SF has never been a city making news for selling cheap homes, but this year, we surprised even ourselves by selling expensive ones. Here are a smattering of  expensive home sales in San Francisco this year, from 1st to 5th most pricey. (For a complete list, visit CurbedSF.)

1. Sperling sells to Sacks  and 2845 Broadway finally sells: $20 million

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Note: Trulia’s original reports of $34.5 million were incorrect. Per tax records, this home sold for $20 million.

2. The Zynga/One King’s Lane Pincus home: $16 million

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3, 4 and 5.

Banner Year for Bay Area median home prices

San Francisco also made news for median sold price gains- and this not just in the city proper. The whole Bay Area had a banner year, including the formerly battered East Bay where home values slumped after real estate’s big crash. ZipRealty posted these figures, showing year-over-year growth from 11/2011 to 11/2012, of single-family homes.  Unless we have a major surplus of inventory in the next few months, it doesn’t seem likely these numbers will head south with the New Year.

Going up!

But readers always have their own opinions, so let’s have them now: What does your crystal ball (or other, more reliable source)tell you to expect from Bay Area home prices in 2013?

Anna Marie Erwert writes from both the renter and new buyer perspective, having (finally) achieved both statuses. She focuses on national real estate trends, specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaMarieErwert

Article source: http://blog.sfgate.com/ontheblock/2012/12/27/looking-back-at-san-franciscos-amazing-real-estate-year/