FACTORS AND WILD CARDS IN BAY AREA REAL ESTATE MARKETS
Bay Area real estate markets are affected by an enormous mix of economic, demographic, social, political, and environmental issues – local, national, and international ...
CITY & COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO RELEASES JUNE 2021 STATUS REPORT ON THE RE-OPENING OF THE SAN FRANCISCO ECONOMY
On June 24, 2021 the Office of the Controller and the Office of Economic Analysis of the City & County of San Francisco released a status report on the re-opening of the...
HOW TO PREVENT FIRES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE YOUR HOME
Whether you’re cooking for your family or relaxing by the fireplace, consider these tips for preventing fires inside and outside your home: 1. Stay in the kitchen whe...
SALESFORCE TOWER’S “DAY FOR NIGHT” 9-STORY LED ART INSTALLATION: VISIBLE FOR 20 MILES
After years of anticipation and speculation, the public art installation crowing the top 9 floors of the 61 story Salesforce tower was finally revealed on May 22, 2018. Local...
ENVIRONMENTAL WELLNESS CENTERS BECOMING A TREND IN NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION
Environmental wellness is no longer a trend in home construction. As a result of shelter-in-place mandates it has become a much larger movement, aimed at weaving awareness and...
ENVIRONMENTAL WELLNESS CENTERS BECOMING A TREND IN NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION
Environmental wellness is no longer a trend in home construction. As a result of shelter-in-place mandates it has become a much larger movement, aimed at weaving awareness and...
U.S. CENSUS ESTIMATES BAY AREA POPULATION DROPPED BY 52,500 RESIDENTS (.6%) IN THE YEAR TO JULY 2020
According to U.S. Census estimates, the Bay Area’s population dropped by 52,550 residents or .6% in a 12-month period leading up to July of 2020, a surprising statistic...
THE EMERALD, SEATTLE’S NEWEST LUXURY WATERFRONT CONDOMINIUM TOWER SET ABOVE PIKE PLACE MARKET, PRESENTS UNIQUE OPPORTUNIT
migration from major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, many buyers have turned to investing in the city’s vibrant downtown. For those buyers seeking a...
THE EMERALD, SEATTLE’S NEWEST LUXURY WATERFRONT CONDOMINIUM TOWER SET ABOVE PIKE PLACE MARKET, PRESENTS UNIQUE OPPORTUNIT
As Seattle continues to see increased migration from major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, many buyers have turned to investing in the city’s...
LUMBER COSTS REPORTED UP 374% OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS
WHAT IS CAUSING THE SPIKE? Who would have guessed that lumber would be such a hot topic in 2021? In April of 2020, the average cost for a builder nationwide on all lu...
GEORGE RANCH: ONE OF SONOMA’S BEST KEPT SECRETS
A GATED COMMUNITY OF 51 LUXURY HOMES 3 MILES WEST OF SONOMA PLAZA Originally part of General Vallejo’s Sonoma land grant, George Ranch entered modern history when, in...
NEW TECHNOLOGY TO FIGHT CAR BREAK-INS: INTRODUCING THE OWLCAM
“Smash and Grab” car break-ins hit an alarming all-time high of over 31,000 reported incidents last year in San Francisco. During the pandemic broken window...
TIPS ON INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE FOR BEGINNERS
Investing in real estate is one of the smartest moves you can make. Whether you are interested in purchasing a single-family home for yourself or considering a rental property...
RESEARCH INDICATES STAGED HOMES SPEND 73% LESS TIME ON THE MARKET THAN NON-STAGED HOMES - AND SELL FOR UP TO 17% MORE
The moment you commit to marketing your home for sale you need to commit to transforming it into a place that potential buyers can easily picture as their home. This means...
TWELVE YEARS IN THE MAKING, A VERTICAL COLLECTION OF SPACIOUS, GRAND ESTATE-STYLE HOMES RISES IN THE HEART OF SAN FRANCISCO
Twelve years in the making and withstanding two global financial setbacks and a historic pandemic, Four Seasons Private Residences at 706 Mission, San Francisco is now fully...
PRIVATE EAST BAY RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ‘DELTA COVES’ ON BETHEL ISLAND SEES SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN BUYERS FOR Q1 20
There have been many news stories about the Bay Area exodus as a result of the pandemic. Here is one about an exodus from city life to island life. But not to Hawaii&hellip...
EVALUATING A HOME’S POTENTIAL: THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR AND WHAT TO ANTICIPATE
After months of searching for just the right home you are finally (and psychologically) ready to step up an make an offer. You have been wowed by the staging and beautiful...
EVALUATING A HOME’S POTENTIAL: THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR AND WHAT TO ANTICIPATE
After months of searching for just the right home you are finally (and psychologically) ready to step up an make an offer. You have been wowed by the staging and beautiful...
UPSCALE MONTAGE RESIDENCES HEALDSBURG ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF TURN-KEY ‘HARVEST HOME’ RESIDENCES STARTING AT $5,250,00
Montage Residences Healdsburg has announced the release of their highly anticipated Harvest Homes, signature turnkey residences located within Sonoma County’s newest...
TITLE INSURANCE: CRITICAL TO PROTECTING YOUR HOME PURCHASE
When you take out a mortgage to buy a home, your lender will require that you get title insurance for the property. Title insurance can protect you and your mortgage lender...
SAN FRANCISCO CONDO MARKET SALES BRISK AFTER STAGNATING IN 2020
2020 was quite the year to forget – a perfect storm of economic turmoil. Uncertainty abounded, largely caused by the unknown effects of Covid19, an unpredictable...
PROP 19: PROVIDING HOMEOWNERS 55 AND OLDER A SIGNIFICANT TAX BREAK WHEN PURCHASING A NEW RESIDENCE ANYWHERE WITHIN CALIFORNIA
With the recent passage of Prop 19, which is scheduled to go into effect on April 1, 2021, a homeowner who is either over 55 years of age, severely disabled, or whose home was...
AVERAGE FICO SCORE OF 786 NOW NEEDED TO QUALIFY FOR LOWEST HOME MORTAGAE INTEREST RATE
In an effort to keep the US economy afloat the Fed has made a concerted effort to keep interest rates at an all time low. In fact, rates on a 30-year fixed rate home loan hit...
LISTING VIDEOS: A REQUIREMENT FOR REAL ESTATE AGENTS DURING COVID19
Video and social media marketing for real estate agent’s listings has gone from a good idea to an imperative in 2021 during Covid 19. With open houses no longer being an...
NAPA’S GRANDEST ESTATE “VILLA MILLE ROSE” HITS THE MARKET FOR $26.5 MILLION
A Napa Valley compound has just hit the market for $26.5 million, making it the most expensive listing in the county. Known as Villa Mille Rose, the expansive 19.2-acre...
QUALITIES NEEDED TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL REAL ESTATE AGENT
Thinking about becoming a real estate agent? Get ready to face tough competition. It no doubt takes a certain type of person and personality to become successful in real...
NEW SURVEY RESULTS PUBLISHED ON WEALTH MIGRATION CAUSED BY COVID19 PANDEMIC
Covid19 has accelerated housing trends that we were already seeing among successful individuals and families, and in many cases has changed how and where they plan to live in...
NOW SELLING: COSTA ELENA – A RESORT OCEANSIDE COMMUNITY IN COSTA RICA 4,700 SQ FT RESIDENCES STARTING AT $1,400,000 USD
Costa Elena, located on the Gulf of Santa Elena in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, has just announced the release of a planned resort community offering a new standard of barefoot...
SF THAT WORKS EVERYONE: A GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION SEEKING TO MAKE THE CITY WORK FOR EVERYONE
Back in August 2020, Brandon Shorenstein, Chairman & CEO of the Shorenstein Company, and Daniel Lurie founder of Tipping Point (Haas family heir to the Levi’s...
RELATED CALIFORNIA LAUNCHES LEASING AT FIFTEEN FIFTY, A BOLD NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN SAN FRANCISCO
Rising 400-feet into the San Francisco skyline, Fifteen Fifty is situated in one of the City’s most central locations and poised to become an instant landmark. Offering...
IMPORTANT ITEMS TO CONSIDER PRIOR TO MAKING HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Whether you’re renovating your entire house, or just updating your kitchen or bathrooms, planning ahead and getting into the details can be of critical importance. While...
GREAT TIPS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT
Energy efficiency means you are using less energy to do the same tasks. Here are some recommend tips to make your home more energy efficient while saving your money: Insula...
INTRODUCING UNISON HOMEBUYER: Offering a creative way to get the cash you need to put 20% down on a home
A growing number of millennials have given up on the thought of homeownership in the prohibitively expensive Bay Area, with the cost of a starter home edging up towards $1,500...
HOW TO PREVENT WILDFIRES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE YOUR HOME
Whether you’re cooking for your family or relaxing by the fireplace, consider these tips for preventing fires inside and outside your home: 1. Stay in the kitchen whe...
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A WILDFIRE: PROACTIVE STEPS TO TAKE
With a record number of wildfires, acres burned, and homes destroyed in recent years, here are some proactive steps you can take to keep your family and home safe: Evacuat...
TIME TO RECONSIDER PURCHASING EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE BEFORE THE ‘BIG ONE’ STRIKES
2020 has been an unprecedented year for disasters, with Californians having to deal with one nightmare after another: recurring wildfires, floods, and Covid19. Yet another...
BE PREPARED WHEN DISASTER STRIKES: GET ORGANIZED WITH A HOME INVENTORY APP
The ongoing fires and evacuations in the Wine Country should serve as a wakeup call for homeowners to start thinking about organizing and assess the value of their personal...
MEXICAN RESORT REAL ESTATE SALES BOOM IN THE PANDEMIC
Playa del Carmen, Mexico – Nearly six months into the pandemic, Mexican resorts have begun to see a surge in real estate home sales. With work from home policies...
EVALUATING A HOME’S POTENTIAL - THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR AND WHAT TO ANTICIPATE
After months of searching for just the right home you are finally (and psychologically) ready to step up an make an offer. You have been wowed by the staging and beautiful...
UPSCALE MONTAGE RESIDENCES HEALDSBURG ANNOUNCES FALL 2020 OPENING
Healdsburg will welcome a new luxury outpost this fall, with private residential offerings to accompany it. Montage Healdsburg, set to open later this year, is the region...
ONE STEUART LANE, ULTRA-LUXURY CONDO BUILDING ON EMBARCADERO, CELEBRATES TOPPING OFF AHEAD OF A 2021 OPENING
Rising from one of the most premier sites on the West Coast and touting unobstructed views of San Francisco’s historic Bay Bridge and Ferry Building, Paramount Group,...
A NEW WAVE OF DOGPATCH LIVING: ONE-OF-A-KIND WATERFRONT RESIDENCES AT 2177 THIRD
Quickly becoming San Francisco’s newest social epicenter, Dogpatch remains one of San Francisco’s most sought-after neighborhoods given its prime walkable location...
SOTHEBY’S ANNOUCES ACQUISITION OF FAMILY OWNED MCGUIRE REAL ESTATE
Upscale Sotheby’s International Realty (‘SIR’), in partnership with Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty (‘GGSIR’) has announced...
C.A.R. JULY 2020 UPDATED COVID-19 GUIDELINES: OPEN HOUSES ON A ‘WALK-IN” BASIS STILL PROHIBITED
On July 2, the Departments of Public Health released new guidance on COVID-19, including some relating to real estate. While there are some changes indicated, they do not...
INTRODUCING COSTA ELENA - A PLANNED MASTER COMMUNITY IN COSTA RICA
Costa Elena, located on the Gulf of Santa Elena in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, has announced the release of a planned master community offering a new standard of barefoot luxury...
MANDARINA: MEXICO’S HOTTEST ULTRA-LUXURY RESORT DESTINATION TO DEBUT IN THE FALL OF 2020
With increasing demands for comfortMANDARINA The Mandarina, a 640-acre ultrahigh-end resort development located less than an hour north of Puerto Vallarta (soon to be 30 mi...
NEW DIGITAL EXPERIENCE AT FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE RESIDENCES AT 706 MISSION, SAN FRANCISCO PUTS SAFETY, PERSONALIZED SERVICE AND C
With increasing demands for comfort and safety now at the forefront of luxury living, San Francisco homeowners are looking to trusted experts for more customizable and...
SALES OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES IN SAN FRANCISCO DECLINE 60% IN MAY 2020 DUE TO COVID19 PANDEMIC
The continuing global pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the San Francisco real estate market. In May, 2020 the number of single-family homes sales declined by nearly...
HOUSING COSTS IN SAN FRANCISCO CONTINUE TO SOAR: INCOME NEEDED TO PURCHASE A STARTER HOME NOW EXCEEDS $333,000
San Francisco is a great place to live, if you can afford it. The only problem is, many can’t. The average price for a 2-bedroom apartment is now hovering around $3,600...
BILL BULLOCK, CEO OF GOLDEN GATE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY NAMED ‘2020 GAME CHANGER’ BY REAL TRENDS
Bill Bullock, President and CEO of Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Real Estate has been awarded the honor of “2020 Game Changer” by REAL Trends. REAL ...
RESEARCH INDICATES STAGED HOMES SPEND 73% LESS TIME ON THE MARKET THAN NON-STAGED HOMES AND SELL FOR UP TO 17% MORE
The moment you commit to marketing your home for sale you need to commit to transforming it into a place that potential buyers can easily picture as their home. This means...
SF COVID-19 EVICTION MORATORIUM PROTECTION EXPANDED UP TO 6 MONTHS AFTER MAYOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER EXPIRES
ImaginOn March 13, 2020 Mayor London Breed issued and Executive Order that included new eviction rules and protections for tenants unable to pay rent. Under the Mayor’s...
OWNERS AT THE LUXURIOUS RITZ-CARLTON RESIDENCES IN DOWNTOWN LA OUTRAGED AT PLAN TO MOVE THE HOMELESS INTO EMPTY HOTEL ROOMS
Imagine spending millions of dollars to buy one of the luxurious Ritz-Carlton residences in downtown Los Angeles only to learn you may soon be sharing space with the homeless....
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (C.A.R) RELEASES “NEW GUIDELINES FOR REAL ESTATE BEST PRACTICES DURING COVID-19”
As of March 31, 2020 The California Association of Realtors (C.A.R) has updated their Best Practices guidelines related to real estate agents and their clients entering a...
NEW GUIDANCE RELEASED AS OF 04.21.2020 FOR SAN FRANCISCO REALTORS® UNDER SHELTER-IN-PLACE ORDER
As of April 21, 2020 the San Francisco Association of Realtors (SFAR) has updated their guidelines for realtors transacting in San Francisco based up on the Mayor’s...
NATIONAL NOTARY ASSOCIATION ESTABLISHES CORONAVIRUS GUIDANCE FOR MOBILE NOTARIES
More than 70 representatives of the mortgage finance industry met with the National Notary Association (NNA) this week to solidify important health and safety guidance for...
OpenSFHistory: an online overview of nostalgic photos of San Francisco from the 1850’s thru the 1970’s
Ever wonder what your street or district in San Francisco looked like over 100 years ago? Check out an online site many are unaware of called OpenSFHistory www.opensfhistory...
BECOMING FINANCIALLY LITERATE
A basic understanding of money is rarely acquired through today’s educational system. If one does not take business related classes, the subject of money is usually...
BECOMING FINANCIALLY LITERATE
A basic understanding of money is rarely acquired through today’s educational system. If one does not take business related classes, the subject of money is usually...
OpenSFHistory: an online overview of nostalgic photos of San Francisco from the 1850’s thru the 1970’s
Ever wonder what your street or district in San Francisco looked like over 100 years ago? Check out an online site many are unaware of called OpenSFHistory www.opensfhistory...
INTRODUCING SERIF, A NEW MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT REVITALIZING MID-MARKET STREET: 242 CONDO RESIDENCES TO BE RELEASED IN SUMMER 20
Rising 400-feet into the San Francisco skyline, Fifteen Fifty is situated in one of the City’s most central locations and poised to become an instant landmark. Offering...
MAYBE AN INSTALLMENT SALE IS RIGHT FOR YOU
An installment sale is a sale of property that involves receiving at least one payment after the tax year of the sale. Installment sales can provide a method for preserving...
RELATED CALIFORNIA LAUNCHES LEASING AT FIFTEEN FIFTY, A BOLD NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN SAN FRANCISCO
Rising 400-feet into the San Francisco skyline, Fifteen Fifty is situated in one of the City’s most central locations and poised to become an instant landmark. Offering...
SELLER DISCLOSURES
Disclosure laws vary from state to state; most states require a seller to disclose any and all material facts that might have some impact on value when transferring title to...
THE DUPLEX ADVANTAGE
We feel that more people should consider purchasing a duplex instead of a home. Whether you are in the market to purchase a home or investment property, the duplex fits both...
FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE RESIDENCES AT 706 MISSION STREET SETS THE BAR WITH WORLD-CLASS DESIGN AND LUXURIOUS AMENITIES
Located in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Yerba Buena arts and cultural district, Four Seasons Private Residences at 706 Mission Street, San Francisco combines...
FIRST IMPRESSSIONS
First impressions are everything. When preparing to sell your home good curb appeal is invaluable. Everybody has heard the term “curb appeal”, but what exactly...
SAASIL, A CONDO-HOTEL PROJECT IN THE RESORT TOWN OF TULUM, MEXICO ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF 24 VILLAS WITH AN AFFORDABLE PRICE P
Located just 90 minutes from Cancun on the world-famous Riviera Maya, Tulum has become one of Mexico’s most sought after destination cities - not to mention one of the...
WILSON MEANY AND STOCKBRIDGE CAPITAL GROUP DEBUT INITIAL PRICING FOR RESIDENCES AT YERBA BUENA ISLAND
In response to tremendous interest, boutique developer Wilson Meany and real estate investment firm Stockbridge Capital Group have unveiled the first phase of pricing for...
IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO BUY?
idelines waiting to buy real estate because of the extremely competitive, now might be the time to make your purchase. With the exceptions of a few prime locations, Peninsula...
RAILROAD BARON CHARLES CROCKER’S 40-FT NOB HILL “SPITE FENCE”: A FEUD LASTING 26 YEARS
In the mid 1860’s railroad tycoons Mark Hopkins, Charles Crocker, Leland Stanford and Collis Potter Huntington became incredibly wealthy as the four founders of the...
WHY WAIT TO FIX UP YOUR PROPERTY
We have all seen the commercial where the mechanic says “You can pay me now or pay me later”. We all know the importance of preventative maintenance; maintenanc...
ESTIMATES OF FAIR MARKET VALUE VERSUS CAP RATES & GROSS MULTIPLIERS
Often you may hear the terms estimate of fair market values, cap rates or capitalization rate and gross multipliers in relationship to real estate. What exactly do these terms...
UNIQUELY DESIGNED MAISON AU POINT CONDOMINIUMS SCHEDULED TO BE RELEASED IN THE SUMMER OF 2020 IN SAN FRANCISCO’S MARINA D
Featuring a unique design concept that maximizes outdoor exposure and natural light, Maison au Pont condominium residences will be available for sale by early summer in San...
COMMON REAL ESTATE MYTHS
Even though most people are only involved in one or two real estate transactions in a lifetime, everybody seems to think that they know more about real estate than they do....
COMMON WAYS OF HOLDING TITLE
We are often asked “How should we hold title?” It seems like it should be an easy question to answer, but it definitely is not. Since real estate is usually the...
PLAN AHEAD TO DEAL WITH UNEXPECTED HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE CLAIMS
The San Francisco Bay Area had generally enjoyed relatively reasonable home insurance rates. As a result of recent local wildfires and other large scale natural disasters in...
SAN FRANCISCO’S BARBARY COAST TRAIL: BRONZE MEDALLION WALKING TOUR
Many of us have stepped over those bronze medallions set in the sidewalk throughout San Francisco and are curious as to why they are there and what they represent, but have...
MOTIVATION IS EVERYTHING
Understanding motivation is usually crucial in real estate transactions. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, prioritizing your objectives will help you define your...
HOW SAN FRANCISCO NEIGHBORHOODS GOT THEIR NAMES
NOB HILL ...
GROSVENOR AMERICA DEBUTS CRESCENT ON NOB HILL: 44 LUXURY CONDO UNITS AT POWELL & CALIFORNIA STREETS
SALES COMMENCING JANUARY 2020 Grosvenor Americas has announced the completion of its latest luxury residential condo development, Crescent, located on Nob Hill. New York-ba...
THE CHANGING DOLLAR
We were cleaning out our desks and found a newspaper article dated November 18, 1974. The heading was “Today’s $40,000.00 house will be worth $125,000.00 in 1984...
BEING A LANDLORD
Managing rental property requires knowledge and experience in order to do a good job. Unfortunately, not all landlords are equipped for the task. They are often too busy, not...
SF SHORT TERM RENTAL HOSTS AVERAGE $12,000 IN ANNUAL EXTRA INCOME
Airbnb hosts in California earned a staggering $2 billion in 2018, welcoming 9.5 million guests – with San Francisco hosts earning $12,000 per year on average in extra...
RELATED CALIFORNIA DEBUTS MODELS AT MASON ON MARIPOSA, POTRERO HILL’S MOST DESIRABLE NEW ADDRES
Related California has announced the debut of three luxury apartment models at Mason on Mariposa, a distinctive residential community in the charming neighborhood of Potrero...
RENTERS INSURANCE
Most landlords have fire and liability insurance covering their property. Usually they get what’s called a “special form” or “broad form” policy....
HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD
Why are neighborhoods important? There are many reasons. Municipalities often try and plan or create neighborhoods but more often than not, neighborhoods are generated by the...
YERBA BUENA ISLAND: SALES OF 266 LUXURY RESIDENCES TO COMMENCE IN EARLY 2020
Boutique developer Wilson Meany and real estate investment firm Stockbridge Capital Group have revealed world-class designs for Yerba Buena Island, following the start of...
THE PALACE OF FINE ARTS: A SAN FRANCISCO ICON SURVING NUMEROUS DEMOLITION THREATS
Following the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire, San Francisco was inspired to show the world how it had risen from the ashes. In 1910, business and civic leaders convened...
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT
real estate investing. We both started in our early 20’s and had the same mentor; our two Brokers and Founders of Terrace. What they strongly advocated was the...
Agent’s Perspective - Panicked Homeowners In High Fire-prone Areas Find California Fair Plan Only Option
An unprecedented 25 million+ people in California are under red flag warnings as firefighters continue to battle blazes throughout the state. The warnings, which are issued...
Agent’s Perspective - Negotiations
Most people don’t know how to negotiate. Even in the most obvious situations where compromise is expected, most feel too awkward or embarrassed to negotiate. In the real...
Agents Perspective - The Job Of The Property Manager
Property management is a job that is much more difficult than most people can imagine. Careers in property management range from renting single family homes to residential on...
Agents Perspective - The Van Ness Improvement Project: Completion delayed until the Summer of 2021
The Van Ness Avenue corridor serves as a vital connector of neighborhoods and a regional link for travel between Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. Van Ness Avenue...
AGENT'S PERSPECTIVE - Escrow
Most people are not involved in real estate transactions very often. So, most people do not understand all the procedures involved in buying and selling real estate. The term ...
AGENT’S PERSPECTIVE - MANDARINA: MEXICO’S HOTTEST ULTRA-LUXURY RESORT DESTINATION TO DEBUT IN THE SPRING OF 2020
The Mandarina, a 640-acre ultrahigh-end resort development located less than an hour north of Puerto Vallarta (soon to be 30 minutes with the completion of a new highway...
AGENT’S PERSPECTIVE - Credit Scores
Credit scores are based on your past credit history. It is somewhat little like your driving record; they take years of your past credit behavior and arrive at a present day...
AGENT'S PERSPECTIVE - INTRODUCING LETULET: AN ONLINE DIGITIAL PLATFORM ALLOWING RENTERS TO GAIN LANDLORD APPROVAL FOR HOST
The subleasing trend among renters leveraging short-term rental services is prevalent nationwide. Renters in the Bay Area, burdened with high rent, often seek ways to make...
AGENT’S PERSPECTIVE - FEAR AND REAL ESTATE INVESTING
Fear can be a great motivator. Fear of having little control over your financial future can drive you to succeed. Over all the years of being in the real estate business we...
AGENT’S PERSPECTIVE - SAN FRANCISCO TENANT’S UNION (SFTU.org): Fighting for tenant’s rights since 1971
For more than 40 years, the San Francisco Tenant’s Union has empowered renters to know their rights, and assert them in an informed and dignified manner. A mostly...
AGENT'S PERSPECTIVE - Home Improvements
Most Realtors will tell you that improvements to your kitchen will add more value to your house than just about any other interior changes. Many buyers focus on the look and...
AGENT’S PERSPECTIVE - California Department of Insurance Reports $24 Billion in homeowner’s losses for 2017-2018:
Premiums in high fire risk areas spiral out of control ...
AGENT’S PERSPECTIVE - WHAT MAKES A GOOD AGENT?
There are many skills and talents involved in the making of a good Realtor. As in any profession, there are a few people who do exceptional work and rise to the top. There is...
AGENT’S PERSPECTIVE - JUST CAUSES FOR EVICTION: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Assuming you have a current lease or rental agreement, a landlord can only evict you for a specified reason, referred to as ‘Just Cause’. As per the non-profit San...
UNDERSTANDING THE ELLIS ACT: ALLOWING LANDLORDS THE UNCONDITIONAL RIGHT TO EVICT TENANTS AND “GO OUT OF BUSINESS”
The Ellis Act, named after former Republican State Senator James Ellis of San Diego, was adopted by the California Legislature in 1985 as a push-back to the California Supreme...
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
The owners of real estate who rent or lease out their properties to others often don’t have the time or expertise to successfully manage their properties. With poor...
Agent’s Perspective- You Are Not Just Buying Real Estate… You Are Buying An Investment
There are three things that I immediately look for in a piece of property; price, terms and appeal. Is the acquisition price fair for current market conditions? Are you paying...
Agent's Perspective - Golden Gate Sotheby's Announces "Next Level Concierge" A Program That Goes Beyond All
Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty, known for its elite network of 500 top performing agents in the Bay Area, has announced the roll out of an unprecedented new...
Agent's Perspective - Financial Indiciators Signaling That You Are Ready To Purchase Your First Home
Before you can think about buying your first home you need to make sure that your finances are in order and that you have planned wisely and thoroughly - even before the...
Agent's Perspective - Investment Real Estate
Investment real estate is real estate that produces income. Your residence is usually not considered investment real estate, but as it appreciates in value and your loans...
Agent's Perspective - Real Estate Exchanges
The 1031 tax deferred exchange offers the opportunity to exchange one property for another without paying capital gain taxes. You are able to defer the gain until the new...
Agent's Perspective - A Capital Gains Tax Deferral Strategy
Owners of businesses, real estate, and other highly appreciated assets are often reluctant to sell due to the significant capital gains tax liability that can result. In...
Agent's Perspective - Checklist for First Time Home Buyers
Buying your first home can be both exciting and daunting, especially in a competitive market such as the Bay Area. However, with a bit of prep work and research, the process...
Agent's Perspective - Real Estate Contracts
The real estate contract is the most often used and perhaps the most misunderstood tool in the real estate business. The real estate contract is based on common law principles...
Agent's Perspective - Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty’s Next Level Concierge Program
Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty’s Next Level Concierge Program: Offering Buy-Before-Selling Bridge Loan Options Unlike other metro areas th...
Agent's Perspective - Fair Market Value
What is a particular piece of real estate worth? How do you arrive at a value? There are many ways to determine the value of real estate. First there are obviously many types...
Agent's Perspective - Residential Real Estate Giant Realogy Announces New Home Buying Program “Turnkey”
Residential Real Estate Giant Realogy Announces New Home Buying Program “Turnkey” In Collaboration With Amazon On July 23, 2019, the largest residential ...
Agent's Perspective - Introducing Unison HomeBuyer
Introducing Unison HomeBuyer: Offering a creative way to get the cash you need to put 20% down on a home (even with just 10% saved!) And Transparent A growing number of mil...
Agent's Perspective - Which Realtor is Right For Me?
We are often asked, “Does it make any difference which real estate company we use?” Our response is “not really”. What does make a difference is the...
Agent's Perspective - Close of Escrow
A real estate buyer should never give the purchase money directly to the seller. In turn, the seller should never deliver a signed deed directly to the buyer. For the...
Agent's Perspective - ZeroDown: Making Home Buying In The Bay Area Simple, Clear And Transparent
Purchasing a home in the San Francisco Bay Area is not just expensive, it is cost prohibitive. Even with salaries averaging more than 45% higher than the national average, two...
Agent's Perspective - Security Deposits and Last Month's Rent
Most landlords require that tenants put up some money before moving in. Security deposits and last month’s rent payments can add up to a significant amount of money....
Agent's Perspective - Serendipia Life: Coliving Redefined For Millenials
Providing Hospitality for ‘Start-Ups, Risk-Takers, Change-Makers & Digital Nomads’ The Bay Area is in the midst of an ever-worsening housing...
Agent's Perspective - Housing Costs in San Francisco to Sour: Income needed to purchase a starter home now exceeds $333,00
San Francisco is a great place to live if you can afford it. The only problem is, many can’t. The average price for a 2-bedroom apartment is now hovering around $3,600...
Agent's Perspective - Senator Scott Wiener’s SB 150 Bill Increasing Housing Density Near Transit Hubs
Appropriations Committee defers vote on bill until January 2020 Back in December of 2018, Senator Scott Wiener introduced Senate Bill SB 50 (referred to as “The More ...
Agent's Perspective - Income Earning Real Estate
Throughout history, real estate investments have been reserved for the wealthy, since it has always been considered that successful real estate investment involves great sums...
Agent's Perspective - Real Estate Transactions
The purchase of real estate is a different type of transaction than other purchases, such as that of automobiles, clothing, appliances, furniture, and other personal property....
Agent's Perspective - FOUNDSF.org: An Interactive Website Inviting History Buffs to Share Their Stories
FoundSF is an interactive website that invites history buffs and all San Franciscans to share their unique stories, images, and videos from the past and present. This growing...
Agent's Perspective - Locally Owned Small Business
It is said that small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. However, there are fewer and fewer that are able to survive in today’s world. Terrace Realty...
Agent's Perspective - Understanding “COPA” Legislation: Non-Profits first right of refusal to purchase 3+ unit
On June 2, 2019, the City of San Francisco enacted a new ordinance significantly impacting sellers listing or privately selling buildings with 3 or more residential units ...
Agent's Perspective - Get Real Estate Fit
Getting physically fit requires a lot of self discipline and self education. You have to plan on eating right, develop an exercise program, and most importantly follow through...
Agent's Perspective - Salesforce Tower’s “Day for Night” 9-Story LED Art Installation:Visible for 20 mil
After years of anticipation and speculation, the public art installation crowing the top 9 floors of the 61 story Salesforce tower was finally revealed on May 22, 2018. Local...
Agent's Perspective - Homeowner's Insurance Policies
For years homeowner’s premiums in the Bay Area, prior to the firestorms of 2017-2019, had remained relatively reasonable and stable. However, as a result of California...
Agent's Perspective - Buying Income Property
Buying income or investment property is different than buying a home to live in. Home buyers make a lot of personal choices about neighborhoods, floor plans, school...
Agent's Perspective - Remodel or Move
What is the real estate market like where you live? If you live on the peninsula where there is very limited inventory and homes are selling at or above the asking price,...
City Profile - City of San Carlos
The City of San Carlos has a population of 28,406 and covers an area of 5.1 square miles. San Carlos’ official slogan is “The City of Good Living.” With a...
Agent's Perspective - Mayor Ed Lee’s 2012 “Twitter Tax Break”: Success Fueling SF’s Real Estate Bo
Back in 2012 Mayor Ed Lee, in a bid to stop the flow of tech businesses from relocating to The Peninsula and elsewhere, launched an incentive program commonly referred to as...
Agent's Perspective - How to be a Good Tenant
This is a subject that we, as Realtors with 40 plus years’ experience, understand well. We have seen both good and bad tenant behavior. Don’t get us wrong, there...
Agent's Perspective - The Tenderloin: Resisting Gentrification
During the Gold Rush, the Tenderloin was alive with theatres, restaurants, hotels, and brothels. The 1906 earthquake and fire suddenly changed the dynamics of the neighborhood...
Agent's Perspective - Preparing to Rent
The rental market is very limited. There are more tenants looking for places than there are places available to rent. Often when a rental unit becomes available; ten, twenty,...
Agent's Perspective - Sutro Tower: Now the 2nd tallest structure in San Francisco
Back in 1932 Adolph G. Sutro III, grandson of businessman and former San Francisco mayor Adolph Sutro, built a mansion situated on 6 acres between Mount Sutro and Tw...
City Profile - City of San Bruno
The City of San Bruno is a community driven city with a storied history. San Bruno, along with the majority of the peninsula, was originally inhabited by the Ohlone native...
Agent's Perspective - Impressions Are Not Always Reality
A reader of these articles recently came into our office with a technical real estate question. Fortunately, we were able to answer the question to her satisfaction. We then...
City Profile - The City of San Mateo - Scrumptious Living!
San Mateo has certainly matured from a sleepy 1890’s town of 932 to one of the largest suburbs of the San Francisco Bay Area at over 100,000 residents today. Sandwiched...
Agent's Perspective - San Francisco History Center
San Francisco History Center: Providing online tools to research a building's history Formed in 1964 as the California Collection, San Francisco History Cente...
Agent's Perspective - Hardest Part of the Job
We recently had a client ask what we thought was the toughest part of our jobs as Realtors. Both of us paused for a moment, and almost simultaneously said “Having to ask...
City Profile - City of Belmont
Belmont, meaning “beautiful mountain” in French, is a peninsula community halfway between San Francisco and San Jose. Situated primarily on the hills overlooking...
Agent's Perspective - Probates and Living Trusts
Even today, some people still view Living Trusts as something “only for the rich”. This misconception is far from reality. Over the last two decades, the...
Agent's Perspective - New technology to fight car break-ins: Introducing the Owlcam
“Smash and Grab” car break-ins hit an alarming all-time high of over 31,000 reported incidents last year in San Francisco. In 2019 (to date) broken window reports...
Agent's Perspective - Financial Certainty
Inflation is defined as the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, and the purchasing power of the currency is falling. Government uses...
City Profile - Town of Atherton
Originally known as Fair Oaks, the Town of Atherton was once part of the Rancho de las Pulgas Mexican Land Grant. With the development of the Southern Pacific Railroad in the...
Agent's Perspective - Quick Profit or Investment
There are two basic approaches to investing in real estate. One is to acquire properties for short term gain; the other is to acquire properties for long term appreciation and...
Agent's Perspective - Real Estate Cycles
You may have heard Realtors say “every seven to ten years the real estate market goes through a cycle.” The upward and downward fluctuations in any business are...
City Profile - City of Pacifica
Now a cozy city with a small town feel, Pacifica once served as one of the first points of contact for the 1769 Bay Area Expedition led by Gaspar de Portola. Upon discovering...
Agent's Perspective - Preserve Your Investment
Most of us who purchase investment real estate are primarily focused on accumulating the funds required and seeking out the right property. Both of these activities are very...
Agent's Perspective - San Francisco-Oakland “Bay Lights” Project: Digital Art Here to Stay
When both bridges celebrated their 75th anniversaries, San Francisco showered the Golden Gate Bridge with an elaborate fireworks show while the Bay Bridge’s birthday...
Agent's Perspective - Successful Investors
We are often asked “How do successful real estate investors get started?” The starting point and degree of success varies from individual to individual. However,...
City Profile - Redwood City
The City of Redwood City is a San Francisco Bay Area community located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the technology-rich region extending from the San Francisco Peninsula to...
Agent's Perspective - San Francisco's Tall Building Study: 16 Recommendations for Seismic Safety
It has been over 112 years since the last devastating earthquake leveled San Francisco. The 1906 earthquake’s violent shaking ignited a fire that raged for three days,...
Agent's Perspective - "As Is" Sales
Often, there are some misunderstandings and/or misconceptions held by the general public regarding the so called “As Is” sale of real estate. Often seller...
City Profile - City of San Carlos
The City of San Carlos has a population of 28,406 and covers an area of 5.1 square miles. San Carlos’ official slogan is “The City of Good Living.” With a...
Agent's Perspective - Real Estate Decisions
In order to be in a position to make decisions about purchasing real estate you first need capital. We have all heard that the first investment is the most difficult due to a...
Agent's Perspective - SF Board of Supervisors Pending ‘Conditional Use’ Renovation Legislation
SF Board of Supervisors Pending ‘Conditional Use’ Renovation Legislation: Making it impossible for meaningful home renovations of more than 10% No one seems to ...
Agent's Perspective - Home Ownership Benefits
There are many motives for home ownership. In addition to being the largest single investment most people make, a home provides a sense of security and stability, a feeling of...
Agent's Perspective - San Francisco’ Heritage Organization
Agent's Perspective - San Francisco’ Heritage Organization: Preserving & Enhancing San Francisco’s unique architectural and cultural identity. In the re...
Agent's Perspective - Real Estate Mistakes
Often people ask us what are the biggest mistakes we see people make when buying orselling real estate. The first, we would have to say, is not being prepared before entering...
Agent's Perspective - Evaluation of Income Properties
Income and expense figures are used to establish values for income properties. These figures should reflect the current market conditions in a given geographical market area,...
Agent's Perspective - The Most & Least Expensive Neighborhoods in San Francisco in 2018: The results are in
An in-depth study recently published by PropertyShark analyzedsales in all of San Francisco’s diverse 46 neighborhoods from January 1st 2018 to December 14th 2018. The ...
Agent's Perspective - San Francisco’s Central Subway Extension: Delayed until December 2019
Nearly a decade ago the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) began designing the Central Subway Project, which will extend the T Third Line underground from...
Agent's Perspective - Investing in Qualified Opportunity Zones: A new tax advantaged investment strategy
As a result of recent tax reform, Opportunity Zones have emerged as a way for distressed neighborhoods to attract needed real estate development and for investors in these...
City Profile - Town of Atherton
Originally known as Fair Oaks, the Town of Atherton was once part of the Rancho de las Pulgas Mexican Land Grant. With the development of the Southern Pacific Railroad in the...
Agent's Perspective - San Francisco's Barbary Coast Trail: Bronze Medallion Walking Tour
Many of us have stepped over those bronze medallions set in the sidewalk throughout San Francisco and are curious as to why they are there and what they represent, but have...
City Profile - City of San Bruno
The City of San Bruno is a community driven city with a storied history. San Bruno, along with the majority of the peninsula, was originally inhabited by the Ohlone native...
Agent's Perspective - Buying vs. Renting in the Bay Area: Assessing the Options
It’s hard to determine if renting or buying makes the most sense in the Bay Area - as both options are pricey. San Francisco rentals are among the most expensive in the...
Agent's Perspective - Real Estate Contingencies
Understanding contingencies in a real estate transaction is important. It is considered normal for a purchase contract to contain contingencies. Two of the most commo...
Agent's Perspective - Maintaining Real Estate
Maintenance is a continual process of balancing service and costs to preserve the physical conditionof a property. Efficient property maintenance demands an accurate ...
Agent's Perspective - California Housing Market: A Shift is Afoot
CNBC reported this week that JP Morgan economists expect economic growth to slow down in 2019 to a pace of 1.9% for the year. The economists say that the slowdown from a ...
Agent's Perspective - The Best Investment of All
There is probably no better place to start building financial security than with the purchase of a home. Few, if any, countries in the world have as high a percentage of home...
City Profile - City of Pacifica
Now a cozy city with a small town feel, Pacifica once served as one of the first points of contact for the 1769 Bay Area Expedition led by Gaspar de Portola. Upon discovering...
Agent's Perspective - OpenSFHistory: an online overview of nostalgic photos of San Francisco from the 1850’s thru th
Ever wonder what your street or district in San Francisco looked like over 100 years ago? Check out an online site many are unaware of called OpenSFHistory www.opensfhistory...
Neighborhood Spotlight - Richmond District
Offering a first-class lifestyle, the Richmond offers diverse housing opportunities, with everything from affordable single-family homes to grand manors and estates. ...
City Profile - Foster City
In 1958, real estate developer T. Jack Foster Sr. and his sons embarked on an ambitious project to build a planned community on land reclaimed from the San Francisco Bay....
Agent's Perspective - Terrified to Own Real Estate
Many people who would like to own real estate have fears that keep them from buying. Acquiring real estate is a huge financial undertaking. It is usually the largest financial...
City Profile - City of Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay prides itself on being one of the oldest community settlements in San Mateo County. Originally inhabited by the Costanoan Native Tribe, the area was settled by...
Agent's Perspective - The ABC’s of Investing
Acquiring real estate can be much more than just finding a house that you can call home. Purchasing real estate has become an increasingly popular investment vehicle for...
Agent's Perspective - Purchasing Earthquake Insurance: Myths vs. Fact
Nearly 90% of California homeowners do not have earthquake insurance, and barely 1 out of 10 commercial buildings is insured for quake, according to the California Department...
Agent's Perspective - Which Property is Best?
Some people spend years looking for a property. Others seem to locate the right property and have the confidence to purchase it in no time. Many buyers think they are looking...
Agent's Perspective - Appreciating Assets
An asset should generate a cash flow. If an asset does not generate income, then we think of it as more of a liability. For instance, a car may be a necessity and useful in...
City Profile - City of San Carlos
The City of San Carlos has a population of 28,406 and covers an area of 5.1 square miles. San Carlos’ official slogan is “The City of Good Living.” With a...
Agent's Perspective - Real Estate Agency
What is real estate agency? Why is it important for the consumer to have a general understanding of agency relationships? The basic definition of an agency is simple. Agency...
Agent's Perspective - Understanding Prop 5: Initiative To Create New Homeownership Opportunities For Young Families
California Association of Realtors (CAR) is the force behind an initiative to create new homeownership opportunities in California by generating more sales of single family...
Neighborhood Spotlight - Presidio Heights
Presidio Heights is one of San Francisco’s most prominent family friendly neighborhoods. Some of the most magnificent and architecturally significant homes in San...
Agent's Perspective - Plan Ahead To Deal With Unexpected Homeowner’s Insurance Claims
The San Francisco Bay Area had generally enjoyed relatively reasonable home insurance rates. As a result of recent local wildfires and other large scale natural disasters in...
Agent's Perspective - Neighborhood Problems
Many local cities are considering new city codes that would prohibit parking boats and RVs on streets or in driveways. Some residents feel that these vehicles are an eyesore...
SAMCAR “Cheers for Charity” Raises Over $5,100 for Housing Charities in San Mateo County
On Thursday, September 27, the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) Foundation hosted its second annual wine tasting fundraiser, “Cheers for Charity,...
City Profile - City of Burlingame
Located just 15 miles south of San Francisco, the City of Burlingame is a tight-knit, family-oriented community nestled in the heart of the Bay Area. At 6.06 square miles, the...
Neighborhood Spotlight - Corona Heights and Randall Museum
Just south of Buena Vista Park andwest of the Duboce Triangle is the small central neighborhood of Corona Heights. The streets can be narrow, curving, steep and quiet although...
CITY PROFILE - City of South San Francisco
The City of South San Francisco has a rich history. The area was originally occupied by the Ramaytush, a linguistic sub-group of the Ohlone native tribe. The first European...
Agent's Perspective - Is Now a Good Time to Buy?
If you have been sitting on the sidelines waiting to buy real estate because of the extremely competitive, now might be the time to make your purchase. With the exceptions of...
Agent's Perspective - Critical Mass
The term “Critical Mass” is derived from nuclear physics. However, the term is often used in other fields to describe the point at which the size, number, or...
Neighboorhood Spotlight - Living in the Castro
The Castro today continues to be a tourist destination with visitors from all over the world. Being that September is one of our sunniest months of the year visitors and...
Neighborhood Spotlight - Noe Valley
Noe Valley is my favorite neighborhood in SF, although, I may be biased as I also call it home! The neighborhood is named after José de Jesús Noé, who...
Home Inspection is Key to a Successful Buying Experience
The home inspection is one of the most crucial steps for buying a home, and it shouldn’t be overlooked or rushed. In fact, the inspection process has the potential to be...
Are You Ready For A Smart Home?
Today, your refrigerator can automatically order food, your window shades can close automatically from the glare of the sun and your vacuum cleaner can be programmed to work...
Agent's Perspective - Local Rental Markets
Rental prices, fueled by the healthy jobs market, continue to rise in the Bay Area. This past year we have seen rental increases ranging from 10% to 25% on the peninsula. A...
Agent's Perspective - The Deposit Receipt
When your Realtor prepares an offer to purchase a home for you it is done on a form called the deposit receipt. If the offer is accepted the deposit receipt becomes the...
Which Home to Purchase - Agent's Perspective
In most of the Bay Area, and particularly on the peninsula, most homes that are purchased are previously owned homes. This is not necessarily the case in other parts of the...
Is Airbnb Good For You?
According to the monthly publication “Insights In Real Estate”, “If you like the idea of occasionally earning some extra income from your home, Airbnb might...
West Portal
Taking its name from the entrance to the Twin Peaks Tunnel at the eastern end of its main commercial corridor, West Portal has long had the feel of a quant village just...
City Profile - Belmont
Belmont, meaning “beautiful mountain” in French, is a peninsula community halfway between San Francisco and San Jose. Situated primarily on the hills overlooking...
Things Your Real Estate Professionals Should Research For You
When you begin your search for a new home there is a lot of information you want to have regarding your potential new neighborhood. Your real estate professional should sit...
Bundle of Rights
In the past we have written articles on the importance of becoming “business fit”. The more you understand about the terms and conditions associated with real...
Real Estate Trends in 2018
If you are looking to buy or sell a house in 2018 you should be interested not only in what the market is doing here but in the national market to help identify trends so that...
City Profile - Redwood City
The City of Redwood City is a San Francisco Bay Area community located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the technology-rich region extending from the San Francisco Peninsula to...
City Profile - Historical Hillsborough
The idyllic town of Hillsborough was incorporated in 1910, after starting out as “Rancho San Mateo in the mid 1,800’s. Th e huge tract of land was purchased from...
Questions to Ask Your Lender
After taking the plunge and purchasing a new home most people are eager to get in and make the home their own. Whether this is your first home or your fifth it is important to...
Tips To Get Your Home Ready To Sell
Creating a great first impression and increasing your home’s resale value are keys to attracting prospective buyers. ...
First Projects To Tackle After Moving In
After taking the plunge and purchasing a home most people are eager to make that home their own. Here are some suggestions of things you might want to do right away. CHANGE...
Neighborhood Spotlight - West Portal
Taking its name from the entrance to the Twin Peaks Tunnel at the eastern end of its main commercial corridor, West Portal has long had the feel of a quaint village just...
Agent's Perspective - Property Management
The owners of real estate who rent or lease out their properties to others often don’t have the time or expertise to successfully manage their properties. With poor...| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
