Did you like yesterday’s cute little house at an affordable price?  Then you’re going to love today’s find from Burbed reader nomadic, from that same thread on Redfin forums.  Today’s house costs 80% less, yet is 25% bigger!  Best of all, this place is much, much closer to Silicon Valley, yet offers all the same advantages of living in a big city.

181 N 34TH St, San Jose, CA 95116
$220,000

BEDS: 2
BATHS: 1
SQ. FT.: 572
$/SQ. FT.: $385
LOT SIZE: 3,600 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STORIES: 1
YEAR BUILT: 1949
COMMUNITY: Alum Rock
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81141730
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Pending With Release
ON REDFIN: 33 days

Excellent Starter Home 2 Bedroom and 1 Bath home.

Here’s what nomadic has to say about the property:

Here’s a funny listing someone on the Redfin forum linked to:

Homeowner? check
Luxury German auto? check
Up next, trophy wife!
Chicks dig guys who own a home right?  (Please don’t notice this is a short sale!)

I didn’t notice it was a short sale because I was too busy wondering just how many drinks the surveyor had when platting out this neighborhood:

I wonder if he was working in an office where his colleagues enjoyed playing practical jokes, like the old “substitute tissue paper for drafting paper” trick.  Unfortunately, Mr. Five Martini Surveyor was too looped to notice and nobody had the heart to tell him he had to do it over.

Also, did you notice this house is Pending with release?  Do you know what Pending with release means?  It means this:

This listing is in escrow and all contingencies have been fulfilled. “With Release” means that there’s a release clause with the offer stating that the buyer is trying to sell his current home before closing. A release clause lets the seller back out of the deal if the buyers can’t sell their home within a set time frame.

So my question to you is what the hell kind of house is someone hoping to sell in order to buy this one?

Here’s a house that will give the entire la-di-da zip code of 94301 the “You’re not wearing THAT cheap thing?” glare it so rarely gets.  Yes, today’s featured listing is asking more than double the $1000 a square foot altitude we’ve come to love near University Avenue.

Thanks very much to Redfin Bay Area Forums reader tarazet for this find.

 

86 Stanton St, San Francisco, CA 94114
$1,150,000

BEDS: 1
BATHS: 1
SQ. FT.: 435
$/SQ. FT.: $2,644
LOT SIZE: –
PROPERTY TYPE: Single-Family Home
STYLE: Cottage
YEAR BUILT: 1918
COMMUNITY: Eureka Valley/Dolore
COUNTY: San Francisco
MLS#: 382947
SOURCE: San Francisco MLS
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 202 days

Two Buildable Lots and One Updated Cottage that sits in a little dell, down flagstone steps, with a terraced stone-paved front yard and grassy side yard. Two skylights, bleached hardwood floors, peaked beamed roof, bathroom with glassblock. Pedini Kitchen: Viking range, Carrera marble countertops. Great development plans available for viewing or develop your own.

Have we ever had a house listed for this much a foot?  This one cleared $2000 a foot, but isn’t anywhere as awesome because its high price is due to being on half an acre in Los Gatos.  Today’s house breaks the $2600 a foot barrier on a whopping 2347 square foot lot.  Now that takes some doing.

That’s right.  TWO buildable lots on the 2347 square feet.  I bet this house is perfect for two families as well.

Speaking of $2600, that’s exactly what this place rents for per month.  That means the price rent ratio is a delightfully buyer-friendly 36.86. Wowzers, you’d best jump on this place, because that hanging Ikea lamp probably adds at least an extra $75,000 to the kitchen.

Update: Price reduced to a million even last Friday.  It’s now a bargain at $2,299 a foot!

A couple of years ago, Burbed featured this fine Rivermark house at a rather startling price.  Unfortunately, nobody took advantage of this amazing offer, and the home was withdrawn from MLS at the end of 2009.

Fortunately, this listing is back and better than EVEH!  Ladies and gentlemen, Burbed proudly presents Rivermark 2011, The Sequel, now in living… um, what?

4160 RIVERMARK Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054
$1,145,000

BEDS: 5
BATHS: 3.5
SQ. FT.: 2,989
$/SQ. FT.: $383
LOT SIZE: 3,484 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Contemporary
STORIES: 2
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 2003
COMMUNITY: Santa Clara
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81145878
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 6 days

Rivermark Promenade II Arcade Floor Plan; Prime lot; 10 foot ceilings; Downstairs den/office can be used as a bedroom; The back studio suite (approx. 515 sq ft over the garage with a full bath & private entrance) could be rental unit/game room/home office/guest quarters; Stainless steel appliances, granite slab counter island & beautiful maple cabinets, Jacuzzi, pre-wired speakers, 3-Zone AC/Heat.

What an amazingly versatile property!  The downstairs den/office, as if it doesn’t already promise dual-use, can also be used as a bedroom!  The back studio suite could be a rental unit, or a game room, or a home office (wait, don’t you already have a den or bedroom that could be an office?  Too many choices!!!) or even guest quarters!  Imagine what that granite slab counter island could be used for?  Maybe a butcher shop or a pathologist’s table?  Why, the possibilities are endless!

It looks like the agent hired Alin Ciorta to photograph the exterior this time around.  Good move!  The previous cover shot said “Tract construction somewhere in California.”  This photo says “artistic impression representing the contradiction of permanence.”  Or maybe it says “Where’s the goddamned focus knob?”

Unfortunately, the rest of the 2009 pictures seem to have kicked the bit bucket, but as a consolation prize, the sellers have thrown in a completely unreadable floorplan.

Best of all, this house is at the same bargain 2009 price, minus the lucky 8s!  That’s because the sellers are passing on all the luck DIRECT TO YOU. 

If you had any doubt that the Bay Area was HOT, HOT, HOT, this should settle all doubts.  Rivermark is IT and you STILL aren’t good enough.

1820 ASH St Palo Alto, CA 94306

$1,499,000

Beds:	1
Baths:	1
Sq. Ft.:	570
$/Sq. Ft.:	$2,630
Lot Size:	2,000 Sq. Ft.
Property Type:	Detached Single Family
Stories:	1
Year Built:	1932
Community:	College
County:	Santa Clara
MLS#:	81026433
Source:	MLSListings
Status:	ActiveThis listing is for sale and the sellers are accepting offers.
On Redfin:	101 days

Three contiguous parcel with unlimited development potential. Parcel at 845 El Camino vacant and zoned CN. Parcel at 1829 Ash St. has one bedroom home in fair condition. Needs TLC. Zoned RM15. Unit on parcel behind 1920 Ash St to be considered not suitable for habitation without significant improvements. Zoned RM15. One structure may be encroaching on adjoining parcel and requires access easement.

Thanks to Burbed reader Jeff for this find!

I thought it would be great to start off the week with a healthy listing from Palo Alto. Yum yum! $2630 per square foot. This is beyond Real Bay Area! This is Super Real Bay Area!

Here’s what Jeff had to say:

Granted, the listing is suggesting redeveloping it, but with a 2000sqft lot that doesn’t seem to have unlimited development potential.

Of course this has unlimited development potential. All you need is unlimited money and unlimited time. And if you want to live in Palo Alto, shouldn’t you have those?

Or at least pretend to have those?

What would you do with this amazing property? I’m thinking… pergo, granite, and stainless steel everything.

And for your reading pleasure, a guest post from madhaus.

409 Fernando Ave  Palo Alto, CA 94306
$649,000

BEDS: 1
BATHS: 1
SQ. FT.: 645
$/SQ. FT.: $1,006
LOT SIZE: 3,000 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Detached Single Family
STYLE: Contemporary
STORIES: 1
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 1958
COMMUNITY: Ventura
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81024711
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 2 days

Nice and cozy one bedroom/one bath single family home located on a quiet street across from the beautiful Boulware Park. Newly remodeled bathroom and new dual pane windows throughout. Close to shops, restaurants, Stanford University, hospital, and public transportations. Private backyard, no HOA. Single family home for the price of a condo.

Last week, this site reported the startling news that only one ZIP code remained in the RBA (Real Bay Area).  That ZIP was South Palo Alto, 94306.  So here is an affordable house in the only ZIP worth buying.  $649,000?  That is better than free.  That is like having the owners pay you to take it off their hands!  All you have to do is live in this house while you enjoy 11.7% annual gains every year you own your very own RBA house!  Best of all, you can feel superior to every other ZIP code in the entire Bay Area.

So what do you get for $649,000?  You get the healthiest looking property in the neighborhood.  Nothing obese about this svelte lot layout!

You get a house that is absolutely the most Special anywhere.  It’s not every home that has a higher number for dollars per square foot ($1006) than… um… actual square footage (645). 

Ah, home sweet home… if you can find it in this photo!  You won’t find many places with a carport that are daring enough to use a front door good enough for a garage entry!  Now, that’s bold!  So, just what are the dimensions of this house, anyway?  This reminds me of those townhouse blocks that are exactly as wide as a two-car garage… only… smaller.

And at first the lack of windows in front seemed disturbing, but that western exposure would just heat the place up too much.  And you’ll need to use every trick to keep cool in the summer, because this house doesn’t have air conditioning, either!

Next, let’s take a look inside!  Ah, this must be the kitchen!

Wow!  Look at the vintage stove, the Ikea-style cabinetry (long before there was an Ikea!),, the… that is a sink, isn’t it?

Well, on to the living/dining combo!

Can’t you just hear the agent gushing, “Light and bright, light and bright!!!”  I suppose if you slap a bunch of titanium-flake white on every surface and turn the lights on in the daytime, that is what you get.  Plus a fireplace!  Wonder how long that paint job will last if you try using it.

Moving on!  Let’s see the bedroom.  There’s only one, so it’s important that it’s a nice one.

Whoops!  Either that’s a very textured bedspread, or we seem to have walked right past it!  Let’s try again.

Hey, how did we end up across the street?  This is definitely not included in the 3000 sf lot.

But it’s only $649K, so stop your complaining.  If they left the bedroom out, there must be a very good reason.  For extra credit, explain how a one bedroom place can be called “single family home,” when a “family” includes at least one adult and one child.

Oh, I almost forgot!  Per the listing, there are no homeowners fees associated with this house!  That is better than a condo!  Now buy this house and you can start watering your own lawn!  And pay for the water!

766 WALNUT St San Bruno, CA 94066

$349,900

Beds:	2
Baths:	1
Sq. Ft.:	760
$/Sq. Ft.:	$460
Lot Size:	2,600 Sq. Ft.
Property Type:	Detached Single Family
Stories:	2
Year Built:	1940
Community:	Belle Air
County:	San Mateo
MLS#:	80957723
Source:	MLSListings
Status:	Active This listing is for sale and the sellers are accepting offers.
On Redfin:	6 days

Updates are Complete! Just Move In and Enjoy this Belleair Jewel! 2 Bedrooms Plus Bonus 3rd Room * Remodeled Kitchen with Limestone Flooring, Tile Counters and Oak Cabinets * Remodeled Bathroom Finished in Italian Marble * Gorgeous Backyard Sanctuary with Built-in BBQ, Hot Tub & Additional Gated Parking via Alley Access. Convenient to Shopping, Walnut Park, Freeways and SFO

There’s a saying: Buy the worst house in the best neighborhood.

But here in the Bay Area, we’re used to being rebels, being innovative, and doing things differently. What better way than to buy a house with fine Italian marble, a gorgeous backyard sanctuary with built in BBQ, and other stunning upgrades here in San Bruno. Your neighbors will simply die of envy.

Let’s also give credit where its due – to the Realtor for being upfront about how easy it will be to get to freeways and SFO. Let’s take a look at the map:

Hey it’s even close to higher education! Who knew!

And look at just how affordable this is. At this price point, you’ll be competing with flight attendants from around the world who will want to stake their claim in having a house in the Bay Area. With fine Italian marble.

Good luck, the competition is going to be tough!

110 COLLEGE St, Mountain View, CA 94040 | MLS# 80945064
$499,950
110 COLLEGE St Mountain View, CA 94040

Beds: 2
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft.: 760
$/Sq. Ft.: $658
Lot Size: 2,500 Sq. Ft.
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Stories: 1
View: Neighborhood
Year Built: 1962
Community: San Antonio
County: Santa Clara
MLS#: 80945064
Source: MLSListings
Status: Active This listing is for sale and the sellers are accepting offers.
On Redfin: 57 days
NOT A SHORT SALE OR REO. LOCATED IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH MANY NEWER HOMES. AN OPPORTUNITY TO JUST MOVE IN FOR NOW AND APPLY YOUR CREATIVE SKILLS LATER FOR VARIOUS POSSIBILITIES TO REMODEL OR REBUILD INTO A NEW 2-STORY HOME. LOTS OF INTERIOR UPGRADES INCLUDING LAMINATE FLOOR ALL THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE, REMODELED KITCHEN AND BATH. AS-IS SALE. Open House on Sunday, Oct. 25th at 2-5pm.

Wow. What an amazing deal! A house for the same price as a condo! Really, if you can’t afford this house, you can’t afford anything.

Just check out the location:

There’s going to be very very little traffic going donw that street, so it’ll be incredibly private. And look! Your neighbor appears to collect historic cars – can you say culture?

Your best bet probably is buy this house, and build a new two story house on the lot, much like the neighbors down the street did.

Sure that’ll effectively double the cost of this house that you’re buying… but guess what! You live on College Ave. Nothing will help your children get into a great school like living on a street called College Ave. It’ll be like a constant reminder that they need to study for the SAT’s!

333 S BERNARDO Ave Unit VERY QUIET, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 | MLS# 80942019
333 S BERNARDO Ave Unit VERY QUIET Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Price: $560,000

Beds: 3
Baths: 2.5
Sq. Ft.: 1,444
$/Sq. Ft.: $388
Lot Size: 2,275 Sq. Ft.
Property Type: Townhouse
Stories: 1-3 (Low Rise)
Year Built: 1977
Community: Sunnyvale
County: Santa Clara
MLS#: 80942019
Source: MLSListings
Status: Active
On Redfin: 5 days
Private and quiet unit. No neighbor to the left or behind. Light and bright end-unit townhome with all the bonuses: remodeled kitchen with large pantry, crown molding, master bedroom suite with vaulted ceilings and 2 walkin closets, large 2nd and 3rd bedrooms, large backyard for kid or pets. Dual-paned windows. Inside laundry room. Cat-5e wiring. 2 car attached garage. Pool area just steps away.

This caught my attention the other day. I think this townhouse is very quiet. It’s very quiet. Very quiet? Very quiet.

In fact, this specific townhouse at 333 S Bernardo is so quiet, people have been known to say “Yeah, just take a left at Very Quiet, and park on the left.” It’s world famous practically!

Let’s take a look at this other part of the listing – large backyard for kid or pets. Note, if you have multiple kids, this large backyard will be incompatible.

But, a picture is worth a thousand words, so judge for yourself:

Is that a large backyard or what! (Very quiet)

130 ERRETT Cir, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | MLS# 80925412
130 ERRETT Cir Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Price: $435,000

Beds: 1
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft.: -
Lot Size: 2,178 Sq. Ft.
Property Type: Detached Single Family
Style: Cottage/Bungalow
Stories: 1
Year Built: 1964
Community: West Santa Cruz
County: Santa Cruz
MLS#: 80925412
Source: MLSListings
Status: Active
On Redfin: 68 days
Vacant and Very clean!! Sweet Westside cottage in Great condition!! A perfect starter home. Sq. Footage is small but it has a very good lay out . .feels much larger. Nice size front and back yards with fruit trees. Walk to West Cliff and enjoy the West Side lifestyle!!

Burbed reader Herve sent this on.

Wow. 1 bedroom, 1 bath. Unknown square feet. Indeed this is a perfect starter home and it is a very good lay…. out. But is it really a starter home, or a starter vacation home? I’m going to say that it is the latter.

After all, Santa Cruz is the Waikiki of the Bay Area!

But what’s really fascinating to me is this:

The Borg Queen would approve – even though these are circles and not cubes.

“So, where did you buy your vacation home?”

“Oh, Unimatrix 0,0,1″

“Cool! I’m so jealous of your pride of ownership!”

Sweet!

421 S Eldorado St, San Mateo, CA 94402 | MLS# 15523897
421 S Eldorado St San Mateo, CA 94402
Price: $580,000

Beds: 3
Baths: 1
Sq. Ft.: 930
$/Sq. Ft.: $624
Lot Size: 920 Sq. Ft.
Property Type: Single family
Style: Bungalow
Stories: 1
View: City
Year Built: 1912
Community: Safe, Clean, Stable
County: San Mateo
Listing #: 15523897
Source: Zillow
Status: Active
On Redfin: 304 days
What the Owner Loves: Easy access transportation to 280, 101, 92, Caltran, Buses. Walk to center of village.

Thanks to Burbed reader Jeff for this find!

As everyone knows, social media, having a conversation, being authentic – those are the things that make companies rich. Look at Apple and Google and how they are so open and having a conversation with their customers and using social media. Uh. I mean. Facebook. Look at how much money they are bringing in. Uh.

Well in any case, these owners took it to heart and made this ad personal. Forget interior pictures, it shows the people who have been taking care of this house for you. It even features what the owners love! Sweet!

Personally, I like the community – it’s “Safe, clean, stable”

What an awesome name! Maybe you should get your community to rename itself “Awesome, amazing, and astounding!”