theFrontSteps – San Francisco

A reader kindly forwarded us to a “new” website called, Neighborcity and we gotta say, aren’t Trulia, and Zillow enough? We didn’t see anything on this site worth discussing that isn’t already found elsewhere. To us, this site is a complete waste of time. Focus your time on Trulia, Zillow (if you must to get [...]

I have to admit, watching the banks, AIG, the automakers, and finally, homeowners get a bail out, I did more than once cry out piteously: “But who the f— will bail out me?” Answer: Chris Daly. I didn’t really ask for this kind of bailout, but Daly’s constituents are largely renters; and hey, so is [...]

Wonder no more: This page allows you to look up the FHA mortgage limits for your area or several areas, and then list them by state, county, or Metropolitan Statistical Area. -Hud.gov

Recovery.gov: For the things that apply to San Francisco real estate and you, the homeowner, check this page specifically. And since we’re at it, can we get a show of hands for how many of you San Franciscans out there are looking for help under the Making Home Affordable Plan recently enacted by President Obama? [...]

We keep trying to tell you, but some of you just don’t listen…it’s a great time to be a buyer. Take for example this 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 2200 square foot single family home at 34 Ashbury Terrace. Last sold in December of 2002 for $1,400,000 (not overbid btw), this home recently hit the market [...]

You may have seen this post we did a while ago (May 27, 2008) as a result of a certain challenge. We might very well be inserting foot in mouth soon, but not yet. Regardless, we thought you’d like to see a post from the past and how it’s getting all too true to life. [...]

Submitted by Misha Weidman: Available: Cheap Land on Mars — Panoramic Views Ever wonder how much it would cost to buy your own little piece of San Francisco heaven and build the house of your dreams on it? Sound better than paying through the nose for an old Victorian lady wearing a lot of make-up [...]

From “the banker” via CA.gov: “Tax Credit for New Home Purchase This tax credit is available for qualified buyers who on or after March 1, 2009, and before March 1, 2010, purchase a qualified principal residence that has never been occupied. The buyer must reside in the new home for a minimum of two years immediately following the purchase date. We will accept [...]

This topic was discussed very lightly in a thread somewhere back on this site, but we thought it deserved front page attention. From “the Banker”: I have found that there is a tremendous amount of uncertainty and recent questions in reference to all of the Condo Guidelines and Approval Changes that are directly hitting the [...]

Where readers ask and we (the community) try to answer: Hi, my apartment recently changed ownership away from CitiApts to REF Properties, LLC. I did a search for REF on the web and there were only 3 or 4 results, one of which being your article here (Lembi’s New Year Resolution, Give Back). I see [...]