Colin Blake Homes Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

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.

06/25/2025

Slowest May since last downturn nationwide, and I do not believe the Bay Area is an exception to this trend. My buyer clients are basically universally taking a wait-and-see approach to the current market. Meanwhile, I'm seeing the lowest prices in years on not just condos but even detached single-family in desirable locations. My open houses aren't empty, and I'm picking up new leads and clients, but they want to sit out this early Summer buying season it seems, which is perfectly natural. What I'm hearing from the general public I'm engaging with is a hope that interest rates might come down, and that they might be able to buy a momentary dip in prices combined with lower rates before those same lower rates spike prices again (as usually happens).

We all love to time the market, but actually doing so is tough. When the pandemic first hit and stocks were in freefall, I'm embarrassed to admit I sold a good portion of my portfolio (maybe 20%), and within fewer than 30 days, prices shot back up and it was back to the same bull market. Ditto in late February of this year, but this time I just held on and actually bought more. Bay Area real estate is more or less the same. As I was discussing with a guest at my last open house in Alameda, the 2008 recession was just a blip for Bay Area real estate. Within a couple years, home values were back up.

I'll end with this anecdote. At my last listing appointment in Oakland, the seller had bought a foreclosed on single family home in 2008 for $220k. Current valuation is like around $700k, so that's a solid investment. She really did buy the dip on that one, so it is possible! I just don't advise waiting a lifetime for such an opportunity. Even if one bought in 2010, or 2014, or 2018, chances are you're still doing just fine.

There were 20% more homes for sale this May — but it hasn't been enough to pull buyers off the sidelines amid high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty.

06/04/2025

I am definitely noticing this national trend in my little corner of the real estate market. Buyers are in much more of a wait-and-see mindset, and listings are getting prices slashed left and right, especially condos, townhomes, high end luxury, and "unique" properties (like fixers, or places with encroachments or easements). Definitely feeling like more of a buyers market, and honestly, after such a wild run for sellers in the Bay Area, this actually just feels more balanced to me.

Weekly mortgage demand fell despite a slight drop in interest rates. Rates haven't moved much in the last few months.

05/22/2025

As the days warm up and Summer is just around the corner, when it comes to posting on social media, I've been as lazy as my dog Sammy here. Once again, totally remiss in celebrating all the wins that Q1 brought and Q2 is bringing. It's been a whirlwind period for me, with four buyer-side and four seller-side transactions completed. Now things are a little calmer, but I'm continuing to work for several buyers waiting in the wings and have some new listings coming soon, funny enough all duplexes in both Alameda and Oakland.

But in the meantime, I'm using this bit of a breather to complete my coursework for license renewal, as well as spend more time with Sammy on the back porch when I can.

02/24/2025

It's nice to be recognized by my brokerage. Thanks for sending this my way this morning, Berkshire. Looks like I made it from Top 14% last year to Top 9% across Berkshire's 30+ brokerages in CA and NV. I don't often pull back and look at how I'm doing from a broad perspective, as I'm usually focusing on whatever transactions I have in front of me.

12/15/2024

Gosh I am so bad about checking in on FB. What’s new? Well, I’ve closed on several properties since I last posted, helping buyers and sellers in Oakland and Alameda. It’s definitely more of a buyer’s market these days, with sellers finding themselves sitting a bit longer on the market and having to consider concessions they might not have a year or two ago, and buyers can be a bit choosier and we’re seeing lots more contingencies in play. In all honesty, it feels like a more balanced market overall, though I know some of my sellers may feel a little disappointed. But keep your chins up, these homes are still building value each and every year.

Here’s a photo I took a couple minutes ago writing an offer for a brand new client I just met last Sunday at my Open House. 👍

11/16/2024

Just a happy little piece of local news. The wonderful experiment of a pedestrian/bike ferry between West Alameda and Jack London Square has been a huge success. And not only is it going to made permanent, but its schedule will be expanded as well! So glad the community saw the good in this and used it. Infrastructure may be a boring word but man does it make me happy to see it.

The little yellow boat carried 34,000 passengers in its first three months of service, so more runs were added.

10/23/2024

Trying to spread the word about Steve Cressy and my listing at 1516 Sherman. A beautiful detached private cottage in back with a fourplex in front, so it's a 5-unit property. Super clean and in great condition thanks to decades of care and investment from our seller. Because it's 5 units, it would require a commercial loan, which is typically more expensive than a residential loan, so our seller has offered to carry the note (ask me if you are unfamiliar with seller financing or want to hear more about the terms) at an appealing 5.75% APR.

This property is really special, and with three vacancies and its excellent central Alameda location, has the potential to cash flow in a big way.

10/08/2024

I find Reddit to be an excellent resource for not just information, but also insight into current buyer and seller sentiment and general trends in various markets. Recently, I replied to a frustrated buyer in the FirstTimeHomeBuyer sub-reddit, and wanted to share my thoughts here as well:

It may be helpful to not vilify the sellers you’re appealing to. Instead of calling them “greedy”, consider what you would do if you were selling your single largest asset in order to cover critical costs like healthcare, kids’ college funds, and housing not least of all. The sellers in most instances are going to take the best offer they can get. So far, that hasn’t been yours. The question for you, your realtor, and your lender is how can you make yours the best. Some ideas:

Take the time you need to put together a bigger down payment. This will make your offer more appealing and potentially allow you to waive appraisal contingency in addition to avoiding PMI if you can hit that 20% down threshold (for most lenders).

Look at sold comps in the neighborhoods you favor, not active list prices, and then ask yourself the tough question: based on these sold prices, can I compete here, or do I need to broaden my areas of interest. If so, ask your agent to show you some homes in neighborhoods you hadn’t yet considered.

Use every possible advantage you have that isn’t a higher offer amount. Make your offer the cleanest and most confidence inspiring one possible. All disclosures signed along with offer. Insurance quote already obtained. Fully underwritten pre-approval, not just pre-qualification. A compelling offer letter if your local laws and customs allow one. Your agent may have other ideas based on your market.

If you are bidding at the tippy top of your budget and coming up against stiff all-cash competition, consider that you may need to waive all contingencies and really commit if you want a place badly enough. I only recommend this if the available disclosure package is top notch, and you have a stomach for risk.

I wish you luck, and there is no harm in bowing out to recharge, regroup, and restrategize. Some of my buyer clients work with me for more than a year as their needs dictate. Some just weeks before closing. Every journey is different.

08/07/2024

Well, I know we had a pretty rough time of it in the stock market this last Friday and especially Monday, but the disappointing numbers in the job market that caused the Wall Street sell-off are also responsible for a Fed much more likely to cut rates. Likely good news for both my buyers and sellers, and for buyers, keep in mind that cheaper borrowing tends to lead to higher prices. Welcome news for sellers, but get ready if rates dip into the 5s again because here in the Bay Area, I'm expecting another big jump in sales prices.

US 30-year mortgage rates plunged last week by the most in two years, reaching their lowest level since May 2023 and sparking a surge in refinancing applications.