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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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...

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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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 If you have wanted to live in Montclair with it's great Bay area views, or to settle in among the quiet trees, these special homes offer you an opportunity to do just that.  Some of these can offer you both of these benefits, so take a moment to discover these charming homes.  


               Price, Low to High                Price, High to Low             

Charming Montclair Contemporary Offering Multi ...

Price:   $799,000 City:   Oakland Beds:   3 Baths:   2 Type:   Single Family MLS® #:   40681080

Charming Montclair Contemporary Offering Multi Levels Of Open Spaces. Features Include, 2 Firepl...

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Move Right In And Update At Your Pace And To Yo...

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It's time to bring friends and family and enjoy the annual Wildwood Dads Club Crab Feed.  This highly popular fund raiser offers the best of both worlds-good food and good entertainment.  It's easy to find. It will be held at the Piedmont Veterans Memorial Hall at 401 Highland Avenue, on Saturday, January 31st, and starts at 6:00 p.m.

The menu is classic.  You will dine on fresh all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab, and the menu also offers lasagna and fresh salad.  Adding to the atmosphere will be music to enjoy, and a No Host Bar will be available.  

One of the highlights will be the fund rising raffle, which always features outstanding prizes that are as varied as they are interesting. Donations are always welcome in the form of funds or prizes for…

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If you and your family have a serious intent to purchase a new Oakland or Piedmont home this year, it is especially important to have an efficient plan in place, since you will be competing, in some neighborhoods, in a marketplace with very limited housing stock to work with, so your competition may be challenging.  

Here are some steps to take to place yourself in the best possible position to be considered immediately by sellers:

1. Before You Begin Your Search--Be very clear about your needs from the outset. Be specific as to what you must have, and what you can waive when viewing a potential home.  What things are the most important to your family, and thus nonstarters, and what would be nice, but not mandatory?   

2. Know Your Financial…

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