2133 Santa Clara Ave #206
Higher is a better buy. 50 is "priced about right for what it is". The last step curves the raw advantage onto 0–100, so points stop being one-for-one at the extremes.
💵What this unit actually costs per month
28% of that payment is not the mortgage. The HOA fee alone is $32,400 over five years — money that buys you no equity. A calculator that defaulted the fee to zero would have quoted you $3,884.
Not FHA-approved. No 3.5%-down FHA financing on this unit, so the realistic floor is a 5%-down conventional loan ($28,950). Common for small associations and not a defect on its own, but it does remove FHA buyers from your resale pool.
Minimum realistic down payment here: 5% · verify on HUD's lookup
Rate is the Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year average for the week of 2026-10-08 — a national survey figure, not a quote. Tax, insurance and closing costs are estimates; your own Loan Estimate is the real number.
This building's HOA fees
🚩 Rising fast · +6.9%/yrReconstructed from 8 units of recorded sales at 2133 Santa Clara Ave — every recorded sale carries its HOA fee and date. No listing site shows this.
These dues climbed 40% in 5 years — about +6.9%/yr across 8 units of recorded sales, well above inflation. A rise this steep is a leading signal of a special assessment, a drained reserve fund, or an insurance shock. The listing never shows it; the building's documents are where the "why" lives.
🏢 Get this building's full reserve & assessment report — free →✅ Positives
- In-unit W/D
- Low HOA (1.1%/yr)
⚠️ Cons
- Smaller than the Alameda norm (1060 vs 1212 sf)
🚩 Red flags
Photos
Price history (this unit)
- Oct 7, 2026 — Listed $579,000
Description
Welcome home to The Spa, a condo community in one of Alameda's best locations. This spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bath unit has been refreshed throughout. Updates include new paint*, new vinyl plank flooring*, and new carpet*, and both bathrooms have been updated. An open floor plan combining the living room, dining room, and kitchen, along with courtyard views, provides for easy living. The Spa amenities include a beautiful courtyard with a swimming pool, patio, and green space, perfect for relaxing with a coffee and reading the morning news. Plus, an in-unit laundry room for everyday convenience. The unit includes 2 assigned, gated parking spaces and plenty of guest parking. You're minutes from…