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20+ sections, every one researched in depth for your specific property, plus additional sections tailored to what we find.

  • 📈 Market & Value Comps, AVM range, price trend
  • 🏦 Costs, Taxes & Purchase Prop 13, Mello-Roos, closing costs
  • 🛡️ Insurance & Insurability Carrier availability, FAIR Plan, CEA
  • 🌐 Earthquake & Seismic Risk Faults, liquefaction, retrofit
  • 🔥 Wildfire Risk Cal Fire FHSZ, WUI, defensible space
  • 🌊 Flood & Water Risk FEMA zone, elevation, mandate
  • 🏗️ Structural & Construction Build era, roof, hazardous materials
  • 📐 Permit & Renovation History Permits, unpermitted-work flags
  • 📜 Title, Ownership & Disclosures Vesting, liens, NHD package
  • ☣️ Environmental & Contamination LUST/RCRA sites, radon zone
  • 🌡️ Climate & Long-term Risk Fire, heat, flood factors (30-yr)
  • 🎓 Schools & Education GreatSchools, assigned & charter
  • 🔒 Crime & Safety Violent/property rates vs benchmarks
  • 🚶 Transportation & Livability Walk / Bike / Transit scores
  • Utilities, Water, Energy & Broadband Providers, PSPS risk, speeds
  • 🏙️ Development & Zoning Outlook Zoning, ADU/SB9, nearby projects
  • 💰 Rental, Investment & Short-Term Let Yield, AB 1482, STR rules
  • 📊 Resale & Liquidity Days on market, buyer pool
  • 📋 Key Risks & Recommendations Analyst verdict + action checklist
Adapts to your property. If our AI research agents uncover something notable - a seismic retrofit gap, a carrier withdrawal, a contamination legacy nearby, a legally nonconforming use, or a Mello-Roos special tax - they investigate further and add dedicated sections. Every report is different.
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Every property is different. We surface only what matters for yours - risks, investment signals, local insights, in one clear report.

Fair Value Estimate
$1,020,000–$1,100,000
List $1,060,000
All-in Annual Cost
$40,613/yr
1.57% effective tax
Zoning
R-LD (Single-Family)
Duplex nonconforming
Assigned High School
Menlo-Atherton
8/10 GreatSchools
Seismic
Liquefaction Zone
CGS-mapped
Wildfire
Outside FHSZ
No WUI
Violent Crime
607 / 100k
69% above US
Est. Net Yield
2.4% → 4.5%
Current → market
Cautious. This 1957-built wood-frame duplex in East Palo Alto's Marisol neighborhood offers genuine Bay Area rental income (~$52,283/yr currently, ~25–30% below market) and a strong assigned high school (Menlo-Atherton, 8/10), but carries a stack of real diligence gaps: violent crime 69% above the national average, an unresolved conflict over whether the parcel sits in a FEMA SFHA (a likely legally nonconforming duplex use under R-LD zoning), and a documented regional contamination legacy with unverified LUST-site status within 0.5 miles. The all-in annual cost of ownership is approximately $40,613. Before removing contingencies, the buyer's single highest priority action is obtaining a formal FEMA flood-zone determination and a city zoning nonconformity letter.
Type: Duplex (2-unit)
Ownership: No HOA / Fee Simple
Zoning: Legal Nonconforming (R-LD)
Seismic: Liquefaction Zone
Wildfire: Outside FHSZ / Not WUI
Crime: Violent 69% Above National
01

Market & Value

RedfinRE/MAXCompassTruliaColdwell Banker
Headline Value Metrics
$1,060,000
Fair Value / List Price
$949,800–$1,064,936
Value Estimate (AVM Range)
$511/sqft
$/sqft
36% below EPA median $799
+6.3%
12-mo Price Change (YoY)
Up
Comparable Sales
Address Type Beds/Baths Sq Ft Sold/List Date Price $/sqft
1847 Marisol Ave (Subject) Duplex 4/2 2,073 Active Nov 2025 $1,060,000 $511
631 Verbena Ave Duplex 3+studio/2 1,950 Aug 2024 $1,110,000 $569
1290 Larkspur St Duplex Feb 2025 $1,058,000
1902 Marisol Ave Multi-family (4-unit) 8/4 2,920 Mar 2025 $1,685,000 $577
1044 Tulare St SFH 4/2 1,238 Apr 2025 $1,160,000 $937
628 Juniper St SFH 3/2 1,610 May 2025 $1,068,000 $663

Duplex comps ($569–$577/sqft) are the most relevant benchmark; SFH comps trade at a meaningful $/sqft premium.

Value Signals

Priced within fair-value range

List price $1,060,000 sits between the Redfin Estimate ($1,064,936) and a more conservative AVM valuation ($949,800), and matches direct duplex comps trading at $1,050,000–$1,065,000.

📉

Market is cooling from 2025 peak

Sale-to-list ratio has fallen to 97.5% and only 12.5% of homes now sell above list (down from 71.4% a year prior); median days on market has risen from 12 to 66 days citywide.

📊

$/sqft below area all-home median

At $511/sqft the subject is priced below the East Palo Alto all-home median of $799/sqft, though duplex comps typically trade in the $569–$577/sqft range.

📌

Analyst Verdict

Our analysis suggests $1,060,000 sits fairly within the $1,020,000–$1,100,000 range for this duplex, supported by direct comps and the Redfin AVM. The market has cooled markedly since early 2025, so buyers may have room to negotiate below list, particularly given the property's 68-year-old roof and unconfirmed permit history.

02

Neighborhood & Community

Census QuickFactsCity of East Palo Alto DemographicsDataUSANiche
Area Snapshot
$113,493
Median HH Income
+8.9% YoY
49.1%
Owner-Occupancy
Gentrifying
Direction of Change
6+ categories
Walkable Amenities (≤1mi)
Demographic Profile
Population (2024)29,298 (-3.9% since 2020 Census)
Median Age28.8 years
Persons per Household3.5
Foreign-Born44.1%
Same-House 1yr Ago (Tenure Stability)90.8%
Poverty Rate10.2% (below national 12.5%)
Community Context
🏗️

Substantial new-construction pipeline nearby

The Ravenswood Business District Specific Plan authorizes up to 1,500 new housing units roughly 0.4 mi from the property, alongside recently opened affordable units, a signal of continued neighborhood change.

🛒

No full-service supermarket within walking distance

The nearest full grocery (Whole Foods, Trader Joe's) is 1.8–2.1 mi away; only a small market (Mega Mart, 0.37 mi) is walkable.

🏡

High resident tenure stability

90.8% of residents lived in the same house one year ago, indicating a stable resident base despite surrounding redevelopment pressure.

📈

Rising incomes signal gentrification

Median household income rose 8.9% in one year to $113,493, consistent with broader Silicon Valley wealth spillover into the area.

03

Costs, Taxes & Purchase

Redfin Tax HistorySan Mateo County AssessorACRISCalifornia City Finance Rate Book
Cost Headlines
$40,613/yr
All-in Annual Cost of Ownership
$16,613/yr
Est. Reassessed Annual Tax (1.57%)
$0
Mello-Roos / CFD
$228,000–$250,000
Total Cash to Close
Tax & Closing Cost Breakdown
ItemAmountNote
Current assessed value (2025)$90,095Prop 13 basis, ~50-yr hold
Reassessed value at purchase$1,060,000List price basis
Reassessed annual property tax$16,613Effective ~1.57% (1% base + local bonds/overrides)
One-time supplemental tax bill$5,000–$10,000Prorated catch-up bill, billed after close
Mello-Roos / CFD$0None identified on this parcel
Voter-approved parcel tax (Measure HH)$0Commercial-office-only tax; residential exempt
Documentary transfer tax (county + city)$1,188$1.10/$1,000; no EPA city surtax confirmed
Escrow / title / inspection fees (est.)$10,000–$15,000~1–1.5% of price
Total cash to close (20% down)$228,000–$250,000Down payment + closing costs + supplemental reserve
Tax & Purchase Findings
🏦

Effective tax rate above typical range

Reassessed property tax is estimated at $16,613/yr, an effective rate of ~1.57%, above the typical 1.1–1.25% Prop 13 range, reflecting voter-approved local bonds/overrides layered on the 1% base.

🧾

One-time supplemental tax bill incoming

San Mateo County will issue a prorated supplemental assessment (est. $5,000–$10,000) covering the gap between the seller's Prop 13 basis ($90,095) and the new purchase-price basis.

No Mello-Roos, CFD, or applicable parcel tax

No CFD special tax was identified on this parcel; East Palo Alto's Measure HH parcel tax applies only to commercial offices over 25,000 sqft, this residential duplex is exempt.

📌

Analyst Verdict

Our analysis puts the all-in cost of owning this duplex at roughly $40,600/yr once reassessed tax, insurance, utilities, and a maintenance reserve are layered in. In-place rents currently cover most of it, but budget for the one-time supplemental tax bill separately.

04

Insurance & Insurability

SF Chronicle FAIR Plan AnalysisCA Dept of InsuranceCity Flood Insurance pageCEA
Insurability Snapshot
Likely Available
Standard Cover
Unlikely
FAIR Plan Needed
Advisable
CEA Earthquake
$5,200 all-in
Est. Annual Premium
Declinature / Availability Findings
🛡️

East of the crisis line

San Mateo County's fire marshal identifies insurance non-renewals as a risk specifically for residents west of Alameda de las Pulgas / US-101, this property is east of that boundary.

🏢

Statewide carrier withdrawals continue

State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide and Liberty Mutual have all paused or non-renewed CA policies; ZIP 94303 was not specifically targeted, but shop early.

🏠

Duplex occupancy may trigger surcharges

Multi-unit/rental dwellings are underwritten differently by some carriers, a broker specializing in 2–4-unit properties is recommended.

🌐

CEA earthquake coverage advisable

Given the confirmed liquefaction zone and high shaking-severity rating, CEA coverage is recommended at an estimated $800–$1,500/yr with 10–15% deductibles.

📌

Analyst Verdict

Standard admitted coverage should be obtainable given the property's location east of the county's crisis zone, but the buyer should budget for CEA earthquake cover and shop specifically with insurers experienced in 2-unit dwellings.

05

Permit & Renovation History

Redfin Assessor DataCity Building Services DivisionRE/MAX Listing
Permit Snapshot
None Found
Permits on Record
Unconfirmed
Unpermitted-Work Flag
None since 1957
Last Permitted Work
Consistent
Assessor/Listing Match
Findings
🔎

Permit history could not be independently verified online

East Palo Alto processes permits via email/in-person only, a direct request to the Building Services Division is needed for a definitive history.

No discrepancy between assessor and listing

Assessor records (4 bed / 2 bath / 2,073 sqft) match the current MLS listing exactly, reducing the likelihood of a significant unpermitted conversion.

📋

No open/expired permits identified

No online record of open code-enforcement cases or expired permits was found for this address.

🏚️

68-year-old roof has no re-roof permit on file

The absence of a re-roof permit, combined with the assessor's "Year Renovated: 1957", suggests the roof may be original, cross-reference with structural.

📌

Analyst Verdict

Research is limited for this dimension , East Palo Alto's permit records are not searchable online. The buyer should commission a formal permit-history report directly from the city's Building Services Division before close to rule out unpermitted work over the property's 68-year life.

06

Structural & Construction

Redfin / MLS Assessor DataColdwell Banker ListingCity Background Report
Structural Snapshot
Wood-Frame Duplex
Construction Type
1957
Build Era
~68 yrs (assumed)
Roof Age
Not Applicable
Soft-Story / URM Risk
Construction Detail
Stories1 (confirmed, resolves earlier soft-story ambiguity)
FoundationConcrete perimeter and slab (confirmed)
Roof MaterialComposition shingle (confirmed); age ~68 yrs (inferred)
HeatingWall furnace (gas), no cooling
Lead PaintLikely lead-based, pre-1978
AsbestosLikely lead-based, 1950s construction
Galvanized PlumbingLikely lead-based
Polybutylene PlumbingUnlikely (post-1978 material, predates this build)
Structural Findings
🏚️

Roof is likely original and well past typical lifespan

No re-roof permit was found and the assessor's "Year Renovated" field reads 1957; composition shingle roofs typically last 20–30 years.

No soft-story or URM vulnerability

Confirmed: the building is a single-story structure with two side-by-side attached garages (not tuck-under parking), the classic soft-story condition does not apply.

⚠️

Era-based hazardous materials likely present

Lead paint (pre-1978), asbestos (1950s flooring/insulation/roofing), and galvanized plumbing (standard 1940s–60s) are all likely lead-based and should be tested before renovation.

📌

Analyst Verdict

Our analysis flags the roof as the most pressing near-term capital item, at ~68 years old with no re-roof permit on file, replacement (and era-typical lead/asbestos/ galvanized-pipe testing) should be priced into the offer, even though the single-story, non-soft-story structure is otherwise structurally conventional.

07

Title, Ownership & Disclosures

BlockShopperRedfinCA Civil Code §1102/1103/1079.10ASan Mateo County Recorder
Title Snapshot
Trust (Marent Trust)
Ownership/Vesting
Unconfirmed
Easements
None Found / $0
Liens / CFD
Yes, Standard
NHD Disclosures Pending
Title & Disclosure Findings
🔎

Easements and encumbrances could not be independently verified

The San Mateo County Recorder's online document search and GIS viewer could not be completed remotely, a preliminary title report is essential before close.

🏛️

Title held in a family trust

Owned by trustees of a family trust; beneficial owners and trust conditions should be confirmed through escrow.

No HOA, condo, or PUD

This is a standalone duplex on a single parcel with no HOA dues and no CC&Rs for a common-interest development, not part of any HOA/condo/PUD, with no mandatory dues or shared-ownership obligations.

No liens or Mello-Roos lien identified

No recorded liens or Community Facilities District liens were found in available records.

📄

Full statutory disclosure package applies

Expect a TDS, NHD report, a federal lead-based-paint disclosure (pre-1978 build), and the mandatory Megan's Law database notice.

📌

Analyst Verdict

Our analysis finds nothing that clouds title on the record reviewed, but the county recorder's easement and lien data could not be pulled remotely, treat the preliminary title report, not this summary, as the final word before removing contingencies.

08

Earthquake & Seismic Risk

City Draft Safety ElementGeotechnical Evaluation (Marisol Ave)CGS Alquist-Priolo
Seismic Snapshot
San Andreas ~7mi
Nearest Fault / AP Zone
Not in AP Zone
Confirmed, Mapped
Liquefaction Risk
High
Shaking Severity
$800–$1,500/yr
CEA Premium Est.
Seismic Detail
Distance to Nearest Active Fault~7 mi (San Andreas)
Alquist-Priolo ZoneNot within zone
Liquefaction ZoneYes, CGS-mapped
Landslide ZoneNo
Local Retrofit OrdinanceNone found applicable to this structure type
Seismic Findings

Outside the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone

The property sits roughly 7 miles from the San Andreas Fault and is not within a mapped AP Special Studies Zone.

🌐

Confirmed liquefaction hazard zone

The parcel is within a State-mapped Seismic Hazards Mapping Act liquefaction zone; the Bayside/US-101 / San Francisquito Creek corridor soils are specifically flagged as liquefaction-prone.

📊

High expected shaking severity

The city's Safety Element states all of East Palo Alto would likely experience severe ground shaking in a large earthquake, with a 27% probability of a M6.7+ San Andreas event in 30 years.

📌

Analyst Verdict

Our analysis treats the liquefaction-zone finding as the key seismic risk here, not fault proximity, combined with a high shaking-severity rating for the whole city. CEA earthquake coverage is a prudent, relatively low-cost addition given the building's otherwise favorable single-story, non-soft-story profile.

09

Wildfire Risk

City Draft Safety ElementCity General Plan Ch.10 SafetyFirst Street via Redfin
Wildfire Snapshot
Not Designated
Fire Hazard Severity Zone
No WUI
WUI Status
Not Applicable
Defensible Space Req.
~3–4 mi
Interface Buffer (Palo Alto Foothills)
Wildfire Findings

Not designated a Fire Hazard Severity Zone

Cal Fire and the city's own Safety Element confirm East Palo Alto, including this parcel, is not classified Moderate/High/Very-High FHSZ.

🌳

Not within a Wildland-Urban Interface

The city's Draft Safety Element states plainly: East Palo Alto has no WUI area, the nearest WUI is the Palo Alto Foothills, ~3–4 miles west.

🧯

No PRC 4291 / defensible-space obligations

These state requirements apply only in Very-High FHSZ, which does not apply here.

💨

Regional wildfire smoke exposure is a real seasonal issue

Although direct burn risk is negligible, the city acknowledges smoke from regional wildfires can push air quality to unhealthy levels each fire season, see the climate section for the 30-year trend.

📌

Analyst Verdict

Our analysis finds this property carries minimal direct wildfire risk, it is not in a designated hazard zone, not in the WUI, and has no defensible-space obligations. The more relevant fire-season concern is smoke transport from regional fires, addressed in the climate section, not the structure's direct exposure.

10

Flood & Water Risk

Redfin (First Street)City Draft Safety ElementSAFER Bay Project AddendumPeninsula Press
Flood Snapshot
Zone X (Unconfirmed)
FEMA Flood Zone
Conflicting, Verify
SFHA Status
~0.2–0.5 mi
Nearest Watercourse (San Francisquito Ck)
Not Currently Mandated
Flood Insurance Mandate
Flood Detail
First Street Flood Factor1/10 (Minimal)
City-Referenced FIRM Panel06081C0307F (effective 4/5/2019), shows Zone AE nearby
% of City Land in Floodplain~49%
Historical Flooding1997–98 El Niño flooding prompted a temporary flood wall near Marisol Ave
NFIP CRS ClassClass 7 (15% discount)
Flood Findings
⚠️

FEMA flood-zone letter is unconfirmed and sources conflict

First Street rates the parcel "Minimal" (suggesting Zone X), but the city's Safety Element and a SAFER Bay Project document reference FIRM panel 06081C0307F showing Zone AE for nearby borings in the same Marisol neighborhood, a formal FEMA flood-zone determination is a must-do.

🌊

Property sits in a city-flagged flood-vulnerable neighborhood

The Marisol neighborhood, between San Francisquito Creek and US-101, is explicitly named "particularly vulnerable to flooding"; a 600-foot temporary flood wall was built along Marisol Ave itself after 1997 El Niño flooding.

🏛️

No federal flood-insurance mandate under current rating

Given the Minimal First Street rating and the city's NFIP CRS Class 7 status (15% discount if purchased), a lender is unlikely to require flood insurance, reconfirm once the exact zone letter is obtained.

📌

Analyst Verdict

Our analysis cannot resolve a genuine conflict in the research: First Street rates this parcel's flood risk Minimal, while city planning documents reference an AE designation for the immediate Marisol neighborhood and note a flood wall on this very street. Order a formal FEMA Elevation Certificate / flood-zone determination before close.

11

Environmental & Contamination

EPA CERCLA Site ProfilesCity Toxic Sites & PollutionHomeFacts / GeoTrackerCGS Radon Map
Environmental Snapshot
~1.3–1.4 mi
Nearest Major Listed Site
Active RCRA (Non-NPL)
Site Status
Multiple, Unconfirmed
LUST Sites within 0.5mi
Zone 2 (Moderate)
Radon Zone
Environmental Findings
☣️

Multiple LUST/tank sites potentially within 0.5 miles

An aggregator lists several tank/LUST addresses within or near the 0.5-mile radius; the CA GeoTracker portal was blocked during research, so open/closed status could not be confirmed, a Phase I ESA is warranted.

🏭

Elevated vapor-intrusion risk regionally

The nearby Ravenswood Business District has 17 open and 6 closed contaminated sites with documented groundwater VOC/metals contamination; a Phase II soil-vapor test is warranted.

☢️

Moderate radon potential

San Mateo County, including East Palo Alto, is EPA Radon Zone 2 (predicted average indoor levels of 2–4 pCi/L), testing is recommended regardless of zone.

📌

Analyst Verdict

This is not a confirmed "no sites within radius" finding, it is the opposite. The property sits inside a documented Environmental Justice community with a real pollution legacy, and several LUST/tank addresses couldn't be status-verified due to a blocked database. Our analysis recommends a Phase I ESA as a pre-close condition, not an optional extra.

12

Climate & Long-term Risk

Redfin (First Street)City Vulnerability AssessmentCity 2030 Climate Action PlanSan Mateo County Vulnerability Assessment
30-Year Climate Factors
Moderate (0.31%)
30-yr Fire Factor
Minimal
30-yr Flood Factor
Moderate, doubling
30-yr Heat (~14 days/yr >90°F)
Severe (~13 days/yr)
30-yr Air Factor
Climate Findings
💨

Severe wildfire-smoke exposure is the standout risk

First Street rates the Air Factor "Severe", the highest of any climate factor here, driven by regional wildfire smoke (the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex triggered 25 consecutive alert days); the trend is worsening.

🌡️

Extreme heat days set to double by mid-century

Days above 90°F are projected to roughly double from ~7/yr today to ~14/yr within 30 years; the property has no cooling system installed.

🌊

Parcel-level flood factor is Minimal

Despite the city's broader flood vulnerability (see s-flood), First Street rates this specific parcel's 30-year flood risk as Minimal.

📌

Analyst Verdict

Our analysis flags wildfire smoke, not direct fire or flood, as this property's most material forward-looking climate risk, a "Severe" Air Factor with a worsening trend, compounded by heat days projected to double by mid-century on a home with no existing cooling system.

13

Schools & Education

Redfin (Assigned Schools)GreatSchoolsNicheRavenswood City School District
Assigned Schools & Ratings
SchoolLevelGreatSchoolsDistance
Los Robles-Ronald McNair AcademyElementary (K-5)4/100.5 mi
Ravenswood Comprehensive MiddleMiddle (6-8)4/101.5 mi
Menlo-Atherton HighHigh (9-12)8/102.3 mi
The Primary School (private)PK-50.4 mi
Aspire East Palo Alto CharterCharter (K-8)3/101.0 mi
Silicon Valley International School (private)PK-120.5 mi
Boundary & Quality Notes
📉

Assigned elementary and middle schools score well below average

Both Los Robles-Ronald McNair Academy and Ravenswood Comprehensive Middle rate 4/10 GreatSchools and C/C+ Niche, with single-digit CAASPP proficiency, a material consideration for K-8 academics.

🔄

Ravenswood offers open elementary enrollment

Since 2020–21, families may choose any district elementary school regardless of home address, reducing (though not eliminating) boundary risk.

🎓

Strong assigned high school

Menlo-Atherton High rates 8/10 GreatSchools / Niche A, with 92% graduation and 36% AP enrollment , a genuine positive for resale and family buyers.

No evidence of pending boundary changes

No proposed rezoning or attendance-boundary changes were identified for either district.

14

Crime & Safety

AreaVibes (2024 FBI UCR)NeighborhoodScoutCrimeByCity.comCity-Data.com / OffenderRadar
Crime Snapshot
607/100k
Violent Crime Rate
+69% vs US
1,920/100k
Property Crime Rate
+9% vs US
24% / 76%
Violent vs Property Split
Violent +2% / Property -9%
Multi-Year YoY Trend
Crime by Category (per 100k)
CategoryRate
Theft / Larceny1,470
Motor Vehicle Theft458
Aggravated Assault372
Robbery195
Burglary141
Rape38
Murder6
Violent Crime vs Benchmarks
East Palo Alto (subject)
607/100k
California average
499/100k
National average
359/100k
Crime Findings
🔴

Violent crime among the highest in the US for communities of all sizes

NeighborhoodScout ranks East Palo Alto's violent crime rate (607/100k) 69% above the national average and 25% above California's; robbery is 3.5x and rape is 2.5x the national rate.

🚗

Motor vehicle theft notably elevated

At 458/100k, motor vehicle theft is 77% above the national average, a 1-in-218 annual chance per NeighborhoodScout.

📊

Property crime closer to state/national norms

At 1,920/100k, property crime is only 9% above the national average and slightly below the California average.

👥

Several registered offenders within 0.3–0.8 miles

Third-party aggregators list registered sex offenders in the immediate area; confirm exact distances via the official California Megan's Law site.

📌

Analyst Verdict

Elevated violent crime is this property's clearest personal-safety and resale headwind, 69% above the national average and among the highest in the US. Property crime, by contrast, is broadly in line with state norms. Weigh this against the strong assigned high school and rental economics.

15

Transportation & Livability

Walk ScoreRedfin (Bike/Transit Score, Parking)SFO Noise Monitoring ReportCity Noise Element
Mobility Snapshot
59
Walk Score (Somewhat Walkable)
68
Bike Score (Bikeable)
3/10
Transit Score (Limited)
4 spaces
On-Site Parking (2 garage + off-street)
Commute & Noise Detail
Drive to Stanford University5–8 min
Transit to Stanford (Route 281)15–20 min
Drive to San Francisco35–50 min via US-101
Combined Noise Exposure (CNEL)~59 dBA, below CA's 65 dBA threshold; US-101 is the dominant source, aircraft adds <1 dBA
EV-Charging FeasibilityHigh, attached garages have existing 120V wiring; Level 2 install is straightforward
Findings
🅿️

On-site parking confirmed

Each unit has its own attached garage, combined with off-street parking, 4 total spaces, plus legal street parking.

🔇

Combined noise exposure is moderate, not severe

Total CNEL near the property is ~59 dBA , dominated by US-101, with aircraft (SFO/Palo Alto Airport) adding less than 1 dBA. Below California's 65 dBA significance threshold.

🚌

Transit score is low despite good bus coverage

Redfin's non-standard transit rating is just 3/10, though 4 SamTrans routes stop within 0.2–0.7 miles, a car remains advisable for most trips.

📌

Analyst Verdict

Strong car-based access to the region's job centers (Stanford 5–8 min), ample on-site parking, and easy EV upgrades offset a genuinely limited fixed-transit picture. Livability here is car-first but well-located.

16

Utilities, Water, Energy & Broadband

City Utilities/Water pagesEPASD Sewer Service ChargesCPUC Wildfire/PSPSBroadbandNow
Utilities Snapshot
Municipal (Veolia/SFPUC)
Water Source
Municipal (EPASD)
Sewer / Septic
PG&E, Low PSPS
Electric / Gas + PSPS
Up to 5 Gbps
Broadband Max Speed (AT&T/EarthLink)
Utility Detail
Water ProviderCity of East Palo Alto (operated by Veolia), sourced from SFPUC Hetch Hetchy
Water Rate (fixed, per meter)~$36.73/mo + $0.65/ccf usage (2025 rate)
Sewer Provider & CostEast Palo Alto Sanitary District, ~$665/unit/yr ($1,320/yr for this duplex)
Electric/Gas ProviderPG&E; gas wall-furnace heating, electric cooktop, no A/C
SolarNone present, no lease/PPA to assume
Rough Annual Utility Cost$6,620–$9,600/yr (2-unit duplex estimate)
Broadband ProvidersAT&T Fiber & EarthLink Fiber (up to 5 Gbps), Xfinity (up to 1 Gbps, broadest coverage)
Findings
💧

Municipal water and sewer, no well/septic risk

Served by City of East Palo Alto (Veolia) water and EPASD sewer, no private well or septic maintenance/compliance burden.

☀️

No leased solar to assume

No solar panels, lease, or PPA were found on the current listing, no title/assumption complication for a buyer.

Low PSPS exposure

This urban, bay-adjacent, flat location is not in the CPUC's elevated-to-extreme wildfire-risk tiers that drive most PG&E shutoffs.

🔧

Confirm water metering configuration

Unclear whether the duplex has one shared meter or two individual meters, this materially affects the fixed water charge and should be confirmed before close.

17

Development & Zoning Outlook

City 2016 Development Code (Title 18)City SB 9 / ADU pagesCity Planning Division Project pages
Zoning Snapshot
R-LD (Single-Family)
Zoning Designation
ADU Yes; SB9 Limited
Addition Eligibility
3 Major Projects (~0.5–1 mi)
Nearby Development
None Identified
Overlay
Zoning Detail
Legacy Zoning Code (Listing)R20000 → maps to R-LD
Minimum Parcel Area (R-LD)5,000 sqft; this lot is 5,550 sqft
Height / FAR Limits2 stories / 28 ft; FAR 0.55
Overlay ZonesNone confirmed applicable to this parcel
Zoning Findings
⚠️

Existing duplex use appears legally nonconforming

The parcel is zoned R-LD (Single-Family Residential), and the 2016 Development Code does not permit two-family dwellings in R-LD, only R-MD/R-HD/R-UHD zones allow duplexes. Confirm nonconforming status with the city before relying on it for rebuild or expansion rights.

🏠

ADU addition remains possible

Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted by-right in all residential zones including R-LD, offering income upside independent of the nonconforming duplex issue.

🏗️

Active redevelopment nearby will change the area

Three significant projects are under review within roughly 0.5–1 mile, signaling substantial neighborhood change over the next 5–10 years.

📌

Analyst Verdict

The legally nonconforming duplex use is the single most important zoning fact here, it doesn't stop current use, but it constrains rebuild/expansion rights and can complicate financing. Obtain a written zoning-verification / nonconforming-use letter from the city before removing contingencies.

18

Rental, Investment & Short-Term Let

Redfin Rental Income DataZillow Rental CompsCity Rent Stabilization (AB 1482)City TOT / Business License pages
Rental Snapshot
$5,600–$6,000 combined
Est. Monthly Rent (Market)
4.93% → ~6.5%
Gross Yield (Current → At-Market)
2.40% → ~4.5%
Net Yield (Current → At-Market)
Yes, 14% TOT + license
STR Allowed
Rental & Regulatory Findings
📈

Meaningful rent upside at turnover

Current in-place rent ($52,283/yr combined) is 25–30% below market rent implied by same-block comps , a value-add opportunity as units turn over.

🏛️

East Palo Alto rent stabilization is stricter than AB 1482

Both units are fully covered by the city's ordinance; annual increases are capped at the Annual General Adjustment (2.2% for 2025–2026).

🏨

Short-term rentals are legally possible but taxed and licensed

STRs under 30 days require a 14% Transient Occupancy Tax and a City Business License; a 2.5% gross-receipts tax applies to all residential rental income.

🔗

Cross-reference zoning nonconformity

Because the existing duplex use may be legally nonconforming under R-LD zoning (see s-zoning), confirm status before assuming continued as-of-right multi-unit rental operation.

📌

Analyst Verdict

Our analysis sees this as a cashflow-oriented hold with genuine rent-reset upside, net yield could nearly double from 2.4% to ~4.5% at market rents, but the stricter local rent cap will slow that reset for sitting tenants, and the zoning-nonconformity flag adds a layer of diligence an investor should not skip.

19

Resale & Liquidity

Redfin Housing Market DataHouzeoCash-Buyer USAPropertyFocus
Resale Snapshot
32–63 days
Median DOM (by area, sources vary)
~120/yr (2.9% turnover)
Annual Sales Volume (Citywide)
~18–22%
Cash-Buyer Share (Inferred)
Duplex + Flood/Zoning
Buyer-Pool Constraint
Days on Market vs Area
Subject price tier (duplex)
~55 days
East Palo Alto citywide
~32 days
94303 ZIP
~46–63 days
Liquidity Findings
👥

Duplex product type narrows the buyer pool

Two-unit properties appeal primarily to investors and multigenerational households, this typically adds 9–18 days to time-to-sell versus a comparable single-family home.

⚠️

Unresolved flood-zone conflict is a live disclosure and financing risk

Conflicting sources on FEMA zone status must be resolved before a future buyer's lender will finalize financing.

💵

Cash-buyer share near the national average

At an estimated 18–22% (vs 32.6% nationally), roughly 4 in 5 buyers need financing, making the pool sensitive to rate moves and financing frictions.

📍

Strong underlying demand fundamentals

Proximity to Stanford/Silicon Valley job centers and constrained regional supply support resale demand even with the structural constraints noted.

📌

Analyst Verdict

Our analysis sees moderate-to-elevated forward liquidity risk here, not because of weak underlying demand, but because the duplex product type stacks with two unresolved diligence items (flood-zone letter, zoning nonconformity) that a future buyer's lender will also want resolved. Clearing both before marketing will materially widen the eventual buyer pool.

20

Key Risks & Recommendations

Synthesis of all sections above
Analyst Verdict
🧭

Cautious

This East Palo Alto duplex combines genuine rental income and location upside, access to Stanford/Silicon Valley job centers and a strong assigned high school, with a stack of real diligence gaps: violent crime 69% above the national average, an unresolved conflict over the parcel's FEMA flood-zone status, a likely legally nonconforming duplex use under R-LD zoning, and a documented regional contamination legacy with unverified LUST-site status within 0.5 miles. The all-in annual cost of ownership is approximately $40,613. Before removing contingencies, the buyer's single highest-priority action is obtaining a formal FEMA flood-zone determination and a city zoning nonconformity letter.

Top Risks
🔴

Elevated violent crime (s-crime)

69% above the national average and among the highest in the US; multiple registered offenders within 0.3–0.8 miles.

☣️

Unresolved contamination status nearby (s-environmental)

Multiple LUST/tank addresses within ~0.5 miles with unconfirmed open/closed status; a Phase I ESA is recommended.

⚠️

Flood-zone conflict & nonconforming use (s-flood / s-zoning)

FEMA zone sources conflict, and the duplex use appears legally nonconforming under R-LD, both affect financing and resale.

🏚️

68-year-old roof, no permit history (s-structural)

Likely-original roof plus era-typical lead/asbestos/galvanized-pipe exposure; near-term capital item.

Positive Signals
🔥

Not in a wildfire hazard zone (s-wildfire)

No Cal Fire FHSZ designation, no WUI exposure, no defensible-space obligations.

🎓

Strong assigned high school (s-schools)

Menlo-Atherton High, 8/10 GreatSchools, 92% graduation, a genuine resale and family-buyer draw.

💰

Rent-reset upside (s-rental)

In-place rents 25–30% below market; net yield could nearly double at turnover.

Priced within fair value (s-market)

$1,060,000 list sits within the $1,020,000–$1,100,000 fair-value range, supported by direct duplex comps and the Redfin AVM.

Pre-Close Action Checklist
ActionWhy It MattersEst. CostWhen
Order a formal FEMA flood-zone determination / Elevation CertificateResolves a direct conflict between "Minimal" parcel risk and city documents referencing Zone AE nearby, affects insurance mandate and financing$150–$500Before removing contingencies
Confirm zoning nonconformity status of the duplex use with the cityR-LD zoning does not list two-family dwellings as permitted; status affects rebuild/expansion rights and wider comfort$0–$500Before removing contingencies
Commission a Phase I Environmental Site AssessmentMultiple LUST/tank addresses within ~0.5 mi have unconfirmed status; the area has a documented contamination legacy$1,500–$3,000Before close
Request full permit history from City Building ServicesNo online permit portal exists; assessor/listing match but a definitive permit history is unconfirmed$0–$200Before close
Professional roof inspection / re-roofing quoteRoof is ~68 years old with no re-roof permit on file, a near-term capital item and insurance factor$500 inspection; $12,000–$18,000 if replacedBefore close / Year 1
Get a bound insurance quote (H/O + CEA) from a multi-unit brokerConfirms admitted-market availability and locks in the ~$5,200/yr estimate before waiving the insurance contingency$0Before removing contingencies
Test for lead, asbestos, and galvanized plumbing before renovationEra-based (1957) hazards likely present; affects renovation cost/timeline and occupant safety$300–$600Before/at renovation planning
Request current rent roll and lease terms from sellerConfirms whether below-market rent reflects rent-controlled sitting tenants vs vacancy, shaping the realistic pace of rent reset$0Before close

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Each report is a deep, property-specific analysis of 20+ sections: market and value with comparable sales, all-in costs and taxes (Prop 13 reassessment, Mello-Roos, closing costs), insurance and insurability, permit and renovation history, structural and construction risk, title and disclosures, earthquake and seismic risk, wildfire risk, flood and water risk, environmental contamination, long-term climate risk, schools, crime, transportation, utilities and broadband, zoning and development outlook, rental and short-term-let potential, resale and liquidity, and a synthesized analyst verdict with a pre-close action checklist. See our data & report limitations for what's covered and what isn't.
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Data sources

Grounded in authoritative California & federal data

Our AI research agents pull from a wide range of trusted sources, state and federal agencies, county records, city planning documents, industry bodies, and specialist data providers, then cross-check and synthesize them for your specific address.

🏛️
County Assessor & Recorder
Assessed value, tax history, deeds, liens
🔥
Cal Fire
Fire Hazard Severity Zones, WUI, defensible space
🌐
CA Geological Survey
Alquist-Priolo faults, liquefaction & landslide zones
🌊
FEMA
Flood zones, FIRM panels, insurance mandates
🛡️
CDI · FAIR Plan · CEA
Insurer availability, earthquake & fire coverage
🎓
CA School Dashboard & CAASPP
State test scores, performance ratings, attendance boundaries
📶
FCC Broadband Map
Providers and maximum speeds by address
☣️
EPA · GeoTracker
Contaminated sites, LUST/tank records, radon zones
📈
Market Listings · Census · County Planning
Comps, market trends, demographics, zoning & projects

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