Grand Dame in Crocker Highlands

This grand house was my favorite new listing from yesterday's Broker's Tour. What's not to like about this grand dame? With beamed ceilings, handsome woodwork, natural light, oversized rooms and stately entry, this John Hudson Thomas, 1912 home in picturesque Crocker Highlands is an entertainers dream.

This home is currently listed with Pacific Union and photos are courtesy of Teri Carlisle. List Price, $2,350,000 (6 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms) This property is being shown by appointment, email me for an appointment.

House Envy! This 1936 Crocker Highland, (In Oakland) Traditional is Calling My Name.

The year was 1936:

• Franklin Roosevelt is re-elected for a second term.
• Max Schmeling knocks out Joe Lewis in the 12th round at Yankee Stadium.
• The Olympics were in Berlin Germany and Jesse Owens won the 100m dash.
• The first superhero to wear a skin tight costume and mask, The Phantom makes his first appearance in US Newspapers.
• And 950 Park Lane was built!

This classic Crocker Highland home is calling my name. With its handsome original woodwork, stunning staircase with scrolled railing, vintage stove, extra large rooms, and fantastic layout, I am envious of the person who will call this place home. 950 Park Lane is a home in need of system upgrades, but with a little sweat, vision and money; this house will be a masterpiece.

If I were to buy this home for myself, I would polish it back to its glory day of 1936, keeping every bit of its original charm. I would study the style of the 1930's and I would implement that era with a few modern and energy efficient upgrades.

This beautiful Oakland home was my favorite house from yesterday's Broker's Tour.

This home is currently listed with Tarpoff and Talbert and the photos are courtesy of Pat and Anet. I am happy to schedule a private showing of this wonderful home.

Mid-Century Bay Area Beauties!

Snapshot of the Cliff May home on Grizzly Peak

Last Thursday I fell for two homes on Broker's tour, 7832 Eureka Ave. in the El Cerrito hills, listed by Red Oak, and 1291 Grizzly Peak in Berkeley listed by ERI. Both of these ranch homes, had great floor plans and easy indoor-outdoor living. 7832 Eureka Ave. was built in 1948 and has a fantastic kitchen with warm hardwood cabinetry, copper countertops, high-end appliances, and an enchanting courtyard. 1291 Grizzly Peak is a Cliff May home built in 1955 with outdoor access from almost any room. These two mid-century homes had heavy traffic during the broker's open, proving that mid-century modern homes are highly desirable by today's buyers. (If preserved and restored properly)

7832 Eureka in El Cerrito 

Mid-Century Party Home in Berkeley

Are you yearning for a swanky mid-century home, with expansive panoramic views, perfect for a shindig? This home on Keith Avenue in Berkeley is just perfect for a cool new owner. This is my favorite home from last Thursday's Broker's Tour.

I LOVE the original turquoise pedestal sink and hung toilet, and lemon yellow kitchen appliances. Have you ever seen hanging refrigerators? ...and you have to love the floor to ceiling windows.

If you would like a private showing of this piece of art property, send me an email.

Cheers!

Preserved Mid-Century Home in Lincoln Heights, Oakland

Every Monday I go on Broker's tour to see the new listings in Oakland, (excluding the Montclair district of Oakland, Montclair is on Broker's tour on Thursdays.) Realtor's who have listings that they want to promote within the real estate community have a special open house especially for Realtors, called Broker's Tour. These homes are advertised through a company named Ad Review and every Monday and Thursday, I review the long list of homes that are open and determine which homes I will tour. In addition to viewing homes that fit my active clients needs and budgets, I look for homes in neighborhoods that I specialize in so I can keep abreast of the neighborhoods. Since, I have a fondness for mid-century homes, I also seek out homes built between 1945 and 1965.

Besides mid-century homes, I REALLY like homes that have been preserved. Meaning homes that boast some of the original features of the era. Whether it is gum wood built-in cabinetry that is in pristine condition, vintage doorknobs or 1950's pull down light fixtures, I love seeing the details and finishes that the builder intended. Remodeled doesn't necessarily mean better.

Today I went goo-goo over this 1962 home in Lincoln Heights, behind the Mormon Temple in Oakland. Mid-century homes are known for being spacious and this home is no exception. There are rows and rows of custom cabinetry with smart details such as a built-in adjustable cookbook holder in the kitchen, and a cut-out in the kitchen cabinetry for the person in the kitchen to view the entertainment in the dining room and living room area. One of the bedrooms downstairs must have been designed for two children, as there are two built-in desks and dressers, with views of the outdoors from the desks, how smart! The backyard has a mixture of a low maintenance garden and patio with basketball hoop, and the deck has view of the City. This home could use some updating especially in the bathrooms, but from what I could see, (without view inspection reports) this home is livable. When buying a preserved mid-century home, you have the ability to buy vintage finishes and incorporate them into your renovation, as well as stay consistent with the period of the home.

Oh, I forgot to mention, this home is listed by Wells and Bennett and I was told this is the first time it has been on the market!

Eco Chic in Oakland

This home is on 66th Street in the North Oakland/Temescal area of Oakland, listed by Marvin Gardens. Here sits two 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom town homes with all of that one could hope for in regards to eco-friendly, high-style living. These homes have solar electricity, tankless hot water heaters, skylights, as well as walnut kitchen cabinets, hand-made steel stair railings, and more!

This was my favorite find from last weeks Broker's tour. I would be happy to give you a private showing!

Eichler For Sale in Oakland Hills!

Ultra Chic Atrium

My broker's tour find of the day is 8100 Phaeton listed by Red Oak Realty. With only 49 Eichler's in Oakland, this home is a rare treasure. For those of you who adore indoor-outdoor all level living, this mid-century modern home is worth a look. Some of the best attributes about Eichler homes are the floor to ceiling windows, the angles of the ceilings and roof and the easy to maintain yards.

Chic Mid Century in North Berkeley

Last Thursday I fell in love for this mid-century home in North Berkeley on LeRoy Street. This home is currently listed with Grubb Co. and I thought I would give you a glimpse. This house is in one of Berkeley's Best Neighborhoods and has great mid-century features such as a beautiful courtyard and spacious rooms. I personally like the nostalgic laminate red kitchen counters with aluminum edging.

Almost Mid-Century with Views in Oakland

Yesterday, I took my client to this almost mid-century,(circa 1939 -not modern) home in the Lincoln Heights district of Oakland. I really enjoyed this home as it had an amazing park-like backyard with a well, spectacular bay and city views and a charming, sunny kitchen with impeccable original kitchen cabinets. According to the listing agent, this home had been in one family for 47 years! The main level has two bedrooms, one bathroom and a kitchen, living room/dining room area. Downstairs there are several plus rooms and a huge rumpus room with original knotty pine walls. I really appreciate homes that have been lovingly cared for over the decades, with the original details intact. I can almost picture how this home looked 50 years ago while this family raised their 2 children. This home is currently on the market with Coldwell Banker.

I Still Dream About This Oakland Mid Century Home

This property was on the market late last year by Tarpoff and Talbert. I showed this house to several of my mid-century enthusiast. This home, located in the Redwood Heights District of Oakland was an untouched 1960's mid-century modern. The beauty of this home was in the wonderful lay-out, the large oversized rooms, the floor to ceiling windows, and the preserved original details. With its Nutone integrated sound system, original frigidaire appliances, private views of lush trees, and double sided flagstone fireplace, I still fantasize about living here.

Mid Century Home on Blake in Berkeley

Last Thursday on Broker's Tour I was happily surprised by this mid-century home in Berkeley. This home had the great features, an open sensible floorplan, easy outdoor-indoor living, and (not included in the sale of the house)great fifties furniture.

So here is my question to you. Do you like when mid-century homes are mixed into neighborhoods dominated by bungalows? Do you prefer when neighborhoods consist of homes built all within the same era. This home is situated among bungalows...

Mid-Century Home in Lincoln Heights, Oakland

Mid-Century modern

Here is an Oakland Mid-Century home in the Lincoln Heights Hills of Oakland. Notice the use of natural brick, wide plank floors, floor to ceiling windows and the warm wood ceiling.

Immediately off of the patio is a swimming pool with city views. This home is a great example of great outdoor-indoor space.

This property was my favorite from last week's broker's tour. Listing is courtesy of Coldwell Banker.