Will it be different this time?
Bay Area Home Buying
A Berkeley Realtor’s Journey of Buying in Berkeley
The Spark – What is The Science of Attraction when it comes to Houses?
Helen Fischer, the Harvard Anthropologist, famously wrote the book “Why Him? Why Her” about the science of attraction and what makes us chose love interests in life. She posits, based on extensive research, that high dopamine folks (risk takers) are attracted to others with high dopamine levels. High testosterone people tend to be attracted to high estrogen, and vice versa – no surprise there. As well, people who are interested in stability and minimizing risk are most interested in others with a similar orientation.
So it goes with houses.
Why this 6-unit mixed use building and not the triplex with views of the bay in El Cerrito? Both make excellent long term prospects, both offer promises of the good life – well diiferent versions thereof, but a good life nonetheless.
The Good Life
In my case, I utterered the word “Home… I’m home!” When I stepped foot into what would be my bedroom should I be lucky enough to get my offer accepted.
Who knows if I will be “lucky,” which is where faith comes into the picture. If it is meant to be, it will be. How shall I count the ways? I love this property! I love the potential for a rooftop deck. I love having a storefront commercial space in Berkeley where I can open up a real estate office, or see design clients, meet with architects or designers, or even share it with a friend’s jewelry business. There’s a vacant commercial space that could be an art gallery, a cafe, a doctor’s office, a salon, etc. The skys the limit. And yes, I’m aware commercial real estate has been falling in viability and worth, but this is a beautiful corner unit with a back room, great light, high ceilings, big windows, and a shared kitchenette and bathroom – it is ripe and ready to be something. Good vibes are hard to quantify but you know it when you see it. And this space feels good.
The unit I’d call home has an outdated bathroom, an outdated kitchen and the PERFECT layout. It has the potential to open up to a rooftop deck over the commercial unit I’d like to keep for myself (if possible). The room I’d call my bedroom is a converted attic up above and feels private as such – no one on either side of me, windows, sky lights, a quirky big space with soft carpets and room to spread out. The mainfloor downstairs of that unit has an airy living room space with windows that look out to the trees, the back bedroom that I’d devote to my son is large and sufficiently dark (the boy is precocious in his desire to live in a mancave already).
It is a short .3 miles to Berkeley High School and downtown berkeley with Bart, Bookstores, restaurants, you name it. It feels like a place my son could bring his friends by, and that makes me smile. It’s walkable, but quiet enough – a easy corner – Bancroft and Rosevelt.
Is this everyone’s dream? Not at all. It is my dream.
There’s a long term commercial tenant – an acupuncture clinic, and they seem great – and I’m a huge fan of Traditional Chinese Medicine, so love being near that vibe – I won’t mind the sound of the acutonics sound baths, or the smell of Chinese herbs, while others might.
There are two additional residential tenants, but that is something being worked with. The offer I submitted requests that one additional residential unit be delivered vacant – of the seller’s choosing. It is a 17 day escrow, 9 day loan and appraisal contingency. Sent in Tuesday night the week of thanksgiving – the offer expires on Thanksgiving at 8pm. Hopefully I’ll recieve a response tomorrow.
I will say – BOY IS IT NERVEWRACKING when you really WANT IT!
It’s worse than writing “you’re cute” on a note and slipping it to someone you have a crush on. You feel so horribly vulnerable.
Yes, this is a huge risk, but somehow, I’m just excited versus scared or tired. I think it is very possible to have this property pay for itself and still get to keep one unit – maybe two – to myself. That’s a miracle.
My interest rate will be high and the property taxes will be more annually than I made in 2006. 30k+ a year. But that’s what the income is for – yes this is in a way a new job… But my dear dress for the job you want – and I want this one in my green shirt and black jeans and copper earrings and forest colored eyeliner…
It’s Berkeley. It’s healing. It’s art. It feels like me.
Wish me luck friends – I think I’m gonna need it!
