See you August 22nd!

Hey all...so even realtors take vacations every now and then.  I am currently on the East Coast and will not be returning until the night of August 21st, so stay tuned and I'll be back with new properties then!

Home of the Day: August 2, 2011

195 GREER ROAD, WOODSIDE
Main House: 3 bed / 3 full and 1 half bath / 1,880 square feet
Secondary House: 2 bed / 2 bath / undisclosed square feet
One of the things that keeps real estate interesting is when you occasionally stumble on a "niche" property.  Whether it has a 15 car underground garage, ultra-minimalism in terms of square feet, or a secret passageway, these properties may not make sense for the average home buyer but may be just what a select buyer is looking for.

Take this property, for example.  Located on one of my favorite streets in Woodside, the narrow and shady Greer Road, the lot contains two full houses on them.  Both are livable and are much more than "guest cottages", and the two of them both employ elements of European architecture to create a charming sense of harmony.

The location offers just enough privacy (in terms of private driveways and yard areas) to comfortably fit two families, whether they are multi-generational members of the same extended family, or an arrangement which would place the owner in one house and a tenant in the other.  Although they offer a sense of privacy and separate identity, they are also cohesive enough that they work together just as strongly as they work on their own.  They both take after a charming blend of European features and an American country lifestyle, managing to be both elegant and quaint. 

Definitely not an arrangement that would appeal to every buyer, but if you are looking for two livable structures in one location you'd be hard pressed to find anything better.  This is an intriguing and elegant property that absolutely warrants a closer look.

Listed by Coldwell Banker for $3,995,000

Home of the Day: July 27, 2011

1140 CLOUD AVENUE, MENLO PARK

3 bed / 2 bath / 1,904 square feet

If you couldn't afford the luxurious master suite associated with yesterday's home of the day, perhaps this is more within your budget.  The second I walked into the master, the first think I thought of was how rare it was to find such an opulent set of rooms in a house at this price range.  The suite has a private entrance that you use to access the large bathroom (seen above) and a custom walk-in closet.  You then continue into the bedroom itself (seen above), which features a vaulted exposed-beam ceiling and a beautiful sliding door entrance to the outside patio.  Cherry wood detailing can be found everywhere, from the gleaming floors to the cabinetry to the custom shelving.

Not that the rest of the house pales in comparison, however.  The rooms are warm, well lit and well proportioned.  The floor plan is flexible and could easily play host to any number of lifestyles and families.  A large yard and access to Las Lomitas schools make this ideal for families, while the manageable size and peaceful charm could also work for a downsizing couple or a single resident.

Listed by Alain Pinel Realtors for $1,395,000

Home of the Day: July 26, 2011

600 MOORE ROAD, WOODSIDE
7 bed / 7 full and 2 half bath / 8,750 square feet

The listing agent for this property describes it as "the ultimate lifestyle property", and I'm inclined to agree.

The house itself is nothing short of delightful.  It is dramatic and distinctive while still emanating a sense of whimsicality and warmth that make this property really feel like a home.  The stunning Italian style brick facade makes you forget your location (a delightfully shady and narrow country lane) and transports you outside of Silicon Valley...well, except for the incomparable view of the Bay Area.

The floor plan offers myriad surprises.  The master suite is a focal point here, with a large bedroom (complete with stone fireplace) that leads off into a grand hall with access to two large custom closets and a complete stunner of a bathroom, featuring everything from custom artwork to a walk-through shower.  Another highlight is a sophisticated basement wine cellar (seen above) that could easily hold intimate tastings and dinner parties.

Not to be outdone by the house, the grounds more than hold their own.  Situated on a little over 3.2 acres, they boast everything you could possibly want...a beautiful pool, clay tennis court, bocce ball court, two guest houses (one a 2 bed / 2 bath, the other a 1 bed / 1 bath)...the list goes on and on.  There are few properties in this area that can fulfill such a wide variety of needs with this level of style and detail.

Listed by Morgan Lashley Distinctive Properties for $13,000,000

Home of the Day: July 25, 2011

4182 GEORGIA AVENUE, PALO ALTO
3 bed / 2 bath / 1,918 square feet

Similarly to last Friday's property, this home is another entry in the highly competitive bottom two quartiles of Palo Alto that stands out from the rest.  The interiors were impeccably polished and charming, which is a feature that can be difficult to find in this price range.

The formal living spaces of the house were traditionally defined and nicely laid out.  The vaulted ceiling in the living room adds a sense of sophistication to the space and gives it a grand proportion.  The kitchen (seen above) was also very charming from a stylistic standpoint and featured plenty of counter space and modern appliances.

The detailing of the home was perfectly crafted.  Gleaming hard wood floors can be found throughout, the windows are dual pane, and the bathroom treatments were clean, refreshing and bright.  This is truly a spectacular find for the price, and when you throw in its immediate proximity to schools (just blocks away from Juana Briones, Terman Middle and Gunn High School) you can't ask for a better find.

Listed by Coldwell Banker for $1,195,000

Home of the Day: July 22, 2011

3435 SOUTH COURT STREET, PALO ALTO
4 bed / 2.5 bath / $1,398,000
Palo Alto's third quartile of properties (with a median price of $1,348,888) is a booming market segment right now with plenty of offerings.  Statistically speaking, many of these houses are very similar in terms of bed/bath count, age and square footage, meaning that any property looking to really compete in this market has to have that little extra touch to set it apart in the buyer's mind.

The second I stepped into this house today I instantly knew this was one of the premier properties in its price range.  A floor plan that could have fallen prey to "architecture by numbers" is instead light and airy, resplendent with Craftsman detailing, clean features, and an overall sense of familial warmth.  There are gleaming hardwood floors throughout, and plenty of light shines through the myriad skylights and double pane windows.

The master suite occupies the entire second floor and is incomparably spacious for the price range.  A dramatic vaulted ceiling anchors the main bedroom, and the suite also features a large bathroom and a generously sized walk-in closet (not to mention a fantastic view of the large yard, seen above).  The first floor is framed by a large living area (seen above) that transitions gracefully into a formal dining room.  The three additional bedrooms are to the right of the living room, while the large kitchen is to the left and set back from the main living area.

Listed by $1,398,000 by Alain Pinel Realtors

Home of the Day: July 15, 2011

766 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, PALO ALTO
2 bed / 2 bath / 1,368 square feet

Today's broker's tour saw a lot of properties hitting the Palo Alto market, but none in the top quartile (currently with a median price hovering around $3,900,000), which are usually the "no brainers" to post for the real estate fanatics reading this blog.  It was kind of nice to sit back and think about which properties stood out in the other market segments.

So let's start with this unit.  When dealing with condominium complexes, it's important to see how the unit placement can positively or negatively affect the property.  Here we have the perfect trifecta of condominium design: one level, first floor and sharing only one common wall.  This allows easy access for everybody from toddlers to the elderly.  Also, because there is only one common wall, you have incrementally more light exposure than you would otherwise, allowing for a bright and cheery interior.

As soon as you step through the front door, another plus becomes apparent: this condo is large.  Take a look at the scale of the master bedroom above...it is very rare to find a condominium that offers the amount of space that this one does.  The living area in the front is big enough to hold multiple living spaces in one room, and the secondary bedroom is also comfortably sized.

In terms of upgrades, much of this unit has been newly renovated.  You have recently refinished hardwood floors throughout, new paint, and an absolutely brand new kitchen featuring granite counters and stainless steel appliances.  The condo also comes with a private back patio (see above) and an assigned parking space in a garage.

Listed by Intero Real Estate Services for $769,950