Buyer Playbook - Berkeley

Do this first, before you shop

Get pre-approved. Knowing your budget is the critical first step.
Set aside cash for earnest money (about 3% of price) and a possible appraisal gap, so a release never catches you short.

How a listing moves

Days 1–3

Listing goes live, usually midweek.

Two weekends

Back-to-back weekends of open houses.

Around day 14

Offers due, usually midweek after the second weekend.

About two weeks to tour, read disclosures, and build your offer. We start prepping yours on day one.

The list price is low by design (I know, it's annoying)

Homes list low on purpose to draw multiple offers. 84% sold over asking last year, and not by a few thousand. The typical home sold 28% over list, sometimes hundreds of thousands over. Asking price won't win. To recommend an offer price, we use broader market comps, specifically recent sales in the area, plus what the disclosure packet tells us about the home.

Bottom line: the highest number still loses if it misses the seller's terms on closing date or contingencies. Strategy is part of the offer.

Before you write an offer

Read the disclosure and inspection package first. I turn it into a clear read with red flags and likely repair costs, so waiving inspection is informed, not a gamble.
Set your number from the CMA: recent comparable sales, repairs needed, and the listing team's strategy.

How every home gets reviewed

Disclosures and comps both run through AgentPrep. You get the home's real condition, red flags, repair costs, and likely sale price. No 200-page packet to decode.

What a winning offer looks like

Waive inspection

You read the seller's reports already. No surprises.

Waive appraisal

If it appraises low, you cover the gap in cash. Rare, but know that number before you write.

Loan contingency

Keeping it is safer. Releasing it is stronger. Release only once fully underwritten.

Release all

The most competitive offer. Your 3% deposit is at risk if you walk.

Close in 14–17 days

We can go up to 21 if we need to. A clean, quick close often beats a few thousand dollars.

Berkeley taxes & point-of-sale items

City transfer tax

1.5% up to $1.7M, 2.5% above, split between buyer and seller. The county's 0.11% is paid by the seller. Offering to cover more can make your offer stand out.

Chicago Title rate table →

Property tax approx

Plan for 1.2% to 1.4% of the price per year, including local assessments. Prorated at closing. We confirm the exact figure before you offer.

Energy rule (BESO)

Required energy assessment at sale. You see the home's score and recommended upgrades before you close.

berkeleyca.gov/BESO →

Sewer lateral

The private sewer lateral must be certified compliant at sale. We settle who pays up front.

Usually $6,500–$10,000