Month: April 2009

Ask Us: Should My Agent Advertise On The Real Estate Blogs

Where readers ask, and we (the community) try to answer: Hi, We have a house in SF that’s been on the market for 3 weeks with minimal activity. Our agent is doing the traditional stuff but no presence on blogs, etc. Should she be using yours and/or other sites to market our house? What are … Continue reading Ask Us: Should My Agent Advertise On The Real Estate Blogs

Ask Us: Refinancing And Appraisals, When The Banks Aren’t Helpful Turn To The Blogs!

Where readers ask, and we (the community) try to answer: I appreciate all the general information I get from this terrific blog. This is my first question about my own situation. I’ve been negotiating with the major bank (WellsFargo) that holds my first ($498K) and second ($14K) for a refinance from a 5.5% ARM to … Continue reading Ask Us: Refinancing And Appraisals, When The Banks Aren’t Helpful Turn To The Blogs!

San Francisco’s Core Districts VS. San Francisco As A Whole (Avg. & Median Price Chart)

Thanks to Misha Weidman for the below chart illustrating the difference between San Francisco values as a whole, and those areas he describes as the “core districts” (excludes districts 3 and 10). He will post this to his site soon, with additional commentary, for now, you get the first look at the chart: and Misha’s … Continue reading San Francisco’s Core Districts VS. San Francisco As A Whole (Avg. & Median Price Chart)

So How Much Does A Buyer REALLY Need To Put Down

As our regular readers know, we get every type of question under the sun, most of which we post directly to the site and let the community answer. Sometimes answers aren’t so cut and dry and there are certainly differing opinions. One very common question these days is “How much money do I need to … Continue reading So How Much Does A Buyer REALLY Need To Put Down

San Francisco Gets Stung Again: Condo Conversions DO NOT Qualify For Tax Credit

This came through the internets to us, and we thought we’d share: New Home Buyer Tax Credits-Condo Conversions do NOT qualify If you handle “New Home” transactions you are impacted by California SB 15, which was passed as part of the California budget and effective March 1, 2009. It provides for a tax credit of … Continue reading San Francisco Gets Stung Again: Condo Conversions DO NOT Qualify For Tax Credit

Think Real Estate? Think Long Term Appreciation

McGuire Real Estate is going web 2.0 with a new website they just launched (the first firm in San Francisco to go 2.0, but others to follow suit we’re sure), and we invite you to check it out. Truth be told, we barely scratched the surface of the site, and already had to poach this … Continue reading Think Real Estate? Think Long Term Appreciation

12 Offers On One Property In This Market?

The story for 214 Dorland is not something you’d expect to hear in this market. More than 20 disclosure packages were handed out, an offer date was set (on April Fool’s Day no less), and contrary to what most would think, the offers came streaming in…12 of them to be exact. To counter those that … Continue reading 12 Offers On One Property In This Market?

theFrontSteps Bought By Large Corporation For $4 Million

We are very excited to announce that we have been purchased by a large local corporation and will cease regular publication only temporarily to build our new product. It is a great day in the land of theFrontSteps and we thank all of our loyal readers for getting us to this point. We also thank … Continue reading theFrontSteps Bought By Large Corporation For $4 Million

The $65,000 Parking Spot (P138)

How much is a parking spot worth in San Francisco? Let’s wait and see: 88 Townsend P138…just the parking spot, on the market, asking price…$65,000. Days On Market…30 and counting. That’s one fine parking spot, and if you play your cards right they might throw in an oil pan and that shitty bike. Wait, maybe … Continue reading The $65,000 Parking Spot (P138)

Ask Us: Do We Have To Use Bank Of Marin?

Where readers ask and we (the community) try to answer: Hi! My husband and I are considering purchasing a TIC unit in the Marina. The owners currently have fractional loans through the Bank of Marin. If we did purchase, would we be locked in to their loan rate/term or could we negotiate? Could we work … Continue reading Ask Us: Do We Have To Use Bank Of Marin?

Ask Us: Should I Get Into The Real Estate Business

Where readers ask and we (the community) try to answer: I recently found the Front Steps blog and it’s was a great find with a lot of great info. I have general questions about getting into the real estate business in SF. I’ve read more than one commentary citing different reasons that now is a … Continue reading Ask Us: Should I Get Into The Real Estate Business