Let me create a comprehensive marketing plan for you! For those of you who know me, I am a very visual person. I just created this custom brochure for my clients and I can do the same for you. Spread the word!
Born To Be Cool - Mid Century Modern Home In Oakland
1949 - Joe Louis retired from boxing, Miles Davis released the Birth Of The Cool album, The Lone Ranger premiered on television and 4138 Coolidge Avenue was built in the Lincoln Heights district of Oakland. The California Zephyr launched its inaugural run and Oaklanders ate dinner at the Grotto in Jack London Square. The World War II was over and America was optimistic! Join me to celebrate this cool mid century modern home. Buy a piece of classic Americana. More photos atwww.4138CoolidgeAve.com.
Answers To Your Questions Regarding Trusts
The following information was provided by Old Republic Title Co. Thanks! 
Pride of Ownership - For Sale
This secluded country house in Montclair was my favorite home from last week's Broker's Tour. I am featuring this home as I felt it had a reasonable price, great upgrades and real charm. This home is offered at $629,000 by John and Judith of GrubbCo. The improvements include structural upgrades, gourmet kitchen with professional grade appliances and a master bedroom suite. Built in 1937, I really enjoyed the tasteful overhaul that enhanced this home and its era. (I also love the matchstick hardwood flooring in the hallway. Matchstick hardwood floors are narrow strips of hardwood - about half the width of conventional hardwood floors.) The best thing about this home, the improvements were carefully planned for the owners enjoyment.
Do You Qualify For The $8000 Tax Credit For Home Buyers?
Oakland Oozing With Possibilities
When I was 16 years old I worked at Emporium-Capwell's in Downtown Oakland. This department store was on Broadway in what is now Sears. As I was growing up I remember Oakland and its thriving retail business. We had I. Magnin's, Joseph Magnin's, Liberty House, Little Daisy and more.
These businesses are gone, but the beautiful buildings remain. I yearn for healthy downtown. I would love Oakland to model after Pasadena, California. Their shops, department stores and restaurants are on a main street, not in a mall.
Look at the buildings, you can't deny Oakland's beauty.
Eichler Anyone? Iconic Mid-Century Home In The Oakland Hills
Real estate developer Joseph Eichler was instrumental in bringing Mid-Century Modern architecture to subdivisions in California. The Sequoyah Hills district of Oakland, is a quiet neighborhood in the East Oakland Hills that boasts 40-50 Eichler homes. 8050 Phaeton is a 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom Eichler currently listed for $798,000 by Hiedi Slocomb of APR. This home includes an atrium with a succulent garden, Eichler's signature radiant heating and a remodeled kitchen . If you like Eichler's, San Mateo is having an Eichler tour this month, click here for more details.
Exploring Oakland, California
The other day as I drove through Oakland on Broker's Tour, (A tour of the latest listings for Realtors) I decided to drive from Montclair to the Elmwood District of Oakland via Grizzly Peak. I drove up Shepherd Canyon to Skyline Blvd. and turned left. (Skyline turns into Grizzly Peak.) Here I actually stopped my car to soak in the beautiful views you can only find from the Oakland-Berkeley area. I love the turquoise blue water and the outline of Lake Merritt. Grizzly Peak will then take you to Claremont Avenue, and on Claremont you will drive through lush foliage and trees to get to Domingo Street and the Claremont Hotel. Get lost in Oakland
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The lush trees on Claremont Avenue in Oakland, photo by Deidre
Grand Opening of New Oakland Winery!
Stage Left Cellars Opening and Wine Tasting
This Saturday, April 4th, from 11:00- 5:00 pm Owners Melinda and Rich Doty of Left Stage Cellars will be having their grand opening in their new space at 2102 Dennison St., in Oakland. (Click here for a map) Come see this new Oakland business and see 13 original works of art by Oakland artist, Scott Courtenay-Smith. (Click here for Scott's website) It's at the 23rd Avenue exit from 880 South, in a cool little industrial park. Support Oaklanders who are making Oakland a great place to work, live and thrive!
Oakland Fraud Alert
Last evening a person called me and said they were calling on behalf of the Oakland Police Officer's Association and they asked me if I wanted to donate to the organization. In light of the recent shootings and deaths of four Oakland Police Officers, you may want to contribute money to the families who just lost their loved ones, but be AWARE the OPOA does not solicit donations over the phone. This is a scam! I called the President of the Oakland Police Officer's Association and he confirmed this. Please pass this information on.
Beautiful until the last petal drops!
Take a second out of your busy day and enjoy the delicate tulip-like flowers that appear in late winter, early spring.
Mortgage Interest Over Time
Are you curious about interest rates? Here is a chart showing interest rates over the past 37 years.
Found It! Franciscan Starburst Tiles From the 1950's
Gladding, McBean & Co., began production of Franciscan dinnerware in 1934 at their plant in Glendale, California. Gladding, McBean & Co. formed in 1875 to produce sewer tile for the then expanding American West. Over the years they acquired several regional potteries and expanded their product lines several times to include roof tile, decorative art tiles, garden pottery, and art pottery. Franciscan introduced their Fine China line in 1942. The Eclipse "American Modern" shaped patterns of 1954 included Starburst. Starburst would prove a radical departure from prior tradition and used an irregular shape and abstract radiant stars resulting in a very modern earthenware pattern. Today it is collected as some of the best design work from the Modern 1950's. When googling Franciscan Starburst dinnerware which is out of production but is available through companies such as Replacements.com. Last week I was able to spy Franciscan Starburst tiles in the master bathroom of 716 Blair Avenue in Piedmont. (A small well manicured city that neighbors Oakland. 716 Blair is listed by Dee Knowland of Pacific Union Listed at $1,395,000.) 716 Blair Ave is a mid century ranch home complete with a courtyard patio, original 1950's bathrooms and front door with starburst door hardware.
Home Sales Statistics in Oakland and Berkeley
I thought I would pull some statistics for Berkeley and select zip codes in Oakland. ( 94609,94610,94611,94602,94618,94619 - areas of Oakland that buyers seek out.) To see what our real estate marketplace is doing over the past year. The graphs for Oakland include all 6 zip codes combined.
Glenview Bungalow That Caught My Fancy
4039 Linwood Avenue in the Glenview district of Oakland caught my fancy last week on Broker's Tour. (This home is currently listed with Leslie Easterday of Pacific Union. Listed at $695,000) When you are purchasing a home you either want one of two things: You want the purchase price to include finish work that suits your style and sensibility or you want the purchase price to reflect that it is in need a cosmetic face lift to suit your needs.
This house on Linwood was pristine, great light, warm hardwoods and original details such as the original hearth tile and built-in shelving. The lot is a small, but the raised garden beds really appealed the gardener in me. Additionally the Glenview district is a very walkable neighborhood with great restaurants. A Cote, (The very popular Rockridge eatery) is in the process of opening a sister restaurant in the Glenview on Park Blvd. This restaurant will feature Pan American food highlighting food from Argentina, Cuba and Mexico.
Mid Century Modern Home in Montclair Hills, Oakland - Yum!
39 Kimberley Court in the Piedmont Pines area of Montclair was my favorite house from last Thursday's Broker's Tour. I loved the living room with the stacked flagstone fireplace, walls of glass with the unobstructed views! This home is listed with Helen Nicholas of APR. Thanks Helen! List price is $949,000
Hidden Trails to Montclair Village, (Oakland, CA)
The Montclair district of Oakland is a distinct area comprised of an eclectic array of architectural within mountainous landscaping full of eucalyptus, oak, pine and redwood trees. I love the hidden passages that lead to Montclair Village, the retail area of this community.
Dreamy 1941 Laurel Heights (Oakland) Traditional
4145 Eastlake Avenue is my favorite house from Monday's Broker's Tour. (Broker's Tour is a scheduled tour of homes open to Realtors.) Eastlake Avenue located on the border of Laurel Heights and Redwood Heights is one of my favorite streets. This street features views, a cul de sac and is a tucked away street off of the beaten path. This house has random plank hardwood floors in the living room, views, rounded corners, (a feature seen in the 1930's and 1940's) an eat-in kitchen and a large downstairs which includes a living area, an extra bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. The master bedroom upstairs has a small balcony, a great place to catch a few rays of sun and glimpse Downtown Oakland and the Bay. This property shows pride of ownership, is super clean, appears to be well maintained and is move-in ready. Homes are rarely for sale on this street making this a property to see. This house is currently listed with Vicky Faulk of Coldwell Banker for $725,000, Thanks Vicky!
Crocker Highlands House in Oakland In Need of New Owner
570 Santa Ray in the Crocker Highlands District of Oakland is new to the market and oozing with potential. This property is listed by my colleague, Julia Temple at Red Oak Realty and is a bank owned traditional listed at $599,900. This home has fantastic light, huge rooms, original details, loads of charm and handsome woodwork. This house looks in need of work, but there is no doubt this could be a masterpiece, with a superb location. Last Saturday I took some clients out to preview this home and I was asked what this property would be worth in today's market once all the work necessary was done. I just did a little research and looked at properties that have sold in Crocker Highlands with at least 1800 square feet since September 2008 until now. (Keep in mind there were a few properties that were fixers, as well as stunning gems.) The average listing price was $948,349 and the average selling price was $927,705. I can't wait to see what this home ultimately sells for and what the new buyers decide to do to this property!
