What's Going On Out There

This chart shows Montclair market data from the first quarter of 1997 through the second quarter of 2011.  As you can see, sales and selling prices are trending down. As I was writing this blog post, I got word that my favorite property from last Thursday's Broker's Tour went pending in less than a week.  A cool mid century home on Saroni was built in 1950 and and renovated  to tug on the heart strings of any mid-century modern purist.  Click here to view the project. This home was in pristine condition, was tastefully renovated to enhance the property, (no Home Depot cookie cutter finishes here), is level and has a sunny backyard.  Additionally it was priced correctly, hence it is under contract.

Click on the link to view a cool video of the  Montclair district of Oakland.

 

Broker's Tour Find in Montclair, Oakland

Sometimes a house is just a house, you know, walls, floors, roof, etc...  Other times a house moves people.  6492 Ascot Drive moves me!  It was my favorite house on Broker's Tour this week.  Classic mid-century modernist design for the purist who relish preserved original  features.  This house appears to have original green slate floors, original floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors and huge open spaces.  The chrome vintage Frigidaire oven is a piece of art, the original built-in cabinetry in the entry makes organization easy and the rumpus room downstairs gives this house great separation of space.  Frankly, I want to sell this house to a buyer, so I can come back and visit.

This house is so much more that the mere details that I mentioned above.  It is also about the light, the privacy and the feeling that this house gives once you greet it.  The cantilever design of the house that Realtors, Linda Elkin and Art White from Red Oak Realty call quietude reminds me of the celebrated Dave Brubeck's home.

Photos below are courtesy of Scott Hargis.  6492 Ascot Drive is listed for $675,000, has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, circa 1963.

6492_Ascot_EXT
6492_Ascot_EXT
6492_Ascot_DECK
6492_Ascot_DECK
6492_Ascot_DR_LR
6492_Ascot_DR_LR
6492_Ascot_MBR
6492_Ascot_MBR
ascot living
ascot living
patio
patio

New Listing in Montclair

 

Can I plug my newest listing?  www.1895Manzanita.com This house is perfect for the buyer who wants SPACE, 3409 square feet of space.  There is also Golden Gate, Bay Bridge and South Bay views from almost every room.  The rooms do say, "I was built in the 1970's"  but the lay-out is supreme.  Some TLC is needed, but this house is totally move-in ready!  Oh, did I tell you the price? $699,000!

Thanks for reading!  - Deidre

1895 Manzanita
1895 Manzanita

Mid Century Modern Home In The Oakland Hills!

Imagine a mid-century home from a classic American  movie.  You know the house with high style, walls of glass, views and Doris Day inside.  Roger Lee was an architect who designed high style for the middle class.  Creating over 100 exquisite homes, Roger Lee is one of the forgotten mid century modernist.  Five Krohn (in Montclair) created from the dreams of Roger Lee  just went pending.  One lucky Oakland home buyer will scoop up a great place to call home and a piece of art.  (5 Krohn is listed with Christie Seeley of  Pacific Realty) maxebrdi40404742b1maxebrdi404047421maxebrdi40404742g1maxebrdi40404742a1

The best of everything! Mid-Century Home on the Piedmont Side Of Montclair, Oakland

Yesterday as I compiled the homes to view that were open on broker's tour, I was urged by a colleague to put 45 Lane Court on my list. (This home is currently listed with Nancy Rothman of Pacific Union.)  My colleague had heard that this property was a piece of art, and boy the rumors were right!   Set back from the street, this house immediately grabbed my heart, as I spotted the copper garage door perfectly patina-ed.  This home has the vault ceiling and floor to ceiling windows that mid-century modern homes boast, but it has artistic and modern enhancements that are breath-taking.  The master bathroom has a stainless steel soaking tub and steam room,  the downstairs family-rumpus room has a custom kitchen for seamless entertaining and every aspect of this home looks as if it has been enhanced or over-hauled to pristine perfection.  (really!)  For enthusiast like myself I notice the details,  the silky smooth walls, the clean hinges and door hardware, the custom scones to showcase the stunning artwork,  the solid Douglas fir doors, and I could go on and on.   This was my favorite Oakland property of today's broker's tour.  (By the way, this property is blocks to Montclair Village, making it a great walking neighborhood in Oakland.) Here are a few photos to drool over.