Montclair: Is This The New Hot Spot For Savvy Bay Area Buyers?
The reason I ask is that two of my faithful readers have decided to focus on this Oakland “village” in their search for a new home.
That wouldn’t be enough to constitute a trend, of course, except that both these punters are extremely well-versed in Bay Area real estate. They have been keeping their eye on market conditions for some time, tracking inventory, watching prices and analyzing industry data. They are taking their time—no rash decision-making for them. And their expertise has been much appreciated in the Comments section of this blog. So I think when they both reach the same conclusion on the appeal of Montclair, it’s worth sitting up and taking notice.
This is what SurveyKid had to say:
The transaction price per square foot in Montclair has fallen to the low $300s. The asking prices are of course still higher. By late this year, and early next, that will regularly fall below $300/sq ft. We’ve decided on Montclair, barring other opportunities. We intend to buy in 2009.
And here’s David Gordon:
I also like Montclair a lot and am considering a purchase there late late this year (as there may potentially be more supply by end of this year than in 09, as I and some others believe) or in 09 as well. “Deals” are really starting to creep up into the better neighborhoods in Oakland whereas up until recently they have mostly been in less desirable neighborhoods.
There’s a lot to like about Montclair as I have mentioned before, including its Sunday Farmers’ Market (pictured below). The only reason I decided against it for my house purchase was that homes there tend to score low on the walkability factor (and you know how important that is to me). (Also in my three years of living in Berkeley I have become attached to my neighborhood, as you do.)
But I’m going to keep a closer eye on Montclair from now on. Here’s the Montclair Village website. (And if anyone out there has some interesting insights about Montclair to share with us all, don’t hesitate to join the conversation in the Comments section.)
Here are three new listings that may be for you (if you’re not beaten to them by my two Montclair-focused readers of course):
42 Wood Court: a 5/2.5 mid-century modern (you find lots of these swell domiciles in Montclair) on the market for the first time since it was built; comes with Bay views, gardens and large patios on 1/3 acre. Price: $1,800,000.
2578 Scout Road: this house doesn’t exist yet, but once it’s built it promises to be a 5/4, 3,365 sq ft home for the peculiar price of $1,199,888 ($357/sq ft).
Valley View Road: Bank owned 3/2.5 home with decks front and back providing views, some recent upgrades and two fireplaces. Price: $649,000 ($415/sq ft).
