Updated July 2026

Two homes. Similar square footage. Similar number of bedrooms. Both located in Oakland. Yet one sells for hundreds of thousands of dollars more than the other.

For many buyers and sellers, that doesn't seem to make sense. If the homes are similar, shouldn't the prices be similar too?

Not necessarily.

One of the biggest misconceptions about Oakland real estate is that home values move together across the city. They don't. In fact, Oakland isn't one housing market at all. It's dozens of distinct neighborhood markets, each with its own buyer pool, architectural style, inventory levels, lifestyle appeal, and pricing dynamics. Even within the same neighborhood, two homes separated by only a few blocks—or even the same street—can…

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Berkeley Hills, North Berkeley, and Elmwood are three of Berkeley’s most desirable residential areas, but they provide noticeably different home-buying experiences. The Berkeley Hills generally appeal to buyers who prioritize views, privacy, distinctive architecture, and access to nature. North Berkeley offers a balance of traditional homes, neighborhood shopping, BART access, and an established residential atmosphere. Elmwood is often the strongest choice for buyers who want classic architecture combined with a highly walkable location near shops, restaurants, UC Berkeley, and Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood.

There is no single “best” Berkeley neighborhood for every buyer. The right choice usually depends on how much importance you place on…

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Published: July 17, 2026

Demolition has begun at the former Permanente Cement Plant in the foothills west of Cupertino, marking the most visible step yet in the closure of one of Santa Clara County’s largest and most controversial industrial sites.

Heidelberg Materials, the company that owns the cement plant and surrounding Permanente Quarry property, has obtained permits and selected a contractor to remove approximately 40 structures from the 123-acre cement-plant portion of the property. The work follows the permanent shutdown of cement production and the end of cement-distribution activities at the site.

For Cupertino residents, the demolition represents the end of an industrial era. It does not, however, mean that the entire property is…

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Oakland offers several distinct luxury home markets, and each one attracts a different type of buyer. Some buyers want historic architecture and tree-lined streets. Others want Bay views, privacy, larger lots, walkable restaurants, or faster access to San Francisco and the rest of the East Bay.

For luxury buyers comparing Oakland neighborhoods, the best choice is rarely about price alone. The right neighborhood depends on how you want to live every day: quiet hillside privacy, classic residential streets, walkable shopping districts, or a location that balances commute access with neighborhood character.

This guide compares five of Oakland's most desirable areas for luxury home buyers: Piedmont Avenue, Crocker Highlands, Montclair, Upper Rockridge,…

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For many longtime Cupertino residents, Vallco Mall was never just a shopping center. It was where kids learned to skate, teenagers met friends, families grabbed dinner, people watched movies, and an ordinary afternoon could turn into a memory that somehow lasted decades.

Today, the former Vallco site is being transformed into The Rise and Town Square West, one of the most significant redevelopment projects in Cupertino history. The plan now includes housing, retail, restaurants, parks, public open space, and a completely different vision for how the property may serve the city in the future.

But before the redevelopment debates, demolition work, city approvals, and construction updates, Vallco was a place people actually experienced. It had…

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Most buyers relocating to Cupertino begin the search with the same question: which schools serve this home?

That question matters, but it is only the starting point. After buyers spend time touring neighborhoods, driving commute routes, visiting parks, and comparing daily conveniences, the conversation usually becomes more practical: Could I actually see myself living here?

That is why choosing the right Cupertino neighborhood is just as important as choosing the right house. Monta Vista, Garden Gate, Rancho Rinconada, City Center, Seven Springs, Jollyman, Oak Valley, and Cupertino Village each offer a different version of Cupertino living.

Every Cupertino Neighborhood Feels Different

From the outside, Cupertino can seem fairly uniform. Home…

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