Housing prices out west continue to raise eyebrows. On March 2, 2018, The Mercury News reported that a home in Sunnyvale, CA, sold for $2 million. That kind of price is not unique, but in this case, the two-bedroom, two-bath home was just 848 square feet. The modest rancher was originally listed for $1.45 million and sold in two days at $550,000 over the asking price.
The beige stucco home is on a 6,000-square-foot lot, which is large by California standards. There is a roomy back yard with a small patio plus a one-car garage, a short concrete driveway and wooden fencing around the perimeter of the property.
Sunnyvale has become the hot new market for homebuyers because it is accessible to Silicon Valley, yet not as pricey as areas a bit closer in—yet. The unobtrusive rancher sold at a price of $2,358/SF, the highest the Multiple Listing Service has recorded for similar properties in this area since 2000.
By contrast, the median list price of a home in Newport News, VA, is $170,700, which works out to $115 per square foot. A home comparable to the Sunnyvale rancher would sell for about $175,000. Of newer construction than the California property, it would have about 1,580 square feet, be situated on more acreage and present a more attractive appearance overall.
If you are new to our area, you may be looking for fun things to do this summer. Here are three events in Newport News you won’t want to miss:
Read more...If you like amusement parks, you’re definitely in luck if you are a Hampton Roads resident, because you are practically within shouting distance of world-famous Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Read more...If you’ve just arrived in Newport News, you are probably busy trying to find your way around town. That’s hard work and sooner or later, you’re going to get hungry. While you can find virtually any kind of food you want in our area, you may be interested in knowing which restaurants have long been favorites among the locals. Here are two that, while as different from each other as night and day, might offer just what you’re looking for in a satisfying dining experience.
Read more...“Water, water everywhere,” is what you might be thinking if you just moved to the Hampton Roads area from, say, the corn belt or the mountains of Utah. Perhaps you’re here to take up a new job, or you’ve come to our area to be closer to your grown children and their families. Whatever the reason, we’re delighted you’re here, but we also realize that life in southeastern Virginia may represent a bit of a change for you.
Read more...If you like the great outdoors, you’ll love living in Newport News. Thanks to the moderate weather, you can be outside much of the year. If you are new to the area, here are a few suggestions to start you off on the right outdoor track:
Read more...As a REALTOR®, I have witnessed many a prospective buyer’s reaction to the appearance of a home that is up for sale. I have listened to their comments and made mental notes about their likes and dislikes, what they found attractive and what turned them off. Some of the comments were universal, and I’ve put together a list of those I’ve heard most often. With that list as the foundation, here are six great tips for staging your home so you can impress the next potential buyer who comes through the door.
Read more...You no doubt have a wish list for your dream home, and that includes the location. The things that are important to you now will likely have an effect on the value of your home in coming years, if and when you decide to sell. But finding a good match—dream home vs. location—is not always easy.
Read more...If you’ve lived in the Hampton Roads area for a while, you may be familiar with many of the neighborhoods. However, if you’re coming here from another state or a distant city, finding the neighborhood where you and your family will feel most comfortable will take a little research.
Read more...If you’re looking for a mid-Atlantic location that offers more exposure for your business plus the kind of family environment you want, Newport News might just be the answer.
Read more...Everybody hates moving, beginning with the task of finding the most responsible movers at a price that won’t make you faint. I’ve been in your shoes, and as a REALTOR®, I’m happy to say that I’ve been able to offer some advice to my clients both from my own experience and from the “adventures” that others have shared with me. To that end, here are five tips that I hope will make the effort of moving from one home to another a bit easier.
Read more...