East Bay Market Update - October 2025

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Berkeley?

At Calia Homes, we specialize in helping East Bay clients navigate the Berkeley real estate market with confidence. Whether you're a first-time buyer searching for the perfect home near the Gourmet Ghetto or a longtime homeowner preparing to sell in the Elmwood or Northbrae neighborhoods, our experienced Berkeley Realtors offer trusted guidance, local expertise, and a people-first approach. With decades of experience and a reputation built on referrals, we’re here to help you make smart, successful real estate decisions in Piedmont and the surrounding East Bay communities.

Probate Horror Stories:

Reasons to Hold Your Home In A Trust One of the scariest things we see as real estate professionals is how often homeowners are blindsided by the nightmare of probate. Our research shows that less than 50% of local homeowners have placed their property in a trust— when tragedy strikes, the consequences can be devastating. Probate is expensive, slow, and painfully public. Avoiding it isn’t just about saving money—it’s about sparing your loved ones additional stress and grief. In the Bay Area, probate can take months (sometimes even years) and cost about 2% of the estate’s value—roughly $23,000 on a $1 million home, often doubled with executor fees. Furthermore, because it’s a public process, anyone can view information on assets, debts, and heirs. To better understand what happens when a home ends up in probate, we spoke with Oakland attorneys Alexandra Ayoub and Rachel Dodson, experts in estate planning, trust administration, and probate. They’ve seen firsthand how quickly things can unravel when there’s no plan in place. When “Someday” Comes Too Late Together, we’ve encountered several heartbreaking stories: A homeowner’s final wish to leave his home in a life estate to close friends was undone when the property passed instead to his estranged daughter—leaving his friends homeless. Another homeowner’s estate was awarded to a father he hadn’t seen in 40 years—instead of the sister he loved. An unmarried partner of 30 years was evicted from her home after her partner died without a trust. A divorced father of two passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind a home requiring months of reconstruction; and his young-adult child facing a long, complicated probate process. Without a trust, your wishes don’t determine what happens next—state law does. A trust is the most affordable protection you can buy—often costing less than a year of homeowners insurance while saving tens of thousands in legal fees and years of stress for your loved ones. Please reach out to the Calia Homes team if you have a question or would like a referral to a trust and estate attorney.