BELMONT–Week in Review for November 11, 2008

With no new listings for two weeks in a row, it’s nice to see a little activity before the winter market slows to a snail’s pace.

There was no agent "Tuesday tour" this week due the Veteran’s Day holiday so most of these homes we’ll not view in person until next Tuesday; and I won't be updating the week's activity until a week from Saturday–the normal day for my Belmont Update post.

Belmont has 53 homes currently for sale which is higher than normal for this time of year but with no new listings for two weeks in a row and four sales last week inventory should start to wind down.

Five new listings popped up recently and here they are:

Naughton 3817 Naughton-4 Beds 3.5 bath 2,103 Sq. Ft. home LISTED for $1,550,000

Naughton is a nice street and this home shows beautifully. This is a great home for people who do not need a large level yard but want nice views–though it does have a level yard area out back. Also, if you are adverse to climbing stairs this home is not for you. OPEN SAT 11/15 1:00-4:00 & SUN 11/16 1:00-4:00 Listed By Bob Bredel, RE/MAX Today

 

 

San juan 2856 San Juan—3 Beds 2 Bath 1,540 Sq. Ft. home LISTED for $1,088,000

Situated on a relatively busy section of San Juan, but on a very large 16,670 Sq. Ft. lot. Though a lot of that is sloped up in the rear so it’s not really usable. The home has been upgraded very nicely. Still, it seems priced a tad bit on the high side. Listed By Richard Beale, Beale Properties NO OPEN HOUSE LISTED.

 

Read 2614 Read.—4 Beds 4+ Bath 2,800 Sq. Ft. home LISTED for $1,000,000. The sad story is this is a short sale. It was purchased back in July of 2006 for $1,233,000 and they put a lot of work into it since. This is one of those Belmont homes with a bungee line to the rear yard. Listed By Bryan H. Yoshida, Provida Mortgage & Realty, Inc NO OPEN HOUSES LISTED.

 

 

DSC_6870 1308 Academy—3 Beds 2.5 Bath 3,400 Sq. Ft. home LISTED for 998,000

I did a little reconnaissance on this home since they haven't posted any pictures or tours on-line. Frankly the home is not ready to be shown just yet but I've included a sneak peak that I took with my own camera.

Listed by Eda Diridon in our office at 3,400 Sq. Ft. on a 9,150 Sq. Ft. lot in the heart of Belmont’s Country Club area this home has a small creek which runs through the rear yard. There’s a nice deck at ground level and some flat yard area. The home has a dramatic setting with soaring windows that look out upon your own miniature park. It needs updating, but this is a good deal for the size home. NO OPEN HOUSES LISTED YET.

 

 

1905 Lyon—3 Beds 2 Bath 1,350 Sq. Ft. home LISTED for $739,000.

What’s up with Lyon this year? There have been about five homes for sale this year alone. Too new to tour also but it looks to be a home that needs some updating. Listed By Kristin F. Leishman, Patriot Properties OPEN SUN 11/16 1:00-4:000

 

 

RE-LISTS

Kittie 15 Kitte Lane—4 Beds 3 Bath 1,900 Sq. Ft. home on a 9,000 Sq. Ft. lot for $900,000. If this home seems familiar it should. It was listed back in April of 2006 for $1,355,000. It’s now a short sale approved at $900,000. So what’s the catch? It has a small landslide problem in the rear yard where it needs a retaining wall to prevent the creek from eroding the lot. Sounds horrible but it’s a simple engineering feat to the tune of $150,000 probably (my estimate). Other than that, it’s a great location and nice home. Listed By Marcin Pendzialek, House of Homes Realty & Mortgage

NO OPEN HOUSES LISTED

1218 North Road—3 Beds 2 Bath 1,543 Sq. Ft. home LISTED for $825,000. This too should sound familiar but are you ready for this…back in August of 2007 it was listed for $1,250,000. No prices have not dropped that far they just overpriced it by a long shot. It’s a real cliff clinger home and a driveway that would give any normal driver cause for alarm. Nice views though and the price is in-line now for this completely rebuilt home. Listed By Michael Robles, Coldwell Banker-Burlingame OPEN SUN 11/16 2:00-4:00

SALES

Casa Bona ↑2308 Casa Bona (pictured)-3 Beds 2 bath 1,570 Sq. Ft. home LISTED for $899,000 SOLD for $925,000 in 4 days. This was a nicely remodeled home and priced to sell as you can see by the multiple offers.

↓3215 Upper Lock—3 Beds 2 bath 1,500 Sq. Ft. home LISTED for $849,988 SOLD for $792,000 in 42 days. Why did this home sell for so much less than Casa Bona (above) being that they are virtually the same size? A) Casa Bona was totally remodeled and this home was all original—and it lacked the views.

↓809 North Road—3 Beds 1.5 Bath 1,160 Sq. Ft. home LISTED for $629,900 and SOLD for $607,402 in 9 days. Nice clean starter home in a trailer park atmosphere neighborhood—hence the good price.

This information is for entertainment purposes only and includes no legal, accounting or real estate advice nor is this intended to be specific to your situation-always consult a specialist who is familiar with the details of your situation.

Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This is not intended to be a representation of homes listed or sold exclusively by Drew or Christine Morgan or Carlmont Associates.

Belmont–September Housing Statistics

Belmont’s housing sales for the month of September are in the books and the less than stellar report is probably not surprising given what you instinctively know.

Consumer confidence numbers are indicative of consumer sentiment and consumer confidence, although slightly higher than in August, is at only 59.8—indexed to 1985 when it was at 100. That’s not the whole story though as we predict it will drop once the consumer uncertainty over the seven billion dollar bailout are reflected in October’s numbers.

This graph illustrates the correlation between the number of available homes for sale and the number of sales.

Although inventory levels remain in check, the number of sales is disturbingly low for the month of September. As you can see by the interactive graph, September sales weren’t even this low in the month following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The difference of course is that inventory levels are much lower than in 2001 and that alone should help keep values from deteriorating at an unhealthy pace.

The median price has held its’ own but one must remember that the median price statistic is the median price of homes which sold, not necessarily what the median price is for Belmont homes. That said the median price rose by $3,000 over the month of August while the median size home sold was considerably smaller—210 feet to be exact. At $527 per square foot that is a significant sign that values are holding relatively firm considering the tumultuous environment and we give this market indicator a positive denotation on that very note.

Here’s how the numbers stack up as compared to AugusSpet_changes_from_pmt:

(click for a larger view)

 

This is Belmont’s Full report for September 2008:

(click for a larger view)

Belmontsept_2008_2

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Belmont Housing Activity–Week Ending September 27, 2008

Despite the radical financial news in the headlines people continue to buy homes and move forward with their lives.

Belmont’s inventory rose from a three week pattern of 47 listings to 49. New listings accounted for six of those and two more were –re-listed bringing this last week’s total of “new listings” to eight.

Pending sales also rose and last week as six homes went into contract. Just three homes sold but in all likelihood that will increase next week as we approach the end of the month.

NEW LISTINGS

Anita_not_ours_2 19 Anita Court—4 Bed 3.5 Bath 1,965 Sq. Ft. home for $1,388,888

Not really on a court at all, in fact the address should have read 19 Anita Avenue—opps.

Nicely appointed new construction on two levels. The level rear yard is accessed through the master bedroom, not our favorite design. Views are of the lower San Mateo section of 42nd street but end with San Francisco in the distant background. Open Sunday, 9/28 from 1:30-4:30–Listed By Patricia Gill, Cashin Company

1314 Paloma—3 Bed 3 Bath 2,390 Sq. Ft. home for $ 995,000

Sound too good to be true? Price per square foot this sounds like a deal, and it is if you don’t mind living in a home clinging to a cliff. Nice bay views but don’t expect a large yard for running around. BTW—this last sold in 2005 for $945,000. Open Sunday, 9/28 from 1:30-4:30–Listed By Michael Johnston, Alain Pinel Realtors

Newcastle_2 100 Newcastle—4 Bed 2.5 Bath 1,760 Sq. Ft. home for $975,000.

This home is located out in Redwood Shores though actually part of Belmont. Nice commute to Oracle! Not Open until Sunday, October 5th from 1:00-4:00–Listed By Arnaldo Salazar, Worldnet Realty

1980 Alden—3 Bedroom 1 Bath 1,126 Sq. Ft. home for $799,000

Alden is a nice but busy street and these homes are up a slight hill. The home’s nice inside but still needs some updating. It’s got a terraced rear yard that is mostly level. Open Sunday, 9/28 from 2:00-4:30–Listed By Debbie Wilhelm, Coldwell Banker

2908 Belmont Woods Way—3 Bed 2.5 Bath 2,850 Sq. Ft. ATTACHED home for $ 1,100,000

These high-end townhomes are located at the entrance to Belcrest Gardens (Hallmark) area in Belmont. They sport dramatic high ceilings and they’re located in their own little enclave. Nice for those who want space and low maintenance yards—because you really don’t have one. Open Sunday, 9/28 from 2:00-4:00–Listed By Cheryl Price, Alain Pinel Realtors

Fifth_2 1540 Fifth Ave—3 Bed 2 Bath 1,350 Sq. Ft. home for $910,000. Open Sunday, 9/28 from 1:30-4:30. Too new to review. Listed By Frank E Nichols, Century 21 Alliance

Located in the lower Belmont hills on the border of San Carlos, this area is zoned mixed use with high density multi-unit housing so the area is a blessing of single family homes and well kept apartments. As you can see it has room for a boat, but not for cars and a boat. Too new for tour but it’s open Sunday, 9/28 from 2:00-4:30

SORRY—No BEST DEALS this WEEK. We just couldn’t find any to wrap our head around.

RE-LISTS

2776 Belmont Canyon Road—5 Bed 4+ Bath 3,000 Sq. Ft. home for $1,488,000

Still overpriced in our estimation, this cliffhanger home has nice views of San Francisco and a level yard are, though it’s three stories down to get to it. Kind of a choppy floor plan in our opinion but very stately. Listed By Debbie Wilhelm, Coldwell Banker

3715 Encline Way—4 Bed-3 Bath 1,965 Sq. Ft. home for $995,000

We didn’t care for this home though it did get a contract on it that apparently fell through. It’s back on the market at the same price. Listed By Barney Diamos, Diamosbusiness Group

PENDING SALES

Our Belmont’s BEST DEAL from two weeks ago went into contract on Tahoe and last week’s Best Deal on Palmer sold in just four says.

Also going into contract were 317 Malcolm, 15 Kittie Lane that’s been on the market FOREVER (268 days) and 2319 Coronet, once again.

SALES (Closed Escrow)

↓1826 Oak Knoll —4 Bed 2.5 Bath 2,460 Sq. Ft. home LISTED for $999,888 SOLD for $950,000. This home was on the market since June when it was listed for $1,159,000.

↑905 Avon Street—4 Bed 2.5 Bath 1,820 Sq. Ft. home LISTED for $999,000 SOLD for $1,050,000 in 24 days. Defying all logic, this home sold after more than three weeks for $51,000 over asking and the listing never even had a picture in the MLS. Wonder what it could have sold for?

Belmont Housing Activity–Week Ending August 30th 2008

Belmont had a relatively busy week with 6 new listings, 4 homes went pending and 7 that closed escrow. That brings Belmont inventory of homes for sale to 47, up just slightly from last week.

Be sure and check back in around Thursday as the month’s totals will be in for an interesting perspective on the summer market and the overall recovery of the housing sector.

NEW LISTINGS

Davey 523 Davey Glen Rd 4 Bed/3 Bath 2,114 Sq Ft Home LISTED for $1,165,000

2422 Hastings 3 Bed/ 2.5 Bath 2,250 Sq Ft Attached Home LISTED for $1,038,000. This home is slated for tour on Sept 2nd and won’t even be open until September 9th from 2:00-4:30

19009_lyon 1909 Lyon 3 Bed 2.5 Bath 1,600 Sq. Ft. home LISTED for $912,000 OPEN HOUSE 8/31 1:00-4:00. Again. It won’t be toured with agents until Sept. 2nd.

2014_lyon 2014 Lyon 2 Bed/2 Bath 1,761 Sq Ft Home First agent tour Sept. 2nd OPEN SUNDAY 8/31 from 1:30-4:30

14 Arroyo View Circle 2.151 Sq Ft ATTACHED home Associaiton fees are $330/month. This is a nice complex though the fees are a tad bit high. OPEN SUNDAY 8/31 1:00-4:00

512 Alameda de Las Pulgas 2 Beds/ 1 Bath 1,230 Sq Ft home. Don’t let the busy address fool you. This home sits back on a quiet private drive off of the Alameda. LISTED for $804,000. No open house mentioned.

As you can see most of these are slated for agent tour on Tuesday, September 2nd so we haven’t even seen many of them yet. If you want early access or like any of these homes give us a call and we’ll help you out on any of these.

Homes that Closed Escrow (SOLD)

↓2 Lyndhurst Court 4 Bed 2/Bath 2,030 Sq Ft home LISTED for $ 1,125,000 SOLD for $1,100,000 in 166 Days.  This is a bit misleading in that this home was originally listed at $1,300,000. Once it finally was lowered to $1,125,000 it sold in two weeks.

Carlmont2 ↑2604 Carlmont Drive 3 Bed 2.5 Baths 2.070 Sq Ft home LISTED for $ 999,995 SOLD for $1,010,000 in 110 days. Here’s another one—how does a home that is on the market for 110 days gets over the asking price? Because it was lowered from $1,118,000 to $995,000; the market determined it was worth slightly higher than the price adjustment and was bid back up to $ 1,010,000. It really sold in four days after it was lowered.

↔2622 Monte Cresta Drive 4 Bed/3 Bath 2,190 Sq Ft Home LISTED for $ 999,000 SOLD for $ 999,000 in 66 days.

↓2015 Arbor Ave. 2 bed/ 1 bath 960 sq ft home LISTED for $749,000 SOLD for $740,000 in 30 days.

This home gives one a good idea what starter homes in the Belmont Hills go for.

↑2818 San Ardo 3 Bed/2 Bath 1,420 Sq Ft. Home LISTED for $ 725,000 SOLD for $751,000 in 4 days.

This was our Best Deal pick when it hit the market and sure enough it sold over the asking price.

↑2736 Monserat 3 Bed 2/Bath 1,190 Sq Ft Home LISTED for $701,910 SOLD for $726,000 in 89 days

Once again a home sits on the market for 89 days and sell over asking? It started at $799,000 and was lowered to $710,910 where it received an offer in two days and closed higher for $726,000.

↓14 Meadow Park Circle 2 Bed/2 Bath 1.270 Sq. Ft. Townhomes LISTED for $699,000 SOLD for $640,000 in 37 days