Alexander Clark/Announcements/Testimonial

Four Testimonials I Just Had To Share

thefrontsteps Leave a comment

It’s always nice to know all of this hard work isn’t going unnoticed. My clients, friends, and family are the best, and I couldn’t do anywhere near the amount of sales I do without everyone in my circle…that includes my awesome readers/followers. Usually I post testimonials one at a time, but since my excellent clients just hooked me up all at once, here you go…

Alex is a rock star! He guided us through selling our house off-MLS, which we preferred, and found us the perfect buyer offering a quick close. This was a first-time house sale for us, and Alex answered all our questions patiently, promptly, and thoroughly. We couldn’t be happier!
-Ricki Ellen and Charly

Alex is as good as it gets! It was a pleasure working with him to purchase our large San Francisco investment Property. He is extremely professional, has clear communication, clearly laid out important dates of the transaction and made sure we were taken care of. Would recommend Alex Clark to anyone looking to sell or purchase a home in the San Francisco area and beyond as he is very knowledge about San Francisco and the outer areas.
-Leslie Kanis

Alex is a blessing to the Church Of The Living God PG of T. His personal, hands on approach helped me as well as our church members feel comfortable with the whole process of selling the Church and all that would be required from us. His professional attitude helped us get through periods of uncertainty during the process. He also went to great lengths to get us the time we needed to prepare for the move that will be required. I am proud to have him be apart of the COTLG family. Thanks Alex for all that you do.
God bless
-Pastor McBride, Mary Nelson

As an investor in San Francisco, I have relied on Alex to bring me quality projects. He is incredibly well connected in the SF Real Estate community and knows how to get stuff done. His laid back demeanor makes him very easy to work with, however he is tenacious in his negotiating and works super smart on his client’s behalf. He is always willing to take my call and responds to questions quickly. I have never had to worry about the deal getting done or whether Alex is working in my best interest. This is definitely a life long partnership.

Mark A. Harris

As always, I am open 24/7 for your business. If you’re thinking of buying/selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, feel free to give me a shout.

If you’re still on the fence, have a look at some more testimonials.

Announcements

A Warning To Realtors & Principals Everywhere | Padmapper Scammers Posing As Us

thefrontsteps 4 Comments

To my colleagues in the industry and the general public seeking housing in and around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Recently I was contacted by a nice person who left me a voicemail saying, “I’m inquiring about 333 Cherry Street, thanks for responding to my email…I just wanted to ask a couple more follow up questions before I commit to signing the document and sending you over thousands of dollars…”

This voicemail is not the scam, but this is:


Here is the post on Padmapper (which I assume will be pulled soon), so don’t be surprised if the link is broken. The text in the post reads:

333 Cherry Street Apt #B, San Francisco, CA 94118 – 0 BR 1 BA Condo. Listing uploaded and marketed by Alexander Clark, Thefrontsteps, 1(415) 477-1100. This garden studio condominium is located in the rear of a small three-unit Victorian building overlooking a deck and landscaped garden. It has been renovated with beautiful finishes, including a sleek kitchen, spacious bathroom and built-in cabinetry. Located in the heart of Presidio Heights, this home is in one of San Francisco?s most desirable neighborhoods near the Presidio National Park…

That’s the bait. Here is the email sent after this person inquired:

Hello [Name],

This is to acknowledge your e-mail. Let me answer to your questions as follows:

Q- What’s included in the furnishings?
A- Everything you see in the pictures displayed online.

Q- Do you have any additional pictures (videos) of the unit?
A- No, there are no additional pictures for this unit.

The unit is not available for viewing this week as you have requested, because the current tenant’s lease ends next weekend(It is impossible to take all prospective tenant for viewing when the lease has not ended).The open house is on the 29 & 30 of this month between 2:30pm – 4pm(refer to my last email); also the move in date is May 3,2018 or after so you can come view the unit any of those days. Regarding to your request, the unit is available for short and long term lease, there is washer/Dryer in the unit and parking for 1 car included in the rent.

Please understand that the rental market in San Francisco is competitive so the unit is on high demand, so if you are really interested in this apartment I will advise you secure it now so that you do not lose it to other prospective tenants who have contacted me also. Like I said before who secures it first gets the unit; To lock down the unit you will have to deposit only the first month’s rent plus the refundable security deposit after completing all the relevant rental documents. Note that if you choose to reserve the unit now, and if after you have viewed the unit that you are in anyway not satisfied, you can request for a refund which will be given to you that same instant. The terms and conditions of the contract gives you full refund if you do not want the apartment upon viewing.

Lease Plans and available discount:

– 3 months upfront payment attract discount of 5% on the total rent.
– 6 months upfront payment attract discount of 10% on the total rent.
– 12 months upfront payment attract discount of 10% on the total rent.

Download Rental Application Form attached below fill out all necessary fields; Return back to me by e-mail attachment or fax along with a copy of your ID, and as soon as I receive your filled application form I shall forward the lease contract agreement for your review of the terms and conditions. I am 100% confident that if you like what you saw online, you will surely go ahead and take the unit because the pictures represent the true and present condition of the unit.

I will await your earliest response so that we can proceed with the securing of the apartment for your lease duration.

My Regards,
Alexander Clark
Tel:415-477-1100

Bogus! All of it.

And here is their follow up to this person’s extra questions. :

I understand your concern and will send the landlord’s bank detail for you to make the reservation payment now but you have to send in your application and also append your signature to the lease contract before I can issue your reservation receipt to you tomorrow.

Send the reservation deposit which consists of the first month’s rent ($2,050) and the refundable security deposit($2500) which totals $4550 only to the landlord’s bank account details below:

Bank Details

Bank Name: Wells Fargo

Account Name: Michael Jones

Account Number: 5525124219

Routing Number: 061000227

Beneficiary Address: 1201 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94158.

Remember to send me the bank transfer receipt after payment for my record purposes.

Regards,
Crooks of epic proportion

I hope everyone takes a look at this post, forwards it, watches out for it, and these jerks get caught. I doubt they will get caught, but at the very least Realtors everywhere need to watch out for this kind of activity. If anyone has any further information on the matter, or similar experience, or questions, please reach out to me, or feel free to comment below.

Sincerely,
the Real Alexander Clark

2-4 Units/Alexander Clark/Announcements/New Construction/Recent Transactions/Russian Hill/San Francisco/San Francisco Real Estate/theFrontSteps

SOLD! | 1720-24 Larkin | Russian Hill Multi-Unit | $5,200,000

thefrontsteps Leave a comment

When in doubt, write an offer, tie it up, do your research, and hopefully it all turns out. That’s how we got this amazing development opportunity at 1720 Larkin, in Russian Hill, and how we got it WAY below asking. Originally listed “off market” for $6,200,000, I threw this out to a few developers I know, most of whom assumed it was over-priced, and had no potential.

SOLD | Russian Hill | $5,200,000

Their loss…we originally submitted a “low-ball” offer just to begin the dialogue, and to our surprise, the sellers didn’t simply tell us to get lost. After a couple verbal rounds of negotiating, we put our intentions in writing, got a counter, countered them, and got in contract with 30 days to figure out what we could do with this beast, if anything, and if we could get a loan. As it turns out…one can do a lot, and our lender agreed!

So stay tuned for the transformation, and relish with me in the fact that we got this property WAY below list price, fought our way through lender headaches, and just closed for $5,200,000 (listed on MLS for $5,500,000, which you’ll note is different than the off market $6.2M list price).

Congratulations to my clients (the buyers) and to all of the sellers. Thank you also to the listing agents who stuck with us, and didn’t lose their sh*t when we kept having to delay the close. I promised we’d get there, and we did.

Onward!

About/Alexander Clark/Announcements/theFrontSteps

Sell A Home, Save The Planet

thefrontsteps Leave a comment

We live in an incredibly beautiful location here in the Bay Area with amazing parks and recreation at our fingertips, and serene natural environments literally just minutes from a bustling city that affords us the opportunity to escape it all. Sadly, we’re polluting the hell out of ourselves and our environment, and it’s got to stop.

The beaches I frequent to surf are riddled with plastics and trash, the sea level is definitely rising eroding our shores, snow levels continue to rise forcing us to ski more rain days than I have ever in my life, Lake Tahoe is filled with beer cans, bottles and trash, it’s clarity diminishing, and “spare the air” days are becoming way too common in San Francisco. So what can we do?

I just joined 1% for the Planet, which means that 1% of my earnings will go towards supporting the environment and 1% for the Planet certifies my giving. It’s an iron-clad way for me, and you, to put money earned from your transaction and donate to non-profits fighting the fight of reversing the downward trajectory of our environment and everything we take for granted.

In the words of Craig Matthews, co-founder of 1% for the Planet, “If we just take, take, take, and give nothing back, we’re going to have nothing in the end…” Sadly, that’s the truth, but luckily Yvonne Chouinard, Founder of Patagonia has sage advice for all of us, “Don’t get depressed, get angry.”

I try not to get angry in my daily life, even when my kids refuse to do what I ask them, and I hope every transaction I do is free from drama, but I have to admit, I’m a little upset about the cleanliness of the world we live in, so I’m taking action.

I’ve given to many charities in my time as a Realtor, and I will continue to give to many more, but it’s time I take it up a notch on the environment, and do more by guaranteeing, no matter what, I donate.

There are numerous non-profits on the 1% for the Planet roster, so if there is one in particular you’d like me to donate to after the close of your transaction, do not hesitate to let me know.

If you’d like to get involved on your own, you can learn more at onepercentfortheplanet.org.

In the meantime, let’s get some property sold, and help save our environment.

Alexander Clark/Announcements

Summer Break

thefrontsteps Leave a comment

The blogging aspect of theFrontSteps is closed for Summer Break. Expect little to no new blogging content until middle of August.

Photo Credit @Curren_29

To track new listings, recent sales, overbids, underbids and more, citywide or in your neighborhood, please keep your eyes on The Goods. Data updates daily on that site, and should keep you going all Summer long.

I am still actively helping buyers and sellers throughout the Summer, so if you, or anyone you know, need help with Bay Area real estate selling or purchasing, please contact me via email, or in the form below. I currently have a couple pocket listings to be had off market, and I know of a ton more for you starving buyers.

Happy Summer!

Contact me for free property valuations, to talk market, submit an offer, or find a lender:

About/Alexander Clark/Announcements/Castro/Condominium/Done Deals/Duboce Triangle/Listings/Mission Dolores/Off Market/pocket listings/Recent Transactions/San Francisco/San Francisco Real Estate/theFrontSteps

SOLD | 323 Church St. #A | Mission Dolores | $1,525,000

thefrontsteps Leave a comment

I’m pleased to report the successful off market close of my clients’ amazing condominium in a smooth and effortless transaction. Congratulations to the buyers, and my clients (the sellers). It has been a great deal all around.

Talk about a great location…

Remodeled in 2015 and only lived in by one owner since, this home has softwood floors, high ceilings & period details.

SOLD | 323 Church St. Unit A | $1,525,000
323 Church St. Unit A
323 Church St. Unit A
323 Church St. Unit A
323 Church St. Unit A
SOLD | $1,525,000 |323 Church St. Unit A
323 Church St. Unit A
323 Church St. Unit A
SOLD | 323 Church St. Unit A | $1,525,000
323 Church St. Unit A
323 Church St. Unit A
323 Church St. Unit A
323 Church St. Unit A
323 Church St. Unit A
323 Church St. Unit A

The light & airy living room has new double-paned windows & a decorative fireplace. The remodeled kitchen features Carrera marble counters, wood floors, stainless appliances, including a Bertazzoni Gas range & stackable washer & dryer. It has a lovely, separate dining area with soaring windows viewing lush greenery and open space. The kitchen leads onto a back staircase with easy access to the garden.

This flat features two lovely bedrooms and a home office/den. The tiled bathroom has a shower over bathtub & vanity. The lush common garden is perfect for entertaining. Deeded 1 car parking w/ additional storage. Walk score 98. 1 block to tech buses, shopping, MUNI & restaurants. Walk to Dolores Park, Valencia Corridor & Castro.

Property Details:
$1,525,000
NOT ON MLS
Victorian Flat
2 bedroom
1 bath
Den/Office
Soft & Hardwood floors
High Ceilings
Decorative Fireplace
Designer Lighting
Period Details
Double Paned Windows
Bertazzoni Range
Carrera Marble Countertops
Washer & Dryer
Parking
Shared Yard
Storage
A+++ Location

Exclusively listed by:
Alexander Clark
Keller Williams Luxury Realty International
theFrontSteps.com
alexclark@gmail.com
415-254-5351

Alexander Clark/Announcements/Russian Hill/Testimonial

Kind Words From Some Incredibly Kind Clients

thefrontsteps Leave a comment

Just like we snuck a very sweet off market deal at 2117 Larkin under your radar, so too did my clients sneak a nice little testimonial for me on my biz Yelp page:

Alex has represented our family in three deals in purchasing and selling property in San Francisco.
All has gone flawlessly. He is very communicative, timely, thorough and we always felt that he was looking out for our best interests. We would highly recommend him to help you on either end of a real estate transaction.

Thank you guys for the great testimonial and incredible teamwork, patience, and persistence to get through to the finish line.

Aprés beers at the base of the mountain are on me…now that it’s snowing again!

To see more testimonials, check theFrontSteps’ testimonial page.

About/Alexander Clark/Announcements/Just plain fun

Happy Holidays From Me To You!

thefrontsteps Leave a comment

I hope you all have a great Holiday and Happy New Year. I’m checking out of the blog for the remainder of 2016. Enjoy your time with family. Eat a bunch. Ski. Surf. Sit on the beach. Laugh. Be chill. Pray for Snow.

I leave you with a picture of my bad ass 75 year old dad cutting and hauling (make-shift straps mind you) a Christmas tree last week by way of Cross Country Skis and handsaws.

Happy Holidays

Is Facebook watching me! Look what just showed up on my feed…my very own boys cutting and hauling teamwork style back in 2012.

gromsgrabtree2012

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy New Year!

Get after it! No Excuses.

–Track the market while I’m on radio silence right here [the Goods]

–Let’s be Friends [Facebook]

Alexander Clark/Announcements/Co-op/Done Deals/Downtown/Just Sold/Recent Transactions/San Francisco/San Francisco Real Estate/theFrontSteps/View Property

SOLD | 666 Post #1201 | Downtown / Union Square | $732,500

thefrontsteps Leave a comment

Congratulations to my clients, the sellers, and hats off to the buyer. This quintessential San Francisco residence has just changed hands, and I’m totally jealous.

Tastefully, and eco-consciously remodeled 12th Floor one bedroom, one bathroom unit with amazing views of San Francisco in The Crown Towers – an exquisitely maintained & managed elegant Art Deco CO-OP Building built in 1926, and located just two blocks from Union Square.

Read More “SOLD | 666 Post #1201 | Downtown / Union Square | $732,500”
Alexander Clark/Announcements/market info/Maximum Overbid ™/Sold Under/Stalefish ™/Stats & Numbers/Still There

Real Estate Porn For The People…

thefrontsteps 2 Comments

Who came down with a heavy case of the Mondays…and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays? I did. Right here.

135 Webster
164 Belvedere
572 Funston
149 29th St
239 Arletta

I know you all want the great real estate porn that got you on this site in the first place, but I’ve been busy, so I figured I’d make your life, and my life, easier…here you go: Check out The Goods, it’s all new, super sleek, works great on your mobile device, and has all of the same great data you’ve come to love (minus my snarky comments).

Want Top 20 Overbids…all there, all the time. Start to notice things like 135 Webster, finally dethroned by 572 Funston.

Want Top 20 Underbids…got those too. Marvel at places like (239 Arletta in Visitacion Valley, which sold for 20% BELOW list…wait for it…at $480,000 to clinch top spot on the Underbids. That’s a $600,000 home selling for $480,000 and the address on the post card to mom will read “San Francisco, CA”.

Looking for Hot New Listings. Gotcha covered there too. No need to wait for me to tell you about what just hit the market in your ‘hood. Grab properties like 164 Belvedere (drooling) and immediately share with your friends to plan your dinner parties when they buy it!

The Holy Grail…Recent Sales…got those too. I was the first in San Francisco to provide this valuable data to my clients on a regular basis, so why should I stop. Such an easy way to track what’s going on in your ‘hood without my annoying phone calls, texts, and emails to remind you how much you love me.

My buyers’ favorite…Stalefish…had to tone this down for the masses and call em 30+, but this is my site, and dammit if I don’t like calling them Stalefish better. A Stalefish is a property 30 DOM* or More…and would you believe 149 29th St is BOM*. For the record just cuz it’s Stale, doesn’t mean it stinks!

So there you have it. Now you don’t need me to update you as often. You want the Goods, you get the Goods. Spread the word.

Fellow agents…we are now offering my service of The Goods to you…your branding, your look, your site…update your people with the same great data. Contact us at info@thegoods-sf.com or nate@thegoods-sf.com to get your pages set up and start sharing this wonderful real estate market information with your people.

*BOM = Back On Market
*DOM = Days On Market
*Duh!