Top 5 Real Estate Buys in San Mateo County, week of July 28,2008

 

Hey I’m back. Had to take a week off. Did you miss me?  Here are this week’s Top 5. Remember, this is just my opinion based upon the investment potential. I perform price evaluations for several  of the banks on a weekly basis so I am VERY aware of comps & current values up and down the Peninsula and in all of its’ micro-markets.  And if it seems that many of them are fixers…well, they are. On the Peninsula, that is where your investment return will materialize at the moment. I’m here to help if you have questions or need assistance. Have a great week!

1) 1817 Hopkins Avenue, Redwood City (Mt. Carmel). Hurry if you want a shot at this one. It is a rare REO (bank sale…not a short sale) in one of Redwood City’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Listed at $819,000. That’s low. It’s a 3/2 classic California Bungalow built in 1925. Lots of great architectural detail. Lot is a large 8255 square feet. Hopkins is a little busy but that does not usually deter buyers in this neighborhood. Listed by Michael Ames, Patriot Properties. 

2) 1525 Greenwood Avenue, San Carlos.  The White Oaks neighborhood never loses any steam and this property is priced really well. It’s a 1030 square foot 2/1 (yes, it’s small but that’s how this neighborhood is…most folks add on later), with a 5040 square foot lot. Great location, walk downtown, walk to White Oaks Elementary. Kitchen & bath have some updates and the place is cute as a button. Listed at a very competative $759,000 by Eddie Azzopardi of Realty World.

3) 50 16th Avenue, San Mateo. Hayward Park is such a cool neighborhood. Older homes, lots of character in the architecture. This one just got a price reduction and it’s a great deal. 1922 bungalow, 2/1, 1010 square feet. Expansion ability on a 5880 square foot lot. Some mature trees dot the property and you can walk to San Mateo’s booming downtown. This is a good one! Listed at $695,000 by Nathan Nunes, Prudential.

4) 1433 Sanchez Avenue, Burlingame. Listed at $1,099,000, this remodeled bungalow is really a good buy. Price just came down; go get it! It’s in the Easton Addition neighborhood which is HUGELY popular among buyers. A 2/2, 1590 square feet. REALLY cute; remodeled kitchen, lots of built in cabinetry & original detail from the 20’s. The lot’s 4,00 square feet, small, but typical for the neighborhood. Comps are always high here.  Listed by John Clifford of Clifford Real Estate.    

5) 3808 Vineyard Drive, Redwood City (Farm Hill Estates). This is a nice big split level home in the hills. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, hardwood floors, meticulously maintained. Also has a huge lot of almost 8,000 square feet. Move in and do some updates. You’ll be glad you did. This is a great neighborhood and Roy Cloud School is the best. Ask any Redwood City parent. Great investment potential. Listed really well at $998,000 by Phillip Watson of Prudential.

Top 5 Real Estate Buys in San Mateo County week of July 14, 2008

 

Hi guys! Here’s this week’s top 5. By the way, I have to comment on how sales activity has suddenly come to life…buyers finally seem to be getting off the proverbial fence. Glad to see that. Lots of good inventory out there. These are my current picks. As always, if you need more information on these or any other properties on the Peninsula, I’m here to help.

1) 1620 Cordilleras Road, Redwood City (Emerald Hills). This is a recently remodeled rancher and the owner did a great job. 2008 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. 10,000 square foot lot with a pool and cute cabana in back. The price is excellent $1,350,000. I sold a home just up the street a few months ago  for much more and the comps in this neighborhood are unbeatable. great buy. Listed by Glenn Sennett, Coldwell Banker. 

2) 1024 Northwood Dr. San Carlos. This is a chance to get into San Carlos for less than many condos. And it’s a great neighborhood. Many San Carlos families have started here. Located in Laureola (East side of San Carlos) it’s a 1948 Murphy home (a style popular in the post WWII era..cement slab; no termites)! A 2/1, 820 square feet with a big lot and mature trees.  The San CArlos schools will always ensure your investment. Skip the condo…listed by Claudette Wood of Alain Pinel.

3) 156 27th Avenue, San Mateo. Listed at $775,000 this is a good opportunity in a well established neighborhood of San Mateo. A generous 1680 square feet, 3/3 with a lot of 6600 square feet. You can really turn this into something great. Not much to look at now, but such  are the opportunities in Peninsula real estate. Listed by Jerry Girouard of Girouard Properties.

4) 2000 Valparaiso, Menlo Park. This has made the list before…so let’s try it agian! Hellooo? This is a coveted Menlo Park neighborhood and  many comps are considerably higher. What are you waiting for? It’s fully remodeled. 1120 square feet, 3/1 and a spacious lot over 8,000 square feet. You can always add a bathroom. Really, $1,149,000 is a fantastic price. I can show you comps if you don’t believe me! Listed by Tom Le Mieux of Coldwell Banker.

5) 912 Larkspur Drive, Burlingame. This is a steal. I like this neighborhood; though some think it’s too close to Rollins Road….so let them miss out. $768,800 (nice) 2/1, 1160 square feet. You could add on; and you’re buying in Burlingame. Can’t really lose on this one. Listed by Gary Coulter of McGuire Real Estate.

Top 5 Real Estate Buys in San Mateo County week of July 7, 2008

I’m a day late, I know…thanks for the notes asking me where the heck this week’s picks are.  Glad to know you’re all coming back regularly! So here it is…enjoy. And remember, for more information on these or any Peninsula properties, or to view them, I’m here to help!

1) 2330 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos. San Carlos Avenue has seen many home sales in the last several months. And even though it’s one of the busier streets in town, it’s become VERY popular among remodelers. This home is priced perfectly at $689,000 I think, and there’s nothing but upside in San Carlos. The schools continue to buoy value here. This one is 1020 square feet, 2/1 with an expansion-accomodating lot that is over 7,000 square feet. Move in ready, walk to the elementary, middle, AND high school (Carlmont) from this home.  Listed by David Young of Coldwell Banker.

2) 2787 Bristol Way, Redwood City. This 3/2 is a remodeler’s dream; 1390 square feet, a 6300 square foot lot, good bones, freshly painted, nicely maintained.  Move in ready, on a great street close to the Alameda. Was in contract but buyers couldn’t perform so it’s back on the market. Lucky for you!  At $825,000 you can’t do much better in this part of Redwood City. Listed by the Caton Team at Prudential in Redwood City.

3) 1055 Berkeley Avenue, Menlo Park. Flood Park, like the Willows, is a great neighborhood and still under $1 million to start. That will change soon enough. Values continue to appreciate west of 101; I price homes for the banks every week up and down the Peninsula, and this neighborhood is healthy. Eventually, all the original homes will be remodeled, but until they are, there are excellent deals to take advantage of. And, like San Carlos, the schools in Menlo Park are known to be outstanding.  This home is a post-WWII, 2/1 bungalow of 950 square feet. BUT the lot is over 10,000 square feet,  complete with mature trees. Quite an opportunity at $765,000. Listed by Athena Chilicas at Coldwell Banker, Woodside. 

4) 3212 Adelaide Way, Belmont.  A Belmont home with a flat lot? Believe it! This is a classic California rancher in an established neighborhood in the Belmont Hills. The schools are great in Belmont and values trend up here. It’s a 3/2, 1700 square feet on a 6,000 lot (did I mention it’s flat…)? The interior is a tad dated but that’s easy to change. Besides, keeps the price right at $1,039,000. Listed by Haifa Khoury at Re/MAX Today.

5) 3914 Leona Street, San Mateo. ok, THIS is a steal. Wooded lot, pretty generous floorplan (1300 square feet, 3 bedroom, 1.5 baths), and bay views. Located in Westwood Knolls (along the Alameda de las Pulgas, southwest of Hillsdale shopping center). Listed at $818,000. That’s a great price, people! Needs some updates but the sellers spent some money on new carpet, paint and countertops. The schools serving this neighborhood are Laurel Elementary, Abbott Middle, and Hillsdale High. All are excellent and will ensure your investment. Listed by Michael Young of Michael Young CO.