Ringing in the New Year with Celebrations & Renovations
Happy New Year, Piedmont(ers). While the sounds firecrackers and nail guns ring in 2026, some homeowners have apparently decided the porta potties and white pickup trucks with (and without) racks, which sprouted like morels last year, qualify as festive decorations worth keeping through January.
Which begs the question (capitalization, quotes, and italics are appropriate here) "How Much Are The New Owners Paying For Their Homes?"
Recent sales in Piedmont average around $1,000 per square foot. As both a general contractor and real estate broker, I can tell you what comes next; the real money gets spent inside. A bathroom remodel in Piedmont starts around $25,000; kitchen pricing depends entirely on your ambition.
Depending on how energy conserving, eco-friendly, and smart you want your house we're looking at another $800 per square foot. Good thing property values keep going up.
In the News
California has officially swiped left on catfishing via photos—just real estate photos at the present— January 1, 2026. California Assembly Bill (AB) 723 officially requires AI and digitally enhanced real estate photos on all platforms from the MLS to social networks to be disclosed; the Department of Real Estate is enforcing, and criminal penalties can be levied for repeat offenders.
Reader Question
This week's reader questions remind me of one of my favorite Shakespeare quotes:
"How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child."
King Lear, Act 1, Scene 4
Q: "Over the holiday my mother told us she was taking out a reverse mortgage and was planning to add a stair lift and walk-in tub. She's leaving me the house, and I think those improvements will push down resale value. Is there anything I can do?"
A: The property belongs to your mother, and she can do whatever she likes with it; Maybe she'll leave it to charity. My best advice is to do your own thing and take heart that your mom is "keeping you in the loop" about her plans—and it seems like she's planning on staying in her home for quite some time.
DID YOU KNOW?
Piedmont's real estate boom started with earthquake refugees.
When the 1906 earthquake devastated San Francisco and Oakland, wealthy refugees fled to the hills. Developer J.C. Fay had platted Piedmont in 1903, envisioning a bucolic enclave for the wealthy. But the market wasn't there—yet.
Then the earthquake changed everything. Suddenly, Piedmont's elevation, distance from the San Francisco and fresh air became irresistible. The displaced wealthy climbed the hills, built estates, and stayed. By 1920, Piedmont was established. By 1940, it was exclusive.
By 2025, it's one of the top five highest property tax cities in Alameda County (fourth behind Oakland, Berkeley, and Albany) and we still need to have an SUV to get down Moraga.
REAL ESTATE ROUNDUP
December 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026
Piedmont's year-end market delivered exactly what December promised: selective, constraint-driven activity with distinct tiers performing differently.
The mid-market ($1.3M–$2M) closed strong with five sales in just over a month, all hitting closing within days of listing.
The move-up segment ($2M–$3M) showed one close and one pending—steady but not frantic.
The high end ($5M+) told a different story: three active or withdrawn listings with significant DOM (days on market) reflecting the reality that ultra-luxury inventory requires patience and the right buyer.
Median sale price across completed transactions: $1.73M. Total closed sales: 5. Pending: 1. Active: 3. Withdrawn: 3.
Questions? Comments? Tips? Send them to me america@grubbco.com
America Foy is a Broker Associate and Realtor® with The Grubb Company.
