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Live in an Elmwood/Claremont Berkeley craftsman home designed by Julia Morgan – 2900 Derby Street near College Avenue Shops and UC Berkeley

by Ira Serkes on January 22, 2012

Live in an Elmwood/Claremont Berkeley craftsman home designed by Julia Morgan

Would you like to live a part of California History?

2900 Derby Street, a two story 4 bedroom 3 bath Brownshingle home is on the market for $1,025,000

Open homes scheduled for Sunday 22 Jan 2012 and 29 Jan 2012 from 2:00 to 4:30 pm

Photo portfolio and Elmwood/Claremont Neighborhood Information a 2900Derby.com

This wonderful craftsman home was designed by Julia Morgan, one of the most important female architects of the early 20th century. The Wikipedia entry tells more about this remarkable woman: She graduated UC Berkeley in 1894 with a degree in Civil Engineering. With the urging of her friend and mentor Bernard Maybeck (another remarkable Berkeley architect, she applied to Ecole des Beaux-Arts, and was the first woman to graduate with a degree in architecture from the school.

Although renowned as the architect of William Randolph Hearst’s San Simeon mansion, Hearst Castle, Julia Morgan had a significant architectural influence in the Bay Area, including the Berkeley City Club, Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, Turner Building, Baptist Divinity School. Her landmark houses include Ralph White, Macgregor, and Frederick A. Thomas Houses.

On the main level you’ll find the rooms with her signature first-growth redwood paneled walls, window details and built in cabinetry. The key living room feature is the inglenook fireplace with it’s own hidden nook- look for the door on the upper right.

BAHA (Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association) records show it was built in 1904 and in 1920 moved here from 2819 Garber Street.

The updated kitchen and serene back yard has a southern exposure.

All the bedrooms are on the 2nd floor of this two story brown shingle home.

With a Walk Score of 74 (very walkable) this Julia Morgan craftsman home is convenient to the Claremont’s Domingo area restaurants, bakery & cafe and Elmwood’s Theater, Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, Mrs. Dalloway’s bookstore, Holy Land and Le Med restaurants and numerous cafes. The bus to Rockridge BART runs along nearby College Avenue; The UC Berkeley Campus – Haas Business School, Boalt Hall, Pacific Film Archive is just to the north.

There’s even a one car garage!

Photos of the nearby neighborhoods:

Elmwood

www.flickr.com

Claremont

www.flickr.com

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The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life opens in Downtown Berkeley on Sunday 22 Jan 2012

by Ira Serkes on January 15, 2012

The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life http://www.magnes.org opens in Downtown Berkeley on Sunday 22 Jan 2012 (corrected, thanks to Frances Dinkelspiel)

The Open House Party starts at noon … and admission is free!

It will be a welcome addition to Berkeley .. and the San Francisco Bay Area. The restored Art Deco building will be joined by another Art Deco gem when the University Of California Art Building opens downtown in a few years.

Carol and I went to the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco to view the Houdini exhibit before it “disappeared” (their words, not mine). We’re delighted that the Magnes Collection complement their exhibits.

Sunday would have been my mother Adele’s 97th birthday. What a nice present for her!

My flickr site has more Magnes Collection and Downtown Berkeley Deco photos.

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Chanukah, Christmas and Holiday Lights abound in Berkeley

by Ira Serkes on December 23, 2011

Saul’s Deli in North Berkeley hosted a particularly joyful Klezmer Music event … here’s the foot-tapping video

Here’s the photo portfolio of everyone enjoying the wonderful Saul’s Deli/North Berkeley Klezmer Street Event

More photos at the December events page on BerkeleyHomes.com

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Astonishing Golden Gate and San Francisco Views … Incredible Flow … Kitchen as Theatre … Amazing Garden … All await you at Hillside House on Albany Hill

by Ira Serkes on December 16, 2011

715 Hillside Avenue, Albany Hill – 4 Bedrooms 3+ Baths – $1,275,000

Extraordinary photo portfolio of the home and garden .. with videos and what makes this home so special at 715hillside.com

Hillside House … Spectacular Views, Amazing Sunsets, Privacy … and a wonderful garden
Astonishing Views!
Glorious views from this spectacular Mid-Century Modern perched on an East Bay hillside overlooking San Francisco: Walls of windows open to light & sky beyond, and to: Golden Gate & San Francisco Bay Bridges; Mt. Tamalpais; Marin Headlands; Angel & Alcatraz Islands; City Lights & Sparkling Bay Waters; Pink & Purple Sunsets

Incredible Flow!

Tri-level living with open & easy transitions while maintaining privacy between floors; First Level: a welcoming entry space with bench seating & large family room with full bath; garden entry; Main Living Level: open plan living room & dining area; view terrace overlooking the bay; raised hearth fireplace & gas starter; half-bath; large kitchen created in 2003; Top Level: Four Bedrooms (includes master retreat); two full baths; laundry

Kitchen as Theatre!

Chef’s kitchen & a caterer’s dream! Three work stations! (butler’s pantry, center island & counter); Thermador stainless appliances; six-burner range, two ovens (stove & wall) plus warming drawer; glass-paned cherry cabinetry; roll-out shelving; wine fridge & storage; bamboo flooring; Costa Smerelda granite counters; additional dining space & seating area; sliding doors to garden patio spa, private outdoor lounge area & screening trellis.

Amazing Gardens!

The 6,086 sq.ft. lot to the North is included in sale. Planet Horticulture created a botanical paradise on the site of what was once a barren dry hillside. Surely this is one of the great gardens of the San Francisco Bay Area; three hundred species from all over the world bloom & thrive here during every season, & a walk up the winding path to the view meadow above informs, surprises & delights at every turn. Featured in 2011′s Bay Friendly Garden Tour.

International Online Marketing

Christies International Real Estate

New York Times

Pacific Union International Real Estate

Berkeley Association Of Realtors/East Bay Regional Multiple Listing Service – MLS

Ira Serkes, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

Photo Credits

Thomas Grubba
http://www.tgrubbaphoto.com/

Dry Stone Garden
http://drystonegarden.com/index.php/2011/05/the-bay-friendly-garden-tour/

Floradora Garden
http://floradoragardens.blogspot.com/2011/05/bay-friendly-garden-tour.html

Lisa Calef
http://715hillside.com/

Planet Horticulture
http://planethorticulture.com/

Ira Serkes
http://berkeleyhomes.com/blog/

Extraordinary photo portfolio of the home and garden .. with videos and what makes this home so special at 715hillside.com

The Panorama

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Remembering the sacrifices of others on Remembrance/Veteran’s Day

by Ira Serkes on November 10, 2011

Several years ago Carol and I were in Victoria, British Columbia, on Remembrance Day.

We refer to it as Veterans Day.

I was touched by all the people wearing red poppies on their lapels and bought one to wear.

This is it … it’s on my desk and I see it every day.

When I was young, many people wore poppies – but now I rarely see them.

Many of our holidays have just become and excuse to travel or take the day off – it seems like the meaning has been lost.

Spend a few moments to remember and give thanks to the people who made it all possible – those who served and serve to defend our liberties and freedoms.

Thank you.

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What have Berkeley homes sold for this year? We’ve created an interactive map for you!

by Ira Serkes on November 1, 2011

Here’s a map for you to research Berkeley home prices in your favorite neighborhoods!

This maps comes from data downloaded from the East Bay Regional Multiple Listing Service (MLS). It show all homes sold through the MLS and doesn’t include private sales.

Click on the map image .. and it will take you directly to our MLS Market Research Report where you can zoom in and around your favorite neighborhoods. The report has 7 different maps:

Sales Price
Bedrooms
Square Feet of home
Square Feet of lot
Year Built
Sales by Quarter
Sales Price/Original List Price ratio

Within each map you can filter by variables such as price range, home size (bedroom or square feet) or year built.

Interested in details of the houses which have sold? Just click on the pushpin and you can find details such as the sales price, how it compared to the original price, bedrooms, square feet, when built, lot size .. and more!

This video gives a good idea of all the cool things you can do with the maps …

Curious about a price range? Just click on the balloons at the bottom.

I organized the sales price into 6 different price ranges: $1,000,000 and above; $750,000-$1,000,000; $650-750,000; $550-650,000; $450-550,000; and $450,000 and lower.

Want an overview of the Berkeley, Albany, Kensington & Rockridge Market? Zoom out and pie charts magically appear which show you the distribution of prices by area.

Thinking of selling or buying a home in the area and want a magical experience for you? Call us at 510-526-6668 and we’ll take wonderful care of you!

Ira

Department Real Estate Licenses 00936453/01143916

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Halloween Pumpkins, Parades, Events … and the Day Of The Dead

by Ira Serkes on October 25, 2011

Berkeley really celebrates Halloween!

Thousand Oaks, Emerson, and other schools have great parades.

Russell and Josephine Streets and Mariposa Avenue have wonderful pumpkins and festivities (Russell Street closes at 8:30 pm so be there early) … the house at Ashby & Piedmont has amazing pumpkins … and North Berkeley has a great Dia de los Muertos Day of The Dead Parade planned for Wed 2 Nov 2011 5-9 pm

The photos below give a sneak preview … click on Berkeley Halloween and Day Of The Dead festivities for links to more photos and video … and map so you know where to go!

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Wow! $765,000 for updated 4 Bedroom with walkscore of 95! Near UC, Shops, BART

by Ira Serkes on October 23, 2011

2229 Ashby Avenue at Deakin – Open Sunday 23 Oct 2011 2:00 to 4:30 PM

Photo Portfolio @ 2229Ashby.com

Completely remodeled in 2003, this 1907 two story home has four bedrooms, including a master suite, upper level laundry and a bedroom with skylight. There’s a formal dining room and a sun room, and the kitchen has granite counters, stainless finish appliances and hickory cabinetry

Details include designer colors, and hardwood, ceramic tile & slate flooring

Though the address is on Ashby, most of the home is sited along quiet Deakin Street which has no through traffic because of the traffic barrier at Ashby. The noise reducing dual paned windows make a huge positive difference in livability!!

Two decks – one off the kitchen to the yard, the other off the master bedroom.

Need more space? There’s even a huge attic accessible via pull-down stairs!

Spacious garage/workshop and off street parking … all easily accessible via Deakin rather than Ashby.

The Le Conte School playground is just down the street.

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Sweet two bedrooms home near College & Telegraph Shops … and BART – $425,000

2226 Woolsey on a quiet cul-de-sac in the Halcyon Commons neighborhood. 2 Bedrooms – $425,000 – Open Sunday 9 Oct 2011 2:00 to 4:30 pm … come by! Photo portfolio at 2226woolsey.com

Read the full article → Open Houses