San Francisco’s identity is increasingly tied up in tech, which means that whenever a tech company leaves the area (or the state) it makes headlines. But departures are really not a significant factor in SF’s economic health, city economist Ted Egan said at a City Hall hearing on Wednesday; fewer than 20 companies egressed from … Continue reading SF Is Still Attracting Techies–But There’s a Catch
Category: Economy
Is It Cheaper To Rent or Buy In San Francisco?
For generations, San Francisco has been a renter majority city. Estimates vary, but the San Francisco Planning Department calculates that as many as two-thirds of SF residents rent their homes. The conventional wisdom is that US renters are getting a bum deal in the long run, because for most homes in most cities they’d ultimately … Continue reading Is It Cheaper To Rent or Buy In San Francisco?
San Francisco Built Like Mad Last Decade–But It Wasn’t Enough
The question of the decade has been whether or not San Francisco is building enough housing, but before we answer that we have to confront a potentially more elusive conundrum: Just how much is enough? The SF-based rental platform ApartmentList touched on this topic earlier this month with a report on housing growth coast to … Continue reading San Francisco Built Like Mad Last Decade–But It Wasn’t Enough
Is COPA half full or half empty?
Did you know that SF supervisors passed legislation to give non-profits the right of first offer and refusal to purchase a multi-unit building? They sure did. It was supposed to go into full effect on June 2, 2019, but it seems there are few kinks to iron out. The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community … Continue reading Is COPA half full or half empty?
State Of The Real Estate Union
If you had to guess, what would be the most common question you think a Realtor is asked? “What’s my home worth?” No. “Should I stage my home when I sell it?” No. “Do you think interest rates are going to rise?” No. All very close, and all very common questions we certainly answer more … Continue reading State Of The Real Estate Union
Will Stock Market Panic Humble San Francisco Real Estate
The stock market has gone crazy in the last couple of days, but does it have any significance to the San Francisco real estate market? I’d like to share with you this interesting analysis from our marketing analyst. He doesn’t profess to be a Nobel Laureate in Economics, so take this analysis for what it’s … Continue reading Will Stock Market Panic Humble San Francisco Real Estate
Millennials – Listen Up – Go To College – Buy A House
A College Degree is Key for Millennial Homeownership in the San Francisco Bay Area, say my friends at Trulia. They just shared this with me (after a few edits to my liking), so I’m sharing it with you. To go to college, or not? This is one question many millennials ask themselves. For households between … Continue reading Millennials – Listen Up – Go To College – Buy A House
Should You Rent Or Buy | San Francisco
The debate will go on and on forever, should you rent or buy. Thankfully, some really, really smart people at the New York Times have updated their amazingly interactive Rent versus Buy calculator to help you with your decision, or confuse you just a little bit more. Following on the heels of our Mid Year … Continue reading Should You Rent Or Buy | San Francisco
Buy Now or Suffer 8,000 Consequences?
Today I got this email from a friendly neighborhood Realtor: Hello everyone, I wanted to send out a friendly reminder about the deadline to take advantage of the first time home buyer tax credit. The tax credit expires on Novemeber 30th, 2009. However, assuming a 45 day escrow period from the time you buy to the time you close and get the keys, … Continue reading Buy Now or Suffer 8,000 Consequences?
“Unexpected Jump In Home Sales in February”
Unexpected Jump in Home Sales in February: -Sales of existing homes rose from January to February in an unexpected lift for the slumping housing market as buyers took advantage of deep discounts on foreclosures. The National Association of Realtors said Monday that sales of existing homes increased 5.1 percent to an annual rate of 4.72 … Continue reading “Unexpected Jump In Home Sales in February”
Daily Depression: “Bank Stocks Sink On Renewed Worries”
From the San Francisco Business Times: Investors’ growing nervousness about the depths of the banking crisis hit shares of major banks that were seen as weathering the financial storm better than most. San Francisco-based Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) saw its shares hit a new 52-week low, closing at $13.69, down $2.07 or 13 percent. U.S. Bank … Continue reading Daily Depression: “Bank Stocks Sink On Renewed Worries”
Can California Keep Her Bling?
I used to look at houses in Portland, OR like this 2/2 SFH in one of the most gorgeous neighborhoods, Sellwood, listed at $440K. And then I would look for somthing similar in SF. And then I would need a very large martini. We all know, even after the martini, that a comparable home … Continue reading Can California Keep Her Bling?
U.S. Pending Home Sales Up 6.3%
Some good news in an otherwise gloomy picture: The number of new sales contracts on existing homes jumped a seasonally adjusted 6.3% in December as buyers took advantage of lower mortgage rates and falling prices, a real estate trade group said Tuesday.The pending home sales index rose 6.3% in December and is now up 2.1% … Continue reading U.S. Pending Home Sales Up 6.3%
Obama Says: Go Buy A House (In So Many Words)
We’re going to take the liberty of pulling a few quotes from this recent New York Times article about President-elect Obama’s call to action and urge our fellow San Franciscans to go out and buy a house. -‘I don’t believe it’s too late to change course, but it will be if we don’t take dramatic … Continue reading Obama Says: Go Buy A House (In So Many Words)
Predictions for ’09 Reveal There Are No Experts
So, one hell of an ugly year is coming to a close. As usual, this event cues panels of “leaders” in various fields to opine about the coming 365 days. What will become of Tom and Katie? Will Cher remove another rib? Will the Celtics top the NBA again? These days the doings of celebrities … Continue reading Predictions for ’09 Reveal There Are No Experts
Road to Real Estate Recovery
When I was working at C__________, my boss was a big coke-head. As a result, the atmosphere was, to understate, lax. Everyone drank and ate copiously (never paying for it), sat down and/or danced randomly in the middle of the restaurant, swore, and slept with one another. All of the aforementioned took place during open-for-business … Continue reading Road to Real Estate Recovery