Check out our market update videos. Our market videos are updated every month for 50 Mid Peninsula cities and neighborhoods with the latest inventory and sales trends.
Bigger is not always better. The Dreyfus Properties’ squad outperformed firms with thousands of agents, making the list of Top Residential Real Estate Firms in 2012, in a survey conducted by the Silicon Valley Business Journal. The Journal ranked firms by dollar volume, putting Dreyfus Properties at #13, with $246 million in sales in 2012. That’s a whale of a lot of business for 16 agents. In fact, Dreyfus Properties has the highest average sales price in the Valley. Moreover, Dreyfus Properties enjoys the second highest dollar volume per agent. In short, our agents sell a lot of high end homes. As one of our agents commented when he moved to Dreyfus Properties, “Compared to traditional large brokerages, it’s like moving from the Navy to a SEAL team,” said Chris Iverson. “This team of highly coordinated specialists work together to make impossible outcomes for our clients possible.” Congratulations to our agents on being recognized for their fine work.
Source: Silicon Valley Business Journal – TopThe List 2012 Residential RE Firms
Check out our market update videos. Our market videos are updated every month for 50 Mid Peninsula cities and neighborhoods with the latest inventory and sales trends.
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.
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.
What a week for Palo Alto! We’re finally getting some new inventory, and much of it is in the starter range for the city. We’re finding fewer and fewer mid-range homes, but seeing a lot of homes for sale in Old Palo Alto over the last few weeks, which is unusual.
Here are Palo Alto’s new homes:
171 Middlefield Road - 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | 2,522 SF House | 7,500 SF Lot | $2,395,000. The spaced of this home are very well laid out, but there’s a lot to be remodeled. I like that the home has a reasonable backyard for the size. The master bedroom is on the more spacious side. You will want to keep in mind the noise that this property gets from both Middlefield and Embarcadero.
321 Poe Street - 1 Bedroom | 1 Bathroom | 678 SF Unit | 1,260 SF Lot | ____ HOA per Month | $649,000. Ok I’m a little biased because I’m listing this property. This unit has a solid floorplan and makes a great starter condo for a young/old couple with no children. The backyard is a rare feature for a downtown condo, and the new kitchen, carpeting, and floors are a nice touch. Also, the HOA dues are very low when compared to almost every other condo complex in north Palo Alto.
101 Alma Street, #204 - 1 Bedroom | 1 Bathroom | 913 SF Unit | $690 HOA per month | $575,000. 2nd floor unit in a large complex. The remodel on this unit was well thought out. Although I am not typically a fan of vinyl floors, this particular unit picked out a good tone for them. The unit feels a little small for the square footage given the hallways and spaces. A good starter option for a condo, but be aware of the high HOA dues.
460 Matadero Avenue - 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,220 SF House | 6,000 SF Lot | $1,195,000. Neat starter home in Ventura. We’re seeing Ventura gentrifying very quickly, and homes like this are becoming a great investment. This particular house has a large backyard and does a good job of laying out the interior spaces for a large living room and dining area. The best part is that the home has been remodeled enough that it is move-in ready. This would make an excellent choice for a family with 1 to 2 small children.
595 Homer Avenue - 3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 1,524 SF House | 2,500 SF Lot | $1,995,000. This downtown home is built to impress. Although only covering a small plot of land, the home itself has top notch finishes and a decent amount of space. My only complaint is that some of the spaces felt narrow. However, the proximity to downtown is nice to have. The price feels big to me, but it may work given that the home is only 2 years old and has a nice location.
3806 Louis Road - 4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 1,865 SF House | 6,825 SF Lot | $1,638,000. Two year old home in South Palo Alto. The design on this home is well planned for family gatherings, as there is a sitting area as well as an open kitchen/dining room. The bedrooms are on the smaller side.
3993 Laguna Avenue - 5 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | 3,485 SF House | 9,779 SF Lot | $2,795,000. Perhaps the best feature of this home is how unassuming it looks from the street, yet the home itself is very large and on a large lot. The home has been well renovated and would make a very comfortable home for a larger family. Given how uncommon it is to find a 5 bedroom home in Barron Park, I think this home will be a big hit.
731 Loma Verde Avenue #B - 2 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 1,554 SF Unit | $630 per month HOA | $898,000. The location and age of this complex are big pluses. On the newer side for a condo complex, this unit has two nice, large bedrooms. The interior needs to be updated, and to me the spaces felt a little tight and narrow. The kitchen layout could also use some work. The angled patio is a nice touch for someone looking to have some comfortable outdoor space.
1911 Waverley Street - 4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 3,028 SF House | 7,546 SF Lot | $3,750,000. An older but well kept up home. For the price of the home, the putting green in the back felt tacky. That aside, the grounds are gorgeous, and the interior, although dark, has a floorplan with a lot of potential. This home’s location is prime Old Palo Alto, and the home’s size make this an excellent option for someone looking to renovate an older house in a prime location.
744 Ramona Street - 2 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 1,350 Unit | $794 per month HOA | $1,100,000. These condos are really nice inside. One of my favorite condo complexes in Palo Alto, the Ramona Commons have units with generous floorplans and a very comfortable feel to them. They are not a good option for older families, given that there are so many stairs. This particular unit needs to be updated, but will definitely work for a family that needs a place now. With 2 bedrooms, it makes a great work-at-home option with the second bedroom as an office.
808 Richardson Court - 3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,584 SF House | 7,040 SF Lot | $1,299,000. Eichler home in South Palo Alto. This home needs to be totally updated, and is priced at lot value. The layout is standard for a 3 bedroom Eichler with 2 bedrooms to one side, and the master on the other. This home could be a nice project for a buyer who does not need to move in immediately.
1945 Byron Street - 3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,523 SF House | 7,370 SF Lot | $2,790,000. Totally original home in Old Palo Alto. I like Byron street, but this home felt overpriced to me given the lot size. The house will need extensive renovations.
2325 Santa Ana Street - 3 Bedrooms | 1 Bathroom | 950 SF House | 6,325 SF Lot | $1,298,000. Located in Green Gables, this little cottage is a neat option for someone who is just starting out in palo Alto and wants to live in North Palo Alto. The home could use some light updating throughout, and maybe a change in flooring from carpet to hardwood in some areas. The backyard is nice, and the lot is a solid size. Some of the spaces felt cramped, but given that the home has three bedrooms and is 950 SF, it’s somewhat expected.
555 Byron Street #206 - 3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 1,825 SF Unit | $4,211 per month HOA | $1,100,000. 55+ Buyers only. If you are an active person or couple over the age of 55, this complex provides almost every amenity you would need while allowing you to live with independence. The unit itself is reasonably updated, and having two master suites makes it possible for in unit-care if needed.
1016 Cathcart Way - 4 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 2,534 SF House | 11,880 SF Lot | $1,720,000. Stanford Faculty/Staff Only. If you are part of Stanford faculty and don’t mind doing some remodeling work, this home may be a nice option. The house layout was surprisingly large, and with some surface remodeling throughout the home, the house could be really neat. You will definitely want to take a look at the backyard on this property and imagine what it would be like if the overhang were new and covered enough to provide more shade.
3807 Corina Way - 3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 1,651 SF House | 6,500 Sf Lot | $1,499,000. This home is similar to Richardson Court except that it has been remodeled. You’ll find that the floorplan is almost identical. This home has seen some nice remodeling, and is located in a nice part of Adobe Meadows. The kitchen remodel wasn’t done on a grand scale, but it did a nice job opening up the kitchen and making the home better for entertaining.
1854 Bryant Street - 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 3,166 SF House | 6,534 SF Lot | $3,100,000. Stellar location in Old Palo Alto. I used to ride my bicycle by this house as a kid and always wondered what it looked like inside. It lived up to the hype. Really neat vaulted ceilings give almost every room in the house a cathedral like feel. Although the lot isn’t enormous, the backyard spaces are well closed in and usable. The upstairs suffers a bit from the sloped ceilings, but overall it isn’t as bad as it looked in the pictures. This home would make a fun, if not unique, family home.
572 Vista Avenue - 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,109 SF Unit | $406 per month HOA | $650,000. Located in the Green Acres neighborhood, this condo needs an update. The spaces are well laid out and provide a generous living room, but the entry feels a bit on the small side. The entire condo will need some updating. If you are looking to get into the excellent schools, this could make a solid option. Keep in mind the HOA fees, which are about average for Palo Alto.
3309 Emerson Street - 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | 2,420 SF House | 6,250 SF Lot | $2,195,000. The kitchen alone make this house worth a visit. This newer house in Midtown has some large, open spaces, yet does a good job with keeping the bedrooms bright and cheerful. The second floor layout is a bit funky, but flows well enough. Given the size and price of this home, don’t expect it to last long on the market.
A friend / client is also looking for something in Woodside
and one of his big criteria is a three car garage. We had just had our daughter
in December and this was early February, so I had a 6 week old baby at home who
had spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital in her early days, a new mom
and I was learning a lot about sleep deprivation and coffee.
Every Tuesday is Brokers’ Tour in Woodside, Portola Valley,
Menlo Park, Atherton and Redwood City. It goes further up the Peninsula too,
but I mainly work in Woodside, Portola Valley and Atherton with occasional
forays into Redwood City / Emerald Hills and San Carlos. Tour runs on Tuesdays
from 9:30 – 1:00 and is a great time to stay of the roads, as there are a bunch
of real estate agents tearing around looking for houses, talking on the phone
and gobbling snacks on offer at various new listings as they try to keep up
with new inventory. There is also a healthy dose of gossiping along the way.
It is a necessary evil, as the homes that look great online
and in photos can be very different in person. Cracked foundations, sloping
floors and leaky roofs don’t show up in photos, and understanding the market,
what is selling, what isn’t, and what makes homes good or poor choices is a key
part of the value I provide for my clients, both buyers and sellers. So, I go
“on tour” as well.
I was speaking to an agent about my client’s desire for a
place with a three car garage, and she told me she had just signed a listing
for a house in Woodside Glens, on a cul de sac with a three car garage. Do
tell? When can we see it?
I called my client and we saw it the next day. Well, the
three car garage only has two bays, but they are extra long and there is a
storage space too. It didn’t work for my client, but the garage was good enough
for my desires (See Part 6 for a recap of our criteria), the location was good
and I thought my wife would like it. I called the agent and told her the house didn’t work for my client as he needs a garage for three cars, but I wanted my wife to
see it, and could we schedule a showing?
(Obvious cliffhanger here)
Thanks for reading…..
What a week for Palo Alto! We’re finally getting some new inventory, and much of it is in the starter range for the city. We’re finding fewer and fewer mid-range homes, but seeing a lot of homes for sale in Old Palo Alto over the last few weeks, which is unusual.
Here are Palo Alto’s new homes:
171 Middlefield Road - 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | 2,522 SF House | 7,500 SF Lot | $2,395,000. The spaced of this home are very well laid out, but there’s a lot to be remodeled. I like that the home has a reasonable backyard for the size. The master bedroom is on the more spacious side. You will want to keep in mind the noise that this property gets from both Middlefield and Embarcadero.
321 Poe Street - 1 Bedroom | 1 Bathroom | 678 SF Unit | 1,260 SF Lot | ____ HOA per Month | $649,000. Ok I’m a little biased because I’m listing this property. This unit has a solid floorplan and makes a great starter condo for a young/old couple with no children. The backyard is a rare feature for a downtown condo, and the new kitchen, carpeting, and floors are a nice touch. Also, the HOA dues are very low when compared to almost every other condo complex in north Palo Alto.
101 Alma Street, #204 - 1 Bedroom | 1 Bathroom | 913 SF Unit | $690 HOA per month | $575,000. 2nd floor unit in a large complex. The remodel on this unit was well thought out. Although I am not typically a fan of vinyl floors, this particular unit picked out a good tone for them. The unit feels a little small for the square footage given the hallways and spaces. A good starter option for a condo, but be aware of the high HOA dues.
460 Matadero Avenue - 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,220 SF House | 6,000 SF Lot | $1,195,000. Neat starter home in Ventura. We’re seeing Ventura gentrifying very quickly, and homes like this are becoming a great investment. This particular house has a large backyard and does a good job of laying out the interior spaces for a large living room and dining area. The best part is that the home has been remodeled enough that it is move-in ready. This would make an excellent choice for a family with 1 to 2 small children.
595 Homer Avenue - 3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 1,524 SF House | 2,500 SF Lot | $1,995,000. This downtown home is built to impress. Although only covering a small plot of land, the home itself has top notch finishes and a decent amount of space. My only complaint is that some of the spaces felt narrow. However, the proximity to downtown is nice to have. The price feels big to me, but it may work given that the home is only 2 years old and has a nice location.
3806 Louis Road - 4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 1,865 SF House | 6,825 SF Lot | $1,638,000. Two year old home in South Palo Alto. The design on this home is well planned for family gatherings, as there is a sitting area as well as an open kitchen/dining room. The bedrooms are on the smaller side.
3993 Laguna Avenue - 5 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | 3,485 SF House | 9,779 SF Lot | $2,795,000. Perhaps the best feature of this home is how unassuming it looks from the street, yet the home itself is very large and on a large lot. The home has been well renovated and would make a very comfortable home for a larger family. Given how uncommon it is to find a 5 bedroom home in Barron Park, I think this home will be a big hit.
731 Loma Verde Avenue #B - 2 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 1,554 SF Unit | $630 per month HOA | $898,000. The location and age of this complex are big pluses. On the newer side for a condo complex, this unit has two nice, large bedrooms. The interior needs to be updated, and to me the spaces felt a little tight and narrow. The kitchen layout could also use some work. The angled patio is a nice touch for someone looking to have some comfortable outdoor space.
1911 Waverley Street - 4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 3,028 SF House | 7,546 SF Lot | $3,750,000. An older but well kept up home. For the price of the home, the putting green in the back felt tacky. That aside, the grounds are gorgeous, and the interior, although dark, has a floorplan with a lot of potential. This home’s location is prime Old Palo Alto, and the home’s size make this an excellent option for someone looking to renovate an older house in a prime location.
744 Ramona Street - 2 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 1,350 Unit | $794 per month HOA | $1,100,000. These condos are really nice inside. One of my favorite condo complexes in Palo Alto, the Ramona Commons have units with generous floorplans and a very comfortable feel to them. They are not a good option for older families, given that there are so many stairs. This particular unit needs to be updated, but will definitely work for a family that needs a place now. With 2 bedrooms, it makes a great work-at-home option with the second bedroom as an office.
808 Richardson Court - 3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,584 SF House | 7,040 SF Lot | $1,299,000. Eichler home in South Palo Alto. This home needs to be totally updated, and is priced at lot value. The layout is standard for a 3 bedroom Eichler with 2 bedrooms to one side, and the master on the other. This home could be a nice project for a buyer who does not need to move in immediately.
1945 Byron Street - 3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,523 SF House | 7,370 SF Lot | $2,790,000. Totally original home in Old Palo Alto. I like Byron street, but this home felt overpriced to me given the lot size. The house will need extensive renovations.
2325 Santa Ana Street - 3 Bedrooms | 1 Bathroom | 950 SF House | 6,325 SF Lot | $1,298,000. Located in Green Gables, this little cottage is a neat option for someone who is just starting out in palo Alto and wants to live in North Palo Alto. The home could use some light updating throughout, and maybe a change in flooring from carpet to hardwood in some areas. The backyard is nice, and the lot is a solid size. Some of the spaces felt cramped, but given that the home has three bedrooms and is 950 SF, it’s somewhat expected.
555 Byron Street #206 - 3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 1,825 SF Unit | $4,211 per month HOA | $1,100,000. 55+ Buyers only. If you are an active person or couple over the age of 55, this complex provides almost every amenity you would need while allowing you to live with independence. The unit itself is reasonably updated, and having two master suites makes it possible for in unit-care if needed.
1016 Cathcart Way - 4 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 2,534 SF House | 11,880 SF Lot | $1,720,000. Stanford Faculty/Staff Only. If you are part of Stanford faculty and don’t mind doing some remodeling work, this home may be a nice option. The house layout was surprisingly large, and with some surface remodeling throughout the home, the house could be really neat. You will definitely want to take a look at the backyard on this property and imagine what it would be like if the overhang were new and covered enough to provide more shade.
3807 Corina Way - 3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 1,651 SF House | 6,500 Sf Lot | $1,499,000. This home is similar to Richardson Court except that it has been remodeled. You’ll find that the floorplan is almost identical. This home has seen some nice remodeling, and is located in a nice part of Adobe Meadows. The kitchen remodel wasn’t done on a grand scale, but it did a nice job opening up the kitchen and making the home better for entertaining.
1854 Bryant Street - 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 3,166 SF House | 6,534 SF Lot | $3,100,000. Stellar location in Old Palo Alto. I used to ride my bicycle by this house as a kid and always wondered what it looked like inside. It lived up to the hype. Really neat vaulted ceilings give almost every room in the house a cathedral like feel. Although the lot isn’t enormous, the backyard spaces are well closed in and usable. The upstairs suffers a bit from the sloped ceilings, but overall it isn’t as bad as it looked in the pictures. This home would make a fun, if not unique, family home.
572 Vista Avenue - 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,109 SF Unit | $406 per month HOA | $650,000. Located in the Green Acres neighborhood, this condo needs an update. The spaces are well laid out and provide a generous living room, but the entry feels a bit on the small side. The entire condo will need some updating. If you are looking to get into the excellent schools, this could make a solid option. Keep in mind the HOA fees, which are about average for Palo Alto.
3309 Emerson Street - 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | 2,420 SF House | 6,250 SF Lot | $2,195,000. The kitchen alone make this house worth a visit. This newer house in Midtown has some large, open spaces, yet does a good job with keeping the bedrooms bright and cheerful. The second floor layout is a bit funky, but flows well enough. Given the size and price of this home, don’t expect it to last long on the market.
If you are considering downsizing from your current home, but don’t want to consider a senior or assisted living community yet, this may be an attractive option. We have a new listing at The Hamilton, Palo Alto’s premier adult living community (one member of a household must be over 55). With an impressive list of amenities and a great downtown location, residents at The Hamilton enjoy all of the benefits of home ownership, with none of the hassles (not even cooking!).
Now available for sale, Unit 206 is a three bedroom, two and one half bath condominium with south and east exposures, capturing morning and daytime light with a spacious 1825 square feet of living space with two master suites to accommodate both short and longer terms guests.
Learn more about The Hamilton at: www.TheHamilton.net and Unit 206 at: www.555Byron206.com
Offered at $1,100,000 For showings, contact Chris Iverson at 650-450-0450 or Chris@DreyfusProperties.com
Open Saturday, April 20, 2:00 – 4:00
Congratulations, Empty Nester! You’ve launched your kids out into the real world! Of course you miss them—at least a little—but look on the bright side. Now that you’re not driving carpool and helping with homework you’ve got more free time, freedom and a little more disposable income to spend on the things in life you enjoy.
Maybe now is the time to think about downsizing from your big, family home into something cozier and easier to manage that matches your new lifestyle. A condo might be just the thing for you!
Think about it: No more landscaping to maintain. No more cleaning the gutters or worrying about the roof or whether or not to paint the house this year. And a smaller space means less to clean!
By downsizing into a condo, you’ll save money on your mortgage and utilities—money that can be socked away for a rainy day, spent on hobbies and interests or travelling. And getting away for those long vacations will be easier and more spontaneous when you don’t have to worry about hiring a housesitter or someone to take care of the yard.
If you’re thinking about using some of your newfound free time to get in shape, you’ll be interested to know that some condo complexes offer amenities like a pool or exercise facilities, making it convenient to work out where you live. The Palo Alto on Alma hyperlink http://101alma.com/ Street offers an updated fitness center and a pool with cabanas. You can save more money by cancelling your gym membership.
Since you’re not cooking for the kids anymore, you might want to spend more time exploring the diversity of wonderful restaurants in downtown Palo Alto. The Woodmark condos adjacent to Heritage Park on Channing Street put you within strolling distance of University Avenue and all the great dining and shopping opportunities there. From the Woodmark, you’ll also be able to walk to Whole Foods, two movie theatres and the Gilman Street farmer’s market downtown.
Oh, and there’s one more benefit to condo living—your kids can’t decide to move back into their old rooms!
