Finally got the Victorian lamp cleaned up and listed on ebay. I loaded a photo
cb, you’d build a second story but only get 500 square feet more? That’s a lot of trouble for a relatively small addition.
If you already have a view…and your are only gaining 500 sq ft…what do,the comps,look like with 2100 sq ft houses?
Also, I think your outdoor areas will add to the appeal,of this house…great yard!
I would get 800 sq ft, but a lot of it will probably be a view deck. Not really sure the exact nbrs because I think we will only be able to build up from back of existing garage out towards driveway. That is the least costly solution for new foundation that will be required.
Aren’t you glad you didn’t throw the lamp out? It will be interesting to see if it sells.
I’m sure one big question on the second story is how much you want that viewing deck - how much it would add to the existing planned deck. Didn’t your agent say you needed four bedrooms to get to the price you wanted?
Yes, I think that I need the 4th bedroom. There is a possibility that I could try to squeeze a 4th bedroom into main floor with the additional 400 sq ft over the garage. We will not end up with large bedrooms and I will have to lose the kitchen pantry and separate laundry room. Laundry room will have to get squeezed somewhere else.
I am waiting for an architect and designer who have agreed to come to the property for a consultation. I don’t think they will be able to answer the question of up or not, but I’m going to ask them to go over the floor plans and help me tweak for main floor and new 2nd floor. I cannot trust their opinions on final cost because it will be something really high since they deal with expensive general contractors.
Looking at the roof view photos, that would seem to be the view that would really sell the house. A high, wide, and open feel, as opposed to peeking around the edge of the Great Wall.
Agree, I think I really need the 4th bedroom and the expansive view to get the $1.4 million that I want as my asking price. There’s just not enough margin to stay at the $1.2 million range with the 3/2 and limited views. Unfortunately, I do not know how to estimate costs to build that 2nd story to get up into the $1.4 million range. Million dollar question is whether I can do it for $75k because there are so many variables that I am not familiar with such as trying to pin a new foundation to old foundation. I’ve added additions before… but they were on the ground 
$75K feels low, but then your profit isn’t built into cost of the 2nd story, it’s built into the selling price. Even if it came in at $100K, you are coming in at $200-$250 per finished square foot.
Sale price will be, what, $600/sq ft? As long as the foundation issues aren’t crazy, seems like you can make it work.
Maybe it’s time to consult you retired contractor friend.
Notrichenough… you hit it right on the mark. I see $600 to $620 sq ft as the average sq ft sale for a renovated or new construction comparable home in the neighborhood. Plus this might bring a little bit more because it is an above average lot size with above average privacy that can be figured into the equation. I really only need to get $550/sq ft to make a reasonable profit.
1653 Froude 92107 $550/sq ft but took 3 months to sell
1965 Froude 92107 $620/sq ft went into contract really quick. I toured this house and it felt really small, but beautiful workmanship. No yard, upside down design, views from upper floor
4534 Santa Cruz $622/sq ft went into contract really fast, similar location and size with large yard
Are you enlarging the current deck to wrap around the living room end of the house?
The deck is getting moved to SW corner. It will be off living room and extend to end of property with stairs going down in front of fireplace wall. It won’t wrap around. There will be stairs down from the deck in front of fireplace wall. This will allow arriving guests to go down a path straight onto deck. We are going to stub out a gas line so that buyers can install an outdoor kitchen on deck. Haven’t decided whether there will be a patio cover because the eaves from sloping roof are low and I don’t want a low roof over deck that might compromise the views
Another poop saga!!
Amazing how we cannot make it through a project without some gross poop event. For 3 weeks we’ve gone along fine without any security issues from the parking “make out” spot at the cul de sac lookout. This week for 3 days in a row,arrived to find someone has come around and urinated by the low fence. I think this might be a side effect from the new 6’ ft fence the neighbors put up. Someone can tuck around and get a bit of privacy.
This morning we found poop in the yard?!! Unbelievable. I kept saying it was a dog but carpenter just laughed at me. We dug a hole and buried it. But we are now on frantic fast track building the block pillars and I’m going to extend the wall 11’ to left of gate at 4’ tall. All the block will be stuccoed and painted white.
The electrician ran conduit into both pillars for nice low voltage lights I will put in front side of each pillar and some wire in case buyers want to install camera system. Ill take some pictures tomorrow.
And you are still using the green doors??
I don’t understand about the deck. I used the term wrap around so I guess that was misleading. I presume what it will be is an “L” shape, beyond the dining room and around one corner (SW) and across the fireplace wall? This is what I actually meant.
why cant you rent one of those wire construction fences and put it up around the property, or at least part of it?
that will also prevent theft of tools, materials, etc, etc.
If someone is defecating on your property, then it would not be a leap for him to also steal stuff when no one is looking.
just saying…
Deck is not going to wrap around. There really isnt any view on south side of fireplace wall and it gets real skinny over there.
We have installed big motion detector lights along front of house and our block wall and gate will be done in about 3 more days. It wont get stuccoed until we finish all construction, but it will get the job done.
Funny story about green gate …carpenter giving me grief about it. Electrician walked over and exclaimed ‘That’s Bad Ass’ and loves it! Ran over and dragged carpenter to hear it the gate might get a brownish sealant wash on it to tone it down. But for now they are just going up for security and privacy
The Bad Ass Gate! Love it.
I’m glad you’re stuccoing the wall around the gate. The color and the wood planks will stand out better!