With Spring almost here, it is time to begin your search for your perfect Piedmont home.  The choices in style, price, and design are excellent this week, so make plans to visit the ones the you especially like.

               Price, Low to High                Price, High to Low             

The Most Magical, Sun-filled Mansion In Piedmon...

Price:   $4,395,000 City:   Piedmont Beds:   6 Baths:   4 Type:   Single Family MLS® #:   40685875 The Most Magical, Sun-filled Mansion In Piedmont With Magnificent Sf And Downtown Oakland Views S... Photo of Listing #40685875 View DetailsSave to FavoritesMap

A Rare Bit Of Privacy In The Center Of Town, Th...

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When it comes time to seriously consider buying a Piedmont or Oakland home, there are so many elements that you will want to consider, since this will be your family's home for quite a while.  You will want to be comfortable in your final choice.  In recent blogs, we have considered how to qualify financially to purchase your home.  But your home has to qualify in for you in so many other ways. As with financial prequalifying, it is important that you analyze your requirements for your new home, so you don't waste time viewing homes that will not, in the long run, meet your needs.  

So, while some of these questions may seem obvious, the answers to them may surprise you when you sit down with your family to get a consensus for their next home:

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Orinda homes have always been in demand for their atmosphere of gracious living.  Whether you are looking for classic Spanish hacienda style, or modern high ceilings and dramatic open floor plans, there is a home here to fit your lifestyle.                  Price, Low to High                Price, High to Low             

$2+m Price Reduction! Masterfully Designed To R...

Price:   $4,465,000 City:   Orinda Beds:   9 Baths:   9 Type:   Single Family MLS® #:   40627913 $2+m Price Reduction! Masterfully Designed To Replicate A Spanish Hacienda, This Old World Estate... Photo of Listing #40627913 View DetailsSave to FavoritesMap

Rare Opportunity To Buy A Newer Gated Estate (2...

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 Often, as we begin to make plans to purchase an Oakland or Piedmont home, we have a tendency to decide what we can afford by looking at the asking price of the home for sale.  While this is certainly a sensible place to start, some other issues come into play that should be considered when deciding what one can pay for the home.

There are, in fact, other costs involved in purchasing a home that will need to be included in any buyer's budget.  While many things are negotiable between buyer and seller, it is a good idea to include these elements into your purchasing plans. 

1. Professional Home Inspection Fees: It is extremely important to have your future home thoroughly inspected before making your purchase, especially if you have concerns…

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This stunning 5911 sf custom home features spacious rooms, and graceful architecture in each.  With its dramatic central staircase featured above, you can access any one of the 6 bedrooms and 7 baths throughout the house.  The beautiful tropical hardwood floors add color and warmth to the home.  The very modern kitchen, with it's circular workspace, is a central place for friends to gather.  

There are plentiful uses of windows to take advantage of the views of San Francisco Bay, the spacious grounds with wooded trees, and the partial Mt. Diablo views.  This home is on a well maintained one acre of trees and gardens.  It also offers residents a home elevator, and has garage parking for 8 cars.  

 

What makes this house especially unique is…

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The variety of luxury home styles available to you in  Alameda is truly outstanding.  Whether you want Victorian era classical architecture, or bayside views, there is something to interest you.  Below is an excellent example of the many choices available to you.  

                 Price, Low to High                Price, High to Low             

Exquisite 1882 Victorian 4 Br 3 Bath, 3 Car Gar...

Price:   $2,150,000 City:   Alameda Beds:   6 Baths:   5 Type:   Single Family MLS® #:   40675641

Exquisite 1882 Victorian 4 Br 3 Bath, 3 Car Gar, Master Suite W/walk-in Closet & Dressing Room. ...

Photo of Listing #40675641 View DetailsSave to FavoritesMap

From The Expansive Living Room To The Delightfu...

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Most cities and towns have neighborhoods with distinctive and creative architecture, and an atmosphere that attracts attention and admiration.  Such is the case with Alameda's Gold Coast neighborhood. It's central artery is Grand Street, a comfortable tree lined street that begins simply at the Grand Street Launch Ramp on the Oakland Estuary, and works its way through to the San Francisco Bay front where a handsome beach allows for picnics, water sports and amazing views of San Francisco. (Once the location of the original site of the Encinal Yacht Club)

The homes here were built towards the latter half of the 19th century, and into the first part of the 20th century, often by wealthy businessmen who could take advantage of the ever growing…

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 Whether you are looking for a new home, or a well established custom site with a view, these choices represent some outstanding opportunities for your future luxury living.  


               Price, Low to High                Price, High to Low             

Brand New Construction In The Oakland Hills App...

Price:   $2,097,012 City:   Oakland Beds:   4 Baths:   5 Type:   Single Family MLS® #:   40684374

Brand New Construction In The Oakland Hills Approx 5,197 Sq Ft, 4 Beds, Casita = 5th Bed, 5.5 Bat...

Photo of Listing #40684374 View DetailsSave to FavoritesMap

Brand New Construction In The Oakland Hills. H...

Price:   $2,097,012 City:   Oakland Beds:   5 Baths:   5 Type:   Single Family MLS®…

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Whether you are interested in buying a home in the Piedmont hills, or among tree lined streets in Oakland, it is important that you know exactly where you are financially, so that you won't be disappointed when you begin to search for your perfect home.  Nothing can be more disturbing than to find that the homes that you want are out of your reach because of a credit history problem. Luckily, gathering proper credit information is just a matter of investing just a bit of research time.  

Even if you have been paying all your bills on time, and staying within the ideal credit limits, there may be issues in your credit reports that you may not be aware of.  Some may be due to clerical error, incorrect reporting by creditors, or incorrect attritution…

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The announcement of the 5th year of Oakland's Restaurant Week has brought a great deal of excitement to those who enjoy the many opportunities for delightful cuisine that this event offers. As in the past, this year, restaurants in the area will be offering special prix-fixe lunches and dinners to diners.  There will be $20, $30, and $40 price ranges offered, and these meals represent a special treat from each of the almost 75 participating restaurants this year.  

Running from January 15th through January 25th, you will be able to search for menus especially created for this event, and additionally, you can search by type of cuisine, lunches or dinners to help you decide where you would like to go.  Reservations are strongly encouraged.  

So if…

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