Yes, you can live in Sea Cliff without spending many millions. Just some millions. We discovered four properties actually under $2M, but here are the five cheapest on the market in that swell neighborhood.
5) 2985 Lake Street
Asking price: $3,795,000
Size: 4-bed, 5-bath, 3,460-square-feet
Price per square foot: $1,097
The skinny: They're calling it "Georgian" but we'd say that faux half-timbering is more "Tudor-ish" and the interior is politely "Traditional." Nice bits of Golden Gate Bridge and blue water views and what appears to be a lovely walled garden. There's a 2-car garage accessed from the alley behind the house— common in Sea Cliff— with a big deck above. On the market 26 days.
4) 240 El Camino Real
Asking price: $1,795,000
Size: 3-bed, 2.5-bath, 1,850-square-feet
Price per square foot: $970
The skinny: Nice views from the master bedroom, with unexceptional but updated interiors, and we're always suspicious when there's no picture of the front of the house. The pastel 3-level stucco Marina-style was built in 1923 and has what looks like a charming garden. On the market 53 days and reduced last week from $1,980,000.
3) 282 28th Avenue
Asking price: $1,795,000
Size: 4-bed, 3-bath, N/A-square-feet
Price per square foot: N/A
The skinny: A classic 1916 Georgian Revival in stucco, with big, multi-paned windows, the main floor has been opened up but retains some traditional details. The kitchen and baths have been renovated. The 1-car garage is accessed from the alley, as is a tiny lawn area overlooked by a deck, plus there's a 1-bed, 1-bath lower unit with a laundry, so we can guess who lives down there.
2) 236 Camino Del Mar
Asking price: $1,695,000
Size: 3-bed, 2-bath, N/A-square-feet
Price per square foot: N/A
The skinny: Directly next door to No. 4 on the list, but $100K cheaper, 23-years newer, and with a much deeper lot, offering "expansion possibilities." A slightly quirky plan— the kitchen and dining areas have been opened up, but they're on the ground level with the garage and the living room is upstairs with two bedrooms. The master bedroom is on the top floor.
1) 95 26th Avenue, Unit D
Asking price: $1,085,000
Size: 2-bed, 2-bath, 1,322-square-feet
Price per square foot: $821
The skinny: There aren't many condos in Sea Cliff. They tend to be big and old school, and this grand, French-style 1922 6-unit building is just that. The decor is traditional— someone likes expensive drapes— but the eat-in kitchen is updated with stainless steel, granite. and wood floors and has a small deck, plus there's 1-car parking with an elevator from the garage. With HOAs of only $483 a month, this condo was priced at $1,149,000 when it was listed in September, 2011.