The Voice of East Bay Living

"Light is not just something we see, it is something we feel." Pam Morris of Exciting Lighting creates amazing works of art out of hand-crafted blown glass and forged metal and then does her magical touches with lighting for top restaurants like Post Trio in San Francisco and famous clients like Wolfgang Puck, Georgio Armani and Sugar Ray Leonard.  Pam is a creative force, distinguished as an avant-garde designer. She was selected as outstanding artist in San Francisco and has spoken and been published widely.  You can see her latest work, 4 foot tall "tectonic split" lights at Waterbar on the Embarcadero.  She also has an every Friday 7-8:30 installation in the tunnel across from the Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate park. Battery operated light wands  t ransform a spooky dark space into a Lascaux like magical experience. For more information about Pam please visit her website    or email her at pam@pam-morris-designs.com

At a great luxury portfolio seminar yesterday and San Francisco many interesting details were discussed.  Most of the focus was on the San Francisco real estate market which ultimately affects our East Bay market. -In 2006, 82%  of condos sold for under $1 million -In 2017,  only 12% of condos sold for under $1 million What is happening right now? The current market prices are going 120 miles an hour and now into hyper drive.  There is a mismatch between what people want, what is available, and what they can afford.  Our market is impacted by unemployment, rents, and inventory. While t he Bay Area market is currently one of the strongest markets in the nation, it is still subject to external factors such as earthquakes,political events, our current president, and the economy of other countries such as China. Buyers are migrating to different neighborhoods which are more affordable. We are seeing buyers coming from the south bay, Marin,...

Inventory low – prices high Low interest-rates - 3.5 fixed 30 year mortgage 38% of all sales are cash - The funds are coming from families and inheritance Tech buyers are coming from Uber, Google,and Twitter TRENDs The urban corridors  now outpacing the hills. Walk score increases value-go to  www.walkscore.com  to find the walk score for your home Starbucks effect – 20% increase in house value Walking – coffee – bike lanes-public transportation are a new definition of luxury MARKET We are not at the high-end of the cycle This is not a bubble Most inspections are performed in advance of marketing the home There is an average of 3 to 6 offers The percent over asking Price depends on location, comparable comps,property presentation No contingencies with offers NEWS-FLASH   The Grubb company is opening a new office in the heart of uptown Oakland at 100 Grand Ave. The opening  will occur in Septe...

Historic Oakmore home showcasing many custom features. For more information, please email Sheila at ssabine@grubbco.com

  What's going on in the East Bay market – what do you get for $1 million--- The typical Albany home (a two bedroom one bath bungalow with a small yard) is worth almost $1 million. The highest sales price in Albany this year which broke records was for over $2.4 million dollars with the average median sales price in 2017 being $983,000. The median sales price in Berkeley is $1,160,000- for a typical 3 bedroom, one bath bungalow near Sacramento Street. The flatlands of  Berkeley are becoming more popular than the homes in the Hills. Proximity to amenities is a significant price driver. People want to be  close to transportation,  coffee shops, biking and walking.  The median sales price in Piedmont is just under $2 million. The highest sale in Piedmont was in 2004 for $8.8 million. Many people are not moving because they cannot find a place to go and or they do not want to pay capital gains when they sell  because their homes...

1 Fernhoff Court, Oakland CA. 94619   List price $1,195,000   Shhh-don’t tell anyone—the best kept secret in the Bay Area is Hillcrest  Estates, a   sophisticated  and private neighborhood just minutes away from Montclair  village. In  the heart of this  exclusive neighborhood  is 1  Fernhoff  Ct.  The  residence  is tucked away from the street at the end of a  winding driveway , giving it the  feel a  country  estate. As you enter the gated entrance, the magic begins. An intimate courtyard leads you to the level in entrance, and voila, space, light and comfortable  living greet  you with open arms.  S tretch out in extra-large living room and family room both with fireplaces and French doors leading to the private patio and rear gardens. Entertain in the convenient kitchen, equipped with wet bar and adjacent to formal dining room with dramatic vaulted ceilings. Cho...

395 Hampton Road, Piedmont - list price $8,385,000 Designed by Albert Farr in the 1926, this elaborate Mediterranean is one of the best known Piedmont residences in the era of City of Millionaires - This exquisite estate effortlessly blends luxury with historical grandeur - 7 bedrooms, 9.5 baths, 10,418 sq.ft of living.  664 Haddon Road, Oakland - list price $1,850,000 Original Kaiser Mansion, built in 1924 by William Schirmer, in the Italian Renaissance Revival style -  4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, solarium, bonus rooms, au-pair quarters, and much more - just minutes away from the shores of Lake Merritt.  5917 Canning, Oakland - Rockridge/Temescal - major fixer - JUST SOLD for one million dollars This 2,568 sq. Ft. legal duplex exemplifies the term " needs TLC" big time! It's value lies in its location which is within walking distance to BART, coffee houses, restaurants, and shopping... a house  a block away which was also a major fixer re...

115 Alpine Terrace  A Mark Becker masterpiece -luxury residence in Upper Rockridge  list price $4,750,000 540 Gravatt 2016 Idea House -sophisticated craftsman- eco friendly - Sunset magazine sponsor  list price $2,795,000 16 Emery Lane  One of 8 private homes designed by Mark Becker -Upper Rockridge  list price $2,100,000 Want to learn more about these listings and others in the Bay Area,  email Sheila ssabine@grubbco.com

This past weekend, I went on a fabulous walking tour of the Elmwood district of Berkeley sponsored by my friends in the  Berkeley Rotary .  The neighborhood is full of beautiful craftsman homes that have been designed by many famous  architects including Walter Radcliffe, Julia Morgan, John Hudson Thomas, Albert Dodge Coplin, and James Plachek. One can view dormer Windows, Tudor roof lines, colonial revivals, Queen Anne and other residential styles from the period. In 1903, a streetcar ran along College Avenue.  In 1905, Alice Alta Bates started a hospital with eight beds on College Avenue and later the current campus of Alta Bates Hospital was founded. In 1906, the Elmwood district became popular after the San Francisco fire when a lot of people moved into the East Bay. In fact it became one of the fastest-growing areas in all of the US.  In 1907, the oldest commercial building of Elmwood was built at the corner of college and Ashby....

Just a hop skip and a jump from Hayward is the adorable town of Niles. It became famous between 1912 to 1916 where silent  films were made by Charlie Chaplin and Bronco  Billy. At one point this town was called the first Hollywood. This historic town is still a charming 5 Block long commercial district loaded with charming antique stores. It was placed on the map also by the Niles Canyon Railway, a unique passenger train that shuttles tourists between Niles  through the hills of Fremont on century old heritage railroad equipment. You can hop aboard this excursion train which makes this journey every Sunday. You won't regret visiting this charming corner of the world.

This festive event occurs the first Saturday of December every year. Public viewing areas for the lighted display are located at Jack London Square and Wind River Park in Alameda. This year, I watching this gala parade from the Alameda ferry. The ferry ride was free for anyone who also brought a donation for Toys for Tots. This is a wonderful, family friendly event. Make sure to check it out! Want to know more about Oakland, Alameda, or other neighborhoods in the Bay Area? Email me at ssabine@grubbco.com

The latest current exhibition  at the De Young museum is called Jewel City .This exhibition revisits the vital moment when San Francisco hosted the Panama Pacific International Exhibition which celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal, the reconstruction following the great earthquake and the World's Fair.  At the time, it covered 76 city blocks and contained more than 11,000 paintings,sculptures,prints and photographs from all over the world. In spite of World War One approaching, many European artists were able  to participate. The current exhibition has reassembled more than 200 works which were on display for this amazing event. View this exhibit at the De Young museum until January 10, 2016.

Grand Fare Market on Grand Avenue in Oakland Oakland's latest gourmet compound – alfresco dining – a delicious variety of food stalls to please the most discriminating gourmet taste buds. Interested in learning more about the Grand Avenue neighborhood? Email me at ssabine@grubbco.com

Today's guest is my real estate partner, Judith Glass. Join us as we discuss her new residence in Cardinal Point, Alameda.  Want to know more about Cardinal Point and Alameda living? Email me at ssabine@grubbco.com

Many of us have followed the career of Mark Becker – architect and builder who has designed and built many wonderful homes in the East Bay. He actually has designed and built over 300 homes. He became well known after the Oakland fire when he replaced some of the homes that had been destroyed in the Upper Rockidge neighborhood of Oakland. He created mediterranean style homes with plaster walls, minimal trim and original details. Mark is now focusing just on designing homes - in the Upper Rockridge, off of Clarewood. His new project is called Emery Lane . The new community is made up of 8 homes. Some of the homes are single level. The multilevel homes in the community are structured with the possibility of adding elevators. The homes range from 2800 to 3200 ft.² with the average price point around $2 million dollars. The goal of Becker's project is to create beautiful homes with minimal upkeep . The concept is very popular with couples whose children are grown and want to sc...

We are excited to announce our new listing at Broadway Grand in Downtown Oakland. The finishing touches are being made to the interior and will be ready to viewing soon. Stay tuned for more footage of this beautiful, luxury condo! Want to know more about this listing or other luxury condos in the area? Email me at ssabine@grubbco.com 

L'Ardoise French Bistro  (151 Noe St.San Francisco)  - the perfect place for a rainy night, holding hands with your loved one and sipping champagne. Chef Clement began his studies at age 15 in the French Alps with further studies in the Pyrenees, Bordeaux, and Paris. You will be delighted with the food, service and ambiance - the next best alternative to being in France. For more posts on the Bay Area  food  scene.

When you are working with a client who is getting a loan to purchase a house – here are some things you should pay attention to: If there is an addendum, towards the end of the transaction, which addresses the change in the purchase price or credits – it can take three or four business days for the underwriters to go back and re- submit the entire package. Make sure to check that your clients are in town when they sign all of their loan papers. Lenders will not accept docusigned documents. If they are out of the country, they will need a specific power of attorney and this has to be approved by the lender. In addition, they will need to visit the local Foreign embassy or counsel to get their papers notarized. Lenders will do a final credit search prior to funding the loan for the buyers. Make sure your buyers don't pay for a last-minute honeymoon or car purchase with their credit cards. Also any gift money given by family members has to be seasoned in an account for at least tw...

Do you want to landscape your garden? Do you need rocks or flagstone?  Check out American Soil and Stone in Richmond at 2121 San Joaquin near Central Ave. This fantastic resource specializes in high-quality soil products and natural stone from all over the world. They have an 8 acre site and will help you make your dreams come true!

This wonderful exhibit t races the evolution of fashion in the 20th century. These fashions worn by American women reflect the nations tastes and transformations during the decades between 1910 and 1980. Significant looks from French couture houses include designs by Lanvin, Vionnet and Schiaparelli and Charles James. Additional attention is given to the pioneering generation of American women designers in the 1930s through the 1950s, such as Bonnie Cashin, Elizabeth Hawes, and Claire McCardell. These beautiful gowns are on exhibition at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco through July 19, 2015.