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538 Palisades Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90402, Santa Monica, 90402 - 4 bed, 3 bath

538 Palisades Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90402 home-pic-0
ACTIVE$4,265,500
538 Palisades Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90402
4Beds
3Baths
2,245Sqft
6,414Lot
Year Built
1920
Close
-
List price
$4.27M
Original List price
$5M
Price/Sqft
$1,900
HOA
-
Days on market
-
Sold On
-
MLS number
SR25114280
Home ConditionFair
Features
Good View: Park/Greenbelt, Neighborhood, Trees/Woods
Patio
ViewPark/Greenbelt, Neighborhood, Trees/Woods

About this home

Fairly Priced:The estimated price is in line with the list price. We found 3 Cons,5 Pros. Rank: price - $4.27M(25th), sqft - 2245(32th), beds - 4(50th), baths - 3(40th).

Drastic Price Reduction! Welcome to 538 Palisades Avenue – A Timeless Craftsman Home in Santa Monica’s Premier Neighborhood. This rarely available and hard to find property is nestled in the heart of Santa Monica's coveted North of Montana neighborhood, directly across from the beloved Goose Egg Park. Set on a generous lot, the 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom main house offers quintessential California living just moments from pristine beaches, Palisades Park, and the vibrant shops and restaurants of Montana Avenue. The unbeatable mantra rings true here: location, location, location. In addition to the main home, a charming 528-square-foot guest house with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom sits above an oversized 2-car garage with private alley access—ideal for guests, multigenerational living, a home office, gym, or creative studio. There's even potential to convert the garage and guest house into a 1,056-square-foot ADU, expanding your options and adding value. The main house features Classic Craftsman details, including a welcoming front porch and a cozy central fireplace, a sunroom bathed in natural light, a spacious kitchen and elegant primary suite, a dedicated dining room opening to a large, covered porch, an expansive backyard with mature landscaping, perfect for outdoor entertaining, with Carport parking in addition to the garage. The owner recently replaced all of the floors in the main house and remodeled the primary bathroom with a large soaking tub, new vanity, and smart toilet. Families will appreciate being located within the sought-after Roosevelt Elementary School district, adding to the home's allure. Whether you're looking to restore a beloved classic, expand with an ADU, or simply enjoy a piece of Santa Monica history, this property delivers charm, convenience, and an unbeatable location in one of the Westside’s most desirable communities.

Nearby schools

8/10
Roosevelt Elementary School
Public,•K-5•0.2mi
9/10
Franklin Elementary School
Public,•PK-5•1.4mi
5/10
Brentwood Science School
Public,•K-5•2.3mi
8/10
Lincoln Middle School
Public,•6-8•0.8mi
8/10
Santa Monica High School
Public,•9-12•1.5mi

Price History

Date
Event
Price
08/11/25
Price Change
$4,265,500
05/23/25
Listing
$4,995,000
12/20/24
Sold
$4,199,000
Condition Rating
Fair
Built in 1920, this Craftsman home is aged but has seen significant recent updates in the main house, including newly replaced floors throughout and a fully remodeled primary bathroom with modern features. However, the main house kitchen, while functional with stainless steel appliances and granite, features dated cabinet styles and backsplash. The second bathroom is also dated. The detached guest house is in poor condition, with a very outdated kitchen (old appliances, carpet) and bathroom, requiring substantial renovation. While the main house has strong 'Good' elements due to recent updates, the dated main kitchen/second bath and the 'Poor' condition of the guest house pull the overall property score to 'Fair', indicating it's maintained but requires further updates to achieve a consistent modern standard.
Pros & Cons

Pros

Unbeatable North of Montana Location: Situated in Santa Monica's highly coveted North of Montana neighborhood, directly across from Goose Egg Park, offering unparalleled access to beaches, Palisades Park, and Montana Avenue's vibrant amenities.
Versatile Guest House & ADU Potential: Features a separate 528 sqft guest house with private alley access, providing flexible space for guests, home office, or multi-generational living, with significant potential for a 1,056 sqft ADU conversion to enhance value and utility.
Timeless Craftsman Charm with Key Updates: A classic 1920 Craftsman home retaining its architectural integrity (front porch, fireplace) while benefiting from recent upgrades including new flooring throughout the main house and a remodeled primary bathroom.
Highly Desirable School District: Located within the sought-after Roosevelt Elementary School district, a significant draw for families and a strong factor in long-term property value.
Substantial Price Reduction: A recent 'drastic price reduction' from the original list price presents a compelling value proposition and indicates a motivated seller, potentially offering an attractive entry point into this exclusive market.

Cons

Age-Related Maintenance & System Concerns: As a 1920-built home, despite recent cosmetic updates, the property is over a century old, potentially implying ongoing maintenance needs and the possibility of outdated core systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) that may require future investment.
Limited Interior Square Footage for Price Point: While the lot is generous, the main house's 2,245 sqft (plus guest house) may be considered modest for some buyers seeking larger, more expansive living spaces typically associated with properties in this high-value Santa Monica market.
Further Modernization Investment Required: Although some areas are updated, a buyer may need to anticipate additional significant investment to fully modernize the entire property, including the kitchen, other bathrooms, and potentially major systems, to meet contemporary luxury standards.

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