Category: theFrontSteps

When Is San Francisco’s Real Birthday?

We’re about a month away from the city of San Francisco’s 173rd birthday…depending on who you ask. The modern city of San Francisco first incorporated on April 15, 1850, and thus many locals observe 415 Day. (See what they did there with the area code?) But that is not the only relevant date in city … Continue reading When Is San Francisco’s Real Birthday?

What Exactly Is a Modern House?

Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the Schindler House in LA, often hailed as the “first modern home” in California history. Of course, when critics say “modern,” they’re not referring to just the standard meaning of such terms–obviously a home cannot be both “modern” and a century-old at the same time. So what exactly … Continue reading What Exactly Is a Modern House?

Is San Francisco In a Buyer’s Market?

Asked another way, “Is it a good time to buy a home in San Francisco?” The answer, Yah..always. Forget about interest rates, forget about pending recession, forget about all that. For all practical purposes San Francisco is as close to a buyer’s market it’s been in years, and if you’ve been on the fence about … Continue reading Is San Francisco In a Buyer’s Market?

Neighborhood Guide: Mission Bay

Even longtime San Franciscans can take Mission Bay for granted. Although both the city and housing watcher have tagged it as a hot up-and-coming SF neighborhoods for years, it still lingers a bit beyond everyone’s expectations–and assumptions. But that can mean good news for those interested in getting a piece of the action now–provided you … Continue reading Neighborhood Guide: Mission Bay

Marina District Home Sells $1,166,000 Over Asking, Market Corrects?

You read that right, a fixer listed for $3,500,000 at 3666 Baker just closed $1,166,000 over asking for a $4,666,000 sales price. That ain’t spooky Halloween sh*t either. (If you miss the 666 reference I feel for you.) Such is the life of buying and selling in San Francisco. Kinda like when you walk down … Continue reading Marina District Home Sells $1,166,000 Over Asking, Market Corrects?

Making Sense of SF’s Stupid Housing Measures

It’s an election year (as usual), and San Franciscans are voting on housing (as usual), and if you can’t make sense out of what you’re being asked to vote on then we can hardly blame you. This year’s two most hotly contested housing items have almost identical names and are in direct opposition to one … Continue reading Making Sense of SF’s Stupid Housing Measures

2458 Great Highway | Outer Sunset | Off Market Opportunity!

by Bryce Adams Turn Key 2 bed, 1 bath Condo on the Great Highway and Taraval. Both the living and dining room feature snippet views of Ocean Beach and the recently remodeled kitchen and bathroom feature quartz countertops and glass backsplashes. Hardwood and bamboo flooring throughout. A serene, low maintenance backyard is complemented with a … Continue reading 2458 Great Highway | Outer Sunset | Off Market Opportunity!

Do “Haunted” Houses Really Sell For Less?

The real estate game is full of superstitions, as befits a business where so much of your success depends on invisible market forces and the whims of buyers and sellers. When the spooky season rolled around last year, we examined the longstanding rumor that homes with sinister addresses, like the numbers 13, 666, or 44 … Continue reading Do “Haunted” Houses Really Sell For Less?

Radically Candid Real Estate Predictions – Perspective is Everything

by Bryce Adams If I knew where things were headed, I most likely wouldn’t be sitting on my computer blogging about what the market is or isn’t going to do, or maybe I would be, relishing the moment. That being said—everyone loves to speculate, but, there is significant data and factors that have framed my … Continue reading Radically Candid Real Estate Predictions – Perspective is Everything

Bear Flag Revolt, Valley of the Moon and more… – Sonoma Takeaways

I recently had the pleasure of reacquainting myself with one of Northern California’s oldest towns, and one I had lost touch with over the years. Sonoma is only a short drive from where I grew up in Marin and one of my earliest elementary school memories was taking a field trip to see the historic … Continue reading Bear Flag Revolt, Valley of the Moon and more… – Sonoma Takeaways

“The Elusive Future of San Francisco’s Fog” – New York Times

If you follow theFrontSteps’ blog, you’d likely know I’m a bit of a weather geek – maybe more than a bit, actually. Weather influences all of our lives for sure, but my life and enjoyment of living depend on it. A sunny day with east winds and waves hitting the beach that originated thousands of … Continue reading “The Elusive Future of San Francisco’s Fog” – New York Times

Neighborhood Guide: Liberty Hill

If you’ve ever been driving down a stretch of Mission and found yourself suddenly taken by an unusually gorgeous cluster of homes, odds are you just stumbled on Liberty Hill, one of San Francisco’s most historic but oddly still overlooked neighborhoods. This redoubt is only about two blocks by three blocks, bounded by Mission Street, … Continue reading Neighborhood Guide: Liberty Hill

Soaring Eichler Condo Sales Kinda-Sorta Breaks Record

Back in June we gandered at these mammoth penthouses roosting atop an Eichler tower at 999 Green Street, on sale after the deaths of previous owners Charles and George Shultz–more on that here if those names don’t ring an immediate bell. Now both of those penthouses have a buyer and even a record to go … Continue reading Soaring Eichler Condo Sales Kinda-Sorta Breaks Record

SF’s Top Neighborhoods Are the Marina, Noe Valley, Richmond, and the Sunset…For Now

The spring quarter (April through June) in SF was an exercise in uncertainty, as everyone sat around waiting for a big drop in housing demand and prices…one that never quite came before June closed out. Now, other housing resources will tell you which cities, counties, or districts sold the most or the most expensive homes. … Continue reading SF’s Top Neighborhoods Are the Marina, Noe Valley, Richmond, and the Sunset…For Now

Maximum Overbid: Will SF Home Prices Finally Dip?

This week’s top overbid, 546 Head, is a real looker, even though the sellers marketed it as a real fixer; if the new owners do overhaul this one we hope they spare some of the woodwork, because there’s just not enough of that stuff to go around these days. Market watchers will notice yes, compared … Continue reading Maximum Overbid: Will SF Home Prices Finally Dip?