Arlene Baxter

We chose Arlene based on a friend’s recommendation and think she did an excellent job.
Arlene helped us buy our first house in Berkeley and provided a lot of help that we definitely needed — everything from the mortgage to making sure we really understood the process of bidding and buying.
Arlene was fast and responsive (very necessary in Berkeley where houses sell so quickly), knew the neighborhoods, plusses and minuses of the different locations, and even approximate values varying across Berkeley. She had recommendations and connections to get inspections and engineers out quickly. All of this meant that we had good success at buying a house.

We chose Arlene because she had found a house for a friend. We were never sorry.
We were nervous because we were buying our first house just as we were retiring. She held our hands through the whole process. She found us a house we could afford. She connected us with a mortgage broker. She made sure we knew the pluses and minuses of the building. She even sat us down a day or so before we committed and told us all the problems we might face. At the same time she was encouraging and a fine advocate for us. In the end she got us a discount, even in the insane market of 2015.
«But wait, there’s more.» Even after the sale had closed, she provided us resources that a new homeowner needs. She gave us referrals to plumbers, and painters, and arborists. She has a *lot* of knowledge about the East Bay, and she put it at our service.
We got email from her late at night and early in the morning. I wonder if she ever sleeps? But all that energy was spent to get us a good place, and we are grateful.

We were so lucky to find Arlene. She is extremely knowledgeable, professional
and reliable. We really needed all of those qualities to find a home in Oakland
in such a hot and competitive market. She is a great communicator. She was
voted realtor of the year and when other agents asked who we were working with, and we said Arlene, they all commented that we were in great hands and we found that we were. We had total confidence in relying on her expertise to negotiate our deal. She offered the perfect blend of being supportive yet gave us a reality check when we needed it. She was very helpful with offering referrals for work and reports that we needed. Thank you Arlene we could not have done it without you! If you are looking for an agent who really knows her turf and will help you find the right home and deliver the deal, Arlene is the agent for you.

I have truly enjoyed and appreciated Arlene as a Realtor mentor. She is helpful and patient throughout the entire process. I have been involved in both residential and commercial new agent training before and neither of them compared to the high level of standards and excellence of training that Arlene offered. Our training comprised of an entire six months of weekly training. Through her training it is obvious that she is completely thorough and excellent as a Realtor herself.

Our family used Arlene’s services as a listing agent to sell a property in Berkeley. We contacted her knowing fully that we’d have to rehab the property prior to listing it. With Arlene’s consultation and recommendations, we renovated the property using her contacts. She uses a professional photographer who takes details like lighting very seriously, and she recommended a staging company to furnish the empty property. We were tempted to save a few thousand bucks and cut corners, but she seemed to know the difference between penny wise and pound foolish. Arlene convinced us that given the time constraints, we should spend a little more than DIY. She got into details as small as tile colors, paint colors, etc. All through the process, she was aggressive in keeping us on schedule to get to market quickly to take advantage of a market crest that she sensed. Towards the end of the rehab project when pretty much everyone else was tired and ready to say ‘good enough,’ Arlene was still dogged in insisting on small details be taken care of at her own expense in order to ensure a fast sale at maximum price. She even highly recommended a full inspection be paid for at our expense in order to pick up any blunders in the remodel and to show potential buyers that we were open and transparent. Good thing we listened, because we found a number of issues including a plumbing problem that could have flooded the house. Arlene recommended a listing price based on her understanding of the market, and it worked like a charm in that we had several offers above listing price. We were ecstatic with the offer price and the subsequent closing process. No questions about ROI in our renovation because we came out so far ahead! This woman knows what she’s doing. If you’re looking to sell a property, look no further!

Can’t say enough good things about Arlene Baxter. Purchasing my first home — it could have been one of the most stressful experiences I can imagine, but Arlene made it workable, all the way. She was patient and clarified all my naïve questions, and helped work out so many daunting details that would have frozen me in my tracks. A +++ all the way. I am so happy in my house, and it suits me in a way I couldn’t imagine at the beginning of this process. Bravo Arlene!

Arlene made a stressful experience easy for me. I sought her out because she is among the most experienced agents in Berkeley; and her long knowledge of the East Bay, the market, the ins and outs of dealing with other agents, the city, mortgage brokers, and inspectors avoided many pitfalls along the way. She also understands the buildings inside and out and has has deep care and knowledge of the architecture and history of the built environment here. Most important for me, and most impressively, she took care of the details and made the process as painless as it can be. She made, and showed up for, every appointment with inspectors and at any signing, and continued to support me even after the sale was done. Because of her relationships with inspectors, contractors, plumbers, and electricians, I was able to get renovation work done on my place within days of closing and moved in weeks before I thought possible. Thanks, Arlene!

Arlene Baxter has demonstrated her professionalism, integrity, depth of knowledge, thoroughness, reputation within the community, and diligence in her work with us as we sold our Berkeley home. She represented us in both a purchase and a complex sale. We are especially thankful for her continuing to be available, and actually coordinating and submitting an offer for us during her brief vacation in Seattle.
We had a longer and more intense relationship than most over the sale of our home, and it was a complex sale in numerous ways, including the relationship with the vacant lot, neighbors, surveys. We were glad that she was able to generate multiple offers for us, even in a changing market. It was clear that Arlene actively worked with colleagues who had interested buyers and this made a difference in the result.
We really liked both the website and the printed marketing materials, and very pleased that she was able to bring together resources that made our home look great. This really made a difference.
Mostly, we are pleased that we worked so well as a team, and that we actually enjoyed each other along the way. If you are considering selling or buying a house, we strongly recommend Arlene Baxter as your agent. Not only does she get the job done, and the process is an enjoyable and respectful one.

Arlene is a fabulous Realtor and consummate professional! We worked with Arlene as first-​time buyers who were greatly intimidated by the complexities of the Bay Area real estate market, with a limited budget, very specific needs in a house, and on a limited time frame. Arlene helped us find a house that we absolutely adore in a perfect neighborhood, two blocks from the wonderful shops and restaurants of Solano. After losing out on two places that we liked a lot, Arlene helped us put together a winning bid that sealed the deal. In addition to spot on business acumen and deep insight into the East Bay market, Arlene is also psychologically astute, knowing that a home purchase is not just a business transaction, but a negotiation that deeply influences people’s relationships and well-​being. She will help you find the right home for your family.

Arlene was a dream to work with, and I couldn’t imagine having had a better realtor. From the beginning, I felt fully informed about the market, the steps, and what to look for and look out for, including all of the little things that are so important but that wouldn’t have even crossed my mind at the time. I also felt like I had an ally, someone who took the time to learn about me and what I need and want, and in this incredibly competitive housing market, she was both realistic and encouraging.
I was on a very short and tight timeline, and Arlene helped me navigate the process seamlessly. She showed me properties that included what is now my new home that I absolutely love and feel lucky to be in. She was masterful at knowing what to look for and what to ask, and she was impressively accessible throughout the processes of making an offer and closing the sale. And almost all of this was done remotely, because I was either out of state or out of the country most of the time, which was possible because she also helped me to anticipate what needed to be done beforehand, and what could be done while abroad.
Her support did not end with the closing. She took the time to show me all sorts of things about the property when it was time for me to move in, and provided advice on settling in, referrals for services, suggestions of fabulous places locally to check out, and so on. She has been and continues to be a great guide and advisor and advocate, and I’m deeply grateful. If you’re looking for a home in the East Bay, be sure to contact her. Thanks, Arlene!

Arlene is a master realtor. In the Bay Area, if you want to sell your house, you need a master realtor. I have bought two houses with the careful and wise guidance of Arlene Baxter. When we sold our first home, we tripled our investment because of her keen advice and smart marketing. Arlene understands the multi platform approach needed in today’s market. I’m not selling my ‘forever home’ any time soon, and yet when I receive her Green Bungalows newsletter, I drop whatever I am doing to read Arlene’s market reports and forecasts. Her analysis is spot on.

I highly recommend Arlene. I just bought my first house. In the initial stages of our house hunt, Arlene took time to meet with us and find out in great detail what we were looking for in a house. The properties she sent to us subsequently always matched our criteria and were worth looking at. Once we were finally ready to make an offer, I believe that having Arlene as our realtor was a major factor in having our offer accepted. Her excellent knowledge of the local real estate market helped to guide our offer and to prepare a very competitive offer which was accepted out of many others. Her excellent reputation with other agents also helped out offer. She is extremely knowledgeable about real estate, and about the East Bay and has been a great resource even after he purchase was complete, in providing referrals for services and contractors etc. Throughout the house hunt and while we were in escrow, Arlene was a calm presence, always available to answer questions and guide me through the process. I always had complete confidence that she had my best interest as her first priority. She is always thoughtful, prompt, thorough and pleasant. I can’t recommend her highly enough.

Arlene Baxter has been my go-​to-​realtor for the last ten years. She’s helped me sell our home of 30 years. And, later helped me buy a local condo, which I love.
Arlene is steeped in the history of the East Bay market and its fluctuations, as well as community resources. Her skill, serenity, and good humor during the hectic days of preparing our home for sale freed me to take time letting go of the memories in each room, the furniture too large to take, and mountains of «treasures.» When I felt overwhelmed she steered me to people who helped with sorting and packing and donating. She even located someone strong and brave enough to wrestle large boxes and furniture down the ladder from our attic. In the end my home sold above the asking price. And when it came time to buy the condo, Arlene’s extraordinary advocacy convinced the seller to accept my bid, which was lower than the highest offer!
I cannot imagine a better guide and companion to have in the realm of real estate than Arlene. She knows her stuff, she works hard, she does not quit, and she’s always available. She actually makes the work fun.

My son and I just bought a house in North Oakland. Arlene Baxter was the best! She handled all the details and everything from offer to escrow went smoothly AND quickly. She is an absolute joy to work with and has an incredible eye for finding the right place for the client.