Redwood City and Redwood Shores Homes Under $2 Million
Buyers often tell me there is nothing left to buy under $2 million on the Peninsula, but that is not quite true if you know where to look. In this post, I walk through 3 of our listings priced under $2 million: 2 single-family homes in Redwood City and a waterfront townhome in Redwood Shores.
Redwood City is in the heart of the Peninsula, about 27 miles south of San Francisco and 20 minutes north of Silicon Valley. Redwood Shores is a master-planned waterfront community just east of 101, so the 2 areas are very close to each other but have very different vibes. I have helped more than 600 buyers figure out where to live in San Mateo County, and these 3 homes show what a budget under $2 million can buy in this part of the county.
Shot in July 2026, the figures are from that time period.
Are these the best deals left on the peninsula?
3 Homes Under $2 Million at a Glance
Here is a quick comparison of the 3 homes before we go inside each one.
| Home | Type | Beds/Baths | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1740 Whipple Ave | Single-family, 1928 | 3 bed, 1 bath | 9,700 s/f lot | Under $2M |
| 1621 Silver Ave | Single-family | 2 bed, 1 bath | 850 s/f, 5,000 s/f lot | Lower $1M range |
| 843 Columbia Cir | Waterfront townhome | 3 bed, 3 bath | 1,800 s/f | High $1M range |
High School Acres: A 1928 Home on a 9,700 S/F Lot in Redwood City
Why Buyers Like High School Acres
The first home, at 1740 Whipple Avenue, is in the High School Acres neighborhood. It is on the border between Edgewood Park, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Redwood City, and the Mount Carmel neighborhood just to the south. In Edgewood Park, homes generally start in the high $2 million range and go up to $4.5 million.
High School Acres is flat, walkable, and full of tree-lined streets. Depending on where you are, downtown Redwood City is a 5-15 minute walk away. The neighborhood is home to Sequoia High School and Red Morton Community Park, a park of more than 30 acres that was once a practice facility for the 49ers, and it has a lot of variety in architecture.
Inside the 1928 Home
This is a 3-bedroom, 1-bath Spanish-style home built in 1928 on a lot of about 9,700 s/f. It has coved ceilings, a decorative arch, a tiled fireplace, and hardwood floors that we refinished as part of the sale. Many of the windows are original single-pane, and some of the electrical and plumbing is original.
A sunroom at the back, which was likely an enclosed porch added decades ago, works well as a home office, a workout space, or a yoga room. The kitchen has newer countertops and a newer stove next to a vintage Frigidaire oven, and all 3 bedrooms are on one side of the house. The single bathroom is a drawback, because most buyers prefer 2 bathrooms, but that is typical at this price point.
A Rare Yard and Room to Build
The yard is about as big as you will ever see at this price point, and the lot runs deep enough that the street noise fades and you mostly hear birds. Large redwood trees line the back of the lot, and they are not cheap to keep up, since care can run up to $1,000 per tree per year. The detached garage is mainly used for storage, and a buyer could replace it with a new garage or an ADU.
A buyer could move in as is, or a buyer could see the value in the lot and build a large new home, as the neighbors on both sides have done. I am an Eagle Scout, and my Eagle Scout project at 16 was a survey of historic homes, so I have a soft spot for old houses like this one. Still, the lot alone makes this a serious opportunity.
Central Park, Redwood City: A 2-Bedroom Home in the Lower $1 Million Range
The second home, at 1621 Silver Avenue, is in the Central Park neighborhood of Redwood City. Central Park is made up of 2 smaller neighborhoods, Palm Park and Woodside Plaza, and homes here generally sell from the mid to high $1 million range up to the low $2 million range. This home is priced in the lower $1 million range.
The home has 2 bedrooms and 1 bath in about 850 s/f on a 5,000 s/f lot. We refinished the floors, painted the interior, and painted the kitchen cabinetry, and the kitchen has newer appliances. The front bedroom fits a double bed or possibly a queen, and the second bedroom has French doors that open to the yard and bring in a lot of natural light.
A Private Backyard With Room to Expand
The backyard is the highlight of this home. At this price point, you usually have a neighbor looking straight into your yard, but this one is spacious and private on both sides. A buyer could add a few hundred s/f to the house, put an ADU in a back corner, or plant more heavily for even more privacy.
Lighthouse Cove, Redwood Shores: A Waterfront Townhome in the High $1 Million Range
The third home, at 843 Columbia Circle, is a waterfront townhome in the Lighthouse Cove neighborhood of Redwood Shores. Lighthouse Cove mixes luxury condos, townhomes, and single-family homes, and many of them are on the lagoon.
Is Redwood Shores Built on Fill?
Redwood Shores and Foster City are both man-made, and they were built on highly engineered compacted fill over what was originally San Francisco Bay. Some buyers do not want to live on fill, while others point out that the area came through the 1989 earthquake fine.
Inside the Townhome
This townhome has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths in about 1,800 s/f, and it feels like a single-family home. Our clients invested more than $100,000 in new hardwood floors and a new kitchen before listing, so a buyer can move right in. The ceilings are very high, and floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides look out at the water.
The ground floor has a bedroom and a powder room, which is common in 3-bedroom townhomes and works well for an office or guests. All of the kitchen cabinetry was installed shortly before filming, and it cost around $13,000-$15,000 through E3 in Burlingame. Automated shades let you control the light throughout the main level.
Upstairs, the primary bedroom has high ceilings and built-in plantation shutters. The primary bathroom is very large, with dual vanities, a separate tub and stall shower, and a separate toilet room, and the closet is partially built out with the Elfa system from The Container Store. The landing works well for a desk, and the second upstairs bedroom has water views with a tree for privacy.
A True 2-Car Garage
The attached 2-car garage fits 2 cars comfortably and has extra space on both sides. Many older homes west of 101 that cost $3-$4 million have a 1-car garage, or a 2-car garage that is too tight to use comfortably, so this is a big deal in San Mateo County. The garage also has an epoxy floor, the laundry, and the panel for the heat pump.
Why Redwood Shores Is So Hard to Buy In
Redwood Shores is the hardest place to buy a home or townhome in San Mateo County, because so little inventory comes up. Over the last year, there were roughly 20-25 single-family home sales and a similar number of townhome sales, which means only about 1% of the inventory turns over each year. In Burlingame, by comparison, about 2.7% of the inventory turns over each year.
When a well-priced home under $2 million comes up in Redwood Shores, buyers need to be ready to move quickly.
What Life Is Like in Redwood Shores
Townhome communities in Redwood Shores typically have a swimming pool, and some have a pool house for events. Residents use the waterways for stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, and kayaking, since motorized craft are not allowed, and the lagoon near Oracle is the go-to spot for rowing on the Peninsula.
Sandpiper Elementary School is within walking distance of this townhome, and the Bay Trail is close by. I ride the Bay Trail from Burlingame to Redwood Shores, which is a 13-mile stretch with no traffic lights or stop signs. Oracle, Electronic Arts, and Genomic Health all have offices in Redwood Shores, and the neighborhoods still feel quiet, open, and relaxing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you still buy a home under $2 million in Redwood City?
Yes, you can. Our listings in High School Acres and Central Park were both priced under $2 million, and the Central Park home was priced in the lower $1 million range.
How much do homes cost in the Central Park neighborhood of Redwood City?
Homes in Central Park, which includes Palm Park and Woodside Plaza, generally sell from the mid to high $1 million range up to the low $2 million range.
Why is it so hard to buy a home in Redwood Shores?
Only about 1% of the inventory in Redwood Shores turns over each year, compared with about 2.7% in Burlingame. Over the last year, there were roughly 20-25 single-family home sales and a similar number of townhome sales.
Is Redwood Shores built on landfill?
Redwood Shores was built on highly engineered compacted fill over what was originally San Francisco Bay. The area came through the 1989 earthquake fine, although some buyers still prefer not to live on fill.
What is High School Acres in Redwood City known for?
High School Acres is a flat, walkable neighborhood with tree-lined streets, and it is home to Sequoia High School and the 30-plus-acre Red Morton Community Park. Downtown Redwood City is a 5-15 minute walk away, depending on where you are.
Finding Value Under $2 Million on the Peninsula
Homes under $2 million still exist in Redwood City and Redwood Shores, but they take patience and a clear sense of where to look. If you are weighing a home with a big lot, a smaller home with a private yard, or a move-in-ready townhome on the water, I would be glad to talk through what fits your life. If you are thinking about a move to or within San Mateo County, I would love to help you have a great real estate experience.
This article is copyrighted by Raziel Ungar and may not be reproduced or copied without express written permission.
