Burlingame

Overview

Burlingame Village and the Lyon-Hoag area are where $1.4M still reaches a detached house, per the broker's notes: two bedrooms, one bath, 1,100–1,300 sq ft on a 5,000 sq ft lot, or a 1,400 sq ft townhome instead. Detached comps run $1,300–$1,500 per square foot. Three-bedroom houses in Easton Addition and Burlingame Park begin near $2.3M.

True Cost

San Mateo County's FY 2025-26 rate book underlies the 1.11% that the compute model uses as its effective rate (TRA-level verification pending). Take a $1.6M purchase with 20% down at 6.5% over 30 years, insurance at $2,400 a year and no HOA: monthly principal and interest of $8,090, tax of $1,477 and insurance of $200 add to about $9,768. The broker's notes list two local parcel taxes totaling roughly $200–$400 and no Mello-Roos. HOA dues apply only in condo and townhome buildings, $500–$800 a month, with elevator buildings at the high end.

Commute Reality

Burlingame and Broadway Caltrain stations are in town. A Baby Bullet reaches 4th and King in 28–35 minutes, locals in 40, plus 15 by foot or Muni to FiDi. Broker AM-peak door-to-door estimates: FiDi SF 40 minutes by BART, Caltrain or car; Oakland City Center 45 driving or 55 on BART; Sunnyvale 35 by Caltrain or car. Driving 101 to SoMa: 25 minutes at 6 a.m., 45–55 at 8. SFO is eight minutes; the notes flag flight-path noise over the eastern flats.

Hazard/Insurance

East of El Camino, the flats sit in FEMA flood zones tied to the bayfront and creeks, the broker's notes put it, with flood insurance often required at $800–$2,000 a year; check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. The notes describe the town as not WUI, with some moderate fire mapping in the hills west of I-280 and no non-renewals seen; verify on the CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone map. Liquefaction near the bay shows on the NHD report per the notes; confirm with California Geological Survey Seismic Hazard Zones.

Who This Fits

A walkable Caltrain commute and a detached house, with square footage as the trade-off. East-side parcels need a flood premium budgeted and a yard visit for aircraft noise.

Broker Field Notes

What the money buys

$1.4M in Burlingame buys a two-bedroom, one-bath, 1,100–1,300 sq ft home on a 5,000 sq ft lot in Burlingame Village or the Lyon-Hoag area, or a 1,400 sq ft townhome. My comps are $1,300–$1,500 per square foot for detached. Easton Addition and Burlingame Park three-bedrooms start around $2.3M.

The commute I actually drive

Burlingame and Broadway Caltrain stations are in town. A Baby Bullet from Burlingame to SF 4th and King is 28–35 minutes; local trains 40. Add a 15-minute walk or Muni ride to FiDi. Driving 101 to SoMa is 25 minutes at 6 a.m. and 45–55 at 8. SFO is eight minutes, and the flight path over the eastern flats is something I make clients stand in the yard and listen to.

Tax, HOA, Mello-Roos reality

Effective rate is about 1.1 percent. Burlingame School District and San Mateo Union High each levy parcel taxes, roughly $200–$400 combined. No Mello-Roos. HOA only in the condo and townhome buildings, $500–$800 a month with elevator buildings on the high end.

Insurance and hazard reality

Not WUI. The flats east of El Camino sit in FEMA flood zones tied to the bayfront and the creeks; flood insurance is often required and runs $800–$2,000 a year. The hills west of I-280 have some moderate fire mapping but I have not seen non-renewals there. Liquefaction near the bay shows up on the NHD report.

Who this fits (by housing need only)

Buyers who need a walkable Caltrain commute and a detached house, and will trade square footage to get both.