San Mateo By the Numbers

I took a meander through the Beresford Manor neighborhood yesterday. This mixed-use area stretches from Highway 92 to 31st Avenue and El Camino to Alameda de las Pulgas, and encompasses the numbered streets from 20th to 30th. The 25th Avenue Shopping District sits smack in the middle of the east edge of the neighborhood, with locally owned shops and restaurants, as well as a post office. The northeastern edge is mixed use, with apartments, condos, and SFRs, as well as commercial development (retail and medical/dental/professional offices). Easy access to Highway 92, and near both private and public schools.

Reductions are a bit slower to happen in most parts of this neighborhood, and multiple reductions don’t get real serious until 90 days, if homes last that long. The average reduction is at 7% right now, for both SFR and condos. Median list price for homes is $624/sf and $466/sf for condos, while median sale price is $594/sf and $436/sf, respectively. A few of the current offerings:

55 West 20th
This is the first available listing off El Camino, just past Highway 92. One block off the main thoroughfare, this is a condo located directly across from a shopping center (grocery, restaurant, JoAnn’s, etc). Carports and some underground parking. Pool, spa, exercise room, tennis court, HOA: $365
Currently there are 3 units available
Unit #305, 2/2, 1213 sf $565,000 (last sold 2000 $350,000)
Unit #101, 2/2, 1253 sf, $409,000 (last sold July 2007 for $568,000)
Unit #208, 2/2, 1234 sf, $539,500 (last sold 1993 for $201,000)

1951 O’Farrell (pictured above)
This large condo complex is located on the corner of 20the Avenue, on a one-block long cul-de-sac. San Mateo City Hall is located across O’Farrell and the Elks Club (including tennis courts) is across 20th. This large complex has underground parking (2 spaces) and HOA dues of $358-366. Some train noise would be expected, and there is easy access to Highway 92.
Currently there are 2 units available:
Unit #312, 2/1, 886 sf $499,500
Unit #105, 2/2, 1143 sf, $560,000 (last sold 2000 for $480,000)

490 22nd Avenue, 3/2, 1880 sf $999,000 (pictured above)
This home is located two doors from the playground for the Carey School and a stone’s throw to Alameda de las Pulgas. Additionally, both the side and back yard appear to abut the Serra High School athletic fields, probably contributing to the 153 days on market.

256 Portola Drive, 3/2, 1900 sf $1,278,000 (pictured above)
Located in a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood adjacent to the 25th Avenue Shopping District, this looks to be a great area for families. Almost every single home had at least one (nice) car in the driveway at 10am on a Wednesday, meaning people work at home or have young children at home. Yards are well kept, and the homes have charm and character. Last sold in 2003 for $300,000.

35 W. 28th Avenue, Unit #103, 2/2, 1206 sf, $572,000
A large condo complex situated one block of El Camino, also in a mixed use area. Train noise detectable from street. Underground parking, pool, and sauna. HOA: $411. Long on market with no price reductions as yet. Last sold in 2005 for $550,000.