TICs fetching the same price as condos?


I’m going to hope the Stammtisch comes through with a quick response to this reader’s question, as I am totally swamped right now. If they don’t I’ll get to your answer this weekend. Thanks for writing in. In Andy Sirkin’s famous online article on condo conversion in SF, the graph seems to suggest that vacant … Continue reading TICs fetching the same price as condos?

Just “Wondering”


A reader kindly asks about 2746 Gough #1 in Cow Hollow, and 120 Cherry in Presidio Heights, so I thought we’d give the answers. 120 Cherry is a home that hadn’t been on the market…ever, since it was built in 1923. (According to the “remarks”.) It is in Presidio Heights, is a trophy home, and … Continue reading Just “Wondering”

How to buy a foreclosure in San Francisco


by “Dave”…a reader that seems to have just scored a great home. Important detail he left out, and what I’m dying to know…did you use a Realtor? As I mentioned before, there wasn’t much magic in my purchase. The house was listed on MLS like everything else but was disclosed as an REO. I had … Continue reading How to buy a foreclosure in San Francisco

Stump the Stammtisch: Why do an off-market deal?


This question came to me from Sophie, a very avid reader of both theFrontSteps and the sfnewsletter. I’m hoping we can provide some insight. Dear Alex, I’m very puzzled by something that happens more often than I can understand in the SF market. Why would ANY party agree to an off-market deal? (VIP houses put … Continue reading Stump the Stammtisch: Why do an off-market deal?

San Francisco Foreclosures UP!!!!!


Yup, it’s true. Foreclosures in San Francisco are up from a whopping 62 63 notices in 2006 to 65 in 2007, or 3%. Dave, it looks like you were one of a very few to get your hands on a foreclosure in San Francisco. Hats off to you. We anxiously await the story. As always, … Continue reading San Francisco Foreclosures UP!!!!!

Bay Area sales volume down 9.8%, median price up 6.9%


“In the Bay Area, the [California Association of Realtors] said sales volume was down 9.8 percent from last year, while the median price was $841,660, up 6.9 percent from $787,540 last July.” –Home sales still weak in California and throughout the country [sfgate]

Hotel Luxury Condo’s Hold Their Value


by Janet Krahling Take a look at this comparison: Downtown Hotel Luxury Condos (St. Regis and Four Seasons Residences re-sales) vs. Pacific Heights Condos ($1m+ sales). This chart compares average price per square foot in 2006 vs. average price per square foot YTD in 2007, according to MLS data. The average price per square foot … Continue reading Hotel Luxury Condo’s Hold Their Value

Battle Royale: Hayes Valley or Haight Ashbury, if you had to choose


We’ve been having lots of fun with the other Battles: Outer Richmond v. Outer Sunset and Pacific Heights v. Marina, so today we give you Hayes Valley or Haight Ashbury. The choice is yours. As always, we provide the data, and hope you provide the insight. Have fun. Sorry for the tech difficulties, it’s not … Continue reading Battle Royale: Hayes Valley or Haight Ashbury, if you had to choose

comment du jour: Will prices fall in SF?


From Kenny on “What’s Going on in the Mortgage Market”, and indeed something we’d all like to know. Yes, median prices have fallen in some areas (mostly when talking YOY), but we’d like to know what you all think. The million dollar question: “Whether or not prices will fall in SF…” Indeed that is the … Continue reading comment du jour: Will prices fall in SF?

“…deals can be found now”


From a reader to you. I anxiously await the story, along with a few other readers, I’m sure. “There’s very, very little to select from in the foreclosure arena in San Francisco. However, I am currently in contract on a bank-owned property. It’s a single family home in a desirable neighborhood. We offered about 25% … Continue reading “…deals can be found now”

Marketplace Updated


In case you haven’t checked it out yet, I have started a little Marketplace for myself, and my colleagues to do a little promoting. I will not be posting those items here, but I will periodically be doing little posts like this to remind you all about it. It’s what puts food on the table, … Continue reading Marketplace Updated

Stump the Stammtisch: Refinancing our 3/1 ARM…


“Hello Front Steppers, We bought our SFR in 2004 and have a 3/1 ARM of $600K on a $1mil home. We can pay the newly adjusted amount without really changing our lifestyle, but we would like to refinance before the next rate adjustment in 10 months. With all that is going on in the mortgage … Continue reading Stump the Stammtisch: Refinancing our 3/1 ARM…

Green Home Tour San Francisco


Continuing the green thoughts, we receive some information from our green experts about a green tour, which might save you some green, and ultimately help green this city. However, you might keep the Land Rover LR3 parked in your green garage for this tour. ;-) by Tiffany Elston San Francisco’s first green home tour Build … Continue reading Green Home Tour San Francisco