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 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…
“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…
Imagine opening up your home to show off your remodeled kitchen. That’s what 8-10 Rockridge homeowners do every other year along with their builders, architects, and interior designers. Seeing these renovated and reimagined kitchens with the latest cabinetry, space-saving ideas, and glowing cabinet hardware is the ultimate inspiration to refresh your kitchen — especially if…
Thinking of a budget remodel to update or fix things about your house that you don’t like? Join the club! There’s nothing like living in a space for a while to figure out what you would like to change in layout or use of the space. That’s why I give my home buying clients a…
Does your house have the comfortable feel of an old shoe? Are you embarrassed to have people over? Or if you do, are you constantly apologizing and wondering what your guests think? Susie thinks: “check!” “check!” and “check!” A little known technique to re-invent your house is to do what real estate agents do when…
Here’s a success story of a life-long renter who found and bought her perfect home, a condo. My client had a perfect process for searching for houses and condos that led to a winning offer. She knew exactly what her criteria were — the home had to: be in an easy commute location, easy to…
Home sellers in Oakland, Alameda and some other East Bay cities need to decide whether to repair their sewer lateral, if necessary, or let the buyer pay for repairing the sewer lateral. It’s part of a program called East Bay Private Sewer Lateral (PSL) In Oakland, home sellers or home buyers where there is a…
