What's Up Oakland

What's Up Oakland What makes a place somewhere people want to live? The community, events, different neighborhoods and

You probably think as a general rule of thumb, brand new homes costs more than existing homes. But right now, that's bac...
09/03/2026

You probably think as a general rule of thumb, brand new homes costs more than existing homes. But right now, that's backwards. This shows just how much.

A newly built home costs about $40k less than an existing one right now. That's because builders are cutting prices and piling on incentives to keep their inventory moving.

And that opens up a window for you to get brand new everything for less than you may expect.

DM me if you want a list of nearby new home communities offering deals like this right now to see if a new build may be in your budget after all.

Do you realize how much pull you have right now as a buyer?There are more sellers than buyers on the market right now. T...
09/02/2026

Do you realize how much pull you have right now as a buyer?

There are more sellers than buyers on the market right now. That means a lot of sellers know they’ll have to compromise a bit to get their house sold, which leaves you room to negotiate on price and terms.

Of course, exactly how much room you have depends on where you’re looking. But more and more markets are trending in favor of buyers, so let’s chat about what’s going on in our area.

Send a DM, and we’ll turn your negotiating power into a set of keys.

09/01/2026

Sellers Outnumber Buyers Right Now

Buying soon? You’ve got more pull than you might expect. Right now, there are more sellers than buyers on the market. And that means sellers know they’ll have to give a little to get their house sold. Exactly how much negotiating power you have depends on where you’re looking. So, let’s chat about how much power you have here, then turn it into a set of keys. 

Have you seen the headlines about using your 401(k) to cover a down payment?Tapping it can feel like an easy call, espec...
08/31/2026

Have you seen the headlines about using your 401(k) to cover a down payment?

Tapping it can feel like an easy call, especially if you’ve got a good chunk saved up. But pulling from retirement early can trigger penalties and set back the savings you'll want later on.

But you don’t necessarily have to raid your retirement to buy a home. You’ve got other options, like FHA loans, which let qualified buyers put down as little as 3.5%. And down payment assistance programs can help, too.

So, before you touch your 401(k), talk with a trusted financial advisor. They can help you find the option that fits your goals and your budget.

I'm honored to be recognized as one of the Top Agents at Coldwell Banker Berkeley for July 2026.Real estate is never a s...
08/28/2026

I'm honored to be recognized as one of the Top Agents at Coldwell Banker Berkeley for July 2026.

Real estate is never a solo effort. This recognition reflects the trust my clients place in me, the support of my colleagues, and the referrals from friends, family, and community connections who continue to think of me when someone needs real estate guidance.

Whether helping first-time buyers, downsizers, move-up buyers, or sellers preparing for their next chapter, I'm grateful to be part of so many important life transitions.

Thank you to everyone who has supported my business and trusted me along the way. I truly appreciate it.

❤️ Homes. Community. Connection.

Think every home on the market is out of reach? Not necessarily.More than 40% of sellers are dropping their asking price...
08/28/2026

Think every home on the market is out of reach? Not necessarily.

More than 40% of sellers are dropping their asking price right now. And the median list price this July was the lowest for any July in 5 years.

That means sellers aren’t banking on bidding wars or expecting buyers to pay whatever they ask. They’re more willing to meet you where you’re at.

And that could work in your favor. Want to find out how much wiggle room you have on price in our market? DM me.

Quick question: what's the one word you'd use to describe this year so far?For a lot of people, it's stressful. And when...
08/27/2026

Quick question: what's the one word you'd use to describe this year so far?

For a lot of people, it's stressful. And when everything feels shaky, it’s easy to second-guess the move you were ready to make. But the truth is, the housing market is one thing that’s been remarkably stable.

Home prices have been relatively steady for about 4 years now. The number of homes for sale is right about where it was last year (up 2%). And mortgage rates have held in the same general 6-7% range since late 2022.

A steady market comes with a perk. You can actually plan. What works for your budget today probably won’t look all that different in a few months.

You don’t have to wait for things to calm down. The housing market’s already pretty steady. Send me a DM or drop a comment below, and let's compare the market you walked away from to the one that's here now.

A lot of people are hoping for the same thing. Lower mortgage rates. Lower home prices.The problem? Forecasts show that’...
08/26/2026

A lot of people are hoping for the same thing. Lower mortgage rates. Lower home prices.

The problem? Forecasts show that’s probably not what’s in the cards. At least, not right now.

Mortgage rates aren’t expected to fall dramatically. And at the same time, home prices should keep rising at about the same pace they have been.

Now, that’s not what you wanted to hear, but it doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

Sometimes the best move isn't waiting for the market to change. It's exploring what's still possible right now.

Other people are still making it happen even with rates and prices where they are. Maybe you can too.

Let's talk if you want help thinking it over.

Thinking about selling, but worried your deal could fall apart before closing? Here's some perspective.Most home sales s...
08/24/2026

Thinking about selling, but worried your deal could fall apart before closing? Here's some perspective.

Most home sales still make it to the finish. And when one doesn't, the top reason is almost always inspection or repair issues. They play a part in more than 70% of deals that fall through.

But, luckily for you, inspection/repair issues are what you have the most power to prevent ahead of time. A pre-listing inspection lets you find and handle problems before a buyer's inspector ever does.

Ready to list? Let's talk about whether getting a pre-listing inspection makes sense for your house in our market.

Open Houses this weekend!One of the things I love most about this new Emeryville listing isn't inside the home at all. I...
08/22/2026

Open Houses this weekend!

One of the things I love most about this new Emeryville listing isn't inside the home at all. It's the opportunity to step outside and enjoy the waterfront boardwalk just moments away. Combining easy ground-floor living, a spacious deck, Bay views, and access to one of Emeryville's most beloved waterfront communities, 3 Commodore Drive #158 offers a lifestyle that's hard to find at this price point.

☕ Morning coffee on the deck
🚶 Waterfront walks after work
🌅 Bay sunsets a few steps from home
🌉 Glimpses of the Bay Bridge from the living room

Open Aug. 22 and 23 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Address

1495 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA
94709

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8:15am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 7pm
Sunday 8am - 7pm

Telephone

+15107038636

Website

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