Studio Condo in Siena Hills San Ramon California

We have a short sale studio condo in Siena Hills priced at $159,000. Siena Hills is a wonderful condo complex at the top of Bollinger Canyon Road convenient to Bishop Ranch. Siena Hills has community pools and exercise rooms. This unit (183) is in the section of Siena Hills located behind Club Sport.

At $159,000 this unit will not last long.

This is the perfect one bedroom, one bath condo for those desiring security, peace & quiet, and a fabulous view.

The unit has been updated with crown molding, granite, & stainless steel appliances.

The bedroom has a full wall of closet space from floor to ceiling.

The balcony overlooks the golf course and the backside is all green space. You’re surrounded by open space.

Siena Hills is near Bishop Ranch and the planned City Center Project. The Market Place Center and the San Ramon Community Center are within walking distance.

Whole Foods, Target, Peet’s Coffee and access to 680 are less than a mile away.

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Highly Desirable End-Unit

Light, Bright and Newly Updated with Extras

Convenient to Bishop Ranch and 680/580

450 Bollinger Canyon Lane Siena Hills

• $469,000
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• 1,020 Square Feet

Property Features:

•  Central A/C
• Forced Air Heating
•  Security System
•  Covered Parking
•  Stucco Exterior
•  Patio
•  Fitness Room
•  Swimming Pool
•  Spa
•  Sauna
•  Close to Shopping
•  Nearby Freeway Access
•  Close to Gym or Workout Facility

Spacious 2 bedroom 2 bath condo includes slab granite counters in kitchen and baths, all new stainless steel appliances, new cabinets, crown molding, new carpet.

Condo Tips for Buyers in the communities of San Ramon, Dublin, and Pleasanton, California. 

Our fellow Keller Williams Realtor Michael Roess, of iMetroproperty.com is a condo expert with experience developing and selling condos in San Francisco, New York, and Minneapolis. Michael has put together a list of pointers for potential condo buyers.

Consider this your 2007 how to buy a condo primer:

Select the building(s) you are interested in very carefully:

Smaller Buildings (20 units or less)

• Be cautious of buildings that have too many and two few units.
• Buildings that have too few units can be difficult to manage and control the common area expense (association dues).
• It is difficult to find a property a property management company that will devote much time to a building that has fewer than 20 units.
• Property management companies also charge a minimum management fee of $15,000-$18,000 and this can become a big expense per unit if there are only 10 units and this fee is negotiable if the building has a large number of units.
• Be cautious of self-managed associations as this can cause conflict among resident and is uncomfortable (similar to a shared driveway).
• When a large capital assessment arrives (roof, parking lot, exterior maintenance or replacement or boiler expense) this can result in a large assessment per unit.

Larger Buildings (100 Units or more)

• Most loft and condo buyers are first or second time buyers and will live in the property 3-5 years so resale is a very important issue.
• At any point in time it is likely that 5-7% of the units in any building will be for sale in any particular building
• If the building has 400+ units like River West, River Station or The Towers you will be competing with 30 units when you decide to sell.
• When we show a Buyer a large building that has many units for sale we find that they have a hard time recalling any one particular units they saw that day.
• It is sometimes difficult to have a voice in a large building if you are concerned about homeowner’s dues or other issues as the association tends to be run by the management company (and their fee is often based on the expenses to run the building).
• These buildings tend to have a great amenities package (swimming pool, health clubs, business centers, etc.)

Over the years we have found the following to be a good safe bet:

• Mid size buildings that are well located (Warehouse District or Mill District).
• Buildings that are unique (warehouse conversions or well designed new construction where the developer has not repeated their work over and over).
• End units or units higher in the building.
• Ground floor units are good provided there is something special (larger deck/on a green space/not on a city street).
• Homeowner’s dues that are 20-30 cents per square foot when you pay your own heat and utilities; 30-40 when it is included (stay away from older large buildings with high dues).

 Pick the right tool for the job (get an agent that knows the market):

While friends and relatives are great they will often not possess the in depth knowledge of various buildings to help you make the best decision (an experienced agent will be able to tell you which buildings have been a success and why and which units were popular within a particular building).

• Have your agent run the market time for pending and sold units in the buildings you are considering.
• Have your agent analyze then number of listings that have been cancelled or expired as a percentage of listed by building.
• Have your Agent ask the property manager how many foreclosures there have been in the building you are interested for the past 24 months (seller could not sell and ultimately the property was foreclosed).
• Have your Agent determine how much the dues have changed over the past three to five years.
• Ask the property manager if they are expecting any special assessments for capital improvements and if there are funds in reserve to cover this type of expense should it occur.
• Weigh the possibility of increasing interest rates against a building that will not be finished for 12-24 months to determine if you would still want/qualify for the payment if it were higher.
• Educate yourself on recent mortgage practices/products (go to www.behindthemortgage.com for information).
• Interview three lenders and ask them for an example of a recent transaction for a loft or condo so that you can audit their fees.

The Harper Team has extensive experience in the sale and purchase of condos in the San Ramon Valley and TriValley areas of California. We keep abreast of new projects and conversion projects. We have had a great deal of success getting first-time buyers into their first home. 

Gen Y'er Buys First Home in San Ramon

Gary Becker, 24 years old, stands outside his new condo in the Copper Ridge complex off Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon.

He is part of the emerging new generation of home buyers that are entering the home-buying market. Eighty percent of Gen X'ers & Gen Y'ers use the Internet to search for homes. 

Being one of the top salespeople at Anderson's TV in Dublin, CA., has afforded Gary the opportunity to take advantage of what many consider to be a buyer's market in San Ramon.

"…as a first time buyer, I was very impressed with all the support you provided, educating me on the real estate market and helping me find the perfect home. I have dreamed of getting into a home of my own, but did not expect it to happen at only 24 years old. Not only were you patient working with me to find the perfect deal, but the way you handled all the problems that developed during the escrow process with the seller and title company, I could have never gotten through it on my own. All I can say is THANKS! and you will be hearing from me in the future when I am ready to move up to a larger property."   Gary Becker

There are still a few good deals left in the San Ramon Valley for first time buyers.