We’re back with our second week of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, so let’s resume! Today’s post is brought to you by the letter G. And when we hear G on this blog, we think of our absolutely positively favorite development eveh! That’s right, G is for Gables End! Thanks very much to Burbed reader Petsmart Groomer for Guaranteeing Gables End will always be one of our Guideposts.

If you’re a new reader to Burbed, you may not have heard of this townhouse complex before. Gables End was built right at the end of the Bubble, on some land that was under the Gentle Guidance of the EPA, but the development sold out anyway.

Why? Close to Google!

851 DONOVAN Way
Mountain View, CA 94043
Sold for $740,000

3 Beds
3 Baths
1,352 Sq. Ft.
$547 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 2008
Lot Size: —
Sold On: Mar 6, 2013
HOA Dues: $197/month
Stories: 1-3 (Low Rise)
County: Santa Clara
Property Type: Townhouse
Community: Rengstorff
MLS#: 81305251

Fabulous newer townhome! Wonderful floor plan with lots of natural light throughout. Open kitchen has granite counters & ample cabinets, spacious living room w/ large windows, wood flooring throughout main level, crown molding & decorative touches throughout. High ceilings. Lots of storage both inside & in the attached 2 car garage. Close to park, shopping & freeway access. Don’t miss!

We all missed it! Gone in four days!  And Given our Generous coverage of the Gables End Gin-up, watching a resale Generate a Greater fool buyer at 9.6 percent above asking price just brings tears to our collective eyes. And it’s no Glitch! Here’s another Gables End unit, asking $719,000, virtually Given away for $805,000!

You Get it, even Gables End is now part of the Greater RBA. Oh, this is just so Gorgeous.

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…)

Let’s continue with our post-Christmas clearance sales!  Today’s fabulous find is in the fantastic framework of Milpitas, or as its fun-loving denizens call it, “What’s that smell?”  Thanks very much to Burbed reader Petsmart Groomer for flipping this one forward.

1568 CLEAR LAKE Ave
Milpitas, CA 95035
$359,000

HOA Dues: $270/mo. 
2 Beds 
1.5 Baths 
1,008 Sq. Ft.
$356 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 1971 
Lot Size: 810 Sq. Ft. 
On Redfin: 21 days
Status: Active
HOA Dues: $270/month
Stories: 1-3 (Low Rise)
County: Santa Clara
Property Type: Townhouse
Community: Milpitas
MLS#: 81242591

Property well maintained and is ready for its new owners.

Or as PG notes:

It’s ready for a new agent too.

Oh don’t be such a stickler, Petsmart.  Just because the front image took a little rotation ride doesn’t mean the agent isn’t a knowledgeable professional.  Let’s enjoy the rest of the photos.

Excellent.  Start with the exterior shots first and then lure your customers in.

Here the agent skillfully picks up the wooden texture of the bed frame in both the dining room set and the beautifully shining hardwood floor.

Contextual linking continues in subtle ways with the kitchen towels suggesting whimsy, supported by the colorful devil-may-care display on the coffee table.

Now it’s your turn.  Do you see the ingenious way the agent finds elements in common from the living room entry to the bathroom sink?  And nice job leaving out the throne entirely. You’d be surprised how many amateurs not only include it but have the seat raised high.

Ending the photo show with nature at her most bountiful, we also note this property has a location, location, location (!) in a popularly-populated planning potpourri!  You can find everything here!

One of the problems with buying a house in Mountain View is that much of the housing stock is old yet expensive.  And by “old” we don’t mean “charming,” we mean “out of style” and “needs major renovation.”  We’re still talking about cookie-cutter tract homes, but in Mountain View, they’re million dollar cookie-cutter tract homes.

Not today’s property!  Burbed reader Michael Boltonestater found us a new property, so new we’re having trouble figuring out where it is.  And that’s where you come in!

291 Geary Way
Mountain View, CA 94041
$1,249,900

Loan Payment:  $4,283/mo
Bedrooms:  4
Bathrooms:  4
Size:  1,744 sqft
$/Sqft:  $716/sqft
Type:  Single Family House
Year Built:  2012
Lot Size:  1,768
Days on Movoto:  48 days
Neighborhood:  Downtown
MLS#:  81231702
Status:  Pending – Do Not Show

This gorgeous new 4 bedroom home is sure to impress with its stunning wrap-around balcony. This Home is in a prime location on the park AND it is an end-unit! The open floor plan is spacious and fully equipped with all the latest interior finishes. The first level has a bedroom and full bath which is perfect for a guest or the in-laws. Hurry in before it’s too late!

You didn’t hurry in and now it’s too late!  Despite the lack of interior photos, you cannot buy this house (for $1.25M!!!!) because someone’s already beaten you to it.  And note that by “house” we really mean “who are they kidding, if they admit this is an ‘end unit’ then why not just call it a townhouse?”

Note the clever home type: “Single Family House.”  Nothing about whether it’s attached to or detached from anything (other than pricing sanity). 

Does anyone know where this complex is and if anything is still for sale there?  Could it be this one?  Because if it is, you have better like trains.  And by “like” we mean “like listening to them.” Lots of them. Most realty sites don’t map the location, and the one that did seems to be somewhat lost.  (Hint: Fremont is not a neighborhood in Mountain View.)

More importantly, are you impressed with its stunning wrap-around balcony?  PS: If you liked this house, you might also like this one, which is on the same street but not too late.

Welcome back to San Mateo, courtesy of Burbed reader MS.  Today’s terrific title is a top-tier townhouse, and all that townhouse living entails.  Like 20 other units to share the complex with you, and those delightful CC&Rs to make decor decisions dictatorial.

829 S Bayshore Blvd
San Mateo, CA 94401
$690,000, reduced from $711,000

HOA Dues: $250/mo. 
3 Beds 
2.5 Baths 
1,775 Sq. Ft.
$389 / Sq. Ft.
Built: 2008 
Lot Size: — 
On Redfin: 46 days
HOA Dues: $250/month
Style: Contemporary
Community: South Shoreview
MLS#: 81229901
Property Type: Townhouse
Stories: 1-3 (Low Rise)
County: San Mateo

Luxury townhome near downtown San Mateo, designed w/ craftsman details, large windows & abundant light. Less than 5 yrs old (2008 built), 3bd, 2.5 bth, 1,770 sqft unit features high ceilings, recessed lighting, wood cabinets, open kitchen, gas-burning fireplace, & gleaming flooring. Master w/ lrg walk-in closet. granite countertops + marble tiling. Seller may consider Lease w/ Option to Purchase.

Here’s why ms sent in this tip-top tenement!

This is a townhouse in a project where the nearest scenic view is the 3rd Avenue sign on 101.  The HOA is decent at $250, but for $700K+ you should not be paying HOA at all.

It is also priced far more than comps. Check out:

Retirees, note the San Francisco-type stairs to go up and down and up again to get to the bedrooms. Your grandkids would have no common place to play.

711K?  Is the bubble real?  Is the bubble fake?  Only the shadow knows, the shadow man under someone else’s bed.

It’s not lucky $711,000 anymore!  Price reduced to $690,000.  You’ll get even luckier with a price like that.  You know what else is lucky?  Those HOA dues.  Redfin mentioned them twice.

MS’s comment about the 3^rd  Avenue sign was completely on the level.  This is the lovely view you get every time you leave the plex.  Location, location, location!

People sometime ask me, “How is the real estate market in Silicon Valley?”

Well, let’s look at this e-mail I got recently:

Townhouses across the street from train tracks, light rail, a high way, and a major road – starting at $624 per square foot?

If you ask me, the market is doing pretty darn well. Everything is back on track, just as nature intended. Finally the Real Bay Area is back on track to eventually overtaking lesser places like Manhattan, London, and Tokyo for most expensive real estate.

The real question is: will you be lining up for 3 days or 3 weeks on the street to get one of these units?

Thank goodness!

And just wait until you hear where this prime location, location, location is!  Thanks very much to Burbed reader dollarbin for this terrific townhouse!  And of course, it went pending in one week!

1901 Newbury Dr (Unable to map)
Mountain View, CA 94043
$659,000

BEDS: 3
BATHS: 3.5
SQ. FT.: 1,879
$/SQ. FT.: $351
HOA DUES: $197/month
LOT SIZE: –
PROPERTY TYPE: Townhouse
STORIES: 1-3 (Low Rise)
YEAR BUILT: 2010
COMMUNITY: Rengstorff
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81218499
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Pending Without Release
ON REDFIN: 13 days

Fantastic 2 year old townhome end unit in a prime location. Formal tile entry, 1st floor jr. bdrm suite, hardwood floors, large & open kitchen w/ granite counter, gas stove, stainless appliances & island, inviting living rm w/ office nook, generous size bedrms, grand master suite w/ high ceiling & walk-in closet. Custom shutters thru-out, skylight, central AC, 2 car garage & great natural lighting.

Here’s why dollarbin sent in the townhouse:

This one came on the market last week, I’m pretty sure it’s in Gable’s End: the address is Newbury but the entrance is on Colony St.

Are the photos re-used from a previous listing? It’s supposed to be an end unit, but the exterior shot seems to centered on the middle units. No idea what the interior actually looks like. Seems like a pretty half-assed listing, no mention of Google? No mention of Facebook? I’m going to need some more ALL CAPS HYPERBOLE before I warm up my overbids.

From looking at the original Gables End ads, this photo sure looks like one of their offerings. And there’s some interesting history on this property as well.  Zillow says it sold in November, 2010 for… $208,500!  That’s quite a price, given that they were advertised as starting in the low $600s.

Zillow also gives this place of ZEstimate of $735,800, which means instant equity galore for the lucky buyer!  Or some serious overbidding.  That is, if anyone could find the place, since Redfin couldn’t.

But it’s in a prime location.  Or did they mean a super location?

Remember when we took a good look at “Santa Row” to see how the prices were holding up?  The original oughties buyers probably weren’t too happy with their investments in San Jose’s answer to the Faubourg Saint-Honoré district.  (Paris’ response to that provocation is not printable.)

Burbed reader Petsmart Groomer has another Santana Row Spectacular for you today.  Thanks very much for finding this amazing listing at a seriously WTF price.

 

356 SANTANA Row #315, San Jose, CA 95128
$1,324,950

BEDS: 3
BATHS: 2.5
SQ. FT.: 2,161
$/SQ. FT.: $613
LOT SIZE: 435 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Townhouse
STYLE: Contemporary, Mediterranean
STORIES: 4-8 (Mid Rise)
VIEW: Mountains, Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 2002
COMMUNITY: Campbell
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81104502
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Active
ON REDFIN: 274 days

LUXURIOUS TOWNHOME IN VILLA CORNET SITS IN THE HEART OF FAMED SANTANA ROW * THIS 3 BED 2.5 BATH PROPERTY IS PRICED TO SELL * SECURED BUILDING WITH UNDERGROUND PARKING SPOTS * GRANITE SLAB KITCHEN WITH STAINLESS APPLIANCES * 2 PATIOS * THIS IS AN AMAZING PRICE * * * NEEDS A LITTLE TLC * * *

Here’s what PG thought about this LUXURIOUS TOWNHOME:

They’re right about one thing: THIS IS AN AMAZING PRICE

Check out the sold prices for the entries on Santa Row then and now – Santana Row took a serious beating.

Yes, do check them out, and tell us what this seller is thinking?  Must be spending too much time at the bars conveniently just steps away!  But if the previous owner could make a profit buying in 2005 and selling in 2008 at a 20% markup, the current seller has correctly figured it out: This Place Is Special.  So Special that this bedroom at right can also function as an office and an exercise room!

And while you’re deciding whether you’d love to have the nightlife of San Jose combined with the traffic problems of living near the intersection of two major freeways, check out the $950 monthly HOA fees combined with needing court confirmation to buy this place.  And to really appreciate the location, location, location of this home, today’s listing is in the complex right above Borders.  Borders closed this Spring in advance of the whole chain shutting down.

Today we have a guest post from Burbed reader dollarbin. This post came out of an email discussion we had about the last submission and how wonderful it is to live in Google’s backyard.  So what could possibly be better than property in Mountain View?  I think dollarbin has the answer to that: South Palo Alto.  Really, really, really South.

Please give dollarbin a big, warm, Real Bay Area welcome to Burbed’s front page as today’s Guest Blogger!

 

670 SAN ANTONIO Rd #23, Palo Alto, CA 94306
$615,000

BEDS: 3
BATHS: 2.5
SQ. FT.: 1,382
$/SQ. FT.: $445
LOT SIZE: 1,176 Sq. Ft.
PROPERTY TYPE: Townhouse
STORIES: 1-3 (Low Rise)
VIEW: Neighborhood
YEAR BUILT: 1979
COMMUNITY: South Palo Alto
COUNTY: Santa Clara
MLS#: 81134112
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Pending Without Release
ON REDFIN: 73 days

The BEST DEAL IN PALO ALTO! Compares well with Mtn View properties * Beautiful yard with deck. New paint. New flooring in kitchen and powder room. Granite slab counters, updated baths, stainless steel appliances. 2-car attached garage. Close to commute arteries and shopping. HOA fee includes earthquake insurance. Mtn. View Schools. Monta Loma Elementary (834).

As a matter of fact, I did move into z2amiller’s ‘hood, although our place doesn’t quite have quite as much character as theirs. I will have to give him or her the Burbed handshake at the next Monta Loma secret cabal meeting. We’ve been getting a lot of Burbed love lately, there’s plenty of idiosyncratically maintained and modified houses here.

Here’s another listing that has been amusing me for some time:

"The BEST DEAL IN PALO ALTO! Compares well with Mtn View properties"

This seems like reverse marketing, wouldn’t you want a place in Mountain View to compare with Palo Alto properties? Despite the 94306 address, this place is for all intents and purposes in 94043, including Mountain View schools. We toured this unit back in July, I think it was the third open house we actually went to.

At that time, they didn’t have the fact that it is Mountain View Schools on the listing, and the showing agent only told us when we asked directly. Perhaps they were hoping a buyer would assume Palo Alto Schools and not actually check. Sadly, with the recent price cut, they lose the lucky 8′s though. Hopefully they’ve cleaned the carpets since we toured.

Another curiosity is that it sold for $1,567,500 in 2003, so you’re looking 900K in instant equity.

Actually, I’m not deep in the game, but I’m assuming this price was part of a multi-unit sale, particularly if you look at property tax records.

Thanks very much to Burbed reader sprezzatura for this San Mateo short sale.  Not only will it be selling shortly, but also often!

 

369 N CLAREMONT St #2, San Mateo, CA 94401
$279,000

BEDS: 2
BATHS: 2
SQ. FT.: 1,237
$/SQ. FT.: $226
LOT SIZE: -
PROPERTY TYPE: Townhouse
YEAR BUILT: 1991
COMMUNITY: Eastern Addition/Downtown Area
COUNTY: San Mateo
MLS#: 80939018
SOURCE: MLSListings
STATUS: Pending With Release
ON REDFIN: 781 days

Price right for a fast sale, ready to move in with great financing available including FHA or 100% financing. Closed to Shopping, schools and transportation.

Here’s what sprezzatura had to say about this, um, piece of property:

This San Mateo short sale has gone pending 4 times and still never sold! Always a bridesmaid, poor condo.

The realtor has thoughtfully included photos of both bathrooms and what I assume is the living room, but nothing else. I suppose since the seller will be taking close to a 50% haircut since buying at top of the market, the realtor thought only photographing half the house was appropriate.

I think for only $279,000 we should be delighted to see three photos of the interior.  Yesterday we had a place for almost ten times as much with just a crappy shot of the outside.  It was pending, too.  That’s two quick pending in two days.  And 100% financing?  I tell you, the Bay Area real estate market is BACK!