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.
Knob and Tube: A Real Estate Classic That Keeps On Giving
Now, this wasn’t exactly a surprise for me. After all, the property’s age, the original switches, and the lack of any electrical upgrade on file pretty much screamed “knob-and-tube still lurking here!” I called it before we even got to the living room, but explaining how to easily spot it’s likely presence (property’s age, original switches, and the lack of any new electrical permits on file) was still a fun moment to share with my clients.
Buying Probate Property – 7 Things You Should Know
I often get calls from clients on a budget that start with something like, “Did you see that house for $400K (or fill in another absurd amount here)?” By the second or third call, I know it's time to bust out the trusty reminder: when a price sounds too good to be true in San Francisco, it always is. So, let’s unpack this a bit with the topic I’ve been meaning to write about—Probate Sales. Here we go…
Brace Yourself, San Francisco: A Big Storm Is Coming (And We’re Not Built for This)
San Francisco friends, we’re about to get weathered. Starting soon and stretching well past Thanksgiving, the forecast is calling for rain, more rain, and—you guessed it—even more rain. Oh, and the temps? A bone-chilling low in the mid-40s. I know, East Coasters are rolling their eyes right now, but as anyone who’s endured The City’s damp chill knows, it’s a whole different beast. So, let’s talk about getting your home ready for this soggy marathon.
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.
SELLING STORIES: Why People Sell Their Homes - The Good, The Bad, and The Oh-So-Real
Let’s be real: selling a home isn’t just about dollar signs and square footage. It’s about life—messy, unpredictable, joyous, and sometimes heartbreaking life. From big wins to heavy losses, people sell their homes for all sorts of reasons. Here’s a rundown of the most common motivations, stripped of all the fluff:
Guess Who’s Back? Yep, It’s Me!
Hey there, San Francisco! It’s been a minute (or a few years, but who’s counting?). If you’ve been around since the early days, you might remember that from 2007 to 2012, I ran a pretty popular real estate blog right here in the City. We’re talking thousands of readers, mentions from the likes of Curbed SF, SocketSite, and more. It was a wild ride, and I’ve missed every moment of it.
Sip, Chill, or Gummy? SF’s New Fun Zones Could Be SO MUCH More Than Just Booze
Well, folks, it looks like San Francisco is about to crank up the fun with new public drinking zones. We’re talking outdoor sippin’ spots where you can grab a drink, listen to live music, and soak up that downtown energy. With places like Maiden Lane and Mid-Market on the map, it’s clear The City is trying to bring a little life (and a lot of booze) to some of our quieter areas.
Proposition 33: What It Could Mean for Rent Control in San Francisco and the Impact on Small Property Owners
Hey San Francisco, let’s dive into something that could have a big impact on our City—California Proposition 33. This upcoming proposition could tighten statewide rent control measures, and while it sounds like a win for tenants, the reality is more complex, especially for small mom-and-pop investors who rely on rental income for their retirement. Let’s break down what this means and compare it to the current rent control measures in place in San Francisco.
Pace Yourself: Walks in The Bay Area
As I sit here today, I can hear the wind howling outside my window. The fog has settled over the Inner Sunset, while the rest of the City—Noe Valley, Potrero Hill, and even the Outer Sunset—are all basking in blue skies. Yes, it’s yet another classic San Francisco summer! Honestly, that’s one of the many reasons I love living here. I’m not a fan of hot weather; it makes me feel like I’m going to melt, which keeps me indoors. But the cool coastal air here? It lets me enjoy everything the City has to offer without breaking a sweat.
Mortgage Rates Going UP and How it Affects Your SF Home Purchase
Per the folks over at Daily Real Estate News mortgage rates are heading upwards. And while rates are STILL historically low, the increase in rates CAN affect your purchase power significantly. How significantly, you ask?
San Francisco Real Estate – Spring Market Outlook from Zephyr Real Estate
In case you’re a regular reader here at the blog, you probably have noticed the ridiculous lack of steady posts over the last several weeks. Things in the SF real estate market have been anything but slow, and Zephyr has the scoop:
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 San Francisco Studio Condo for $220,873!
Some of you may have heard about the San Francisco’s Below Market Rate Housing Program. It allows would-be homebuyers with income that is somewhat restricted to actually buy a home of their own.
San Francisco – Spring has SPRUNG!
My favorite sign of spring in SF is always forget-me-nots! Of course, with that comes a busy spring home buying season. I was busy with sellers and buyers since January, but it seems things are ramping up to get even busier, which may mean less blog posts here.
$18,000 in Free Money for San Francisco Home Buyers
You read that right! First time home buyers that get into contract before May 1st and close between May 1st and June 30th get a big fat tax credit!
I could rehash the details, or I could give you the skippy straight from the horse’s mouth (and by horse, I mean the San Francisco Association of Realtors.) You’re getting the latter:
March 2010 San Francisco Housing Sales Data is Here!
Yet again, Luba’s San Francisco Real Estate Blog brings you latest San Francisco Real Estate market report here. (You can also view previous market updates by selecting the archives on the upper right portion of the screen). Heres’s a little glimpse of the report:
Spend Less Green to Go More Green in San Francisco
Good news my earth loving, tree hugging, composting, recycling, reusing San Franciscans!
From the San Francisco Association of Realtors: