Sunnybrae San Mateo: What Homes Really Cost in This Charming Neighborhood?

Table of Contents

• Why Sunnybrae Is a Smart Neighborhood to Buy in San Mateo
• Sunnybrae Homes for Sale: Property Overview
• Original Features That Still Matter in San Mateo Homes
• Living Spaces and Layout Flow in Sunnybrae Homes
• Exploring Grant Place and Sunnybrae Neighborhood Character
• Walkability: Downtown San Mateo and Local Amenities
• Sunnybrae Home Values and Market Snapshot
• Budgeting for Upgrades: Practical Estimates for Buyers
• Who Should Consider Buying in Sunnybrae
• Small Details That Make Sunnybrae Homes Stand Out
• Final Perspective on Sunnybrae Real Estate
• Frequently Asked Questions About This Sunnybrae San Mateo Home
• Photos and visual references

Why Sunnybrae is a smart place to buy right now

There are neighborhoods that feel like a discovery and those that feel like a rare good deal. Sunnybrae sits in that sweet spot on the San Mateo Peninsula. Centrally located, flat, walkable, and within easy reach of Caltrain and Highway 101, it gives buyers serious lifestyle value without the Bay Area premium you see in neighboring enclaves.

What makes Sunnybrae especially attractive is the mix of housing stock and sensible price range. You will find one level ranches, mid century homes, and period houses with character. The neighborhood is quietly tree lined and safe, with an elementary school within blocks and good access to Abbott Middle and Aragon High. For many buyers—families, downsizers, and professionals alike—Sunnybrae feels like home the second you step onto a block like Grant Place.

Overview of the property

This particular three bedroom, Spanish colonial revival home was built in 1932. It strikes a balance between original details and practical updates that matter to today’s buyers. The asking price sits under $1.66 million, a number that becomes appealing once you factor in upgrades such as nearly all-new windows and an attached garage on a deep 6,000 square foot lot.

Key Selling Points of This Sunnybrae Home

• Architecture: Spanish colonial revival details and historic character.
• Updated windows: Roughly $100,000 invested to replace almost every window with dual pane glazing.
• Floor plan: Formal living and dining spaces, bedrooms on the upper level, plus a bonus nonconforming room above.
• Lot and garage: About 6,000 square feet and an attached tandem garage—rare and valuable in this market.
• Backyard: Deep, quiet, with trellis, fountain, shed, and strong ADU potential.

Original Features That Still Matter in San Mateo Homes

Old houses are valuable for their bones: solid doors, architectural moldings, hardwood floors with inlaid borders, and even stained glass windows. These features are expensive to reproduce accurately—an original heavy wooden door of this quality could easily cost many thousands to replicate.

Original hardwood floors with a double border and intricate corner details are more labor intensive than new simple planks. Many buyers choose to preserve that character, or complement it with a modern wide plank European oak if they want a contemporary refresh.

Windows and Upgrades: Why $100,000 Makes a Difference

Energy efficiency, comfort and noise reduction all come down to the smallest things. The seller invested about $100,000 to replace the windows across almost the entire home. That’s a meaningful improvement for a house in this price range. Dual pane windows give better comfort and lower energy bills while retaining the look of the original openings.

Living Spaces and Layout Flow in Sunnybrae Homes

Formal living and dining rooms feel generous—rooms that are simply hard to replicate in new construction. The layout favors good entertaining flow, with a formal dining room and a kitchen island anchored by the stove. The kitchen includes a double oven and a wet bar prep sink, all features that buyers love.

One practical design element to notice: kitchens and dining spaces that open directly to the backyard add substantial value. In many markets, that flow can add hundreds of thousands to a home’s value. This home offers that kind of backyard connectivity, which is uncommon for properties under $2 million on the peninsula.

Bedrooms, Bonus Loft, and Unique Storage Features

The bedrooms are on a split upper level, giving privacy away from the main living spaces. Closet detail and ceiling treatments remain part of the charm. There is also a nonconforming bonus room above—a compact, steep-stair attic space with a small porch and private outlook. It might not be code-compliant by today’s standards, but it offers flexibility: an office, playroom, guest space, or a creative hideaway.

A fun original feature: a laundry chute. It is one of those small conveniences that reminds you how thoughtful older homes could be. These kinds of touches add personality.

Garage, Basement, and Home Systems Overview

The garage is tandem and deep. Tandem garages are useful for storage, workshop space, or creative conversions like a junior ADU if the city rules allow. There is also a small, older half bath near the garage that shows the property has some midcentury mechanical touches—an easy spot for upgrades.

In the basement and utility areas, the furnace is relatively new and the hot water heater is present. The ductwork, however, appears original and covered in white substance believed to be asbestos-containing wrap. Asbestos in itself is not dangerous unless airborne, but most buyers will choose to have ductwork replaced for peace of mind. A reasonable budget for redoing ducts and sealing might be in the $10,000 to $15,000 range.

Backyard, ADU Potential, and Outdoor Living in Sunnybrae

A deep backyard on a 6,000 square foot lot is a rare asset. Mature trees, a trellis, a fountain and a shed create a private garden environment that feels much larger than the lot size alone. The layout and depth make this yard highly suited for an accessory dwelling unit.

Unique to the local code is the permissibility for two story ADUs in some pockets, which can unlock significant value for homeowners — either as rental income or multi-generational use. Typical ADU placements for this lot might be the rear left or rear right corner, observing required setbacks. Always confirm current city rules with an architect and the planning department because ADU regulations change periodically.

Roof Condition and Long-Term Maintenance Tips

The home has a Spanish style tile roof. These systems can last a long time when the tile is maintained, because the waterproofing membrane beneath the tiles is typically the component that needs replacement over the years. Re-roofing a tile roof requires more labor than an asphalt shingle roof, but when done correctly, the tile itself often lasts many decades.

Exploring Grant Place and Sunnybrae Neighborhood Character

One of Sunnybrae’s strengths is the classic residential blocks: small horseshoes, low through traffic, mature street trees, and a mix of single level ranch homes with attached garages. Grant Place is a great example—a calm street, good sidewalks, and an elementary school nearby. Blocks like this give Sunnybrae its community feel.

Home types here range from one-level ranches from the 1960s and 1970s to older craftsman and revival homes. For many buyers, the practical flow of a ranch with bedrooms on one side and living spaces on the other remains hard to beat.

Walkability: Downtown San Mateo and Local Amenities

Being a six to seven block walk from downtown opens access to a highly diverse restaurant scene and a lively retail core. There are over 170 shops and restaurants in downtown San Mateo—spots for everything from everyday coffee to weekend nights out. The downtown is especially active during evenings and weekends, so living within walking distance adds lifestyle value without the downtown price tag.

Sunnybrae Home Values and Market Snapshot

Neighborhood-level pricing helps evaluate this listing. The Sunnybrae median sale price has been notably lower than the citywide median, making it an attractive entry point to San Mateo living.

• The citywide median home price in recent reporting has hovered higher than Sunnybrae’s.
• Sunnybrae's median price rose about 5 percent year over year and currently sits around the high $1.9 million range, depending on the data window.
• This property’s asking price under $1.66 million represents a strong value given the lot size, attached garage, and recent window investment.

When you compare similar lots in higher priced pockets like Burlingame and Hillsborough, the presence of an attached garage and a deep yard on a 6,000 square foot lot is a distinguishing advantage. Garage placement, backyard connectivity, and floor plan all drive swings in value on the peninsula.

Budgeting for Upgrades: Practical Estimates for Buyers

• Ductwork replacement and asbestos abatement:$10,000 to $15,000 estimated, depending on scope and contractor bids.
• Minor bathroom updates: Budget a few thousand dollars for cosmetic refreshes or a more substantial remodel if desired.
• ADU construction: Highly variable. Consult an architect; site constraints, utility connections, and city permitting change the numbers significantly.
• Roof membrane beneath tile: If recommended, membrane replacement is a labor intensive project. Get roofers who specialize in tile systems for accurate estimates.

Who Should Consider Buying in Sunnybrae

This is an excellent fit for several buyer types:

• Buyers moving from San Francisco who want more outdoor space and a family friendly neighborhood without adding a long commute.
• Families who value nearby schools and a calm street with a strong sense of community.
• Investors or owners interested in ADU potential for additional income or living flexibility.
• People who appreciate period detail and want a home with personality that still has modern improvements in key areas.

Small Details That Make Sunnybrae Homes Stand Out

Look for the things that say someone cared: stained glass windows, solid doors, original hardwood with a decorative border, and small built-in storage in bathrooms and closets. These tangible details can convert into long term satisfaction—sometimes more than an expensive kitchen if the floor plan and lot are right.

If you have a 6,000 foot lot and you have an attached garage, in my view, you've kind of hit the jackpot.

Final Perspective on Sunnybrae Real Estate

This home presents a rare intersection of period charm, meaningful updates, a deep usable yard, and a price point that opens doors in San Mateo County. Those who value character but also want practical improvements will find a lot to like: updated windows, strong layout, attached garage, and clear potential for future projects such as an ADU.

Neighborhood advantages—walkability, good schools nearby, and immediate access to downtown amenities—compound the property’s appeal. Whether you are a first time buyer seeking a foothold in the peninsula or someone ready to invest in long term value, this house and block deserve serious consideration.

If you’re curious about other Sunnybrae listings or want to explore similar homes in San Mateo, reach out anytime — call or text  650-822-7088 or email  hello@burlingameproperties.com. I’m happy to walk you through the details or set up a showing!

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Sunnybrae Home

How many bedrooms and what is the layout?

Three bedrooms on the main upper level, plus a nonconforming bonus room above accessed by steep stairs. Main living spaces are formal living and dining rooms with a kitchen that opens toward the backyard.

What upgrades have already been done?

Nearly all windows were replaced with dual pane units at a cost of roughly $100,000 including labor. The furnace appears fairly new and basic mechanical systems are in place. Cosmetic and functional upgrades remain in other areas.

Is there room for an ADU?

Yes. The lot depth and layout are well suited to an ADU in either rear corner, and local rules in this area allow for two story ADUs in some cases. Confirm current zoning and setback requirements with the city and an architect.

Is the roof tile a concern?

Tile roofs can last many decades. The element to monitor and potentially replace is the waterproof membrane beneath the tile. Removing and re-membraning tile roofs is labor intensive but not uncommon and should be budgeted when needed.

What about asbestos in the basement ducts?

The white wrap on older ducts is often asbestos-containing material. It is considered a risk mainly if disturbed and airborne. Many buyers elect to replace the ductwork for safety and performance; estimates for replacement are commonly in the $10,000 to $15,000 range.

How close is downtown San Mateo?

This property is roughly a six to seven block walk to downtown San Mateo, giving access to an abundant and diverse restaurant and retail scene. The short walking distance is a strong neighborhood selling point.

Is the garage usable for two cars?

The garage is tandem and deep. While you technically can park two small cars in tandem, most buyers use the space for storage, a workshop, or as candidate space for a junior ADU conversion if desired and permitted.

What is the price compared to the neighborhood median?

The asking price under $1.66 million sits below Sunnybrae's more current neighborhood medians which have been near the high $1.9 million range. That price, combined with the lot and improvements, presents a value proposition relative to other San Mateo neighborhoods.

Read More: San Mateo Neighborhoods: Hidden Gems You Should Know