Last sale: Feb 14, 2006 Sold $708,000

This one makes me have a sinking feeling. It’s about $24k below the latest median, but it’s reduced quite a bit from its last sale price.

This house seems to have a good facade, and it’s the same size of the condo I rent, but to buy it would cost twice as much as renting. Awesome huh?

Last sale: May 26, 2005 Sold $780,000

This one is more than $200k below its last sale price and it’s a short sale, which means the deal probably won’t complete.  It’s priced right at the county median now.  It’s an okay neighborhood, but it’s on a busy street.

The general pattern to the median priced home seems to be the following:

1) The house is less than 1200 square feet

2) The house is more than 50 years old

3) The house isn’t exactly affordable to those with a median income.

Oh well, maybe one day this madness will end.

1040 Patricia SAN MATEO, CA 94401

Last sale: Jul 06, 2007 Sold $818,000

Loss if sold for asking: $319,000 or 39%

I actually know several families that live in this neighborhood.  It’s not the most ritzy part of San Mateo, but it’s not bad either.  It’s close to shopping and the general neighbors are good.  I know at least one family that  paid over $700k for a smaller house than this one here a couple years ago.  So is this a good deal?  It really depends.  A house like this would rent for $2000 to $2300 a month, though.

411 MIDWAY Ave San Mateo, CA 94402

Price: $1,099,000

I have started a new category called “delusional sellers”. This tiny little house close to Hillsborough is listed at $1121 per square foot. What I love about the listing is that the real estate agent doesn’t seem too enthusiastic about it, either. Here is what he/she wrote:

 A beautiful 10,000 square foot lot in much sought after San Mateo Park. The home is small with very little updating, but seems sound. There is a pool in back that doesn’t look too bad, but needs some repairs. It’s probably a tear down, but you be the judge. Marvelous opportunity.

So basically the realtor is saying that it is a good lot, and a crappy house.  I’m glad this agent isn’t using words like “cozy” and “cute”.   At this price chances are this will linger on the market for quite a while.  Most of the homes in that neighborhood have very big lots, and 10000 square foot isn’t really that spectacular.

1022 S DELAWARE St San Mateo, CA 94402

Price: $469,950

Last sale: Apr 28, 2005 Sold $655,000
Loss if sold for asking: $185050 or 28%

Loss of equity per month:  $3701

It looks like the realtor tried to spruce up the photo a little bit and the tree looks like its an unnatural green color.   Supposedly this is not a short sale or REO, but  it has been listed 3 times now since April 2008.  Here is the listing history:

Jun 28, 2009       Listed        $469,950       –       EBRD #40417039
Jun 28, 2009     Listed     $469,950     —     MLSListings #80931255
Jan 07, 2009     Delisted     *     —     Inactive MLSListings #1
Sep 15, 2008     Price Changed     *     —     Inactive MLSListings #1
Jul 16, 2008     Relisted     *     —     Inactive MLSListings #1
Jul 15, 2008     Delisted     *     —     Inactive MLSListings #1
May 14, 2008     Price Changed     *     —     Inactive MLSListings #1
May 07, 2008     Price Changed     *     —     Inactive MLSListings #1
Apr 23, 2008     Price Changed     *     —     Inactive MLSListings #1
Apr 14, 2008     Listed

It is definitely overpriced for the neighborhood it is in,and it is one tiny house.

139 14TH Ave San Mateo, CA 94402

Price: $678,000

Last sale:

Just when I thought the last little cottage was expensive, I stumbled upon this little charmer.  It is in a decent neighborhood of San Mateo, but the owner is asking for over $1000 per square foot for this little hundred year old cottage.  There is an open house this Sunday, and I really wonder if there are gold toilets or flooring in this house to warrant this price?

4238 GEORGE Ave #00001 San Mateo, CA 94403

Price: $365,000

I first put this one up over a year ago.  Looks like the price has been cut another $75,000 since then.  This is still a short sale which means that the troubled sellers are still holding onto the property.  Hopefully it will sell soon?

Price: $965,000

Last sale: Nov 10, 2005 Sold $1,200,000
Loss if sold for asking: $235,000 or 19.6%
This former 1.2 million dollar property was first listed 4/2/2008. Then it went off market twice and just got relisted again. This was financed in 2005 by Countrywide with 2 adjustable loans.  One was $900,000 and the second was $180,000.  This means that the buyers actually put down 10% or $120,000.  That’s pretty amazing.  Sadly it is now a shortsale.  It is a bit close to the 92, but otherwise seems well maintained.

Price: $494,700

Last sales: Jan 30, 2009 Sold $572,000 ( Foreclosure)
May 22, 2007 Sold $890,000

Loss if sold for asking:  $77300 from foreclosure price, nearly $400k from last sale price.

This home is in a decent neighborhood of San Mateo, but it is fairly nondescript and now has the “appliance-ripped-out” look of foreclosures.  It is currently owned by Aurora Lending Services LLC in Colorado.   It is down $400,000 from its 2007 sale price, but it is doubtful if it’s worth even $494k now.

911 9TH Ave San Mateo, CA 94402

Price: $575,000

Last sale: 1/5/2006 for $999k

Loss if sold for asking: $424k or 42.4%

I first mentioned this home in the post about multifamily properties. Now it is down another $300k. This is another short sale. It is in a decent neighborhood near Central Park and you could rent out half of it so it might almost be worth it if you can secure financing.

Here is the math.  Suppose you put 20% down and finance 460k, which is still a conforming loan in San Mateo, then at 5% the mortgage is $2469 a month.  Then you need to add around $600 a month in property tax and another $70 to $100 in insurance.  If you have a tenant on one half of the property then you could collect rent of $1500.  Add in some tax deductions and this place is almost cheaper than renting.  Of course, there are utilities and maintenance costs, too.