Carol Brown - Berkeley Real Estate

1402 Dwight Way, Berkeley

Carol Brown — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:38:11 +0000

QUINTESSENTIAL CRAFTSMAN BUNGALOW Located in Berkeley’s “left bank” just two blocks from the hip, new Digs Bistro and Breads of India and ten blocks from the North berkeley BART station, this well-maintained bungalow offers both convenience and the charm of vintage craftsman architecture. Outside decorative ridge beams and multi-pane windows set the tone. A covered front porch the entire width of the house leads to the front door. Inside a formal entry opens to a living room with a charming, hand-crafted fireplace. Next to this sits a sunny dining room with vintage built-ins. A hallway leads to two bedrooms and a bath, providing a nice separtion of space from the common rooms. Behind the dining room a sunny, eat-in kitchen leads to a grassy back garden with a flagstone patio, garden shed and vegetable patch. Well-maintained by its current owners, this lovely home has a new sewer lateral, seismic retrofitting, and new attic insulation.

21 Park Way, Piedmont

Carol Brown — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:12:18 +0000

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

Unlock the potential of this spacious craftsman, ideally loacted on a tree-lined street in Central Piedmont. Across the street, Dracena Park beckons with its new playground, dog walking trails and picnic glades. Schools, the shops and restaurants of Piedmont Avenue and public transportation are also conveniently nearby. With vintage details like decorative eave beams, dormer windows, a cupola and a corner tower, this home echoes another era. Inside a formal living room, parlor and dining room offer plenty of space for comfortable living. Also on the main floor are an eat-in kitchen, a sitting area under the cupola, a solarium and a spacious master suite. The master bedroom opens to a deck overlooking the back garden. A soaking tub in the master bath features the same garden overlook, a relaxing alternative to the mater bath’s steam shower. Upstairs are three generous bedrooms with dormer windows and a tiled bathroom. Downstairs features a rumpus room, an office, a full bath, and access to the garden in back.

September 2008, Guidelines for Buying in Today’s Market

Carol Brown — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:48:54 +0000

The news about real estate these days seems perpetually gloomy. And it doeesn’t seem to be getting any better. But here in the East Bay hills, as well as many other neighborhoods, it doesn’t look that bad. Here, houses are selling. About 50% of the sales on our board have multiple offers. And we are seeing lots of buyers at open houses. So why the disconnect? The across the board number reported in the media don’t reflect the reality of markets in individual areas and neighborhoods.

No one knows how long this downturn will last. But if you want to buy, you want to find the most stable neighborhood you can, to minimize your risk. Here are five things to look for:

1. Does the supply of homes in a neighborhood outstrip the demand? Some areas like Phoenix and Sacramento have been on a building binge. Other simply have more sellers than buyers. That leaves a lot of houses on the market that don’t sell. When that happens prices do down and it can take some time before the oversupply is absorbed.

2. Look for neighborhoods with good schools, even if you don’t have children. Families with children are a large part of the home buying market. And, of course, they want good schools. For API rankings of California schools go to

3. Many buyers today forsake size for the convenience of being close to grocery stores, shops, and the cultural activities of a city, so look for areas where urban amenities are available.

4. Avoid neighborhoods with a lot of foreclosures. Banks, who own foreclosed homes, usually just want to get rid of them for whatever price they can get. This undercuts prices throughout the neighborhood. With a lot of foreclosed homes in a neighborhood prices may stay depressed for awhile.

5. Location, location, location. Don’t forget that home buying is a street-by-street exercise, particularly in a weak market. Some areas and even blocks are simply considered more desirable than others.

[Note: Sales figures below include third quarter sales in all of Piedmont, north Oakland zip codes 94602, 94609, 94610, 94611, 94618, 94619 and 94705 and in Berkeley above San Pablo Avenue.]

“Carol had a wealth of information and referrals…”

Carol Brown — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 01:02:41 +0000

“We called Carol months before we planned to list our home for sale, because we knew we needed to make some repairs and improvements. She had a wealth of information and referrals to help us define the scope of work and finish the project. In the end, the house sold within a week of its first open with multiple offers, for well over asking price. We know we got our money’s worth from Carol and we had a lot of fun!”

Q3 2007 Update

Carol Brown — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:17:52 +0000

The News: Number of closed deals, number of listings, prices up or down. Any hot spots in market. More condos. Narrative news. Single family residences, etc. Comments, news, pockets of g. Some properties sell quickly w/multiples, some great props get missed. Great buy now may shifted somewhat. As cost of building matls gone up, harder to renovate. Some people shifting to buying houses already renovated.

What is happening with lending rates.

You were patient, professional, and dedicated

Carol Brown — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:52:32 +0000

“Thank you again for assisting us in the purchase of our home. Being new to the Bay Area and first time homeowners, we had a lot to learn about the housing market and the process of buying property. You were with us every step of the way to educate, inform, and consult. You were patient, professional, and dedicated. We found the home that we love and are so grateful for your help!”

I especially appreciated your keeping me informed on a daily basis

Carol Brown — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:51:30 +0000

“Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your excellent professional assistance. You went above and beyond the call of duty. I valued your expertise in advertising and marketing. I especially appreciated you keeping me informed on a daily basis. Thank you very much for all you did for me. I am forever grateful to you and feel very fortunate to have had you assisting me through this process. You made it seem easy.”

We could not have asked for a smoother selling experience

Carol Brown — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:50:26 +0000

“We wanted to thank you again for all your help. You listened to what we wanted and valued our ideas. Your professionalism made us feel comfortable from beginning to end. We could not have asked for a smoother selling experience.”

Your marketing efforts worked so well it was over in a flash

Carol Brown — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:49:43 +0000

“When we met you, Judy and I had no clear idea of the process. You took the time to explain things fully and let us make our choices. You worked hard to understand the special qualities of our particular house. You were clear about the state of the real estate market and realistic about pricing. Your marketing efforts worked so well and the open house got such good response that it was over in a flash. That was such a psychological relief for us. So thanks again for everything—you truly are the Wonder Woman of Montclair.”

1415 Sacramento Street, Berkeley

Carol Brown — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 02:10:29 +0000

URBAN OASIS Just blocks from the Monterey Market and North Berkeley BART Station, this charming Dutch Colonial offers an oasis of charm and good taste in easy proximity to some of Berkely’s best urban amenities. Features include a Carrera marble chef’s kitchen with Bosch and Fischer & Paykel stainless appliances, three bedrooms and a bath all on one level, a plus room with a half bath to use as a guest room or office, and gleaming hardwood floors. The dining alcove opens to a private, sunny garden with a charming Dutch Colonial tool shed.