Author Archive

Upper Rockridge sales in third quarter 2010

October 14th, 2010

12  BUENA VISTA PLACE 3/2 2215 $775,000 68  TEMPLAR PL 2/2 1657 $778,000 5556  MASONIC AVE 3/2 1766 $829,000 47  TRUITT LANE 4/3 2589 $905,000 5125  HARBORD DRIVE 3/2 2106 $959,000 5389  HILLTOP CRESCENT 4/4 2730 $995,000 5  BUENA VISTA PLACE 4/3 2463 $1,040,000 130  HERMOSA AVE 4/3 2485 $1,095,000 5450  MASONIC AVE 4/3 $1,116,000 […]

Selling our home in Oakland CA with Brian Santilena

October 11th, 2010

Dear Brian, My wife Virginia and I wanted to thank you for the wonderful handling of our home sale transaction. We are both in our 80’s and having recently moved into an assisted living facility it would not have been possible to get the results that we did without your assistance. Our home was on […]

Real Estate in Oakland, Piedmont, Berkeley CA

September 12th, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ3C2DhhUj8 Hello.  I’m Brian Santilena Realtor and Residential Specialist with Pacific Union Real Estate The San Francisco Bays exclusive affiliate for Christies Great Estates. As a career real estate agent born in the area I serve the communities of Oakland Piedmont and Berkeley California and I’ve been doing so since 1998.  If you’re considering purchasing […]

5 best home preparations for sale

September 7th, 2010

The 5 best home preparations for selling your home also turn out to be some of the lease expensive things to do.  I found the list below (from Forbs Magazine Article) to be confirming of the items that I suggest to my home selling clients and also informative.  Brian Santilena Pacific Union Real Estate Oakland-Piedmont […]

Background of Piedmont CA

September 4th, 2010

The Background of Piedmont CA. Piedmont is a small, primarily residential community with fine architecture, tree-lined streets, and outstanding public schools. Because of its school system, low crime rate, good weather, and high property values, it is regarded as one of the most desirable residential communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. Piedmont was named […]

Piedmont CA Schools

September 4th, 2010

Piedmont CA Schools Piedmont Public Schools fall within the Piedmont Unified School District.  The district, coinciding with the municipal boundaries, includes three elementary schools (Havens*, Beach, and Wildwood), a middle school (Piedmont Middle School), a high school (Piedmont High School), and an alternative high school, Millennium. Piedmont High School matriculates a high percentage of students […]

The History and Creation of Piedmont CA

September 4th, 2010

The History and Creation of Piedmont CA The area grew largely from wealthy San Franciscans fleeing the devastation after the Great Quake of 1907.  Families relocated to the area seeking privacy, good weather and views of the greater San Francisco Bay. Residents originally sought incorporation in 1907. Two elections were held among the citizens of […]

Laurel District Bungalow for sale on Maybelle Ave Oakland

September 2nd, 2010

This adorable 1 bedroom California Bungalow has got to be one of the cutest (and least expensive) homes for sale in the Laurel District of Oakland.  It was purchased by a contractor and extensively brought back to life.  He paid attention to retaining the original character that is present in many of the Laurel District […]

Home Remodeling in Piedmont CA

August 5th, 2010

Buying a home in Piedmont CA is an achievement on its own.  Now add a home addition or remodel to it and the task may seem impossible.  Architectural limitations, the design review process, obtaining permits, city inspections and hiring a good contractor are all important considerations. This coming Tuesday August 10, 2010 at 7:30 PM, two individuals […]

SF and Bay views from this big Oakland Hills CA home

August 3rd, 2010

4 bedroom home in the Oakland Hills with big Bay and Golden Gate views.  There is a saying in the real estate business that we all love our own listings and to a certain degree I suppose that is true.  As Realtors we spend quite a bit of time sitting inside the homes we market […]