A total of 23 homes were recorded has having sold over the past three weeks in Berkeley. The tables below are for the weeks beginning the 9th, 16th and 23rd of March. Of note is 2008 Francisco Street (pictured right) which sold for $706,000, 9% above its asking price of $650,000. This had the effect… Read More
Over the course of the next 6 weeks, I will be bringing you a list of farmers’ markets by county. Why? Because it is important to support local farmers, it is important to eat locally, and your health can only be improved by being out in the fresh air, walking the booths, and buying only… Read More
Oakland is a sprawling urban center with a population of over 400,000 making it the largest of the East Bay cities and coming in 8th on California’s list of most populous cities. It is also considered one of the country’s most diverse cities in terms of ethnic, cultural and racial demographics (over 100 languages are spoken here). While… Read More
I don’t use the word “bargain” lightly. Far be it for me to declare that a particular home offers extraordinary value for money — particularly as I may not have even visited said home, and I am certainly unlikely to have dug deep into its potential dark secrets, as one hopes would be revealed by… Read More
In my last post I listed some bargain basement properties in Oakland. While those ranged from $129,000 to $360,000 today I’m highlighting some of the lowest-priced Oakland residences I could find on the MLS. All of these homes are in East Oakland, with the exception of 921 Pine St. which is in West Oakland. Since both East and West… Read More
I thought I would write about a few properties I have seen recently that strike me as either extremely overpriced or possibly even underpriced (if there is such a thing in this market). 301 Rhode Island St #B-17 in Potrero Hill $989k (reduced from $1.039M). I thought this loft was really overpriced at its original… Read More
…As well you know if you know your Petula Clark. The question is whether a visit to downtown Berkeley allows you to “forget all your troubles” and “…listen to the music of the traffic in the city, Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty”. Perhaps not now, but give it a few… Read More
No, I’m not talking about Podunk, North Dakota or a special government-financed low-income housing unit. This is a real 900 square foot condo with 2 bedrooms in West Oakland. Now I am not familiar with this particular neighborhood (near 28th and Market), but if it is even somewhat reasonable (i.e. safe, up-and-coming, near transport, etc.),… Read More
If you want to score a bargain in the Bay Area, Oakland might be one of your best bets. Not only are prices ebbing to levels not seen in 10 years, but with Oakland you have a centrally located urban hub. With BART, AC Transit and access to 880, 580, 13 and 24, living in… Read More
I don’t know anyone who’s thrilled with the news that Cody’s bookstore is moving from Fourth Street (above) to Shattuck Avenue. Why? Because however much talk there is of the rejuvenation of downtown Berkeley, a visit to the area, particularly in the daytime, is never that pleasant an experience. Cody’s’ hand has been forced by… Read More