Home Insurance in SF: What You Don’t Know Can Cost You
For San Francisco homeowners, home insurance isn’t just about coverage anymore—it’s about whether you can even get a policy in the first place. With major insurers pulling out of California, canceling policies, and refusing to write new ones, many property owners are left scrambling. If you haven’t checked your policy lately, now’s the time. Because surprise—just because you had coverage last year doesn’t mean you still do.
Home Insurance in California: Who’s Still Writing Policies (and What You Need to Know)
If you’re a homeowner or a buyer in The City, insurance is no longer something you can take for granted. Between major insurers pulling out of California, canceling policies, and refusing new coverage, plus older homes with “red flag” features like knob-and-tube wiring, trying to secure a policy can feel downright intimidating.. If you haven’t checked your policy lately, you should.
Flashback Friday: The Holy City Zoo, Robin Williams, and the Magic of San Francisco
Welcome back to Flashback Friday—a series where I share some of my favorite weird, wonderful, and occasionally hidden stories from San Francisco’s past. This City is full of history, but beyond the landmarks and famous addresses, it’s the people who have made it truly special.
Lately, everyone’s been buzzing about the recent sale of Robin Williams’ former home at 540 El Camino Del Mar in Sea Cliff for $18 million. But while the headlines focus on the price tag, I can’t help but think about the man himself—his legacy, his impact, and the magic he brought to San Francisco. Long before he became a household name, Robin Williams was just another comedian trying to make people laugh. And he did that in one of the most legendary, yet under-appreciated, spots in San Francisco history—The Holy City Zoo.
Buying a Home in San Francisco: Are You Ready for It?
So… you’re contemplating buying a home in San Francisco, huh? It’s a big step, and whether you’re 25 or 75, it feels like the ultimate adulting move. Your mom’s already dreaming of grandkids (because owning property obviously leads to that 🙄), your dad’s holding out for those mythical 2% interest rates, your accountant’s eyeing tax benefits, and your mortgage broker’s assuring you that current rates are “pretty average”—whatever that means. Meanwhile, your realtor keeps reminding you about that SoMa loft you liked 131 days ago, which, after five price drops, just went under contract yesterday. For less than the latest asking price. Typical. 😒
Introducing Clinton Higginbotham: The LubaSF Team’s Part-Time Prodigy
When I decided to bring on an assistant to help with the many moving parts of real estate, it didn’t take long to think of the perfect person—Clinton Higginbotham. Clinton isn’t just any assistant; I’ve known him since he was in kindergarten. I’ve watched him grow into a driven, sharp, and curious young man, and now he’s a part-time member of the LubaSF team while finishing his senior year at Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Francisco.
Introducing Felipe De Bedout: My “Son,” My Junior Partner, and the Perfect Addition to The LubaSF Team
If you’ve worked with me before, you know I take my work (and my clients) very seriously. But when it comes to choosing someone to join my team? Let’s just say I take it to another level. Real estate isn’t just about transactions—it’s about trust, dedication, and sometimes putting your whole heart on the line for your clients. So, when I decided it was time to expand the LubaSF team, I knew I had to find someone exceptional.
SELLING STORIES: Health Issues - Adapt or Move
Sometimes life throws a curveball, making health a priority in deciding where and how you live. In a vibrant location like San Francisco, addressing health needs might prompt you to reassess your living situation. Whether it’s simplifying your home’s layout, moving closer to medical facilities, or seeking a more accommodating environment, let’s explore when it’s the right time to adapt or move.
SELLING STORIES: Financial Changes - Riding the Roller Coaster (Part 2: Mo Problems)
When it comes to roller coasters, the drops can be exciting; in real estate, they can feel devastating. Unexpected drops in your financial situation can make your stomach lurch. When financial realities hit hard and fast, understanding your options becomes paramount. Let's get serious about loan modifications, short sales, and foreclosures—key tools that can help you stay on track when the financial ride gets rough.
SELLING STORIES: Financial Changes - Riding the Roller Coaster (Part 1: Mo Money)
The financial roller coaster—sometimes it’s the climb that gets your heart racing. When you're on an upswing with a sudden influx of cash, the view from the top opens up a world of possibilities in San Francisco's real estate market. Whether it’s from a successful investment, a long-overdue promotion, or a windfall, "mo money" moments deserve a savvy response. Here's how to ride this wave of good fortune without losing your balance.
SELLING STORIES: Job Relocation - Follow the Money
Congratulations! You've scored a new gig that's worth popping open some bubbly for. But hold up—along with the excitement (and maybe a little anxiety), you might find yourself facing the monumental task of selling your home in San Francisco. Relocating for work isn't just an adjustment in wardrobe (goodbye, casual Fridays); it's a whirlwind of decisions that can make even the most seasoned professional feel like a newbie on their first day.
SELLING STORIES: Downsizing - Less Is More
Ah, the sweet sound of silence... or maybe it’s just the echo left by the kids as they bolt out the door into adulthood. After years of rocking the role of head juggler in the family circus, it’s time to trade that roomy house with its never-ending list of chores for something, dare I say, simpler. Let's talk about how to embrace downsizing in San Francisco and why it’s not just about having less stuff—it’s about living more life.
Flashback Friday: Islais Creek – The Sh*t Creek of San Francisco’s Butchertown
Happy Friday, friends! I’m so excited to bring back Flashback Friday, a series where I share some of my favorite weird, wonderful, and occasionally smelly stories from San Francisco’s past. As a total history nerd and a lover of The City, this has always been one of my favorite ways to connect with you—and what better day to revive it than on a rainy Friday?
Speaking of rain, let’s kick things off with a story that’s all about water—specifically, the (not-so-clean) kind that ran through Butchertown back in the day. Today, we’re talking about Islais Creek, affectionately (and accurately) nicknamed “Sh*t Creek.” Yep, this is going to be a good one.
SELLING STORIES: New Additions - Babies, Kids, and More (Part 2: Aging Parents)
Welcoming aging parents into your home can be both heartwarming and, let's face it, a bit chaotic. As family dynamics shift in unpredictable ways, the quest to find the right San Francisco home that keeps everyone happy and safe becomes your mission possible. So let’s break down what accommodating this kind of family expansion involves.
SELLING STORIES: New Additions - Babies, Kids, and More (part 1: Babies & kids)
Life in San Francisco has a funny way of surprising us, especially when your family starts growing faster than your favorite sourdough starter. Suddenly, that charming one-bedroom apartment with views of The City isn’t just cramped—it’s bursting at the seams. Let’s unpack how to navigate real estate when your family is expanding.
SELLING STORIES: Divorce or Breakups - Splitting the Sheets
Sometimes, love stories come with unexpected plot twists. When couples in San Francisco decide it’s time to uncouple, there’s more than just hearts breaking—there's a heap of practical decisions to make, especially regarding the home you once shared and cherished.
SELLING STORIES: Marriage & Partnerships - Moving In Together
Ah, love in San Francisco. When two become one in The City, it's not just hearts that merge—it's furniture, cooking habits, and Netflix accounts too. Before you start battling over whose vintage vinyl collection stays, let’s tackle the practical side of moving in together and why this often leads to selling your beloved home.
Could You Find Your Next San Francisco Home While Grocery Shopping?
The real estate technology market has been flooded in recent years with “location-based” applications to help buyers find properties in their area. With little variation, they all work in about the same way:
A Personal Glimpse at 2009
A lot of you found this blog (both regular folks and industry professionals from near and far) thanks to the contest hosted at theFrontSteps.com. If that’s the case, don’t expect the newsletter to be sexy. Unless, of course, you find real estate (and community) updates written by a chick that doesn’t take herself to seriously and likes to provide her clients and the public at large with as much transparent information about our industry as possible sexy! If you do, you’re in luck, because this San Francisco real estate blog can get pretty sexy that way! 😉