Here’s another find from Burbed reader Petsmart Groomer, from the prestigious “almost Palo Alto and next to the same train tracks” neighborhood.

2380 ADELE Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043

BEDS: 3
BATHS: 2
SQ. FT.: 1,334
$/SQ. FT.: $621
LOT SIZE: 6,000 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Contemporary
STORIES: 1
YEAR BUILT: 1956
COMMUNITY: Thompson
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81109726
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Pending With Release
ON REDFIN: 91 days

Bright & Spacious with open floor plan. Newer paint interior & exterior. Newer Garage door. Newer double door. Remodeled kitchen with Granite Countertop. Stainless Steel Appliances & Refrigerator. Newer sliding door to backyard. Refinish Hardwood floors throughout the house. Cozy Fireplace in Living room. Beautiful private Backyard. TOO MANY UPGRADES TO LIST. OPEN-HOUSE 5/22/2011 from 1-4pm

I hope you caught that they expect the seller buyer to refinish the hardwood floors throughout the house.  (That was an order, right?)  For $829K you can’t have everything.

Here’s something else they didn’t list: sold for $950K with overbidding, just 3 years ago!  Now the asking price is closer to the 2004 sale price.

How high did the overbidding go this round?  And why won’t anyone stay in this house more than 4 years?  Is it a Presidential Campaign stop?  Buy this house, and sell it with overbidding in 2016!

Who here doesn’t love overpriced crapboxes?  Anyone?  Of course we all do!  Overpriced crapboxes are what makes Burbed Burbed!  And today’s listing is not just an overpriced crapbox, but an overpriced crapbox with a mystery!  And you will NEVER guess where it is!

Thanks very much to Burbed reader sfbubblebuyer, who has a house to sell you.  Or maybe it’s a house to stay away from.  I just know that buy it or drive 25 miles in the other direction, you will not forget this place.

2504 EMMETT Way, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
$575,000

BEDS: 5
BATHS: 4
SQ. FT.: 1,620
$/SQ. FT.: $355
LOT SIZE: 5,060 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Ranch
STORIES: 1
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 1956
COMMUNITY: East of U.S. 101
COUNTY: San Mateo
MLS#: 81110691
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 84 days

5 BEDROOMS, 4 BATHS, 2 CAR ATTACHED GARAGE, CENTRAL FORCED AIR HEATING, FENCED YARD. UPGRADED WITH DUAL PANE WINDOWS, ETC.

Here’s what sfbubblebuyer had to say about this house:

I was going to post this to compare its crackerbox joylessness with the current crackerbox from Mountain View, but thought the listing history might deserve a post all of its own. I’m HOPING you know some people with access to the MLS for listing histories, because Redfin only shows it redacted, and Zillow seems to be ignoring the old listings history, but check this bad boy out.

On sale since 2006, and they’re still in denial! It’ll be their 5 year anniversary of chasing the market down on the 26th. Oh man, I want the juicy listing data to see where these geniuses started at and how they overplayed their hand for 5 years. How the hell do you try and sell in 2006 and FAIL? SERIOUSLY? They must have priced this bitch at 1.2 million or something to start!

Okay, sfbb, I feel your pain.  And I found this:

Look!  It’s the same agent as now, all the way back in 2008, and the asking price was only $120K more.  Why, $120K wouldn’t even cover an East Palo Alto down payment in 2006.

Maybe this place was where they put the melamine in the milk products, or where our former Governor met up with bimbettes who weren’t classy enough to merit the Sacramento Hyatt Regency.

Well, you Burbed readers are a tough crowd.  I’ve been recovering from a nasty bout of fever, so I dialed in a quickie Open Houses and Open Thread on Sunday.  You guys, I swear!  I don’t think any column in Burbed ever got 5 negative votes before.  Even a listing credited to a commenter who collects thumbs downs the way East San Jose collects foreclosures did better than that!  

Good thing Burbed reader sfbubblebuyer sent in a great listing with commentary ready to go, so I can hide under the covers in my depreciating former RBA house until the recession is over.  Keep those contributions coming in, it means the zip code entries will be put off a long, long time!

Please give sfbubblebuyer a big, warm Real Bay Area welcome with today’s Guest Post from beautiful downtown Burbank San Carlos!

885 SUNSET Dr, San Carlos, CA  94070
$749,000

BEDS: 4
BATHS: 3
SQ. FT.: 1,610
$/SQ. FT.: $465
LOT SIZE: 8,100 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Contemporary
STORIES: 2
VIEW: Bay, City Lights
YEAR BUILT: 1957
COMMUNITY: Beverly Terrace
COUNTY: San Mateo
MLS#: 81008742
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Pending With Release
ON REDFIN: 452 days

INCREDIBLE GARDENERS PARADISE. SPACIOUS 2 LEVEL HOME FEATURING 2 SEPARATE LIVING AREAS COMPLETE W/ 2 FULL KITCHENS. 4 bed/3 bath (1bed/1bath is a studio) IDEAL FOR LARGE OR EXTENDED FAMILY. PANORAMIC BAY VIEWS FROM BOTH LEVELS. HUGE SOLAR POOL-MULTI LEVEL REDWOOD DECKS. GORGEOUS NEIGHBORHOOD. DECK HAS BUILT IN/CUSTOM BBQ GRILL. RECESSED LIGHTING. GREAT AMBIANCE. EMAIL ONLY joyadeeb@gmail. com

This house is a short sell WAY below the prices of other houses in San Carlos, yet it has fallen out of escrow four times. (It’s in escrow again! Let’s see how long THIS one lasts.) Why would it be falling out of escrow when it’s almost not-a-lot-of-money less than other houses in the neighborhood? Nearby houses range from 1.1 to 1.6 million! Clearly there is a gaping portal to hell disgorging denizens of the netherworld into the house’s crawlspace! Or perhaps it has foundation issues that would make Bill Murray’s makeup artist blanch with fear. Perhaps Gilbert Gottfried lives in the house next door?

Whatever the reason, this house is slowly crushing the current owner’s balance sheet into a fine paste. Now’s the chance to buy it, slap in some mawbahl cawlums and flip it for 1.5! Get busy! I mean, think of all the flat screen televisions you could have! And you’d finally have the confidence to start that harem you’ve always wanted! BUY BUY BUY!

(But be sure to keep the Ghostbuster’s number handy in case that portal to hell thing turns out to be true.)

Here’s an interesting listing sent in by Burbed reader Tracy.  Unfortunately the listing was canceled last week after almost constant price reductions over an entire year.  That can only mean one thing: Rising prices are back, baby!

618 Genine Ct, San Jose, CA 95127
$359,950

Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 1
Sqft: 1,182
Lot size: 11,000 sq ft / 0.25 acres
Property type: Single Family
Year built: 1940
Parking type: —
Cooling system: —
Heating system: —
Fireplace: —
Last sold: November 20 2003

Priced Right For A Deal! Country Ranch-Style 4 Bedroom Home on Huge/Massive Lot in Cul-de-Sac Location-Room to EXPAND & GROW. QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD. Tremendous Value. Mostly Hardwood floors under carpets. Detached 2 car garage with extra workshop. Great backyard for entertaining, bbqs, room for expansion and huge garden. Ready for your finishing touches. Come by and feel the love. GREAT DEAL!

First, here’s what Tracy had to say about this house (before the listing was canceled):

This is a weird one with monthly "huge" price reductions, a HUGE
lot with "nice" neighbors... 

Guess we missed the love, and that’s a shame, because Redfin agent Keith Wong toured the place twice!  Here’s what Keith had to say about this house.

Keith Wong – Field Agent on Redfin’s Southern East Bay Team

"Property has potential to be converted to a bigger property. Current property out of date but with the right buyer who is looking to do a possible tare down or a complete make over, this is the lot to do it"

3/25/2011

Possible tare down?  We better have an actual look at this place.

Wow, has that shade of green been used by an auto manufacturer since 1958?  Oh, it’s the tarp!  Never mind, then.  I figured if they threw in the car this deal might actually cash flow.

Speaking of cash, here’s the listing history from Zillow (Redfin helpfully deletes the prices when a listing is canceled, the spoilsports).  Quite a tare down:

See, that’s the kind of can-do initiative the Bay Area is famous for!  Here’s someone selling a place they picked up for only $50,000 at the beginning of the bubble and trying to convince everyone it’s actually worth an order of magnitude more, when almost everything else in that part of town is selling for 1999 prices!  And that’s why the listing got canceled.  Someone will give it a tare down, or maybe just a complete make over, and it’s going to sell for $800K.  Alum Rock’s gonna be hot, hot, hot!

Thanks to Burbed reader Sam for this “very unique” find in San Carlos.

790 BUCKLAND Ave, San Carlos, CA 94070
$1,049,000

BEDS: 4
BATHS: 3
SQ. FT.: 1,965
$/SQ. FT.: $534
LOT SIZE: 7,565 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Contemporary
STORIES: Bi/Split Level
VIEW: Bay, Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 1955
COMMUNITY: Cordes
COUNTY: San Mateo
MLS#: 81113908
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Pending Without Release
ON REDFIN: 14 days

Wow!!This is a Tremendous 4bed 3 bath home. Unmatched features and wide open floor plan make this home “fit for a King” Heated bathroom floors, heated towel racks, remote control digitally controlled shower. Electrolox Icon Stanliess steele appliances with build in espresso machine makes this kitchen one of a kind. All new windows, floors, doors, Outstanding remoldel.

Here’s what Sam had to say about this listing:

I guess the listing agent forgot that in 2011 the “recently flipped” moniker isn’t a feature. Flip This House is sooooo 2006. But hey, it’s “fit for a King”: it has heated towel racks! It also has “Stanliess steele”. I don’t know what that is, but I’m pretty sure it would make a good porn star name.

Well, we got good news and bad news for you, Sam.  The bad news is this listing recently changed, maybe when the buyers accepted that pending without release offer.  Maybe they took away that “recently flipped” comment you mention that I didn’t find, what with my keeping your email sitting around for 2 weeks.  But the good news is that we don’t have to scratch our heads wondering what’s wrong with this place.  Redfin’s doing the heavy lifting for us!

Very unique!  I love very unique!  Nonconforming and weird is good too!  We’re going to love working with our Redfin overlords.  Meanwhile, check out the Google Streetview of this place!  I guess Spring Bounce means equity is rising. Something is rising, because the place doesn’t look exactly level.

But wait, there’s more!  Look at the listing history, OMFG!  This must be what Sam mean about recently flipped.  Plus a bonus foreclosure, this place has it all.

Don’t worry, Zillow’s got us covered on those missing listing prices.  Hoo-boy, can you say “Price Reduction”?

Cheer up!  The house was pending back in September, 2010, and that deal fell through.  It could happen again and YOU could be the next owner!

Whoever does buy it, please replace that rug with something that doesn’t look like the hardwood floor cut open and rotated 90 degrees.  Even Stanliess steele would look better.  But nothing beats a remote control digitally controlled shower.

$229,000

 

871 35th St Oakland, CA 94608

 

Beds:	3
Baths:	2
Sq. Ft.:	1,422
$/Sq. Ft.:	$161
Lot Size:	4,560 Sq. Ft.
TYPE:	Detached
STYLE:	Other
STORIES:	2
Year Built:	1910
Community:	Brockhurst
County:	Alameda
MLS#:	40505697
Source:	EBRD
Status:	ActiveThis listing is for sale and the sellers are accepting offers.
On Redfin:	8 days

Real hardwood, large kitchen, new carpet and paint throughout, huge rear yard. A real Gem!

Thanks to Burbed reader Joe for this find!

First, let’s enjoy the listing photos, which appear to be taken from another website. Classy!

Next, let’s take a gander at the fine location of this house:

What? No mention of the great views of 580?

But the reason why Joe brought this up, and why I’m hoping all the forensic accountants can step up and help us out here is this:

HUH??????????????????????????????????????

Any idea
what happened here?

When the banks say everything must go, they really mean everything, including this big, big, big deal.  Thanks to Burbed reader nomadic for today’s amazing offer.

18157 Wagner Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95032
$7,695,000

Beds: 5
Baths: 6
Sq. Ft.: 7,035
$/Sq. Ft.: $1,094
Lot Size: 25 Acres
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Style: Contemporary, Mediterranean
Stories: 2
View: Green Belt, Mountains, Canyon, Neighborhood, Valley, City Lights
Year Built: 1999
Community: Los Gatos/Monte Sereno
County: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81051721
Source: MLSListings
Status: Active
On Redfin: 62 days

COMPLETELY REMODELED TUSCAN ESTATE ON 25 SPECTACULAR VIEW ACRES * SEPARATE 10 ACRE PARCEL IS IDEAL TO BUILD A SECOND ESTATE OR VINEYARD * EXQUISITE DETAILS INCLUDE NEW EXTERIOR FINISHES, PLASTER WALLS, INFINITY EDGED POOL, NEW LUSH LANDSCAPING, NEW DESIGNER BATHROOMS, AND STUNNING HARDWOOD & TRAVERTINE FLOORING * MINUTES TO DOWNTOWN & HWY 85 * DISTINGUISHED LOS GATOS SCHOOLS * OVER 7,035 SQFT OF LUXURY & PRIVACY

Such a BIG deal the agent put everything in CAPITAL LETTERS so you can pick up his URGENCY.  HURRY, HURRY, HURRY, it’s only been listed 62 days.

Here’s what nomadic had to say about this listing:

Look at the confusing history on this house.  The old listings bounce between 15 and 25 acres.  There are two parcels apparently, but with the foreclosures I’m surprised they would have continued to be owned by the same entity.  The prices are all over the place too.

Wait, multiple foreclosures?  One at $3,367,000 and another at $4,155,534, within two weeks of each other?  Plus four sales within two months during the bubble, between an individual, a relative, a limited liability corporation, and a living trust (and that’s before the banks got involved)?  Is it a house or is it a hot potato?  Don’t know, but it’s (they’ve?) been listed on MLS no less than fourteen times since it was built eleven years ago.

The listing and sales record is so long it has 42 entries in it.  Head over to Redfin and take it all in there.

One great thing about buying this house: You will definitely get to decide what color you want your walls painted.  Is there anything sadder than a ginormous custom home full of abandoned equipment because the owner ran out of money?  There’s definitely a story here, but you don’t need to hear it.  You just need to take this property off the bank’s books cheap, and pick out some paint.

$783,900

2111 FOREST Ave Belmont, CA 94002

Beds:	3
Baths:	3
Sq. Ft.:	1,900
$/Sq. Ft.:	$413
Lot Size:	5,600 Sq. Ft.
Property Type:	Detached Single Family
Style:	Contemporary
Stories:	Tri-Level
View:	Bay, Mountains, City Lights
Year Built:	1976
Community:	Haskins Estates
County:	San Mateo
MLS#:	81051960
Source:	MLSListings
Status:	ActiveThis listing is for sale and the sellers are accepting offers.
On Redfin:	4 days

HUGE Price Reduction!!Great Bay views & unlimited potential with this charming 3 bedroom 3 bath home -Located in Belmont hills. Large kitchen, romantic master suite with views and fireplace Close to schools, parks shopping and more. Come live the dream!B of A Prequalification required with all offers, Free appraisal & credit report if buyer finances with B of A Bank owned and they want it sold!

Thanks to Burbed reader JW for this find!

Here’s what JW originally sent to me:

Is that a chimney or are you glad to see me?

The first picture has an angled shot to emphasize the fact that it has a tall chimney.

Indeed that is a pretty… uh… impressive package of a photo. But let’s dig into the details. In particular, let’s find out more about this “HUGE Price reduction” (why is everything about size in this listing?)

I’m not sure I’d call that HUGE, but for the Real Bay Area, even $1 of reduction is huge. Hey Belmont… take it easy on these cuts. It doesn’t make you look good.

422 LORETO St Mountain View, CA 94041

$1,499,999

Beds:	3
Baths:	2
Sq. Ft.:	2,029
$/Sq. Ft.:	$739
Lot Size:	5,750 Sq. Ft.
Property Type:	Detached Single Family
Style:	Traditional
Stories:	2
View:	Neighborhood
Year Built:	2007
Community:	Downtown
County:	Santa Clara
MLS#:	81033665
Source:	MLSListings
Status:	Active This listing is for sale and the sellers are accepting offers.
On Redfin:	24 days

Beautiful custom Craftsman style home built in 2007 and located in highly sought after Old Mountain View Neighborhood. This home was designed for maximum space and features an open floor plan. Filled with premium features and skylights throughout. Serene backyard with custom built playhouse. Nearby amenities include CalTrain, lightrail, and walking distance to vibrant downtown Mountain View!

Thanks to Burbed reader S.L. for this find!

S wanted to call attention to this curious statistic:

Wow! Look at all the trapped equity waiting in this… uh… non-fixer-upper!

As we all know, real estate operates in a 5 year cycle – so if you buy this today, it should definitely resume the $1.8M price by… July 11, 2012! Boom! Instant riches!

Thanks for the investment advice!

$1,689,000

602 CHIMALUS Dr Palo Alto, CA 94306

Beds:	4
Baths:	3
Sq. Ft.:	2,090
$/Sq. Ft.:	$808
Lot Size:	5,311 Sq. Ft.
Property Type:	Detached Single Family
Style:	Contemporary
Stories:	2
View:	Neighborhood
Year Built:	2009
Community:	Barron Park
County:	Santa Clara
MLS#:	81011503
Source:	MLSListings
Status:	Active This listing is for sale and the sellers are accepting offers.
On Redfin:	115 days

Custom contemporary home on a Palo Alto cul-de-sac. Custom bamboo cabinetry in the kitchen and baths w/ soapstone and slate counter tops. Soaring ceilings. Heated bath floors. White oak floors throughout. Green features include LED lights, tankless hot water, ceiling fans, attic fans, 2 zones HVAC, and more! Palo Alto schools including Gunn High. ALso available for rent at $6250/month.

Now this house was mentioned before – let’s take a look at the way back machine…

July 24 2009

Pralay Says:
July 27th, 2009 at 10:52 pm

One more Palo Alto property that has neither buyer nor renter – 602 CHIMALUS Dr. The flipper bought the lot for $1.1M in 2007. In market from December (price reduced from $1.9M to $1.6M).

Now the flipper put it up as rental in craiglist – for $6995 per month.

Recently, burbed reader Gallileo saw that it continues to be listed, and had this additional commentary:

A house no one is worth of in Barron Park

Flipped not once but twice from 2006 to 2007, then undergoing an extensive remodel, this house first listed in 2008 in its new incarnation. All the resales and repricings–”Up! No down! no up!”–show the true desirability of this house–its so hot that no one feels worthy of it for more than a year. Even the former renters moved out. And how can you ever find the right price on a house that sells and rerents so often?

Now it sits there, stately and sideways on its half-sized lot, backed up against Palo Alto’s only light-manufacturing industrial plant, just waiting for a renter or buyer who feels worthy of it. The recent price increase shows just how desirable it is.

Alright all you creative minds out there… what’s it going to take to get this house sold? I’m thinking… increase the price even more! Let’s make it even more valuable by making it even more precious!

Anyone know what the fair market rent value of this house would be? Any good comparables?