Previously owned by a painter, the midcentury residence comes with original wood paneling, a dedicated artist’s studio, and bay vistas in three directions.

Uncertainty about the job market is also making prospective buyers nervous about making a big purchase. “Buyers are being really choosy,” said Megan Micco, a real-estate agent in Berkeley, Calif. “Buyers are saying, ‘If I lose my job, we need to be able to cover this...