Open House Review: 14 Alba West

14 Alba West is a single story, zero lot line property that is fully remodeled. Last week I reviewed the same model at 1 Delamesa, selling for $645,000 ($487/square foot), which is still for sale. Other recent comparable sales in the same neighborhood sold at $620,000 ($468/square foot) and $625,000 ($472/square foot) at 32 Entrada and 27 West Lucero, respectively. Is this property worth the highest price?

Asking Price: $650,000

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 1.75

Square Footage: 1,329

Lot Size: 4,792sq ft

Price per Square Foot: $489

Property Type: Residential, Single Family

Style: One Level Contemporary

Year Built 1980

Community: Northwood, Park Paseo

HOA Fees: $85

Mello Roos: No

Days on Market: 11

This house has remodeled bathrooms and kitchen, scraped ceilings, distressed wood flooring throughout, clean interior paint and new windows, most with plantation shutters. The backyard is nicely landscaped with fruit trees, well maintained grass and a covered patio. There does not seem to be much traffic in the surrounding area, but the house faces the entrance of the split streets of Alba West and Alba East, so all cars must drive towards and pass this property if they live anywhere on Alba West.

View from House to entrance:

A side gated porch leads up to the front door. The front door leads into a rectangular shaped great room which consists of the living room (to the left), small dining room (to the right) and open kitchen with a breakfast bar. Straight ahead is a hallway leading to the bedrooms. The vaulted ceilings and large windows create an open, light feel. The kitchen is completely remodeled with new cabinets, granite countertops, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a wine cooler. There are plenty of cupboards, drawers and a pantry for storage. One garage entrance is located in the kitchen. The dining room has french doors which leads to the side enclosed porch area.

Recessed lights, a ceiling fan and plantation shutters have been installed in the living room and the room also has an updated fireplace. One entrance into the third bedroom is off of the living room. The double doors into the spare room/office have been removed. The entrance could be dry-walled to create more of a private third bedroom, if desired. Currently the closet has been turned into an office desk area with built in cabinets and desk. With the double entrance, one from the living room and one from the hallway, the room lacks some privacy to be used as a bedroom.

Adjacent to the third bedroom is another bedroom which is similar in size with a window facing the backyard. Crown molding has been installed in the two small bedrooms and hallway. The bathroom in the hallway has been completely remodeled with a shower, modern vanity and tiled walls and floor.

The master bedroom has vaulted ceilings, good closet space, a remodeled bathroom and french doors that lead to an enclosed small patio. Another garage entrance is found in the enclosed patio. The bathroom has been completely remodeled with a skylight bringing in extra light. A wall separates it from the sleeping area. It has an open solution to the modern single sink, shower and Jacuzzi bathtub while the toilet is in its own room. There is no door in front of the vanity/tub/shower area, so there may be light and noise in the mornings if another person is utilizing the area while the other is sleeping. In addition, with the tub and shower in the open bathroom, the bedroom door would need to be shut for complete privacy in the tub/shower area.

14 Alba West has been upgraded nicely. The bathrooms are contemporary and the master bathroom’s remodel would not be my first choice in layout, but it is light and modern. The home is clean, move-in ready and would appeal to buyers that are looking for a single story house in the neighborhood. The backyard is good for entertaining and for families with pets and small children. I do not know if the extra $20-25K is worth all of the updates, particularly with the location of the home facing the street entrance to Alba, but it did not appear to have much traffic.