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

Home of the Day: July 13, 2011

248 GREENOAKS DRIVE, ATHERTON
6 bed / 4.5 bath / 4,748 square feet

I absolutely love the Lindenwood neighborhood of Atherton.  There is something so charming about the area's winding streets and mature trees, and I feel the tranquil setting almost always influences the houses that are built there.  For a while there was very little inventory, but over the past few months we've seen quite a few properties hit the market here, and they are always the first I take a look at during broker's tours.

This property is the perfect example of why I love Lindenwood homes.  It manages to be both traditional and current, sophisticated and simple, and impressive while still having a sense of warmth that makes it feel like a home.  The kitchen (seen above) was great.  It harmonized the best details of both traditional and modern kitchens, turning the room into an inviting space that is just large enough without becoming too overbearing.

Bedrooms?  This house has plenty.  The is one bedroom over the garage that is perfect for a guest suite, while the other five are concentrated on the opposite wing of the house...three downstairs and two up.  The ground floor master features a vaulted ceiling (see above) that has a relaxing and peaceful view of the perfectly manicured yard.  The yard also features a sparkling pool and a two-room pool house.

Listed by Alain Pinel Realtors for $4,295,000

Home of the Day: July 12, 2011

283 LELAND AVENUE, MENLO PARK
4 bed / 2.5 bath / 2,559 square feet

Tucked away in the shady and narrow laned neighborhood of University Heights, this contemporary gem is an unexpected but fantastic find.  Built in 2006, it has incredible attention to detail, as well as a series of lines that manage to be forward-thinking without being alienating.  There is a sense of warmth to this home that contemporary properties can sometimes lack, and I couldn't help but falling in love with it.

First things first, let's start at the micro level.  There are some great, subtle details that really set this property apart from others.  There is a recurring circular motif that begins with the entrance to the home (see above) that can also be seen in a cut-out in the living room wall.  The second floor landing overlooks the open foyer, and even features a segment of transparent glass flooring.  There are lofts in two of the first floor bedrooms, which would work fantastically for children, but could also work for extra storage and clutter.  The closets were open and featured metallic shelves.

The design of the house at large is also intriguing.  Although not quite a true split-level house, the first floor definitely plays with proportion and utilizes short flights of stairs to create a sense of separation between wings of the house, while still retaining an inviting open floor plan.  The second floor, featuring the aforementioned landing, the master bedroom and a bonus bedroom, can easily be a private floor by turning the second bedroom into an office.

Listed by Coldwell Banker for $1,995,000

Home of the Day: July 10, 2011

1184 PALO ALTO AVENUE, PALO ALTO
4 bed / 3.5 bath / 4,240 square feet

This elegant home in prestigious Crescent Park just exudes a sense of Old World elegance that only time can bestow.  Built by Charles Sumner in 1934, the home's scale and detailing make it an exceptional property, even in a neighborhood that is practically defined by exceptional properties.

The grounds are truly one of a kind.  Anybody who follows Palo Alto real estate will be automatically impressed by the lot size.  Sitting on a little over 40% of an acre (18,050 square feet), the large lot allows for a natural development of patios, gardens and expanses of lawn, all of which perfectly complement the house's architecture and interiors.  The yard acts as an extension of the estate and adds tremendously to its charm.

Once inside, as I mentioned before, the scale truly sets this property apart from the others.  The word great room is thrown around a lot in real estate, but just look at the picture above.  The beamed ceiling and the mahogany floors perfectly frame the sheer size of the room.  The vaulted ceilings in the family room and the master bedroom (both seen above) also add a touch of drama and elegance.  Even the master closet (not pictured) is incomparable in terms of size.  Easily taking up the size of a full bedroom, it is both spacious and elegant, without falling prey to pomposity.

Listed by Alain Pinel Realtors for $6,300,000

Home of the Day: July 9, 2011

72 PETER COUTTS CIRCLE, STANFORD
2 bed / 2 bath / 1,456 square feet

First things first, let's get this out of the way.  This property is available only to approved Stanford faculty and staff.  That being said, this is fantastic two-bedroom townhouse unit has two things that I found especially incomparable for its price range: the size and the view.

The size (at just under 1,500 square feet) is a breath of fresh air for townhouse buyers who have been looking at properties that feature rooms with tiny proportions.  Every room has room to breathe here, and what I found particularly interesting was the loft.  Overlooking the great room, the loft has proportions that are large enough for a variety of purposes.  Currently it is set-up as a hybrid office and gym.  The bathrooms were also large for a townhouse and featured some nice contemporary sinks (see above).

The second was the view.  The location of this particular unit not only affords it a sense of privacy that many other units do not have, but it also allows for a truly spectacular view.  The picture doesn't quite do it justice...you can see all the buildings in downtown Palo Alto and I could easily see the balcony (see above) playing host to a casual dinner or a lazy weekend afternoon.

Listed by Keller Williams for $759,000