The Early Summer Market: A Tale of Two Cities!
I’ve previously used that Dickensian metaphor to describe our real estate market at times like these when behavior is especially extreme. Once again it feels like we are experiencing a Tale of Two Cities: a market in which some homes receive multiple offers and sell for extreme prices, while others receive no interest and only sell after considerable time has passed, or the price has been reduced…or both! In this market where interest rates have come down a bit, but are still higher than buyers are hoping for, and in a world of instability, buyers are hesitant to act now rather than waiting, unless truly smitten with a home.
Homes commanding lots of overbidding right now tend to have some or all of these characteristics: large gardens, updated kitchens and baths, good light and excellent access to that large garden. Access to amenities is a plus, but it seems to be less important than the allure of connections to the outdoors. On the list of fatal flaws: lots of stairs to the front door, dark rooms, and awkward floor plans. Busy streets are always problematic, especially in these unstable times. For buyers with vision, this could be a market offering some interesting opportunities. But refer to my comment about hesitant buyers. Other words that might apply: discriminating, demanding or just picky! Whatever words you use, it’s a very challenging market for buyers and sellers alike, as there are no guarantees that really attractive homes will get the interest they might have received a year ago, should they have even one characteristic that is viewed by buyers as a flaw, fatal or otherwise!
June was the month for John Hudson Thomas architecture!
It’s always an honor to represent a home designed by one of the Bay Area’s prominent vintage architects. And since John Hudson Thomas is arguably my favorite of the architects from the turn of the last century, I was thrilled to represent 2815 Piedmont Avenue, a home he designed around 1915. This was the sixth property designed by Thomas that I’ve had the pleasure to be involved with. Usually having a listing by a well-known architect attracts architecture and history aficionados, and that was certainly the case with this listing. Never in my memory have there been more than a couple of listings by a famous architect active at the same time. But during the months of May and June, fans of this architecture have had the unprecedented opportunity to view SEVEN Berkeley homes designed by this master architect.
The properties offer a remarkably broad range of sizes and distinctive features. My listing was the smallest of the group, occupying 2032 square feet in a property that is legally a site condo (one of two structures sharing a lot). In some ways it was the least “typical” of Thomas’ work, having had its wood trim painted long ago, and being expanded by the owner from the late 1990s. What made it truly distinctive were the artisan upgrades that my client added over the past seven years. He added beautiful cabinetry, tile mosaics, leaded glass and hand-hammered copper features. Many of the details are in the styles of Greene & Greene, as well as a primary bathroom that was an Art Nouveau jewel box! The quality of work was extraordinary. It was a real treat to represent that home, and hear and see the reactions of visitors to the sheer beauty of the property. I was delighted to have achieved a result that pleased my seller, given he had invested for his own pleasure, not for resale, and to an exceptionally high standard, as you can see from these images of just some of the upgrades he added. If you missed seeing it in person, you can still watch the video on the website.
Two weeks before my listing appeared there were already three John Hudson Thomas homes on the market in Berkeley, and three more appeared within a couple of weeks of my listing becoming active. To have seven Thomas listings on the market within two months is unprecedented! On my website you can read about these other examples of his work, including the extraordinary property that is currently still for sale, the Hume Cloister.
That property, modeled after a 13th century French cloister, is located in the Berkeley hills. It’s listed by Grubb Co for $7,450,000. There are no signs or public open houses, but let me know if you are in the market for a multi-structure estate occupying over 7500 square feet with remarkable views! (photos courtesy of the Bridge MLS)
Welcome to Plastic Free July!
July is a special month to me and to thousands of others who want to contribute, even in small ways, to lessening the burden of plastics on our planet. We all know that plastics are everywhere, and most of us know that the vast majority, something like 90% of plastics, are NOT recycled. So for just this one month, might you be inspired to change a stripe or two in your behavior and avoid some single-use plastics? The international Plastics Free July website is now in its 15th year. This year it features a Pesky Plastics Quiz, which asks you about your current behavior regarding common items that are often packaged in plastic, and asks whether you might consider alternatives with a lower or zero plastic use. Examples would be making different buying choices regarding items normally packaged in plastic, vs. buying with paper packaging, or bringing your own containers to buy items in bulk. Switching to bar shampoo and conditioner, or buying cleaning products in bulk, using your own containers (preferably glass) are simple but effective ways to make a difference. Making your own yogurt, ideally from milk purchased in glass bottles, is a great way to avoid purchasing more plastic tubs, and you know exactly what is in your yogurt: organic milk and yogurt!
We are fortunate in the East Bay to have several stores for bulk purchases. From North to South:
Fillgood — 1579a Solano Ave, Berkeley · (510) 200-8157 · fillgood.co
Filling Station — 2112B Vine St, Berkeley · (510) 883-1606 · fillingstationberkeley.com (I love their motto: “Our mission is to sell you less!”)
Re-Up Refill Shop — 6025 College Ave · (510) 415-0956 · reuprefills.org
A challenge for me has been avoiding berries packaged in plastic clam shells. I am really pleased now that strawberries are actually in season, and I can buy them at the farmers markets (albeit often in plastic baskets, but those can be returned to the farmers and reused, at least.) There are a couple of local venders who package in cardboard, and I choose those vendors when they are available.
Cool Summer Events & Exhibitions
We are SO fortunate here in the Bay Area to have a plethora of great events and special exhibits to enjoy this summer!
July 2-6 is the Marin County Fair!
This annual event is one that my husband and I always look forward to. Not only are the fireworks outstanding (and as close as you could want them!) but they have fine juried art shows, lots of community involvement, multiple music and dance stages and our favorite, the festival of short films. Opening day this year, Wednesday, July 2nd, is also a free day for citizens 65 and older, and for kids 12 and younger. Ticket and scheduling information can be found at the link above. We’ll be enjoying opening day!
Wayne Thiebaud: Art Comes from Art, at the Legion of Honor in SF, through August 17th
You have about six weeks to see this exhibition of 65 quintessential works of this American master, including paintings of people (alone and together); still lives of cakes, tabletops, and other ordinary objects; cityscapes featuring soaring buildings; and mountain landscapes. Together they offer an in-depth exploration of one of the most important and overlooked aspects of his creative practice: his passionate engagement with art history.
Ruth Asawa Retrospective at the SF MOMA, through Sept. 12th
This first posthumous retrospective presents the full range of Ruth Asawa’s work and its inspiration over six decades of her career. As an artist, Asawa forged a groundbreaking practice through her ceaseless exploration of materials and forms. As an educator and civic leader, Asawa’s impact on San Francisco can still be felt today. This has been described as a deeply satisfying exhibition, giving context to work that many of us have felt familiar with all our lives. Beyond her iconic baskets, this show explores a broad range of her interests and art. The museum is open free of charge on the first Thursdays of the month, including this coming Thursday, July 3.
Featuring more than 250 personal photographs by Paul McCartney, along with video clips and archival materials, this exhibition offers a behind-the-scenes look at the meteoric rise of the world’s most celebrated band. Although well-preserved, few of the images had ever been printed or shared beyond McCartney’s immediate family and friends. Most existed only as negatives or printed in the simple form of contact sheets.
This exhibition has special meaning for those of us who were at a formative time during Beatlemania! Who is your favorite Beatle??
Arlene Baxter
arlene.baxter@theagencyre.com
15107171799
Lic. #1209552
