Dear friends,
The first storm of the season has descended, bringing us cold, wet and windy conditions. This is not weather that inspires buyers to tour actively, nor to feel exuberant. Our real estate market appears to have moved mostly into hibernation mode, as is typical for this time of year. I’m encouraging my few remaining buyers to keep looking, as the winter months can often see some of the lowest sales prices of the year. But this is also when buyers have the fewest choices, and often not the best choices.
I am SO glad that I was able to bring my listing at 940 Fresno on when I did! I have had lots of people respond to the remarkable price I was able to achieve: $2.1M for a 1253 sq. ft. bungalow with only one bathroom (though a lovely, newly remodeled one!). It’s ironic to think that just over a month ago I was able to take advantage of the last of the active fall market, AND specifically I was able to show off the advantages of air conditioning that is the benefit of installing an energy-efficient heat pump. Now I’d be wanting to show off the heat!
I was delighted that my office used that listing for the lead photo in a Berkeleyside article discussing the complexities and disparities of the autumn market. For any potential sellers, the article includes a valuable chart, showing the median prices per month over a number of years, helping to answer a common question: when is the best time to put a home on the market? It’s not a question that can be answered with certainty, as so many factors influence buyer behavior. But in general, the middle of February through the middle of April is still Prime Time for most listings.
I expect to be bringing on three beautiful listings in the early spring. One is a home I’ve been working with the seller on for more than two years, already upgrading the electrical system, removing knob and tube wiring, and continuing to update the home both structurally and aesthetically. Another home I’ll begin to prepare once tenants move out at the end of the year. And the third is an interesting situation, my first case of a client who prepared themself for the worst election results, and are following through now to move to Canada. Colleagues have clients doing the same, as well as others moving to other countries. I will be interested to see how many folks make the same decision.
Our stormy weather does indeed feel fitting for the mood many of us have been experiencing since the election. After a couple of weeks of moving through the stages of grief, spending much time in the anger and depression aspects, I cannot say I am truly ready for acceptance yet. But I have accepted that with all of the awful changes that the new administration is likely to make, our resolve to do good work for the causes we care about must be ever stronger. There is much work to do.
So as tempting as it is to hunker down on a dark, stormy day, instead I am focusing on giving, in this season of Thanksgiving. With #GivingTuesday coming up soon on December 3rd, I am looking to ways I can engage in “Radical Generosity” and share my resources of time and money to help bolster causes that I feel strongly about, especially those most impacted by the election results. I am probably preaching to the choirbut I urge you to join me in upping our personal antes this year. “I am preaching to the choir to sing it louder!”*
It’s also a time to support arts organizations in all ways, including with our attendance. I’ll just share a few performances that David and I are looking forward to. Next week we’ll be attending the Matchbox Magic Flute at Berkeley Rep., and then staying on for their Musical Friendsgiving on November 27th. This is an adaptation of Mozart’s opera, with the genius directing of Mary Zimmerman, with amazing use of puppets. Performances run through December 15th. Every Zimmerman production we have seen has been special, and wonderful!
On the weekend of December 20 – 23rd, the Midwinter Revels will offer six performances of a Celtic Celebration of the Winter Solstice with pageantry, song, dance, and storytelling. “Journey to an Irish village to welcome a sojourner from Scotland and the return of the Light.” This year performances will be at an intimate theater in Hayward which we thought was delightful, and parking is easy.
You can celebrate the Solstice at one of two performances by Upswing Aerial Dance Company, a group directed by one of my Red Oak colleagues, Cherie Carson. They do amazing aerial performances in a small Berkeley studio, accompanied by exceptional local musicians. There will also be a showing of their award-winning documentary, “Sequoia Spirits,” showcasing the majestic Redwoods of Mendocino, CA. Performances are at 5 pm and 8 pm. Or you may sign up to watch it online starting December 24th.
In these dark times it’s ever more important to reach out in community, as I discuss further in the next article. For me, that usually involves dancing and/or singing. David and I recently took part in two glorious dance weekends: a Scottish retreat at Asilomar where David was the featured musician for the Friday night dance, and this past weekend in Sonoma County for an English Country Dance event. Song also is powerful for building community, and a crucial element for me. Here’s a song by Sloan Wainwright that seems like a good anthem for these times, especially the chorus:
All we can do is be there for each other
In these times when we don’t know what to do.
All we can do is be there for each other
And help each other through.
Please let me know if there’s any way that I can be there for you.
With thanks to you for being part of my community, and for reading my missives!
May your holidays begin and end with love, and appreciation for all that we hold dear.
Arlene
*from a song by Dave Gunning, recorded soon after the first election of the current president-elect.
I am grateful for having been recognized as the 12th ranking agent in Oakland by dollar volume (amidst something like 2850 agents who transact in Oakland!)
