Mode by Alta

Its been 6 months we moved out of the place. We are still awaiting our security deposit. We have contacted them multiple times via email, in person and phone calls. They don’t respond to the emails and neither follow up after promising to look into whats going on. This is simply pathetic and illegal of them to hold on to the deposit this long without any explanation.

The ladies from the original property management company (Wood Residential) were phenomenal. Unfortunately things went downhill once FPI Managment took over. Getting a hold of Jeremiah, the property manager is usually very challenging. I moved out on March 31^st and have e-​mailed and called him half a dozen times over the past 7 days without a response. Since the day FPI took over, I’ve found that you really have to keep on top of them in order to get anything done.
Aside from that, the finishes are pretty nice for apartment living, but you’ll have to deal with the noise of Caltrain so don’t lease here if you’re a light sleeper.

Not worth the price and was a much more pleasant experience under previous management. The buildings are almost brand new (late 2014) but the construction quality is poor. There’s practically no sound insulation between floors and you can hear Caltrain very clearly but you’ll get used to that. On the flip side, the location is superb (Hayward Park Caltrain Station, Bay Meadows, downtown San Mateo, etc.) and there’s plenty of underground parking. It’s also pet friendly and it seems like all the owners are responsible.

We lived here for a year and within 2 months of moving in the management changed. The new folks were good. In fact the manager is a good guy who really tries to help. However– we faced the worst when there was a water leak in our apartment. The new management did not have an in house person to help come shut off the water in our part of the building. Water leaked all the way down to the garage.
We were put up in a guest suite. Crazy inconvenient! The folks in the floors below were moved to another apartment all together. We were still okay considering the manager atleast bothered hearing us out. Since it was an issue with construction we stopped complaining to anyone after 3 weeks of living in a guess suite.
The worst happened just 2 months before leaving. The apartment below us was empty and was declared a corporate apartment. The folks living down there walked so loudly that our floors shook and their walking noise traveled across floors –above and below. The cops were called things just took such a bad turn that finally the cops had to come in and have a chat with all the neighbors.
I still think the management is ok considering they have to support such a terrible construction. On the plus side– the are around is great to go running, shopping, close to the Caltrain station (floors do shake slightly when the express train passes– no scary noise though!)
Live here but be prepared to face some issues with the available privileges!

We moved in here when the property was brand new and they were just wrapping up construction. The apartment itself and the facilities are great, everything is spanking new so we loved it. After the management changed, we were a bit worried about FPI taking over. However– Jeremiah and Andrew (the maintainance manager) turned out great! We had a problem with our dishwasher once and they promptly got us a replacement while ours was repaired. We recently moved back out to be closer to work and Jeremiah was super helpful during the moveout. When our move out cleaners bailed on us on the day before the move — he offered to get the apartment cleaned via a different set of cleaners (for a lower price). Throughout the stay (one year) — Jeremiah and Andrew have very helpful, kind, courteous and generally awesome property managers.

Well would like to say that things have gotten better but they did not. Since my last review the management is still incompetent and all they have done is email me and ask me to remove my Unilocal review because it is hurting their score. A Unilocal review is suposed to honest and a real view of the business. Bad practice asking me to remove my comment. Bad move.

Would have given 0 stars buy Unilocal wont allow. This is the worst place I and my family have ever stayed. We were here just for 3 weeks and will never come back again. The apartments are poorly constructed. Not a kid friendly community at all. If you have kids please stay away from this place otherwise you will have police knocking at your door every other night and you will have complaints filed from over sensitive neighbors who will request to get you vacate the place. We lived on second floor and the upstairs neighbors complained that we hear banging and running noise from our apartment. Obviously you cant control your kid to an extent that he sits on the sofa all day? do you?

The management is not responsive. They have been told about the gym’s AC problem. However, they are making excuses all the time not to fix the problem. The A/​C is working but it seems they intentionally turn it off.

I have to update my review again!
Long story short: The gym and the whole building are so hot. I contacted the office 3 weeks ago about gym being 83 degrees and they told me the A/​C was broken and they are going to fix it. Then I got an email that it has been fixed. It was fine for 1 day and afterward it has been disable intentionally. I sent another email to follow up 2 weeks ago but no response yet! Jeremiah Simpson just sends long emails including explanations without any action. Please see the attached image from the gym as of just now. 81 degrees. We never had this problem before the change the management to FPI. Previously it was managed by Alta and it was just awesome and they were so competent.

My wife and I moved into Mode by Alta at the end of November with the initial property management group. We were hesitant when they left and a new group was taking over. Those feelings were quelled once we met them. The transition was smooth and nothing changed in our eyes (besides payment portal).
We unfortunately had to move in June due to my wife’s job transfer and were still contractually bound as we had only been there 7 months. Management worked with us (and us with them) well. We gave the necessary 60 days and made sure their turnaround was minimal inside the apt. They were awesome during the process and I can’t thank Jeremiah and his team enough for doing everything in their power to help us! I continue to stop in and retrieve lingering mail that has eluded the USPS. Always nice to catch up with them and see how things are going. A personal THANK YOU to Jeremiah! — Jon Wood, 2089 Pacific Blvd, unit #117.

One month into Mode and we are really pleased. The apartment is beautiful and brand new, but it’s the staff that makes this a luxury experience. Natalie and Julie go out of their way to be welcoming and helpful. Jason responds to our maintenance requests same-​day and doesn’t make me feel like an idiot for when I have questions about the new technology in this place.
My dog is also happy here. The apartment is well-​insulated and the neighbors don’t complain about her. We don’t spend a lot of time out and about on the property, but it’s a quick bike ride to Bay Meadows where she loves to run in the park.
I actually use the gym and find that the equipment is nice and well-​maintained. I would appreciate it if someone turned the cardio equipment around so it wasn’t facing the wall.
There are actually two train stations within a five-​minute bike ride of Mode, making it great for our commute.
The only thing I would change is that many of the parking spaces are large enough to have built-​in storage, yet they do not. It would be great to have a place to keep tools and other outdoor items that don’t belong on the patio or under the bed.

Not friendly at all.
We stopped by after seeing the welcoming balloons and signs saying «Open for Tours» out on Delaware Street yesterday (Sat ¹⁄₁₀ around 2pm).
We were greeted by a rather unfriendly woman asked if she could help us when we walked into the office. Obviously, we were there to see the place and were interested in renting. She was not at all interested in talking to us, it was like why are you here? it was the strangest thing– a sales person who doesn’t want clients. She answered every question we had as though it was annoying her and she just wanted us to leave– when I asked it if was an open floor plan she looked at me like what? they are just basic regular apartments like anywhere. I’m like, Ok? Odd.
I’ve rented new live/​work places in San Francisco, Los Angeles and other major cities– and have looked at many new complexes along the way. So, I don’t understand if she was just having a bad day and didn’t want to be there or what.
Anyway, based on the way she treated us (we are a working couple based in San Mateo) — we would not want to live there. If the first experience you have is like that, chances are the management is like that too. No thanks.
Considered yourselves warned.

I moved here the day before thanksgiving and so far this has not been a good experience. I first toured the property and the available units in October as i was checking around to find the best place for my family. I am reviewing this mainly as a pet owner, for which i have 2 dogs. When i was given the tour i asked many specific questions in regards to where my dogs could relieve themselves and where on the property they were permitted. I was given the answer that my dogs were allowed anywhere on the property and the Mode was very pet «friendly». There is a beautiful grass courtyard directly outside of my apartment which i asked if my dogs were allowed there and again was told yes and i must pick up after them, also that a dog trash can with pick up bags was to be installed on this courtyard at a later date. This picture is on Unilocal that you can see, it now has a small sign on it which states no pets allowed. This was the first of many misrepresenting things i was told. On that note, i even have called the customer service number to ask about the pet policies and the allowance of my dogs on the courtyard grass and on two occasions was assured they are indeed allowed. Again not what they state the policy is now.
There is a designated dog area outside the main area of the complex off to the corner near guest parking that is a sandy texture which the dogs are allowed on. Not only is this not a very viable option, the worst is that when it rains, which it has often over the past month, floods the area and makes it a nightmare to bring my dogs into. Pictures will be posted to see this also. I made very important decisions on where i would live based on the information given to me that have not be represented accurately including the unit i selected based on being told i would have use of the courtyard for my dogs to enjoy. If you are someone with pets, these are important things to know, because what is represented does not coincide with the policies being enforced.
As far as the apartment unit itself, I will say it very beautiful. It is a more modern clean design which is something i enjoy. The layout is nice also and the appliances are of good quality. I am not a fan of the kitchen counters, being quartz they seem to stain easily and very difficult to get looking clean. Also i asked about the train noise and how loud it is. I am in the second building and asked if i would hear it which i was emphatically told NO, and that the windows were very sound proof. Again, something that was misrepresented as i can hear the train daily, even with the windows closed. It is not as bad when they are closed but with the windows open, especially early in the morning, can be rather startling.
I am still working with the property management to resolve my many issues which has not been going well at all. As i receive more information i will update this review accordingly.

I’ve been living at Mode for 2 ½ months and I have to say this is an excellent community and a great place to live. My place faces onto the courtyard (which I love), it’s very quiet (which I also love) and the location is brilliant. I can be at the beach in Half Moon Bay in 20 minutes by car and with the Hayward Park Caltrain station just 5 minutes walk down the street I can be in San Francisco in 40 minutes — it could not be more perfect! The whole team here are the best, very friendly and super helpful, I haven’t leased anywhere before with such a good team! Lots of great residents too! I use the gym/​workout room and the ‘Café’ that offers a great workspace with wifi and printing capability. As you can probably tell I’m very happy with Mode!

So the train is loud and there are so many things that were looked over.
1. A kitchen drawer can’t be opnned fully because of the handle of another.
2. The place was dirty like non other when we moved in. We had to tell them to clean it and it the cleaning was just a wipe here and there.
3. The washer leaks water from the door.
4. Kitchen doors were put on upside down.
5. When asked about the constuciton of the building we were told it was sound however we can hear the neighbors above us like none other. It’s so bad that the walls shake as they walk.
6. Every time the neighbor below us closes their door it shakes the entire apartment.
Honestly for a new construction this place was put together like Legos and just handed off. Not sure who looked over this place before renting.
Did I mention how loud the train is? We were told that the building was sound.

My husband and I are relocating to the Bay Area from Southern California and the process had been very stressful to say the least, that is until we decided to rent at Mode by Alta!
First I must say how incredibly helpful the leasing agents are. Natalie and Julie have been an absolute pleasure to work with and have gone out of their way to make sure we have the smoothest transition possible. For the first time I am actually excited about moving! I have lived in apartments before and they are by far the best staff I have ever worked with. If you are thinking about moving to the San Mateo area I highly recommend you give them a call; you will not be disappointed!
Secondly, if the amazing service wasn’t enough, the apartments themselves are absolutely gorgeous! It is brand new construction so everything clean and looks so modern. I love all the finishes and extra touches. The grounds are beautiful and I know once everything is completed it is going to be even nicer! I can’t wait to live here and be a part of this amazing community!
Do yourself a favor and check out Mode by Alta; everything is top notch from the service to the apartments to the location!

I just recently moved in to Mode, and I fell in love with the place from the moment I saw it. My unit is bright, spacious, and brand new. The stainless steel appliances are just wonderful, and the HE washer & dryer in unit makes the task of doing laundry something to actually look forward to. The property is just starting to get leased out, but every tenant I have met so far is just as excited to be here as I am. I can already tell the community that is starting to grow here will be a great one to be a part of.
Although some amenities are still being finalized, the ones that do exist in our courtyard (such as the firepit, propane grill, patio area), make for unwinding outside something to really look forward to. I definitely can’t waiy for when the clubhouse & fitness center are ready! That’s a sure way to strengthen the community here at Mode!
And last, but not least… the property management team that exists. Julie & Natalie are both very helpful, and on top of getting back to you for all your needs/​concerns. They are understanding & flexible (especially during the whole move in process). I can honestly say that this is how every property should be managed like. It is very visible that this team will be sparking an engagement amongst the Mode community.
The location is convenient to the freeways, train station, trails, and shopping areas… Overall just a gorgeous property in a wonderful location.