Sep

22

Gratitude

Posted In: Berkeley, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, For the Home, Home Improvement, Lofts, Condos, & Townhouses

It’s a beautiful day in North Berkeley!  Karl the fog is away and the leaves are starting to show their fall colors.  Plus, it’s Thursday, which means it is Broker Tour day, the day that agents go out and preview all of the new houses that hit the market for the week.  And sometimes we are lucky enough to get [...]

Mar

09

2261 38th in Oakland – A Gem Of All Gem’s w/ Before + After’s

Posted In: Alameda County, For Sellers, Home Improvement, Listings, Oakland, Our Sales, Success Stories

We have a listing located at 2261 38th Avenue in the Harrington District of Oakland.  Our Seller bought this home several years ago and completely turned it upside down.  The house needed a lot of love, which is what she gave it.  Here are some of the updates she did while owning it. new electrical :: new floors :: new [...]

Jan

30

How I Brought NYC Home

Posted In: Arts and Entertainment, Community, Creative Reuse Ideas, First Time Home Buyers, Food and Dining, For Buyers, For Sellers, For the Home, Fun for Grown Ups, Fun for Kids, Good ol' Fashion Humor, Home Improvement

So I just came back from NYC where I was attending the Inman Connect, a real estate conference where Realtors from all over the country meet for 5 days to talk technology, how to build a better business, and of course, real estate.  I love going to the event because I make some amazing connections and learn a lot of [...]

Oct

19

Cost vs. Value Report 2016

Posted In: For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Green Living, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Investing

The 2016 Cost vs. Value report is out.  YIPPEE! Now let me set the stage: each year, right about this time, a little reminder pops up on my computer, notifying me to “Look for Annual Cost vs. Value Report.”  Well, last week it popped up!  I immediately stopped writing the email I was forming and popped over to Remodeling to [...]

Oct

13

1022 Creston, Berkeley: A Seller’s Story

Posted In: Alameda County, Berkeley, For Sellers, Home Improvement, Listings

We love our Sellers!  And we love the houses they own.  Each one is unique, both in style, purpose, and history.  Some of our Sellers have lived in the their home for years, others decades.  But we have never had a Seller build their own home. We were super fortunate to be asked to represent the Sellers on this beautiful [...]

Mar

28

Plants Eat the Sun + Poop Out Air

Posted In: Berkeley, Community, Creative Reuse Ideas, Green Living, Home Improvement

   

Feb

27

What Are Those Accessory Dwelling Units All About?

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, General Real Estate News, Home Improvement

Yes, it is true.  We have a shortage of housing.  Are you surprised?  Considering this has been the case for the past 4-1/2 years I don’t think you are.  But guess what?  There {may} be a creative solution for those who are looking for a little…more…space & a little…extra…income. Recently Berkeley enacted an ordinance that would allow certain homeowners to streamline [...]

Oct

20

New Listing: 730 Stannage, Albany

Posted In: Alameda County, Albany, For Buyers, For Sellers, For the Home, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Listings, Uncategorized

We first met the seller of 730 Stannage back in early June of this year.  Her dad had just passed away and she was looking for guidance as to what to do with the family house.  Her family moved into the house nearly 60 years ago.  It was home to many family parties, neighborhood “Solano Stroll” parties, eating guavas from the [...]

Oct

12

Posted In: Creative Reuse Ideas, Emeryville, For the Home, Good ol' Fashion Humor, Home Improvement

Who knew that heating ducts could be customized!  Krista recently got a chance to visit Pixar Studio in Emeryville.  (It was AWESOME!!)  These heating ducts were suspended from the exposed rafters.  Remind you of anything (anyone)? Time to change out your ducting?  Perhaps this will give you some inspiration on how to liven things up a bit. (chuckle)

Sep

01

Alternative Green Grass at its Finest

Posted In: Creative Reuse Ideas, For Buyers, For Sellers, For the Home, Green Living, Home Improvement

With the drought in full force homeowner’s everywhere are trying to figure out what to do with their grass.  Water it and risk being fined or yelled at by your neighbors?  Pull it out and plant drought-resistant plants?  Let it die?  If you like green grass and want to be environmentally conscious then here are some great options for keeping [...]