Berkeley buyers & sellers
The character is already there. Let’s bring it forward.
An older Berkeley home does not need to look like every other listing. I notice the tile, the woodwork, the light and the details worth keeping—and help you decide where the work will make a difference.
What Berkeley sellers are really deciding
At 1443 Scenic Avenue in the Berkeley Hills, I represented Peter Jaffe and took charge of the restoration and presentation. We refinished hardwoods, refreshed tile surfaces and chose fixtures and paint with the house’s character in mind. For the first open house, I hired a live pianist. I wanted people to feel the home, not just walk through it.
The negotiation mattered, too. After a $1.4 million offer, I negotiated a $1.5 million counter. The sale closed at $1.5 million on August 31, 2021.
At 1528 Julia Street, Unit A, where I also represented the seller, the preparation was more focused: paint, hardware, fixtures, vanity reglazing, grout and cleaning. A house and a condo can call for very different amounts of work. I will help you decide what makes sense for yours.
Selected representation in Berkeley
Seller represented
1528 Julia Street Unit A, Berkeley
At 1528 Julia Street, Unit A, a focused refresh was only the beginning. The next job was answering the questions behind the offers.
Read the property story
Seller represented
1443 Scenic Avenue, Berkeley
A Berkeley Hills home, a restoration I organized from the start, and a piano playing when the first buyers walked in.
Read the property storyOn the ground
A closer view of Berkeley
Buying a home
Looking at homes in Berkeley?
It is easy to fall for a Berkeley home’s character. I want you to understand the practical side of living there, too: the condition of the systems, how later changes fit the house, the layout and the maintenance you are taking on.
In a hillside home, the inspection conversation may extend to drainage, retaining, decks and access. In a condo, association information and shared responsibilities matter alongside the unit. We can organize those questions without losing sight of why you liked the home in the first place.
Before listing
Three questions before listing
- What would be a shame to remove?
- Which worn surfaces could be restored instead of replaced?
- What needs attention before a buyer starts making plans?
Preparing to sell
Help with the work ahead
Home Valuation and Pricing Strategy
We compare relevant sales and the condition of your home, then discuss how preparation could change the way we price and present it.
Service detailsPre-Listing Property Walkthrough
An on-site review of condition, permits, access, occupancy, presentation, and timing before money is committed or a launch date is set.
Service detailsHome Preparation Planning
A clear list of what to fix, what to keep, who should do the work and what happens first.
Service detailsInspection and Disclosure Readiness
Gather the reports, arrange inspections and answer the questions buyers are likely to ask.
Service detailsFull East Bay service area
Let’s talk about your Berkeley home.
Whether you are planning a sale or looking for your next home, tell me what you have in mind.
Talk with Colin