Ideas for the show or to want just to support us? Send us a text!

Jeff Lipton and I discuss how the January 1, 2026, changes to its Building Energy Saving Ordinance (BESO) are about to reshape how Berkeley homes change hands, and we wanted to make the path clear. We break down the upcoming changes, and explain exactly what sellers must do, what buyers can expect, and why smart planning can turn a compliance task into a market advantage.

First, we clarify what a Home Energy Report and HER score actually measure, how the score becomes part of the MLS remarks, and why that visibility matters for buyers. Then we map the new fork in the road: complete qualifying upgrades before listing, or defer them and send a combined $5,000 deposit to the City that the buyer can reclaim after earning six credits within two years. We detail how the credit system works, the $150 compliance filing, and practical timelines, plus the very real tradeoffs between doing the work now versus passing it forward.

From there, we get tactical. We share vendor recommendations for heat pumps, solar, and electrification projects; outline common electrical needs like adding 240-volt circuits; and point to rebate aggregators to stack local, state, and federal incentives. We talk through heat pump water heaters, mini splits, induction ranges, and even battery-backed cooktops that keep working during outages. Along the way, we highlight a simple strategy: plan upgrades before equipment fails, pre-wire where possible, and use BESO compliance as a selling point that reduces buyer friction and can boost demand.

If you work in Berkeley real estate or plan to buy or sell, this guide will help you navigate HER scores, credits, deposits, disclosures, and the new expectations at the point of sale. Subscribe, share this with a neighbor or client who needs to prepare, and leave a quick review to tell us which upgrade you’d tackle first.

Jeff Lipton is a licensed CA REALTOR® DRE#02139138, real estate strategist, operator, marketing expert, and business lead supporting his wife, Megan Micco, a top-producing broker associate with Compass, in Berkeley, CA

Declan Spring is a licensed CA REALTOR® DRE#01398898

Mentioned in the Show:

Berkeley Emissions Saving Ordinance (BESO)

The SwitchIsOn.org

ElectrifyMyHome.com

Albion (Solar)

Hassler Heating

Copper - An Induction Range Made in Berkeley

Ideas for the show or to want just to support us? Send us a text!

What if your marketing got simpler, your leads got warmer, and your days felt lighter? That’s the promise behind our deep-dive with operations-minded strategist Jeff Lipton, whose approach turns a referral-first business into a steady, scalable machine. We start with the foundation most agents skip: ruthless focus. Pick a narrow geography. Define your ideal client persona. Choose the property type you’ll master. That clarity sets the course for everything—content, channels, intake, and even what you stop doing.

From there, we unpack the system that actually delivers: SEO built for humans and algorithms, not vanity. Jeff explains how to blend technical hygiene, local content that answers real questions, and credible backlinks earned through PR outreach. We also tackle the shift to AI-driven search and why the winners will write like experts in a conversation—specific, local, and genuinely helpful. AI can draft, but your judgment makes it trustworthy, and that’s what surfaces when someone asks a nuanced question about buying in Berkeley.

Then we go inside the machine: intake checklists that evolved into smart forms, custom CRM fields, and automations that capture timelines, objections, and even gift preferences—followed by post-close surveys that make the process better every month. The result is more inbound, less chaos, and a client experience that feels personal without burning you out. We talk lifestyle design too: setting a ceiling for volume, working with people you like, and creating room for life by automating everything that doesn’t require judgment.

We close with a practical walk-through of Berkeley’s updated Building Energy Saving Ordinance (BESO): point-of-sale requirements, the end of buyer deferrals for the report, deposit mechanics, six-credit compliance options, and why getting compliant before listing can boost demand. Plus, vendor tips, rebates, and electrification insights from a team that’s done it at home and with clients.

Enjoy the conversation? Follow and share the show, and leave a quick review—your support helps more agents find thoughtful, no-fluff strategy.

Jeff Lipton is a licensed CA REALTOR® DRE#02139138, real estate strategist, operator, marketing expert, and business lead supporting his wife, Megan Micco, a top-producing broker associate with Compass, in Berkeley, CA

Declan Spring is a licensed CA REALTOR® DRE#01398898

Mentioned in the Show:

Berkeley Emissions Saving Ordinance (BESO)

The SwitchIsOn.org

ElectrifyMyHome.com

Albion (Solar)

Hassler Heating

Copper - An Induction Range Made in Berkeley

Ideas for the show or to want just to support us? Send us a text!

The quiet weeks of late fall decide your first quarter. We bring on Janine Hunt, team leader, past association president, and current MLS chair, to show exactly how to turn seasonal goodwill into a steady pipeline without feeling salesy or stretched thin. Think of this as your practical reset: a clear distinction between sphere and pipeline, the messaging each one needs, and a simple cadence you can keep even when life gets loud.

We dig into systems for relationship-based growth, why specificity beats generic marketing, and how to use events for a three-part touch sequence that compounds results. Janine shares how she time-blocks mornings to build and afternoons to manage, plus how to move social media reactions into real conversations that convert.

If you’ve struggled to stay consistent, you’ll get a lightweight tracking approach to measure inputs and outcomes. We talk leverage too, when to bring on a coach, what good coaching looks like, and how accountability transforms team dynamics. Close the year with intention, build your own economy, and step into January with momentum you can feel.

If this episode sparks a plan, share it with a colleague who needs a boost, subscribe for more real estate strategy with heart, and leave a quick review to tell us which lead gen pillar you’ll commit to next.

Janine Hunt is a licensed CA REALTOR® DRE#01909766

Follow Janine in Instagram @ilovemartinis

Declan Spring is a licensed CA REALTOR® DRE#01398898