RECENT BLOG POSTS
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Ventured to an unfamiliar part of San Francisco today to participate in the first San Francisco Active Rain Camp. Approximately 400 agents and real estate affiliates turned out, armed with laptops and smart phones, to hear the latest technology tips and tricks from the digeratii! Even though I've...
12/02/2009
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This has been an unusual year for our local East Bay real estate market for a number of reasons. The most-talked about, of course, are reductions in prices from the peak a couple years ago, the reduced inventory from what we consider the norm, and the existence of distressed properties in our Ber...
12/02/2009
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Since August there's been a tangible sense that the market was getting stronger, and not just in the immediate Berkeley area. Buyers who had the financial means to buy decided, finally, to get off the fence. Properties that had been sitting for some time went into contract as a result. We also be...
11/20/2009
Today I heard yet another story that sent chills down my spine! Like the previous story heard about a week ago, this one involved an El Cerrito property that had recently sold. The new owners had taken out permits for some work that they wished to do on their new home. When the job, a small one i...
11/18/2009
Nov 9th, 2009 As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed new legislation that both extended the tax credit for First-time buyers, and expanded the program to allow some current homeowners to participate, if t...
11/18/2009
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On Tuesday RE BarCamp San Francisco emerged within the walls of Trulia in SOMA. I was a newby, and I'll certainly be back! Any of you who hesitated to go this year for whatever reason . . . just go next year! What's not to enjoy? Lots of smart, motivated agents as well as others who contribute to...
08/10/2009
I recently was on the listing side of two wonderful, "very Berkeley" Arts & Crafts homes in North Berkeley. Neither of them had classic floor plans, but both had tremendous amounts of original wood and exceptional period details, multiple fireplaces, updated kitchens and larger than normal lot s...
07/11/2009
Ask my high-end buyers -- those who plan to spend more than $1.2M on their home purchase -- and they will undoubtedly comment about two problems, both of which have gotten only worse as the year has progressed. 1. Limited inventory. Berkeley's residential inventory has been roughly half of what e...
07/09/2009
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As I read the newly released information from Zillow about property values I was once again reminded how crucial it is to be precise about what area you refer to when speaking about value trends. We start with: "California one of three states with largest losses in property values." Then we go t...
05/06/2008
A month ago we had a jaw-dropping example of over-bidding in what the mass media still describes as a “buyers’ market.” A two-bedroom, one-bath home in the desirable, hip Oakland neighborhood called Rockridge, listed for $799K had received 17 offers. It sold this week for $930K, 16% over list...
04/27/2008
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Arlene Baxter
Listing/Buying agent, Historic to Green, 2012 REALTOR of the Year, Berkeley Association Berkeley CA & environs
Real Estate Resources
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!