Price Reduction on my Landmark Listing: the Berkeley Rose Walk Complex - 03/31/10 02:25 AM
I enjoyed showing the staged, vacant unit today of my gorgeous listing, the Rose Walk Complex. For residents of Berkeley, California, this is a truly iconic property, and whenever I show this property it's a real pleasure as visitors are always so impressed with the quality of design and construction. Few properties capture the architectural heritage and scenic beauty of Berkeley as wonderfully as Rose Walk and its adjoining properties. It is a real pleasure to represent the nine units that grace the north edge of the Walk which was designed by pre-eminent Berkeley architect Bernard Maybeck. The four two-story duplexes and … (0 comments)

Kensington, CA: a great community to call home! - 03/28/10 01:19 AM
As you drive north on the Arlington (past my house!) you will come around a curve and suddenly you're in a different village. In fact, you've also crossed into a different county, from Alameda in Contra Costa. And you've also crossed from a City with a very bureaucratic city government, to a town run by a community council. A strong sense of community pride blends here with great views and an abundance of trees to create a tranquil place to call home.
 
This is Kensington, CA, named after the London borough of South Kensington, the home of one of the original … (2 comments)

There's gold indeed for California Real Estate: new tax credits for buyers signed into law - 03/27/10 01:20 AM
A piece of legislation was just signed that should be a tremendous incentive for home buyers in California to take action, and soon! AB132 provides $200 million for home buyer tax credits, dividing the money equally between purchasers of new (previously unoccupied) homes, and first-time buyers of existing construction. Beginning with purchases closing escrow on or after May 1 until the end of 2010, eligible purchasers of a personal residence will be able to take a tax credit equal to the lesser of 5% of the purchase price or $10,000, whichever is lower, in equal installments over three consecutive years. A … (0 comments)

If only I'd had the entrepreneurial spirit: I would have developed my Latté Factor! - 03/23/10 01:23 AM
In my post from a couple days ago I discussed the frustration of buyers who want a spacious North Berkeley home, ideally with a high Walkscore. I regret that I didn't patent what I use to call the "Latté Factor." It was my way of telling clients unfamiliar with our area where they would find a section of town with lots going on. It was the same idea as Walkscore, only with caffeine as the indicator for how many amenities, and how much buzz an area had. I used to describe Solano Avenue in North Berkeley as being either a single … (5 comments)

As Spring begins, so does the North Berkeley Real Estate Market - 03/21/10 11:56 PM
For the past week in Berkeley, CA we've had gorgeous spring weather. Starting with the narcissus, we've had a progression of beautiful things in bloom: camellias, magnolias, daffodils, freesias and now tulips, cyclamen and a deep blue California native ceanothus. It's thrilling to hear the buzz of bees gorging themselves on pollen as they move through the blue blossoms.

And as our gardens have come fully into flower, so is our real estate market emerging. Unlike so many other parts of the country where the phrase "glut of inventory" defines their condition, we have had many months of very few … (1 comments)

Preview of the new Residential Purchase Agreement for California - 03/03/10 11:17 PM
It's been quite a few years since I was given a seat assignment for a class, and a #2 pencil for the exam. But so it was as 75 of my East Bay colleagues and I filled the Berkeley Assoc. of REALTORS® conference room to be lead through the details of the new RPA which will debut on April 20th. This Berkeley class was the first in the State to be offered, and we were fortunate to have Gov Hutchinson, Assistant General Counsel for CAR, as our instructor.
Some of the changes are primarily changes in format, though some of those … (1 comments)

 
Arlene Rainmaker_large

Arlene Baxter, Berkeley CA & environs, Listing/Buying agent, Historic to Green

2012 REALTOR of the Year, Berkeley Association

Berkeley, CA

More about me…

Red Oak Realty

Address: @GreenBungalows on Twitter, Berkeley, CA, 94707

Cell Phone: (510) 717-1799

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Arlene Baxter's musings on the state of real estate in Berkeley, CA and its neighboring communities, and the joys and pleasures of this area that inspire so many fine folks to want to live here. In-depth East Bay real estate market updates, restaurant reviews, architectural appreciation and garden gandering!


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