This coming Sunday, I will be hosting an Open House out in the Richmond District. It's an extremely well priced single family home, and I know that it will likely draw hundreds of potential buyers. The biggest draw to the place? It's a probate sale. A property ends up in probate if a property owner dies without a will. (Just a little side note... Everyone should have a will... if you don't already have one, get one! If you need help getting one, let me know and I can put you in touch with an estate planner or an attorney that can help you get your ducks in a row for what is, unfortunately, the inevitable!) When a property ends up in probate, it typically has to be sold so that the proceeds can go to the estate, and eventually, to the heirs. So how does a probate sale actually work? Rea... 09/05/2007

I know that many other cities have their bio-fuel stations but here in San Fran, we're lagging behind others. However, we can see it now, shopping for organic apple cranberry granola and flax seed oil while fueling up a bio-diesel car. It’s been a slow process but bio-fuel users will soon (hopefully) be able to fuel up their bio-diesel cars at SF’s own Rainbow Grocery. The market has been dealing with permit issues where they currently anticipate an opening timeline of anywhere from three months to 12 months.Even when it does finally open, don’t look for a fancy 24/7 fueling station. It’s going to be more of a single pump with limited evening and weekend hours. Oh yes, unlike the Olympian station in Dogpatch which sells B20, this fuel will be the cleaner B100. 09/04/2007

Este tipo de transaccion es muy delicada,  envuelve mucha sabiduria acerca de las leyes de bienes raices y tambien de las concecuencias que viene con la ignorancia de si..hay que preguntar a nuestros clientes acerca del proposito de la compra, ya que tiene que ver mucho.  La propiedad esta siendo comprada para convertirla en in condominio, remodelarla y venderla etc.. entre mas sabiduria tenemos,  mejor sera el resultado.  09/03/2007

A client of mine has been reading a lot of the doom and gloom real estate mortgage crunch articles, and has been sending be some emails that reflect his concern. He's been keeping up with the Case Shiller Index and believes that all data points to an upcoming crash in the San Francisco real estate market. He also pointed out that Robert Toll of the Toll Brothers, a luxury home builder (that does not build in San Francisco) who is typically quite optimistic about the market has stated that the pool of potential home buyers will shrink and that some people may have problems closing on their loans. I replied to his email after doing some research of my own, and thought the response was worth sharing with others. So here it is: Hi... sorry for taking a few days to respond to your last email... 09/01/2007

If I'm already working with you on the sale or purchase of a home, you already know the answer to the question. :-) Otherwise, the answer can be really simple, or it can be really complicated… it depends on the situation. Sometimes I’m the seller’s agent, sometimes I’m the buyer’s agent… and on rare occasion, I might even be both! How can that be? Do I have split personalities? No… but depending on who I am working with, my role will be very different. First, I guess I should back up and explain what it really means to be an “agent.” It means that I am authorized to act on behalf of my client in the purchase of real estate. This agency relationship creates a fiduciary duty on my part , which is essentially a legal relationship between me and my clients. In fact, according to Wikepedia… ... 08/31/2007

So it's officially September now. Indian Summer is in full force here in the City, the Labor Day weekend is here and August sales data is officially available! People are always asking me how the market is doing and I am always more than happy to talk about it (in fact, San Francisco real estate is one of my favorite things to talk about - yes! I love my job!), but most times, numbers speak louder than words. So I've decided to add a new monthly feature to my blog! At the beginning of every month, I'll post a summary of home sales pulled directly from the MLS. Remember, these are all closed sales and not pending sales. And there may still be a few lingering sales that haven't been updated in the MLS just yet... most agents update the MLS data immediately, but there are always a few stra... 08/31/2007

 I left my heart in San Francisco! ...   Every time I go to visit my parents and my sister in San Francisco -Tiburon- I fall, over and over again, in love with the beauty and majesty of this place... It is intoxicating! There is nothing, NOTHING, in the world to mach the magic and unique power of this heavenly place... This place is blest by God with so much natural energy and light that makes you humbled and privileged to be witnessing such perfection!It is heaven on earth!       Somewhere in Tiburon!...      San Francisco city view From Tiburon      HERE IS MY HEAVEN!... Here I charge my batteries! Here I draw my energy from!... Just liked to share it with you!            08/28/2007

We're so pretty. Oh so pretty and Green. We're normally not big spa-goers but when we can get our feet pedicured in a space that's so air quality friendly then we'll ready for the treatment. Normally day spas smell like toxic chemical factories with the paints and sprays and we're just talking about the walls and ceilings. Our noses collectively smiled when we noticed a lack of the usual, not to mention unhealthy, "new spa smell" at the SoMa based Nova Nail Spa. The mostly sustainable spa, although somewhat lacking on the Green energy front, kicks Green butt in regards to health, indoor air quality, and sustainability. None of us have x-ray vision but we know about the non-toxic recycled denim insulation. We could see (and not smell) the low VOC paint, formaldehyde-free cabinetry and wa... 08/28/2007

Those of you that know me, know that I'm passionate about the San Francisco Zoo.  In fact, I donate a portion of every one of my commissions to The Zoo.  I support their mission of conservation, and am happy to be a part of their goal to create a world class zoo in a world class city like SF!  And with the recent additions of the African Savannah and the newest exhibit, Grizzly Gulch, the zoo is on the way there!  One of my first and fondest memories was finding an elephant key to the original talking storyboxes that were in place at the zoo.  I remember Spider Monkey Island, I remember when the Gift Shop used to be in the old Mothers Building, and I remember when the Primate Discovery Center was first built.  To me, it isn't just the San Francisco Zoo, it's MY Zoo!  And MY San Francisc... 08/27/2007

If, in the past, you've tried to call a City department, say to get a pothole fixed... only to find that the department you called referred you to another department who referred you to another department who referred you to another department that referred you back to the original department you called, you might have lost faith and decided that you were dealing with a bunch of incompetent individuals. But the City has 2,300 different departments, and frankly, not all know what the other ones are supposed to do. However, in March of this year, San Francisco launched 311 which gives you access to ALL 2,300 departments by dialing a single number. 311 is available 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Are you driving by some graffitti and want to report it? Call 311. Do you see litter that need... 08/27/2007

With all the negative media and some of the justified concern regarding the housing market, I was shocked to see that 145 Coso Ave sold for $309K over the asking price. I saw the house, it was a neat house with a lot of charm and great outdoor space. When I walked through, I never would have thought that it was under priced by $300K+!145 Coso Ave [mls]gtwice.blogspot.com  08/24/2007

Noe Valley, the land of nice homes, dogs, coffee shops, babies being pushed in strollers and vacant retail space. That's right, vacant retail space. 24th Street is a destination shopping strip in San Francisco. People come to get unique gifts from Just For Fun and Scribbledoodles, eat at Haystack Pizza and do their banking at WaMu. Why then is there so much empty retail space?The Real Food company, located across the street from Bell Market (which by the way is an antiquated grocery store as far as I'm concerned for having such high-end clientele) was the first of the modern day vacancy to take place. The Real Food Company, which had been a part of Noe Valley for 25 years, closed its doors in 2003, dismissing 30 workers, the majority of whom had been organizing a union. This is a large ... 08/24/2007

You'll notice the numbers are starting to change. Click here to see previous months to compare and contrast. Single-Family Homes   District 1 Jul-06 Jul-07 Number of Sales 14 11 Median Selling Price 1,175,000 900,000 Average DOM 32 24       District 2 Jul-06 Jul-07 Number of Sales 51 41 Median Selling Price 845,000 832,000 Average DOM 33 34       District 3 Jul-06 Jul-07 Number of Sales 17 16 Median Selling Price 849,000 754,500 Average DOM 37 41       District 4 Jul-06 Jul-07 Number of Sales 32 38 Median Selling Price 880,000 1,047,500 Average DOM 37 24     District 5 Jul-06 Jul-07 Number of Sales 36 30 Median Selling Price 1,135,000 1,390,500 Average DOM 38 20     District 6 Jul-06 Jul-07 Number of Sales 2 4 Median Selling Price 2,085,000 1,132,500 Average DOM 19 65     District 7 Jul... 08/24/2007

Ok, how is it that I'm cluttering up my perfectly good real estate blog with information about a restaurant?  Good question.  Well, first of all because several of you have asked me to.  Secondly, because restaurants are part of the amenities that we enjoy as adjuncts to our real estate here in the bay area.  And thirdly, I only plan to mention a restaurant if it seems to really deserve it....  Café Tiramisu on Belden Place in San Francisco is just such a circumstance.  By show of hands (or by leaving a comment) how many have had the pleasure of enjoying lunch or dinner on Belden Place in San Francisco.  If I blindfolded you and took you there you'd swear you were in Europe.  No doubt about it.  Even though it is located in the heart of San Francisco, on a little alley (Belden Place) pa... 08/23/2007

Ever go crazy trying to search real estate in San Francisco?  I decided to provide a useful key for anyone who is interested in searching San Francisco real estate and needs to understand the district break down per the San Francisco Association of Realtors.When searching for a home in San Francisco, know that the San Francisco Association of Realtors www.sfrealtors.com breaks up the city into 10 different districts that have their own subdistricts.  Seeing the breakdown should aid when looking for a home in San Francisco and when talking to your real estate professional.  I can provide a map, or you can see the district map on the SF MLS public website at www.sfarmls.com You can do a search of the SF MLS on www.buysellSFhomes.com or I can set you up to receive automatic email updates r... 08/18/2007

(originally posted to my blog, San Francisco Real Estate)San Francisco buyers who are tired of battling through the endless tide of multiple offer properties might consider buying in the South of Market area.   Although the neighborhood may not appeal to everyone, the opportunity to buy sans competition may just be worth it.  With a number of developments with available units, and even more developments on the way, SoMa, more than any other area in San Francisco, is a location where buyers can actually walk away paying asking price for a property.  Additionally, although I occasionally question the price per square foot projections for some projects, SoMa's long-time residents have developed a solid community; they are not only defining what type of retail dynamics will be coming to the... 08/13/2007

It's on everyone's mind.  What is going on with this market.  Those of us in the business see it on a daily basis... lender's shutting their doors, lender's cancelling loans left and right, programs disappearing or repricing to a point of no longer being usable.  We see the news discussing the chaos in the mortgage market and we see the stock market having massive swings up and down (mainly down!).  But what does it all mean and why is it happening?Everyone knows that when a loan is created it's often sold immediately there after to an investor in the secondary market.  Lender typically use borrowed funds in order to create loans with the expectation that once their sold they can repay those borrowed funds with the proceeds.  The prices at which they sell these loans is set by the deman... 08/10/2007

Some say that home buyers are picky. Yes, Buyers should be choosy while searching for their future home.  The property they acquire will provide more than just a roof over their heads, it will be home. It needs to satisfy emotional needs that are not readily quantifiable. As the home is a reflection of self, it makes finding the ‘right' home all the more challenging.The home buying process has to do with the psyche of the person in pursuit. For example, let's say you've been searching for the ‘right' home for the past 3 years but never seem to find the ‘one'. You haven't seen that many homes during that time frame and have made offers on only two of them. The home you really loved turned out to be entirely too expensive and the other property was lost in bidding war.TIP: Buyer's who hav... 08/10/2007

There are actually TWO DWR events this weekend in San Francisco!First is its sample sale. You can get 75% off on furniture which is pretty awesome. For me personally it's a hit or miss. I loved the one in Palo Alto and I did end up buying a lot of accessories that I use for staging there. But the last one in SF warehouse was a little bit disappointing. Here are a few tips:*Get there EARLY. And I mean at least 1 hour before the sale starts, because people start lining up at 1.5 hours prior. But you don't need to get there THAT early. We were there 1 hour prior and we were the 10th in line. Half hour before the sale starts that's when you start seeing everyone around the block.*Bring friends. It will suck being in line for 1 hour by yourself. Also the sale is going to be CRAZY meaning peo... 08/10/2007

I don't know what to do! Many of my clients are beginning to panic regarding this mortgage meltdown.  The media is running with this big time, yet our market still seems to be plugging along.  Multiple offers are still commonplace, but the fear factor is getting huge.  What's up with that?  I'm trying to be as "neutral" as possible with my blog, theFrontSteps.com, but it's a monumental task to go against The Wall Street Journal, CNN Money, The NY Times, etc.  But the fact is, our market is still plugging right along quite well.   08/07/2007