Westin Means, "Westin Means Business": Real Estate Advisor

Westin Means, "Westin Means Business": Real Estate Advisor Westin Means is a licensed realtor with eXp Realty specializing in the East SF Bay Area Market. DRE # 02068528
https://www.flowcode.com/page/westinmeansbusiness

Selling a Berkeley home before required BESO upgrades are finished? Check the deposit history before you set your plan.B...
09/24/2026

Selling a Berkeley home before required BESO upgrades are finished? Check the deposit history before you set your plan.

Berkeley’s updated regulations take effect September 30. If a covered property sells again during the buyer’s compliance period without a BESO Certificate of Compliance, the original seller’s $2,500 payment is forfeited. The new seller and buyer must submit a new $5,000 deposit.

The original buyer, now the seller, may be eligible to request their $2,500 deposit back after the City receives the new deposit. Their refund form is due within 60 calendar days of the City’s notice.

For a specific home, I would check the certificate status, deposit history, compliance deadline, and City notices early—whether you are preparing to list or reviewing a purchase.

Comment “BESO” and I’ll send the full explanation and official City sources.

General information only. Confirm requirements for the property and transfer with the City of Berkeley and appropriate transaction professionals.

Westin Means | NAR Green Designee
Brokered by eXp Realty | CA DRE #02068528

Don’t save the good kitchen for the next owner.I’ve seen past seller clients make thoughtful updates right before sellin...
09/18/2026

Don’t save the good kitchen for the next owner.

I’ve seen past seller clients make thoughtful updates right before selling—and the next owner gets to enjoy the finished result.

If a move may be a year or two away, planning earlier can help you spread out decisions and projects, reduce the last-minute scramble, and enjoy improvements while you still live there. It doesn’t mean committing to sell or renovate now, and not every improvement pays for itself.

If a future move is on your mind, send me a message and tell me what you’re considering.

Read the full SF Bay Market Report: https://westinmeansbusiness.com/knowledge-base/sf-bay-market-report-2026-09-15-7b5e4c9e

You spend your days serving others. It’s your turn to be taken care of.Even after years of saving, a Bay Area down payme...
09/11/2026

You spend your days serving others. It’s your turn to be taken care of.

Even after years of saving, a Bay Area down payment can still feel out of reach.

If you’re a registered nurse, doctor, attorney, CPA or ATP pilot, you may have another financing option.

Flagstar Bank offers qualifying professionals zero-down-payment options with no mortgage insurance.

Comment “HOME” and I’ll send you the program details and a local lending contact. You can explore the possibilities without committing to an application.

Eligible primary residences only. Active-license and first-10-years career requirements apply. Adjustable-rate mortgage; rates and payments may increase. Closing costs and reserves may be required. Subject to lender approval.

Westin Means | Brokered by eXp Realty
CA DRE #02068528

A little Oakland bungalow inspiration 🏡3818 Suter St brings together a bright living room and an updated kitchen with qu...
09/09/2026

A little Oakland bungalow inspiration 🏡

3818 Suter St brings together a bright living room and an updated kitchen with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and an island.

📍 Allendale, Oakland
🛏 3 bedrooms | 🛁 2 bathrooms
💰 $649,000

Want a closer look? View photos and details: https://www.homes.com/property/3818-suter-st-oakland-ca/y6gy2y6tgz920/
Or DM me to schedule a private tour.

SB 79 lets cities allow bigger buildings near BART — but only in counties with 16+ rail stations. Alameda qualifies. Con...
08/19/2026

SB 79 lets cities allow bigger buildings near BART — but only in counties with 16+ rail stations. Alameda qualifies. Contra Costa is one station short and doesn't.

Want to know if your street's affected?

Send me a DM if you’d like to know how this might affect your property.

Westin Means - SF Bay Area Realtor®
📲 Call or Text - 510-735-5685
💻 Email - [email protected]
🗓️ Schedule a Zoom Call - https://calendly.com/westinmeans

08/19/2026

Welcome to Oakland's Allendale District, just a stone's throw from the Laurel District, where this 3-bedroom, 2-bath home checks every box.

The updated kitchen anchors the living space with brand-new stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, and recessed LED lighting.

Out back, a detached bonus structure is ready for whatever fits your life next — home office, gym, studio, you name it. Being this close to the Laurel District means walkable shops and restaurants, plus a quick freeway connection.

3 bed / 2 bath · 1,200 sq ft · $649,000

Feel free to reach out if you'd like to see it in person.

Westin Means Business - SF Bay Area Realtor®
📲 Call or Text - 510-735-5685
💻 Email - [email protected]
🗓️ Schedule a Zoom Call - https://calendly.com/westinmeans

If you’re planning to leave your home to your children—or you may inherit your parents’ home—Prop 19 is worth understand...
08/14/2026

If you’re planning to leave your home to your children—or you may inherit your parents’ home—Prop 19 is worth understanding before you assume the property will keep its current tax basis.

In certain circumstances, a parent’s principal residence can transfer to a child without a full reassessment, but there are important requirements, including:

🏠 The home must have been the parent’s principal residence
📍 The child generally must make it their primary residence within one year
💰 A value limit applies, and amounts above the applicable threshold may be reassessed
📄 The required claim must be filed within the applicable deadline

Prop 19 also includes rules allowing eligible homeowners to transfer their existing property tax base when moving to a replacement home in California.

If you’re thinking about estate planning, inheriting a home, or transferring property to family, it’s worth getting advice specific to your situation.

Save this post for later, share it with a parent or family member, and reach out if you’d like to talk through what questions you should be asking.

(This is for general educational purposes and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult your CPA or estate attorney regarding your specific situation.)

Westin Means - SF Bay Area Realtor®
📲 Call or Text - 510-735-5685
💻 Email - [email protected]
🗓️ Schedule a Zoom Call - https://calendly.com/westinmeans

🏡 JUST LISTED — 3818 Suter St, Oakland3 bed | 2 bath | 1,200 sqft | $649,000Move-in ready with all-new appliances, an al...
08/13/2026

🏡 JUST LISTED — 3818 Suter St, Oakland

3 bed | 2 bath | 1,200 sqft | $649,000

Move-in ready with all-new appliances, an almost-brand new roof (2024), and a finished bonus structure — perfect as a home office, studio, or guest space. Tucked into one of Oakland's most walkable, tree-lined neighborhoods.

Flexible showings available — DM or call/text to schedule a tour. 📲 510-735-5685

Westin Means - SF Bay Area Realtor®
📲 Call or Text - 510-735-5685
💻 Email - [email protected]
🗓️ Schedule a Zoom Call - https://calendly.com/westinmeans

🔥 Fire season prep matters—especially in the East Bay hills.With red flag warnings back, now is a good time to take a cl...
08/05/2026

🔥 Fire season prep matters—especially in the East Bay hills.

With red flag warnings back, now is a good time to take a closer look at the 100 feet around your home.

Defensible space isn’t just about wildfire preparedness. It can also play a role in your insurance and how your property is viewed by future buyers.

The graphic breaks down the 3 zones around your home and what to know for each.

Want the full checklist? Comment “FIRE” or send me a DM and I’ll send you a practical guide covering the 3 defensible-space zones, questions to ask your insurer, and how to check your property’s current fire hazard designation.

San Francisco has 115 houses for sale. That's it.A year ago, there were 227. That's a 49% drop in what buyers have to ch...
07/28/2026

San Francisco has 115 houses for sale. That's it.

A year ago, there were 227. That's a 49% drop in what buyers have to choose from. It also helps explain what's happening in the market right now.

Yes, the median sale price jumped 22% to $2.15M. But median prices can shift depending on what sells. A wave of luxury sales can push that number up even while the broader price index stays flat. Both numbers are accurate. They're simply measuring different things.

A few other numbers stand out:
📍 Median of 12 days on market
📍 85% of homes selling over list price
📍 More than 140 San Francisco homes sold for $1M+ over asking in the first half of this year alone

With fewer homes available, buyers are competing for a much smaller selection of listings.

If you've been thinking about selling your San Francisco home, this could be a good time to look at your options. Every situation is different, but current inventory levels are creating favorable conditions for many sellers.

Drop a comment or send me a DM if you'd like to see what your home could be worth in today's market.

Westin Means - SF Bay Area Realtor®
📲 Call or Text - 510-735-5685
💻 Email - [email protected]
🗓️ Schedule a Zoom Call - https://calendly.com/westinmeans/business



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Oakland, CA
94607

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