Archive for the ‘Marina’ Category
Friday, May 16th, 2008
Recently we had someone ask if we could “provide a bit of color on 153 Avila”, a contemporary 3 bed, 2.5 bath, single family home in the Marina asking $2,695,000, and as a matter of fact, we can provide some “color”.
It sold after 14 days on the market for $2,975,000 (10.4% over asking) or $1202.51 per square foot. As for who’s house this is, PropertyonFire tells that. Hope that helps and glad to provide some “color”. Tough market down there in the Marina isn’t it?
Update: Here’s some more color…this home was listed by the owner (we call that FSBO) for $2.6M not too long before hitting MLS. A friend of ours wrote and presented an offer for $2.55, and the seller basically laughed them away. Our friends, and everyone who knows about sales on that block for that matter, told the seller he is nuts and “will never get $2.6M”. And look what happened! We might as well call it $3M at this point.
Those folks that bought 451 Avila just made what we like to call instant equity.
-153 Avila [listing detail]
-$600,000 Over Asking on Avila [theFrontSteps]
Tags: real estate, san francisco, San Francisco Real Estate, theFrontSteps
Posted in Ask Us, Done Deals, It is Brisk Out, Marina, Modern, San Francisco Real Estate, Single Family, market info, real estate, san francisco, theFrontSteps | 8 Comments »
Saturday, April 19th, 2008
In case you don’t get the sfnewsletter, we’ll bring a tid bit to you:
“Since everybody keeps telling us about it, we might as well print it (albeit a bit premature). This one will certainly blow your mind. Four fifty one (451) Avila hit the market February 29th (the first time in 60 years), asking $2,279,000, received nine offers, three of which were all around the top, and will apparently be closing not 100 or 200, no not 300 or 400, nope not 500 either, but a mere $521,000 above asking (go ahead, do the math).
Something tells us this house hasn’t seen that kind of action in at least 60 years! (Yes, that kind of action.) And what’s this about a cat included in the purchase price? ;-)”
[Update: Ask, and receive, proof of the $2.8M asking price.]
-Friday April 18th, 2008 [sfnewsletter]
Tags: real estate, san francisco, San Francisco Real Estate, theFrontSteps
Posted in Marina, Maximum Overbid ™, San Francisco Real Estate, Single Family, market info, real estate, san francisco, theFrontSteps | 2 Comments »
Thursday, November 8th, 2007
Not too long ago, we featured a friendly wager on 130 Retiro Way in the Marina district, what it will sell for (asking $1,725,000) and what kind of remodel we’ll see.
RentsUP” nailed the sales price at $1,850,000, or $125,000 above asking (7.25%). It closed yesterday. Now about the remodel? And did you buy it too? If so, that’s just plain cheating. 
-Mid Century Betting, 130 Retiro Way [theFrontSteps]
Tags: Mid-Century Modern, theFrontSteps
Posted in Marina, Maximum Overbid ™, Mid-Century Modern, Single Family, market info, theFrontSteps | 5 Comments »
Monday, October 22nd, 2007
Our market is supposed to be tanking. (So we’re told.) 745 Marina is “pending”. Estimated close of escrow in November. [Update: Sold today (10/22/07) for $3,982,885. Market bashers...begin field day.]
[Update #2: And emailed to us seconds after publishing the first update (how'd you do that?): "Sale price $4,100,000. No commission taken by selling agent".]
We’d be happy to test that “incredible backyard with sauna, large spa pool, outdoor entertainment system & lush landscaping.” You know where to send the invite.
-745 Marina [MLS]
Tags: theFrontSteps
Posted in Marina, Single Family, market info, theFrontSteps | 10 Comments »
Monday, October 1st, 2007
From our favorite Marina Pimp, BoomTime, we present: 1751 Beach, a 3 bed, 2 bath condo in the Marina.
Boomtime says,
“Got a postcard. [It was] purchased for $1.4 mil on 9/30/05, asking $1.595 mil. Will check it out Sunday and report back. Purchased near the end of 2005, where supposedly people said the market peaked. Still asking 14% more. 1,450/sqft per tax records and propertyshark.com. $1000/square foot is becoming common place.”
We’d have to agree with the facts, and wonder how this one goes. Keep us updated. Offers as they come, it is now 17 days on the market. As for 130 Retiro Way and the wagers that haven’t really materialized on our site, offers on that are due 10/3.
[Tangent: How many times will we see that Nelson Platform Bench, and how many are originals? Don't get us wrong, they're very nice and versatile, and we'd be happy to take one off of your hands, but have recently noticed them everywhere.]
-Mid-Century betting (130 Retiro Way) [theFrontSteps]
-1751 Beach [MLS]
Tags: theFrontSteps
Posted in Alexander Clark, Condominium, Marina, theFrontSteps | 1 Comment »
Thursday, September 20th, 2007
Place your bets. Will it go over, under, at asking, and what kind of remodel will we see, if any.
Asking $1,725,000; Price/SqFt: $706.10; listed 09/20/07; DOM: 0;
Beds: 4; Baths: 3.50; Sq Ft: 2443 (according to MLS)
-130 Retiro Way [MLS]
Tags: Architecture, Mid-Century Modern
Posted in Alexander Clark, Architecture, Just plain fun, Marina, Mid-Century Modern, Single Family | 6 Comments »
Thursday, September 20th, 2007
“Hi Alex,
Do you mind highlighting what happened to 2138 Beach St., $1.799 mil, 2000sqft? In my notes, i write that i saw it on July 24th and it went in contract already. It’s killing me not knowing what the property was.”
Fear not. It was, actually still is, a “remodeled & spacious 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath condominium flat on a large lot (32′ wide, 137′ long). Kitchen features Wolf stove, Viking hood, Bosch dishwasher, Sub-Zero refrigerator & custom cabinetry. Master suite with walk-in closet & remodeled bath with double sinks. Formal living & dining rooms. Landscaped garden has tall trees creating a private feel. In-unit laundry, 2 car parking, and common recreation room & bath (both permitted).”
It came on the market 6/14 for $1,799,000, went into contract (according to MLS) the day before you saw it, 7/23/07, and sold not too long ago, 8/21/07, for $1,725,000. Square footage shows as 2079, which puts it at $829/square foot, and roughly 4.11% below asking. Oh…and it is in the Marina District.
If you got the sfnewsletter, you would have already known. And if you have an agent, maybe it’s time for a new one. I can think of a couple.
-Mid-century betting in the Marina [theFrontSteps]
Tags: theFrontSteps
Posted in Alexander Clark, Ask Us, Marina, theFrontSteps | 2 Comments »
Monday, September 17th, 2007
Our readers have come up with some good finds this last week, and thankfully I have some time to post them, so you can pick your jaw up off the ground along with the rest of us:
Take a look at this. [2330 Bay] Closed in 21 days for almost $400,000 more [asking $2,495,000 selling $2,890,000]. The market in District 7 [Pacific Heights, Marina, Cow Hollow, Presidio Heights] is unbelievable. I am positive in prime real estate in SF, but this is just blowing my mind how much demand there is.
I’d have to add that it is not that bad in other markets either….Bernal, Noe, Haight, Hayes, West Portal, Forest Hill, Outer Parkside, Inner Sunset, Glen Park, and the list goes on and on.
-2330 Bay [MLS]
Tags: Parkside, real estate, Sunset, theFrontSteps
Posted in Marina, Maximum Overbid ™, Parkside, Readers’ Reports, Single Family, Sunset, real estate, theFrontSteps | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, September 12th, 2007
From a reader who actually sent this a couple days ago, but I haven’t had a chance to post…1361 Francisco, a two bed, one bath condo asking $1,389,000. These things are going fast:
You should definitely post this example. Here is a nice 1,200sqft lower unit Marina flat in ‘The Marina Gold Box’ area where 1330 Chestnut is (bedrock). Yesterday [September 9th] was the FIRST open house, and it is already in contract! [True indeed]
This unit was very well done, but really not that big at 1,200sqft or there abouts. Fantastic yard, and an unconnected bonus room.
My guess is this place will sell for $1.45 million ultimately. And that is unbelievably incredible given the size of the unit.
This example was after all the August pandemonium about the credit crunch, and fake high interest rates.
Granted it is still in contract and not yet closed escrow, so the deal could (in theory) fall apart, but something for the Marina crowd to chew on nonetheless. And maybe “da bears” (not Ditka’s) can chew on this bone too.
Tags: real estate
Posted in It is Brisk Out, Marina, Readers’ Reports, market info, real estate | 9 Comments »
Wednesday, September 5th, 2007
I can’t believe how many people are asking me about 1330 Chestnut, and I haven’t had time to check (cough…bull shit!)…but it is now sold. Asking $1,495,000 sold $1,550,000 and only spent 15 days (during the mortgage crisis) on the market.
Reminder: If you were to receive the sfnewsletter either from me, or your Realtor/Mortgage Broker, you would know ALL the comps in the city every Friday. No joke.
1330 Chestnut [MLS]
Tags: Announcements, real estate, san francisco
Posted in Alexander Clark, Announcements, Condominium, Done Deals, It is Brisk Out, Marina, Property Type, market info, real estate, san francisco | 28 Comments »
Monday, August 20th, 2007
Our readers have been asking in various places about some properties we featured as of late. Since so many have asked so nicely here you go:
3280 22nd St @ Valencia, the “green” building that all the blogs were all hot about and many claiming wouldn’t sell. Guess what? Last week, in the middle of all the mortgage market meltdown drama, all three condos had offer dates (very ambitious) and all are now in contract. The two bed, two bath units were priced at $849,000 and $899,000. The top floor, two-level, three bed, two bath condo was asking $1,399,000. Photos.
318 27th St featured in Greg’s “Sittin’ on the deck by the Bay” was indeed apparently a good find. From what we can tell, it went into contract within the first weeks of being on the market, fell out, then went right back in. (Unconfirmed and according to MLS.) Photos.
689 Douglass is still “pending”, but flew into contract. 2679 Sacramento is getting stale withdrawn (possibly to avoid staledom and thanks Pete and Eddy for the tip).
245 Alhambra…no tengo nada! Lo siento “Boomtime”!
In case you missed it, all the properties in this post are as follows: 1330 Chestnut (pending); 2255 Washington (active); 2249 Washington (pending); 2745 Laguna (pending); 3042 Jackson (in contract); 2865 Jackson (sold for $1.7M asking $1.59M); 2130 Beach (pending).
25 Sea Cliff sold $4,550,000, asking $4,095,000.
In summary: 13 of these 15 properties are on track to sell, and sell quickly, if they haven’t sold already.
If we missed any, or you have any questions about our market or real estate, just drop us a line.
Tags: Architecture, real estate, san francisco, theFrontSteps
Posted in "Green", Architecture, Ask Us, Inner Mission, It is Brisk Out, Marina, Neighborhoods, Noe Valley, Sea Cliff, Single Family, Updates, market info, real estate, san francisco, theFrontSteps | 13 Comments »
Friday, August 10th, 2007
A reader kindly calls out, and we verify:
I heard the 289 Marina Blvd. house just sold. Asking $2.795 mil… north of $3 mil…. can anybody verify? I went inside… 1950’s…. needed A LOT of remodelling.
[Editor’s note: Correct. Sold for $3.7M. Seven offers.]
In the nick of time? Time will tell.
Tags: san francisco, theFrontSteps
Posted in Marina, Maximum Overbid ™, Neighborhoods, Readers’ Reports, Single Family, market info, san francisco, theFrontSteps | 5 Comments »
Thursday, August 2nd, 2007
Since there is a nice little discussion going on about the pros and cons of Noe Valley versus Bernal Heights, we thought we’d try a couple of different posts along the same lines. We want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Marina vs. Pacific Heights…if you had to choose, and why you feel that way.
We’ll get things started with two similar 2-unit properties for your comparison:1739-41 Northpoint (left) and 2918-20 Jackson (right)
If you’d like to join the thread of Noe Valley vs. Bernal Heights, go here.
If you want us to do any areas in particular, please contact us and we’ll happily throw it up.
The next Battle Royale: Outer Richmond vs. Outer Sunset/Parkside
On deck: Haight Ashbury vs. Hayes Valley
So tell everyone you know to get ready to step up and represent their ‘hood.
-Stump the Stammtisch: Bernal on Fuego or Hielo? [theFrontSteps]
Tags: Battle Royale, Bernal Heights, Parkside, san francisco, Sunset, theFrontSteps
Posted in Battle Royale, Bernal Heights, Just plain fun, Marina, Neighborhoods, Pacific Heights, Parkside, Sunset, Walkabout, san francisco, theFrontSteps | 24 Comments »
Sunday, July 29th, 2007
Pulled from the comments made by “boomtime” on “636 Steiner, an offer and a UFC style beat down”. We edited slightly and added property links so everyone is on the same page.
I call it the way I see it. It is an incredible Boomtime now, and I can’t wait to get my bonus this year. I have never experienced such a tight labor market, and salaries and bonuses are reaching new record highs. Imagine a 23 yr old, 1 yr out of school, clearing $115,000 in total compensation? Now, imagine the legions of more experienced people in my industry, and what they are getting paid. It is not uncommon for a 28 year old to get paid $300,000 and a 32 year old to get paid $500,000+. This is the prime demographic of home buyers in SF. Add a spouse, and you get another $50,000 AT LEAST + income.
1330 Chestnut St. anyone? In contract after one Sunday open house for $1.495 million purchased last year for $1.025 mil with a $200K remodel.
2255 Steiner St.[we think you mean 2255 Washington], a 2/2 asking $1.498 mil at under 1,500sqft with no view. Impressive! I bet it gets into contract by another $500,000/yr couple.
2249 Washington St., a 2/2 in contract for $1.525 mil. Who’s buying this?
2745 Laguna St., a 3/2 in contract for over $1.55 mil, purchased for $1.20 mil a couple yrs ago? Who’s buying this?
3042 Jackson, a 2/2 in contract for $1.595 mil, who’s buying this?
2865 Jackson, a 3/2, 1700sqft place with $775/month HOAs… who’s buying this?
2138 Beach St., a 3/2 in contract for $1.799+ mil. Nice location, lower unit. Who’s buying this?
The list goes on, and on and on. I’ve never seen so much strength in th $1.3 and higher condo market. Personally, I would look to buy a Single Family Home over a condo in this price range, but maybe these buyers just want simplicity?
The key is LOCATION and distinction of the property. Think about the best properties sitting atop a pyramid. The base, which is demand, gets wider and wider due to rising incomes, inflation, population=demand, as the supply remains fixed. Think of fine art appreciating over time. Same thing, and that’s why I’m amazed people are plunking down $1,000sqft+ for new properties in SOMA where there is an endless supply, and NEW becomes NOT NEW in 5 years. People start screaming the market is falling when a SOMA condo gets reduced. I’m just giddy because prices there, in my opinion, should be no more than $600/sqft, yet people are paying $800-1,600sqft.
Finally, I have met an incredible amount of people in SF who have help from Mom & Dad. Even kids in their late 20’s and older are getting help from Bank of Mom & Dad. Heck, on my block there are two 26 yr old kids living at home with Grandma! One underestimates the wealth in SF.
If you have thoughts or ideas you’d like to share, feel free to comment on this post, or you can also email us your thoughts, or submit them anonymously via our contact form. Either way, we appreciate all the participation from our Stammtisch and growing number of readers thus far. Keep spreading the word! And thanks for reading.
[Because we posted this on the front page, doesn't mean we agree or disagree with the statements made. We simply think it provides an open door to all kinds of topics to discuss/debate.]
-1330 Chestnut…How much for the remodel? [theFrontSteps]
Tags: real estate, san francisco, theFrontSteps
Posted in Contributors, It is Brisk Out, Marina, Neighborhoods, Pacific Heights, market info, real estate, san francisco, theFrontSteps | 14 Comments »
Monday, July 23rd, 2007
This will be the only post for today. More tomorrow, and thank GOD for our readers!
Boomtime asks:
Duggo-…Maybe you can provide further insight on 1330 Chestnut, a 3/2.5 remodelled lower unit condo asking $1.495 mil. It was purchased for $1,025,000 last year as the market slowed. I’m curious if you know what the estimated remodel cost is? Would love to get feedback from people here. I’m guessing 200K remodel… perhaps a $200,000 profit in one year?
Heres the link: 1330 Chestnut.”
Duggo’s Answer:
…hard to say what the remodel costs were, since I’ve not actually seen the place. But only judging from the photos, I’d say the remodel was more like $350 k.. The kitchen appears to be about $100k..with the granite and oh so trendy but requisite stainless steel appliances. I’d say the master bath was $75k.. Nice cast in place concrete sink.. Pretty nice plumbing fixtures, finishes and lighting. The other baths probably $30k each..+-…Then there’s other remodel stuff.. The exterior decks, lighting, flooring, and maybe some electrical and plumbing upgrade.. Anyway, thats how I would arrive at about $350 k.
Anyone else care to add insight? I’m off to write an offer, and of course will report back how it goes…it will be competitive.
-1330 Chestnut [mls]
Tags: Architecture, theFrontSteps
Posted in Alexander Clark, Architecture, Ask Us, Marina, Remodeling, theFrontSteps | 6 Comments »
