3838 Greenwood Avenue off Park Boulevard

This is a special home for the right circumstances!

You may remember that in 2006 I sold a well-maintained 1-bedroom, 1-bath vintage (read ''untouched since the '40s'') unit in this recently condominiumized four-plex set within a classic Berkeley-style garden on a residential street. It was a huge hit, and rightly so.

Well, I helped sell three other units in the building to ''friends and family'' of the then-owners, and one of these is coming to the market, after a wonderful renovation. It's a great worry-free opportunity--made for quiet, relaxed enjoyment, and tucked between Crocker Highlands and Glenview.

The recently painted 1-bedroom, 1-bath unit boasts refinished hardwood floors, new built-ins, recently updated kitchen with stainless appliances and granite countertops, gas range, in-unit laundry (yeah!), and a gorgeous marble bath. Down below is a flexible studio space with separate entrance and its own kitchen and bath--private home office? College student's enclave? Music studio? Exercise room? In-law or caregiver's living area?

The artfully arranged building maximizes privacy among the units, and offers several exterior patios, gardens, gorgeous bougainvillea and wisteria along the building's garages, and an expansive deck above them.

Co-owned for years by a Berkeley contractor with taste, many building systems have been upgraded or replaced in recent years, including a newer roof, bolted foundation (the HOA takes out earthquake insurance--practically unheard of for a condo around the Lake!), shear wall in lower areas, structural underpinning in the garage, and noise-reducing insulation on the small portion of the unit that shares a wall with a neighboring unit.

And, the building is close to SF express buses, casual carpool, and 580, to say nothing of weekend mornings at Arizmendi and the farmer's market, lunch at the Blackberry Cafe, a quick pick-me-up at Peets, a fast walk around Lake Merritt, a reserved book delivered and waiting for you at the Lakeside public library, capped by a movie at the Grand Lake Theater.

So do you know someone for whom this makes perfect sense?

Priced at $475,000, and open Sunday, 6/15 and 6/22 from 2-4:30 pm (along with broker's open next Monday from 10-1).

See GreenwoodCondo.Net for full photos and information.