Tour de San Francisco (real estate)…Monterey Heights


They did it again. The crew at sfnewsletter (I am one of them) went down the coast of San Francisco to do, for you, another stage of their Tour de San Francisco (real estate): Monterey Heights edition. Check it out! –Tour de San Francisco (real estate) [sfnewsletter]

San Francisco as retirement destination? Huh?!


I just had to put this up. My favorite quote: “Ten years ago, when he retired, he and his wife migrated south to a bedroom community in Cary, N.C., where it was quiet and green–everything retirement is supposed to be. But ‘I was bored out of my gourd, frankly,’…” Guess where he’ll be living? The … Continue reading San Francisco as retirement destination? Huh?!

Calculating Square Footage in San Francisco: “Comment du Jour”


To think that I always choose snarky comments for the “Comment du Jour” would be silly. As I always say, the comments are full of information, but I know not all of you read or follow them. So…a reader (FogCityBrit) provides a horses mouth (City Assessor) account of calculating square footage: (An update on Chelsea … Continue reading Calculating Square Footage in San Francisco: “Comment du Jour”

Why Buy Hotel Condos?


by Janet Krahling (thanks Janet): People often ask “Why buy a private residence at the Four Seasons, St. Regis or Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco?” Here’s the simple answer: Imagine having exceptional high-end services in your home every single day and the potential investment upside associated with real estate, but without any of the headaches normally … Continue reading Why Buy Hotel Condos?

Benjamin Bratt sells SF Investment and “Your Mama” tells us how it is


I truly love when readers (thanks Shelley) send in links to other sites that truly make me laugh, and have a good grasp of the sf market, so I can quote them and not have to say it myself. Lest anyone think the sub-prime lending crisis and mortgage meltdown is having a huge affect on … Continue reading Benjamin Bratt sells SF Investment and “Your Mama” tells us how it is

The jury is in on the Transbay Terminal


Yet another reason I HIGHLY recommend you subscribe to the San Francisco Business Times or at least periodically check their site. The jury is in on the Transbay Terminal: The jury charged with ranking three proposals for San Francisco’s tallest building and the new Transbay Terminal has picked the team of developer Hines and architect … Continue reading The jury is in on the Transbay Terminal

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

Tiffany…you’re sooooo…in contract!? (95 Tiffany)


From kenny “Wow. This one surprised me. 7 days on the market? On Tiffany? If this isn’t an indicator that many micro-markets are thriving — not just the especially well heeled neighborhoods — I don’t know what is. In the middle of this scare, Tiffany street commands this type of activity?” Maybe it’s the green … Continue reading Tiffany…you’re sooooo…in contract!? (95 Tiffany)

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”

How to buy a foreclosure in San Francisco


by “Dave”…a reader that seems to have just scored a great home. Important detail he left out, and what I’m dying to know…did you use a Realtor? As I mentioned before, there wasn’t much magic in my purchase. The house was listed on MLS like everything else but was disclosed as an REO. I had … Continue reading How to buy a foreclosure in San Francisco

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?