Nina Daruwalla - Realtor, Coldwell Banker

09/25/2026

Here's something nobody tells first-time buyers until they're already in the middle of it.

The offer is not the hard part. The preparation before the offer is.

By the time you're ready to submit in the Bay Area, five things should already be settled:

What comparable homes have actually closed for in the last 60 to 90 days — not what they listed for.

Which contingencies you're keeping and exactly what you're giving up if you waive any of them.

What the seller disclosures say — every page, before you're in contract.
Whether there are any title issues, easements, or unpermitted work that affect the property's future value or usability.

Your absolute budget ceiling, decided before you walk into a home you fall in love with.

The buyers who negotiate from a position of confidence aren't the ones who moved fastest. They're the ones who did the work before the offer went in.

That preparation is exactly what I help my clients with. DM me if you're getting ready to make a move this fall. 📲

Nina Daruwalla
Bay Area Realtor | Coldwell Banker Realty
📞 408.219.5743
🌐 ninadaruwalla.com
📧 [email protected]
CalRE #01712223

09/24/2026

Nothing means more than hearing this from a client. 🏡

"We thoroughly recommend Nina for all your real estate needs. We put our full trust in her as first-time home buyers. She was patient, kind, and knowledgeable. She took the time to educate us through the entire process to ensure we were well-equipped to make any decision. We never felt rushed to buy and she always gave us her honest opinion to consider as well. Nina knew where to spend her energy and efforts, and was critical in helping us secure a successful offer for an unbeatable price. She continued to help us after we settled in with plentiful contractor contacts and a home warranty. We loved her work so much that my family is now using her expertise to rent our family home. They had a tight deadline and Nina confidently stepped up, laid out a plan, and has executed flawlessly. We cannot thank her enough for her constant support and guidance."

First-time buyers. A competitive offer. Post-closing support. And then a referral from the whole family. This is exactly what I show up every day to do.

If you or someone you know is thinking about buying, selling, or renting in the Bay Area, I would love to be the person you call. 📲

Nina Daruwalla
Bay Area Realtor | Coldwell Banker Realty
📞 408.219.5743
🌐 ninadaruwalla.com
📧 [email protected]
CalRE #01712223

09/23/2026

There's something about fall that makes you want to actually live in your home again. 🍂

After a summer of open windows, backyard evenings, and living half outside, fall pulls you back in. And suddenly you notice things. The throw blanket that's been in the closet since March. The candle you've been saving. The corner of the living room that could use a little something.

A few simple things that make a home feel like fall without overdoing it:

Swap your light linen throws for something with weight — chunky knit, wool, or velvet in warm terracotta, rust, or deep olive.

Layer your lighting. Overhead lights stay off. Floor lamps, table lamps, and a few candles do the work instead. The difference is immediate.

Bring the outside in. A bowl of seasonal gourds, a few branches with dried leaves, a simple eucalyptus arrangement. Nothing from a craft store required.

Add warmth underfoot. A vintage-style rug in a warm tone transforms a room faster than almost anything else.

Bake something. Genuinely. Nothing makes a home feel more like fall than the smell of something in the oven.

Your home should feel different in October than it does in July. Fall is the best excuse to make it feel like the place you actually want to be. 🏡

Nina Daruwalla
Bay Area Realtor | Coldwell Banker Realty
📞 408.219.5743
🌐 ninadaruwalla.com
📧 [email protected]
CalRE #01712223

09/22/2026

Happy first day of fall, Bay Area! 🍂

Cooler mornings, golden hills, and the best farmers market produce of the year. Not a bad time to be living here.

What's on your fall bucket list this season? 👇

Nina Daruwalla
Bay Area Realtor | Coldwell Banker Realty
📞 408.219.5743
🌐 ninadaruwalla.com
📧 [email protected]
CalRE #01712223

09/21/2026

Fall is when buyers start paying attention to something they walked right past all summer.

The heating system.

It's one of the most expensive systems in a home to replace and one of the easiest to overlook when you're touring houses in July. Here's what to look for and ask about before you make an offer this fall:

- How old is it? Ask directly. Furnaces last 15 to 20 years, heat pumps 10 to 15. A system approaching the end of its life is a negotiating point: factor in replacement costs of $5,000 to $12,000 depending on the system type and home size.

- Is there a service history? Annual maintenance records are a green flag. No records at all is worth noting.

- What's the energy efficiency rating? A high-efficiency furnace (90% AFUE or above) costs less to run month to month. In the Bay Area where PG&E rates are among the highest in the country, this matters more than most buyers calculate.

- Does it heat evenly? During your showing, check rooms at the far end of the house. Cold spots, slow response, or unusual noise are things to flag for your inspector.

- One practical tip. If you're serious about a home, ask the seller for the last 12 months of utility bills. The heating costs tell you more about a system's real-world efficiency than any spec sheet.

Your inspector will evaluate the system but knowing what to look for before the inspection puts you in a stronger position at the negotiating table.

Questions about what to look for this fall? That's exactly what I'm here for. 📲

Nina Daruwalla
Bay Area Realtor | Coldwell Banker Realty
📞 408.219.5743
🌐 ninadaruwalla.com
📧 [email protected]
CalRE #01712223

09/13/2026

Garbha season is almost here and if you haven't grabbed tickets yet, read this first. 🪔

The Bay Area has one of the most vibrant Navratri scenes in North America, and the South Bay is the heart of it. Here's what's confirmed for this season:

September 19
Parth Oza brings his electrifying live Garbha night to San Jose; open air, under the stars at MacDonald High School. Doors open at 5:30pm.

October 2
Atul Purohit, "The Man of Timeless Classics," performs live at an indoor convention center venue in Santa Clara. Weather-proof, large capacity, and one of the most beloved voices in Gujarati Garbha.

October 3
Kinjal Dave returns to San Jose for an outdoor Garbha and Dandiya night at MacDonald High School.

Navratri itself runs October 11 to 19.

But here's what most people don't know: the big touring artists perform in the weeks before Navratri, then fly home for the nine nights themselves. If you're waiting for October to buy tickets for the artist nights, you'll already be too late.

Bay Area Garbha events sell out faster than almost any other city in the country. The demand is real and the venues fill up fast.

Wishing everyone a joyful and colorful Navratri season from my family to yours. 🎊

Nina Daruwalla
Bay Area Realtor | Coldwell Banker Realty
📞 408.219.5743
🌐 ninadaruwalla.com
📧 [email protected]
CalRE #01712223

09/12/2026

September is one of the best months to be a South Bay family. Here's what's happening right now. 🌟

Mountain View Art and W**e Festival — September 12 and 13
The 54th annual festival returns to Castro Street in downtown Mountain View — free entry, 400 artists and vendors, two stages of live music, and the kind of energy that makes you remember why you love living here. Saturday 11am to 7pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm.

San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park
Catch the Quakes at home on September 5 and September 9. PayPal Park is one of the best live soccer experiences in Northern California — close to the action, great atmosphere, and very family-friendly.

49ers at Levi's Stadium
The season is underway. San Francisco plays at home on September 20 and September 27 in Santa Clara. If you haven't taken the family to Levi's Stadium yet, these are two great September options before the season gets deep into October and November.

The South Bay doesn't get enough credit for how much it offers families beyond the tech campuses and the commute. Weekends like these are a big part of why this is one of the most desirable places in the country to put down roots.

If you're thinking about making the South Bay home, I'd love to show you around. 🏡

Nina Daruwalla
Bay Area Realtor | Coldwell Banker Realty
📞 408.219.5743
🌐 ninadaruwalla.com
📧 [email protected]
CalRE #01712223

09/10/2026

September is the Bay Area's best kept secret. The summer crowds are gone, the weather is warm, and the cultural calendar is absolutely stacked. 🎭

Bay Area Theatre Week — September 10 to 20
Ten days of discounted and free performances across dozens of Bay Area venues. Whether you've been meaning to see a show or are a seasoned theatre goer, this is the most accessible the Bay Area theatre scene gets all year.

Free Shakespeare in the Park — through September 27

Antony and Cleopatra plays free at outdoor venues in Cupertino, Redwood City, and San Francisco through the end of the month. Bring a blanket, bring a picnic, and enjoy one of the Bay Area's great annual traditions under open skies.

Monterey Jazz Festival — September 19 to 21

One of the most storied music festivals in the world returns for another year. Over 500 artists, 100 hours of music, and eight stages across a single weekend in Monterey. An easy drive from the South Bay and worth every minute.

What's on your September list? 🎶

Nina Daruwalla
Bay Area Realtor | Coldwell Banker Realty
📞 408.219.5743
🌐 ninadaruwalla.com
📧 [email protected]
CalRE #01712223

09/09/2026

08/23/2026

The best evenings don't happen by accident. They're designed.

Not in a complicated way. Just small, intentional choices that tell your mind and body the day is done.

Soft lighting instead of overhead glare. A corner of the couch that's just for unwinding. A surface cleared of the day's chaos. A book or a playlist that has nothing to do with your to-do list.

Your home should feel different at 8pm than it does at 8am. If it doesn't, that's worth paying attention to.

What does your evening look like right now?

Nina Daruwalla
Bay Area Realtor | Coldwell Banker Realty
📞 408.219.5743
🌐 ninadaruwalla.com
📧 [email protected]
CalRE #01712223