The Rat Pack is back? For some architects—like John Bertram—the form of modernism once immortalized by Ol’ Blue Eyes and Dean Martin never really left. His namesake firm is best known for restoring homes from the midcentury period, including those designed by Richard Neutra (1892-1970), whom many consider to be one of the founding fathers of California Modernism. To date, Bertram has applied his hand to five historic Neutra residences, including the Brown and Hammerman houses

What causes a red-hot seller’s market like we’ve seen here in the Bay Area, with well-heeled buyers bidding furiously on limited inventory, sending prices spiraling with every multiple offer? The vibrant Silicon Valley economy certainly plays a huge role, churning out start-up millionaires along with highly compensated engineers and other knowledge workers. But the health of the stock market, especially the tech-heavy NASDAQ segment, may be one of the biggest factors. If you’