It's no secret that buyers are looking for open and flowing gathering spaces, indoor/outdoor dynamics, and large-scale media spots to watch High Definition programming (ok, Sports) and Blu Ray movies. The entertaining aesthetic of "gathering in the kitchen" or "the party always ends up in the kitchen" reinforce the popularity of center islands and kitchen/family great rooms. And the proof is in the pudding. Homes with these amenities will command higher prices and shorter listing periods. 1010 Palm Avenue (pictured) in San Mateo's Hayward Park is an interesting example. I listed this home in 2006 and quickly received 8 offers over its $1,399,000 list price, closing at $1,575,000. While these were "peak market" numbers, the home was recently re-listed for $1,420,000 and sold again within just 6 days on the market. Palm is a savvy example of dedicating sq. ft. to great room gathering, eschewing rarely used rooms such as the formal dining room and formal living room. In fact, the architect even re-dedicated the original 1920s bungalow living room as convertible space featuring a tucked-away (enclosable) office workstation, and suggesting easy function as a guest room (nearby full hall bath). And why not? Offices and adaptable guest rooms are in-demand, and with its original fireplace, the room could still serve as an elegant sitting room if desired.

But what to do if you are selling your home and don't have such a marketable great room gathering space? Many of the Peninsula's most desirable established neighborhoods trace back to the 1920s-1940s, when of course the "great room" dynamic was not yet on the radar. But I've had clients creatively engineer more open spaces from vintage floorplans, often on surprisingly economic budgets. Creating pass-throughs, or removing entire walls between kitchen and formal dining room are popular starting points. Opening walls between the kitchen and vintage breakfast room is prevalent. Incorporating an island can provide casual dining space and modern allure. Adding French doors that open to patios and decks can expand the flow of a room greatly. Or reclaiming previous "maid's room" or laundry room space in order to accommodate more kitchen gathering space. Newly Constructed luxury homes are ripe with the great room aesthetic. Take a look at the new homes in the Easton Addition of Burlingame to see models of the greatly reduced formal living room, and the emphasis on open gathering spots that access the outdoors. Next blog, we'll talk about the retro great rooms of 1950s Eichlers, and their relevance today. I happen to have a large custom Eichler for lease at 25 Via Delizia in Hillsborough. Check it out!