Your Real Estate Expert for Berkeley and Beyond
“Marilyn is exceptional. Her knowledge base, enthusiasm for her job, professional ethics, organization, sensitivity to our aesthetic requirements, loyalty and gentle perseverance set her apart.”
-- Bill and Carol Seidel
Marilyn Garcia, PhD
Broker Associate, Realtor®
DRE# 02014153
District Homes
1758 Solano Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94707
Direct:
(510) 390-5406
REAL ESTATE ANSWERS: Should I replace my gas water heater, or switch to a heat pump version?
I need a new water heater. Should I replace my gas unit, or switch to a heat pump water heater? If you are looking for the simplest, lowest cost replacement today, sticking with gas is still a viable option (for now!). But there are a number of reasons to seriously consider the heat pump option. Gas appliances burn fuel inside the home, and in the process produce nitrogen oxides (NOx). These are linked to respiratory irritation and asthma, and they also contribute to smog. That smog connection is why the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, or BAAQMD, has adopted [...]
REAL ESTATE ANSWERS: Is Berkeley checking how we sort our waste and recycling?
Is Berkeley checking how we sort our waste and recycling? Yes, the City has been checking a subset of our curbside refuse and recycling bins for correct sorting lately. If they find items in the wrong bin, they leave a note with tips to help you sort correctly. Because I spend a fair amount of time trying to figure out which bin various items go in (or which Ridwell bag to use), I periodically go online and check the sorting rules, and thought I’d share some interesting and clarifying tips I found. The question that has come up most often [...]
REAL ESTATE ANSWERS: What changes are coming to Berkeley’s BESO program, and how will they affect home sellers?
What changes are coming to Berkeley’s BESO program, and how will they affect home sellers? Coming soon to a real estate sale near you: changes to Berkeley’s Building Emissions Saving Ordinance (BESO) that will significantly increase the requirements when a single-family home or detached condo is sold. The purpose of the ordinance (from the code itself) is “to reduce energy use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions in existing buildings.” Currently, BESO requires a seller to complete an Energy Report identifying energy and water efficiency opportunities, which must be filed with the City. The total cost is typically under $500. [...]