When Brianna Brandow and David Seiler bought 3127 Harper Street in 2012, they paid $250,000 for what was a basically uninhabitable domicile.
Now, magically transformed, that house is for sale again at $645,000.
Circa 1906, this two-bedroom, one-bath Berkeley Bowl bungalow is just 901 square feet. But part of what makes the rehab of the property so successful is clever manipulation of space. In a letter written to future owners, Brianna Brandow explained that she and David Seiler wanted to keep the home’s historic feel but at the same time make it more functional for a growing family:
“We took our time to repurposing the history of the house, finding the best way to use the space and add features to modernize this Victorian to create a functional and fun space.”
Such innovation include the a mini pantry-laundry-mudroom by the back door, two levels in the backyard for dining with a play space below, a stroller ramp from the backyard to Woolsey Street, and extensive landscaping.
Artist owners
Both Brianna and David have an arts background. They purchased 3127 Harper St. in 2012, seeing potential in the shambolic wreck (truly shambolic, as readers can see in the before-and-after pictures above).
Listing agent Jill Carrigan told On the Block that these sellers were extremely hands (and masks) on throughout the remodeling process, and that they “repurposed their salvage for furniture, shelving, pathways and gates. They converted the garage into their own artist studio” as well.
The result is a sweet pad in a very sweet area, with a WalkScore of 92, a TransitScore of 62, and a BikeScore of 100.
Area stats
In the last 30 days, the median list price for 94703 was $722,000 with a sale-to-list ration of 119 percent. Redfin data on comparable sales in the nearby area calculate an estimated value of $832,750 for this home, alarmingly to the north of its current asking.
If we could buy it right now — with everything in it — we would. But readers what will this stylish little abode actually sell for?
Anna Marie Erwert writes from both the renter and new buyer perspective, having (finally) achieved both statuses. She focuses on national real estate trends, specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. Follow Anna on Twit
