December 30, 2007

Berkeley: New Releases As Well As A Rerun

Not that we need proof that the housing slump is here to stay (one of my esteemed readers predicts Bay Area prices will continue to fall until well into 2009), but here’s another case for the prosecution.

2436 Stuart Street, a 3/2 brown-shingle betwixt Telegraph and College, came on the market in April this year, priced $859,999. (At the time I wrote “single family homes under $900,000 in the Elmwood don’t come on the market very often, so you might want to check [this one] out”. Oh the innocence… It’s back on today, a short sale, priced $667,000. That’s a 22% price plunge in 8 months. Worth noting too that it last sold in October 2005 for $685,000.

Astonishingly, there are a few more new listings to report:

san benito Berkeley: New Releases As Well As A Rerun

938 San Benito Road in north Berkeley (above) is a smart-looking 3/2 Craftsman with original woodwork, “lovely gardens” and views. Price: $1,150,000.

465 Capricorn Avenue in Montclair looks like a rather nice 2/2 “craftsman-style” home on a large lot (6.840 sq ft) in a wooded setting with an uncompleted studio (check out the whizzbang panoramic photos). Price: $899,000.

2735 Fulton Street looks like a large (13 rooms – 4 bed/3 bath) brown shingle that used to be a duplex. It’s described as being in “Lower Elmwood” which is a new nomenclature to me. Personally I think you need to be east of Telegraph to qualify for Elmwood, but I’m prepared to be challenged on this. Price: $950,000.


  • Tunguska

    Good Luck Tracey!

    Not to sound like a real estate bubble head, but I read your post about putting an offer on a house and then backing out because of various reasons. This is big money! If it drops only 5 %, that comes straight out of your downpayment, with leverage! You also mentioned that you learned so much in the process. I think if you wait and watch you will learn even more and ultimately have a much better outcome.

    Your deadline could be changed maybe? Or you could *gasp* rent a nice house in the Elmwood for much less than the mortgage. This protects you from the downside of prices and allows for a larger downpayment once the credit cruch really starts going.

    If you feel the premium to own is important enough, then go for it. IMHO you will get more for you money in 2 years. And renting is really not a bad option. I sold my house in 2006. Now I happily rent a house for my family in a great neigborhood in Oakland, and will eventually buy THE house in a few years. We could do it now, but we would have much less disposable income.

    In the mean time I'm enjoying you blog, we are both Elmwoood-philes!

  • Tunguska: I agree with you that ideally one should wait a while before buying. Prices will likely keep coming down this year. Some of us (me) have a deadline though, and so I am actively looking to buy a home now. Wish me luck!

  • Tunguska

    When I was there school was in session, although it wasn't a recess. The noise was not noticeable.

    The yard is not appealing at all.

    The house is on a cute little block where people take care of their homes. I would not be surprised to see a neighbor with a pool.

    All in all, I would wait a while before making any offers in this area. Although there are many people that want to live in the Elmwood, the market is undeniably softening. This trend will continue well into 2009. Winter 2009 may be a good time to start looking again, but even that may be early.

  • Tracey Taylor

    Thanks for the input Tunguska. It looks as though the house has very little yard -- is that right? And it is opposite Willard Middle School which might mean there's a noise factor. (A close look at the aerial map shows the neighbor two doors down has a pool which is unusual for this area.)

  • Tunguska

    I looked at 2436 Stuart the first time it went around. There is a horrible slope towards the NE corner, no driveway, and it was a rental property at the time so the condition was poor. I saw it again after "renovation", not much improvement, just some new tile.

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