Nicole's Blog

Dwell Magazine Modern

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:09:37 -0500

This Crocker Highland home has been remade in the shape of Dwell Magazine and Metropolitan Home.

It’s a craftsman traditional on the outside, with some interesting pops of color, but inside the home is sleek, modern and eclectic.

The clients have an amazing sense of color. Bright orange, turquoise and red, combined with metals like copper and silver give the home a warm feel, despite sharp corners. What wraps you up are details like dangly, antique light fixtures, juxtaposed with bright color and lovely materials.

This home is not on the MLS, but is available through The GRUBB Company, by appointment.

All New Construction in Central Rockridge

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:07:36 -0500

All New Construction in Central Rockridge

Don't miss this very rare opportunity! This just-completed home, with Craftsman styling on the outside and modern design on the inside, features top-of-the-line fixtures and high-efficiency systems. Located in one of the most coveted Bay Area communities, the home is only one and one-half blocks from College Avenue, with shops, restaurants and BART, close by.

• Architectural, light-filled design which features high ceilings, modern open floorplan, tall glass-paneled doors and custom windows

• Green amenities include electric solar panels, end-grain wood flooring, tankless water heater, extra insulation, two high-efficiency furnaces and composite countertops

• Spacious master bedroom suite with hill views and exquisite spa-like bath including timed radiant floor heating, automatic skylight and steam shower

• Extra-large eat-in kitchen features the lastest deluxe energy-efficient European appliances, expansive counterspace and pantry storage

• Artesan-quality tilework - custom lighting - upstairs laundry room - large closets and storage

• Colorful drought resistant landscaping with automatic irrigation system in front and back gardens adding year-round beauty

• Near BART, freeways, UC, regional parks and the exciting shops and restaurants on College, Claremont and Piedmont Avenues

Updated Piedmont Traditional Home

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:05:05 -0500

Updated Piedmont Traditional

Delicious is how I’d describe this Piedmont Traditional. Located on one of the most coveted streets in all of Piedmont, this home is luxe, as only a fashion Diva understands luxe!

Details like rich, luxurious materials, animal print rugs, silver leaf ceilings, nature stencils, and the mix of high and low, with smidgen of kitsch, create a warm family feel. The kitchen is open, over-sized, light and lovely!

But the piece de resistance, is a dressing room designed for a Diva. With a shoe wall, separate built in closets, even a mannequin to display your favorite couture.

This home is not on the MLS but is available through The GRUBB Company, by appointment.

Just Listed~~GreenCity Lofts! Junior One-Bedroom $199,000

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:00:51 -0500

Celebrated Green Multi-Family Housing Development
Studio Unit $199,000

Green building features radiant heating
No VOC paints
Recycled building materials
FSC Certified wood
Secure Entry

Green Certified Homes~~What are they worth?

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:55:32 -0500

Like any early adapter, people are paying more for their Green Certified homes than your average run of the mill resale home. The new gadgets, like solar panels and underground catchments for rain water storage just cost more because they aren't part of "regular" homes.

Think about the I-Phone. People that waited in line for their new phone at around $400, when only three months later it was reduced to $300, without fanfare. As an early adopter in green home technology, the sooner we all embrace living "greener," the sooner pricing will come in line.

I work closely with a builder, Chris Avant, Canyon Construction, who has recently completed two LEED Platinum remodels, one here in Oakland, and the other in Moraga, where his corporate office is housed. Avant worked with the founder of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,) David Gottfried and his wife Sara to create one of the greenest homes in America, right here in Rockridge. David and Sara wanted to capture their greywater in order to re-use it for landscape watering, they installed solar panels and even created a home office for David in the backyard to make their green home a reality, they had to downsize and learned even more about the value of good design.

David and Sara have the resources to showcase their environmental stewardship in their home, but what about other people? More and more, Green Building is quality building, using the most durable materials, that won't have to be replaced, having the most energy efficient appliances and sealing up a home against the effects of weather, keeping cold air out, and warm air in. Green homes are healthy homes, places where indoor air quality is not adversely effected by inexpensive (smelly) carpets or noxious paint fumes.

The past of Green Home Design in California, has been predominately taken on by the wealthy, and it is a thrill to see it filtering down to ordinary folk.

Wondering about the resale value of your green improvements?

In Seattle, Washington where existing data for green home resale value has been tracked for 2008, on average the green single family home was 16.7% of total sales. The green home was 25% smaller and sold for 4% higher value in 18% less time... but the catch here is that dollars per square foot, the green home outperformed the non-green home by 37% in dollars per square foot. Now that is something to consider!

Green City Lofts Junior One Bedroom Coming Soon!

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:19:31 -0500

Green Building practices promote construction of buildings that are healthier for the occupants and healthier for the environment. The policy of GreenCity Lofts, LLC is to establish sustainability as a priority and further demonstrate our commitment to the environment.

Sustainable or “green” building practices can reduce the tremendous impact that building design, construction and maintenance has on both people and nature. According to the U.S. Department of Energy's Center for Sustainable Development, buildings consume 40% of the world's total energy, 25% of its wood harvest and 16% of its water. Energy and material consumption in buildings can contribute significantly to global climate change.

Sustainable building practices go beyond energy and water conservation to incorporate environmentally sensitive site planning, resource efficient building materials and superior indoor environmental quality.

East Bay Leed Certified Barn Renovation, Moraga, CA

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:58:06 -0600

Long before I was in real estate and before I understood what I now consider the horrible loss of ancient buildings, I have dreamed of renovating an old barn for my home.

My idea was an open living space with a stone hearth built into the center of it. Unstructured rooms would mean that the kitchen flowed into the family/dining room and the bedrooms I had planned, would be in lofts on either end of the building, joined by long halls that connected the lofts on each side, overlooking the living space. Lining the halls I planned built in bookshelves and a cozy chair for curling up with a good book. The loss in privacy, I calculated, would be more than be made up for with by creativity the open space would allow.

Since then, I have read about the alarming rate at which these dilapidated buildings have been struck down in favor of something new, that doesn't need retrofitting. The New York Times article I Googled today, said, "No farm, no barn," and unfortunately that seems to be the case. Where farms have made way for development, the old outbuildings have been struck from the landscape. I am still hoping to do my barn renovation, but I am crossing my fingers that there will be a barn left to renovate.

A colleague of mine Chris Avant from Canyon Construction has done just this type of renovation with the Moraga Barn, in Moraga California, built in 1914. Having the distinction of being the oldest building in Moraga, it served as a train station, an hotel and a bar. Today it is the headquarters of Canyon Construction and through the renovation it was planned and designed to achieve LEED Platinum Rating.

The Moraga Barn uses renewable energy, salvaged materials, offerers state of the art water efficiency, provides heating and cooling efficiency, and features low and no VOC products in the interior to improve indoor air quality for it's end users. With it's original footprint, The Barn looks much the same as it had when it was new, but provides another generation of users an ideal work and play space. The owner, Chris Avant, has plans to house a wine bar in the ground floor with his offices upstairs.

For more information about Canyon Construction visit their Website.

Spring Interior Paint Trends, Color Match With No VOC

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 18:01:49 -0600

I stopped into Pottery Barn today. I do like to keep track of what that behemoth is up to, as the trends radiate outward and impact everything from home staging to clothing design.

The new Benjamin Moore paint color chips are out and interestingly, the focus is on white, every shade. I love paint color names, Lychee, Frostine, Mascarpone, Vapor (one that I use a lot) and Steam. Half the deck is devoted to the new whites.

I am asking myself if this a recessionary move, to tone down those frolicking greens and blues of last spring or just trying to clear out the clutter a bit, or more to the point, the noise of the nightly news cycle and the worry that it creates. Cheer yourself with a new coat of paint and forget about Dow 6,000.

Mark's Paints at 40th and Telegraph in Oakland can color match with their Aura no VOC paint line.

Exploring The Elmwood Neighborhood of Berkeley

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 12:13:27 -0600

The Elmwood Neighborhood of Berkeley

The Elmwood is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Berkeley. Easy to find, at the major intersection of College Avenue and Ashby, or Highway 13, parking is the only problem you'll find. Drive north on College, past the main row of shops into the neighborhood a bit, and you may find street parking, but watch out for street cleaning day!

My son and I had an afternoon off on a rainy Saturday and meandered through the shops. I had never walked into The Tree House and loved the mix of products carried there. We bought Elliot another Sigg, with the hopes that this one won't roll into the storm drain like the last one.

Exploring The Elmwood District in Berkeley

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 12:11:54 -0600

The Tree House Cont.

Artisan produced, organic, and often local, they also stock world goods that employ women in South America and locations beyond.

Berkeley's Love Hate Relationship with the Fireplace

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:34:55 -0600

A Hearth is a Home

Our love of fireplaces, hearths and mantles is deep and ancient. If we have fire we can keep warm, we can make bread, we can care for our loved ones. I rarely find a home buyer that doesn't require a hearth in the living room. "Oh, I don't plan on burning wood in it, I just want it!"

Hearth and Heart both derive meaning from the Old English root hoerte, and we just don't want to move our families into a home without a heart.

So even though wood burning fireplaces are not green at all, and they are put greenhouse gasses into our air, we can't seem to live without them. Actually, I feel the same way, but love the look of lit candles at a range of heights to offer up the glow of a fire without the same carbon level. For best indoor air quality, choose unscented beeswax candles.

Pristine Piedmont Mid-Century Modern Home

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:05:21 -0600

Pristine Piedmont Mid-Century Modern

This blank canvas offers Piedmont Schools and includes a lovely sandstone, brick fireplace and impeccable original baths. Large rooms and open, family, friendly floor plan, typical of mid-century homes.

Mid-Century Architecture has enjoyed a huge resurgence, particularly with the 30-40 something crowd, but the clean, spare, unfussy, lines when furnished interestingly, appeal to anyone who looks to their home to take them away. Serene open spaces can be created with little effort.

Ideal Temescal Craftsman~~Big Price Reduction!

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:03:52 -0600

The Sellers at 391 51st Street have taken a terrific price
reduction on their home to $650,000!

Take advantage of the buyer's market to upgrade to a walking neighborhood,
near everything you love to do AND EAT!

With libraries, independent bookshops, a Local Farmer's Market, Bake-Sale Betty, Pizziola
and more, this vibrant neighborhood can keep you busy every day
of the year!

Albany 2 Bedroom Receives Great Price Reduction!

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:02:28 -0600

Great Community, Great Home!

This adorable 2 bedroom/1 bath is looking for a good owner! With a recent price reduction to $620,000 and fabulous Albany neighborhood schools, it is primed for a quick sale.

I'll be there this Sunday from 2-4:30. The address again is
817 Ramona, Albany 94706.

To schedule a viewing at an alternative time email me at nbailey@grubbco.com. More info... www.GRUBBCO.com

The Gardener on 4th Streets Let's Customers Get their Hands Dirty!

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:09:27 -0600

Berkeley's Own

The Gardener on 4th Street in Berkeley installed a new potting shed/studio.

It's purpose: arranging cut flowers, planting succulent arrangements with help from the expert staff and just getting your hands dirty. It's the Gardener way of "Social Networking" with their clients. What fun!

The Gardener has a location in the San Francisco Ferry Building and also a wonderful store in Healdsberg. You can find them on the web at www.thegardener.com

Historic Berkeley Cottages on the Market

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:07:30 -0600

Up you go!
Up the garden path to the
weather beaten wood paneled cottage.
Original Craftsman hand painted beams, in the three room home. Out of time, one could almost picture Virginia Woolfe on a visit to Berkeley, enjoying this rustic cottage.

Then back into time and down the garden path you go.

Teeny Tiny Berkeley Cottage

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:06:19 -0600

This house once held Bernard Maybeck's Packard. He designed and had it built when La Loma was still a country lane and he could drive up into the front door, which are now connecting French doors.

It is the perfect size for a pied-a-terre, a secret hideaway where you unplug your laptop and turn off your mobile phone. Be sure to bring a stack of your favorite books, your French press, Peets coffee, and your enough firewood to waste away an afternoon or two.

Sunday Open Homes in Berkeley and Oakland

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:05:04 -0600

For Sunday March 1st, 2009

I am at 6851 Aitken in Montclair, Oakland. It's supposed to be a torrential downpour, so I'm not sure who will visit, but I will be there from 2-4:30pm.

Happy house hunting in the rain! Just for fun check out the Maybeck cottage at 1471 La Loma. This space was originally designed by Bernard Maybeck to house his Packard, back when La Loma was a country lane. Also up 100 and something steps is a cottage way up on Panoramic, above the UC Berkeley Stadium. Very interesting historically, but not much to live in! Number 10 Buckeye in Upper Rockridge and 7030 Broadway Terrace are my picks of tour for this week!

Best,

Nicole

The Grubb Company Supports Green Real Estate

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:16:39 -0600

The National Association of Realtors is (finally) Going Green!

I've been pleasantly surprised to discover that my new brokerage, The GRUBB Company promotes Green Real Estate with it's agents and clients. Our Broker, John Karney is a marine biologist by training and is well founded in the science of global warming. Coming from a scientific background, he is wary of Green-Washing and I felt myself heaving a sigh of relief when I saw the intelligence with which the topic of "Green Real Estate" has been addressed in our office.

The new Green Certification offered by NAR is a big step in the right direction for creating awareness with Realtors and I am looking forward to adding that certification to my Build it Green designation.

There has been an emphasis in green building of consumerism. Just replace that old thing with the new, new green technology. This is great when we are talking toilets and refrigerators, but I just want to point out replacement should not always be the first line in our green arsenal.

Shopping, remodeling, new foundations... none of them are as green as doing nothing, but they might be safer and more beautiful!

Being green can take a lot of research, so don't let yourself get Green-Washed!

What Are They and Why Should We Care?

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:13:28 -0600

What Are They and Why Should We Care?

There are over 87 species of wild bees in and around Berkeley. These are not even the hiving bees that we are familiar with but bees that live singly in old wood and other wild places they can find to shelter.

These bees are the workhorses of food pollination. Many people have heard of the large scale honey bee colapse but don't realize that just by planting California Native plants in their gardens they can sustain dozens of species of wild bees right here in town.

With drought conditions being what they are, planting soil appropriate, sun appropriate plants are more important than ever and will provide habitat for hummingbirds, bees, and other flying creatures.

Consult the list of hundred's of flowering plants that are attractive to bees at the UC Berkeley Website.

Have you considered Kensington?

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:11:47 -0600

Have you considered Kensington?

Kensington, located just north of Berkeley is a charming hillside community with many view homes.

With a good community school and a year round farmer's market, this neighborhood boasts pride of ownership with a small town feel.

The town center has a community bulletin board where flyers for lost dogs and tutoring get posted and neighbors keep in touch with the goings-on. The housing market has been consistent, if slightly off due to the downturn, but still, if you are looking for a walking neighborhood with a small town feel, consider Kensington.

Rainy Day Gardens

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:08:23 -0600

All this rain has me thinking about my garden.

This year I'm dreaming of huge pumpkins to sit on the front porch this fall. Crazy shapes and rich orange colors. My son carefully turning them towards the sun.

I will plant tomatoes, zucchini, hot peppers and tomotillos, lavender for the bees and honeysuckle for the hummingbirds.

Bay Friendly Gardens and UC Berkeley/urban gardens both recommend bee-friendly plants and drought tolerant California natives perfect for planting this season.

Drought Conditions Reinvigorate the Greywater Debate in Berkeley

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:05:14 -0600

Drought Conditions Reinvigorate the Greywater Debate in Berkeley

Greywater:
Waste water from lavatories, showers, baths and sinks only. This water can be stored in special equipment and may then be used to water lawns, gardens or other relatively benign non-potable uses such as groundwater recharge. Water from toilets is called black water; it must be properly drained to the sewer or septic system.

It makes so much sence to re-use the mostly clean water from hand washing in bathrooms and from the kitchen sink, but getting a working plan through the City permitting process can be tricky business. This has caused a water underground to form, that eschews the permitting process altogether, which has inadvertantly contributed to the problem of non-cooperation in the planning department. Concern over renegade greywater contamination is one of the strongest arguements against making greywater systems simple and widely available to average consumers. If you get the chance, tell your city councel person that you are in favor of greywater and you vote!

Safety tips for using greywater:
1. Use greywater from bathroom sinks, tubs, showers, and washing machines and avoid greywater from kitchen sinks, dishwashers, and toilets.

2. Don't use liquid fabric softener or harsh detergents. Look for biodegradable, low-sodium detergents without phosphates, brighteners, boron, borax, enzymes or bleach. You can find Oasis biocompatible soaps at Berkeley Bowl.

3. Avoid storing greywater.

4. Apply greywater directly to the soil, not by spraying.

5. Root crops that are eaten uncooked should not be irrigated with greywater.

6. Don't use greywater on young plants or plants that like acidic conditions.

7. Water from laundry that includes diapers should not be used.

8. Don't use greywater when members of the household have a communicable disease such as staph or hepatitis.

The Buyers Out and About!

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:09:44 -0600

Think the market has slowed down for the holidays?

Think again!
My listing at 51st was advertised for the Open House from 2-4:30 and the agent holding it open didn't get out of there until after 6:00pm!

The news about the possible first-time homebuyer mortgage rates of 4.5% is bringing out swarms of buyers. If you have been on the fence about listing your home, this could potentially change your thinking! Call to find out more about the program and for my list of qualified mortgage brokers! ~Nicole

What is Seamless Service?

Nicole Bailey (The GRUBB Company) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:09:07 -0600

If Seamless Service is the goal why is it so rare?

I spent the Thanksgiving Holidays on the world tour of Southern California Shopping Malls! My husband is a buyer for Nordstrom and like a groupie, I followed him around to his regular stomping grounds.

Looking for a Peet's or Starbucks to plug in and work, I couldn't find a wireless connection anywhere, just a food court. What I did find was an amazing tea shop, with free sample sips and friendly staff, encouraging a purchase. I found a tea I wanted to try and ordered a cup. I was a bit surprised when it turned out to be $4.99 for the cup, and I watched others walk out without their tea after measuring out a pound. The price of the rare teas adding up to much more that they expected. What was missing? Friendly staff, engaging service, great selection...
Client education!

I loved the tea! The client that marched out without her purchase had been engaged and eager to try it. Missing was the information that a canister of tea was $27. I have noticed in my own business in real estate, small mis-communications can result in extremely unhappy customers. I try to overcommunicate as a rule, but occationally when extremely busy, something slips through the cracks. It is so much easier to overcommunicate than clean up the "spilled milk."