Know What You Want! - Page 2

"The issue is, there are not very many of them anymore," she says, referring to those Eichlers that were either allowed to fall into disrepair or remodeled with little consideration of modern design.

"Mid-century modern just wasn't popular [two and three decades ago], and so they were renovated to what the standards were in the '80s and '90s," she said of this vanishing breed of Eichler. Adelmann conceded, though, that she did sell an Eichler fixer-upper recently in Terra Linda. "They didn't mind. They wanted to do it themselves."

When it comes to touring and inspecting potential homes to buy, Adelmann has her own checklist of important things to keep in mind. One is to open and close all doors to inspect their condition and ease of latching, and this certainly applies to Eichlers with their omnipresent sliding-glass doors. Another is to observe how much natural light is in each room, a big issue for all modernist houses.

On the home exterior, the condition of the siding is important for any house, but especially with an Eichler, which can mask hidden maintenance issues. House hunters, Adelmann says, should look for signs of cracking, splitting, or bug infestation.

One thing potential buyers might not take into account until it's too late is the state of cell phone coverage at a particular property. Adelmann particularly notes cellular 'black holes' in places such as Oakland and Marin's Lucas Valley.

Last but not least, she says, get a handle on what the utility bills will run at your potential new home. "A lot of people will ask for the bill, to see how much radiant heating costs."

Adelmann says the condition of the roof, insulation, and the electrical system are top priorities for many of her clients. "These are the kinds of things an Eichler homeowner should really be honing in on and looking at," Adelmann points out.

But what's most important to you? Is it time to make your own priorities checklist?