Peak Real Estate Group

04/21/2026

Set above the Bay in the Berkeley Hills, you’ll find architectural charm, Bay views, nature at your door and a lifestyle worth slowing down for. For video and more photos: 1170Sterling.com

02/13/2024

We were interviewed for Yahoo! Finance about signs it might be time to sell your home. Do you think we missed any?

How the year will shape up in the housing market isn't yet clear, but there are some predictions that things will ease up for homebuyers. We may see interest rates fall and inventory increase. Grant...

10/16/2023

This lovely home in the Village Oaks neighborhood of Martinez, CA is a perfect blend of comfort, convenience and community. Assigned to highly-rated Morello Park Elementary.
Visit MartinezGem.com for details, 3D tour and more photos.
Questions? DM or message Leo Peak, REALTOR
(415)816-1469
[email protected]

06/08/2023

Raise your hand if you've seen a house hit the market, but by the time you get around to checking it out - it's pending ✋

Curious how to handle a low inventory market? Here’s a quick rundown of what not to do as a seller or buyer. If you’re looking to

SELL:

⏰ Don’t wait. With not many homes for sale, you won't have much competition. Translation? You can likely expect one or more top-dollar offers from eager buyers.

💰Don’t overprice. Even with low inventory, set your asking price at market value. Doing so means you’re likely to attract more buyers and possibly set off a lucrative bidding war.

😩 Don’t worry. You're going to get a greater return on your investment. Rising prices mean that homes are also gaining value! If you’re looking to

BUY:

📑 Don’t wait to get 'paperwork ready.' Do everything you can NOW (gather down payments funds, get pre-approved, have your home ready to sell) so when you find your dream home you can move, and move fast!

✅ Don’t make a complicated offer. Make a clean offer with as few contingencies and concessions as possible.

💗 Don’t let your emotions run awry. Whether it's a frantic bidding war or losing another home you just knew was the one, you gotta fight to keep your emotions in check.

If you've felt the pain of this low inventory market, raise your hand in the comments below! ✋✋✋

06/02/2023

With summer officially starting this month, it’s time to get the house ready for the warmest season of the year.

🔄 Reverse settings on ceiling fans. Reverse the setting on your ceiling fans to counterclockwise. This pushes the air down, creating a nice breeze.

☀️ Plan for extreme heat. Check weather stripping around windows and doors and replace if necessary to help keep the cool air in. Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes.

🕶️ Start outdoor projects. Now is the time to start on any exterior projects you’ve been planning. Whether a new roof, landscaping, or major repairs, you should be in the clear for several months of dry weather.

🐜 Conduct pest control. Warm weather brings out (and in) bugs and pests. Block all potential entrances to attic and crawl spaces with durable materials like wire mesh or sheet metal, and seal all cracks and openings in your home’s exterior, including holes for wiring. A persistent animal can widen almost any crevice or opening.

⬇️ Download the full home maintenance checklist. http://bit.ly/3H2m4CC

04/21/2023

Need to sell your house fast? Here are some tips we give our clients to speed up the selling process:

1. Major repairs are out but do what you can. Cleaning, decluttering and focusing on curb appeal will make a significant impact.

2. Price your home just below market value to stir up buyer buzz.

3. Choose the all-cash offer to ensure a quick and easy closing.

4. Be flexible on terms and price. Hold firm to your request for a quick closing.

5. Hire an agent who has the capacity and experience to get the deal done.

Need to sell quickly? We’re ready to help. DM us, and let’s get it done!

04/20/2023

To this day, walking through a model home is one of my favorite things to do. And having been on all sides of new construction (developer, investor, seller and buyer), I know how easy it is to get swept up in the excitement of it all, especially when you’re walking through one of those shiny, fully fitted model homes! So enjoy the process, but definitely keep in mind these 5 common mistakes you’ll want to avoid, so you can save yourself some time, money and stress:

1. Not reading the fine print and asking ALL the questions.
2. Not asking what’s included (appliances, upgrades, finishes, landscaping, etc)
3. Not hiring a real estate agent to represent you
4. Not getting an inspection
5. Not being aware of new construction timelines

Dig deeper into each of these, on the blog: http://www.leopeak.com/5-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-new-construction/

03/24/2023

Living rooms are places to gather with family and friends, so they should feel cozy and welcoming. Make sure you have comfortable seating—enough for everyone who lives in the home, plus a few extra seats for guests. To encourage connection and conversation, face chairs and sofas towards each other. Try to avoid having the backs of chairs facing the door as much as possible.

Healthy green plants can also be a great addition to the living room, as they add vital life force energy as well as the wood element, which represents kindness and compassion.

Do you incorporate any feng shui principles into your home?

03/23/2023

If you just bought a house or are thinking of buying a home in the future, there are 8 things we recommend you do immediately upon move-in for a safe and successful transition:

1. Secure your home - change all locks and garage codes

2. Purchase or review your home warranty

3. Connect the utilities - water, garbage, gas, electricity and wi-fi

4. Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

5. Use your inspection report as a maintenance 'To-Do List'

6. Refresh the paint

7. Find the circuit box, review emergency shut-offs and appliance manuals

8. Create a maintenance schedule

P.S. Click www.leopeak.com/things-to-do-when-you-buy-a-new-home to read the full blog post or to download the monthly maintenance checklist.

03/17/2023

Integrating some vertical lines in your home represents growth and expansion.

📚If you have the room, put in some tall bookshelves.

🪟Add some drapes that draw the eye up.

💡Add some lighting where the light travels upward.

🌿Add a tree to a corner to make the space feel taller.

Work with the parameters you have to create the feeling of height. The idea is to make your space feel larger than it is.

✨What are some other ways you’ve added vertical elements to your home? Share in the comments, we’d love to hear some new ideas!

03/14/2023

March is a good time to focus on finding and repairing issues before they become major problems.

💧Check for leaks.
First, turn off all water usage in your home, including faucets, toilets, the dishwasher, and washing machine. Read your water meter immediately, then again after an hour or two. If the usage increased noticeably during that time, you likely have a leak and it’s time for a household-wide leak inspection. Check each faucet for drips, and leaks under the sink. Perform a food coloring test on each toilet, and check the dishwasher for a defective motor, pump or seals. If you can’t find the leak, it’s possible that it’s between your water meter and your house, which means it’s time to call a professional.

🔎 Inspect your home’s exterior.
Winter weather, growing tree roots, and Northern California’s creeping faults can cause damage when you’re not looking. Start by searching for cracks in the concrete around your home, including on the
driveway. Check for water pooling around the foundation as well. Any issues you find should be dealt with immediately.

🛖 Head onto the roof.
Inspect your roof for signs of loose or broken shingles, even if you’re not experiencing leaks in your home. Also look at the chimney for signs of wear, and plan to have a cleaning and inspection done once the weather warms up.

🌳 Tree health inspection.
If you’re lucky enough to have large, mature trees on your property, have them inspected by a certified arborist. They will check for signs of illness or dead branches, and catch problems before they escalate and kill a tree. A dead or dying tree poses a safety hazard to you, your home and neighboring properties.

⬇️ Download the full monthly home maintenance checklist. http://Bit.ly/3H2m4CC

Source: AAA House Manager