BLUEPRINT
EAST B AY
A D I V E R S E N E W S L ET T E R
Outdoor Dining Gems The warmer Summer months bring us a chance to eat outdoors more often. No matter where you are in the East Bay you can nd some stellar restaurants to enjoy the warmer weather. Here are a few of our favorites.
EGGY’S If it’s breakfast, brunch or lunch you are craving then this place should top your list. Tucked away inside the Berkeley Epicurious Garden on Shattuck, this casual spot has plenty of outdoor seating and an outstanding menu. I’m a huge fan of their hash (Chorizo or Braised Short Rib). They are also well known for their sweets such as their Churro Waf e and Tres Leches French Toast.
Compass vs. Zillow Lawsuit
LIMEWOOD BAR & RESTAURANT The food here is good . . . but let’s be honest, the real reason we all love this place is the view and the ambience. Located inside the 110 year hotel The Claremont, the old world grandeur and lively atmosphere are a draw year round. Enjoy a cocktail at the bar or even better, go midweek just before dinner and grab a table outside to enjoy one of the best views of the Bay.
Among the many, many news headlines lately it’s possible you may have missed the recent lawsuit led by Compass (the brokerage we call home) against Zillow. There has been an escalating feud over the last few years and it looks as though it will now be settled by the courts. Compass CEO and Berkeley native, Robert Reffkin, has been very outspoken regarding Zillow and, as Compass agents, the lawsuit did not completely come as a surprise. At the heart of the recent con ict is a new Zillow policy that says: if a home is publicly marketed anywhere before it’s listed on Zillow, it gets blacklisted from the site. Permanently. Compass has led a lawsuit saying that policy is not only unfair but anti-competitive. Every home on Zillow comes directly from the MLS. The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) has a clear cooperation policy that states that any publicly marketed property by a REALTOR needs to be placed on the MLS within 1 business day. Once on the MLS it feeds automatically to Zillow and its millions of users. So, why does matter so much you may ask?
SAILING GOAT RESTAURANT
Sometimes a home owner may need more time to make updates to their home before selling and/or moving out. Sometimes a seller may want to be discreet. What Compass provides is an opportunity to market your home to other Compass agents and their clients without going on MLS. No need to move out, no sign in the front yard, etc. As the home is closer to ready it can be featured as ‘Coming Soon’ on the MLS and then launched publicly. Zillow’s rule would permanently ban any home that goes through this phased approach. Some sellers love this exibility though as it allows them to test the waters before fully committing to putting their home on the market. Maybe they want to see if there’s buyer interest at their dream price, or perhaps they value their privacy and don’t want the entire neighborhood knowing their business immediately. For decades this was not only possible but it was common
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On the inside of the Bay, nestled into Point San Pablo Bay Harbor is Sailing Goat Restaurant. Like many restaurants in the Bay Area it is run by an alum of Chez Panisse. The menu is focused on seafood and elevated comfort food like Mac & cheese. Lots of wine, beer and cider to choose from. Live music can be enjoyed on the weekends along with the peaceful view of the San Pablo Bay and the Richmond/El Cerrito hillside.
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JULY 20 2 5