This contemporary home is situated into a hillside with large expanses of glass that capture and frame commanding views of the valley below. Additionally, the large rooftop decks and patio spaces allow for classic indoor-outdoor living. The home includes 5 bedrooms and 7 baths, totaling 8,500 sf of livable space. Features include an entry bridge over a sunken courtyard with a waterfall/fire feature, a large open living space and kitchen, private bedroom wings, and outdoor amenities such as outdoor kitchen/dining,…

The share of homes built with patios hit a record high in 2021.  Of the roughly 1.1 million single-family homes started in 2021, 63 percent came with patios.  This number comes from NAHB tabulation of data from the Survey of Construction (conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau with partial finding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development).  Patios on… Read More ›

Now and Zen afforded a second life to a stucco McMansion as it was transformed into a modernist zen-like retreat. The zen-like retreat is firmly founded in a timeless, refined palette of natural materials including limestone walls and floors, Douglas fir ceilings, vertical grain rift oak millwork, and a careful selection of complementing tile and countertops. A re-imagining of formal and informal spaces, the design breaks down the rigidity of perceived formal rooms with a sequence of overlapping spaces. Before…

The owners’ suite sitting area opens via large sliding glass doors to an outdoor TV room with fireplace and spa/hot tub strategically located steps away. The 480 sf closet was a hit with its 10-foot high cabinetry and a comfortable sitting area inside. In the bath, the client required two water closets, two vanities, a soaking tub, a walk-in shower large enough for two, and lots of natural light. The floating vanities are custom designed and the vanity wall is…

While the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered many social and economic disruptions, it has also changed working arrangements and has accelerated the shift to work from home (WFH). During the COVID-19 outbreak in the early of 2020, many businesses across the United States closed and millions of workers experienced the work from home trend out of necessity. This sudden and massive… Read More ›

The latest results from the Federal Reserve’s Z.1 Financial Accounts of the United States, i.e., the Flow of Funds, show that in the second quarter of 2022, growth of the market value of all owner-occupied real estate in the United States slowed after showed the largest year-over-year percentage gain since 2001 the prior quarter. The market value of owner-occupied real… Read More ›

Continuing its tightening of financial conditions to bring the rate of inflation lower, the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy committee raised the federal funds target rate by 75 basis points, increasing that target to an upper bound of 3.25%. This marks the third consecutive meeting with an increase of 75 basis points. These supersized hikes are intended to move monetary policy… Read More ›

As elevated mortgage rates and higher home prices continue to price out homebuyers and reduce affordability, existing home sales declined for seven consecutive months in August, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). All four regions saw double-digit declines for sales from a year ago. Additionally, home price appreciation slowed for the second month after reaching a record high… Read More ›

This 3,500 sf house features with 500 sf ADU, internal elevator, and two-car garage. The contemporary design consists of rectangular forms with a flat roof that form a U shape around a central northwest-facing courtyard. This allows a glass interior walled courtyard, which connects the inside to outside and to views across the valley as well as to Mt. Tamalpais. The dining room serves as a glass-enclosed breezeway between the courtyard and a shade garden to the south, which is…

In August, housing starts rebounded but housing permits declined for the second straight month. The August drop in building permits indicates that the housing market is continues to cool as rising construction costs, elevated mortgage rates and supply chain disruptions continue to act as a drag on the market. Overall housing starts rose 12.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate… Read More ›