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I really love this house at 1169 Sunnyhills Road in Crocker Highlands. This 1940's home is polished with tasteful updates, crisp white woodwork and is the perfect marriage between formal and casual. I love this family room with French doors to the backyard and I am really digging that the backyard is ample, but not too much yard to maintain. This property last sold in November 2011 for $1,100,000, it is now currently listed with Dave Higgins of Grubb Co at $1,295,000.
Last year I had the opportunity to sell a house in the north Ocean View neighborhood of Berkeley, 1468 10th Street. My clients were looking for a home that needed some love and had a big backyard. We knew there were rumors of a Whole Foods coming to Gilman Street in the fall of 2014 and that Stella Nonna, just opened up around the corner, but I am excited to see more fun spots trickle in. Westbrae Biergarten, Philz Coffee, and Doughnut Dolly, are just 3 of the new spots to open their doors. There is also great access to 4th St and the Bart. Berkeley real estate has always been in high demand and I would not say any neighborhood is a bargain, however north Ocean View is a place that be considered and seen. Check out the map and press below!
A few weeks ago I helped my clients close escrow on a home that had been in the same family for the past 58 years. After searching for move-in ready homes, my “beat down by the market” clients decided to utilize their resources, (the wife is an architect and the brother is a contractor). So they purchased a fixer upper home in a prime Berkeley neighborhood. There will not be the immediate gratification of being able to move in and hang the television and art, and they may not get to restore everything at once , but they are making an immediate sacrifice to get into a great neighborhood and ultimately own a home that will be tailored for them.
I will help them after close of escrow and will stay in touch to see the progress, but thus far the process has been serendipitous. These folks finally landed their Berkeley fixer after a very lengthy search - 2 years total with me being their 3rd Realtor. I was afraid this home would go to a buyer with an all cash, contingent-free offer. After consulting with their lender, we both felt that this was not a situation where we should waive all contingencies (feel free to contact me about contingencies and the various risk associated with writing offers). After much deliberation, a decision was made to not submit an offer. The offer date was on a Wednesday, so Thursday morning I called the listing agent to find out any inside scoop, so I could debrief my clients. Much to my surprise, I was told that although there were cash offers, the seller was in the middle of negotiating multiple counter offers with 2 buyers that had contingencies in place and needed loans to fund the purchase. I felt horrible that my clients may have lost out on an opportunity, so I immediately called them and explained the situation. Within 2 hours, I had submitted an offer on their behalf and by the end of the day theirs was the winner!
Above is a photograph that the sellers provided to their listing agent from 1959. It is precious to see the first transformation, as this photo was taken before a second floor addition was made. I look forward to providing photos of the next phase of construction!
Just sold in Berkeley and a true treasure, 10 Atlas Place is one of the most well kept custom mid-century modernist homes that I have seen. This sold within the first week with 2 offers substantially over the asking price. Designed by John Hans Ostwald and listed by PacUnion.
Check out the sfgate article about John Hans Ostwald, click here
I sold a home to wonderful clients about 4 years ago and subsequently we became friends. They have extreme Oakland love and I love to see their adventures on Facebook! Today, they had a family outing at Knowland Park, love this photo of their son, Daniel!
Because of my bathroom remodel gone wrong in 1999, I am a big advocate for do it right the first time. When I purchased my home the entire place was in need of major repair, this was a major fixer. It needed 35 foundation piers, a French drain system, new roof, bathrooms, kitchen, paint, hardwood floor refinishing and that does not touch the landscaping, fencing and lighting. At the time of the purchase I was completely overwhelmed with a 2 ½ year old and an 8 month old. I picked out tiles and fixtures based upon cost and the desire to just have a clean space. Of course I immediately hated the room when it was complete and despised when people had to use the bathroom, frankly I was embarrassed. I am suppose to have great taste, what happened?! Last year my husband and I decided to gut the space and start over. We have a very different aesthetic, and to add to the complexity, I wanted to avoid anything Made in China. We designed it together and agreed on everything pictured. Our home was built in 1951 and I wanted a modern, simple look that would blend with the home.
A few weeks ago I posted pictures of a retro kitchen that was featured this year's Rockridge Kitchen Tour. That same family is doing something very cool in their backyard! Check out these pics... Diana and Craig are looking to make their oversized level and lush backyard into mod B&B.
Unfortunately, some couples need to figure out what to do with their home and mortgage when splitting up. I recently spoke with Lara Blake at LaSalle Financial Services, (lblake@lasallefinancial.com) about this and below are some of her suggestions to alleviate headaches in the future. Please note, this is general information, not legal advice. Each person should discuss their particular situation with their legal and financial advisors.
Here is what Lara had to say:
I usually have a few refis each year that coordinate the timing of the close of the refinance with the dissolution of the marriage. That way the spouse that signs the quite claim has not relinquished ownership without also being released from the obligation of the loan. Plus, they don’t have to worry about the ex making late payments that will prevent them from rebuilding a new life and buying a new home for themselves, or with someone new in the future.
As difficult as it may be to consider the prospect of a mortgage while finalizing divorce it is very important to consider the ramifications of not doing so – especially to the party that is going to quit claim off title.
As long as the departing borrower remains on the loan, any subsequent late or derogatory mortgage payments by the spouse that remains in the property, will be reflected on their future credit report(s).
It is optimal if couples can work together through the process in a cooperative manner and initiate the process that will refinance the loan into the spouse’s name (who will retain ownership and possession of the property), so that once the departing spouse sign’s the quit claim, the refinance can close. This prevents the spouse who will relinquish ownership from the property, from remaining bound to the loan. In addition, it will protect their credit should the spouse who retains ownership make any late payments or even default on the loan.
If the spouse that retains ownership, makes late payments and the departing spouse has not refinanced off the loan, those late payments (by their ex) will quite possibly prevent them from being able to qualify for a loan in their own name.
Many couples that work through divorce mediation, time the refinance so that it closes (taking the departing spouse off the loan and title) within days of the departing spouse signing the quite claim deed relinquishing their interest/ownership in the home. Refinancing is the tool which qualifies the spouse that will remain in possession while removing the departing spouse from the loan, while title records ownership into the name spouse that will retain ownership through the close of the refinance.
This past January, I dropped my daughter, Nia off at her friend's home for a sleepover and was totally inspired by this reinvented mid-century modernist kitchen. The entire project was inspired by the 1956 Kelvinator side-x-side 'Foodarama' (literally it's name) Fridge. Later I came to find out that this is one of the kitchens that will be featured in the 2013 Rockridge Kitchen Tour. Owners Diana and Craig used Architect was Struther Dias in San leandro: www.strutherdias.com for the project.
Wallpaper seems to have made a comeback. It is great as an accent wall or behind a bookshelf and can instantly add visual interest with texture, patterns and color. You can get reproductions of vintage prints from companies like Bradbury & Bradbury Wallpapers or unique original patterns like the ones put out by Grow House Grow. Anthropologie has an artful selection of wallpaper to browse. This year I sold several homes that had vintage wallpaper and I encouraged the buyers to preserve a wall of it whenever possible.
482 B 49th Street at Telegraph on "Alley 49"
576 Grand Ave
I am loving Grand Lake Kitchen, I have had 2 meals there and both were fresh and delicious. Try the, Breakfast Sando - fried eggs, country ham, jack cheese, avocado on ciabatta or the Savory French Toast - rye bread, 2 poached eggs, wild mushrooms, parmesan, arugula and herb oil.
I am finding that many house hunters are looking for walkability over house size. Next Sunday, my new listing in Rockridge will open, located blocks away from some of the best food in Oakland!
In a world where people want to see homes in their pajamas in bed, property photography needs to be stellar to grab a buyer's attention. I love working with my photographer, Peter; he totally gets me. On every photo session, I explain to Peter what I am trying to exude to potential buyers. A house is more than the rooms and the staged furniture, it is about setting the stage and giving a vibe. This photo was captured last week at 3707 Kansas Street in the Laurel District of Oakland - a sweet, sunny bungalow studded with fruit tree- love the bee on the citrus blossom.
Red Oak Solano, photo by Gillian Leaper
I love this kitchen and could really image drinking coffee in here!
I absolutely adore the kitchen in my new listing in Redwood Heights. (www.3361Victor.com) It is everything that one could want: open space, ample solid surfaced counters, gas range, tons of storage, built-in desk, French doors to the backyard, and did I mention this kitchen is sexy? Come see it this Sunday.
I am in the process of selling www.1962Leimert.com - a livable fixer. This house has so much potential as it is nearly 2000 square feet and has an 8800 square foot lot - located in the picturesque neighborhood of Oakmore Highlands. To help buyers tap into the potential, I had 4 story boards throughout the house. Below is the board for the garden.
a snapshot I took while showing a Lake Merritt front co-op apartment
One of the best parts of my job is seeing inspiring spaces. Today I showed a co-op for sale at 177 19th Street in Oakland. The unit was 11 floors up with a balcony that had this view.
Realtor, CA DRE #01451749 – Red Oak Realty
510 693 4253 / deidre@redoakrealty.com / 6450 Moraga Avenue, Oakland CA 94611
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