House Hunters: Lingwood Edition (Season 2 Premier)

Last year’s House Hunters posts were and still remain some of our most visited posts of all time. In light of their popularity we’re bringing back House Hunters: Lingwood Edition for a second season!

Kristen arrived in Walnut Creek on Monday evening with her mom in tow for help and support. Starting on Tuesday, she and her mom began the hunt in earnest with Mark helping remotely via phone and internet. Mark arrived on Thursday night and the couple spent Friday viewing their top contenders and making a final choice.

The real estate market in the area has really shifted in the last month or so. Inventory is low and homes are not staying on the market for much more than ten days. Often homes are selling at or above asking price with several offers. Some sellers are even dictating which days they will review offers and other sellers are limiting the viewing times to only one or two open houses. In fact, two of the homes Kristen and her mom viewed on Tuesday and Wednesday sold before Mark could view them on Friday.

Kristen and Mark decided to narrow their search to the areas of Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, and Lafayette. From the beginning, they knew that they would have to make a compromise between commute, price, square feet, and condition of the house. Unlike most first time buyers, the couple is determined to buy a long-term family house where they can settle down and someday raise a family. Here are their three finalists!

House number one is located in one of the best neighborhoods of Walnut Creek and is at the top of the budget. It has three bedrooms, two baths, and a sparkling pool and hot tub. There is a shed in the backyard that could easily be converted into an office. Although it needs updating, the house is in pristine move in condition and has gorgeous curb appeal in a family orientated neighborhood. Mark’s future commute would clock in at about thirty minutes. The neighborhood is fantastic and has wide streets and great sidewalks. The pool would need a fence and there isn’t much space for the dog to run around, though parks are nearby.

Great curb appeal with cute coordinating brick inlay in the driveway and front walkway
Clean but outdated kitchen has a window overlooking the backyard and good bones but limited storage.

Living room has good space and good light but an unfortunate fireplace mantle.

 Dining room has nice French doors out into the backyard and connects to both the kitchen and the living room

Beautiful pool is in perfect condition, but would need a fence around it while our children are young.

Because the pool is large, there is not much grass or play space in the yard. The shed is in great condition and is already wired for electricity. We would just need to add insulation, drywall, and flooring.

Laundry room has great storage and convenient access to the garage.

Family bath is spacious but not updated.

Bedroom 1 

Bedroom 2

Master Bedroom

House number two is priced $55,000 less than the first house and can be considered a true “fixer.” It is a bank approved short sale, which means the selling bank has already approved the sellers as short sale candidates and they have approved the sale price. The asking price is under market value and somewhere around one or two hundred thousand (yes you read that right) less than the entry home price for its neighborhood. However, as a short sale, the home would be sold as-is and could potentially take a long time to finalize the sale. The house is in a fantastic neighborhood in Lafayette and is located only four minutes away from Mark’s new job. There is a park, an elementary school, and a community center all within walking distance. The running trail is also down the street. At only 1388 square feet, the home is quite small and has three bedrooms and two baths. The entire house needs work and updating but is full of charm and loads of potential. The lot is on a hill and needs major re-landscaping work but there is plenty of space for the dog and future kiddos.

The front has potential for cute curb appeal. As it stands now, the front yard needs to be re-graded and have a new retaining wall put in.

Good flow, with a small but cute living room. Hardwoods are original to the 1954 house but they need to be refinished.

Dining space is right off the kitchen and flows into the living room.

 Charming kitchen is livable as is, but the footprint is there for Kristen to upgrade to her dream kitchen.

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

The master bedroom is good sized and has two closets and attached full bath.

The family bath is original but in remarkably good condition for its age and for a short sale.

Master bath needs to be redone but is connected to the master bedroom and has space for the shower, sink, and toilet.

The garage is about 1.5 stories and there seems to be potential to expand the living space out into a FROG (finished room over garage) or possibly a master or guest suite.

The backyard has a large hill with mature trees. It needs a fence on one side of the property and a lot of sweat equity.

House number three is located at the edge of the Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill border. Mark would have a twenty minute commute. The location has easy access to BART and the freeway, is close to a nice park and community center, and close to running trails. It’s at the end of a cul-de-sac on a large lot with a well-maintained front and back yard. Listed at about $16,000 less than house number two, this house has four full bedrooms and two bathrooms. The house is fully updated with nice carpet, new kitchen, and laminate floors. This is a truly move in ready house, though there is some suspect drainage problems and the crawl space would have to be totally cleaned out. Parking is limited on the cul-de-sac and one street over is very industrial with a mix of businesses and apartments. Inside the house is quiet but the 680 can be faintly heard from outside. The lot is the largest of the three lots and boasts plenty of flat lawn space for playing with the dog or someday playing soccer with future kids.

The front has a nice yard and cute entrance. 

The entry opens right into the living room.

The living room and family room are divided by a brick fireplace

Dining connect kitchen and family room, and has easy access to the garage.

The kitchen is fully updated and has a window viewing the front yard.

Other side of the galley kitchen

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Master Bedroom

Family bath is fully updated 

The backyard has a huge well maintained lawn and a great patio complete with ceiling fan and outdoor space heater for true indoor/outdoor living

So, which one did they choose?

Pristine Pool with Commute

House 1

Short Sale Fixer in Prime Location

House 2

Move-in Ready Cul-de-sac

House 3

Check back tomorrow to find out!

**Feel free to let me know if you want any information on the listings or want to see more pictures. 

***For the fun of our readers who don’t know which one we picked, please don't post spoilers in the comments!