Carol Brown - Berkeley Real Estate

MARKET UPDATE: MARCH, 2012

Carol Brown — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 19:07:24 +0000

The market has heated up considerably since the first of the year. Pent up buyer demand and low interest rates are driving this renewed interest. A house in Piedmont that was on the market for 51 days last fall with no offers, came back on the market in January and sold over the asking prive in just 8 days. One of my Piedmont listings sold more than $100,000 over its asking price in just 6 days. San Francisco has already heated up, driving buyers who are priced out of that market to our better-valued neighborhoods. And with the Bay Area economy doing well (word on the street is that when Face Book goes public 1000 new millionaires will be created) it seals the deal.

Many buyers have money that has been parked on the sidelines since 2008. This is particularly true at the low and high ends of the market. So, we are seeing more all cash offers and offers with large down payments. The rental market is tight and with rents higher and prices soft, investors frequently find themselves in competition for investment properties. And people at the higher end of the market look at our market as a value investment — with fewer distressed sales and more stable prices than other areas. The sales figures don’t reflect that quite yet. This is because there has been so little inventory, another factor keeping demand high. So, if you are thinking of selling, now is a great time.

Watch for increased activity as the year proceeds and sellers make the moves they have been postponing, bringing more inventory on the market. But don’t expect supply to exceed demand anytime soon. If you are thinking of buying, don’t wait. Many people are staying put by choice which will keep inventory low and upward pressure on prices for some time to come.

6488 Ascot Drive, Montclair

Carol Brown — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:35:40 +0000

LIGHT-FILLED CONTEMPORARY On a private, five-house cul de sac in Piedmont Pines, this lovely three bedroom, two and a half bath contemporary offers vaulted, open beam ceilings, an open, mostly level floor plan and a neighborly setting near parks and hiking trails. A large living/dining room with slate fireplace, built-in bookshelves and a deck offers a a charming setting for gatherings. The updated kitchen opens to a great room for daily family life and includes an office nook that overlooks a level back garden. The bedrooms and baths are in a separate wing off the main living level and include a separate master suite with dressing room and updated baths with tumbled marble and subway tiles. Downstairs another room with its own half bath offers perfect space for a rumpus room or guest quarters. Open Sunday 2/26, 2-4:30. For additional photos go to 6488Ascot.com

145 Ronada Avenue, Piedmont

Carol Brown — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:03:58 +0000

CRAFTSMAN GEM Renovated by award-wining contractor Nick Ozier, this lovely craftsman offers the charm of an older home with the convenience of a newer one. With a “Walk Score” of 78 it couldn’t be more convenient. An entry opens to a lovely living room with a stunning stone fireplace, craftsman windows, molding and bookshelves and dark stained hardwood floors. The dining room features more bookshelves as well as a window seat overlooking the street and wainscotting. The eat-in kitchen features warm stone countertops, a partial brick wall and doors to the adjacent garden with its grape-vine covered dining terrace and built-in barbeque. The master suite features an office with built-ins, a tumbled marble bathroom, sunny outlooks and French doors to a private patio. Upstairs are two bedrooms with peaked ceilings, dormer windows and window seats. For additional photos go to 145Ronada.com

1001 Mountain Boulevard, Montclair

Carol Brown — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:05:51 +0000

CHARMING 1990′S TRADITIONAL On a level street surrounded by larger, upscale homes, this three-bedroom, two bath traditional features clapboard siding, a white picket fence, charming interior details and a generous, wrap around garden. Highlights include, nearly level entry for easy access to the main living spaces, sunny outlooks from every room, a downstairs family room that opens to a level back lawn and garden structure and hardwood floors in most rooms.

6505 Harwood Avenue, Rockridge

Carol Brown — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:53:57 +0000

SUNNY CONTEMPORARY On a tree-lined cul de sac in the heart of Rockridge, this smart three bedroom, three bath contemporary offers easy access to BART and College Avenue shops and restaurants. In the midst of older, vintage homes, this airy open home offers bright, light-filled rooms, split-levels and flexible living spaces. The entry opens to a living room with soaring ceilings and French doors that lead to a lattice-covered deck. A recently renovated kitchen features Zodiaq stone countertops, a Bosch dishwasher, a GE Profile cooktop and a Kitchen Aid convention oven. A tiled, center island separates the kitchen from a generous dining area and sunroom. Each bedroom has its own bath. downstairs is a generous family room with a built-in sink, refrigerator and microwave. Double doors lead to another deck with steps down to a lush, terraced garden with tomatoes, herbs and fruit trees. The house is warmed by hot water radiant heat. For additional photos go to 6505Harwood.com

68 Entrada Avenue, Oakland

Carol Brown — Tue, 17 May 2011 18:53:09 +0000

ARTS AND CRAFTS RETREAT Just a block from Fenton’s Creamery, this two bedroom, one bath home offers a charming retreat close to Piedmont Avenue’s shops, cafes and restaurants. Wander up the street for a scoop of ice cream. Explore further and catch a first-run movie or stop for a latte or a meal. Come home and you find yourself in a magical brown shingle. A deep, covered veranda with stone-covered pillars invites you to sit and linger. A generous living room with boxed beams and a stone fireplace creates a generous space for everyday living or entertaining. Behind the living room sits a kitchen that opens to the dining room. A 6-burner Viking range and Bosch dishwasher outfit the kitchen. Off a hallway toward the back of the house are two bedrooms and a bath. Down a pathway in the back garden is a detached space with exposed rafters, multi-pane windows and French doors surrounded by redwoods, ferns and fuschia. For additional photos go to 68Entrada.com

1119 Miller Avenue, Berkeley

Carol Brown — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:30:00 +0000

OPEN MID-CENTURY This charming, one-level, mid-century home offers bright, open rooms, easy access to large outdoor spaces and views of the Golden Gate. A generous front deck with a wrap-around bench greets as you walk up the front stairs. Double glass doors from the living room open to the deck for easy indoor-outdoor entertaining. The L-shaped living/dining room also opens to a large, private back garden with a brick terrace, flowering fruit trees, raised beds for vegetables and plenty of room for play. A fireplace warms up the room for days inside. A galley kitchen with slate floors, Corian countertops and new stainless steel appliances also opens to the back garden. A central hallway opens to three generous bedrooms and a bath. The front bedroom looks out to views of the Bay; the back bedroom into the garden. For additional photos go to www.1119Miller.com

7401 Woodrow Drive, Oakland

Carol Brown — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 01:56:17 +0000

2003 CUSTOM CONTEMPORARY On a mostly level street just a few blocks from the trail to Montclair Village, this contemporary four bedroom, three and a half bathroom home offers upscale fixtures and finishes, charming spaces and pristine condition. An eat-in kitchen with circular breakfast nook opens to a family room with a fireplace. Cherry cabinets and bookcases warm up rooms, accented by dark granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. Two bedrooms, a bath and a laundry room opoen out to the family room. On a level below, formal dining and living rooms are warmed by another fireplace and open to a large front deck. Upstairs a master suite with a jacuzzi soaking tub awaits, a perfect retreat after a long day. French doors open to a slate sunning terrace. A second bedroom with its own bathroom finish off the the bedroom and bath count. At street level a large, two-story garage with provides plenty of space for parking, working and storage. For additional photos go to www.7401Woodrow.com

47 RIO VISTA AVENUE, OAKLAND

Carol Brown — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 01:25:39 +0000

UPSCALE COUNTRY COTTAGE This lovingly renovated home offers a peacful retreat just a half block from Piedmont Avenue. Wander up the street to Commis, the only restaurant in the East Bay with a Michelin star. Enjoy cafes, a local grocery store and a movie theater. Come home to a rose-covered archway and a charming, one-level home. Enter into a light-filled living room. Next to it is a generous dining room, perfect for entertaining guests. Enjoy breakfast in the newly renovated, eat-in kitchen with Caesarstone quartz countetops, high-end appliances and a farmhouse sink. Watch movies or games in the adjacent family room looking out onto the lush back garden. The bedrooms each have adjacent bathrooms. The hall bath features a Kohler soaking tub; the master bath a glass shower. Both the baths and the family room were designed by Clocker and Schultz architects. A detached, pre-fab office in the back garden is surrounded by espaliered fruit trees, native plants and raised vegetable beds watered by automatic drip irrigation. For additional information visit 47RioVista.com

148 Wildwood Avenue, Piedmont

Carol Brown — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:59:39 +0000

CONVENIENCE AND SPACE Enter this three bedroom, two bath traditional into a light-filled living room with views of the hills of Piedmont. Schools and adjacent playgrounds are just a short distance away and the shops and transportation of Grand Avenue, too, making it exceptionally convenient.

A tiled living room fireplace creates a cozy setting for enjoying the view from floor-length windows. And the room opens to a formal dining room nearby. Behind that you find a renovated kitchen with cherry cabinets and granite countertops. Two bedrooms and a bath are off a separate hallway and a third room behind the kitchen opens to the back deck and patio, a perfect place for an office.

Downstairs are two large rooms, one perfect for a rumpus or family room, the other a bedroom with its own bath en suite. A garage in the back of the house offers nearly level access to the house, making it convenient for bringing in groceries and supplies.

For additional photos go to www.148wildwood.com