There are thirtytwo 2-bedroom 1-bath units which are located in buildings 2, 3, 5, and 11 and thirty 2-bedroom 2-bath units which are located in buildings 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.   Located on the street level of each building is an extra long 1-car garage.  Walk up two small flights of stairs (7 steps each) to reach the “first floor” units.  Two more small flights of stairs (7 steps each) and you reach the second and/or top floor units. 

According to county records, the 2-bedroom, 2-bath units have 1069 square feet of livable space and the 2-bedroom, 1-bath units have 982 square feet of livable space.  Unlike many of the new condo complexes that are being built today, one can actually get a decent sized bed and furniture in the bedrooms. 

The galley style kitchen leads to a small dining area.  Many of the kitchens have been remodeled, but there still are a few that haven’t.  Note: the kitchens are all electric, so no gas appliances.  The living room looks out on to the small deck with storage closet.  Note: the living room in end units have an additional window that provides more natural light.  Each unit has an interior closet area for a stack-able washer and dryer (most washer/dryers are left at the property when the property is sold, but I would confirm that with the seller and note it in any offer).

The units are heated with electric baseboard heaters and there is no fireplace or air conditioning.

Upgrades that I have seen in the units over the years include: double pane windows, solar tubes that allow more light (top floor units only), and hardwood floors.

As you can tell from the information below, not many units sell in any given year. 

Sales of units at 938 Clark Avenue since 2005(statistics taken from pro.mlslistings.com and are deemed accurate, but not guaranteed)

Address                     Bds/Bths     Sq. Ft.     List Price      Sales Price        Date

938 Clark Ave #45       2/2        1069        $589,000      $570,000      4/01/08

938 Clark Ave   #3       2/2        1069        $580,000       $567,000      1/23/07

938 Clark Ave #15       2/1           982        $549,000      $540,000    12/13/07

938 Clark Ave #18       2/1           982        $543,000       $533,500      6/23/06

938 Clark Ave #36      2/2         1069         $575,000       $580,000     4/28/06

938 Clark Ave   #1       2/2         1069         $519,000       $507,000     9/20/05

There currently is one unit for sale.  It is listed by Chuck Lane of Coldwell Banker Los Altos (the office that I work in).

938 Clark Ave #33       2/1           982         $498,000        List date   09/04/08   

Photos of the Oak Park Condominium Complex: click on thumb nail to enlarge

The complex features a nice swimming pool with showers which is located between building 605, 607, and 609.  Note:  during the summer and early fall, the units in these buildings receive constant pool related noise.  Located between buildings 613, 615, and 617 is a children’s play area, gazebo and small field.  Lastly, there is a larger grass field located between buildings 606, 608, and 610.

The buildings themselves are three stories tall and teh front doors are accessible via an exterior stairway (there are  no elevators).  There is second entry into each unit via an interior stairwell that exits at the ground level parking area and garages.  Note: most units have a single car garage (some garages are attached to the building and some are detached along the exterior of the property).  There are additional assigned parking spots as well as guest parking spaces.

The interiors of the units were originally built with the same amenities.  Most are still in their original state, but more and more are being remodeled.  Originally, the kitchens had white tiled counter tops, maple cabinetry and white GE appliances (gas stove-top).  The bathrooms where originally constructed with maple cabinets and a solid surface, all-in-one counter top and sink.  The showers and tub surrounds where also an all-in-one unit.  The master baths featured large soaking tubs.  The flooring was either linoleum and/or wall to wall carpet. 

A nice feature of this complex is the large in-unit laundry area that houses a full size side by side washer and dryer (most are electric dryers).  No stack-able unit here!  The condos have decent sized decks (corner units are smaller) that are plumbed for air conditioning units.  Note: when the complex originally was built, not many buyers ordered the A/C units.  More and more owners are adding the A/C units.  They are especially useful for owners of the tops floor condos that get quite warm in the summer/early fall.  Lastly, for those of you who like real wood fireplaces, the condos at Compass Place have them.

Given the choice, buyers prefer the units located in the odd numbered buildings because they are further from the traffic noise generated from highway 101.  Buyers also prefer the higher numbered buildings because they are farthest away from Fair Oaks Avenue and its traffic noise.  All things being equal, the most preferred buildings are 615 or 617 and the least preferred are buildings 101 and 102.  See development map below.

Most condo buyers prefer end units however at Compass Place, the end units do have some drawbacks.  For example, the decks on the end units are quite small and the view from the condo, in part, looks directly at the building next door.

I like the top floor units best because of the vaulted ceilings and there is no one above you, but they do have some minor drawbacks.  The top floor units tend to get more traffic noise (both from highway 101, Fair Oaks Avenue and aircraft noise).  As I already mentioned earlier, the top floor units are significantly warmer in the summer (and winter which is good).  Lastly, buyers have to climb three flights of stairs to access the top floor units.

All-in-all Compass Place condominiums have appreciated well over the years and have retain their value fairly well in the last two market corrections.  However, there is currently one unit for sale that is a short sale.  According to MLS records the owner bought the unit in late December 2005 for 500K and it is currently on the market for $519K. 

Below are sales statistics compiled for the last six months at Compass Place. 

Unit Number    Beds    Baths     SF      List Price     Sale Price 

609   #201            3           2      1250   $554,000      Available

609   #306            3           2      1300   $545,575      Available

608   #104            2           2      1058    $519,000     Available

607    #101            2           2      1058    $514,950     Available

610    #303           2           2      1160     $508,000    Available

606    #201           3           2      1250     $559,000    $554,170

610    #202          2            2      1160     $529,000    $529,000

615    #302          2            2      1160     $529,000    $529,000

609    #102          1            1        867      $430,000   $412,000