Happy November! The week before last, I toured a house in Berkeley that I thought would be an excellent match for my clients. It was in a neighborhood on their list and a duplex that could help them supplement their mortgage and later serve as a place their parents could move into. They saw the property and LOVED it! At more than 100 years old, the property needs work, has knob-and-tube wiring, and both an old furnace and roof, but my clients were ok with the condition and felt that they could take on the projects and repairs. So, in anticipation of writing an offer, I contacted four differen ..read more

COMING SOON! We are polishing up this beloved property owned by the same family since 1976 in the Redwood Heights / Laurel Neighborhood! photo c. 1970s Home: Any place of residence or refuge. As I look out at my garden, I see my roses and hydrangeas cut back for the winter, resting and gathering energy for a vibrant new season. The act of pruning feels symbolic - the start of a new year is always a time for setting goals, implementing plans, renewal, and growth. Each January, I take time to reflect on my business: how I can improve, enhance my services, hone my skills, and bring fresh creativ ..read more

See my 2024 list of Favorite Things here. The other day, I ran into a client in Montclair Village. We had a quick catch-up, and I asked how her house was. She shared how much she loves her panoramic views of the Bay, San Francisco, and the two bridges, but mentioned that she and her husband wished they had a third bedroom on the main floor. With a grin, she added that she had reminded her husband I’d asked whether the layout — with two bedrooms upstairs and one downstairs—would work for them long term. We laughed, hugged, and went our separate ways. This interaction truly warmed my heart. I’m ..read more

Life should include fabulous sights, delicious bites, beautiful sounds, great memories and adventures. Wishing you all of these and a Happy 2025!   Deidre’s Favorite Things – No.9 ps – See all of my Favorite Things lists here ..read more

Last week, a reporter from the New York Times contacted me to ask if I had any buyer clients waiting for the election to be over before making their purchases. I have three active buyers, and none are trying to time the market, so unfortunately, I could not connect her to buyers for her story but I told her I do not recommend that buyers wait or try to time the market, and she asked me why.  Historically, in election years, in the few months before the election and out of uncertainty about the future, some buyers will wait until after the election to purchase a new home. This means there ..read more

This month marked my 20th anniversary of being a full-time Realtor. When I started this career, my children were 7 and 5, and I was in my 30s. I remember writing my first purchase agreement contract, spending 4 hours checking each box about 20 times, editing and re-editing my cover letter, and making the offer as perfect as possible. I wanted to be the best for my clients. Although my mother was a top-producing Realtor, and I was lucky enough to have her as a resource, I knew I had to compensate for my lack of experience with extraordinary attention to detail and perseverance. Four years into ..read more

Happy August! I can not believe summer is coming to an end and the fall market is upon us. Earlier this month I had the honor of talking about the real estate market on KTVU 2 News. I help my clients earn the highest possible price when they hire me to help them sell their homes, but how is the highest possible price determined? The reality is that every single property is uniquely its own, from the natural light that flows through the windows to the access to the outdoor spaces, the landscaping to the systems and upgrades. Every property owner has made decisions on the care and maintenance t ..read more

3971 Whittle Avenue, Oakland Happy July! I'm currently working with a buyer who purchased a property last year with a different Realtor, regretted the purchase, sold the house after owning it for less than 9 months, and is now looking for a property that better suits his needs and lifestyle. With so many things in life, you often do not know the value of working with an expert unless things go really well or really poorly. As part of my practice, I always approach each potential property that a client is interested in independently, looking at the natural light, indoor-outdoor flow, the condi ..read more

6070 Rockridge Boulevard, Oakland: Before & After The sounds and scents of this time of year often remind me of my teenage years. When I hear the birds chirping before the sun rises and smell the late spring air, I remember being in high school, knowing the end of the school year was near, itching for summer break. There is something special about living in the same community you were raised in, where there are constant reminders of memories of those sweet times. Driving down Redwood Road, I remember being in high school when Sparky's Burgers first opened in Lincoln Square – I heard they ..read more

JUST LISTED, 694 WALAVISTA JUST LISTED, 694 WALAVISTA IN CROCKER HIGHLANDS, THIS HOME IS A GREAT MARRIAGE OF VINTAGE CHARM AND MODERN UPDATES. OPEN SUNDAY FROM 2-4PM. Remember that online real estate website feature "Make Me Move"? A seller would claim their home on this site and often name an absurdly high price that they would be willing to sell for. Fast forward and gone are the days when everything and anything sells, and a seller can name their price. While there are buyers out there, they are not buying a property they are not compelled to purchase. It has to feel right and make sense ..read more