…and we’ll tell you why. Some sellers we know recently lost about $300,000 because an agent, living in their building had the listing, and advised them not to accept an offer that was below their asking price, but well above the most recent comparable sale. Three other agents, representing the sellers of other units around … Continue reading Never list a property with an agent who owns in the same building
Category: Buying/Selling Techniques
“I love the sfnewsletter!”
As some of you know, the editor here is also the editor at sfnewsletter, which is fast becoming THE newsletter for San Francisco real estate professionals to keep in front of their sphere of influence. Not only will your sphere thank you for all the great market knowledge sfnewsletter provides, but they’ll also be able … Continue reading “I love the sfnewsletter!”
Cost to remodel vs. cost recouped
We know many of you have wondered, “Should I remodel my kitchen or bathroom?”, and whether your costs will be recouped. It’s a tricky equation to master, but if you’re going to do it, you might as well check the numbers: –Cost Vs. Value Report [RemodelingOnline]
“not much siren noise” at 960 Potrero
We love when our readers (AMinSF) come through with quality finds such as this at 960 Potrereo asking $949,000: so, does this listing deserve the retarded RE agent of the year…err…month award? (we’re barely into mid-january!) somebody needs to enlighten the agent that there is a difference between honesty and stupidity. the leading agent remarks … Continue reading “not much siren noise” at 960 Potrero
A Hot Property and Great Quote
by Alex Clark From a reader, who I like to refer to as “El Dunno” regarding my mention in today’s San Francisco Chronicle Business section: Good Job, you made the Chronicle. I read about your Firehouse analysis. Too bad you weren’t quoted about your opinion of the value of the property if it were utilized … Continue reading A Hot Property and Great Quote
I’ll bet $1 please (1574 43rd Ave.)
The price couldn’t be more right, $999,999, but the photos are so wrong…because they’re MISSING! Haven’t we been through this already? Come on people. You owe it to your clients to at least post to MLS with one photo. Just one. That’s all we ask. (Of course we’ll add the photos once they show up…if … Continue reading I’ll bet $1 please (1574 43rd Ave.)
Ask us: Sell as Single Family Residence or Two Family Dwelling?
Where readers ask and we try to answer. Any colleagues care to answer this one? It’s a bit of a doozy. Hello. [We] live in a wonderful 3 bedroom house and recently started looking to buy a slightly larger house. As part of this process we started investigating the sale of our current property and … Continue reading Ask us: Sell as Single Family Residence or Two Family Dwelling?
Off the Sidelines and Into the Game…a Reader Report
We know this letter was sent and intended for another destination, but oddly enough it showed up in our inbox. Actually, the sender apparently swings both ways and sent it to us too. Since we live in SF, we’re totally cool with it, and we figured we’d share it with you. Dear [other site], I’ve … Continue reading Off the Sidelines and Into the Game…a Reader Report
Truth be told: Protected tenants and what you need to know
This is from “Zang” on Ask Us: Upside to purchasing 2 units with protected tenants. This is just plain wrong: Having just dealt with a greedy protected tenant I have more than a few thoughts about the tremendous downside of buying a property with protected tenants. My case started in 2001 and just settled this … Continue reading Truth be told: Protected tenants and what you need to know
So You Want to Buy a Home in San Francisco…now what? continued
We’re back, and as always our readers (although only a teeny tiny percentage of them) are providing some good insight and doing way more than we could ever hope to do in print on this site. That’s why we heart our readers! So on with our show… Tip #1…go to Walgreens, or your favorite pharmacy, … Continue reading So You Want to Buy a Home in San Francisco…now what? continued
Luxury High Rise Condo/Hotel Developers, Realtors and Marketing Peeps Take Note
There is a new company in town you should be very interested in, particularly if you are catering to a high profile buyer. The company is DRIV, and the mission is simple: Take your automotive fantasies, render them in metal and leather, and hand you the keys to a stable [read: large choice] of exquisitely … Continue reading Luxury High Rise Condo/Hotel Developers, Realtors and Marketing Peeps Take Note
To Floor Plan or Not?
Sophie asks: Should the listing [always] provide the floor plan drawings or not? In Paris (just to mention there), a listing actually ONLY includes the floor plan, square foot, and price… sometimes a photo of a view, if any, or inside if architecturally significant. We’re not going to call this a Stump the Stammtisch question, … Continue reading To Floor Plan or Not?
Internet Marketing for Real Estate 101
This just kills us and it happens all too often. We know a large percentage of homes are sold by agents and not from photos on the internet, but there is also a very large percentage of attention deficit home buyers that get blasted with new listings as soon as they hit the market, and … Continue reading Internet Marketing for Real Estate 101
Stump the Stammtisch: Why do an off-market deal?
This question came to me from Sophie, a very avid reader of both theFrontSteps and the sfnewsletter. I’m hoping we can provide some insight. Dear Alex, I’m very puzzled by something that happens more often than I can understand in the SF market. Why would ANY party agree to an off-market deal? (VIP houses put … Continue reading Stump the Stammtisch: Why do an off-market deal?
Stump the Stammtisch: Bernal on Fuego or Hielo?
Being that it is the middle of summer, we’re curious to see what kind of replies we get to this post, but we hope the Stammtisch can come through nonetheless. If they can’t…readers!? “Hi, Over the past few weeks I’ve been seeing a Realtor post on Craig’s List that Bernal Heights is “on Fuego”. For … Continue reading Stump the Stammtisch: Bernal on Fuego or Hielo?
Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotwire? Nope, just a Realtor incentive.
From one Realtor to another, the incentives are there. You just need to know where to look, or hope this shows up in your email. We’re keeping anonymity on this, but putting it out there for your viewing pleasure. It is not a totally stale listing, but has been on since at least April. ****Close … Continue reading Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotwire? Nope, just a Realtor incentive.