For Buyers

Sep

Should I Put My Property in a Living Trust?

Posted In: For Buyers, General Real Estate News

(as reposted from the Abio blog…) We have trust issues. When legendary singer Aretha Franklin died recently, she didn’t leave a will or a trust for her estimated $80 million estate. No instructions about how to split her assets among her four children or deal with creditors and extended family members who might claim portions of her estate. That got us thinking. More than half of [...]

Jan

Buying a Home as a Real Estate Agent: Unsolicited Advice for Buyers and their Agents

I’ve been a real estate for 5 years and this past July my husband and I had the opportunity to buy a home for ourselves. We had been renting for the past 10 years partly because of neighborhood issues and partly because of the recession. After years of saving and some serious luck we were finally in the position to [...]

Oct

The Heat of the Market

Posted In: Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, For Buyers, For Sellers, Kensington, Local Market Statistics

Summer is over and the market is still hot, hot, hot. However, it isn’t as hot as it has been over the past 6 months. But here is the thing: our market is hyperlocal and it changes week by week. How can this be? In a market with low inventory all it takes is for a handful of the same [...]

Sep

Peaceful Retreat in the Heart of Hercules

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Listings

Affordable housing in the East Bay? We’ve got it covered! Our newest listing, centrally located in the heart of Hercules, exudes charm, character, and serenity. Welcome to 708 Forest Run, a peaceful retreat tucked amidst a wooded, park-like setting in the heart of Hercules. Located on the top floor at the end of a 4 unit building, you’ll love this [...]

Jun

2 Open Houses Today

Posted In: Berkeley, For Buyers, Listings, Richmond, Uncategorized

Jun

New Listing: 1086 Spruce, Berkeley Hills

Posted In: Berkeley, For Buyers, Listings

We have a new listing: 1086 Spruce St in the Berkeley Hills! If ever there were a home that exuded absolute quintessential Berkeley, this is it. This outstanding home features 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, and with approximately 1972 square feet there is plenty of room to roam. From the original woodwork and wainscoting to the lighting and beautiful built-ins, this [...]

May

Albany and Berkeley Make the “Best of” Charts

Posted In: Albany, Berkeley, Community, For Buyers

Niche.com, a nationwide rankings and review site with information in K-12 schools, colleges, cities and neighborhoods, has recently come out with their 2017 “Best of” lists. From “Best Cities to Raise a Family” to “Best Public Schools“, Niche.com has become a resource for discovering the schools and neighborhoods that are right for you. Two of our East Bay cities made the [...]

Mar

The Next “It” Spot: The Laurel District

Posted In: Community, Food and Dining, For Buyers, For Sellers, For the Home, Good Eats, Oakland

First it was Temescal, then “Uptown” Oakland, and recently West Oakland. Now it is the Laurel District! Ok, now I am sure there are those of you who will say that The Laurel District was already pretty cool. But when food and shopping become an anchor, meaning, a reason to visit a neighborhood, that is when the area really takes off. Fast [...]

Mar

Three Reasons to Visit Lake Merritt

Posted In: Alameda County, Arts and Entertainment, Community, For Buyers, For Sellers, Fun for Grown Ups, Fun for Kids, Oakland

Posted by the cool peeps at Berkeley Hills Realty So you’re thinking to yourself, “What should I do today where I can get great exercise and do some people watching while I am at it?” Or you think to yourself, “My kids need to get out today and I want to go somewhere that is fun for them and not [...]

Feb

El Cerrito Market Update

Posted In: Contra Costa County, El Cerrito, For Buyers, For Sellers, Local Market Statistics

This El Cerrito Market update will blow you away! Check out what the median price and median rent in El Cerrito has been doing since the beginning of summer last year. Week Ending Median Price Median Rent Jun – Aug $800,000 $3500 8/13/16 $751,000 $3300 10/8/16 $722,500 $3150 10/22/16 $730,000 $3150 10/29/16 $730,000 $3200 11/5/16 $755,000 $3200 11/12/16 $752,000 $3150 [...]