Wondering where I’ve been? Busy with the sfnewsletter, selling property, and the Tour. Check it out. This week is Forest Hill Extension.
Category: Alexander Clark
Countrywide Short Sales, Pools, and Dark Clouds
I’ve been told a big wig at Countrywide has been forced to sell his home in Gilbert, AZ (Phoenix), for $700,000 600,000. (Oops…already pending at $700,000 with multiple offers after one week.) Apparently recent comps support a $900,000+ purchase price. So you see? It’s all about finding the silver lining in an otherwise dark cloud. … Continue reading Countrywide Short Sales, Pools, and Dark Clouds
1330 Chestnut…a done deal
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 … Continue reading 1330 Chestnut…a done deal
Mattell Recalls Toys…Again!
Why is this significant to real estate? Because it has given the media something else to beat to death, which is pushing the mortgage reporting to the bottom of the pages, and allowing a healthy market to return. We can also thank Felix and Henriette for turning their attention elsewhere.
Dukck Hunting Season has begun
That’s my way of saying Labor Day is in the past, the phone is “gringing” (Anyone know the joke that goes with that?), emails are flying, and the buzz has begun. More listings are slowly creeping onto the market, sellers are getting a bit more confidence, “real” buyers are still out there in droves, and … Continue reading Dukck Hunting Season has begun
TICs fetching the same price as condos?
I’m going to hope the Stammtisch comes through with a quick response to this reader’s question, as I am totally swamped right now. If they don’t I’ll get to your answer this weekend. Thanks for writing in. In Andy Sirkin’s famous online article on condo conversion in SF, the graph seems to suggest that vacant … Continue reading TICs fetching the same price as condos?
Just “Wondering”
A reader kindly asks about 2746 Gough #1 in Cow Hollow, and 120 Cherry in Presidio Heights, so I thought we’d give the answers. 120 Cherry is a home that hadn’t been on the market…ever, since it was built in 1923. (According to the “remarks”.) It is in Presidio Heights, is a trophy home, and … Continue reading Just “Wondering”
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?
San Francisco Foreclosures UP!!!!!
Yup, it’s true. Foreclosures in San Francisco are up from a whopping 62 63 notices in 2006 to 65 in 2007, or 3%. Dave, it looks like you were one of a very few to get your hands on a foreclosure in San Francisco. Hats off to you. We anxiously await the story. As always, … Continue reading San Francisco Foreclosures UP!!!!!
Bay Area sales volume down 9.8%, median price up 6.9%
“In the Bay Area, the [California Association of Realtors] said sales volume was down 9.8 percent from last year, while the median price was $841,660, up 6.9 percent from $787,540 last July.” –Home sales still weak in California and throughout the country [sfgate]
Battle Royale: Hayes Valley or Haight Ashbury, if you had to choose
We’ve been having lots of fun with the other Battles: Outer Richmond v. Outer Sunset and Pacific Heights v. Marina, so today we give you Hayes Valley or Haight Ashbury. The choice is yours. As always, we provide the data, and hope you provide the insight. Have fun. Sorry for the tech difficulties, it’s not … Continue reading Battle Royale: Hayes Valley or Haight Ashbury, if you had to choose
Aloha Friday…no work ’til Monday
Unless you’re a Realtor. Turn it up! Especially if you’re in an office right now.
“…deals can be found now”
From a reader to you. I anxiously await the story, along with a few other readers, I’m sure. “There’s very, very little to select from in the foreclosure arena in San Francisco. However, I am currently in contract on a bank-owned property. It’s a single family home in a desirable neighborhood. We offered about 25% … Continue reading “…deals can be found now”
Marketplace Updated
In case you haven’t checked it out yet, I have started a little Marketplace for myself, and my colleagues to do a little promoting. I will not be posting those items here, but I will periodically be doing little posts like this to remind you all about it. It’s what puts food on the table, … Continue reading Marketplace Updated
Stump the Stammtisch: Refinancing our 3/1 ARM…
“Hello Front Steppers, We bought our SFR in 2004 and have a 3/1 ARM of $600K on a $1mil home. We can pay the newly adjusted amount without really changing our lifestyle, but we would like to refinance before the next rate adjustment in 10 months. With all that is going on in the mortgage … Continue reading Stump the Stammtisch: Refinancing our 3/1 ARM…
Stump the Stammtisch: “Have buyers become more conservative in their offers…”
I am only one small fish in the sea, and only represent a tiny portion of the real estate transactions taking place in San Francisco on a daily basis (yes, properties are still trading, and trading briskly). To assume that my experiences are an 100% accurate depiction of the market would be plain foolish. I … Continue reading Stump the Stammtisch: “Have buyers become more conservative in their offers…”