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San Francisco, CA Real Estate News

By Lottie Kendall, Helping make your real estate dreams a reality
(Compass)
Need space? Want room to breathe? Like to golf, jog, and enjoy the beach? Check out 109 Summit Way, San Francisco. Enjoy three levels of sunlit living, with 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, laundry room, and tandem garage parking that leads directly into living area. A deck off the upstairs dining room and a patio from lowest level provide your own private spots of solitude. Large storage area. 90k worth of upgrades!This is your opportunity to be a hero by telling your friends and family. They can be in before theholidays, enjoying life at this a 5-year-new condo complex.
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By Debra Donovan, San Francisco Real Estate
(Park North Real Estate)
While median pricing for both single family homes and condos fell in October, there were some glimmers of light in the month's data. For one, fewer new listings came on-market  and there were fewer active listings at the end of the month compared to September 2020. This could help stabilize the market a bit, particularly the condo market, as existing inventory sells through. Months supply of inventory also decreased compared to last month, though continues well above what we've become used to here in San Francisco.These numbers, though, are still up compared to October 2019. That's because like everything else 2020, the typical real estate seasons were thrown for a loop. The March shutdown threw the Spring season, typically the busiest, out the window. As a result, the summer saw the li...
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By Debra Donovan, San Francisco Real Estate
(Park North Real Estate)
In September the median sales price for single family homes was up again year-over-year as well as compared to August, while the condo/ loft market continued to see decreases over the same periods. Condo pricing has softened due to large inventory on the market as discussed in last month's update. The condo market has been slowly eroding for about the last year, but COVID seems to have sped up the process.  I also included 3rd quarter stats here. Read them all below. Median Price September:Single family home prices rose 9.5% year-over-year, while condos and lofts decreased 8.9%. As you can see in the 2nd chart, it's the $2 million-plus segment of the condo market that took the greatest hit in September.3rd Quarter Median Price:The third quarter mirrored what we saw for median prices in ...
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By Debra Donovan, San Francisco Real Estate
(Park North Real Estate)
Single family home prices nudged up a bit year-over-year while condo and loft prices remained flat in August. New listings for single family homes decreased compared to last year and last month, but they also saw an increase in active listings by the end of the month. Meanwhile condos and lofts increased for both. As more inventory comes on the market more homes are selling closer to their asking price and fewer are selling for gang-busters over their list price. But the "big story" I'm asked a lot about is the condo market. August marked the third month in a row that condos and lofts saw 6 or more months of inventory. Six months is typically a sign that we're venturing out of a seller's market and into a more balanced-to-buyer's market. What does this mean? If you're a buyer it means y...
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By Debra Donovan, San Francisco Real Estate
(Park North Real Estate)
 Median prices were up year-over-year in July, showing San Francisco real estate continues to be a healthy market albeit not has "gangbusters" as we've seen in years past. After years of weak inventory we're seeing an influx of new listings particularly in the condo market, with some neighborhoods seeing buyers market levels of inventory available. Currently it's a mixed market with both prices and inventory rising, and single family homes seeing greater demand than condos. See all the stats below. Median Sales Price:Home sales overall rose in July compared to the same month last year. The median sales price for a single family home was $1,660,000, up 5% compared to last year but down from June's median sales price high of over $1.8 million. Condo and loft prices also rose year-over-yea...
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By Debra Donovan, San Francisco Real Estate
(Park North Real Estate)
June statistics show that after a so-so May San Francisco real estate revived a bit, particularly with single family homes which hit a new median price high. Condos and lofts prices also lifted compared to May, but are still down compared to last year. Dirt-cheap interest rates continue to drive buyer demand, and create an excellent opportunity for buyers who are ready and able to jump into the market. Interest rates have great impact on buying power, the amount of a loan buyers can qualify for.Overall, inventory has increased with months supply of inventory reaching it's highest levels since 2011. That said, we are still in "sellers market" territory, especially for single family homes. Median Sales Price:The median sales price for a single family home in San Francisco rose to over $1....
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By Lottie Kendall, Helping make your real estate dreams a reality
(Compass)
After reading many wonderful posts written by Ron and Alexandra Seigel as they share their beach walks with us, I felt a yearning to visit little Marshall Beach in San Francisco which I hadn't done for too long.I've written about Marshall Beach before, recounting a run through the Presidio, then down the many stairs to the beach before returning to my car. This last Friday afternoon my husband and I headed out for our daily walk toward the end of the day, and Marshall Beach was once again calling me.Down the many stairs we went, then had a delightful, relaxed stroll along the beach. Tide was in, making parts of the beach closest to the Golden Gate Bridge inaccessible, but there was plenty to enjoy. After drying off my wet feet the best I could, it was time to head up an even longer flig...
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By Debra Donovan, San Francisco Real Estate
(Park North Real Estate)
May saw median home prices drop in San Francisco. This was particularly true for condos and lofts, which saw home prices drop by  more than 10% and months supply of inventory reach a high not seen since 2011.  Keeping in mind that sales are typically a reflection of the market 30-60 days prior, these prices reflect what came on the market in March - April timeframe, which was the beginning of the pandemic and shelter-in-place. So it remains to be seen whether these statistics are a temporary blip or a sign that the market is at least temporarily shifting more to buyers' advantage. Median Sales Price:The median sales price for single family homes decreased 3.4% compared to the last May, and also decreased compared to last month, dropping to to $1,627,500. This is partly due to a decrease...
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By Lottie Kendall, Helping make your real estate dreams a reality
(Compass)
In January and February, before the Shelter-in-Place became our way of life in San Francisco, I met a number of potential buyers and sellers. I hope you all are healthy, the #1 priority.Much has changed in our lives since the beginning of 2020. How is your residence working out for you during these months of working from home, remote schooling, and the general disruption to routines? Has a yard or outdoor space become more important? Do you need home office space? A better functioning kitchen or a great room for family activities?The real estate market is starting to open up. Homes are selling. More are coming on the market. If  you have questions, please let me know; I'd love to answer any questions you might have.
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By Debra Donovan, San Francisco Real Estate
(Park North Real Estate)
As we round the corner into month three of the Bay Area shelter-in-place, things seem to be slowly but surely opening up. In some ways real estate in San Francisco never fully closed, though our ways of conducting business has changed dramatically. Many sellers either pulled their properties off the market or postponed their on-market date, but not all did. And buyers were still out buying.  These are encouraging signs for Bay Area real estate because:- This reflects the fact that this began as a health crisis, not an economic crisis.- It reinforces that this is a short-term problem with a long-term solution once the virus is controlled.- Motivation has not diminished. In April home sales prices rose, with single family home prices reaching a new median high. Inventory remained anemic a...
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By Lottie Kendall, Helping make your real estate dreams a reality
(Compass)
This morning, Ron and Alexandra Seigel posted the most adorable photo and described what has become a Saturday morning routine for them. If you've missed their post, take a look here.While my Saturday morning routine doesn't take me past anything quite as adorable, it is a pleasure to me nonetheless.The morning starts with a trip to Whole Foods  at 8:00 AM, during "senior" hours. The entire trip takes 35 minutes; 10 minute walk there, breeze right into the sanitized store, shop in uncrowded conditions, straight through the check out, where the checker carefully wipes down the checkstand food belt between every customer, 10 minute walk home! I've had a chance to breathe, to move my body, accomplish a delightful task.Next, at 9:00AM, I like to join a drop-in, donation-based qi gong class....
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By Rob Spinosa, Mortgage Loan Originator, Marin County
(US Bank)
Will My Property Taxes Go Up If I Refinance?  Because the current interest rate environment is so conducive to refinancing, a concern that some have about taking action stems from confusion related to how their property taxes are determined, and specifically the question, "Will refinancing cause my property taxes to go up?"  It goes without saying that nobody wants to save money via refinance, only to see it evaporate in the form of higher real estate taxes.  But is this a real threat?  Or is it safe to assume that simply by refinancing you would not see a change in your tax basis? Our answer must first address, well, the address --- of the home, that is.  Since I'm a licensed loan officer in the state of California, working out of an office in Marin County, I'm only going to view this ...
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By Lottie Kendall, Helping make your real estate dreams a reality
(Compass)
Today is May 1. Perhaps it is appropriate that the new month brings with it a sense of imminent change.Beginning May 4 a cautious loosening in the Shelter-in-Place we've been living with since the middle of March will take place. A few more businesses will be allowed to open--construction, landscaping & gardening services, some dry goods stores. In the real estate world, we'll be able to show occupied residences under very specific requirements. Social distancing at least 6' will be required; face masks required;. San Mateo County will reopen their wild land parks and beaches.Golf courses will re-open, with safety protocols in place, which I'm sure will please golfers among us (I'm thinking of Carol Williams among others.) Tennis courts in San Francisco will open for single play at leas...
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By Lottie Kendall, Helping make your real estate dreams a reality
(Compass)
As I walked the 5 blocks to Whole Foods this morning, I was thinking about all the many little things for which I am grateful during this unprecedented time of sheltering-in-place. First and foremost grateful to the medical staffs and essential workers taking care of us and our necessities and comforts Grateful for services like garbage and recycling pick ups Grateful that major road projects are being carried out during this time of much less traffic Grateful for the amazing job Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are doing here in San Francisco with their store reorganizations and special shopping hours for Seniors. My husband and I each went to one of the stores today; no lines for us at all, everything organized, carts sanitized, shelves nicely stocked, employees cheerful and welcoming Gra...
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By Lottie Kendall, Helping make your real estate dreams a reality
(Compass)
Earlier this week I shared some views of the empty streets in San Francisco during this period of Shelter-in-Place. It was, indeed, stunning to see usually bustling neighborhoods almost devoid of life.However, the beauty of San Francisco is always present and I never fail to appreciate my neighborhood walks. How lovely is the Victorian house on Jackson, with an arbor of wisteria and roses welcoming passersby and residents alike?And these roses mixed with other blooms at a different Jackson Street residence?Are you ready to find your home and create your garden? Large space or small--it can happen. Let's talk.Springtime in San Francisco!  
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By Debra Donovan, San Francisco Real Estate
(Park North Real Estate)
As we move into month 2 of the Coronavirus shelter-in-place, real estate in San Francisco and the Bay Area continues to chug along, albeit in a much more limited way. The following statistics represent the market in March. So sales statistics are based on properties that were mostly in escrow prior or just as the shelter-in-place order was given to start on March 17th. Therefore we're not going to see any statistics reflecting how pricing was effected by the shelter, if it was at all, until next month or the month after. However, what we can see from these numbers is how greatly inventory was effected after the March 17th order. Many sellers decided to place their home sales on hold when the order came down. Some have already returned to the market (with very limited or only virtual sho...
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By Lottie Kendall, Helping make your real estate dreams a reality
(Compass)
As we finish our 5th week of Shelter-in-Place in San Francisco, spirits are generally good around the city. A new routine has taken place in my weekday schedule. Following a Zoom meditation session offered every Mon-Fri by my acupuncturist, I work from 9:00-3:00.By 3:00PM, my husband and I head out for our favorite activity -- a hike or long walk in some part of the City, grateful that outdoor exercising is allowed and encouraged, with physical distancing adhered to, of course. We balance our walks between urban sidewalks and park lands where I can get dirt under my feet.One recent weekday we decided to walk from our condo through the most densely packed parts of the City. Off we went, first through Chinatown where it usually is difficult to move at more than a shuffle. That day, the st...
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By Debra Donovan, San Francisco Real Estate
(Park North Real Estate)
Here are the statistics for the February real estate market in San Francisco. The pre-Spring market got off to a healthy start with both single family homes and condos/ lofts seeing increases in median sales price. Homes continued to sell quickly overall, with both average days on market and months supply of inventory decreasing. More than not homes are selling for over the list price, though we aren't seeing the massive overbids overall that we've seen in the past. Some homes are selling well over their asking price while others are not getting the same "bump." It's more property-by-property, which could in part be due to more properties coming out with "transparent pricing," as well as buyers hitting pain points in terms of how much they want or are able to bid over the asking price. ...
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By Lottie Kendall, Helping make your real estate dreams a reality
(Compass)
I believe we are just at the tip of seeing our way of life change change quite drastically for an extended period of time while we wait to see the extent of the Covid-19 virus.Living in the midst of an urban area, quite likely we are at the leading edge of this change. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, schools have been closed for anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks. Public gatherings of larger than 50 people are banned; gatherings of 10 or more discouraged for older adults or those medically compromised. The public libraries are now closed. Some restaurants have closed, while others have removed tables to spread remaining tables further apart."Social distancing" (a term which I hadn't heard about until a few days ago) has become the norm. As these pictures I took yesterday at Ocean Beach ...
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By Lottie Kendall, Helping make your real estate dreams a reality
(Compass)
It's that time of year again, 100,000 FREE pick-your-own tulips at Union Square, San Francisco.Yes, that's correct. On Saturday, March 7, over 100,000 tulips will cover Union Square in San Francisco. Best of all, you're invited to visit the site and pick your own bunch of tulips to take home.A gift from Dutch flower bulb trader Royal Anthos, iBulb.org and the Consulate General of the Netherlands in San Francisco, they are transporting thousands of multicolor tulips to the bustling tourist area of Union Square.This event will run from 1:00PM to 4:30PM, by which time all tulips will have been picked and on their way to bring springtime cheer to many, many households. You have to love all the special FREE events in San Francisco, thanks to the courtesy of many.  
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