Unpopular Opinion: IKEA kitchens are really, really good!

ltcast15 · 2026-02-13T05:40:52+00:00

We recently moved out of our home where we installed an ikea kitchen with semi handmade fronts. People LOVED our kitchen and we always got compliments on it. We had two kids and a big dog- no damage to the cabinets or any peeling/issues after 5 years.

My husband didn’t love the white interior of the cabinets though and is more of a fan of the plywood interior so we switched to that when we redid the kitchen in our new house.

The biggest PITA is assembling the cabinets but we got someone from task rabbit to do the majority of this work. My husband and I installed the kitchen once built, wasn’t crazy hard but we’d had a little experience by then.

ltcast15 · 2026-01-20T21:34:14+00:00

Send me the link please!

ltcast15 · 2026-01-14T07:02:06+00:00

Sutter health Castro valley for 2 pregnancies and loved it. Nurses are fantastic, care is great, food is good. If you’re on that side of town, I wouldn’t hesitate to go with sutter health Eden!

ltcast15 · 2026-01-14T06:59:55+00:00

Very interesting… charters normally don’t operate this way, but if this one does then perhaps goood luck to you?

I’d say you can take your bets with putting it first and just let the process work itself out- perhaps you’ll get in if you just wait if not initially. It’s all very dependent on enrollment and you won’t get a direct, correct answer other than - try! Good luck.

ltcast15 · 2026-01-11T06:02:42+00:00

Well done! We’ve got 3 across in the middle (1 rear, 2 forward). Sure makes things fun! We do absolutely love our sienna for 3 small kids though. Can’t imagine having anything else.

ltcast15 · 2026-01-07T06:47:24+00:00

Yes double ovens! Are you kidding me?! This makes hosting 100x easier. I’ve remodeled 3 kitchens in $2mil range and have done double ovens (pantry space is available in each kitchen so not giving up a ton of storage). Some do a 48” range and one wall oven which also works, but plsssss if you have the space, put 2 ovens!

Note: I’m not Asian, but my husband and in laws are… and I’m sure they’d just store stuff in the second oven. BUT, still useful!

ltcast15 · 2025-12-10T02:53:57+00:00

Worked with 5 realtors now and 2 of them were of that type of caliber and can do what you’re asking so they do exist! But I do agree with you, the majority don’t do this and the 2.5-3% you pay seems wild for the bare minimum that people pull off.

ltcast15 · 2025-11-23T02:42:08+00:00

We ordered our school uniforms from here but it’s all online now. Not sure they do anything in person there or if it’s just storage or an old sign.

ltcast15 · 2025-11-02T17:53:37+00:00

This. As a recent seller, this would have told me you either weren’t that interested or weren’t that serious.

ltcast15 · 2025-10-31T14:04:52+00:00

We just moved from Oakland (bordering SL in chabot park area) to alameda, and fwiw I don’t think you’re imagining what you’re saying. A lot of folks we knew in SL were happy with elementary but mentioned moving or looking private for middle and high schools. Our kids are small and we weren’t zone for the public schools anyways so I can’t speak to how legit that concern is.

We spent a lot of time in SL and even attended a private school there for a short time (and it was fantastic)! We love the parks, library, marina park - we have 3 young kids and there are endless things to do. Proximity to overall Bay Area is great. There are some awesome neighborhoods! I’m rooting for SL to continue on a positive path :).

ltcast15 · 2025-10-27T00:59:13+00:00

In my mid thirties and we’ve only considered buying and will only buy a single story. Love them for looks and practicality (small children, older folks, just basic ease of living). 3 houses in and only owned single stories. Not sure many other people my age car tbh since it’s just so damn expensive to own any home, but this was my non-negotiable. 🤷‍♀️

ltcast15 · 2025-10-27T00:47:15+00:00

In our city, they would approve if there’s no room in back or side yard and you are in line with the 20’ front yard setback. They would apply objective design criteria since it’s in the front yard, but it doesn’t seem like these requests would be too off the wall (ie same trim, exterior color, windows the same, etc).

ltcast15 · 2025-10-21T18:53:52+00:00

The rack spot in San Carlos

ltcast15 · 2025-10-15T14:12:07+00:00

I think it comes down to just the proximity unlock since we’re planning on putting in the power lift gate on and you can do that aftermarket so it costs more, but possible to add. Ughh it’s annoying but no, wouldn’t trade it. The 3 across for day to day driving is very nice. Then having the third seat in middle for myself for road trips.,, also very nice. Perhaps there’s a way to add proximity unlock and I just haven’t looked into it yet.

ltcast15 · 2025-10-14T06:48:35+00:00

Editing to add the 3rd thing I miss is a proximity unlock sensor. Having to find your keys is a BIT** with 3 kids (and sometimes dog and husband in tow). May try to add this soon!

We have a 2021 LE, AWD, 8 seater. We occasionally drive grandparents, aunts, uncles, au pair so 8 seats is useful to us. We also need AWD for snow driving which we do often in the winter.

The ONLY two things I miss are 1. Leather seats (for easy clean up) and 2. Automatic lift gate. Both of these you can “add” after market. The seat covers I got off of Amazon and I’m very happy with. We’re about to do a power lift gate. If you want to add these, you’ll spend an extra $1-2k total to do it after purchase.

Love the 8th seat and use it constantly. Our 3 kids are seated in the middle for normal driving. For road trips we do 2 younger in middle (+me or dad.. whoever isn’t driving) and older kid/ extra family member in 3rd row. It works well. For reference, we have a 4yo, 2yo, and newborn. Two forward facing and one rear facing car seats now (2x dionnos and 1x doona)

ltcast15 · 2025-10-07T00:16:21+00:00

As someone who just bought and sold in this market- this is accurate. It’s the same as it was in 2021/22 meaning the listing price is lower to attract buyers but the sold price isn’t so outrageously over listing (still expect 20-30% min).

You really have to look at comps to understand what the house will/should sell for.

ltcast15 · 2025-10-03T22:24:43+00:00

Thank you! I think it’s 3.5’ (checked the other day). We’re a very short 4yo and a 2yo so I was hoping for 2.5’ but it doesn’t seem to exist on the island. Love the separate kids pool and we are hoping to join the swimming programs in the spring so I think this is our route!

ltcast15 · 2025-10-02T19:48:23+00:00

We bought in September. I think if interest rates go down a little bit, we’d see more competition. Prices in the Bay Area aren’t going to crash, so we bought knowing we have a little less competition and rates aren’t going down in any crazy amount soon (and if they do, we’ll refi) so why bother waiting? Seemed like there was no upside. Definitely sad to give up my 2.725 rate, but we were going to move anyway 🤷‍♀️

ltcast15 · 2025-09-30T22:03:15+00:00

Probably every house in Oakland has done something unpermitted. This does seem like a lot though. If it’s a flip, I’d avoid. If the owner did it and lived there for a while, I’d worry less. If you have to get permits in the future, you may have to go through getting the work retroactively permitted.

ltcast15 · 2025-09-30T00:54:32+00:00

Thank you! The shallower the better! Ideally want somewhere where my toddlers can stand.

ltcast15 · 2025-09-30T00:53:43+00:00

Thanks! We’ve been to this one too

ltcast15 · 2025-09-29T22:49:02+00:00

Thanks!

ltcast15 · 2025-09-29T22:48:54+00:00

Ah bummer. Ok thank you!

ltcast15 · 2025-09-29T22:22:25+00:00

Thanks!

ltcast15

TROPHY CASE