So you want to add an ADU to your property or maybe lift your house to add space so you can stay in Berkeley, Rockridge, or another East Bay town. When at the Rockridge Library, most visitors ask: How can I learn about building an ADU? If you have a flat lot, you can potentially…
I’ve lived in Rockridge for more than 10 years where I own — and house hack — a duplex. So this list of reasons why a Rockridge is so popular comes directly from my experience. Ask anyone who has been to Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood what they think. You will very likely hear them say “it’s…
By Susie Wyshak. Originally printed in the Rockridge News, March 2025 The edge of a curb. A raised sidewalk. A barbell at the gym. Too many steep hikes. What do these all have in common? Ouch! and “I didn’t realize what a death-trap my house is!” The Wall St. Journal reports that by 2030, the…
The price of gold is at an all time high, more than 10x what it was around 1980 when the price shot up. Before then it had been relatively flat for decades. The price of Bay Area real estate has had a slower trajectory up. As you can see in this Median Home Price Trends…
I know you might be thinking, “Wait, isn’t the number one life goal to find inner peace, get married, achieve true happiness, or become a yoga guru?” And sure, those are all popular goals—but let’s talk about a truly achievable, life-changing goal that can actually fund your path to inner peace: Buy a house. Why…
There’s a reason why I’ve dragged my feet in converting my fixer garage into an ADU: Every year California improves statewide laws with regulations for building accessory dwelling units (ADUs). In 2025 some of the most exciting laws squash rules that some local cities were hoping to impose. Maxable is a company that provides end-to-end…
Thinking about making the move from LA to the Bay Area? If you’re bemoaning the idea of not being in Los Angeles, by the beaches, in WEHO, or some other scene you might miss, here are a few things to consider about what you’ll love—and what you might miss—about the Bay Area. Is the…
The Getty Center and Getty Villa emerged from the 2025 Los Angeles fire disaster as examples of fire hardening best practices. Yes, they had staff to supplement all of the measures the Getty team took to stop fire approaching and stop smoke from penetrating the buildings. But they also meticulously followed best practices for fire hardening…
Is the reward worth the risk of collaborating with a flipper / developer to update an older home in an affluent neighborhood before selling? The idea of transforming a million dollar home into a $3 million property — rather than selling it to someone else who will do just that — is worth exploring. Partnering…
“Eighty-two percent of home buyers express regrets about their recent property purchase. Their most common regret: buying a home that requires too much maintenance.” (Clever Real Estate survey) Is fear stopping you from buying a home when you really want to own and invest in your future, instead of renting? The answer is to address…