Sharing Stories with Our Community: Red Oak Little Libraries
At Red Oak Realty, community has always been at the heart of what we do. A few months ago, during a Red Oak agents advisory meeting, a simple and thoughtful idea came up. What if we created Little Libraries as a way to share books and invite more everyday connections with our neighbors?
That idea quickly became reality. Red Oak has installed two Little Libraries, one in front of our El Cerrito office and another at our Hopkins office in Berkeley. Since then, they have been steadily gaining attention and use from people walking by, families with kids, and neighbors looking for their next good read.
So what exactly is a Little Library?
Little Libraries are small neighborhood book exchanges inspired by the global Little Free Library movement. The idea is simple and welcoming. You can take a book that interests you, and if you have books at home you are ready to pass along, you are encouraged to leave one for someone else. There is no sign-up, no rules, and no obligation. Just shared stories and a sense of trust.
Across the East Bay, Little Libraries have quietly become part of the neighborhood landscape. You can find them tucked into residential streets and near local gathering spots in places like Berkeley, Oakland, and El Cerrito. Each one reflects the community around it, from children’s books to novels to well-loved classics.
At Red Oak, we love that these small libraries reflect the same values we believe in every day. They encourage sharing, curiosity, and connection. Our Little Libraries are open to everyone. Whether you are stopping by to browse, picking up a book for your commute, or helping refresh the shelves with a few titles from home, you are always welcome.
If you are near our El Cerrito office or our Berkeley office, we invite you to stop by and take a look. Check out a book or two. And if you have books you are ready to pass along, please consider dropping them off. It is a small gesture that makes a meaningful difference. We are excited to see how these Little Libraries continue to grow as part of the Red Oak community and the neighborhoods we call home.
Season's Greetings
Wishing you and your loved ones a happy holiday season and a prosperous 2026 from all of us at Red Oak Realty.
Celebrating Community & Creativity: Red Oak’s Latest Art Exhibit
If you made it to our most recent art opening at the El Cerrito office, you already know: the reception was a great success. Great people, incredible artwork, meaningful conversations, exactly the kind of community moment we love to help create.
How did it all begin?
Red Oak’s DEI action group (consisting of Alex Morisseau, Chris Crane, Demetrius Chapin-Rienzo, Elic Suzao, Hanna Kerns, Karen Carter, Lindsay Ferlin, Lucy Conroy, Negar Souza and Suzanne Thompson, Jesbian Widmer, Kelly O'Sullivan) saw an opportunity to create something meaningful at our El Cerrito office: an open, well-lit space with the opportunity to elevate local artists who reflect the depth, diversity and creativity of the East Bay. We’re excited to share that the idea has been extremely well-received by the community.
Red Oak has been honored to feature the vibrant and thought-provoking work of the following artists over the past years:
Anna W. Edwards annawedwards.com
Dev Heyrana www.heyrana.studio
Irene Bee Kain irenebeekain.com
Xan Blood Walker xanbloodwalkerart.com
Duane Conliffe duaneconliffe.com
Sheela Jhaveri
Each gallery-style opening brought neighbors, clients, agents, friends, and local creators together, reminding us that art has a unique way of sparking joy, conversation, and connection.
Our Current Featured Artist - Robert Hightower
We are truly honored by the incredible turnout at last week’s art reception in support of Robert Hightower and his extraordinary, emotionally-charged acrylic and oil art pieces. The energy in the room was magnetic — and filled with the kind of connection that reminds us why community matters so deeply.
A heartfelt thank you to the people who helped make the night even more special:
Team FMZ from Crosscountry Mortgage for the amazing food & wine
La Salle for sponsoring the beautiful cookies crafted by Lucy Conroy
The Wyatt Team for the delicious cupcakes from Cupcakin
Know a Local Artist? We Want to Meet Them!
We’re committed to keeping this momentum going. The DEI Action Group plans to continue spotlighting local creators and building community through future exhibits.
If you know an East Bay artist who should be considered for a future show, please get in touch. We’d love to connect.
Here’s to more art, more community, and more moments that bring us together.
Decorating Your East Bay Home for the Holidays
The holiday season in the East Bay offers a unique opportunity to blend California's relaxed aesthetic with festive cheer. Whether you're in the rolling hills of El Cerrito, the vibrant neighborhoods of Oakland, or the charming streets of Berkeley, here's how to create a warm, inviting space that captures the spirit of an East Bay holiday season.
Embrace the Indoor-Outdoor Lifestyle
One of the greatest advantages of celebrating the holidays in the East Bay is our mild climate. String cafe lights across your patio or deck to create an enchanting evening ambiance. Decorate outdoor living areas with potted poinsettias, cyclamens, and winter pansies that thrive in our temperate weather.
For your entryway, try a eucalyptus wreath adorned with succulents or air plants for a distinctly Californian twist on traditional evergreen wreaths. Add fairy lights woven through native plants in your front garden for a welcoming glow.
Bring Nature Inside
The East Bay's proximity to redwood groves and oak-studded hills provides abundant natural materials for decorating. Take a family hike through Redwood Regional Park or Tilden and gather fallen branches, pinecones, and interesting pieces of bark for stunning centerpieces.
Create a mantel display using branches from your yard mixed with string lights and small ornaments. Bay laurel branches make excellent aromatic garland material, while acorns collected from local oak trees can be spray-painted gold or silver for elegant accents.
Shop Local for Unique Touches
The East Bay's thriving maker community means you'll find one-of-a-kind holiday decorations at local craft fairs and shops. The Piedmont Avenue Holiday Stroll, Jack London Square markets, and Fourth Street shops offer handcrafted ornaments and textiles that add character to your decor while supporting local artisans.
Visit local nurseries like East Bay Nursery or Berkeley Horticultural Nursery for fresh wreaths and living Christmas trees that can be planted in your yard after the season - creating a growing forest of holiday memories.
Create Warmth and Light
Layer textiles throughout your home with throw blankets in rich jewel tones or earth tones that complement California's natural palette. If you have a fireplace, make it a focal point by mixing modern and vintage elements — sleek brass candleholders alongside rustic wooden pieces or vintage books with evergreen sprigs.
For lighting, focus on creating warm, ambient illumination rather than overwhelming decoration. Candles in hurricane glasses, string lights in glass jars, and solar-powered pathway lights all create magical evening atmosphere while reflecting the East Bay's environmental consciousness.
Keep It Authentic
The East Bay's rich cultural diversity means the holidays look different in every household. Let your decorations reflect your family's unique traditions while remaining connected to our shared community. Embrace sustainability by choosing quality over quantity, shopping secondhand, and repurposing items you already own.
The holidays in the East Bay are about connection — to nature, to community, to loved ones, and to the place we call home. Let your decorations reflect that spirit, and your home will radiate authentic holiday warmth.
Happy Thanksgiving!
This Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to share our gratitude with you—our clients, colleagues, friends and family. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey and trusting us with some of your most meaningful milestones.
We understand a home is more than a property. It’s where stories are written, memories are made, traditions take root and dreams take shape. Whether you’re buying, selling or simply reaching out for guidance, our connection with you goes far beyond business. It’s a relationship built on trust, care and a shared commitment to community.
From our family to yours, we wish you a warm and joyful Thanksgiving filled with love, connection and gratitude. Thank you for being such an important part of our story.
Holiday Events In The East Bay
This time of year brings out the joy and gratitude in everyone, regardless of religious beliefs, including many of our communities and local businesses joining in on holiday activities. Here are a handful of options to enjoy while celebrating the season with loved ones.
HOLIDAYS ON FOURTH STREET
Fourth Street Shops, Berkeley
Now until - February 2026 when lights will come down
Fourthstreet.com
OAKLAND ZOO GLOWFARI
9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland
Now until Jan 25, 4:30–9pm
Oaklandzoo.org
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
3Crosses Church, 20600 John Drive, Castro Valley
Nov 28-Jan 11
3crosseschristmasvillage.com
HOLIDAY EVENTS
South Shore Center, Alameda
Nov 28-Dec 24
Alamedasouthshorecenter.com
CHRISTMAS TREE LANE
3200 Block of Thompson Ave, Alameda
Dec 3 - New Year's Eve
Facebook.com/christmastreelane
OAKLAND HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING
Jack London Square, Oakland
Nov 29, 5:45–8pm
Visitoakland.com
WINTER WONDERLAND
Tilden Park, Berkeley
Dec 4 - Dec 21
Tildenmerrygoround.org
LIGHT UP THE SEASON
Hayward City Hall Rotunda & Plaza
Dec 6, 4–8pm
www.hayward-ca.gov/community-events/light-up-the-season
LIGHTED YACHTS & BOATS PARADE
Oakland/Alameda Waterfront
Dec 6 around 5:30
Lightedyachtparade.com
WINTER ON SOLANO AVENUE
Solano Ave, Albany/Berkeley
Dec 7, noon–5pm
Solanoavenueassn.org
HOLIDAY STROLL
Montclair Village, Oakland
Dec 11, 4–8pm
Montclairvillage.com
FAIRY WINTERLAND
699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland
DEC 13-14, 20-21, & 27-28, 12–7pm
Fairyland.org
SHADI HOLIDAY DISPLAY
7501 Moeser Lane in El Cerrito
Dec 13–26
Shadiholidaydisplay.com
Hope these help you make the most of the season. See you around the East Bay!
Give the gift of joy this holiday season
Every child deserves a little holiday magic - and you can help make that happen!
Red Oak has once again joined local businesses in the quest to make sure every child in the East Bay has a toy for Christmas. Since 1947, Toys for Tots has distributed 708 million toys to 314 million children.
Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy to this worthy cause. Collection boxes are currently located at our Montclair, Berkeley, and El Cerrito Offices until December 10th.
- 1575 Hopkins Street, Berkeley
- 7502 Fairmount Avenue, El Cerrito
- 6450 Moraga Avenue, Oakland
Offices are open from 9:00am - 5:30pm, Monday-Friday. If you'd prefer to give a monetary donation, or a virtual toy, please click HERE to go to their website directly.
We hope you are inspired to give back, no matter the size of your donation.
Thanks For Helping Us Save Lives!
You're all lifesavers! A great big THANK YOU to everyone who donated at any of our three Red Oak blood drives. We are happy to report that we collected 41 units of blood, which means that over 115 people will be impacted by your generosity. Blood drives are critical for helping to save lives, which is why Red Oak will continue to organize and provide locations for these events.
Missed this last one? Our next blood drive will be announced early next year!
Micro-markets, Major Gains
FINDING VALUE IN THE BAY AREA – Q3 2025
The Inner East Bay real estate market in Q3 2025 marked a clear shift from the previous year, as rising inventory and tempered price growth gave buyers more leverage in certain neighborhoods and created a healthier balance between supply and demand. After several years of volatility and pricing climbs, prices stabilized – with the median single-family home price down 3.2% year-over-year – reflecting a continued correction from pandemic highs. Higher mortgage rates, hovering near 6.9%, led to more measured buyer activity and longer days on market, softening competition and prompting more strategic pricing among sellers. Still, with median home prices around $1 million – well below those in San Francisco, Marin, and the Peninsula – the Inner East Bay remained one of the Bay Area’s strongest values and most resilient housing markets.
Single-Family Home Performance by City
Oakland
Oakland’s market moved toward a possible opportunity for home buyers in Q3, with a median home price of $870,000, down 5% year-over-year. Active listings surged more than 30%, while closed sales dipped 6%. Average days on market rose to around 45, indicating longer sell times compared to pandemic-era lows.
Berkeley
Berkeley continues to dominate the East Bay for demand with its median home price reached$1.58 million, a 9% increase year-over-year, reflecting ongoing market strength. Both listings and closed sales rose, with most homes receiving multiple offers and selling within 23 days – a clear sign of sustained demand. On average, homes sold for 41% over list price, underscoring Berkeley’s enduring appeal among determined buyers.
Albany & El Cerrito
High-performing school districts kept Albany and El Cerrito in strong demand. Limited inventory meant homes that did list, sold quicker than other Bay Area neighborhoods – averaging 17 days in Albany and 21 days in El Cerrito. By contrast, Oakland and Richmond averaged 39-40 days on market.
El Cerrito’s median price climbed 27% year-over-year to $1.4 million, representing an 86% increase over the past decade. Both markets remain emblematic of the East Bay’s long-term investment potential.
Castro Valley & San Leandro
Castro Valley saw renewed energy in Q3, with a median sale price near $1.2 million (up 4% YOY) and a 50% increase in single-family home sales year-over-year, reaching 132 total transactions.
In contrast, San Leandro softened, with sales volume down 30% and prices mixed, reflecting cooler demand and slower turnover.
Piedmont
At the top of the market, Piedmont’s median home price neared $3 million, up 32% from 2024. Sales volume fell 25%, with only 15 homes sold in the quarter – consistent with a smaller, luxury-driven inventory pool. Low inventory and high demand are reflected in the high closed sales prices we have continuously seen in this sought-after neighborhood.
Neighborhood Highlights
Neighborhood-level trends in Q3 2025 reflected a mix of resilience and buyer opportunities, with some areas maintaining strong competition and others seeing modest price adjustments. If you’d like to see a third-quarter report on your neighborhood, reach out!
Condos
The condominium sector presented a particular opportunity: condo prices reached their lowest point in five years, offering attractive entry points for buyers despite their challenges with insurance, rising HOA fees and new point of sale requirements. Condo performance diverged notably from single-family homes in Q3 2025. Median prices for Inner East Bay condos dropped 25% from early 2022 peaks, reaching their lowest levels since 2016. For the first time in several years we saw buyers gaining more leverage thanks to rising inventory, though competition persisted for move-in ready or architecturally distinctive homes. With rising supply and more selective demand, buyers currently hold the advantage, particularly in Oakland and Emeryville, where competitively priced opportunities abound.
For Sellers
Even with moderating price growth, sellers retain strong equity positions, as most neighborhoods remain well above pre-pandemic levels. However, success requires realistic pricing and flexibility with an uptick in sellers reducing list prices by 4-7% compared to prior quarters to attract an offer. Premium neighborhoods still attract motivated buyers, but strategic pricing, professional presentation, and quick responsiveness prove essential. Well-prepared, fairly priced homes continue to sell – often within weeks. For those considering a sale in 2026, now is an ideal time to begin planning.
For Buyers
Buyers have the most favorable environment in years, particularly in the Oakland and condo market. With inventory at multi-year highs, slower price appreciation, and extended days on market, current conditions allow for greater negotiation and more careful decision-making. This isn’t the case as often with the Berkeley, Piedmont, El Cerrito and Albany markets. For those looking for an opportunity to get in a market where they may have been sidelined for years, there are creative lending programs and rate buydown options to help offset higher mortgage costs, making purchases more accessible. Today’s market offers a unique opportunity to find the right home at a fair price without the frenzied competition of previous years. Patience, preparation, and clarity about priorities are key to taking advantage of this balanced phase in the East Bay market.
The long-term forecast points to steady, sustainable appreciation, especially in markets tied to strong employment, excellent schools, and vibrant amenities. While buyers have regained some leverage since the pandemic boom, the East Bay remains the Bay Area’s best balance between affordability and lifestyle – and continues to stand out as a solid investment in an evolving market.
Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or simply keeping tabs on your home’s value, we can help you navigate the market with clarity and confidence. Reach out today to connect with a local expert and make the most of your real estate goals in the East Bay.