Archive for Buyers

318 Vasser Ave Kensington CA sold by Brian Santilena

August 29th, 2020

It takes time and expertise to not only find the perfect home but win it in a competitive market. Brian Santilena Realtor will help you every step of the way.

Real Estate is about the people.

February 12th, 2018

  We looked in Oakland’s Rockridge, Upper Rockridge, Berekely Northbrae and after a few failed attempts and a full year on the home hunt Cody, Evan and Mikaela are now happily enjoying their new Berkeley – Elmwood home. These folks are really very fun special people. After moving in they decided to invite the entire […]

Seismic Retrofit your Oakland, Piedmont or Berkeley CA home

October 16th, 2016

I have been selling and preparing Oakland, Piedmont and Berkeley homes for sale going on 20 years. Seismic retrofit and earthquake preparedness is a topic of conversation that comes up in almost every transaction. When you’re spending lots of money to buy a home in the Oakland, Piedmont or the Berkeley area, it makes good […]

Mediterranean Home for sale in Berkeley CA

March 4th, 2016

New on the market is 1912 Fairview St is a gorgeous Mediterranean-style bungalow built in 1937 in a great Berkeley location. Brought to you by Brian Santilena Berkeley Realtor with Pacific Union Real Estate.  The 1,438 square foot house sits on a 4,000 square foot lot surrounded by a neighboring park. It features 3 bedrooms […]

Home for sale in the Oakland Hills CA

February 25th, 2016

6308 Hillmont Dr. in Oakland’s Millsmont.  $599,000 Offered by Realtor Brian Santilena with Pacific Union Real Estate Located in the quiet and scenic Millsmont neighborhood of Oakland, 6308 Hillmont is a 1,659 square foot split level home located on a spacious 5,671 square foot corner lot with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Enclosed within a […]

6308 Hillmont Drive in Oakland CA 94605 3 bed 2.5 bath home for sale

February 25th, 2016

Brought to you by Brian Santilena | Pacific Union Real Estate. Located in the quiet and scenic Millsmont neighborhood of Oakland, 6308 Hillmont is a 1,659 square foot split level home located on a spacious 5,671 square foot corner lot with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Enclosed within a wooded and ivy covered fence, the […]

Bridging the Millennial home buyer divide

December 5th, 2015

Over the past 3-4 years I’ve been selling more and more homes to members of the  Millennial Generation.  More than to any other.  I work in the San Francisco East Bay (Oakland, Piedmont & Berkeley) and I’m right in the path of tech companies turning towards Oakland’s more affordable commercial environments and cheaper employee housing […]

Video of a day in the life of Oakland CA

August 5th, 2015

Oakland, CA is such a wonderful place to live, eat, drink and play.  I found this wonderful video of Oakland and I think you’ll enjoy it too. Brian Santilena.

The Physical Inspection Contingency Oakland, Piedmont, Berkeley CA

March 4th, 2015

When purchasing an Oakland, Piedmont or Berkeley CA home, one of the primary protections afforded to a home buyer in the California Purchase Contract is the Physical Inspection Contingency, or aka Inspection Contingency.   When you make an offer on a home you are essentially saying that you agree to purchase the property so long […]

Winning in multiple offers with a good offer letter

November 11th, 2013

An offer letter can attract, or if done wrong repel the decision makers evaluating your offer.  A good offer letter acts as an introduction and put a happy “face” on an otherwise faceless purchase contract.  Even in a Buyer’s market, a good letter can help a Seller get over the fact that an offer is […]