Colin Blake Homes Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

07/24/2026

Just a reminder to the short term rental operators I know that you should never rent for 30 days or more, as in California, this creates tenancy-at-will (meaning tenancy without a lease), and tenants in this situation have all the safeguards of a tenant with a lease.

While I do think the owner will eventually succeed through a legal fight, it's likely to cost them quite a lot.

I'm better versed in tenancy law here in the Bay Area (and especially Alameda, San Francisco, and Sonoma Counties), but clearly this is an issue that applies everywhere in the State.

Additional Note: there is an element of just desserts here too. The landlord was trying to circumvent short term rental restrictions in Hermosa Beach by only using AirBnB to rent for stays of 30 days or longer. And it looks like they're going to have a longterm tenant for sure now!

A Hermosa Beach homeowner says an Airbnb guest refused to leave her property after his reservation ended, forcing her into a costly legal battle.

06/11/2026

Checkout this quick tour of my latest listing in Oakland. Super special place with tons of opportunities.

04/09/2026

So pleased to have closed a few days ago on another beautiful unit at Phoenix Commons, a supremely unique 55+ Co-Housing development in Jingletown (Oakland). Co-Housing is something I did not know a thing about until I was invited to co-list at Phoenix years ago. Wait is that Tenancy-in-Common? No. Assisted Living? Nope.

I've come to understand that Co-Housing means a sort of intentional community. There's an HOA, but it's entirely self-directed and managed. Lots of community events, classes, and outings. Even the architectural design works to facilitate community connection. So while residents get their own self-contained condominium unit just like any other building, the shared patios, large floor-to-ceiling windows that face interior courtyards and balconies, and the entire first floor being shared space, all leads to a really attractive option, especially for empty-nesters and down-sizers.

You can find Co-Housing communities all over the country, but it's no surprise it's a popular option here in the Bay Area. There's something very Bay Area about it, no question.

Phoenix Commons is a 55+ cohousing community located in Oakland, CA. We are vibrant, active people who live in a closely-knit network of mutual support and common purpose. As residents of Phoenix Commons, we own our homes in a new 41-unit condominium complex situated along the Oakland Estuary, at th...

03/10/2026

A rare bipartisan bill to ease restrictions on affordable housing and make borrowing to purchase it easier. I wasn't surprised to see one of my favorites, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, is a co-author. Could there actually be bipartisan legislation passed by this Congress? It seems almost impossible.

The legislation’s progress is all the more surprising because it addresses an issue that is shaping up to be the main battleground of the midterm elections: affordability. The effort could still stall.