Palo Alto, California Single Family Residence located in a neighborhood of single-family and multi-family properties 2 blocks south of Stanford University Campus.

The improvement on this property consisted of a 80+ year old 700 square foot cottage used as a rental property.  The lot at 35 feet (front and rear) by 100 feet (sides) was a legal but nonconforming lot (minimum lot size under current zoning is 5,000 square feet). However, one single family home could be rebuilt on the property because of the prior residential use.  The property was rented at $700 per month.

It was determined through competitive bidding from three local contractors that a new site-built home could be built for between $225 and $275 per square foot.  Construction trades were quite busy building custom homes in the area in the $400 to $500 per square foot range and were not particularly interested in a small project such as this home.

As a result the owner looked to alternative methods of building and decided on using a manufactured product from Silvercrest Homes.  Prices quoted for a 1,040 square foot three bedroom two bath home with middle range finishes were in the $100 per square foot range.  This price was exclusive of demolition of the old home and all site work (to include permits, foundation, driveway, carport, etc.).

Following completion the property appraised at $840,000 and was marketed for rent at $2,500 per month with tenant paying all utilities and yard maintenance.

The neighborhood was pleased to have an eyesore removed and a new home with a porch and the city very much liked the improvement now located in conformance with front yard setbacks.

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Last modified: May 29, 2005