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: What design trends are you seeing now for kitchens?
What design trends are you seeing now for kitchens? Here are ten trends for kitchen design I have been seeing in publications and in our local market: Stark all-white kitchens are becoming less popular. People are looking for more warmth, which can come from materials or color. Unpainted wood cabinetry is increasingly popular; the grain and color of the wood add warmth and a natural element to the overall design. If cabinets are painted, we’re seeing less gray and less white, and more shades of blue, green, saffron, and ivory. The use of open shelving for storage is trending downward, [...]
HOW TO CHOOSE LED BULBS
HOW TO CHOOSE LED BULBS I spend a lot of time looking at light fixtures and choosing bulbs, because replacing light fixtures is one of the most cost-effective ways to create an updated look in a home for sale. Choosing LED bulbs is surprisingly complicated, but here’s the step-by-step process that I use: 1: Figure out what shape bulb you need (including the size of the bulb and the type of socket). 2: Make sure to get bulbs for enclosed fixtures if your fixture is enclosed. 3: Choose the color temperature. (I always go for 2700K, which is like an [...]
REAL ESTATE ANSWERS: Why (and how) do so many local sellers spend so much money getting their homes ready for sale?
Why (and how) do so many local sellers spend so much money getting their homes ready for sale? Sellers in our area routinely spend tens of thousands of dollars on work and staging in preparation for putting their home on the market. (The amount obviously depends on the size and condition of the home, but $50,000 is pretty common these days). Why spend so much, when there are so many buyers out there? The first part of the answer is that yes, there are lots of buyers, but there are also other homes for sale, so it’s important that your [...]
REAL ESTATE ANSWERS: Why should you pull a permit for work done on your home?
Why should you consider pulling a permit for work done on your home? The #1 reason you should get a permit if you’re having work done on your home that requires it is the obvious one: it’s required by law, and you can have problems with the City if they discover you don’t have a permit, either as the work is being done, or after the fact. That said, it’s definitely the case that many homes in our area have work that was done without permits. Homeowners choose to skip permits for a variety of reasons, including the cost of [...]
REAL ESTATE ANSWERS: What can I do to make a dark room brighter?
Some people love a cozy, darker space, but for others (and for getting top dollar in a sale), bright, airy spaces are optimal. How can you get this look in an existing home? The obvious answer is with remodeling—adding windows or skylights to let in more natural light. There are many ways to brighten a room, though, that don’t involve calling a contractor and spending lots of money. Here are some suggestions: Start by making the most of the windows you have. If it’s been a while since the windows were washed (note to self…), having them cleaned can make [...]