Comments on: The Battle Rages: Prices Down in El Cerrito?

By: mike

mike — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 06:05:22 +0000

Okay, call me a Berkeley snob, but what is it that y’all think is so great about El Cerrito that justifies prices at these levels? The schools are terrible. It’s the foggiest/coldest spot in the entire East Bay. Its retail district is shoddy and pedestrian unfriendly. The level of public services provided by the city is nothing special. If it’s “one of Contra Costa’s most desirable cities,” where does that leave Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Walnut Creek — towns that should never even be mentioned in the same breath as El Cerrito? Sure, it’s reasonably safe, and has good BART access to SF … just like San Leandro and Pleasant Hill, communities that are much less expensive. Please help me out here; what is it that is so special about El Cerrito?

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By: Janis Mara

Janis Mara — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:35:29 +0000

Yes, you are right, kaydee, thanks so much! I’ll make that change right away. Say, do you live in El Cerrito, or are you house-shopping there? I’d be interested in your impressions of the market. To be honest, I’d love to live there myself!

By: Kaydee

Kaydee — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:55:38 +0000

Janis: I think you meant Red Oak agent with the listing, not Redfin agent …. ?? Not sure.

By: Janis Mara

Janis Mara — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:08:06 +0000

Update: I stopped at the house and it’s really a charmer! The kitchen seemed fine to me; there’s even enough room for a little cafe-style table for one. The listing agent was on hand and confirmed that $8,000 worth of work needs to be done because of termites. That’s the extent of it. Foundation is fine and roof is eight years old, which is good news. Apparently there’s some other non-monetary disclosures that should really be taken up with the agent.

By: Janis Mara

Janis Mara — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:26:05 +0000

Yvette! You are a pal! Guess what: I wasn’t able to reach the Redfin agent whose name appears with the listing, but I reached another agent at his office and that agent blew me off when I asked about the disclosures. (To be fair, he probably wasn’t familiar with the property.) I really appreciate the inside info, because I was totally charmed with the little place and excited that it’s close to BART.

But 700 sq ft is a little too little and the more than $10 worth of repairs, ack! I’ll report back after I visit today. Again, u r the best, thankx.

By: Yvette

Yvette — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:54:33 +0000

If you stop by Everett, ask for the disclosures. A week or two ago I overheard the agent speaking to someone about this, and once the math reached over $10k, I stopped listening. The kitchen is incredibly small (turn left, you’re at the sink- turn right, you’re at the stove) and I’m suspicious that the seller isn’t posting the sq. ft (700 sq ft?).