Category: Readers’ Reports

San Francisco Home Prices Remain High, affordability index stays low

What an interesting Summer! We are still in the midst of a hot real estate market where homes are getting quickly snatched up, buyers are stretching to pay over asking. The recent stock market gyration and Chinese currency devaluation add some uncertainty to the economy, and later this month the Fed is going to tell … Continue reading San Francisco Home Prices Remain High, affordability index stays low

Feb 2015 SF New Condominium Prices Up 19% YOY

FEBRUARY 2015 SAN FRANCISCO NEW CONDOMINIUM PRICES RISE 4 PERCENT FROM PREVIOUS MONTH, UP 19 PERCENT OVER A YEAR AGO San Francisco – March 10, 2015 – San Francisco new condominium prices rose 4 percent in February 2015 from the previous month, according to the Condominium Pricing Index just released by The Mark Company, a … Continue reading Feb 2015 SF New Condominium Prices Up 19% YOY

Finding The Right Property To Complement Your New Job

Moving to a new city? Very exciting, but where will you live? The questions just multiply from there: Should I buy or rent? Should I pay more to avoid a commute? Should I live with a roommate or alone? It takes time to get the feel of a new city, and the house hunting process … Continue reading Finding The Right Property To Complement Your New Job

Ask: I Want To Rent A Home Built On “Those Stilt Kind Of Things”…

This is one for the community: I love your blog. I just moved here from NYC a week ago and it’s been an invaluable resource. I just found a rental that I love, [removed]. Gorgeous views, built in 1939 or so. Problem is, a friend from SF pointed out that it’s a “downhill home.” (I’d … Continue reading Ask: I Want To Rent A Home Built On “Those Stilt Kind Of Things”…

Ask Us: Death “On” Property Or Not? Should You Disclose?

This just came to me by way of email. Hypothetical question. Assume a house burned down and a firefighter died a few days later from his injuries. Same for a contractor falling from the roof or any other work related accident on the property. What are the consequences regarding the disclosures of a subsequent sale? … Continue reading Ask Us: Death “On” Property Or Not? Should You Disclose?

137 Buelah Apple: Don’t Haight the Game….

[Written by “Eddy”:] One thirty seven Buelah is one of those homes that just screams San Francisco charm and it has all the makings for what many families are looking for in a home here in the city (e.g., curb appeal, close to shopping, parking, etc.) It’s no wonder that this property closed escrow back … Continue reading 137 Buelah Apple: Don’t Haight the Game….

“No Gross Stuff/Litter, Needless Honking, Speeding, or Menus!”

A resident’s plea to keep the sidewalk clean and free of stuff (like dog stuff?) , or as the owner/tenant put it, “No gross stuff/litter, needless honking, speeding, or menus!” But wait…it gets better. Same owner/tenant and their sidewalk… …and their entryway… One has to think we might have a candidate here for A&E’s disturbing … Continue reading “No Gross Stuff/Litter, Needless Honking, Speeding, or Menus!”

San Francisco Real Estate Numbers For Real

From a reader in the comments: I looked at the MLS sales volume and median sales prices year over year today, and sales volume is up about 38% for SFRs and condo/TICs, from 1354 in 2009 to 1875 in 2010. Median price is also up across just about all price tiers I looked at, which … Continue reading San Francisco Real Estate Numbers For Real

Immediate Need: A Place To Park, Wash & Dump Bus Toilets

Hey guys, I’m looking for commercial property in or near SF to buy or lease. I have been working with a broker out of San Mateo for the past year. Still haven’t found the property. Immediate need is a place to park, wash, & dump bus toilets by June 1. Long term want is same … Continue reading Immediate Need: A Place To Park, Wash & Dump Bus Toilets

The Grinch Who Stole Our [Reader’s] Christmas Wreath (Caught On Tape)

From our reader: Greetings, I’m looking to enlist your support in some public shaming. You can also point-out the utility of installing a video camera system during a renovation :) This Grinch stole the Christmas wreath from the front door of my house early Friday morning. She looks like a fairly put-together person, why is … Continue reading The Grinch Who Stole Our [Reader’s] Christmas Wreath (Caught On Tape)

5 Steps To Reduce Your Property Tax

If we had a penny for how many times we get asked to provide sales comps for clients/readers that are hoping to lower their property taxes, and how many times we get asked for tips on how to be successful doing so, we’d be millionaires! So, the “Financial Samurai” has come to our rescue by … Continue reading 5 Steps To Reduce Your Property Tax

Reader Reports: 1358 Cole Then ($800,000) And Now ($749,000)

The email: Editor- Take a look at this Cole Valley condo. Purchased in April 2005 for $800,000, relisted [11 days ago] for $749,000. No upgrades, no permit history, save for a new roof. I would prefer to remain anonymous. Thanks. Anonymous you shall remain, thankful we shall be to all of the readers, including you, … Continue reading Reader Reports: 1358 Cole Then ($800,000) And Now ($749,000)

Disclose or Dissemble?

My recent almost first time buyer identity was shattered by a disturbing disclosure. Or rather, by a failure to to disclose the disclosures. A Realtor, who shall remain nameless (and is in Portland, OR, anyway), had us almost in contract before I ever lay eyes on the disclosures, at which time I discovered 1. Lead … Continue reading Disclose or Dissemble?

Zillow Says My SF Residence Gained $300,000 In Value In Three Months!

You’ve likely seen comments on our site recently from the “Financial Samurai”, and wondered, “Is that spam?” It’s okay. We wondered the same thing, and we’ve dug a little deeper and found him to be legit. We were tipped off to one of his posts that uses Zillow to back up his claim that “Net … Continue reading Zillow Says My SF Residence Gained $300,000 In Value In Three Months!