Sample report: Eichler in Palo Alto
A composite example (not a real listing) that shows what a full HouseUpside report covers.
- Home
- 1956 Eichler, 1 story, 1,600 sq ft, 3 bed, 2 bath
- Lot
- 7,000 sq ft, R-1 single-family zone
- Overlay
- Single-Story Overlay (assumed for this sample)
- Flood
- Outside the high-risk zone (assumed)
Verdict
Good upside through an ADU and a full single-story rebuild. No second story. Budget for radiant heat and roof risks.
What you can build
- •Detached ADU of up to 1,000 sq ft (state law), plus a JADU inside the house.
- •Single-story rebuild up to the floor-area limit; height capped at 17 ft in a Single-Story Overlay.
- •SB 9 duplex or lot split may apply; check the eligibility rules and owner-occupancy affidavit.
What blocks you
- •No second story while the Single-Story Overlay stands.
- •Protected trees (oaks, redwoods and other large trees) can shrink the buildable footprint.
- •Eichler design guidelines shape the look of visible changes.
Eichler-specific risks
- •Radiant heating pipes in the slab: leaks are costly; ask for a pressure test.
- •Flat or low-slope roof: check age, foam or membrane condition and drainage.
- •Possible asbestos in older materials and single-pane glass walls.
Money
- •Transfer taxes: Santa Clara County $1.10 per $1,000 plus Palo Alto $3.30 per $1,000.
- •Property tax resets to about 1.2% of the purchase price under Prop 13.
- •Owners 55+ selling elsewhere in California may carry over their tax base (Prop 19).
Ask before the offer deadline
- •Are there approved plans or past permits we can reuse? Who was the architect?
- •When was the radiant system last serviced or tested?
- •Is the property inside a Single-Story Overlay or a flood zone?
Illustrative only. Rules change and every parcel is different. Confirm with the city and a licensed professional.
Analyze a home →