Archive for the ‘Luxury Homes’ Category
Friday, October 9th, 2009
Fridays are for less serious real estate topic-age, so here is a meaningless poll and a tribute to another characteristic that makes SF unique.
Riding my bike through the Presidio last Saturday, I decided to cruise Presidio Heights. And oh my, the elevation- in status, I mean. It’s dizzying. The homes are palatial, complete with giant grand pianos, harps, chandeliers, all of which one can glimpse through elaborate stained glass windows. This got me wondering: why did I pick “teacher” as a career path?
But I digress. From a real estate standpoint, which Heights are really the highest (as in, highest class)? Where would you most desire to spend your halcyon days?
For my money, the top four are Presidio Heights, Pacific Heights, Telegraph Hill, and Sea Cliff.
No offense to any other Heights or Hills. Let’s be honest: SF is chock full of breath taking views from almost every corner (and I’d be thrilled to own a house in any of them), but if we include proximity to open space (like the Presidio or the ocean), the size of the homes and their lots, yards (front, back, side) and those cool carriage houses in back that are bigger than most people’s primary residences, then really, these four take the cake.
But I’m a sucker for parks and beaches, and if I have to pick from there, it’s sand and surf forever. My vote then is Sea Cliff.
Here are four ridiculously lush listings, one in each of my hypothetical contender’s neighborhoods. Study them, perhaps shedding a tear for your own career choice. From your own city explorer insight, which height is really the tops? Are certain areas more steady as investments? Are these places really worth all this dough? And are there really still enough buyers for places like this? After all, the four below are just four of myriad listings on the MLS for well over 3 million dollars, when the the San Francisco Census put the median income in our fair city at less than $70k.
2901 Broadway (Pacific Heights) (7 Bedroom mansion for $45 million.)
37 Presidio Ave (Presidio Heights) (7 Bedroom single family for or $5, 395,000)
632 El Camino Del Mar (Sea Cliff) (5 Bedroom single family for $9,000,000)
1454 Kearny St. (Telegraph Hill) (3 Bedroom single family for $3,500,000)
Sea Cliff shot via Panoramio
Posted in Anna Marie Hibble, Luxury Homes, Mansions, Outer Richmond, Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, San Francisco Real Estate, Sea Cliff, Single Family, Telegraph Hill, theFrontSteps | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, October 7th, 2009
Inner-Sunset, home to much good food, a few good bars, a few bad bars, the prohibitively expensive Andronico’s, and UCSF, will soon be home to new condos. On my block alone (9th Ave., past Moraga St.) there are two sites going up or planned to go up. One is adjacent to my deck, where I once saw the Bay, and now see the back of someone’s bedroom to be. I have no idea if this very tall building will be apartments for rent or condos for sale, but it will have several units, a garage, and a penthouse. On the other side of the street, where a long defunt Moraga Market has been little more than place to try out graffiti tags and dump unwanted sofas, construction is also in the works. The lot has sold, a hearing has taken place. All that’s left is to break ground.
Finally, quite done are the condos on 7th Ave., near Irving St. The photo above is from before the facades were placed. Now they are gorgeous Art Deco looking things with burnished copper and huge windows. The agent, Gary Small of Zephyr, tells me that the units are luxury one and two bedroom condos with underground parking, and that the two free-standing cottages that stood in a lot behind the building that sits on the street have been revamped. Some lucky millionare can thus own a little house all his or her own!
It’s the most action the Inner-Sunset has seen since a bunch of drunks from the Mucky Duck tried to scale a MUNI train. Sadly for we middle income buyers, the luxury condo lable means these new homes, exciting though they are, will not be ours.
Oh well. Drinking at the Mucky Duck is always an alternative.
PHOTO: Socketsite
Posted in 2-4 Units, 5+Units, Anna Marie Hibble, Cole Valley, Condominium, Inner Sunset, Luxury Homes, New Construction, Parnassus, Parnassus/Ashbury Heights, Remodeling, San Francisco Real Estate, Unique Property, coming soon, real estate, san francisco, theFrontSteps | 6 Comments »
Thursday, October 1st, 2009
A post wherin I look at price reductions that seem to be pointless.
1. Courtesy of SF Schtuff, 1001 California St., #3 is a super lux condo in the old Hitchcockian San Francisco splendor. (MLS gallery offers house porn to die for, here.)
The original price here was $7,250,000. Now it’s $6,950,000. Indeed, one could argue a $300K price break is nothing to sneeze at. But really, the person who can afford the new price could also afford the old price, especially since this home includes an HOA of $5886 per month. So, $300,000? Big ****ing deal. The monthly payments are still going to top the GNP of certain third world countries.
Here’s another reduction I don’t think makes any difference. 2421 Clement St. This is a 10 unit building, “fully rented,” originally priced at $1,435,888. More than 50 days later, it’s reduced to $1,398,000.
In this case, it’s not so much the amount of the reduction. I just wonder who would ever want to buy a 10-unit building in SF when every other day a law here makes being a landlord a bigger headache than it already was. In fact, this Examiner article highlights the dubious joys of landlords who are currently suing the city to block such laws. Good luck.
So I wonder, in the world of real estate, if price reductions aren’t sometimes just not that much of an incentive after all.
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Photo of 1001 California, #3 via listing agent Betty Brachman, Brachman Group.
Posted in Anna Marie Hibble, Buying/Selling Techniques, Central Richmond, High Rise, Inner Richmond, Luxury Homes, Marketing, Nob Hill, Reduced, San Francisco Real Estate, theFrontSteps | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
Way, way back, we looked at the then just starting Ardenwood luxury home project. We all speculated on price (around $2 mil, was the consensus) and rapidity with which they would sell. Many people also complained that a set of less than ten luxury homes was not the best use of the lot, given our housing scarcity, but that last complaint falls on deaf ears given that the homes are now for the most part complete.
And they’re all for sale. Still. As far as I can tell, and I beg you to set me straight (kindly though, please?) if I am incorrect, but these homes have yet to find their owners. There are seven of them, ranging at the “new” prices of $1,699,000 to $1,950,000, with two homes not yet priced. Looks then like the $2 mill estimate was not far off. (See prices, etc. at the Ardenwood website.)
Personally, that price seems steep to me. The homes are really lovely on the inside and I do love the West Portal village life, but the exteriors make me think of office buildings. They are also awfully close together and for that price, I would like the option of thinking I was all alone in the world. But what do I know? Surely someone is now dying to tell me how ignorant I am.
Bring it.
Photo, of the estate still under construction, via nativesf. Current photos abound at Ardenwood’s website, already linked above.
Posted in "Green", Anna Marie Hibble, Architecture, Green San Francisco, Luxury Homes, San Francisco Real Estate, Single Family, West Portal | 9 Comments »
Friday, July 17th, 2009
[Update: Our original tip ran in May of this year, and now as "Curbed SF" reports, it's on the market (in MLS)...with photos.]
From a connected reader:
Designed in 1922 by Frederick Meyer (think Bill Graham Auditorium) [2950 Broadway] is a serious presence on outer Broadway’s Gold Coast and I think the only one with a pool.
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…and not yet on MLS, but we’d be glad to get you in early. 
Asking $39,500,000.00.
Lifeguard not on duty, and Toyotas parked out front not included.
-2950 Broadway [website]
Tags: Broadway, Gold Coast Homes, Mansions, san francisco
Posted in Luxury Homes, Mansions, Pacific Heights | 6 Comments »
Friday, July 10th, 2009
Believe it or not, San Francisco has a couple beaches that actually have a beach scene, but if you want to really feel the beachy vibe, head on over the Golden Gate Bridge to Stinson Beach. (Make sure to pack a sweater, and ignore the bone chilling water and gigantic man-eating sharks that frequent the waters.)
As it turns out, it seems there is a bit of a “discount” on property up there and the agents holding many of the listings want you to know about it:
Fellow Agents
There are some incredible homes available in STINSON BEACH and BOLINAS. From Oceanfront to “almost Oceanfront”.
REMEMBER: IF YOUR FRIENDS BUY BEACH HOUSES, YOU DON’T HAVE TO!!!
As for California Oceanfront, it has been one of the best investments in the world, and one you get to enjoy while it is an investment!
True it is, and there are in fact some great homes for sale up there, one of which includes this nice little shack to stash the children (or surfboards, wetsuits, umbrella, keg, bong, and other beach paraphernalia).
For more on how you can obtain the $2,450,000 home that comes with this shack, check the website. For an even more complete list of oceanfront property that could very well send you to nirvana, give us a shout and we’ll gladly show you what else is out there, and call you our friend and come visit…that is the point right? “REMEMBER: IF YOUR FRIENDS BUY BEACH HOUSES, YOU DON’T HAVE TO!!!”
-4 Sacramento Patio, Stinson Beach, CA [Property Website]
Tags: Beach House, Beaches, Oceanfront, san francisco, Stinson Beach
Posted in Architecture, Luxury Homes | 4 Comments »
Thursday, May 28th, 2009
It was years ago when we broke the news of a luxury fractional ownership in the heart of San Francisco, and here we are again. The Odeon is back on the screen and the penthouse is coming to an MLS near you (assuming you live in or near San Francisco).
The fractional ownership of this unit went “pending” in March 2008 at $375,000, but never did hit “sold” status. The pictures are the same then as now, so we’re wondering what exactly is the deal.
It will soon be on MLS for $2,349,000 and available for all to see. Until then, you’ll have to take our word that it’s a pretty darn sweet pad, so if you can picture yourself living down in the heart of San Francisco and wished you could get one of the units without the annoyance of fractional ownership, your day as come. And if you can’t picture yourself there, maybe this little floorplan photo can help.
So many excellent homes and neighborhoods in San Francisco…what are we supposed to do!?
-181 O’Farrell, 3 bed, 2 bath, $2,349,000…and coming soon [181ofarrel.com]
Tags: coming soon, pocket listings, union square
Posted in Luxury Homes, theFrontSteps | 6 Comments »
Thursday, May 28th, 2009
Oh if we had time to publish these things when they’re hot off the presses. Oh well, we’re still fans of all things architecture, especially when Eichler is involved, so we’ll throw them up for your delight. Coming soon to the Lucas Valley (Marin) real estate market (and what we’d almost consider an epicenter of Eichlers), 26 Oak Mountain Court.
It’s a rare gallery model Eichler designed by architect Claude Oakland, which has been extensively remodeled and expanded to reach 2,400 sq ft, 4 bedrooms, and 3 full baths. This home was featured on the American Institute of Architects home tour and is truly spectacular inside and out (and the cycling down the road is nothing short of world class).
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The home will be priced at $1,550,000, is not yet on the MLS, and of course, we can always get you in early.
-26 Oak Mountain Court [Renee Adelmann]
Tags: american institute of architects, Architecture, coming soon, Eichler, eichlers, lucas valley, Marin County Real Estate, marin real estate, theFrontSteps
Posted in Eichler, Luxury Homes, Marin, Mid-Century Modern, Remodeling, Unique Property | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
We know there are many of you out there sad at the fact you may have missed out on Ritz-Carlton Residence #2203 when it came on the market at $2,600,000 over two Stalecades ago. You may have been sad then when you missed out on the price reduction after price reduction down to the most recent list price of $1,998,000. We know, we know…more than $1300 per square foot to live in the same building as a YouTube founder, or Crocs founder just sounds so cheap and you missed your opportunity. The two bedroom (we’re calling it one bedroom with a sliding wall to make two), two and one half bath luxury residence in the sky is something to behold, but it’s gone. Off the market.
Psyche! It’s coming back! It’s gonna be back on the market and you, dear luxury buyer, best do your homework, because we’re told it is coming back on the market around $2,225,000 (give or take a couple thousand bucks)! Yes, that’s right. Your chance is here to buy it for more than the previous list price in a down market where high end luxury is getting hammered. Home Owners dues are low, only $2400/month, and the price is climbing on this listing to be, so give us a shout and we’ll get you in there before the rest of the masses clambering for an over-priced slice of pie in the sky.
For the record, it is a beautiful unit in a great building and there are other great units for sale (and motivated sellers), we’re just not so sure bringing Unit #2203 back on the market at a price higher than the previous list price that didn’t sell is such a good idea. (Good way to get a listing though.) Of course, if someone is not doing their homework and they don’t check the property history (think Shady Agent tactics), there will be no harm done (ignorance is bliss, really). Otherwise, consider yourself educated, and tell your friends we almost always have the inside track to San Francisco real estate, and we’ll make sure your ass is covered.
-[Editor's Note: One Stalecade is equal to one property that has been on the market 100 days or more. Stalefish + Decade = Stalecade. Therefore, a property on the market over 200 days has survived two Stalecades...a stretch in terms, but we're running with it.]
Tags: luxury high rise, Ritz Carlton Residences, San Francisco Real Estate, shady agents, Stalefish ™
Posted in Financial District, Insider Information, Just plain fun, Luxury Homes | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
When the bottom falls, it falls hard. By way of unplugged Flujster, we learn our new favorite house becomes our new favorite comp. Three thirteen Duncan, a stunningly remodeled contemporary 5 bed, 5.5 bath home in Noe Valley closes escrow for a reported $2,400,000…down slightly from the original $2,850,000 asking price.
Looking on the bright side (for the developer), it only spent 72 days swimming in the Stalefish pond. [In order to reach Stalefish status a property must be on the market 100 days, 313 Duncan was on the market 172 days, so time spent in the pond...72. Prior to that it was just another listing.]
We’ll file this one under Done Deals that make us jealous. Congrats to the new buyers. We make a killer margarita, so don’t be shy.
-313 Duncan…5 bed, 5.5 Bath, closed at $2.4M [MLS]
Tags: modern homes, san francisco, Stalefish ™
Posted in Done Deals, Luxury Homes, Modern, Remodeling, Unique Property | 3 Comments »
