Let’s get back to business. Homes are awaiting your overbids, like this one!

635 HIGHLAND Ave
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
$1,199,900

4 Beds
3 Baths
3,130 Sq. Ft.
$383 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1995
Lot Size: 8,625 Sq. Ft.
On Redfin: 73 days
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Stories: 2
Community: Highland Park
MLS#: 81307076
Style: Contemporary
View: Neighborhood
County: San Mateo

This spacious & extensively remodeled home, in a wonderful neighborhood, is just the one you’ve been waiting for! The inviting floor plan flows effortless from room to room and features a great-room with a large granite entertainment island, chef’s kitchen with stainless Viking appliances and direct access to the sunny deck, luxurious master suite with oppulent marble bathroom. Huge 3-car garage!

It also features extra commas and way too much High on that Dynamic Range.  Sheesh, they must have dialed that sky up to 11.  This listing is definitely in the picture is worth a thousand words category.

Nothing like a house marketed during Spring Bounce reminding us that Christmas comes but once a year.  However, boat tchotchkes seem like they’re sailing in constantly.

Not only does the TV work, there’s some semblance of a back yard to this place.

However since wine is not a boat, the racks are empty.  We’re also showing the laundry room because these appliances might not quite go with the carpet.

We also have a theory why this house isn’t selling in such a sizzling hot market. It has something to do with that sunny deck above, too.  There may be good reasons to stay inside by the ginormous granite island instead.

Bunus: Virtual Tour complete with animated book reminds you this isn’t Hogwarts.

We Resume our Regularly scheduled Blogging from A to Z Challenge today, which is Retailed to you by the letter R.  Really. Read on and Reason why Redwood City (climate best by government test) should be Respected. While this Redoubt may not be Real Bay Area, Recent Realty values have Reformed. 

And that’s a fancy of way of saying, “Buy now or be priced out forever.”  Yeah, we Repeat that one.

874 CLEVELAND St
Redwood City, CA 94061
$499,000

3 Beds
2 Baths
1,469 Sq. Ft.
$340 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1920
Lot Size: 3,570 Sq. Ft.
On Redfin: 32 days
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Stories: 1
County: San Mateo
Style: Cottage/Bungalow
Community: Central Park
MLS#: 81308678

Two homes on one lot. First house is 2 bedrooms and back house is 1 bedroom. Fixer opportunity. Tenant 1 is paying 900 a month and tenant 2 is 750. Both month to month. Purchase subject to inspection.

Look at that. A two for one special! And even better, this Real estate is Redolent with Renters! Buy now and you’ll be Realty Royalty! 

Also, you maybe be getting “bunus” buildings with this one, because the lot looks like there’s more than two buildings Residing.

Our Response? Refi. Rinse. Repeat.

Today’s house shows the importance of architectural design rules, such as balancing all the elements on each wall.  In this case, perhaps they were followed a bit too literally.  Our thanks to Burbed reader holyzoo for this superlative structure in South San Francisco!  Pending?  But of course!

Please enjoy this Guest Post, and give holyzoo a big, warm, Real Bay Area welcome as today’s Guest Blogger!

114 B St
South San Francisco, CA 94080
$575,000

3 Beds
2 Baths
1,270 Sq. Ft.
$453 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1953
Lot Size: 6,144 Sq. Ft.
On Redfin: 29 days
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Stories: Bi/Split Level
County: San Mateo
Style: Contemporary
Community: South San Francisco (Industrial)
MLS#: 81304306

A great home in lovely South San Francisco. This lovely home is located on a large corner lot. 3 large bedrooms, 2 full baths. including a mastersuite, Large spacious kitchen, dining area off the kitchen, nice size living room, 4 car attached garage, lots of light thru out the home. very private location, perfect place to park a lot of cars.

Well I have lenders jumping through hoops to see how much of a shovel I can have them hand me.  So far it looks pretty sweet.

So the search continues to see if something can persuade us. 

Which leads to this bizarre anomaly. 

It’s a bargain at $595k for a 3/2 1270sq/ft. SFH that looks like an apartment, no?

There’s an open house this weekend and we are there.  The listing agent gets crafty – "very private location, perfect place to park a lot of cars", or dead bodies?

Let’s see if we can even figure out how you get to the house?

Here’s the bird’s dropping, er, I mean, bird’s eye view.   Say you need a new roof?  Mr. Roofing is a turd throw away. 

Now from the street named end, looks like a dead end to me.

Then from the 1st street past someone else’s teardown, I think we have solved the mystery?  Just *sneak* past the neighbors with my entourage of cars daily and nightly and see if they dare screw with ME!

These guys had no clue how to get there either. 

Burbed just doesn’t give the East Bay enough love, so we’re always delighted when our readers send us something from Alameda or Contra Costa County.  Today’s featured listing is from one of the more rarified regions of CCC, but you’ll see that there’s nothing Real about this Bay Area bonanza.  Thanks very much to Burbed reader Kim in the East Bay for this Danville domicile!

898 La Gonda Way
Danville, CA 94526
$619,500

3 Beds
1 Baths
1,112 Sq. Ft.
$557 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1953
Lot Size: —
On Redfin: 67 days
Status: Active
Property Type: Single-Family Home
County: Contra Costa
Community: Danville/San Ramon |
MLS#: 403322

Single family home on large level lot with 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living room with fireplace, dining area, large kitchen, huge yard, 2 car garage parking.

 

Are we lost? This looks like something not from Danville, but maybe Connecticut.  Bricks, autumn foliage, and what could pass for aluminum siding; all we need are some shooting ranges in those woods over the back fence.  And that spare prose is pure Yankee, other than the outburst about the huge yard.  So huge the lot size isn’t even provided (9583 sf, even that’s more East Coast than East Bay).

Maybe we’re not lost but this house is. The price has been reduced twice, and the agent couldn’t be bothered to clean up before taking the listing pix.  Even the dog carrier stays.

Did we mention location, location, location?

So many times we hear the refrain, “I would love to buy a house, but I can’t afford anything.  It’s just too expensive here.” And so many times we have found affordable houses that YOU could go and buy.  Today we have yet another exciting opportunity for YOU, the would-be homeowner.  Just imagine yourself watering your very own lawn!  Or even better, your very own Rose Garden!

1951 FOREST Ave
San Jose, CA 95128
$350,000

1 Beds
1 Baths
525 Sq. Ft.
$667 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1915
Lot Size: 3,600 Sq. Ft.
On Redfin: 70 days
Status: Active
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Community: Central San Jose
MLS#: 81241926

This home is located in the desirable Rose Garden neighborhood. Needs a lot of work. Not livable now. Contractor’s special. Located on a 3,600 square foot lot. Has a lot of potential. Great opportunity for someone looking to move into a fantastic area.

This property is Special for a number of reasons, and we don’t just mean for Contractors.

That’s a Streetview shot on this property listing.  The realtard didn’t even bother cropping it a little to strip out the Google logo.  It also, LUCKY YOU, conveniently fell out of contract just a couple of weeks ago, and is relisted at the same attractive price. 

Speaking of attractive, let’s swing that Streetview camera just a little to the right (below).  While the white truck is intriguing, the station wagon is vehicular WIN.  And from the satellite shot on the left, we can see exactly why this is such an attractive proposition: this looks like a Hoarder House.  Can you imagine what sorts of “bunus” loot awaits the lucky buyer of this affordable home that wears its 98 years proudly?

Bunus Specialtude: This home has been featured as the cover photo of our brand new Facebook Page for a couple of days.  Keep checking over there for new cover photos, and play “Find That Crapbox!”

Today’s building is not only in soooo prestigious Woodside (home of the record-breaking $117.5 million property sale), it’s got a look that makes it so much more than merely a trophy home.  Plus it’s just steps away from cosmopolitan Redwood City!  Thanks very much to Burbed reader Petsmart Groomer for this superb structure.

240 CINNABAR Rd
Woodside, CA 94062
$14,800,000

4 Beds
5 Baths
8,669 Sq. Ft.
$1,707 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1991
Lot Size: 3.01 Acres
On Redfin: 131 days
Status: Active
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Stories: 3
Community: Woodside Hills
MLS#: 81235457
Style: Contemporary
View: Bay, City Lights
County: San Mateo

MODERN HIGH-TECH HOME ON 3+ PRIVATE ACRES WITH SWEEPING VIEWS OF SF BAY, EAST BAY HILLS & STANFORD. 2-STORY LR W/ WALLS OF GLASS ORIENTED TOWARD THE VIEW; FLOATING STAIRCASE, FULLY CUSTOMIZED LIBRARY AND OFFICE; 4 BED PLUS 2 MULTI-ROOM APTS; ELEVATOR; 21 KW SOLAR SYSTEM, UNDERGROUND GARAGE; 12′ CEILINGS IN BASEMENT; GROUNDS W/ INFINITY POOL, SPA, TERRACES, PLAYGROUND, PUTTING GREEN, FIREPIT

12’ CEILINGS IN BASEMENT? Unless there’s a squash court in there, why would you need the basement floors so deep?  Was this a former mausoleum but they’re just not copping to it?

And have a good look at the aerial shot: as PG so aptly notes, all those smaller lots are Redwood City in your backyard.  Don’t worry, despite bordering your property, they can’t get to your street.

It’s the FLOATING STAIRCASE that scares them away.

How much should land in the Real Bay Area cost, when they aren’t making any more of it?  It’s hard to tell, as most of it is already covered with houses.  But today’s featured property, courtesy of Burbed reader Michael Boltonestater, may help us get an idea.  All together now: Mountain View, so close to Google!

344 BRYANT Ave
Mountain View, CA 94040
$4,400,000

3 Beds 
1 Baths 
1,216 Sq. Ft.
$3,618 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1953 
Lot Size: 0.93 Acres 
On Redfin: 1 day
Status: Active
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Stories: 1
Community: Grant
MLS#: 81301915
Style: Traditional, Cottage/Bungalow
View: Neighborhood
County: Santa Clara

3BR/1BA WITH SPACIOUS KITCHEN OVERLOOKING YARD. FEATURES INCLUDE LIVING ROOM WITH REFINISHED HARDWOOD FLOORS, INSIDE LAUNDRY ROOM WITH PANTRY, & APPROVED PLANS FOR REMODEL/EXPANSION INTO SPACIOUS ATTIC AREA. POSSIBLE 4 LOT SUBDIVISION ON APPROXIMATELY 40,000SF LOT (. 93 ACRES). OUTSTANDING DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS WITH ACCESS FROM BRYANT FILOMENA COURT. IDEALLY LOCATED IN WELL ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOOD.

You know the agent is just phoning this one in to long list of OPPORTUNITY-minded investors. Otherwise, this house with all its expansion plans could have easily been featured instead of just an aerial shot.  Heck, Google even managed to find something once we realized the Redfin map was pointing to the wrong place (over at Beaumont and Apricot, and wonder why that happened, huh?)

Also look at this very odd cul-de-sac that abuts the property (right underneath the lot on the lower right).  Looks like it only culled half de sac.

So, do you think land in Mountain View in a good zip without the good schools is worth a million for a quarter acre?  Can you make money as a developer when your land costs are that high?  New homes in nearby Enclave at Waverly Park development (the old Pumpkin Patch property) went for $2M+, but they built 53 big houses there.  Hard to get economies of scale when this lot will support four of them.

Perhaps the third time’s a charm for this huge investment opportunity. The buyer is sticking to this price regardless of which agent has the deal.

Here’s a very Bay Area solution to the often noted challenge that “they’re not making any more land.”  Build your house on  water!  Sound like a plan to you?  Let’s swim on up to WaterWorld, courtesy of Burbed reader J from Alameda! 

Note: this is a Bay Area solution, but definitely not a REAL Bay Area fix.  RBA houses are in the RBA in the first place because they have land they aren’t making any more of.

2394 Mariner Square C3
Alameda, CA 94501
Sold 11/9/10 for $335,000

2 Beds 
1 Baths 
1,296 Sq. Ft.
$258 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1972 
Lot Size: — 
Sold On: Nov 9, 2010
Status: Sold
Type: Detached
Stories: 2
Community: Barnhill Marina
MLS#: 40489839
Style: Contemporary
View: City Lights, Marina, San Francisco, Water
County: Alameda

This beautifully remodeled 2 bed 1 bath floating home features estuary and SF views, hardwood floors, new paint, wains coating, vaulted ceiling with exposed wood beams, new appliances, stain glass windows, three decks, and skylights. Close to BART, ferry, train, and Fwy.

Here’s what J floated over with the house:

And this would be cheapest SFR/Floating. Also should get a prize for longest price history….

Unfortunately, would you believe this property was delisted, we swear we are not making this up, the very day we head off to Redfin to write it up?  Which means we don’t know how many days it was on the market for but about two years.  We’ve already done a property that was sitting on MLS for four years!  And this one for more than three!

But while you may be at sea here, the agent says it’s close to everything: BART, ferry, train, and Fwy. It’s even closer to the Posey (underground) tube.  The map clearly shows it runs right underneath you.

Meanwhile, we looked high (Zillow) and low (Sawbuck) for the newly pulled listing without much success.  Here’s what we found in Google cache, but it appears to be a completely different floating house, despite the listing history lining up perfectly.

2394 Mariner Square Drive E6
Alameda, CA 94501
$229,000

1 Beds 
1 Baths 
— Sq. Ft.
Built: 1968
Lot Size: —
On Redfin: 537 days
Type: Detached
Stories: 2
Community: Barnhill Marina
MLS#: 40533694
Style: Contemporary
View: City Lights, Downtown, Marina, Water
County: Alameda

Floating Home. Open plan for kitchen/living room and den; upper level suite for bedroom and sitting area. 360 degree view from upper deck; elegant tiled first floor. New carpet in upper level bedroom suite.

One bedroom, two bedrooms, so what? No square feet, 1300 square feet, big deal.  Blue trim, green trim, doesn’t mean anything.  C3, E6, you sunk my battleship!

Now, here’s one of the 360 degrees of views you can enjoy from the upper deck.  Also check out this delightful photo of the house and environs from homes.com!

Bunus: Sold in 2007 for $448K.

Another bunus: This old listing (with old paint job) says there’s a $523 a month berth fee.  But that’s nothing.  Trulia says this place is a mobile/manufactured home.  They’re the only site that says so, which means they could be wrong.  But what could possibly be better than a trailer house in a trailer flotilla?

Time once again to visit one of our favorite places in the entire Real Bay Area!  And it’s been a while because the properties go pending faster than we can click through the listing photos.  We’ve been telling you that many RBA neighborhoods are hot, hot, HOT.  Now we’ve got even more proof that The Bubbly is Back.  Check out this Palo Alto palazzo from Burbed reader Michael Boltonestater!

411 PEPPER Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94306
$868,000

3 Beds 
1 Baths 
987 Sq. Ft.
$879 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1940 
Lot Size: 6,534 Sq. Ft. 
On Redfin: 5 days
Status: Active
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Stories:1
Community: Ventura
MLS#: 81300120
Style: Cottage/Bungalow
View: Neighborhood
County: Santa Clara

Walk to California Avenue and enjoy all it has to offer, from this charming 1940s cottage with endless potential. Light filled rooms, hardwood floors, remodeled bathroom. Expansive backyard. Quiet location. Outstanding Palo Alto Schools. No offers prior to 1/14/13.

Not just a house in Palo Alto with endless potential (after all, every house in Palo Alto has endless potential, just by being in Palo Alto!), this is a 1940s cottage with endless potential.  Just look at that kitchen!  They sure don’t build them like they used to.

But did you catch the last line in the listing?  “No offers prior to 1/14/13.”  If that isn’t proof that it’s 2006 again, we don’t know what will convince you.  Once again, the realtards are so convinced that their listed houses sell themselves, they get to decide what day they sell themselves.

Now here’s what Michael thinks about this Would Sell Way Over Asking Right Now If Only The Agent Hadn’t Made Everyone Wait a Week property:

Nice neighbors too, if you like junkyards.

These will be terrific neighbors… if you ever need to borrow a cup of brake fluid.

There are several types of housing awesomeness we cover.  There’s the high-priced crapshack, the WTF You’re Kidding, the completely overdone custom home, the adorable domicile with serious location fail such as an international airport.  Then there’s the tried and true House Flip.  We all love flips because they all use the same formula.

1. Buy crappy house for cash
2. ?????
3. Profit!

Have a look at what Burbed reader nomadic found for us in the wilds of Los Gatos.

15588 BENEDICT Ln
Los Gatos, CA 95032
$950,000

3 Beds
2 Baths
1,456 Sq. Ft.
$652 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1948
Lot Size: 9,625 Sq. Ft.
On Redfin: 34 days
Status: Active

Start work tomorrow! Rare opportunity and no waiting. Permit fees have been paid and plans are in hand for a complete remodel/addition of this cute 1500 SF. 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bath home with spacious kitchen/greatroom on a large (9625 SF), level lot with an existing garage. To help save even more time and money, the interior of the home has been stripped to the framing. Great location with L. G. schools

Have they left out Phase 2? Let’s hear from nomadic:

A flipper bought this house in May, stripped the house down to the studs and put it up for sale in November.  He thinks those services (plus permits) are worth $175k.  Is the market really that crazy?  Maybe not, given that it’s still active after 30 days.

Ooh, the plot thickens: “Fixer Upper, Seller is Licensed Real Estate Agent”

The “Zestimate” is $945k.  Unfortunately, the prior listing isn’t available on Redfin so we can’t tell if the current seller did anything at all, other than buy at a favorable price – which actually probably wasn’t particularly good, given that this nearby house sold in July for $700k (larger but with Hwy 17 in the back yard) before being flipped – as a FINISHED house – for $999k.

To help save even more time and money, why not leave the flippers out of the entire transaction?  Which leaves a realtard out too!

Bunus: Check out the neighborhood. Great for teens!