Brett Weinstein, Co-Founder and Managing Broker
Licensed Real Estate Broker Since 1986
License# 00923266
- Over 23 successful years in East Bay real estate
- Savvy negotiator with a long track record of winning the best terms for his clients.
- Expert guide to help buyers make cost-effective upgrades to prepare homes for sale - and to help buyers incorporate repairs and improvement costs into their bid price.
- Tireless manager of complex transactions and escalating details.
- 30-year Berkeley resident who knows the best neighborhoods throughout the East Bay.
- Member of the Green REsource Council and holder of the National Association of Realtors Sustainable Property Designation.
Brett started his real estate career in 1983, buying, renovating and renting/selling houses in the East Bay. Working closely with the Realtors who were part of his team, he saw the possibility of creating a real estate agency that delivered maximum value to the client at the same time as lower commissions. In 1986, he co-founded Realty Advocates to bring a new ethos to residential real estate: providing premier service and greater bottom-line value.
Brett enthusiastically takes the role of a true advocate for his clients. With refreshing candor, he demystifies the real estate world and makes the whole process feel effortless. He taps his background in architecture and his extensive knowledge of current construction costs to help sellers make smart upgrades to their home before selling and to help buyers budget for repairs and improvements as they prepare to make an offer.
Brett's environmental ethic and Green building knowledge runs deep. He earned his B.S. from U.C. Berkeley's College of Natural Resources, and continued into grad school at U.C.'s College of Environmental Design, under the direct mentorship of ecological design visionary Sim Van der Ryn. All of Brett's design projects centered on sustainable building principles and technologies, such as passive solar principles, energy efficiency, roof gardens, wind energy, greywater irrigation and waste recycling.
Brett took this academic knowledge to the streets. He partnered with the City of Berkeley and the Community Energy Coalition, which sourced and distributed energy- and water-saving resources to local residents and businesses. The work of this group led to the creation of the city-wide real estate point-of-sale ordinance known as R.E.C.O, the Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance, which remains in effect today.
When hybrid cars hit the U.S. market in 2000, Brett stepped forward as one of the first people in the U.S. to buy a Prius - inspiring many of his colleagues and neighbors to make the switch. Day to day, he helps buyers identify energy problems in prospective houses and cost-effective solutions, and helps sellers upgrade their homes to meet the expectations of today's eco-conscious buyers.
A devotee of life's simple pleasures, Brett puts a high premium on "walkability." Thus, he lives in the "gourmet- ghetto" neighborhood of North Berkeley with his wife and two teenage boys. He and his family enjoy walking for their groceries, to the Cheese Board and to favorite restaurants like Cesar's, Saul's Deli, Cha-Am and Taste of the Himalayas. His kids walk or skateboard to their high school.
Brett can be contacted at Brett@RealtyAdvocates.com
Great Service and Great Value
"We are very grateful to Brett at Realty Advocates. First, his attention to detail and knowledge of construction helped us tremendously on the house we bought in Piedmont. Secondly, his orchestration of all the elements involved in getting Woolsey on the market (like arranging for inspections, painting and various handyman work), and advising on the staging was flawless. Third, we thought his marketing material and newspapers ads were fabulous. His large ad in SF Chronicle really stood out and made most of the other listings look skimpy by comparison.
Per Brett's strong advise, our asking price was a number we would have been willing to accept if that was "all" we received. But just as important was Brett's admonition that we market the house for a full two weeks before hearing any offers. As it turned out, two buyers asked to present offers before our established offer date. However, Brett stuck to the marketing plan and it was his discipline that ultimately resulted in us getting not just two, but ten great offers.
Finally, the fact that Brett's commission was $13,000 less than what other agents wanted to charge was just icing on the cake. Great service and great value. Brett Weinstein gets our unqualified and most enthusiastic endorsement."
Sharon Stafanson and Jason Altieri
Can hardly imagine better service
from any "full-price" agent
"We are very happy with the excellent service you provided.
Most of the other agents we interview seemed resistant to, if not actually offended by, the idea that they should sign for less than 6%. Some of them warned that "cut-rate agents" would mean cut-rate service.
In your case they could not be more wrong.
Julie and I have a bit of experience in providing professional service and
in dealing with other professionals, including real estate professionals.
We found your handling of this deal to be highly professional from start to
finish -- from providing us with your best opinion of the anticipated value
of the house even when it diverged from our expectations, to getting the
house ready to show, getting it listed, getting it shown, helping us
evaluate offers, and providing us with calm counsel throughout the offer and
escrow process.
Of course, some combination of property-specific and market-specific factors
played a part in achieving a more favorable than expected result. However,
I think we would not have achieved as good a result, and certainly not as
promptly, without your efforts. I can hardly imagine what better service
any "full-price" agent could have provided.."
Ryan Werner and Julie Parr
$4,000 Less Commission
"What
impressed me most about Brett was his great
enthusiasm for both my house and the neighborhood,
his first hand familiarity of all the recent
sales, and the fact that his commission
was almost $4,000 less than other agents.
I was especially pleased that he was able
to convince the buyer to "forgive"
the $10,000 termite report and take the
house as-is. I think people are crazy to
pay a 6% commission when someone as good
as Brett is available for thousands less!"
Ivan Rosenblum
Only 4.5% Commission
"Brett was successful
in negotiating the purchase of our new house
on Ada Street contingent on the sale of our
old house on Keoncrest. He helped us get the
house ready for market, which included orchestrating
painters, haulers and cleaners. Brett also
got us a great deal on a new roof. The house
showed beautifully for the first open house
and we immediately receive a full price offer.
In addition to all this great service, he
only charged a 4.5% commission! We were very
happy."
Bill Pollack
Saved Us $5,000 in Commissions
"It's already been
a few years since Brett sold our house on
Acton St. for what was then the highest
price for a two bedroom in the neighborhood.
He also represented us in the purchase of
our current home. Brett is a savy negotiator
and his backround in architecture and construction
was extremely helpful. In hindsight, the
fact that he also saved us some $5,000 in
commissions was the least of his accomplishments!"
Joel ben Izzy and Taly Rutenberg
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