Volume 149 – The Uphill Climb!
What’s New?
Slowly walking up the Martis Summit Trail last week with my husband, kids, and faithful Labrador, Buck, in tow, we breathlessly paused at the top to take in the glorious views of the Lake and the verdant valley below while gliders and hawks soared above. Meeting up with a hiker who had easily passed us just a few minutes earlier, we began to chat (as I’m oh so prone to do)!
“So where do you live when you’re not enjoying the wonders of Tahoe?” I inquired (a Realtor’s prerogative and my natural curiosity taking over).
“I live in Sacramento,” he replied.
“Really? I grew up there,” I said.
“Where?” he asked.
“In Land Park,” I responded (The Piedmont of Sacramento).
“McClatchy High School?” he countered (this was starting to get interesting . . .).
“Yes. Class of 78,” I said.
“Me too! I graduated in 78!” he responded. “I knew a few people at your school. In fact, Kathy Lalivier married my best friend. Do you remember her?” (Not really, but the name registered in the deep recesses.) And of course, there were the twins – Jill and Julie . . .”
“I’M JULIE!” I interrupted.
“I’m Craig!” (Click!)
Craig and I last saw each other more than 25 years ago and we both had changed quite a bit in the intervening years. Still handsome and fit, Craig’s hair and goatee are now more grey than black and only an expensive hairdresser is keeping mine from turning the same. I suspect that I am nothing like the young girl I was back then. We’re both older but wiser I’d venture to say and we have both gone on to get married, send kids to college and build fulfilling careers in the interim.
“Small world,” my husband commented with some amazement on the walk down. “What do you suppose are the chances? How do you know him?”
“Ummm, we dated a few times, but I left town shortly thereafter and we lost touch (the memories were starting to gel now.) Craig was such a nice guy, as I recall (still is) and Kathy was cute and flirtatious. She and I were both student representatives together.” (The gates were fully unlocked and the memories were flooding in).
Obviously, my future lay elsewhere – as did Craig’s. I would meet the love of my life a few years later and Craig would go on to marry Lisa, a school teacher in Sacramento. They live in a house that’s only about a mile from the home in which he grew up, he explained. Teasing him about staying so close, he explained unapologetically, “I’ve traveled a lot and people always talk about how great other places are, but I’m convinced it doesn’t get much better than this.” Standing there at the summit, crystal clear sky above and deep, cool water below, it was hard to disagree; indeed, it doesn’t get much better than this.
There’s something inherently comforting and familiar about running into old friends – even those you haven’t seen in many years. It’s a sense of coming home, I suppose and an effortless connection. Craig, now a successful architect, designs houses and I (coincidentally) sell them. We’re both in the business of “home” which probably speaks volumes about who we are as individuals and what we value as people.
While I’d like to embrace my “inner Nomad,” the plain truth is, I’m more Martha Stewart than Robert E. Peary. Falling short in the adventure game, I’m slightly loath to admit that I covet the familiar more than I crave the exotic (which explains why I sell homes in the East Bay, instead of time shares in the Bahamas!) I’m only good for about ten days out before I start getting restless and homesick. That’s ok. Like Craig, I’m unapologetic about the fact that a sense of “home” is central to who I am and what I represent.
So what’s the moral of this accidental reunion? “There’s no place like home?” (Yes, but that line’s already been taken).
“Home is where the heart is?” (I’m really plagiarizing now. I have no shame.) For Craig, home is in Sacramento and for me, it’s here in the Bay Area where I’ve had extended stays on both sides of the bridge. And where both San Francisco and Oakland communities have claimed my heart - each for very different reasons.
How about, if you aren’t lucky enough to own a home in Tahoe (or marry into one) make friends with those who are willing to lend you theirs? (True, but not really a moral now, is it?)
Ok, let’s try this one on for size - in life, you will often have to climb uphill to reach the vistas and discover true beauty. (That’ll do. I never claimed to be Hemingway; I’m just looking for some nuggets of truth here.)
In Real Estate, as in life, the journey is often an uphill climb. Moreover, you are often struggling to get there (wheeze)! Take heart – that’s as it should be. It’s the climb that leads to the reward.
Besides, you never know who you’ll bump into . . . and that’s when life gets really interesting! Trivia Time: Free lattes at Mulberry’s Market to the first five readers who respond to this question: What did Robert Peary discover first and in what year? OR send me a moral that you’ve gleaned from this little “class reunion.” (I’ll print the best ones!)
What’s Coming?
Dana Cohen brings 138 Wildwood Gardens in Piedmont to the market this weekend. This exceptional 4bdrms/ 3+bth Mid-Century Contemporary has undergone a complete renovation! Situated on a mostly level lot of approximately 1/3 acre, this sophisticated remodel features open and elegant living areas, including a dining/great room with 14″ ceilings, chef’s eat-in kitchen/family room, handsome office and walls of glass providing a seamless integration between interior and exterior spaces. A HUGE level lawn for play! List price: $2,395,000. Open Sunday 2-4:30pm. www.138WildwoodGardens.com
Judy Cain and Ben Kahn have a new listing at 738 Longridge Avenue in Crocker Highlands. This light-filled, 4bdrm/3bth Traditional defines elegance and style at every turn. Tastefully remodeled by its current owners, this gracious home features a formal living room with arched windows and handsome fireplace, formal dining room with French doors opening out to al fresco entertaining, a spacious master suite, bonus room perfect for an office/ family room, rumpus room, workshop/wine storage, gleaming wood floors, period details, lovely garden and greenbelt, level-in access from the street and attached garage. This ultra chic home is ready to enjoy! Open Sunday 2-4:30pm. www.738Longridge.com
Aaron Brown brings a “fixer” opportunity with loads of potential to the market at 2222 & 2220 Haste Street in Berkeley. This triplex + single family home on the same lot is just 3 short blocks from campus and ideal for someone looking for good rental property in Berkeley. This is its first time on the market in 65 years and priced to entice at $799,000! Open Sunday, 2-4:30pm. www.222haste.com
(I haven’t mentioned every special home – just a few of my favorites! For a more complete guide, please feel free to email me at jgardner@grubbco.com or better yet, give me a call 510 326-0840!)
What’s Pending?
While I was away sunning in Tahoe (don’t tell my dermatologist) there were a couple of very nice sales back home in Piedmont. The spacious Traditional on El Cerrito has gone into contract, List price: $2,295,000 and the fabulous remodel at 25 Mesa also found lucky buyers! List price: $2,195,000. August typically presents real openings in the marketplace. Take advantage of them if something strikes your fancy. You’re likely to find yourself back in competition once vacationers return home.
What’s Happening?
It’s mid-August so we are officially in the “dog days of summer.” While there’s activity to be found, most new listings will hold off now until after school begins. Look for them post Labor Day. You can expect to see properties that may have missed the Spring Market come back with face lifts and price reductions and new listings that are designed to sell before the Thanksgiving holidays. In either case, it’s a great time to buy. (The Fall Market represents very motivated sellers!) Interest rates remain historically low and values have softened, inviting many of you to the table who were previously, priced out. Get down off that fence and take advantage of these opportunities.
The Piedmont Plug
Meeting up with a friend last week (impromptu style) he suggested a new restaurant that recently opened up on College Avenue and it was fabulous! If you haven’t yet discovered Chu (next door to Marzano’s) it’s time to do so now. Featuring delicious Chinese dishes and a warm, upscale interior that’s both elegant and inviting but also affordable, it’s not your typical Chinese restaurant - by a long shot. Open for lunch and dinner, this terrific eatery deserves your prompt attention. Chu Restaurant, 5362 College Avenue, (510) 601-8818.
What’s Fun!
If you haven’t yet seen Eat, Pray, Love! do so. This “feel-good” movie about a woman in search of self (hmmm) is really inspiring and thoughtfully acted and directed. (I’m ready for my own year, in Italy, India and Bali.) Better than the book, I thought (and I liked the book a lot)!
See you next week!