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
THE OUTLOOK: North Berkeley & the Berkeley Hills, Spring (Q2) 2025 results
THE OUTLOOK: North Berkeley & the Berkeley Hills, with results from Spring (Q2) 2025. Spring is traditionally the busiest season in the Berkeley real estate calendar, and 2025 was no exception. Across both North Berkeley and the Berkeley Hills, the second quarter brought a flurry of activity, supported by sustained strong buyer demand. Even as interest rates remained elevated and economic signals remained mixed, the local market showed resilience. Price trends this spring were driven in large part by the mix of properties sold. North Berkeley saw more condo sales, and the Hills saw more higher-end sales; these shifts shaped [...]
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. [...]
Movies in the Park
Movies in the Park Looking for something to do on a Friday night coming up? How about seeing a movie in a Berkeley park? The City of Berkeley’s free evening movie series runs through mid-September. If you’re going, the City suggests arriving at least 30 minutes before showtime, and recommends not driving there if possible, as street parking will be limited. Plan to bring something to sit on (low beach chairs only—so the people behind you can see—or a blanket, sleeping bag, etc.), a flashlight or headlamp, and weather-appropriate layers in case it gets chilly. I would definitely bring some [...]
COMPLETED SALES, North Berkeley, 2nd Quarter (Spring) 2025
Click HERE to see details and photos of properties SOLD in North Berkeley, 4/1/2025-6/30/2025. Note that, after you follow the link, you can click on each individual property to see photos and more details. Click "Close" near the top to return to the list. * For the purposes of this newsletter, “North Berkeley” is defined as the area bounded by University Avenue in the south, the line of Sacramento Street to the west, the Berkeley border to the north, and below Arlington Avenue, Los Angeles Avenue, and Spruce Street (south of Los Angeles) to the west.
COMPLETED SALES, Berkeley Hills, 2nd Quarter (Spring) 2025
Click HERE to see details and photos of properties SOLD in the Berkeley Hills, 4/1/2025 - 6/30/2025. Note that, after you follow the link, you can click on each individual property to see photos and more details. Click "Close" near the top to return to the list. * For the purposes of this newsletter, “Berkeley Hills” refers to the area bounded as follows: north of campus, east of a line heading north on Spruce from campus, cutting over on Los Angeles to Arlington, and then north along Arlington to the Kensington border.