The Simon Black difference

The Simon Black difference Simon Black always calls back! Whether it is selling or buying a home; Experience the Simon Black Difference . . . The Difference is Experience!

Red Oak Realty-- REALTOR -- CalBRE NO. 01953847

When people ask what makes 1701 Derby Street special, I always say it is not just the home — it is everything around it....
09/04/2026

When people ask what makes 1701 Derby Street special, I always say it is not just the home — it is everything around it.

Within one mile, you have access to some of the best Berkeley has to offer. Trader Joe's, Berkeley Bowl, and Whole Foods for your grocery runs. Peet's, Red Bay Coffee, and Uncommon Grounds for your morning routine. Breads of India, Le Pho, Taqueria La Familia, and dozens more restaurants for every craving. The Berkeley Farmers' Market when you want something fresh and local.

Families will love the proximity to Washington Elementary, Berkwood Hedge School, Berkeley High, and Magnolia Children's School. Nature lovers have Strawberry Creek Park and San Pablo Park steps away. And for culture, you have Rialto Cinemas Elmwood, Sh***un Players at the Ashby Stage, and Amoeba Music all within reach.

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center is close by for peace of mind. UC Berkeley is just around the corner for world-class events and community programming. And with the TransBay Bus Line J running along Derby Street, getting around the East Bay could not be easier.

This is what a truly walkable, connected Berkeley lifestyle looks like. 1701 Derby Street puts all of it at your doorstep.

Curious to see the home that sits at the center of all of this? I would love to show you around.

COMING SOON and available for immediate showing or by appointment.

Simon Black | CA DRE # 01953847 | 510.409.0026
https://www.1701DerbySt.com

1701 Derby Street, Berkeley is COMING SOON — and the living room tells the whole story.This is a home with character tha...
08/28/2026

1701 Derby Street, Berkeley is COMING SOON — and the living room tells the whole story.

This is a home with character that has never been stripped away. Original wood-paneled walls, hardwood floors with real patina, craftsman trim that you simply cannot replicate today. When I first walked through, the bones stopped me in my tracks.

What you see in the before photos is a well-loved home. Dark curtains, an eclectic mix of furniture, a desk in the corner — a real family had lived here fully. Our job was not to erase that. It was to step back and let the architecture speak.

Swipe through to see the living room, bedroom and bathroom before and after our makeover and staging preparation. Same room. Same floors. Same walls. Completely different feeling.

That is the work. And that is why it matters.

1701 Derby is currently listed as Coming Soon in Berkeley — visible right now on Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com, but not yet on the active MLS. Offers are being reviewed as received. If you have a serious buyer, now is the time to reach out.

Simon Black | CA DRE # 01953847 | 510.409.0026
https://www.1701DerbySt.com

East Bay market update worth watching.Prices are still moving, but inventory is telling a bigger story. For buyers and s...
07/28/2026

East Bay market update worth watching.

Prices are still moving, but inventory is telling a bigger story. For buyers and sellers, that means strategy matters more than ever.

I break down the numbers, the trends, and what they mean for your next move. If you want clear guidance for Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, or nearby neighborhoods, visit https://thesimonblackdifference.com or send me a message.

Simon Black. CA DRE # 01953847. The Simon Black Difference.

Buying or selling in the East Bay? Start here.The best decisions come from clear guidance, not guesswork. That is what 2...
07/14/2026

Buying or selling in the East Bay? Start here.

The best decisions come from clear guidance, not guesswork. That is what 25+ years of local experience can do for you.

I help clients prepare homes, write stronger offers, and ask the right questions before inspections and closing. It is a simple way to feel more confident in a competitive market.

If you are thinking about a move in Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, or nearby, send me a message and I will point you in the right direction.

Simon Black. Top 1.5% nationally. CA DRE #01953847.
https://thesimonblackdifference.com

Is the East Bay market shifting? Here is what the numbers are telling me heading into summer.Days on market are holding ...
07/01/2026

Is the East Bay market shifting? Here is what the numbers are telling me heading into summer.

Days on market are holding steady for well-positioned properties. Inventory in Berkeley and Oakland remains competitive, which continues to favor sellers who know how to prepare and price correctly. The El Cerrito and Kensington corridors are seeing strong buyer interest from people priced out of Berkeley but still wanting walkability and neighborhood character.

What this means for sellers: preparation still wins. Homes that are staged, priced with strategy, and marketed across the right channels are moving quickly. In fact, our sellers close 57 percent faster than the average Oakland agent.

What this means for buyers: this is not a moment to wait for the perfect conditions. The right home and the right opportunity require moving decisively, and having a local expert who knows the relationships and the inventory gives you a real edge.

What neighborhood are you watching? I am happy to share what the current data shows for your area. Visit https://thesimonblackdifference.com or leave a comment.

Simon Black, DRE #01953847

What is actually happening in the East Bay real estate market right now?The answer is nuanced, and that is exactly why i...
06/29/2026

What is actually happening in the East Bay real estate market right now?

The answer is nuanced, and that is exactly why it matters. Interest rates, insurance shifts, and broader economic uncertainty have created a market where every neighborhood responds differently. Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda, and Kensington are each telling their own story, and knowing how to read those stories is what separates a strong outcome from a missed opportunity.

Here is what I am seeing: well-prepared, well-priced homes in the right neighborhoods are still moving quickly and attracting serious buyers. Homes that are not positioned correctly are sitting. The difference almost always comes down to strategy, timing, and local knowledge.

If you have been wondering whether now is the right time to sell or buy in the East Bay, I am happy to walk you through what the data says for your specific neighborhood. No pressure, just a real conversation about your situation.

Are you watching a particular area? Drop a comment or visit https://thesimonblackdifference.com to connect.

Simon Black, DRE #01953847

This patio says East Bay living beautifully.I love neighborhoods where mornings feel calm and evenings feel connected. T...
06/27/2026

This patio says East Bay living beautifully.

I love neighborhoods where mornings feel calm and evenings feel connected. This is the kind of space that makes home feel like a retreat, with a tree-lined backdrop and room to gather with friends.

If you are exploring Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, or nearby East Bay neighborhoods, I would love to share what makes each one special. Visit https://thesimonblackdifference.com or send me a message. Simon Black, CA DRE # 01953847.

This corner of the East Bay feels timeless.A coffee walk through Rockridge or Temescal says more than any brochure ever ...
06/25/2026

This corner of the East Bay feels timeless.

A coffee walk through Rockridge or Temescal says more than any brochure ever could. The cafés, the brick storefronts, the tree-lined streets. That is the neighborhood life people fall in love with.

If you are thinking about buying or selling in the East Bay, I would be glad to share what makes each micro-market special. Visit https://thesimonblackdifference.com or send me a message.

Simon Black. Red Oak Realty. CA DRE # 01953847

They turned a stressful sale into a win.In one of the East Bay’s most competitive markets, the result was faster than ex...
06/25/2026

They turned a stressful sale into a win.

In one of the East Bay’s most competitive markets, the result was faster than expected and stronger than hoped. The real reward was a smooth experience, clear communication, and a client who felt supported every step of the way.

That is the kind of outcome I love to celebrate.

If you are thinking about buying or selling in Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, or nearby, what would a successful move look like for you?

Visit https://thesimonblackdifference.com or send me a message. I always call back.

Simon Black, CA DRE #01953847

East Bay real estate is not one market. It is many.Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, El Cerrito, and Kensington each move at t...
06/23/2026

East Bay real estate is not one market. It is many.

Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, El Cerrito, and Kensington each move at their own pace, respond to interest rates differently, and reward different strategies for buyers and sellers. What works in one neighborhood may not work in the next.

That is why I spend time understanding the micro-market you are in, not just the broader Bay Area trends. Whether you are thinking about selling this summer or planning your next purchase, knowing your specific neighborhood data is the difference between leaving money on the table and walking away with the result you deserve.

If you want a clear, honest read on what is happening right now in your corner of the East Bay, I would love to connect.

Simon Black | CA DRE # 01953847
https://thesimonblackdifference.com

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1575 Hopkins Street
Kensington, CA
94707

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