Bay Area oasis! 2 bd + library, hot tub, yard; walk to shops, restaurants

Description

I'm seeking a responsible individual or couple to rent my home in a great neighborhood in North Berkeley, one of the safest and quietest parts of town. The property includes a large outdoor living area that is leafy and private -- a sanctuary. The house is a sweet, two-bedroom 1922 Craftsman Bungalow cottage with original built-in cabinets, windows, and hardwood floors. The vibe is warm, cozy, and welcoming. The living room, with windows looking onto the landscaped front yard, flows directly to the dining area, with a solid wood table and chairs, cabinets, and windows looking onto the side garden. The kitchen includes the usual appliances plus some extras, like a combo microwave, air fryer, and convection oven. Top-line washer and dryer. The main bedroom has a high-end queen bed, dresser, closets, and wall-mounted SmartTV. The office (second bedroom) is lined with bookshelves. The bathroom connects the two rooms and has a shower/bathtub, cabinets, etc. I’ve built out the backyard to be a beautiful, peaceful extended living space that includes a large hot tub; a library (former garage) with hardwood floors, a writing desk, a couple thousand more books, and French doors; a large gazebo on the main deck outside the kitchen and office; a second patio area with table and umbrella; and a plant-lined curving path (stone pavers) that leads to the locking gate. The backyard has flower beds, a groundcover lawn, maples, and fruit trees, including Meyer lemon, lime, pineapple guava, and “fruit salad tree,” which is half plum and half apricot (!) -- a graft created for this region. I have two cats (siblings), and it's important to me that they’re well cared for. We can talk about specifics. They’re indoor-only (important), well-behaved, active (three years old), hilarious, and loving. I've set the rent, which otherwise would be about $4,200/month, low because I want as many tenant options as possible to ensure good care for the kitties! Other details of the house: - Off-street parking with a small sloped driveway made of pavers - Public transit within walking distance in all directions - Great wifi and printer/scanner etc. - Small under-house area to store suitcases etc. - Very friendly neighborhood I pay for: - A monthly housekeeper (she knows the house) - $100 - Half the twice-monthly gardener - I pay $100 - All pet food, any vet visits, new toys, etc. You pay for: - All utilities - Half the gardener (you would cover $100/month) - DirectTV if you want it (it’s currently set up to activate) About me: I’m a writer and the founder of a literary festival in Berkeley (Bay Area Book Festival) that I directed for nine years. Hence the many books in the house, library/writing studio, and Little Library in the front yard! I’ve moved to Paris, am renting out my home, and can't yet take the cats with me. So you would get to enjoy them for a while. Co-managing the rental in summer 2024 is Djuna Harper, the current tenant, who came to the house through Sabbatical Homes in January 2024. She is available to show the house if you are in Berkeley.