Views, Views Views! Just Sold: 979 Via Montanas

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You may remember a recent blog about a property I had listed with incredible views. Well, it didn’t take long for that lovely little gem to be snapped right up! Just a few days ago, my client and I closed with a buyer on the property at 979 Via Montanas in Concord.

We ended up with four offers and sold it for almost $100,000 over asking. Originally listed at $1.25 million, the 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath, 2,310-square-foot home was officially sold for $1.335 million after just six days on the market. Frankly, I was not surprised given it was on .90 acre lot, single story and had the view. See below:

Via Montanas is a desirable place to live for many reasons, but you really can’t beat those views from the backyard. It shows off everything we love about living in the Bay Area, doesn’t it? The house was in original condition from 1985, however my client did a great job doing the things needed to get it looking good for the market, such as painting, deep clean, carpets cleaned and staging the home to show its full potential.

Next time you need help buying or selling a home in the East Bay, who you going to call?

1904 Martinez Home = Happy Buyers

A home with history was exactly what Michael and Linda were looking for. So, when they found a home in Martinez that was built in 1904, they were smitten (and all the charming features didn’t hurt!).

The home showed off its colorful garden with giant, blooming hydrangeas and an entry with vining roses and birds painted on the walls. The kitchen has been remodeled with a Cappiello-style mural that is a talking point of the room. The mural included the spitting image of the previous owner’s dog, Sylvester.

The house even has a basement. The location is an added perk – they are located within walking distance of downtown Martinez – a prime location for the afternoon Martini Breeze as the previous owner called it. Michael is also a fan of tiki bars and is excited to set up his own home version of a tiki bar in that spectacular backyard. It’s safe to say Michael and Linda struck gold here!

A Nearly Century-Old Closing

I recently helped a client close on a lovely, 97-year-old home in Antioch. The 3-bed, 1-bath house at 315 W. 7th St. has original built-ins, original flooring, and a huge basement. There is some deferred maintenance and yard clean-up to do, but with time and money, my client plans to restore the home to its original grandeur.

My client was working with a tight budget and homes of a similar style with more modern updates were selling in the $575,000 range (the war in Ukraine, higher rates, and inflation have all shifted the market!). This home was originally listed at $499,000 but had no offers after 25 days on the market, when the price was lowered to $459,000.

About a week after that price reduction, my client saw the home and we called the listing agent to see if there was any interest. He said they had an offer, but it was low. We came back with a higher offer of $465,000. After the seller did a multiple counter to us and the other offer, we bumped up to $470,000 and won the house!

When they did inspections, we also got a $6,500 credit. There is nothing more fulfilling than helping somebody get into a home – especially one they did not think they could afford!

… and how cool is the rotary phone that when you got to chatting you could pull down a lever and sit to talk. It reminds me of old movies where the wife was chatting for hours with a neighbor.

Closing For A Fellow Kristin

I recently had the opportunity to close a sale for a client with my exact name! Kristin Williamson graduated about two years ago and works in the healthcare industry. She decided to buy her first home right when the market started to shift.

She bought a condo off Geary that needs a little updating, but has laundry inside and a huge hall closet for additional storage. It is a 2-bed, 1-bath with a large gated front patio. Her father and brother-in-law are going to put in new flooring and may update the kitchen before Kristin moves in. I look forward to seeing the updates!

Kristin is hoping to have all the work done by the beginning of October. She already has a roommate set to move in, too. I have to say, that’s a smart move. Buying a home in your early 20s and getting a roommate to defer the costs will set her on a path to building wealth via home ownership.

Another Closing!

I recently closed on a property (3320 Northwood K, Concord) in a very unique situation: I represented both the seller and the buyer. I do this rarely, but it worked out in this instance and both sides ended up very happy!

The sellers, Chahera and Hakim, have four kids in a two-bedroom home. To go to market, they would have had to paint and replace the carpet upstairs. It was a big ask! But, I had a buyer, Tina, who had been looking for a two-bedroom townhome in Concord and had been beaten out multiple times.

She offered Chahera and Hakim fair market value, taking into consideration the painting and carpet needs. The kitchen and downstairs half-bath had been recently remodeled. The pictures below are of the house as Tina begins to add her own touches of paint, carpet a bit of wallpaper.

Recent sales were around $420,000 and $430,000 and Tina and I had put an offer on the $420,000 property at $424,000 and they still chose the other buyer. So, needless to say, this was a perfect situation for both sides that left both buyers and sellers satisfied! Congratulations to both families.

A closing on 7007 Mariposa

I recently sold a home at 7007 N. Mariposa in Dublin. One cool thing about it is that this is the fourth property I have either helped sell or buy for this same family.

Each time they bought, I said, “you will be moving in four or five years!” They have a growing family so a move-up buyer makes sense. This home I just sold had only a small side yard and no driveway, but as you can see by the pictures, they had a beautiful home that went quickly. So off they went to find the unicorn house that has it all.

They are now in contract on new construction and I have a feeling they will be staying in this one for a long time. I’m so happy I was able to help them out again. Though one of the kids was sad to leave, I believe they will love their new home and their new baby brother or sister due to arrive next year Congrats to all!

A new closing at 831 Niagara!

Recently, I closed a sale on 831 Niagara in Concord. I was thrilled to help Ann & Andrea as they retired and are ready to move on to the next chapter in Chicago.

I met them about five years ago with another past client, Teresa Debarard, who works for the Coast Guard with Ann & Andrea. They wanted help buying the home they were renting, so I met them, checked out the house and discussed the process. The seller only wanted to use their own agent to save on commission, and since they had been living there they already knew about the house. I understood and said let me come over and show you the comps and give you recommendations for inspections and what you should be looking at regarding price.

Over the years, they made some wonderful updates to the kitchen, yard, RV pad, and had an amazing backyard made for entertaining. When I came to take the listing, Ann said they were working with me because all those years ago I provided insight and information for them to make a more informed decision even though I would not be part of the process. I truly believe it is always best to give first and help people make informed decisions weather or not they end up working with you. It comes back in so many wonderful and unexpected ways!

Two Condos, Two Sellers!

I recently closed on two homes with my clients, and wanted to share their stories. I helped Kevin (below) buy a condo before he got married, back in the downturn of the market in Roundtree. I sold his cousin’s house and helped them get into another home, so they referred me to Kevin.

Fast forward a few years Kevin and Katie married and had a baby girl who starts kindergarten in the fall, and they moved into grandma’s house (whose home I also helped with when she moved up from Southern California). They had been renting out their condo and decided it was time to sell. They had done some remodeling and we staged the home. It looked great, was listed at $350,000, was on the market for 11 days and sold for $360,000. I feel so grateful to have met this extended family.

I met Jill (below) through a referral from her goddaughter indirectly through another client I had helped last year. She also was renting out her condo in Martinez and realized it was time to sell. We did a few improvements (painted kitchen cabinets and added granite – see the before and after kitchen pictures below). Farm Lane was listed at $387,000 and sold for the list price after being on the market for 15 days.

Another closing at Tampico!

I recently closed a townhome on Tampico, and I’m so happy to have helped Tyler and Yana. They relocated about a year ago and decided to rent in San Francisco for a year and get a feel for the area. Tyler works down in Pleasanton and their San Francisco rent recently went up. They were very motivated to move back into home ownership.

We met one day over coffee and talked about the market, what they were looking for, timing, and the area they were most interested in. They loved Walnut Creek with Broadway Plaza, all the restaurants and overall vib. Since I had a previous appointment, we looked over some open houses in Walnut Creek and they decided to go look at a few. He called me later that day and said they really like a home on Tampico and wanted more information.

This home had been bought in July by an investor who flipped it. Timing is everything and the seller had the unfortunate experience of a soft second half of 2018. There had been a handful of price reductions until January where it was listed at $699,000, down from $775,000 – an opportunity for a buyer! It took a few days to get the financing and all the details, so about three days later we submitted an offer less than asking. In the beginning of January, the market again began to shift, this time upwards, and another offer was submitted and countered to $715,000. Their offer was accepted and then we started the inspections. They ended up with a $5,000 credit and some things that HOA needs to fix. Overall, it was a very smooth process and they are excited to be living in Walnut Creek with a yard for their dog and a nicely updated home! Congratulations!!!!

Two more successful closings!

I’ve had a streak of closings recently, including a long-time client who I’ve worked with seven different times now. She moved to Southern California a few years ago, so this investment property in Antioch will likely be my final transaction with her. She had become a friend and a wonderful client. Thank you, Lori, for your ongoing support and friendship.

The other closing was 1944 Eagle Peak in Clayton and it was referred to me by a past client. Thank you, Jeff!

The pictures below are of a beautiful home that was my client’s respite. They remodeled it to their tastes and, in addition, it was an end unit overlooking Oakhurst golf course; a very peaceful setting.

Check out my client’s review:

My clients David and Nancy are getting ready to retire and move closer to their kids. The couple from Dublin wanted to live closer to their grandchildren in Clayton. They had a condo to sell in Dublin, thus it was a contingent offer that went smoothly and quickly. All parties were happy! As you can see from these pictures, they purchased a beautiful home with rolling hills beyond their back fences. The hardwood floors and sleepy gray/clean white theme throughout complement the peaceful backyard and the cozy bedrooms. I love a happy end to a real estate experience and connecting with wonderful people who I truly like. Give me a call to see what your real estate story could become.