Or Quirk.

Update 10:16 AM: Or in the case of this Quality structure on the left, we’re wondering how it will fare during the next Quake.

We could share even more pictures. Or we could always Quit.

Just because we’re doing the Blogging from A to Z Challenge doesn’t mean we Have to Hold off our Hallowed Habits. One of them is that we welcome contributions from our readers. Heck, we Harangue our readers if they don’t play along. So, today we are Heaving up another letter of the alphabet, and Having a different poster Handle it.

We Hope you enjoy today’s Happening post from Burbed reader bublidoo!  Please give bublidoo a Healthy, Hot Real Bay Area Homecoming with today’s Holy $#*@! House.

1161 Highland Ter
Fremont, CA 94539
$5,493,000

6 Beds
9.5 Baths
9,967 Sq. Ft.
$551 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 2009
Lot Size: 1.64 Acres
On Redfin: 79 days
Type: Detached
Stories 2
Community: Mission
MLS#: 40601026
Style: Custom
View: Bay, City Lights, Hills, Panoramic, Pasture, Ridge, San Francisco, Water
County: Alameda

Panoramic View, Custom Home, Like Living in Taj Mahal, Elevator, 6 Bedrooms-9.5 Bathrooms, Banquet Hall w/ Stage-Seat over 100, All Bedrooms have Full Bathrooms, $150,000 /Crystal Lights and Chandeliers, Stainless Steel Garage & Exterior Doors, Credit Available for Personalizing Your Finishing Touch.

Let’s Hear from bublidoo Her/Himself!

Figured eventually you’ll get to H.

This has got to be the butt-ugliest way to spend nearly 5.5 Million bucks. HDR [check] Cawlumns [check]. Granite on the wall [check]. More bathrooms than bedrooms [check] "Living like in Taj Mahal" [check]. Yeah, that’s right … sooooo much bling it makes a baroque castle look sparse.

But the HDR … OMG, the HDR! The first pic … OMG, seriously, I thought it’s so synthetic looking it must be from a first person shooter or something. This has gotta be the highest DR evar.

More pictures Here, because you gotta Have some kawlums!

Today is day #5 of the A to Z blogging challenge:  Everything’s Easy. Eventually Excellent Estates would be Examined, as Everyone Expected we’d Essay on Entities Eastwards. Ever Espy how adding East to an Entity makes it Easier to Enjoy?  East Palo Alto is an Easier Expense than Palo Alto.  East San Jose is less Expensive as San Jose. And East Oakland? Empty. Ecch, Examine the Entire East Bay if you Endeavor to Evade being priced out forever!  Er, End Emit Equity Emerging Evermore.

2318 PALO VERDE Ave
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
$369,000

2 Beds
1 Baths
860 Sq. Ft.
$429 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1951
Lot Size: 4,800 Sq. Ft.
On Redfin: 3 days
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Stories: 1
Community: East of U.S. 101
MLS#: 81310172
Style: Contemporary
View: Neighborhood
County: San Mateo

BEAUTIFUL REMODELED HM W/ MANY WINDOWS, GARDEN VIEWS & ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL LIGHT. INCL NEW KIT, GRANITE COUNTERTOP, BACKSPLASH, TILE FLRS, NEW STOVE, LARGE LR & BEDROOMS. NEW LAMINATED FLR THROUGHOUT. REMODELED BATH. FRESHLY PAINTED INSIDE & OUT. PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPING W/ AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION. PEACEFUL SETTING AFFORDS PRIVACY YET REMAINS MINS TO SHOPPING & FREEWAY ACCESS. MUST SEE TO APPRECIATE!

There is one term for this kind of a building and that is “snout house.” It’s all garage and the front Entrance is not Eyeable. But there’s so much more to today’s Entry!

Not only is there a Gated Entryway, in Excellent snout house tradition, we still can’t find the front door. Note the addition of a stunt portal.

The remodeled Eatery is Eclectic, while the yard is Easy maintenance. Want to get an Estimate of Effort involved in the update? Examine this Earlier Eyesore!

Must see to appreciate. Eyeball, Extol, Expand!  The End.

We’ve made comments about certain property listings where the photos seem more suited to an art gallery than a home website. Today’s house, though, is in a class by itself for serious WTFness. This San Jose museum masterpiece is so moved miles more than the masonry mainstream that it was nominated by two different Burbed readers within 24 hours: z2amiller and mtv-renter.

Grab your AudioTour listening device, slip on your headphones, and enjoy these curated images from a Cambrian townhouse available right now through your favorite real estate professional.  Or pick your least favorite realtard just to make ‘em have to look at it.

5692 HOLLYLEAF Ln
San Jose, CA 95118
$485,000

HOA Dues: $329/mo.
2 Beds
2 Baths
1,102 Sq. Ft.
$440 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1973
Lot Size: 2,120 Sq. Ft.
On Redfin: 9 days
HOA Dues: $329/month
Style: Traditional
Community: Cambrian
MLS#: 81308592
Property Type: Townhouse
View: Green Belt, Neighborhood
County: Santa Clara

This home is a work of art! Upon entering you will be amazed at the artistry of the tile floors and walls These amazing mosaics were designed by a true artist. This colorful home features a remodeled kitchen with granite counters updated appliances copper sink double pane windows 2 spacious patios 2 car garage and a great location in the complex across from a green belt Must See one of kind Home!

Tile? That roof above looks just fine for a place in California.  Although somebody please give this listing agent some punctuation.

Ooooookay, the patio is just a touch on the loud side.  Things are about to get louder, so click on through. Warning, eye protection is strongly recommended.

(more…)

Who likes Mountain View? Lots of people, from watching the prices keep rising! So let’s visit another terrific home-buying opportunity in Google’s backyard, thanks to Burbed reader Single Pane Lass.  But there may be trouble in paradise with this piece of property. Why?

It’s been on the market for 31 whole days. That’s like 310 DOM in Stockton!

717 ALICE Ave
Mountain View, CA 94041
$1,300,000

4 Beds
2 Baths
1,654 Sq. Ft.
$786 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1978
Lot Size: 8,932 Sq. Ft.
On Redfin: 31 days
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Stories: 1
Community: Sylvan Dale
MLS#: 81304634

LOVELY MTN VIEW HOME WITH GOURMET KITCHEN, GRANITE COUNTER TOPS, LAMINATE WOOD FLOORS, WALK IN CLOSETS, SKYLIGHTS, GAS FIREPLACE AND HUGE LOT OF APPROX. 8900 SQ FT! CLOSE TO SHOPPING, PARKS AND DOWNTOWN MOUNTAIN VIEW.

Here’s why SPL sent in this fine façade in the Fortress.

Here is a wonderful example of how easy and fun it is to be a Professional Real Estate Agent–and a seller– in Silicon Valley these days.

Say you are running an illegal "foreign work program"/youth hostel/sweatshop. Not to worry! Just tell those kids to roll out of their Ikea bunkbeds, hop in the shower, use several towels, and fling them around the bedroom. Snap a few shots, and you’ll be pending in minutes. If anyone asks about why you have six people sleeping in one bedroom, just remind them that you are close to downtown!

We’re not sure if these pix are quite good enough to earn a Good Housekeeping Tag of Approval, but this is definitely proof that Bay Area Bubble 4.0 is making agents cocky.

Still not convinced that we’ve entered Bay Area Bubble 4.0?  Burbed reader wahnny has another entry trying to support our hypothesis.  Let’s take a good look at this cavernous castle in Campbell!

255 EVERETT Ave
Campbell, CA 95008
$579,900

2 Beds
1 Baths
784 Sq. Ft.
$740 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1980
Lot Size: 2,640 Sq. Ft.
On Redfin: 5 days
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Stories: 1
Community: Campbell
MLS#: 81307702
Style: Cottage/Bungalow
View: Neighborhood
County: Santa Clara

Another Gem by Gaurdian Home Brokers, nestled in the Quaint town of Campbell. Located a short walk from starbucks and the Famous Pruneyard Shopping Center. This Bugalow features all new kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances, paint int/ext, landscape, new windows and more. Top-rated schools.

And heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere’s wahnny!

Another [example of bubble pricing] is a flipped 1900s bungalow in (non-RBA) Campbell,

Not quite as cozy, and on a much smaller lot, but near top-rated schools / starbucks /shopping centers, and currently selling for "not a lot of money".

This is much better, wahnny, this is a flipped 1900s “bugalow.”  Another Gem by Gaurdian Home Brokers. (If the realtard meant this agency in Folsom, then we must admit this is the first time we’ve caught one who couldn’t properly spell the name of their own broker.)

If you’re interested, the before pictures and listing are available here (photo right).  Here’s the older listing copy:

Amazing potential! Southern-facing FIiXER UPPER w/ sunny fenced yard! In a sweet architecturally eclectic neighborhood a block to the heart of Campbell & restaurants, cafes, boutiques, & Sun. Farmer’s Market. Master br w/ walk-in closet & access to private patio. Eat-in kitchen w/ breakfast nook/laundry closet has French doors to the large yard. Fully fenced & low maint. yard.

Look at that!  For $180K less than the current asking price, you could have done business with an agent who could not only spell, but also use words like “eclectic.”

That’s right, there is no unit above or better than this Mountain View maisonette.  Read on to find out why!  Warning: sale may have closed already.  Our thanks to Burbed reader LomaLuvr.

1939 Rock St #17
Mountain View, CA 94043
$325,000

HOA Dues: $299/mo.
1 Beds
1 Baths
697 Sq. Ft.
$466 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1963
Lot Size: 2,917 Sq. Ft.
On Redfin: 7 days
HOA Dues: $299/month
Style: Contemporary
View: Neighborhood
County: Santa Clara
Property Type: Townhouse
Stories: 1-3 (Low Rise)
Community: Rengstorff
MLS#: 81306070

Rebuilt in 2006 * Charming1 bedroom Condo * Closed to Google * Quiet 19 units community * No unit Above * Gorgeous Kitchen w/ Granite Countertop, Cherry Cabinet, SS Microwave & Refri. w/ Tile Fl. * Family Rm w/ Recess Lights & Crown Molding * Master Bedrm. w/ Ceiling Fans & Closet * Private Backyard * Cheerful Bathrm w/ Tiles, Vanity, Granite countertop, SS faucet * Indoor Laundry * One covered & One Guest Parking

Nothing like a rebuilt place that where you can take one look at the kitchen and say, yup, rebuilt in 2006.  Definitely 2006.  Added bunus: kitchen cabinetry matches the landscaping.  Only in the Bay Area do we have homes so Special that they’re staged with that degree of fit and finish.

All this, and closed to Google too!

We love it when listings rise from the dead canceled and return betteh than EVEH.  Today we have a house that already made one appearance on Burbed, so another one makes it so much more full of Win!  Thanks very much to Burbed reader Dibber for unearthing this unabashed ultimate unavailable (yep, PENDING!) um…

11441 Eastbrook Ave
Los Altos, CA 94024
Pending: $2,499,000
Zestimate^®: $2,507,171

Bedrooms: 6 beds
Bathrooms:6 baths
Single Family:9,300 sq ft
Lot:23,086 sq ft
Year Built:1992
Heating Type:Forced air

Description

HUGE CUSTOM CONTEMPORARY HOME W/2100SF ATTACHED GUEST HOUSE**PERFECT FOR LARGE EXTENDED FAMILY OR INVESTMENT RENTAL**EXPANSIVE LIST OF AMENITIES INLC LIMESTONE FLRS, CUSTOM FAUX PAINT, LRG MASTER SUITE W/ SITTING ROOM, GOURMET KITCHEN W/ GRANITE, WINE CELLAR/TASTING ROOM, 5-ZONE HVAC, 4FIREPLACES** TWO (2) CAR GARAGES INCL OVERSIZED HEIGHT FOR R/V/WORKSHOP**FRESH LANDSCAPING,ROOFTOP BALCONY!

We’ll leave it as an exercise to the reader to find out why Zillow led with the cabinet picture instead of the front of the house.  Now let’s check in with Dibber:

Or maybe it never left?  Winchester Mystery House, Los Altos Hills campus.   Check out the listing history.  Who says Silicon Valley is expensive.  I can get you into Los Altos Hills baby!  And only $269 per square foot.  I’m thinking listing mistake…Concord? 

Perfect for the large extended family?  Honey, please show aunt Betty to the 2100 square foot guest house, but this time please keep her out of the wine cellar and off the roof deck.  And honey, the kids really shouldn’t be playing pick-up soccer on the 280.

Yes, ridicuously cheap.  Too bad Foothill College doesn’t have fraternities.  This place would would be perfect… traffic noise would drown out the party noise!

Wonder why this never got snapped up last time we featured it… And here it is all the way from 2010!  Remember this one?

Wow, has the unwitting seller finally dropped the price low enough price to find a buyer?  Or is this just a coincidence that prices are finally going up again?

If you take a look along our right-hand column, you can see a number of useful things to click.  There’s our email contacts, for when you want to send in the perfect example of Housing Win.  There’s some interesting websites we think you’d enjoy.  And there’s a link for every category we’ve ever filed anything under, along with how many articles are in each one.  Most of our categories are location, location, location.

Take a glance at today’s category, Foster City.  It’s a little on the scant side, and there’s a good reason for that.  Foster City is full of tract housing, and most of it’s in fairly good shape.  Places with good schools don’t tend to get run-down properties.  And besides, there’s so much housing win right next door in the flats of San Mateo.  All this is a fairly long-winded way to welcome today’s featured home, from Burbed reader Pizzawillcome.  Thanks very much for pulling up a rarity: Burbed-worthy in Foster City!

676 PILGRIM Dr
Foster City, CA 94404
$808,000

2 Beds
2.5 Baths
1,340 Sq. Ft.
$603 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1964
Lot Size: 5,225 Sq. Ft.
On Redfin: 7 days
Status: Active
Property Type: Detached Single Family
View: Neighborhood
County: San Mateo
Stories: 1
Community: Treasure Isle
MLS#: 81301481
Upcoming Open Houses:
Sunday, Jan 27: 2:00-4:00 pm

Great Foster City Eichler style home in excellent neighborhood. Laminate wood floors throughout. Heated pool and spa. Huge master bedroom. Kitchen with granite countertops. Remodeled baths. This house is perfect for entertaining. Home needs a little TLC but is in great shape. This will go quick. Great price!

Here’s the Pizza on this fab find:

I’ve been visiting Burbed on a daily basis for a few months. It is strangely therapeutic.

This house gave me an urge to send in my first burbed alert.  My favorites are the Cinderella-style bathroom mirror and the vanity.

Our favorite picture is the first one, because we don’t typically find such artistic photos in Foster City.  They’re all strangely identical, but this one is by an agent who says, “No, dammit, this house needs to be backlit! The right buyer wants a house that looms menacingly.

“Also that buyer will appreciate not one but two 8s in the price.”

Bunus: what’s that in the mirror?