Berkeley Homes Buck the Trend and Sell for Over Asking

There were 10 homes recorded as sold for the week ending June 1, as the table below shows. (I would like to have brought you the previous week’s list too, but SFGate has duplicated its May 18 listings for last week so I can’t.)

There’s something odd about the sales price for 2525 Ashby. This address was listed as having sold last September for $1,175,000 — I noted at the time the unusually low $284/sq ft cost. I can only assume the property is split into condos one of which has just been sold off.

But the real news is that homes are selling for significantly over their asking prices — not something you would expect in the current climate.

2600 Grant Street, 4/1 bank-owned fixer with original features and “huge” backyard, went for 18% over its $584,900 asking price (still a reasonable $300/sq ft, though).

1094 Cragmont Avenue (right) also went for a good deal over its asking price. This good-looking 2/2 Mediterranean in north Berkeley was priced at $799,000 and sold for 13% more at $905,000. That’s a steep $792/sq ft and it is only two bedrooms. The 6,750 sq ft lot size and location presumably counted for something.

2319 Edwards Street, described as a perfect 2/1 starter home on a quiet street with detached studio, was priced for $499,000 and sold for 9% more at $546,000.

And, finally, 1525 Carleton Street, a 3/1.5, 1,128 sq ft home with a remodeled kitchen, “deep” yard and formal dining room and half basement/workshop, listed for $579,000 ($471/sq ft) in March and sold for 10% more at $635,000.

Very interesting — I think it’s because there is still a steady flow of demand for good homes in Berkeley and sellers are setting realistic, you could say strategic, prices.

By the way, a good complement to the SFGate data is a tailored Redfin search — you can find information on all homes sold in Berkeley over the past three months by checking only the “Sales Record” icon. Then check “List Only” under the “Map Settings” dropdown and you will have a beautiful, clear list of homes sold with vital stats and prices.