High in the Claremont hills above Berkeley, is this gracious Mediterranean style home.  Perfectly located for easy access to Berkeley, Orinda, Montclair and Rockridge shopping and dining, and just moments from the hiking and riding trails of Tilden Park, it is a choice spot for both work, recreation and shopping.  At 6960 Norfolk Road, it offers 4 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, and a spacious 2606 +/-sf of living space. 

To truly see the home, one must start with this impressive entryway.  As with most Mediterranean styled homes, there is an emphasis on indoor/outdoor living, and private garden courtyards.  The entry to the home reflects that intention.  Quiet and soothing, it is also private-kept so by the walls and ample foliage that is seen…

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I am pleased to announce that we were able to create this outstanding deal for our sellers, and that the sale is now pending.  Below are some reasons why the home was so desirable.   

This handsome Craftsman style home located at 1126 Arch Street, sits in the hills above Berkeley's Rose Garden, and is found not far from the University of California, and city's popular Gourmet Ghetto area.  It has a sweeping view that includes San Francisco, Berkeley, and both bridges.   It offers 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and 1871 +/- sf of living space.  

This home has all the elements of a classic Craftsman home, and a great deal of care has been taken to make the it warm and welcoming to guests.  A wide overhanging roof, a covered front porch with…

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 This very handsome classic brown shingle home has so many positive features-one of which is its appealing location.  It is located in Berkeley in the exceptional Claremont Court neighborhood at 2709 Claremont Boulevard. With its gracious curb appeal, and in demand traditional architecture, it is exceptional.  

As you tour this home, be sure to note all the premium  touches that make this home unique, and reflects the added thought that went into each room.  An example starts at the doorway.  The wide and welcoming front door is framed by a pair of partially mullioned windows, and the entryway beamed ceiling features a period designed lamp.  

 

Stepping inside the roomy entry hall, you are greeted with a beautiful and traditional…

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This classic Art Deco home was designed in 1937 by award winning home architect John Dinwiddie, and reflects all that is appealing and dramatic about this architectural style. The  expected, and in demand, design elements will reflect simple clean lines, with a streamlined look being paramount inside and out.  Note the wrap around deck that reflects this concept.  Everything together combines to form an amazing curb appeal.  

Located at 95 Parnassus Road in Berkeley, it features 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and offers views of the Bay area and the North Berkeley hills.  

The entrance, through glass doors, the simple lines of the stairwell, and the dramatic hardwood floors, give a sense of what to expect in the the rest of the house.

The living…

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This handsome home at 2700 Claremont Boulevard in Berkeley's Claremont Court neighborhood, was built in 1925, and was designed by renowned Bay area architect John Hudson Thomas.  As such, it reflects the charm and elegance of the era, but is equally ready to welcome modern homeowners who will appreciate its quality and location.  

The welcome to this home's winning presentation begins at the door.  Note the varied dramatic elements of arches, curves, sweeping stairs, and vertical window space.  Traditional amenities of the era also include hardwood floors, crown moulding, wainscoting, and imaginative window and door wood trim.

 

The living room, as with the other rooms seen immediately below, is designed for entertaining.  For cooler…

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This stunning home is virtually unknown to most people in Berkeley and Oakland, and yet it is truly a remarkable landmark in an historic town.  Built in 1912, it was called the Spring Mansion, and was built by wealthy land entrepreneur John Hopkins Spring.

Whether day or night, this home is designed to be warm, welcoming, and yes, impressive.

 

The dramatic front door opens onto an elegant atrium from which all the other rooms flow. The beautiful fountain in the middle welcomes guests upon entry.

Stairs direct you upwards to the spacious bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs.  Note the beautiful skylight above that lets light into what is already a light filled apace.

 As you move around the ground floor, doors open to various…

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When you finally decide to buy a home in Montclair, Piedmont or Berkeley, there are certain steps that you should take first.  These steps will affect how successful your final purchase will be for you, and for your family:

1. Find An Experienced Real Estate Agent Who Will Work Hard For You:  Purchasing a home has become more complicated every year.  Whether you are in need of information about loan qualifications, home inspections, property disclosures, offers or counteroffers, the experience of your agent in working with each of these elements can make the difference in getting the home you want.  My award winning sales record, and my many years in this marketplace, will assure you that you are in good hands with me as your agent. 

2.…

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When it comes time to put your Oakland or Alameda home on the market, plans need to be made to make the best impression possible on future buyers.  Often a lot of preparation time and money is spent on yards, kitchens and bedrooms, but there can be one feature that could deter potential buyers. That can be the presence of uncorrected damage, or the presence of odors, from pets in the home.  Whether unrepaired scratches on back doors or screens, or the accumulation of debris, or fence damage in the back yard, these issues should be addressed.  Often, because sellers haved lived with their pets for so long, they may not be aware of the extent of their pet problems. Take time to see things from the eyes of an outsider.

The next step is to make…

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One of the more amazing Berkeley luxury homes is on the market, and offers buyers the opportunity to purchase a part of the Bay area's architectural history.  Known as the Spring Mansion, it sits high atop the hills of Berkeley above winding Arlington Avenue, among other similar architectural classics of its era.  Located at 1960 San Antonio Avenue, it was built in 1912 by John Hopkins Spring, a developer of some wealth, who secured the talents of famed architect John Hudson Thomas to create his dream home.   Spring's goal was to make this home the centerpiece of the subdivision called Thousand Oaks, which his firm was developing. Random

Now offered at 3.25 acres, it was originally built on 16 acres. The grounds, designed by Mark Daniels, were planted…

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On the last blog, I offered some ideas about a few ways to evaluate the neighborhoods surrounding some Berkeley homes for sale that you might be considering.  While it is important to choose a home just for itself, there is no doubt that the choice of a neighborhood plays a crucial role in your family's happiness once the home is purchased.   Yesterday, I mentioned the importance of choosing the right school district, and the quality of the neighborhood location as to amenities and services. 

In this blog, the suggestion for a criteria has to do with a financial consideration of the home's appreciation possibilities.  No one wants to buy a home to find out that within a year or two, it will be worth less than its original purchase price.  This is…

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