Archives for September 2008
SF Natural Hazards Maps
I’m always getting asked about natural hazards.
In case you don’t already know – San Francisco is kinda known as prime earthquake country. But where you live has an impact on how an earthquake might affect you (and how much shaking your home will do.)
So I thought I’d throw a few maps up here for readers that are curious about the location of natural hazards in San Francisco.
Click on the map for a bigger view, and to be taken to the source of the map.
San Francisco Liquefaction Map
San Francisco Natural Hazards Map
My personal favorite, which is sort of a hazard because building a house on water is never a good idea, is a map of all of the creeks, marshes and landfill throughout historical San Francisco. This map is from the 1890’s. As with the others, click to see the map full size, and to see the source.
San Francisco Historical Creek Map
And finally – if you’re curious about the last little rumble you felt – check out this map which will show you the size and magnitude of the most recent earthquake.
San Francisco Recent Earthquakes
Working with a REALTOR will Increase Your Happiness
OK, so maybe the title is a little tongue in cheek. But, if you’re looking to buy or sell a home in San Francisco (or anywhere for that matter), according to a new J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Home Buyer/Seller StudySM, the role a REALTOR plays in a transaction remains on of the most important factors in customer satisfaction.
Which means that a customer that works with a REALTOR is likely to be a happy customer.
While online tools remain popular among home buyers and sellers, the role of the REALTOR® remains one of the key factors of customer satisfaction, according to the new J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Home Buyer/Seller StudySM.
J.D. Power’s inaugural study measures customer satisfaction of home buyers and sellers with the nation’s largest real estate firms, determined by examining three factors for the home-buying experience: agent; office space/presentation; and services. Four factors are considered for measuring the overall home-selling experience: agent; marketing services; office space/presentation; and services.
Vast numbers of home buyers and sellers rely on the Internet to initiate the buying or selling process, according to the study, with 68 percent of buyers saying that they used the Internet to conduct their searches, and 61 percent of sellers reporting that they used a Web site listing to market their home. Yet, the study also found that, despite the growth in popularity of home-buying and -selling resources on the Internet, real estate agents play a key role in determining overall customer satisfaction with real estate companies.
“Although the Internet provides home buyers and sellers with the ability to perform some essential tasks, such as listing a home for sale or researching a neighborhood in which to purchase a home, it still does not replace the importance of a good real estate agent,” said Jim Howland, senior director of the real estate and construction practice at J.D. Power and Associates.
But what will a REALTOR do for YOU???
If you’re working with a good real estate agent, he/she will help provide you with the tools to be successful.
If you’re buying a home your agent should:
- Recommend a lender that will help you get the best interest rate and loan terms, as well as provide you with exceptional service.
- Determine your needs and wants and learn about your taste.
- Fully explain the buying process to you.
- Show you homes based on the criteria you establish.
- Grant you complete access to the MLS so that you have 100% of MLS data, and allow you to create saved searches and to save and track your favorite properties.
- Walk you through the volumes of paperwork with clear and accurate explanations.
- Provide you with statistical and comparable sales information so that you can make an informed choice on an offer price.
- Draft the purchase agreement for you and present the offer to the seller and/or their agent highlighting your strengths as a buyer.
- Negotiate price and terms of the purchase on your behalf.
- Help direct you to dependable home inspectors, title & escrow companies, home insurance companies, moving companies and can even assist you in having the power and water turned on.
- Be present during the closing process at the escrow office and will assist you in reviewing your closing papers for accuracy.
- Celebrate you new purchase with a bottle of champagne! (Maybe not a “must” but a definite “nice to have!”)
- Continue as your real estate consultant and your resource for any home-related needs as long as you own your home.
If you’re selling a home your agent should:
- Provide you with a comparative market analysis by reviewing comparable properties that have recently sold and are currently on the market.
- Help you determine how much your home is worth, and develop a listing price strategy based on current market conditions.
- Grant you complete access to the MLS so that you have 100% of MLS data, and allow you to keep your eye on the competition.
- Provide you with an objective eye to make your property more attractive to buyers with the least cost to you. Luba can even help you secure a loan to fix-up your property for the sale.
- Market your property through advertising, promotion, open houses and exposure to real estate professionals all over the City and beyond.
- Walk you through the volumes of paperwork needed to prepare the property for sale with clear and accurate explanations.
- Review offers and negotiate on your behalf.
- Coordinate inspections, appraisals, escrow and closing.
- Handle all of the details of the sales process and keep you informed of everything that goes on.
- Celebrate with you at the close of your sale with a bottle of champagne! (Maybe not a “must” but a definite “nice to have!”)
- Continue as your real estate consultant and your resource for any home-related needs as long as you need.
And remember, whether you’re buying or selling a home in SF, I’d love to help you and my advice is always free. You can always contact me directly to see if I’m the best agent to make your San Francisco real estate transaction a happy one!
Who Wants Free Stuff?
Because I’m a San Francisco Realtor with a blog that’s somewhat easy to google, people find me on the internet pretty easily and because of this, they like to send me all sorts of invitations.
Sometimes they want to sell me stuff. I don’t really like those people, especially when they call my cell phone while I’m driving or eating or sleeping. *hint* *hint*
Sometimes they want to invite me to cool places and events. I like those people. Sometimes I’m too busy to accept the invitation, but I like them none-the-less, and I’m usually happy to talk to them (though I prefer email in case I’m driving or eating or sleeping when they contact me.) *hint* *hint*
Sometimes they want to give me free stuff. I LOVE those people! And while email is the best way to contact me in case I’m driving or eating or sleeping, I’ll still take a phone call if need be!!! *hint* *hint* *wink* *wink*
In this case, I’m the one that’s going to give away from free stuff!!!
I’ve got FREE tickets to two great events!
You just have to be the first to CONTACT ME and tell me which event you’re hoping to attend!
And just for your peace of mind, I just want to note that I will never do ANYTHING with your email address. I will not sell, rent or raffle it and in fact, you’ll never hear from me after you get the tickets!
San Francisco Zoo Night Tour Tickets!
Every year, the San Francisco Zoo invites its members to come celebrate an evening of exciting evening of animals, entertainment and fun for your entire family!This year, I have four (4) tickets available for the 47th Annual Night Tour September 26 OR 27 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. And whether you get tickets for the event from this blog, or you’re already a member, try to find me to say “HELLO!” I’ll be volunteering at the event both nights.Shopping the Musical Tickets!
Now in its third hit year, “Shopping! The Musical” is currently San Francisco’s longest running original musical. The award-winning revue features comedy songs about customers, stores,Victoria’s Secret, people who pay with all change and much, much more! They’ll give you a night of laughter, music, and “Shopping!…without maxing out your credit card!
Ticket certificate is good for two (2) tickets to any future Friday 8 PM performance at the Shelton Theatre, 533 Sutter at Powell, in SF’s Union Square.
So – if you like free stuff HUSTLE! This offer’s only good while supplies last!
Help Save the San Francisco Zoo from Chris Daly!!!
Many of you know that I’m an avid supporter of the San Francisco Zoo and its conservation efforts. In fact, a portion of every one of my sales gets donated to the SF Zoo.
I received an emergency plea today from the San Francisco Zoo.
Please, if you care about conservation programs, please reach out to your San Francisco District supervisor.
And take a look at the plea from the SF Zoo below.
We need your help and assistance as we near the upcoming Board of Supervisors hearing on Chris Daly’s “rescue zoo” legislation. This meeting will decide the fate of the San Francisco Zoo.
As you are probably aware, it has been a trying time at the San Francisco Zoo since the events of last Christmas, but changing the Zoo into a rescue facility is not the solution. We already care for more than 100 rescued animals (e.g., the Animal Research Center education animals, the grizzly bears, and Ulu, one of our polar bears), but the legislation would require that all future animals come from rescue situations, with a few limited exceptions. Under this scheme, our Members would no longer connect with rare and endangered animals or learn about the conditions of their native lands, but more importantly, the legislation would eradicate much of the Society’s contribution to conservation, endangered species education, and other vital programs here at the Zoo.
Supervisor Daly’s “rescue zoo” legislation will be heard before the full Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, September 9. The Supervisors as well as the Mayor need to hear from you before September 9 if we want to stop this legislation. To make communication easier for you, please visit www.sfzoo.org/rescuelegislation for more details on the legislation, the Zoo’s position on the matter, and how you can help save the San Francisco Zoo – from writing letters to meeting in-person with your District Supervisor.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Mayor Gavin Newsom
District 1 Jake McGoldrick
District 2 Michela Alioto-Pier
District 3 Aaron Peskin, President of the Board
District 4 Carmen Chu
District 5 Ross MirkarimiDistrict 6 Chris Daly
District 7 Sean Elsbernd
District 8 Bevan Dufty
District 9 Tom Ammiano
District 10 Sophie Maxwell
District 11 Gerardo SandovalOn behalf of the entire San Francsico Zoo community, I thank you in advance for your consideration and assistance.
Best regards,
Tanya Peterson
Acting Executive Director and President
San Francisco Homeownership Fair 2008
I’m always looking for ways to get future San Francisco home buyers information on how to buy a home.
And this here is a FANTASTIC resource for first time home buyers in SF!
The San Francisco Affordable Homeownership Steering Committee invites you…
What: 4th Annual San Francisco Homeownership Fair
Who: New Homebuyers & Existing Homeowners
When: Saturday, September 6, 2008, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: St. Mary’s Cathedral at 111 Gough Street, San Francisco
Why: To learn the key steps for becoming a homeowner in San Francisco and important information for current homeowners.
- Meet and talk with representatives from over 40 different organizations all dedicated to increasing access to affordable homeownership opportunities in San Francisco. Exhibitors include the Mayor’s Office of Housing, SF Redevelopment Agency, Lending Institutions, Real Estate Professionals, Housing Counseling Agencies, and many others.
- Workshops include:First-time Homeownership Opportunities, How to Access Special Government Programs for First-Time Homebuyers, and Current Homeownership Market
- Most classes will be taught by local housing counseling agencies in three languages (Spanish, English and Cantonese).
- Door prizes, giveaways, and entertainment for the whole family!
