Comments on: Bottoming Out in Hercules?

By: citizenlen

citizenlen — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:59:11 +0000

Just wanted to add: NO insurance will cover you if you purchase this house. I’m sure the home insurance for the entire neighborhood has skyrocketed.

By: citizenlen

citizenlen — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:57:30 +0000

Major TLC is an understatement. The house is about to be swallowed up by the hill just like it’s neighbor which is completely demolished. The house on the right has been abandon as well because of the landslide. The whole block is a major natural disaster waiting to happen. A $200-300k construction loan won’t even cover the geological engineer and workers hired to fix this mess.

By: Janis Mara

Janis Mara — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:25:48 +0000

Don’t think I’m not tempted! But I recall when I would drive to work in Hayward from Richmond (don’t work there any more) the traffic was lined up SOLID on 580 going into San Francisco in the morning. Looked just as nasty as the maze, no? Or am I missing something?

Tell us about your neighborhood. Like, is there a movie theater? Restaurants? More details!

By: David

David — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:10:21 +0000

This is where I put in another plug for San Leandro, or even Oakland. Commuting on 580 is a relative breeze compared to the mess that is 80 from Berkeley and north.

If I take the express bus to/from SL, I’m on the freeway for 33 minutes flat. Not much different from driving, except for the toll in the am makes it a bit longer.

Come on, you know you want SL. Livin’s easy, cheap, weather’s nice, can commute to the peninsula too, easy access to both airports, but only 10 minutes from OAK…

You won’t find a condo for $135K though.

By: Janis Mara

Janis Mara — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:39:22 +0000

Hi there, Michelle! Hey, here’s my theory, what do you think? I was thinking that since these are old homes, maybe upkeep is high, hence the high dues?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:34:25 +0000

So it looks like the neighbor house was already excavated due to the hillside damage? First of all this listing looks like the house is from 1989 and I would have said it was a newer home, what with the tile roof and all. The listing price dropped from 539K to 99K between Oct 07 and now, in one fell swoop. And whats up with all these HOA dues with single family homes? They all seem a little steep.

By: Janis Mara

Janis Mara — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:59:39 +0000

Right you are, SMHSIT! I live in Richmond myself, can’t believe I pegged the drive at a half-hour, esp. considering as you say, the Transit Hell of the Maze, which I think is one of the worst commute zones in the country. Change made!

By: San Mateo Home Sellers in Trouble

San Mateo Home Sellers in Trouble — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:53:12 +0000

Erm, considering that you have to cross a bridge to get to San Francisco the drive is definitely more than 30 minutes. Heck, I used to live in El Cerrito and the drive was more than 30 minutes because of the stupid MAZE around Emeryville.

By: Janis Mara

Janis Mara — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:49:12 +0000

Ahahahahaha well I guess that explains it! Perhaps “massive cash infusion and major geologic excavation” would be more accurate?

By: Red

Red — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:20:54 +0000

“TLC” isn’t the right term, quite, on that $99k home… a quick look at the aerial… looks like the whole hillside behind is breaking loose. Wow. Doesn’t look like digging a few ditches is gonna do it.