Every so often, there is that special house that comes up on the market that is exactly what you’ve been looking for.  Maybe it’s a 1920s bungalow with an inviting front porch, maybe it’s flooded with natural light, or maybe it’s on a huge lot complete with lush landscaping. But what happens when you see that home, and you’re not quite ready to buy?

One of the most common questions I’m asked by clients and people at open houses is, how often a particular type of property comes up for sale.  Depending on the property, the answer may be very often, not often at all, or somewhere in between.  Much of it has to do with timing and also where you’re looking, what you’re looking for, and what your needs are.

Number of Bedrooms

The most common type of home to sell in Redwood City is a home with 3 bedrooms, which accounts for roughly 50% of sales that take place.  Some parts of Redwood City have more 3 bedroom homes than others, so there will be more choices for 3 bedroom homes in some areas versus others. 

Here’s a look at how many 3 bedroom sales took place in each respective area of Redwood City over the past 6 months:

Neighborhoods like Central Park, Farm Hill Estates, and Horgan Ranch tend to have more 3 bedrooms homes. Much of the development in these neighborhoods took place after the 1950s, when three-bedroom homes became more of the norm. On the other hand, neighborhoods like Lenolt, High School Acres, and Cordilleras Heights, often have smaller, historic homes with 2 bedrooms, unless they have been added on to or rebuilt. Farm Hill Estates and newer homes in Cordilleras Heights and Horgan Ranch are also known more for expansive 4+ bedroom homes.

Historic Homes

Some people (my wife and I included) love old homes with original details. Redwood City definitely has it’s gems: Craftsman bungalows, Spanish Revival, and even a handful of Victorians. Neighborhoods across the city were developed at different times and each offer something a little different from 1920s homes, to mid-century Eichlers, to more contemporary styles. 

Here is a look at sales of homes built before 1940 by neighborhood over the past 6 months:

High School Acres is known in Redwood City for its charming bungalows, Lenolt is home to some of Redwood City’s oldest homes, and Central Park also features pockets of pre-war homes. Cordilleras Heights was late to the party getting a sewer system in the 1980s and had a building moratorium for a number of years, so many of the homes are newer, but there are some charming cabins sprinkled through the neighborhood from the early part of the century. 

Large Lot Sizes

If you’re looking for some personal space, want to have a pool or a large backyard for entertaining, or land for your dog to run around, a large lot may be on your wish list. Lots in each neighborhood in Redwood City were subdivided differently, depending on the terrain and when they were developed.

Here’s a look at sales of homes with lots over 7,000 square feet by neighborhood over the past 6 months:

Cordilleras Heights and Farm Hill Estates are both pretty, hilly areas with large lots, but before you start planning your expansive veggie garden, remember that much of that square footage might be on a slope. Post-war developments in areas like Central Park and Deumbarton tend to have much smaller lots. Properties in Lenolt also tend to me less spacious, which may have something to do with it’s proximity to downtown. 

As I mentioned earlier, when a certain type of house comes on the market depends on several factors. Whatever is on your wish list, I would love to hear what you’re looking for and point you towards the right places to look.

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Cliff Whearley has been a resident of Redwood City for 23 years. He is a Realtor at Dwell Realtors, Inc. and has been practicing real estate since 2007. If you have any real estate questions, he would love to help!