This is a delightful 3-bedroom, 1.5 bath, 1485 square foot unfurnished Kensington house in the desirable Colusa Circle neighborhood. The light-filled house, perched on a hillside above the street level, gives occupants the feeling of living "in the treetops" with a half-acre of front yard surrounds the house with privacy and tranquility. Built in the late 30's the kitchen has been updated with quartz counter tops and modern appliances while retaining vintage charm in its painted knotty pine panel walls, a kitchen dining nook in a bay window, built-in shelves and cupboards, decorative fireplace, tile floor and wainscoting in the bathroom, scones lighting and beautiful refinished hardwood floors. One of the three bedrooms or the dining room could double as a comfortable home office space. Accessed by a long driveway and two flights of stairs, the home provides limited filtered views of the bay and surrounding wooded hollow from large south-facing picture windows. A long-time renter resides in a basement studio with their own private entrance. Garden terraces host a large boulder from the glacier age. A nature-lover's retreat, this property features both a shady and a sunny area under the canopies of redwood and oak trees for private outdoor living. The house has been freshened with new paint to add to the pleasure of living here. It is located 3 blocks from Colusa Circle where you will find grocery shopping, dining, entertainment and transportation options. Amenities include modern high-efficiency central air heating system, ample storage (a linen closet, a coat closet in the entryway, a cedar-lined closet in one bedroom and a walk-in closet in another), a shared laundry room with HE washer and dryer, a garbage disposal, pull-down kitchen sink faucet, a hand-wand showerhead and spacious bathtub and a portable air conditioner, rarely needed. There is one reserved off-street parking space and easy street parking (no permit necessary). Level 1 EV charging available for electric car or hybrid. The garage is not available however there is a patio area lockable storage shed for bicycles, outdoor furniture, etc. Located in an exceptionally quiet neighborhood, this property is a walkers and bikers dream come true. It is an easy stroll to Colusa Circle which has Semifreddi's (coffee, pastries and breads), the always well-stocked Colusa Market (BBQ'd chickens!), Kensington Circus Pub (live music!), Circle Hair Salon, Benchmark Pizzeria, and Kensington Vet Hospital. Solano Avenue's wide array of shops and restaurants are to the south, El Cerrito Plaza is just to the north. On Sundays you'll enjoy our favorite local Farmers' Market at the Circle- great food, produce and music. Albany's nearby Veteran's Memorial Park has a playground, play fields, a dog park, and Albany Aquatic Center next to it. Your new home is located within the Kensington Hilltop Elementary School attendance area, an award-winning East Bay school in an outstanding school district. Only three blocks from buses: AC Transit Trans-bay G bus takes you to San Francisco; the 25 goes to Downtown Berkeley or El Cerrito Plaza, BART and there is easy 580 freeway access. Contact owner by text or email for application, questions, viewing appointment. There is a local property manager. Available to rent as of November 1 or 15 or December 1. Please do not disturb current tenants. There will be in-person showings to serious applicants; an amateur video walk through is also available by text message. For rent by owner. No subletting by renter. No short-term rentals allowed. Rental of at least a year are desired but shorter rental will be considered. Owner pays mortgage, property taxes, house insurance, and gardening services. Tenant pays their portion of all other utilities and required rental insurance (500K liability). $4350/month. $8700 deposit (one month security deposit, last month rent). The house is accessed by a long driveway and two flights of stairs. There is one reserved off-street parking space, easy street parking (no permit necessary) and a loading zone at the foot of the stairs by arrangement. NO SMOKING OR VAPING is an absolute requirement as well as good credit and references. A well-behaved cat or dog is welcome too (with signed agreement and $50 monthly pet fee).
This property is off market, which means it's not currently listed for sale or rent on Zillow. This may be different from what's available on other websites or public sources.
