330 Roblar Avenue has closed off market for $5,275,000. This 5800 sq. ft. Mediterranean-inspired estate commands one of Lower South's Hillsborough's most preferred addressess. This is the first $5,000,000+ sale of 2012 that has been posted to MLS. The previous high MLS sale of 2012 is on Lombardi Lane for $4,795,000.

To view all Hillsborough Sales Prices for Closed MLS listings from October 2011 to present, please explore here: http://www.hillsboroughblog.com/Hillsborough-Solds

I feel myself sounding like a circa-2005 broken record: another multiple offer scenario with $200,000+ over asking sale! 479 Marin Drive (pictured) in Burlingame's Burlingables neighborhood is the latest example closing for $201,000 over its asking price: List: $899,000 Sale: $1,100,000. Ironically, to prove my point, this same Burlingame home for sale transacted in 2005 with the identical result of list price of $899,000 and a sale price of $1,100,000! The 1,482 sq. ft. home had just two bedrooms and one bath, plus an office/playroom built off of the garage. With 479 Marin Drive, we see direct evidence of 2005-like results, articulating this spring 2012 market as a bull market to be reckoned with. Low Supply, High Demand, Great Interest Rates, Diverse Streams of Liquid Buyers, and a Psychology of the "green light," "now is the time before the next one gets snapped up even higher." Pure confidence. For more "pure confidence" in the Burlingame real estate market please see my previous post of the recent $355,000 over asking price sale on Lyon Hoag's Clarendon.

Working from McGuire Real Estate in downtown Burlingame, I pride myself on providing buyers and sellers with a top reputation, analytic expertise, and many competitive advantages for success in this aggressive market. Call or text to discuss how to win in this market: (650) 455-3735. As the #1 McGuire Peninsula Agent (highest sales volume) two years running, I leverage market-defining results for my sellers, and strategic victories for my buyers in the face of competition. -Geoffrey Nelson    geoffrey@geoffreynelson.com

What is land value in San Mateo Park? The new listing at 249 West Poplar (pictured) should tell us very soon. Offered at $2,250,000 this offering features a 1906 home on a sweeping 24,055 sq. ft. lot. The home is most likely not able to be salvaged due to its obsolescent condition and awkward positioning to the rear of this very deep lot. This glorious setting welcomes a new estate construction in an enclave known for architectural distinction. San Mateo Park homes for sale are among the most in-demand on the Peninsula. And for good reason. Since the 1890s, when legendary landscape architect John McClaren (of Golden Gate Park fame) designed the pleasantly asymmetrical streetscape with a profusion of species trees, this area has held the highest prestige, character, and livability. Call or text Geoffrey to tour this San Mateo Park development opportunity, and to connect with Geoffrey's network of contractors and architects to guide you through the planning of a new estate. (650) 455-3735

One of the Bay Area's most in-demand school enclaves, San Mateo's Baywood Elementary school area, shows its rarity this spring with ONLY THREE detached single-family homes for sale as of this writing! 448 Iowa (pictured) in the Baywood Knolls is one of the listings, offered at $1,525,000 for 4 bedrooms, 2 baths of 2,240 sq. ft. This time of year should be peak listing time, and usually is, but the inventory has been historically low. For any seller considering a sale, Spring/Summer 2012 will be the best market conditions since the seller's market days of 2007, lasting until about Spring 2008. Sellers: Now is the time if you want maximum attention and high demand in the Baywood School area!!!  As a Baywood area homeowner and 2nd grade parent at Baywood Elementary, I offer uniquely positioned expertise and a top track record. Please call or text for off-market non-MLS intelligence and a top producer's marketing plan: 650-455-3735 geoffrey@geoffreynelson.com

Low Supply, High Demand...Valley Technology money creeping northward...pent-up demand...flustered buyers tired of losing on multiple offers...attractive interest rates....ALL OF THE ABOVE contribute to our brisk Burlingame market. 211 Clarendon (pictured) is the most recent poster child closing at $355,000 over asking on 13 offers, with 8 days on market. List Price $1,395,000; Sale Price $1,750,000. Per MLS, the Mediterranean-inspired home featured 2,980 sq. ft. on a 7900 sq. ft. lot with 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, plus office. This Burlingables/Lyon Hoag sales ties the area's all time high sales price, which I established in 2008 with my sale at 724 Concord for $1,750,000. Of all Burlingame homes for sale, 724 Concord may be one of the most apt as a conversation piece with its absolute storybook Shakespearean character, marble foyer, and ultimate tree-lilned cul-de-sac backing up to Washington Park acreage. With this competitive climate, buyers will NEED their agents to perform on the dime: be constantly accessing non-MLS leads, and crafting offer strategies designed to WIN. As the #1 McGuire Peninsula agent the last 2 years, I would look forward to putting such expertise to work for you, backed by a reputation of success and 11 years as a top producer. Call or Text 650-455-3735  geoffrey@geoffreynelson.com

Scouring the market for a Burlingame home? Lose out on one of those 10+ offer listings recently? (think Burlingame Avenue and Clarendon) Harassing your agent to view anything and everything off-market??  You're not alone. Inventory has been historically slim and the competitive buyer pool is more qualified, focused, and confident than ever.

Contact me about my upcoming Burlingame listing in the highly unheralded Burlingame Village location. This "best-kept secret" of Burlingame locations positions you within the Lincoln School assigment (buyer to verify), strolling distance to Village Park, a stone's throw from BART, quick trip to Broadway shops and Caltrain, all in a wonderfully community-centric ambiance that Burlingame is known for. My new listing boasts over 1800 sq. ft. with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, plus bonus office. Storybook character merges with savvy floorplan amenities such as the flowing kitchen/family great room and tucked-away office.

Text or Call me: 650-455-3735

Limited supply and high demand define this spring market. 3 such recent examples boast dramatic competitive success for sellers, and the relief for buyers of having secured a home before the comps get even higher in coming months.

• 1285 Cabrillo Avenue, Burlingame's Easton Addition. List $1,275,000. Multiple offers received with 9 days on market for this 2200 sq. ft. ranch home with limited back yard. Closed at $1,355,000.
• 315 Burlingame Avenue (pictured) Burlingame's Burlingables area: List $1,050,000. Multiple offers received within 11 days on market for this 1,850 sq. ft. home built in 1998. Closed at $1,225,000.
• 623 Maple Street, San Mateo's Parrott Park. List $1,198,000. Multiple offers received with 12 days on market for this 3 bedroom home within the Baywood School district. Closed at $1,252,623

Those seeking 5-bedroom homes know it is no easy task to satisfy all floorplan demands, and still capture a great value. But have no fear, my new listing at 1549 Molitor Road in Belmont does manage to achieve this elusive harmony. Priced at $1,299,000, the home boasts 2,795 sq. ft. with 5 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms, plus a den. Most importantly, the layout of the five bedrooms offers the flexbility often sought in Five-Bedroom living: three bedrooms together on one level, plus adaptability for nursery, guest, in-law, or extended family needs via the double master suite. This home has a fully proportioned master suite on each floor.The top floor master is luxurious perch with its rich Cabernet wall hues, artisitc marble bathroom, and sweeping view above the lagoon, Bay, and Mt.Diablo.  Any home full of family and friends deserves to interact with a spacious garden. Here again, 1549 Molitor Road will not disappoint. The lot spans nearly a quarter acre with 11,951 sq. ft. of usable grounds. The custom pool is resort-caliber with atmospheric lighting and integrated spa. This location may feel rustic and tranquil, but it is within minutes of nearby world-class employers such as Oracle, Electronic Arts, and Gilead Sciences.

I invite you to tour this wonderful indoor/outdoor home this Sunday, October 2, from 2pm-4pm. I would look forward to meeting you there.

Architectural elements of symmetry, linear beauty, and motific repetition may have found their zenith in the hands of 16th Century Venetian architect Andrea Palladio, but here in Hillsborough, 2 Homs Court is a powerful modern interpretation of the form. Designed in 1986 by San Francisco's House & House Architects, the nearly 9,000 ft. residence at Lower South Hillsborough's premier cul-de-sac represents both timeless lines and stunning contemporary luxury.

Modern expressions of symmetry, infused natural light, and indoor/outdoor harmony articulate the open gathering spaces. Clean lines, stunning use of glass and limestone, and varied ceiling heights deliver both arresting presence and flowing function. From the high drama of the grand salon with its 24 ft. ceilings, to the many intimate details, the home is a celebration of significant design. The architect’s flair for the dramatic is never compromised by a commitment to fluid livability. The relationship of each room to the next becomes a signature of the architecture. Vestibules, linear passageways, and outside access points elevate the progression of space.  The eye is encouraged to explore this interplay of bold colors, streaming light, and exciting volume. Fully usable resort-like grounds are a panoramic canvas to be viewed from every room. Inside and out, this estate excels as a peerless and worldly destination for year-round entertaining on a grand scale.

Offered at $6,900,000

Clean Lines. Open Spaces. Indoor/Outdoor Flow... The mantra of many of today's sophisticated homeseekers. And it's no surprise. These hallmarks of modern design ensure the priceless and often elusive asset: livability. While demand for regimented formal spaces is decreasing, the preference for open flowing gathering spaces is clearly on the rise.

I have two dramatic new listings, each taking their cue from the best of the modern design lexicon.

16 Oak Tree Place, Hillsborough (pictured) is a spectacular new construction perched beyond gates overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Offered at $4,388,000, there has not been such an offering available in Hillsborough real estate for many years, perhaps ever! This Hillsborough modern  home delivers complete freedom of indoor/outdoor entertaining with seamless transitions from interior chic to al fresco allure. Only the finest finishes and engineering prowess culminate in this architectural statement. Not visible from the road, the home is approached from a tucked-away cul-de-sac in Hillsborough's scenic Woodgate Hills enclave. Via Summit Drive, the connection to Highway 280 and downtown Burlingame is effortless. Contact Geoffrey for an invite to this week's private reception at this stunning new Hillsborough modern home.

25 Via Delizia, Hillsborough embodies the height of true Mid-Century Modern, circa 1959, and now freshly interpreted for today's luxury. Offered at $1,899,000, the first indication of value is the premier Mid South Hillsborough cul-de-sac location, among stately mansions, and not far from Vista Park. Spanning 3,158 sq. ft. of living, the home features a remodeled open kitchen that overlooks the Bay. Open spaces and private indoor/outdoor garden living are the pulse of the lifestyle.

Next post, we'll explore another remarkable modern Hillsborough home that fuses Italian Palladian symmetry with contemporary chic.

"Experience this rare design achievement: a majestic meeting of modern architecture and riveting views."

Don't forget...for your market research and analytics convenience, GeoffreyNelson.com has an easily indexed photo archive of Hillsborough Sales prices found here:

http://www.geoffreynelson.com/Hillsborough-Sold-Photos

This photo-friendly sales price database is in addition to the the other Sales Prices index (other cities included as well) on GeoffreyNelson.com found here: http://www.geoffreynelson.com/site/mls/sold_statistics

I previously blogged about the "land, location, and possiblities" of 576 Craig Road (pictured) in the Carolands Neighborhood of Hillsborough. I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to remodel, expand, or build new. Other buyers decisively concurred, as the home attracted multiple offers with just 10 days on the market, closing for $133,000 over its asking price. (List $1,995,000; now closed for $2,128,000) 576 Craig Road was a circa-1951 ranch home with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and approx. 2,720 sq. ft. The all-usable lot was 25,840 sq. ft. (.59 acre).

My site has a built-in database of actual sales prices for sold homes in Hillsborough and other nearby areas. Explore the Sold Prices Database.

The Burlingame real estate market has been sizzling right along with our warm summer days. For the month of June alone, 29 Burlingame homes went pending. Of those 29 sales, 15 of them averaged just 8 days on the market. One of the homes, 447 Chatham in the Burlingables area, closed for $126,000 over its asking price attracting over 5 offers with only 7 days on the market (list $1,349,000; sale $1,475,000) This 27 year old home of 2,360 sq. ft. featured 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms on a 5,250 sq. ft. lot. For those who may have bid on this home, or are seeking a 4-bedroom luxury Burlingables home walking distance to Burlingame Avenue, don't miss my coming soon showcase property (pictured) Currently featured on the cover of Homes & Land Magazine, my listing offers an impressive 3,055 sq. ft. of living on a 6,250 sq. ft. lot with premium artisan detail throughout. The designer achieves impeccable balance between quintessential Burlingame character and dramatic modern luxury. The kitchen/family great room is a conversation piece unto itself with its exotic grain-matched mahogany millwork, honed marble countertops, and showroom-quality appliance assemblage. Don't miss the master suite...a soaring cathedral ceiling creates thrilling volume accented by gallery-caliber floor-to-ceiling mahogany built-ins and a marble fireplace!

Call or text for details: 650-455-3735   geoffrey@geoffreynelson.com

M.O. may stand for Modus Operandi, but it also represents "Multiple Offers," the resurgent mode of operation in many Peninsula neighborhoods. My 1017 Walnut Street listing (list $1,099,000; pictured) in the San Carlos Howard Park neighborhood near downtown received 3 offers on Friday with just 7 days on market. Other listings that come to mind with robust multiple offers within about a week are 1813 Ashton (list $1,050,000) in Burlingame's Mills Estates and 311 Avila (list $1,495,000) in San Mateo's Aragon, and 576 Craig Road in Hillsborough's Carolands neighborhood (list $1,995,000 see previous blog) And the list could go on... A simple supply/demand business model fuels the pace, as it always does in prime Peninsula neighborhoods when the momentum of the market kicks in. While I refrain from declaring this a new 2006-2007, this spring/summer certainly has trumped the most multiple offers and overbids since the market nadir of 2009. For sellers, it is time to start taking this market very seriously, as the best sales climate in over 2 years. For buyers, it means ratcheting up speed on the pavement, keeping ears open, relying on your agent's inside network, and acting decisively in the face of competition...the new M.O.

View Virtual Tour Gallery of 1017 Walnut, San Carlos

Talk about being "shouldered by magnificent estates...!" The new listing at 576 Craig Road in the Carolands neighborhood of Hillsborough is placed alongside the venerable Carolands Chateau, which adds a layer of privacy and prestige without being obtrusive. 576 Craig Road is offered at $1,995,000, and commands an approx. .59 acre (25,840 sq. ft.) totally flat and usable parcel with pool and guesthouse. The 2,720 sq. ft. rancher shows off many of its original 1951 details, but more impressively, it offers large rooms, easy indoor/outdoor flow, and endless possibilities.

Burlingame has posted 24 Pending Sales since May 1. Many of the homes, such as 2205 Hale, 1401 Carlos, and 401 Bloomfield, have lasted less than 10 days on the market.

One of the original 1890s "Burlingame Cottages" mirroring the emergence of the nascent Burlingame Country Club, 1615 Floribunda Avenue in Hillsborough is an iconic home in Peninsula lore. Once home to Reagan Administration Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, Newhall Manor was built in 1897 and designed by architect A. Page Brown, who was a consulting architect on San Francisco's legendary Palace Hotel. Today this home stands on over an acre of land spanning 10,000+ sq. ft. and has been totally renovated. The home was featured on Hillsborough's 2010 Centennial celebration Historic Homes Tour alongside other stalwart mansions such as La Dolphine and the Bing Crosby Estate. The home is offered at $6,770,000. Of all Hillsborough homes for sale throughout the generations, this is certainly a rare and singular statement.

Named for the 19th century land holdings of the illustrious Parrott family, Parrott Drive carries a unique prestige running from its Baywood base at West Third Avenue westward into Baywood Knolls, Hillsborough, and beyond. The demand for Parrott Drive homes for sale in both San Mateo and Hillsborough has recently been illustrated on two sales:

• 351 Parrott Drive, San Mateo, Offered at $1,298,000, Sold for $1,480,000 with just a week on the market and multiple offers. At the heart of this great Baywood block, surrounded by classic European revival homes, this well-maintained ranch home offered upside potential with its original condition and optimum location. The 3 bedroom, 2 bath home was 1900+ sq. ft.
• 931 Parrott Drive, Hillsborough, Offered at $1,699,000, Sold for $1,800,000 with just a week on the market and multiple offers. This 2,080 sq. ft. 1950s rancher had a half-acre+ lot and potential to expand.

For 2010, Hillsborough recorded seven MLS sales at $5,000,000 or more. So far this year, there have been three $5,000,000+ sales posted:

Redwood City's westside Mt. Carmel neighborhood is a treasure trove of the timeless architectural styles you would often associate with higher priced areas such as Palo Alto's Professorville or Menlo Park's Allied Arts. But here, in Redwood City, within an easy walk of Whole Foods, the historic downtown, and public transit, you will find classic value and curb appeal. 443 Birch Street, a circa 1927 Arts and Crafts beauty, anchors a park-like corner lot in this neighborhood, complete with family room, master suite, and large 2-car garage, priced at $879,000. 1,694 sq. ft of living, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Open House Today 2pm-4pm! (cross street James)

Two architecturally distinctive Hillsborough homes open today!

• 1025 Black Mountain Road, Hillsborough (pictured) Offered at $3,249,000. Brilliantly remodeled and expanded Spanish Colonial Revival treasure. Wonderful preservation of the charismatic integrity, while purveying a new stage for modern indoor/outdoor entertaining and family livability. Romantic courtyards and verandas cast in a garden panorama. Just two blocks to Vista Park. 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms.  Located at the Lancaster cul-de-sac. *Open Sunday April 17,  2pm-4pm.

• 755 Bowhill Road, Hillsborough. Offered at $2,998,000. Extraordinary modernist retreat. Ensconced in woodsy privacy of Lower South Hillsborough. Totally renovated solar-efficient home with an open floorplan and premium modern finishes. Walls of glass capture serene vistas. Walnut floors, museum-caliber lighting, and other top-of-the-line custom appointments. About 5 minutes from downtown San Mateo and Burlingame. Less than 5 minutes to South Elementary School. About 15 minutes to SFO international airport. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, plus office. *New Listing, First Open Sunday April 17, 2m-4pm.

Of all the venerable private residences of the United States, none may match the intrigue and architectural elegance of Hillsborough's own Carolands Chateau, National Register of Historic Places #75000478. This week, with the near-viral news of a reported $100,000,000 sale of a private residence taking place in Los Altos Hills, it brings architecture front and center. What style of architecture befits the grandest and most expensive of private homes? Is there a historic parallel to this architectural preference? The circa-1914 Carolands atrium foyer is pictured at left; the central entry court of the recently built Los Altos Hills estate to the right.

While the circa-1914 Carolands at 65,000 sq. ft. dwarfs the recent Los Altos Hills sale of 25,000 sq. ft, the very similar orientation of the foyers warrants comparison as a gesture of elegance in fine homes throughout the decades: both homes found their inspiration in France, and both homes designed the main living areas on the second floor to afford the greatest impact of vistas. The towering foyer of each home also serves to heighten the impression upon entering, and to maximize the glamorous experience of the grand staircase. According to Wikipedia, the Carolands' 75 ft. high atrium foyer holds the record as the largest enclosed space in an American private residence.

After a slower beginning of the year, Burlingame has showed some nice momentum, posting 9 sales for the month of March thus far, including some with multiple offers. Sales ranged from smaller entry level homes such as 2508 Easton ($1,050,000) to grand newer constructions such as 1419 Montero ($2,459,000) and 2215 Hillside ($2,195,000) Of these 9 March sales, Days on Market averaged a respectable 45 days.

Drop me an email or text to request my publication: "Hillsborough Real Estate Review" providing exclusive market analytics and unique metrics that elucidate the market's trajectory.

Cell: 650-455-3735

geoffrey@geoffreynelson.com