Tag Archives: listing

Palo Alto’s New Homes, April 26

This week saw a trickle of new homes, with an even number of new listings available in north and south Palo Alto.  Most of the homes this week are move in ready, with the exception of two properties.  See below for this week’s new homes:

OFF MARKET - 4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 2,000+ SF House | 7,000+ SF House | Price Withheld.  Located in Community Center, this neat home will need a remodel.  Floor plan is well suited for a family, although a majority of the spaces have formal rooms.  Very nice backyard.

877 Sycamore Drive - 3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,446 SF House | 6,778 SF Lot | $1,599,000.  Fixer home in Midtown.  Priced just above lot value, this home is a moderately sized home with a need for a remodel.  I liked the layout and think there is definitely an opportunity for someone who is willing to do some work.  The one car garage is a downside, but altogether, the spaces worked out well.  The backyard is definitely sizable.

151 Waverly Street - 4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 2,219 SF House | 7,250 SF Lot | $2,498,000. An unusually large lot and home for the Downtown North neighborhood. This home, which was built in 1920, has been nicely remodeled while keeping much of its older charm.  In my opinion, it is priced slightly below market value.  The spaces feel cramped at times downstairs, but nonetheless, this home provides an excellent option for someone who would like to walk downtown.

1856 Mark Twain Street - 4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 2,590 SF House | 7,434 SF Lot | $2,798,000.  Sold just last year for $2,775,000.  This home is obviously priced below the current market.  I liked the vaulted ceilings and kitchen, especially with the nice bay windows in the dining area.  I was not a fan of some finishing touches of this home.    The backyard is a nice size, but really it’s the curb appeal that makes this house.

973 Ilima Way - 4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 2,268 SF House | 6,038 SF Lot | $1,998,000.  A neat family home in Barron Park.  Barron Park is one of my favorite neighborhoods because of its family feel (So much so that I’m moving there in June).  This particular home is a nice family home and has an open and comfortable layout. There are no frills to this home, but its location is excellent.  To me, Ilima Way is one of the nicest streets in Barron Park.

555 Byron Street, #306 - 3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 1,825 SF Unit | $4,211 Monthly HOA | $1,198,000. Located in the Downtown North neighborhood, this complex requires buyers to be 55+ years old.  The monthly dues are the highest in Palo Alto, but there are many unique services provided, such as meals.  If you’re reaching your golden years and just don’t feel like putting up with yard work, this building is a nice option.  This particular unit is fairly rare, as it is a 3 bedroom floor plan.  The unit could also use a remodel, and to me, the pricing seems a bit high.

2251 Harvard Street - 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 785 SF House |  3,125 SF Lot | $998,000.  A mid-century modern starter home in College Terrace.  If you’re just starting out, this home might make a great option.  Located close to Stanford Campus, this home is just big enough to work for a young/old couple with no children.  Keep in mind the lot size when looking at this home.

514 Rhodes Drive - 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | 2,998 SF House | 8,280 SF Lot | $3,300,000.  Generously portioned home in the Duveneck neighborhood.  I like the spacious floor plan which was set up to maximize open spaces and family areas.  The home is pushed back a little further from the front of the lot than some other homes, but the backyard is still sizable due to the large lot size.  I liked the size and feel to the master bedroom upstairs.  The remodel which was done on this home is nice, but not flashy.  Definitely worth a look.

3905 Duncan Place - 3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,733 SF House | 6,460 SF Lot | $1,595,000.  Starter home priced just above lot value.  You’ll need to remodel this home, but if you love Eichlers, this is a good fixer option.  This home has the standard 3 bedroom layout which places three bedrooms on one side of the home with a master bathroom and small bathroom between two of the bedrooms.  The kitchen could use some work, but the potential is there.

3105 David Avenue - 5 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | 3,026 SF House | 7,597 SF Lot | $2,798,000.  A very large, brand new home in Midtown.  We’ve seen a lot of new homes come up in Midtown recently, and this particular home is one of the bigger properties to come up.  The 5 bedrooms in this home are all reasonably well sized (two of them could have been a bit larger), and the kitchen area is a gourmet chef’s dream.  Given the pie shaped lot, the backyard has a nice and open feel to it.  To me, this home is underpriced by a fair amount, and I would expect it to sell over the $3M mark.   As with all new construction in the area, expect to pay a premium.

photo cropped

Palo Alto’s New Homes, April 26

This week saw a trickle of new homes, with an even number of new listings available in north and south Palo Alto.  Most of the homes this week are move in ready, with the exception of two properties.  See below for this week’s new homes:

OFF MARKET - 4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 2,000+ SF House | 7,000+ SF House | Price Withheld.  Located in Community Center, this neat home will need a remodel.  Floor plan is well suited for a family, although a majority of the spaces have formal rooms.  Very nice backyard.

877 Sycamore Drive - 3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,446 SF House | 6,778 SF Lot | $1,599,000.  Fixer home in Midtown.  Priced just above lot value, this home is a moderately sized home with a need for a remodel.  I liked the layout and think there is definitely an opportunity for someone who is willing to do some work.  The one car garage is a downside, but altogether, the spaces worked out well.  The backyard is definitely sizable.

151 Waverly Street - 4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 2,219 SF House | 7,250 SF Lot | $2,498,000. An unusually large lot and home for the Downtown North neighborhood. This home, which was built in 1920, has been nicely remodeled while keeping much of its older charm.  In my opinion, it is priced slightly below market value.  The spaces feel cramped at times downstairs, but nonetheless, this home provides an excellent option for someone who would like to walk downtown.

1856 Mark Twain Street - 4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 2,590 SF House | 7,434 SF Lot | $2,798,000.  Sold just last year for $2,775,000.  This home is obviously priced below the current market.  I liked the vaulted ceilings and kitchen, especially with the nice bay windows in the dining area.  I was not a fan of some finishing touches of this home.    The backyard is a nice size, but really it’s the curb appeal that makes this house.

973 Ilima Way - 4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 2,268 SF House | 6,038 SF Lot | $1,998,000.  A neat family home in Barron Park.  Barron Park is one of my favorite neighborhoods because of its family feel (So much so that I’m moving there in June).  This particular home is a nice family home and has an open and comfortable layout. There are no frills to this home, but its location is excellent.  To me, Ilima Way is one of the nicest streets in Barron Park.

555 Byron Street, #306 - 3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 1,825 SF Unit | $4,211 Monthly HOA | $1,198,000. Located in the Downtown North neighborhood, this complex requires buyers to be 55+ years old.  The monthly dues are the highest in Palo Alto, but there are many unique services provided, such as meals.  If you’re reaching your golden years and just don’t feel like putting up with yard work, this building is a nice option.  This particular unit is fairly rare, as it is a 3 bedroom floor plan.  The unit could also use a remodel, and to me, the pricing seems a bit high.

2251 Harvard Street - 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 785 SF House |  3,125 SF Lot | $998,000.  A mid-century modern starter home in College Terrace.  If you’re just starting out, this home might make a great option.  Located close to Stanford Campus, this home is just big enough to work for a young/old couple with no children.  Keep in mind the lot size when looking at this home.

514 Rhodes Drive - 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | 2,998 SF House | 8,280 SF Lot | $3,300,000.  Generously portioned home in the Duveneck neighborhood.  I like the spacious floor plan which was set up to maximize open spaces and family areas.  The home is pushed back a little further from the front of the lot than some other homes, but the backyard is still sizable due to the large lot size.  I liked the size and feel to the master bedroom upstairs.  The remodel which was done on this home is nice, but not flashy.  Definitely worth a look.

3905 Duncan Place - 3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,733 SF House | 6,460 SF Lot | $1,595,000.  Starter home priced just above lot value.  You’ll need to remodel this home, but if you love Eichlers, this is a good fixer option.  This home has the standard 3 bedroom layout which places three bedrooms on one side of the home with a master bathroom and small bathroom between two of the bedrooms.  The kitchen could use some work, but the potential is there.

3105 David Avenue - 5 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | 3,026 SF House | 7,597 SF Lot | $2,798,000.  A very large, brand new home in Midtown.  We’ve seen a lot of new homes come up in Midtown recently, and this particular home is one of the bigger properties to come up.  The 5 bedrooms in this home are all reasonably well sized (two of them could have been a bit larger), and the kitchen area is a gourmet chef’s dream.  Given the pie shaped lot, the backyard has a nice and open feel to it.  To me, this home is underpriced by a fair amount, and I would expect it to sell over the $3M mark.   As with all new construction in the area, expect to pay a premium.

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Renovating vs. Selling

Having trouble deciding whether you should remodel your place and stay put or search out a more suitable pad?  Read on for some considerations which should hopefully help you with this decision:

Many of my clients like their house enough, but it’s just not the right one for them.  If they could tweak the floor plan, upgrade the kitchen, and build out an extra family room – it would be perfect.  Except for the howling dog, the drummer who works practices with his band twice each week, and the constant roar of the El Camino traffic.  Or, the neighborhood is perfect, the neighbors periodically bring baked goods – but the half-sized lot won’t allow for the extra bedroom you need and the pool you have always wanted.

Neighborhood is key.

As you always hear, you can change almost anything about a house except for the neighborhood.  This is where I always start with clients who aren’t sure.  Are you happy where you are, should you have a house more suited to your needs?  Are you near a busy street or another nuisance that drives you crazy on a regular basis?

Will you be able to recoup any money invested when it is time to resell?

It’s great that you might want to double your square footage, put in a custom kitchen and that hand-excavated 10,000 bottle wine cellar you have always wanted.  But when you go to sell in 10, 20, or (heaven forbid) a job change forces a THREE year plan, will you be able to get out of your home without a decent sized “haircut” to your investment?  Look around your neighborhood at what has recently sold.  Compare that with how your neighborhood has fared over the years.  Do you already have the biggest, most expensive house on the block?  If so, you may not want to over-improve your current home beyond the standards set by the neighborhood.

Does renovation make financial sense?

Do you have the cash needed to make the necessary repairs, or are you already maximized on your monthly debt and have no cash reserves to cover any unexpected “bumps” in your proverbial road?  Would taking an additional loan put you in an uncomfortable financial position?

Can you endure living through construction?

I probably should have put this at the top of the list because it is where most people will stop reading.  Living through construction isn’t fun, it disrupts daily routines, and puts an extra layer of stress upon everybody in the household/construction zone.  Renovations can be fun when you’re choosing finishes, but what about when the four month project is going on eight months and you can’t possibly endure anymore take out dinners?  I’m not saying all projects go over time and budget, but how would you deal with the situation if it did?

Tally up your responses to these questions and ask others for their input if needed.  Only you will have the right answer for your personal situation, but a real estate professional can help with a “before” and “after” valuation to determine if the cost of the improvements/changes to your home would be a wise investment.  Your favorite Dreyfus agent would be happy to have a more in-depth conversation with you!

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Renovating vs. Selling

Having trouble deciding whether you should remodel your place and stay put or search out a more suitable pad?  Read on for some considerations which should hopefully help you with this decision:

Many of my clients like their house enough, but it’s just not the right one for them.  If they could tweak the floor plan, upgrade the kitchen, and build out an extra family room – it would be perfect.  Except for the howling dog, the drummer who works practices with his band twice each week, and the constant roar of the El Camino traffic.  Or, the neighborhood is perfect, the neighbors periodically bring baked goods – but the half-sized lot won’t allow for the extra bedroom you need and the pool you have always wanted.

Neighborhood is key.

As you always hear, you can change almost anything about a house except for the neighborhood.  This is where I always start with clients who aren’t sure.  Are you happy where you are, should you have a house more suited to your needs?  Are you near a busy street or another nuisance that drives you crazy on a regular basis?

Will you be able to recoup any money invested when it is time to resell?

It’s great that you might want to double your square footage, put in a custom kitchen and that hand-excavated 10,000 bottle wine cellar you have always wanted.  But when you go to sell in 10, 20, or (heaven forbid) a job change forces a THREE year plan, will you be able to get out of your home without a decent sized “haircut” to your investment?  Look around your neighborhood at what has recently sold.  Compare that with how your neighborhood has fared over the years.  Do you already have the biggest, most expensive house on the block?  If so, you may not want to over-improve your current home beyond the standards set by the neighborhood.

Does renovation make financial sense?

Do you have the cash needed to make the necessary repairs, or are you already maximized on your monthly debt and have no cash reserves to cover any unexpected “bumps” in your proverbial road?  Would taking an additional loan put you in an uncomfortable financial position?

Can you endure living through construction?

I probably should have put this at the top of the list because it is where most people will stop reading.  Living through construction isn’t fun, it disrupts daily routines, and puts an extra layer of stress upon everybody in the household/construction zone.  Renovations can be fun when you’re choosing finishes, but what about when the four month project is going on eight months and you can’t possibly endure anymore take out dinners?  I’m not saying all projects go over time and budget, but how would you deal with the situation if it did?

Tally up your responses to these questions and ask others for their input if needed.  Only you will have the right answer for your personal situation, but a real estate professional can help with a “before” and “after” valuation to determine if the cost of the improvements/changes to your home would be a wise investment.  Your favorite Dreyfus agent would be happy to have a more in-depth conversation with you!

Newest Mt. Carmel Listing!

Good to see something coming on the market in the neighborhood.  172 Grand Street (cross street Brewster) is a large home with 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths over 3332 square feet with plenty of room for the whole family.  The single story conversion leaves some choppy rooms and a slightly awkward staircase, but at the back of the home you get a dramatic two story great room.  The backyard has a pool but little else, and definitely no grass for us dog owners!  List price is $1,625,000. #redwoodcity  #mountcarmel