Bidding set to start soon on the former Claravale Dairy
Memorabilia will also be auctioned
By Jeff Kearns
Ken Peake's former Claravale Dairy Farm in Monte Sereno has been officially listed for sale, according to the law firm handling the estate.
Peake, who died in May, left the last acre of his Bicknell Avenue dairy farm to family members, who are selling the property. The property was formally offered on July 30 to Alan Aertz, who had bought one of the lots subdivided away from the farm and who now lives next to the old farm house.
Aertz now has the option of buying the property at the offering price, or waiting to see what kind of bids come in from other prospective buyers. The property was formally placed on the market on Aug. 2. When the for-sale sign does go out on the property, the price tag will almost certainly be well above the million-dollar mark.
"Land has never been at the level of scarcity it is today, and this is our fourth straight year of appreciation," says Alain Pinel Realtor Benjamin Guilardi, who is the agent handling the sale. "Land values have been increasing exponentially around here."
Guilardi says an acre of land in a location like Monte Sereno can fetch as much as $1.2 million to $1.3 million in today's market. The last remaining parcel at the farm measures 1.11 acres.
Alain Pinel will give tours of the farm on Tuesday and Wednesday and hold an open house from 7 to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, then begin taking bids on the property. Aertz has an option to buy the property while the bids are coming in, or to match the best offer.
Meanwhile, Peake, ever the animal lover, is still caring for his animals even after his death. According to the law firm handling the estate, Peake arranged for his dog and other animals to be taken care of at the farm until it is sold. When the sale is complete, the dog, Chien, and the caretaker will move to a house or apartment with a yard. Other family and friends will take the other animals, including Peake's cat, Woody, and about a dozen chickens.
The law firm will also be auctioning off some memorabilia from the farm, but no date has been set. Call 356-6886 for information.
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
