A 1911 New England Cottage Steps from East Beach

The 1911 house at 428 Corona Del Mar is likely the sweetest property within walking distance to East Beach. A New England–style cottage with character everywhere you look, it calls to mind how Balboa Island used to be. The recent renovation and spot-on staging have made it as pretty as a picture in a magazine. So what’s not to like?

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Bedrooms: Five.
Bathrooms: Two and a half.
Size/Acreage: 3,088 square feet / .11 acre.
Price: $3.6 million.
Last sold: In April of 2019 for $1.35 million.
Listing agent: Vanessa Shotwell of Berkshire Hathaway.

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The house is legally two residences—the ground floor (with detached office out back) and the second floor. They both look great. While small rooms are to be expected in an old house, however, there’s just one full bathroom on the ground floor, making this tough for anyone but a couple. Which brings up another matter: The current owner bought the house last April for $1.35 million. Is it even possible to put $2.25 million worth of work into a house in six months? Exactly how much upside is baked into the price?

And while the house is four houses from the beach, it’s also about as close to the freeway—and the neighbors include motels and apartment blocks.

Still, the house is a treat to explore. And there must be someone out there who’s looking for something just like this—possibly to live in one part and rent out the other. More likely, I suspect both will be turned into vacation rentals.

428 Corona Del Mar is open Sunday, 1-4 p.m., or contact Vanessa Shotwell of Berkshire Hathaway for a showing. Either way, be sure to tell her Siteline sent you.

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