When paintings smile, homes sell


You’re going to have to check the MLS link to see what the hell we’re talking about in regards to the smiling painting, but 25 Sea Cliff, a 5 bed, 6 bath, 4760 square foot home in (do we have to say it) Sea Cliff spent nary two weeks on the market and is already … Continue reading When paintings smile, homes sell

Real Estate Bubbles and California’s Economic Growth, Part 2 and 3


Continuing our lesson on real estate economics from Humboldt State University courtesy of YouTube, we bring you the last two videos in the series. There is a lot of information in these videos that is very pertinent to our market, and it is a good lesson. However, it was filmed November 2006, making it a … Continue reading Real Estate Bubbles and California’s Economic Growth, Part 2 and 3

3130 Pacific, Priced to sell at $12,495,000 and sold at $14,000,000


A little update on the little house on the Hill, 3130 Pacific that spent a whopping seven days on the market…It is sold, multiple offers for $14,000,000, or roughly 12% over, and a healthy price per square foot of $1,697.  [Update: We almost forgot…CASH!] You heard it here first. [Second Update: The lots were sold … Continue reading 3130 Pacific, Priced to sell at $12,495,000 and sold at $14,000,000

1771 North Point: A done deal…and no price! :-(


It’s another one of those damn “non-disclosure agreements” that is going to spoil our ability to accurately track sales around the city in real time for homes, and especially trophy properties. Yes indeed, 1771 North Point is scheduled to close escrow tomorrow (July 13th, 2007), and they’re not sharing the price. Oh well…it sold, and … Continue reading 1771 North Point: A done deal…and no price! :-(

An offer date that came and went (366 Montcalm in Bernal Heights)


A reader just fired this to us, and since we happen to be sitting at the computer (go figure) we’ll just throw it up without any real editorial genius, and hope our readers or Stammtisch can provide some insight. 366 Montcalm ($649,000), a two bed, one bath “condo alternative” on the North Slope of Bernal … Continue reading An offer date that came and went (366 Montcalm in Bernal Heights)

Real Estate Keywords (805-817 Lombard)


How do you get a developer, or investor in San Francisco to begin frothing at the mouth? You use these words: “Russian Hill; Two buildings; Two units each; VACANT with no eviction history; 7 garages…” The rest is fluff. 805-817 Lombard, $2,750,000, hit the market June 15, pending already. –3130 Pacific: Priced to sell at … Continue reading Real Estate Keywords (805-817 Lombard)

Polly are you out there?


Life is good when the mainstream media starts reading your blog, and even better when they want to get in touch with our readers: “Polly — Your experience is an interesting one especially since I’m working on a newspaper story about FSBOs in the Bay Area and beyond. I would love to speak with you … Continue reading Polly are you out there?

$1.46MM on 46th Avenue: $65,000 over, $35,000 under, or $1000 over?


How this one slipped through the cracks we’ll never know, but we thought you’d like to see a nice before and after of 838 46th Ave., and get a little scoop. Then help us decide if it sold $65,000 over, $35,000 under, or $1000 over. Before: After: Scoop: Originally listed in January for $1,395,000 this … Continue reading $1.46MM on 46th Avenue: $65,000 over, $35,000 under, or $1000 over?

Pending Home Sales report from NAR


“NAR: Pending Home Sales Down, Some Regions Up” Lawrence Yun, NAR senior economist, says that housing activity continues to be impacted by tighter lending criteria and a lack of buyer confidence. “Some transactions are being postponed from mortgage market disruptions,” he says. “But better supervised lending will put housing in a fundamentally healthier state over … Continue reading Pending Home Sales report from NAR

43 & 56 Forest View Drive: a reader’s report


This sent in by a reader, Aunt Mary [edited by us, with pictures and MLS links]: 56 Forest View Drive: I just found out that my neighbors up the street were able to sell their home after only 2, maybe 3, weeks on the market. Our neighbors were a lovely couple who, while living in … Continue reading 43 & 56 Forest View Drive: a reader’s report

This sounds interesting…2415-17 Lombard


“Property (2415-17 Lombard) qualifies for immediate condo conversion w/ NO occupancy requirements!” It gets better, “Property has a deeded easement over 3 neighboring lots directly West on Lombard. Seller also earns add’l income ($500/monthly) for duration of ad campaign when Sign Co puts new ads on billboard directly next door.” Here’s a few more numbers: … Continue reading This sounds interesting…2415-17 Lombard

Holloway and Bixbee: new construction find


There’s just something about seeing naked wood in San Francisco that gets us all giddy. Maybe it’s the prospect of something entirely new being built in the neighborhoods where we live. Or maybe it’s the fact that when we see something like this, it is clear somebody had the persistence and patience to push their … Continue reading Holloway and Bixbee: new construction find

“A new way to tap equity without going into debt”


If ever there was a headline that caught our attention, this was it, “A new way to tap equity without going into debt”. On Friday, Carolyn Said of the SF Chronicle did an article about a new company, Rex & Co. that “bills itself as the first company offering a way to make home equity … Continue reading “A new way to tap equity without going into debt”

colors, coLORS, COLORS! (85 Cerritos)


We’re not sure what is worse. The carpet? The fireplace and matching wall coloring? Or the oddly shiny, new/modern Washer/Dryer in this antiquy home? Maybe it is that all three are under the same roof and supposed to go together. No matter…it went into contract after a couple weeks on the market, so we’re guessing … Continue reading colors, coLORS, COLORS! (85 Cerritos)

Tour Friday! Stage 31, Ingleside Terrace


Today is the day when theFrontSteps takes a backseat to the sfnewsletter, as we give you plenty of time to check out their Tour de San Francisco (real estate), and today they’re cruising Ingleside Terrace. Enjoy! “First impression: lots of dead grass in Ingleside Terrace… ” Read more.