Custom Built hillside retreat with expansive views from every level.Custom Built hillside retreat with expansive views from every level. Welcome to 857 Balra Drive, perched in the coveted El Cerrito Hills. This newly renovated 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom home spans three levels and 2,823 sqft of light-filled living, with each floor framing its own panoramic view of the Bay and surrounding hills. The main level opens to a seamless flow between living, dining, and an updated chef's kitchen with island, skylights, and contemporary finishes, built for both everyday living and entertaining. Three private primary suites, one on each level, offer rare flexibility for extended-household living, guests, or independent in-law and au pair quarters. A finished attic, dedicated home office, media room, music room, wine cellar, family room, and additional bonus spaces deliver true room-for-everything functionality. Bay windows, balconies, decks, and a fenced patio extend view-driven living outdoors at every turn. Modern systems throughout: tankless water heater, central heat, engineered wood flooring, and EV charger in the attached two-car garage. Custom Built. Premium hillside lot. One unforgettable view. Call this your home!
For sale
$1,395,000
857 Balra Dr, El Cerrito, CA 94530
4beds
2,823sqft
Est.: Get pre-qualified
Single Family Residence
Built in 1949
4,791 Square Feet Lot
$-- Zestimate®
$494/sqft
$-- HOA
What's special
Wine cellarFinished atticFenced patioMusic roomContemporary finishesPremium hillside lotDedicated home office
- 6 days |
- 875 |
- 53 |
Zillow last checked:
Listing updated:
Listed by:
Sunday Nguyen DRE #02206061 510-999-6663,
eXp Realty of California
Source: bridgeMLS/CCAR/Bay East AOR,MLS#: 41136162
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Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 4
- Full bathrooms: 4
Rooms
- Room types: Family Room, Office
Kitchen
- Features: 220 Volt Outlet, Counter - Solid Surface, Dishwasher, Kitchen Island, Range/Oven Built-in, Refrigerator, Updated Kitchen
Heating
- Central
Cooling
- Central Air, No Air Conditioning
Appliances
- Included: Dishwasher, Range, Refrigerator, Gas Water Heater, Tankless Water Heater
- Laundry: 220 Volt Outlet, Gas Dryer Hookup, Hookups Only
Features
- Counter - Solid Surface, Updated Kitchen
- Flooring: Engineered Wood
- Windows: Bay Window(s), Screens, Window Coverings
- Has fireplace: No
- Fireplace features: None
Interior area
- Total structure area: 2,823
- Total interior livable area: 2,823 sqft
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Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 4
- Parking features: Attached, Off Street, Parking Spaces, RV/Boat Parking, Electric Vehicle Charging Station(s)
- Garage spaces: 2
Features
- Levels: Tri-Level
- Stories: 3
- Exterior features: Back Yard, Front Yard, Landscape Back, Landscape Front
- Pool features: None
Lot
- Size: 4,791 Square Feet
- Features: Premium Lot
Details
- Parcel number: 5032920042
- Special conditions: Standard
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Mid Century Modern
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
- Composition Shingles, Wood Siding
- Roof: Shingle
Condition
- Existing
- New construction: No
- Year built: 1949
Utilities & green energy
- Electric: No Solar, 220 Volts in Kitchen
- Sewer: Public Sewer
- Water: Public
Community & HOA
HOA
- Has HOA: No
Location
- Region: El Cerrito
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $494/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $906,576
- Annual tax amount: $12,834
- Date on market: 5/27/2026
- Listing terms: Cash,Conventional,Call Listing Agent
- Electric utility on property: Yes
Estimated market value
Not available
Estimated sales range
Not available
$5,059/mo
Price history
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5/27/2026 | Listed for sale | $1,395,000-17.8%$494/sqft |
Source: eXp Realty #41136162 Report a problem | ||
| 4/17/2026 | Listing removed | $1,698,000$601/sqft |
Source:  bridgeMLS/CCAR/Bay East AOR #41125843 Report a problem | ||
| 3/4/2026 | Listed for sale | $1,698,000+91%$601/sqft |
Source: bridgeMLS/CCAR/Bay East AOR #41125843 Report a problem | ||
| 11/16/2023 | Sold | $888,800+27.2%$315/sqft |
Source: bridgeMLS/CCAR/Bay East AOR #41037621 Report a problem | ||
| 10/19/2023 | Pending sale | $699,000$248/sqft |
Source: bridgeMLS/CCAR/Bay East AOR #41037621 Report a problem | ||
| 10/16/2023 | Listed for sale | $699,000$248/sqft |
Source: bridgeMLS/CCAR/Bay East AOR #41037621 Report a problem | ||
| 9/9/2023 | Listing removed | -- |
Source: bridgeMLS/CCAR/Bay East AOR #41037621 Report a problem | ||
| 8/31/2023 | Listed for sale | $699,000$248/sqft |
Source: bridgeMLS/CCAR/Bay East AOR #41037621 Report a problem | ||
Public tax history
| Year | Property taxes | Tax assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $12,834 +2.3% | $906,576 +2% |
| 2024 | $12,541 -32.5% | $888,800 -34.6% |
| 2023 | $18,569 +837.6% | $1,360,000 +1716.2% |
| 2022 | $1,981 +2.5% | $74,880 +2% |
| 2021 | $1,933 +4.4% | $73,413 +1% |
| 2020 | $1,852 +3% | $72,661 +2% |
| 2019 | $1,798 +3.8% | $71,237 +2% |
| 2018 | $1,732 +1.2% | $69,841 +2% |
| 2017 | $1,712 +1.1% | $68,472 +2% |
| 2016 | $1,693 +0.5% | $67,130 +1.5% |
| 2015 | $1,685 | $66,122 +2% |
| 2014 | $1,685 | $64,828 +0.5% |
| 2013 | -- | $64,536 +2% |
| 2012 | -- | $63,272 +2% |
| 2011 | -- | $62,033 +0.8% |
| 2010 | -- | $61,570 -0.2% |
| 2009 | -- | $61,717 +2% |
| 2008 | -- | $60,508 +2% |
| 2007 | -- | $59,323 +2% |
| 2006 | -- | $58,161 +2% |
| 2005 | -- | $57,022 +2% |
| 2004 | -- | $55,905 +1.9% |
| 2003 | -- | $54,882 +2% |
| 2002 | -- | $53,807 +2% |
| 2001 | -- | $52,753 |
Find assessor info on the county website
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HOA fees may include property taxes on listings classified as Co-Ops. Contact the listing agent and/or owner for fee details.
Mortgage interest rates are dependent on a number of factors, including credit score, down payment, and repayment length. Interest rate data provided by Zillow Group Marketplace, Inc. as of 1/1/1970 from various mortgage lenders with which we have lead or other similar arrangements; the Estimated Payment is an average of those rates.
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Climate risks
Neighborhood: 94530
Nearby schools
GreatSchools rating
- 10/10Kensington Elementary SchoolGrades: K-6Distance: 1 mi
- 5/10Fred T. Korematsu Middle SchoolGrades: 7-8Distance: 0.7 mi
- 7/10El Cerrito Senior High SchoolGrades: 9-12Distance: 0.5 mi
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- California
- Contra Costa County
- El Cerrito
- 94530
- 857 Balra Dr
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