177 19th St Unit 11C
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
37% of that payment is not the mortgage. The HOA fee alone is $92,700 over five years — money that buys you no equity. A calculator that defaulted the fee to zero would have quoted you $5,305.
Not FHA-approved. No 3.5%-down FHA financing on this unit, so the realistic floor is a 5%-down conventional loan ($42,250). 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 2026-08-20 — 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
✅ Fairly steady · +2.9%/yrReconstructed from 12 units of recorded sales at 177 19th St — every recorded sale carries its HOA fee and date. No listing site shows this.
These dues have held relatively steady (about +2.9%/yr over 5 years across 12 units) — a good sign. Only the reserve study confirms the building is keeping up with its big-ticket repairs.
🏢 Get this building's full reserve & assessment report — free →✅ Positives
- Garage parking
- HOA steady in this building (~2.9%/yr over 5yr)
⚠️ Cons
- HOA $1545/mo
- Older building (1959)
- Ground floor
🚩 Red flags
- Very high HOA $1545/mo (full-service high-rise)
Photos
Price history (this unit)
- Jul 30, 2026 — Listed $845,000
- Mar 24, 2023 — Sold (MLS) $805,000
- Feb 1, 2023 — Listed $795,000
- Jan 17, 2003 — Sold (MLS) $340,000
- Jul 8, 2002 — Listed $380,000
Description
Come and enjoy this Top-Floor, elegant unit at Lake Royal overlooking beautiful Lake Merritt. At The Lake Royal, a delightful doorperson greets you 24 hours a day in this iconic mid-century building. This tastefully updated 2-bed, 2-bath offers 1,608 sq. ft. of light-filled living space with breathtaking views of Lake Merritt, Downtown Oakland, and the rolling Oakland Hills. Walls of glass fill the expansive living and dining areas with natural light, illuminating the recently refinished floors and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. The main living spaces extend seamlessly onto the private deck, perfect for everyday indoor-outdoor enjoyment. The updated kitchen features granite countertop