Service Areas
Alamo, CAAlbany, CAAntioch, CABerkeley, CABrentwood, CACastro Valley, CAConcord, CADanville, CADublin, CAEl Sobrante, CAKnightsen, CAOakland, CAOrinda, CAPleasant Hill, CARichmond, CASan Pablo, CASan Ramon, CAWalnut Creek, CA
View All Service Areas
About Michael Ertem
I have been in all aspects of the real estate industry including financing, banking, investing, acquisition, residential and commercial since 1993. During my career I have closed thousands of transactions personally, and tens of thousands of transactions under my watch. I managed and coached thousands of real estate agents and loan officers. This longevity and confidence comes from my real estate services to a great many buyers and sellers, borrowers and their recommendations to others that result in repeat and referral business that keeps me productive and successful. I am a licensed broker in both California and Hawaii. I hold a bachelors degree in Political Science and Masters degree in Marketing.
I live, work and play in Thousand Oaks neighborhood of Berkeley. I am very fortunate and grateful to be able to do that in one of the most diverse, vibrant and beautiful places in the world. My wife Crystal who is my best friend is a graduate of UC Berkeley and a jewelry designer and I are raising our amazing two children together in our beautiful and diverse Berkeley. I am also a practitioner of Aikido at Aikido of Alamo that promotes the integration of body, mind and spirit by bringing together three dimensions: self-defense techniques, physical training, mental training, and a philosophical framework. I have also been an avid photography hobbyist for over 35 years. You can see some of my work on my personal photography website at www.kipono.com ( kipono is combination of two words I created; ki and pono.. Ki is circulating life energy in Japanese and pono is a Hawaiian word for righteousness )
My customers are the center of everything I do. I embrace and champion my commitment to enhancing my customers' lives every day. I serve Berkeley, Oakland and their surrounding communities, Contra Costa County as well as San Francisco.
Call me at 925-973-5701 or email me to start a discussion of your needs. Or, simply fill out my quick form to tell me your property interest types and give me an overview of your needs. You don't have to worry about spam at all.
If your prefered method of communication is text, chat, email, or skype, we can do that too.
?Michael Ertem?
I live, work and play in Thousand Oaks neighborhood of Berkeley. I am very fortunate and grateful to be able to do that in one of the most diverse, vibrant and beautiful places in the world. My wife Crystal who is my best friend is a graduate of UC Berkeley and a jewelry designer and I are raising our amazing two children together in our beautiful and diverse Berkeley. I am also a practitioner of Aikido at Aikido of Alamo that promotes the integration of body, mind and spirit by bringing together three dimensions: self-defense techniques, physical training, mental training, and a philosophical framework. I have also been an avid photography hobbyist for over 35 years. You can see some of my work on my personal photography website at www.kipono.com ( kipono is combination of two words I created; ki and pono.. Ki is circulating life energy in Japanese and pono is a Hawaiian word for righteousness )
My customers are the center of everything I do. I embrace and champion my commitment to enhancing my customers' lives every day. I serve Berkeley, Oakland and their surrounding communities, Contra Costa County as well as San Francisco.
Call me at 925-973-5701 or email me to start a discussion of your needs. Or, simply fill out my quick form to tell me your property interest types and give me an overview of your needs. You don't have to worry about spam at all.
If your prefered method of communication is text, chat, email, or skype, we can do that too.
?Michael Ertem?
OTHER LANGUAGES
, Turkish
HOBBIES/INTEREST
Photography and Aikido
Read More About Michael
Credentials
LICENSE
Real Estate - California - # 01166436
Designation
Real Estate Broker
Specialties
- Sellers
- Buyers
- Residential Property
Buyer's Agent, Listing Agent, Foreclosure, Commercial R.E.
Awards
2026
TOP AGENT
Knightsen, CA
View All Awards
FAQ
1. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Before You Start Your Search: One way to show you're serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or preapproved for a mortgage. Even if you're in a market that is not as competitive, understanding your budget will give you the confidence of knowing whether or not your dream home is within your reach. This will help you avoid the disappointment of falling in love with a home well outside your price range.
2. Know the Difference Between Your 'Must-Haves' and 'Would-Like-To-Haves': Do you really need that farmhouse sink in the kitchen to be happy with your home choice? Would a two-car garage be a convenience or a necessity? Before you start your search, list all the features of a home you would like. Qualify them as 'must-haves', 'should-haves', or 'absolute-wish list' items. This will help you stay focused on what's most important.
3. Research and Choose a Neighborhood Where You Want to Live: Every neighborhood has its own charm. Before you commit to a home based solely on the house itself, take a test-drive of the area. Make sure it meets your needs for "amenities, commute, school district, etc. and then spend a weekend exploring before you commit."
4. Pick a House Style You Love and Stick to It: Evaluate your family's needs and settle on a style of home that will best serve those needs. Just because you've narrowed your search to a zip code doesn't mean you need to tour every listing
in that vicinity. An example from the article says, "if you have several younger kids and don't want your bedroom on a different level, steer clear of Cape Cod-style homes, which typically feature two or more bedrooms on the upper level and the master on the main."
5. Document Your Home Visits: Once you start touring homes, the features of each individual home will start to blur together.
The article suggests keeping your camera handy and making notes on the listing sheet to document what you love and don't love about each property you visit.
1. Make Buyers Feel at Home: Declutter your home! Pack away all personal items like pictures, awards, and sentimental belongings. Make them feel like they belong in this house. According to the Profile of Home Staging by the National Association of Realtors, “83% of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home.” Not only will your house spend less time on the market, but the same report mentioned that, “One-quarter of buyers’ agents said that staging a home increased the dollar value offered between 1 – 5%, compared to other similar homes on the market that were not staged.”
2. Keep It Organized: Since you took the time to declutter, keep it organized. Before buyers arrive, pick up toys, make the bed, and put away clean dishes. According to the same report, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms to stage to attract more buyers. Put out a scented candle or some cookies fresh from the oven. Buyers will remember the smell of your home.
3. Price It Right: More inventory coming into the market guarantees there will be some competition. You want to make sure your home is noticed. The key to selling your house in 2019 is ensuring it is Priced to Sell Immediately (PTSI). This means you’ll be driving more traffic to your property, and ultimately creating more interest in your home.
4. Give Buyers Full Access: One of the top four elements when selling your home is access. If your home is available anytime, that opens up more opportunities to find a buyer right away. Some buyers, especially those relocating, don’t have much time possible. If they cannot get into the house, they will move on to the next one.
Bottom Line: If you want to sell your home in the least amount of time at the best price with as little hassle as possible, as an experienced real estate professional I am and my experience is a useful guide. Let’s connect today to find out what you need to do to sell your home as quickly as possible.
I work with folks from all walks of life. First Time Home Buyers to experienced Investors. Cash Buyers to FHA VA Buyers. I always relate to everyone because I am a good listener. Its all about my buyers and sellers, so I always hear what my clients say in order to address their needs.
ZillowVERIFIED