Summer is nearly over: highlights and special properties to visit
My husband David and I recently returned from a brief holiday on the East Coast, spending time primarily on the coast of Maine, with a few days in Boston to enjoy museums and concerts, and meet up with friends. The primary purpose for the trip was for me to attend a music workshop where my friends Pat Humphries and Sandy O of Emma’s Revolution were teaching sessions on harmony, song writing as well as how to lead songs to inspire singing as part of social justice work. (See below for a special performance you may enjoy at The Freight, with Holly Near.) We had the opportunity to enjoy the rugged beauty of the Maine coast, where I’ve spent time over several summers… but not for many years. Maine lobsters really are something special!
We’ve just about reached the end of summer and a lull in our market, and will soon be experiencing a new Autumn market after Labor Day. This newsletter will focus primarily on events that I hope you will enjoy, and of course some are related to real estate.
This summer we’ve seen some unusual results. I’ve mentioned in these posts before that we’ve hit new records over the past year, with numerous homes selling in the $3M range. Even for large homes, $4M is still quite a threshold, and only a handful of homes have achieved it (9 large homes of over 4K sq. ft. sold in Berkeley for $4M+ in 2025). A home on San Antonio, with access to the community pool and amenities, failed to sell last year when listed just under $5M. This year, the same listing agents refreshed the home, priced it at a more compelling level in the mid-$3M’s and it sold quickly at $4.337M for 4150 sq. ft. with 10 offers.
I’d heard rumors that a property around the corner from my home was going to break the $5M mark… but it turns out not to be quite true. It was a lovely large traditional on Mendocino, about 4100 sq. ft.. Listed at just under $3M by District Homes, it will close for $4.8M, having received 4 offers, a relatively low number.
Sunday, August 30th, 2-4 pm, 1411 Hawthorne Terrace, Berkeley (listed by Jane Strauch of the Grubb Co.) It’s a Julia Morgan from 1927 and those of you who love finely crafted period architecture are in for a treat. It occupies less than 3K sq. ft. according to pubic records, but every space is well-designed, and each detail is lovely. Arches echo throughout the home, framing ideal spaces of exceptional beauty. The home has also been remarkably well-maintained—all windows operate! It’s truly in move-in condition. It was a real pleasure to tour this property, listed for $2.695M. Just be prepared that parking nearby will be tricky!
Normally a remarkable, high-end property like this would not debut at the end of August. But given how special it is, I doubt that the timing will hurt this listing!
Monday, August 31, 4 – 6pm, Rose Walk, above Euclid Avenue, Berkeley: You are invited to a twilight Reception with live music, light refreshments and sparkling drinks!
As many of you know, I have a long association with the historic Rose Walk Complex, a nine-plex designed by Henry Higbie Gutterson that aligns the North edge of Rose Walk that was designed by Bernard Maybeck. The units are handsome from the exterior, and very charming on the interiors, each having a unique feel. You are invited to join members of BAHA (Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association) at a Twilight Reception I’ll be hosting this coming Monday, August 31, 4 – 6 pm. One lower and one upper unit are being kept vacant, so that buyers—and now you—can experience first-hand the remarkable beauty and unique features of each unit.
The vacant lower unit, 2523, where you should begin your visit, enjoys a bonus room with views of redwoods, in addition to two comfortable bedrooms. This unit is unique in having its own laundry hookups off the kitchen. All of the units feature hardwood floors, decorative fireplaces, hand-wrought iron window hardware, and natural wood trim throughout.
The vacant upper unit, 2519 Rose Walk, is especially charming, with wonderful light from windows on three sides and extensive views, including views of the Bay. This unit features an updated kitchen with a delightful built-in eating nook, and enjoys a broad balcony off the bedroom. Even the laundry porch has views! Here is where we’ll be serving light refreshments, bubbly drinks of various kinds, plus live acoustic music. I hope you will stop by and say hello!
It may not be obvious to everyone just how much of a high-stakes activity it is to be a Realtor! While I was in Maine, the largest transaction of my career closed. I am deeply honored to have represented two couples, close friends who have been living separately in homes nearby each other, homes which I sold to each couple. Over the years I have been involved in five transactions for the two couples. And now they wish to raise their children in a shared environment, and enjoy a substantial home and grounds together. After looking in numerous locations, and almost deciding to stay in their current homes and modify them, they decided to make a last-minute offer on a special property in Orinda.
Casa Azul combines a 1927 villa, including a ballroom, outdoor kitchen, pickle ball court and small pool, with a newly rebuilt two bedroom, two bathroom guest house on multiple parcels. We’d looked at some lovely large estates, but most substantial homes have only one primary suite, in addition to numerous other bedrooms. Very few have multiple spacious ensuite bedrooms. The main home originally contained seven bedrooms, and now is configured with four ensuite bedrooms, two of which are lovely and large, each of which also enjoys an additional space, either an outdoor or enclosed sun porch. It’s an unusual, and unusually handsome property, and it’s surprisingly easy to reach from North Berkeley.
Like so many buyers throughout the Bay Area, they wanted to be near amenities, and while Orinda Village may not be as inspiring as the Gourmet District, it is still possible to walk to coffee and a reasonable number of other amenities. Now I just pray for their sakes that the BART Board votes to keep the Orinda station active!
As a native Californian, our visit to the Eastern shore was a striking reminder about how very green parts of our country are where there are summer rains. The picture above was taken last week near Ferry Beach, Maine, and even in August, Long Pond is filled with water, and lovely water lilies. It was hard not to be struck when we came home just how dry and brown California feels by comparison! And as a result, we worry a great deal about fire risk. Depending on where you live in the East Bay, our love of trees near our homes is clearly about to be challenged. It’s a controversial topic for sure, and an important one.
Cool Events & Exhibitions
Mon. September 7th, 2026 at 7:30pm
Berkeley’s Wildfire Prevention Initiatives:
A Sharpened Focus
As we enter the peak of our wildfire season, Hillside Club member Marcus von Engel — a volunteer leader with the Berkeley FireSafe Council — will chair a panel of Berkeley leaders to discuss wildfire safety principles and local initiatives designed to reduce fire threats. Panelists will include Berkeley Fire Chief David Sprague, Fire Chief Colin Arnold, and Berkeley District Six Councilmember Brent Blackaby. Our Fireside guests will discuss the various regulations, including those in the new “EMBER” ordinance, which govern many hillside homes. The evening promises to be an informative session with ample time for audience questions.
Club Business meeting: 7:00pm
Public panel discussion: 7:30pm
Donations from the public are appreciated
Registration is available on Eventbrite
After the presentation, refreshments and wine will be served.
The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar Street
Berkeley, California 94709
Actors’ Ensemble Sunday August 30–September 7, 4–6 pm: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Actors Ensemble’s second production of the 2026 Summer Season in the beautiful John Hinkel Park is A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare, adapted and directed by Michael R. Cohen with Ben Prusiner. Free-of-charge, reservations encouraged (especially for those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility) but not necessary. Presented Saturdays/Sundays & holidays through Labor Day Monday, September 7th, all at 4:00 pm.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is Shakespeare’s comical melding of love stories within both the magical forest world of the Fairies and the Athenian court, with the King and Queen of the Fairies, the love quadrangle of Hermia, Demetrius, Lysander and Helena, and the Duke of Athens and his fiancée the Queen of the Amazons, all “working things out”, with a little intervention by the mischievous Puck and the hapless Mechanicals. A perfect play to end the summer on!
Treasures of The Pharoahs! At the De Young Museum in San Francisco, now through January 31, 2027.
This impressive exhibition brings the world of the pharaohs to life through 130 exquisite works spanning 3,000 years of history. From towering stone statues to gilded masks to intricate gold jewelry, these objects reveal the power, beauty, and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians.
The exhibition begins with the pharaoh, who was seen as both a king and a god. It then expands to explore the people and beliefs that shaped Egyptian life. Explore how Egyptians viewed death not as an ending, but as a new beginning—and the elaborate rituals they created to prepare for it. Objects found in tombs, such as jewelry, cosmetics, tools, and furniture, offer a glimpse into daily life and values.
A special highlight is the US debut of objects from the Golden City, a newly unearthed workers’ community near Luxor. The suddenly-abandoned city is a moment frozen in time, much like Pompeii. Together, these artifacts illuminate one of history’s most extraordinary civilizations.
Janam at The Back Room, Saturday, September 12th, 8 pm, 1984 Bonita Ave. Berkeley
Janam (“My Soul”) unites some of the Bay Area’s most playful and imaginative devotees of southern Balkan and American roots music, weaving these diverse traditions with their original compositions. Janam has been sharing their music in intimate concert settings and ebullient dance parties up and down the west coast for almost two decades. The group’s bittersweet modes, driving tunes, and sultry ballads invoke the nightingales and dark eyes, the hot love and cold hollows of Europe and America’s most musical mountains.
This evening’s concert will benefit Community Kitchens a wonderful Oakland non-profit whose mission is “to bring together our whole community to harness the power of food to change lives, uplift communities and protect our environment.” We are on board with that mission and happy to give back to our community. We hope you can join us for this special evening!
Janam features:
Dan Auvil – percussion, voice
Sal Beeby – guitar
Juliana Graffagna – voice, accordion, tambura
Gari Hegedus – oud, saz, mandocello, mandolin
Shira Kammen – violin, harp, voice
Sunday, October 4, 2026 3:00PM
Holly Near with Tammy Hall, Jan Martinelli, and Emma’s Revolution at The Freight, Berkeley
After 50 years of bold work, Holly Near is still one of the most consistent and well informed voices for change. Her work is loving, challenging, funny, thought-provoking, and remains rooted in the global community. As an outspoken singer and ambassador for peace, Holly brings a unique integration of world consciousness and self-evaluation, always growing and sharing experience humbly and boldly. She will be joined by long-term collaborators Jan Martinelli on bass, Tammy Hall on piano, and joined by dear friends Emma’s Revolution. These concerts often sell out, so purchasing tickets soon for in-person seating is advised. Livestream tickets are available as well.
The Good News Department
Each month I share some news that made me smile, and hope it will make you smile as well!
I had heard about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and at her recent death I was curious to learn more about it. What a remarkable program! Dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five, it uses funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland.
Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write Dolly started her Imagination Library in 1995 for the children within her home county. Today, her program spans five countries and gifts millions of free books each month to children around the world. Thank you Dolly Parton for inspiring imagination in so many children, in addition to being an amazingly talented, funny, and inclusive individual!
Arlene Baxter
arlene.baxter@theagencyre.com
510.717.1799
Lic. #1209552
