Top 5 Real Estate Buys in San Mateo County, week of August 18,2008

Hi, gang. here is the week’s Top 5. Hope you enjoy them. Lots of good property to choose from throughout the market these days. Summer’s going to be over soon and sellers seem to  in a VERY negotiable mind set. So for those buyers who are being passive…STOP IT! If a home is listed too high (and those on this list are not…that’s why I include them here), talk to a trusted real estate professional about the realities of the neighborhood’s numbers and it’s nuances. Then MAKE AN OFFER! I’m here to help if you need me. As always, have a great week. Oh, and so long Bay Meadows. we’ll miss you.

1) 1636 Maddux Drive, Redwood City. This home is beautifully remodeled, in a wonderful neighborhood, and sits on a big, inviting 10,000 square foot lot. White picket fence included! It’s a 3/1 (you could add a bathroom later if you needed to). Interior square footage is 1020 (feels bigger), and the improvements have been done well. This neighborhood comps MUCH higher and is VERY popular among buyers. The list price of $819,000 makes this home even more inviting. It will sell fast so go see it.  Listed by Liz Daschbach of Cashin Company.

2) 2743 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos.  OK, when you drive by this one don’t laught at me. It’s a junker. But there’s some good investment return there! This is a bank owned property, listed at essentailly dirt value. It’s on a nice sized lot in San CArlos where schools are excellent and your real estate investment is secure; especially at this price, $629,900. If you are a contractor or a buyer with a contractor, ready to do a remodel, get on it! There will be a few offers submitted on this one. Listed by Michael Ames, Patriot Properties.  

3) 1134 North Court, Belmont. This home is a generous 1400 squre foot 3 bedroom/2 bath. The interior is a bit dated and, well, there’s really nothing architecturally exciting about it. BUT, it’s in Belmont, a great community with great schools and stable  property values, and it sits on a fantastic 11,000 squre foot lot. The list price of $745,000 makes this an absolute steal. Comps in this neighborhood are at least $200,000 higher. Check it out. Listed by Samira Chaloub of Re/Max Dolphin.

4) 1969 Palm Avenue, San Mateo. This is a post WWII bungalow style home with a bit of charm! Kitchen’s been remodeled and there’s some great interior & exterior updates that have been added. Needs a little love, though. It’s a short sale, priced at $599,995, in a neighborhood with an average sales price of over $850,000. And  no, you wouldn’t need to put much money into it. Great neighborhood, popular among young families for years. Listed by Steve Mogavero of Intero.

5) 251 Hedge Road, Menlo Park. This one made the list last week, but it’s such a great deal, it’s going on again. Seriously, people. Are you paying attention? Flood Park is a great neighborhood with nothing but upside, especailly if you get in at this price. Menlo Park Schools, in this case Encinal, ensure your investment.  It’s already updated where it counts (ok, the colors could use a change), but who cares! Have fun with the paint after you take advantage of one of the best buys in Menlo Park. Listed at $739,000 by Mary Tan, Coldwell Banker.

Top 5 real Estate Buys in San Mateo County, week of August 11, 2008

1) 370 Hillview Avenue, Redwood City (Mt. Carmel). This is a  bank-owned property (still somewhat rare for this neighborhood). Not much from the outside; paint is dated, iron fence is a bit….tacky, but it’s on a huge lot, has some 1920’s charm and it’s on a FANTASTIC block. Get your contractor and make an offer becasue this will go FAST. The current home’s stats are almost irrelevent but here you go: 3 bed/2 bath, 1190 square feet. Lot is 9,000 (mature fruit trees, too). $635,900 (be pre-approved, have your deposit ready, and move fast… as with all bank owned properties). Listed by Bruno Baldini, Century 21. 

2) 3901 Christian Drive, Belmont. This home needs some more updating, but at this price you could likely afford it and see a nice return on your investment should you ever decide to sell. Belmont schools are all good and resale is a snap. Located up Ralson, close to the intersections of 92 & 280. It’s a spacious 3/2 of 1660 square feet. 6633 square foot lot. Nicley maintained and move-in ready. Cute! Listed at a very competetive $899,000 by Scott Miller, brokerage unknown (from the 408 area).

3) 727 East 5th Avenue, San Mateo. This is such a cute 1927 California bungalow in a great neighborhood adjacent to the new and exciting downtown San Mateo (seriously…go hang out there sometime). Neat as a pin, 2/1 1190 square feet with a lot just shy of 6,000 square feet. Nicely landscaped, remodeled kitchen. Great home. Listed at $685,000 (nice) by Rip Miller of Alain Pinel.

4) 251 Hedge Road, Menlo Park (Flood Park). This is one of Menlo Park’s oldest neighborhoods and it’s enjoying a rennaisance. Older homes being bought up quickly and remodeled. Throw in the outstanding Menlo Park school district, and you’ve made a VERY smart real estate investment. This home is move-in ready and well-maintained. Slightly dated cosmetically but who cares at this price. Its a spacious 3/1 rancher with a nice 5500 square foot lot. Listed at $739,000 (you better hurry), by Mary Tan of Coldwell Banker.

5) 2621 Hopkins Avenue, Redwood City (Mt. Carmel). Lots of great buys in this neighborhood lately; this one is no exception. It’s a 1940 classic stucco home, lots of original detail, at 1280 square feet. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. Tons of character you can play upon and owned by the same family for 50 years.  The best part is the 7500 square foot corner lot. Located within walking distance from Stafford Park, and if you are not familiar with the charm & popularity of this neighborhood, take a drive around. It’s a mid-Peninsula favorite. Listed at $725,000 (wow…) by Jamie Jones of Intero.

Top 5 Real Estate Buys in San Mateo County week of August 4, 2008

Hey everyone! Here’s this week’s Top 5. I’m getting some great feedback about this list, including agents who want to be included. Please note, that I choose these properties based upon my own expertise in market valuation (I’ve been issuing valuations to the banks since 2004, as well as working with buyers & sellers). I don’t use it as a tool to advertise my favorite colleagues. So while I’m glad folks are reading, it is a list I research each week so you can have another piece of objective information. Enjoy; feel free to contact me for more info or questions, and, as always, have a great week!

1) 198 Sycamore Street, San Carlos.  This is a darling 3/2 with 14oo square feet of updated living space. Great street with a bit of a bay view. Nice big lot of over 7500 square feet. Formal dining room, hardwood floors; perfect! Front yard needs a little updated landscaping, but that’s the fun part! Priced at $819,000. Trust me, that’s a steal and I bet it gets multiple offers. Listed by David Young, Coldwell Banker.

2)  554 Jeter Street, Redwood City (Mt. Carmel). This is one of the most beloved neighborhoods on the mid-Peninsula and a well priced home goes fast. Lots of remodeling goes on here and comps are generally well over $1 million. This is a great opportunity listed at $820,000. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1700 interior square feet. The lot is a standard 6500 square feet and needs some attention, but don’t let that stop you. The interior has had plenty of beautiful updates; looks darling. Go take a look. Listed by janet Pepe Davis of Carlmont Associates.

3) 730 East 5th Avenue, San Mateo. Sunnybrae is a great neighborhood in San Mateo, close to the great new downtown attractions, and full of older homes with lots of character. This one is no exception. It’s  a large classic California bunglaow built in 1925. 3/2, 1930 square feet (an addition was done about 30 years ago which is why the home is so large). Lots of mature trees on the lot, which is 4064 square feet. The interior is just beautiful. I love this one. Listed at $899,000 by Judy Litteer, Prudential.

4) 87 Pelican Lane, Redwood Shores. This is a beautiful, remodeled condo located right on the water. 1 bedroom, 1 bath (a beautifully appointed bath at that!), with a private patio. 838 square feet, covered parking, pool and boat slip in the ocmplex. The detail inside is lovely. This is a great unit and it’s priced REALLY well; $520,000. Listed by Jessica Eva, Re/Max Today.   

5) 929 Larkspur Drive, Burlingame. This is a great buy in Burlingame. 2 bedroom, 1 bath  on a nice secluded lot. The place is darling, beautiful floors, designer colors, a great blend of udates with some of the original pre-WWII touches left. I love the way this home feels. And it’s under $800,000. You can’t go wrong here. Liste at $799,888 by Carmen Miranda of Alain Pinel.