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Hot Spots It’s been awhile since we’ve touched on some of our favorite new places to eat, drink and hang out. Here is a look at some of the newest and best spots we’ve visited over the summer.
List Price: $1,875,000 Sale Price: $3,178,000
HOPSCOTCH CHICKEN
THE KNOT CLUB Richmond has a new waterfront hangout in addition to the Sailing Goat: The Knot Club. This reimagined bar at Point San Pablo Harbor has a very eclectic décor, vintage records, board games, and small bites in addition to wine, beer, cider, and non alcoholic options. Unwind on the cozy back deck by the re pit while taking in unreal sunset views across the bay. With its art- lled surroundings (think a glowing 40-foot crocodile and a towering honeybee), it’s the perfect mix of laid-back charm and local avor. For now they are only open Fridays from 5-10PM and live music is part of the ongoing “Live on the Waterfront” series. 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond
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SWEET POTATOE’S UPBEET CAFE Across from El Cerrito Plaza, this uber comfortable cafe pours playful signature drinks (honey-jasmine lattes topped with bee pollen, ube lattes dusted with rose petals, and cinnamon-kissed mochas) alongside smoothies, avocado toast, and many more light breakfast bites. Perfect for a quick pickme-up before errands or a relaxed catch-up with friends.6401 Fairmount Ave. , El Cerrito
How & Why A Home Sells For $1M Over List Price The epicenter of the “list incredibly low, sell high” playbook is without a doubt, Berkeley and it dissipates outward from there throughout the Inner East Bay. It’s the de ning characteristics that makes this market one of the most unique in the country. A little more than decade ago, statistics showed double-digit overbids (about 13% above asking in 2013) followed by several years when typical sales in Berkeley and parts of Oakland cleared the list price by notable margins. Today, turnkey homes in high demand areas such as North/Central Berkeley & Albany have sale prices that can average 50% or higher above the list price. The conditions that forged this approach back then still exist today: chronic scarcity, abundant demand, and a calendar-driven auction moment (a pre determined o er date) that channels many buyers into one decision window. As challenging and mystifying as this practice can seem it is undeniably e ective. It attracts attention, brings multiple o ers and produces strong results for the seller. Well executed, underpricing isn’t just a parlor trick; it’s market design. An eye catching list price, a complete disclosure package (this is key), and a clear deadline create a temporary “auction” style dynamic for potential buyers. In the right micro-market turnkey homes, A-tier locations, a deep bench of prepared buyers/ competition can pull the closing price up to (and often past) fair market value. We see it time and time again when we track the data. (Continued)
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Known for its three-day buttermilk marinade and impossibly crispy texture, Hopscotch’s fried chicken has long been an East Bay favorite. Now offered in an easy order-at-thecounter format at the Epicurious Garden Food Hall, the menu includes combo trays, salads, sandwiches, saucy wings, and slowroasted Springer Farms rotisserie chicken— don’t miss the potatoes cooked in their savory drippings. Open 7 days a week 11-8PM. 1511 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
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SE PTEM BER 2025