Realtor Notes for Expressions of Sunnyvale
The Expressions of Sunnyvale is a gated townhome and condominium community with 158 units just south of Central Expressway and east of Mary Ave, neighboring the Gardens of Sunnyvale complex at La Mesa Terrace and the Belmont Terrace townhomes.
[ Strengths | Weaknesses | Threats | Opportunities ]
[ Recent Transactions | Neighborhood Transactions | Schools | Location and Commute ]
[ Available Townhomes and Condominiums in the Area | Other Notes ]
1) The Expressions of Sunnyvale is a gated community with secured entry to its streets, Asilomar Terrace and Alpine Terrace. The complex is off the main roads and cannot be accessed directly from California Ave. or Mary Ave.
2) Units here tend to have a relatively low cost per square foot compared to much of Silicon Valley while still being close to Downtown Mountain View and Downtown Sunnyvale.
3) There are family-friendly amenities like a pool, jungle gym, and proximity to the open space of Cannery Park. High school students in this complex go to Homestead High School which was rated 10 out of 10 statewide by the California Department of Education in 2006.
4) The Expressions of Sunnyvale is located a short driving distance from 101, 85, 237, 280 and Central Expressway, plus the Caltrain Station in Downtown Sunnyvale.
1) The Expressions of Sunnyvale complex is close to train tracks, so when possible, I recommend that my clients and I visit the complex when trains go by. Asilomar Terrace is closer to the train tracks than Alpine Terrace.
2) Most of the 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom units and 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom units have high ceilings in the living area. However, the layout of the 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom units, particularly how the stairs are oriented, makes them feel smaller than their square footage would indicate. These units have three master suites which is meant to offset the design limitation.
3) The roads that provide access to the garages are generic in appearance and relatively narrow in some places for two cars side-by-side.
4) Guest parking is available in the complex and on side streets but is not always easy to access from all units.
1) Successful redevelopment of Downtown Sunnyvale, only a mile away, will increase the demand for and number of local destinations from the Expressions of Sunnyvale complex.
2) Units being sold recently frequently include upgrades that help bolster the market value of surrounding townhomes and condos.
3) In 2007, Sunnyvale was rated the second safest city in California. According to the private research firm Morgan Quinto, Sunnyvale ranked in the top 25 safest cities across the U.S. from 2000 to 2006. 315 cities were included in the report.
1) The proximity to train tracks is a dealbreaker to some people.
2) Several low-end condominiums in a complex one block down and one block over on California Ave. have been on the market for several months. The price range of those one bathroom condos isn’t in the same buyer category as the townhomes in the Expressions of Sunnyvale neighborhood, but that complex may see some price erosion. See the section on recent transactions in the Expressions of Sunnyvale (below) for how its micro-climate is doing.
3) Redevelopment of Downtown Sunnyvale not only includes the area where the former Sunnyvale Town Center was located, but also the current Town and Country Mall. The latter project is also quite ambitious and hasn’t started as of this posting. Water issues and such aren’t new to Silicon Valley but the Downtown Sunnyvale improvement will also require its own water cleanup.
Expressions of Sunnyvale Recent Transactions
| Address | Bed | Bath | Sq.Ft. | Close | Sale Price | HOA |
| 977 Asilomar Terrace, Unit 6 | 3 | 2 | 1895 | 8/31/07 | $785,000 | $384 |
| 988 Alpine Terrace, Unit 6 | 3 | 3.5 | 1750 | 8/27/07 | $725,000 | $384 |
| 983 Asilomar Terrace, Unit 6 | 2 | 2.5 | 1553 | 6/28/07 | $655,000 | $364 |
| 977 Asilomar Terrace, Unit 4 | 2 | 2.5 | 1553 | 5/18/07 | $700,000 | $383 |
| 996 Alpine Terrace, Unit 5 | 3 | 2 | 1895 | 5/4/07 | $802,000 | $383 |
| 982 Alpine Terrace, Unit 5 | 3 | 2 | 1895 | 4/19/07 | $808,000 | $383 |
| Contact me for pictures and upgrade information | ||||||
Neighborhood Recent Transactions
| Address | Bed | Bath | Sq.Ft. | Close | Sale Price | HOA |
| 983 Belmont Terrace #3 | 2 | 2.5 | 1483 | 8/31/07 | $589,000 | $395 |
| 979 Belmont Terrace #3 | 3 | 3 | 1363 | 8/15/07 | $580,000 | $395 |
| 999 Belmont Terrace #4 | 2 | 2.5 | 1405 | 7/27/07 | $638,000 | no info |
| 915 La Mesa Terrace, Unit C | 2 | 2.5 | 2038 | 7/24/07 | $730,000 | $310 |
| 975 La Mesa Terrace, Unit E | 3 | 3 | 1978 | 6/26/07 | $700,000 | $310 |
| 943 La Mesa Terrace, Unit C | 3 | 2.5 | 1978 | 6/22/07 | $685,000 | $310 |
| 972 Belmont Terrace #7 | 2 | 2.5 | 1329 | 6/19/07 | $590,000 | $395 |
| 975 La Mesa Terrace, Unit F | 2 | 2.5 | 2038 | 6/8/07 | $690,000 | no info |
| Contact me for pictures and upgrade information | ||||||
Schools and School District Information for Asilomar Terrace and Alpine Terrace
Since school boundaries and availability may change based on enrollment needs and population shifts, it is always a good idea to check with the local school district (Sunnyvale School District, Fremont Union High School District) for the latest information.
1) Vargas Elementary School (see ratings and parent opinions). California Distinguished School.
2) Sunnyvale Middle School (see ratings and parent opinions). National Blue Ribbon School.
3) Homestead High School (see ratings and parent opinions). Rated 10 out of 10 statewide by California Department of Education in 2006.
The Expressions of Sunnyvale complex at Asilomar Terrace and Alpine Terrace is a short distance from shopping, restaurants, Caltrain and a number of Silicon Valley companies.
- 1.1 miles to Sunnyvale Municipal Golf Course; Palm Headquarters
- 1.1 miles to Albertsons
- 1.2 miles to Downtown Sunnyvale; Caltrain Station; Macy’s and Target
- 1.6 miles to Safeway
- 1.7 miles to Symantec (former Veritas campus); KPMG; Cavium; Vernier Networks
- 2.4 miles to Downtown Mountain View
- 2.6 miles to Juniper Headquarters
- 3.1 miles to Yahoo! Headquarters
- 4.9 miles to Google Headquarters
- 7.8 miles to Cupertino; Apple Headquarters; HP Cupertino; Symantec Headquarters
Aug.19.2007 [ Filed under: Silicon Valley News ]
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This is great info, Steve. I think you’re really on to something with these notes pages. I look forward to seeing more.
Many thanks for the kudo, John. I’ll definitely be publishing more. Stay tuned,
Steve
Steve,
Amazing. I don’t think you left anything out. What is the occupany rate in these, do you know?
Looks like there are quite a few in Pending Sale.
Great job.
Hi Gena, thanks, the last info I have is that it was 90% of the 158 units owner-occupied, 10% non-owner. These things can change without notice so I didn’t add it to the notes.
Cheers,
Steve
Steve, I live in one of these units (renting, Asilomar Terrace) and your notes are right on. The trains are noisy, but bearable for me and my wife. We actually really enjoy this area and are seriously considering purchasing a home in Sunnyvale.
Thanks,
Don
Hi Don, appreciate the comment! With the Downtown revitalization finally gaining some momentum, there are going to be good long-term things happening for midtown Sunnyvale. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.
Cheers,
Steve