Sold: 6841 Elverton Dr. Oakland, Ca

Finding “the one.”

Like falling in love, you know when you find it. Right? Same with househunting. Ideally.

The Bardais’ househunt unfolded like a true love story. They never thought they’d land in the Oakland Hills, having moved from Boston to Freemont following Farah’s career in bio-tech. But they just wanted to take a look, and see what all the hooplah was about ... about the views.

The view. Once they experienced the quintessential city lights - San Francisco Bay view, the view unique to the East Bay hills, their househunt became all about finding the perfect view. And then, the house that brought it alive.

From Kensington, through Berkeley, into Montclair and down through Leona Heights, we tested the theory. Could we put the right package together, without blowing the budget or taking on renovations? Would “she” see her legendary meals coming together in her dream kitchen, and could “he” entertain with the right panache, indoors and out — all to the backdrop of the perfect view?

It turned out to be the house we had not scouted out ... the one “still available” but perceived as out of reach to the budget ... that captured their hearts. I knew it the moment they stepped inside, on a whim and a last-minute appointment, and heard Anwar murmur under his breath, “This is the one.” It had “The View.” And the space, style and finish they desired. Question was, with nearby sales mostly above the price limit they’d set, could we make it work?

And just like a good romance, they decided, it was worth their best effort. A little nudge to the budget, and together came their purchase.

Celebrating with some sparkly to an Indian summer sunset, I got to witness “love at first sight” blossoming into a home for the Bardai’s next life chapter. With room for their son in grad school, mutliple work-from-home spaces within easy commuting to the office, an island kitchen open to living and entertaining space — and, of course, the view — the house up above Montclair Village will now tell the rest of the story.

Congratulations, Anwar and Farah, on falling in love, again. So happy that we could make the ideal real estate story come true!

Eileen Townsend
Dre#02019343