I haven't visited this unit, however I live in this complex.
Pros:
1) Price $339,000
2) Large one level 3 bed/2 bath, 1,442 sq. ft. condo
3) Cupertino schools (Seller for some reason do not advertise it as Cupertino Schools, but it is located in CUSD and FUSD) http://eservices.sccgov.org/ari/search.do?type=realhome&action=displayApn&apn=29451059
4) Complex has a new roof and repiped most units already
5) Santa Clara utilities
Cons.
1) High HOA Fees: $439
2) Low reserve, so HOA fees most likely go up
3) Outdated clubhouse, sauna, gym room...
4) Water (pond) stinks in summer
5) Washer/Dryers are not allowed, but many have them anyway...
Watch
Follow
Befriend (2)
33 threads
3,458 comments
Good review, I like the point-by-point system!
Follow
Befriend (4)
992 threads
1,125 comments
San Antonio, TX
jvolstad's website
Is this a good deal? Looking at the photos online, it looks like a tired complex. I'm thinking $100 a sq ft sounds about right.
Follow
Befriend (54)
5,188 threads
6,157 comments
46 male
Menlo Park, CA
To a first approximation, it's an OK deal:
http://patrick.net/housing/calculator.php?uaddr=150+Saratoga+Ave%2C+95051
Not great, not terrible.
Follow
Befriend (1)
6 threads
47 comments
Santa Clara, CA
I forget to mention, this condominium was converted from apartment complex some years ago, not sure when. Nice and green (park like complex), not too bad actually. http://www.redfin.com/CA/Santa-Clara/151-Buckingham-Dr-95051/unit-244/home/1242724
However, some neighbors have open and cluttered patios which I personally don't like.
Follow
Befriend (2)
44 threads
66 comments
San Jose, CA
crazydesi's website
Downsides
1. 450$ HOA
2. built in 1969
Follow
Befriend
9 comments
Bellingham, WA
The world is so much bigger than Cali... Good luck
Follow
Befriend (1)
6 threads
47 comments
Santa Clara, CA
wow, its pending now
Follow
Befriend (31)
34 threads
2,547 comments
San Jose, CA
Premium
zhanka says
Unit #348 in the complex is currently in default. :)
Follow
Befriend (1)
6 threads
47 comments
Santa Clara, CA
and not the only one
Follow
Befriend (1)
6 threads
47 comments
Santa Clara, CA
Our neighbors old couples (and our friends) stopped making payments last summer, their unit does not have any records on foreclosure.com, I wonder how many shadow inventory out there that are not reported by the banks?
Follow
Befriend (31)
34 threads
2,547 comments
San Jose, CA
Premium
Actually, there are many reasons why it's not reported. There are games that one can play. It's hard to know looking from the outside. :)
I'm currently involved in a transaction, where the property was foreclosed and sold to an investor at the courthouse steps, but the sale will be reversed. :)
Follow
Befriend (31)
34 threads
2,547 comments
San Jose, CA
Premium
It looks like the HOA lien is going to sale at 10:00am this morning on this property. The opening bid is $19,800. Such a deal. Ptiemann, are you going to bid on it? If not, I'm running out there right now. LOL!
Follow
Befriend (31)
34 threads
2,547 comments
San Jose, CA
Premium
ptiemann says
As of now, title has not been perfected. Although lender confirmed that it'd be reversed, I got to see it to believe it.
Follow
Befriend (2)
61 comments
Palo Alto, CA
still pending weeks later. i think realtors mark properties pending to intimidate buyers into bidding higher.
Follow
Befriend (54)
5,188 threads
6,157 comments
46 male
Menlo Park, CA
anon12366 says
I would absolutely love to document cases of this here.
Please comment if this one (or any other property) goes UN-pending.
Follow
Befriend
449 comments
Boulder Creek, CA
I get unpending notices through Redfin all the time.
"Status changed from pending to active".
Follow
Befriend
6 threads
18 comments
Cupertino, CA
The price is not $339k with the 450 HOA which you'll never be able to pay off. $450 x 12 = $5400 a year. Let's say yard work, maintenance, ect is $1400 a month you'd pay out of pocket if you owned a single family home. So you pay an additional $4000 a year. If the mortgage rate is 4% and you borrow 10k you pay $400 a year in interest.
4000 / 400 = 10. You're paying an additional $100k with the HOA included. So you're actually paying 439k for this place.
Follow
Befriend (1)
6 threads
47 comments
Santa Clara, CA
Crazy, two identical units:
151 Buckingham Dr UNIT 276
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/151-Buckingham-Dr-UNIT-276-Santa-Clara-CA-95051/19601007_zpid/
150 Saratoga Ave UNIT 304
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/150-Saratoga-Ave-UNIT-304-Santa-Clara-CA-95051/19601035_zpid/
listed for sale at the same time with the price difference ~ $170,000.
WOW. No wonder why so many here hate realtors, here the link to one who listed the first unit, cute :)
http://www.interorealestate.com/agents/MonicaCovington/qualifications
Follow
Befriend (31)
34 threads
2,547 comments
San Jose, CA
Premium
She's cute indeed. My guess is the owner of the 1st unit owes a lot of money on the condo. Their breaking even point is at the wishing/listing price. She probably took the the listing to show the owner no one in their right mind would pay for the seller's wishing price. It will eventually turn into a short sale listing for $170k less than the current wishing price.
Of course it's pure speculation on my part. It has nothing to do with loving or hating realtor.
There is a realtor that's known for listing properties at 50% of their value on his short sale listings. I heard his open house is a mad house. Everyone would tell him that I can pay all cash blah blah blah right now if I can get it for this price.
I never bother to go to those open houses. It's just a waste of time.
Follow
Befriend (31)
34 threads
2,547 comments
San Jose, CA
Premium
ptiemann says
Just a follow-up. It was reversed. :)
Follow
Befriend (4)
992 threads
1,125 comments
San Antonio, TX
jvolstad's website
Realtor looks like she has nice boobs. ;-)
Follow
Befriend
3 threads
189 comments
Patrick says
Why would a realtor mark it as Pending if it's not? If I were a buyer I wouldn't bother with Pending houses. a buyer can make a backup offer but it's a long shot and generally a waste of time. Pending doesnt mean "there's lots of offers", it means "offer has been accepted".
i know there's a lot of anti realtor hate here, but doing this would be against the seller's interests.
Follow
Befriend (2)
61 comments
Palo Alto, CA
Looks like it didn't sell after being marked pending.
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/150-Saratoga-Ave-UNIT-305-Santa-Clara-CA-95051/19601036_zpid/
Most of the "pending" properties are just an attempt by the liberal scumbucket constituency of California to create the fraudulent illusion of demand for their criminally overpriced housing market.
@patrick
Follow
Befriend (3)
13 threads
2,217 comments
San Jose, CA
Premium
jvolstad says
Good boobs alone can raise the selling price $20k.
Follow
Befriend
1 threads
1,055 comments
Near $500 a month in HOA? LOOOOOOOOOOOL
SPARE ME.