Summer Market: Slower pace but still high sales
It’s summer in the East Bay, with lots of fog and breezy nights. But that’s nothing to complain about compared to so many other locations around the world! And lately the days have been gorgeous.
Real estate too experiences seasons, and we’ve entered into that slower period, where fewer new homes appear than in previous months. During the past six weeks in residential sales we’ve seen strong interest and high offers for the homes that were prepared in the way that consistently works: with the major objections removed, cosmetic updates made, presented at least well enough to attract attention. And the best properties did extraordinarily well!
Our listing at 1643 Walnut, listed at $1.998M, closed for the equivalent of $2.870M, with the buyers paying their own agent’s commission. We attracted lots of special interest because of the amazing climbing gym. But the sad truth: the sellers took some of the pulls with them, and then we donated the rest, along with the pro-grade mats to climbers in the area. Some modifications to a home are too personal to expect to recoup the expense.
Just a few data points about the market, focusing this month on in single family homes in Berkeley. Since the beginning of 2026:
- of the 300 homes that sold, 62 (20.6%) sold for 50% or more than list price, and 32 of those sold in the last two months
- two recent examples in North Berkeley, both priced just under $2M, sold in the low to mid $3M range, and two sold for almost double their list prices
Obviously that could mean really bad pricing on the part of the listing agent, or some really surprising interest in those homes, or a combination of both.
What is clear is that despite interest rates in the 6s, which seem here to stay for the foreseeable future, there are people able and willing to buy, and at high prices. In the first half of this year in Berkeley, 23 homes sold in the $3M range, two in the $4Ms and one off-market listing sold for $6.7M. The number of sales in the $3M range in the first half of 2025 was 14, and in the second half of the year it was 22. Interestingly, in the first half of 2025 there were more truly high sales than this year: four in the $4M range, two in the $5M range and one over $8M.
To fill out the picture in Berkeley, there are currently 53 single family homes on the market, half of which have been on the market for more than 3 weeks, so they missed the normal marketing window to sell.
Apricots and roses: what wonderful summer gifts! My garden has been producing a profusion of both, which I am enjoying immensely! It’s the first year that we have enjoyed more apricots than the squirrels have! They are delicious, and besides just enjoying most as they are, they made a great crisp, and the remaining ones will soon be turned into jam, so I can remember the taste of summer for months to come!
Arlene
Celebrating a Special Day of Independence
As this nation reaches its 250th birthday, it’s clearly a complicated celebration. Many of us wish we could truly be celebrating a land of the free, with equality and justice for all. I can only hope that many take time that day for some reflection. One small suggestion: if you have not done so recently, take a few minutes to read the Declaration of Independence. Or, you might enjoy listening to this reading prepared by the agents of Red Oak in 2020. It takes just about ten minutes (I’m at ~8:45). I must say it’s a powerful reminder of what was fought for then, and how much the King’s offenses sound strangely familiar now.
Fireworks: another complicated issue around celebration! They are expensive, can cause fire and damage, can cause toxic fogs and other environmental harm, and terrify animals. And still many of us love the brief beautiful displays. I confess to being among those who love watching them, and recognize them as a very guilty pleasure.
Should you wish to indulge this year, here are some options:
My favorite viewing spot is along the pond at the Marin Civic Center, usually viewed from within the Marin County Fair. It runs from July 1 – July 5. Should you read this soon enough, know that Wednesday, July 1 is a FREE day for anyone 65 or older. See more below.
On Saturday, July 4, 2026, San Francisco will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s signing with a historic fireworks display launched directly from the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge — only the third time in the Bridge’s nearly 90-year history that fireworks have been deployed from the iconic span. The free, public display will begin at approximately 9:30 pm and will be visible from vantage points across San Francisco and the Bay Area. The Bridge will be closed from at least 8 pm until 11 pm, and you can anticipate some serious traffic jams! Click for more details.
Welcome to Plastic Free July!
July is a always 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 16th year. This year it features a Refuse Plastic Pledge, which asks you to choose one plastic item to refuse, from single-use cups to plastic bottles or packaged produce, and make a pledge as an individual or with friends, family, classmates, colleagues, or your community. Other 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, buying cleaning products in bulk, or 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 will know exactly what is in your yogurt: organic milk and yogurt! I’ve fallen away from making my own recently, but am pledging for this July to not buy more plastic tubs! And honestly the milk purchased in glass recyclable bottles tastes better, as does my own 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 1-5 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 impressive juried art exhibitions, lots of community involvement, multiple music and dance stages and our favorite, the festival of short films.
There’s also a presentation by the local Bonsai society which is impressive. And then there are the usual county fair offerings, but on a smaller scale than most. You might even catch some sheep dog trials if you go Sunday (at noon). An unusual artisan: Jeremy Telford of Balloon Guy Entertainment who makes remarkable sculptures out of balloons. He’s a serious talent!
Opening day this year, Wednesday, July 1st is also a free day for citizens 65 and older, and for kids 12 and younger. Ticket and scheduling information can be found here.
El Cerrito Fourth of July Celebration and WorldOne Stage, July 4, 11 – 5
The annual City of El Cerrito July 4th Festival provides the chance to celebrate Independence Day amongst high-flying banners, world-class music, friends, community groups, classic car showcase, and more. The event is free to the public, with pay-as-you-go options for attractions such as food & beverage booths, rides, bounce houses, vendor booths and more! I’m planning to be there for the first performance by Keale, a terrific Hawaiian performer.
Fútbol on the Block: Free Outdoor Watch Parties
For those caught up in the World Cup (and I confess to have enjoyed watching several games!)
Saturday, July 4th (9AM – 5PM) and
Sunday, July 5th (12PM – 8PM) for free,
outdoor watch parties in Temescal!
Admission Free & All Ages. Vip Experiences Available.
Music. Beer Garden. Food.
Address: 5200 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA
Join in a mini outdoor festival combining a viewing party for the world soccer championships & a vibrant July 4th celebration designed for all ages!
THE TEMESCAL STREET FAIR SATURDAY, JULY 11TH, 11AM – 7PM. It features three stages of music, outdoor dining from award winning restaurants, artisan cocktails & bevvys, children’s zone, artisan vendor market, TURFinc dance competition, a local fashion show and so much more!
FAMILY FRIENDLY. ADMISSION FREE. ALL ARE WELCOME. This vibrant street fair benefits the Temescal District and attracts 15,000+ attendees annually.
Extended through Sunday July 12:
The Lunch Box at Berkeley REP: a MUST SEE!
If you have not already seen this delightful new musical, order tickets NOW! It is a wonderful adaptation of Ritesh Batra’s internationally acclaimed film filled with heart, humor, and hope. In bustling Mumbai, a lunchbox delivery service, the Dabbawallah, makes a highly unusual mistake, that leads to surprising connections. The voices were surprisingly good, the dancing is wonderful, and it is overall a lovely work of theater in one act. I guarantee it will make you smile…lots!
The Good News Department!
Each month I share some news that made me smile, and hope it will make you smile as well!
In honor of Plastic Free July, let’s raise one of those red plastic beer glasses to a very innovative collective, that figured out how to turn them into clothing! The sweaters and the beanies in the photo were all made from those cups, which are normally difficult to recycle. A collective called The New Norm partnered with Tailored Industry to 3D knit garments. 3D knitting is similar to 3D printing but for apparel. The sweaters and beanies are knit straight out of the machine without any sewing. Traditional industrial cut-and-sew can waste over 30% of the fabric used. Additionally, these garments are made on-demand. When you click purchase, your garment starts knitting. This means no wasted inventory. How cool is that!
Arlene Baxter
arlene.baxter@theagencyre.com
15107171799
Lic. #1209552
