The housing market in San Francisco is leading the country in growth with a large demand for housing and a limited supply of inventory. Latest statistics from San Francisco Association of Realtors are showing February year-over-year single-family home inventory dropped by 38 percent while condo inventory dropped 33.3 percent for the same period. In any seller’s market, buyers work hard to be more appealing in making an offer. This begins with an increase in offer price, changes to financing parameters, and occasionally, waiving contingencies in extremely competitive markets, such as San Francisco.

Contingency-free offers bring risks. This is especially true in a city where many of the homes are older. People are not requiring the same inspections, repairs and other safeguards put in place to protect the home buyer. The calculated risk can pay off for some buyers but others, whose financing requires these contingencies, end up losing in the multiple offer situations.

“Cash is still king. More buyers are not only submitting offers well over list price, typically in the 10 -20% range, but the market place is seeing an increase in contingency-free offers,” says Dahle. “This has made the buying environment even more competitive. What are the risks for the buyer with financing versus cash buyer and how does one mitigate those risks? Especially when the offer involves limiting or ditching the safeguards of contingencies? It’s called calculated risk. Each property is different.”

Only the most informed real estate professionals can guide you through the ups and downs of the San Francisco Bay Area real estate market, and Kirk Dahle has been doing just that for buyers and sellers for several years. A relentless advocate for his clients, Kirk is constantly networking with real estate professionals to find the best listings and to bring a property to market. Contact Kirk directly at sfkirk(at)gmail(dot)com or call 415.203.8638.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/4/prweb10586144.htm

Article source: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1165943

North Beach San Francisco

Right now cash is king. Homes are consistently going for over list price with multiple offer scenarios being commonplace.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) January 31, 2013

The San Francisco market is seeing a great seller’s market. Multiple offer situations, cash in hand, and homes going to market earlier to meet buyer demand.

Business Insider reports, “Going into 2013, home prices are expected to rise 6 percent driven by steady demand, lower bank-owned (REO) sales, and lower inventory of unsold homes. This is according to CoreLogic’s latest report. The CoreLogic Home Price Index (HPI) increased 6.3 percent in 2012, the largest increase and highest level since 2006. And year-over-year home price increases were more widespread. This increase in home prices across a broader geographic spread is expected to continue in 2013.”

“Right now cash is king. Homes are consistently going for over list price with multiple offer scenarios being commonplace. Cash buyers who don’t have to deal with the financing world are winning.” Says Dahle. “A 6% increase for the year is a very promising number and we’re looking forward to a great 2013.”

Only the most informed real estate professionals can guide you through the ups and downs of the San Francisco Bay Area real estate market, and Kirk Dahle has been doing just that for buyers and sellers for several years. A relentless advocate for his clients, Kirk is constantly networking with real estate professionals to find the best listings and to bring a property to market. Contact Kirk directly at sfkirk(at)gmail(dot)com or call 415.203.8638.

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Article source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/1/prweb10386770.htm

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) January 31, 2013

The San Francisco market is seeing a great seller’s market. Multiple offer situations, cash in hand, and homes going to market earlier to meet buyer demand.

Business Insider reports, “Going into 2013, home prices are expected to rise 6 percent driven by steady demand, lower bank-owned (REO) sales, and lower inventory of unsold homes. This is according to CoreLogic’s latest report. The CoreLogic Home Price Index (HPI) increased 6.3 percent in 2012, the largest increase and highest level since 2006. And year-over-year home price increases were more widespread. This increase in home prices across a broader geographic spread is expected to continue in 2013.”

“Right now cash is king. Homes are consistently going for over list price with multiple offer scenarios being commonplace. Cash buyers who don’t have to deal with the financing world are winning.” Says Dahle. “A 6% increase for the year is a very promising number and we’re looking forward to a great 2013.”

Only the most informed real estate professionals can guide you through the ups and downs of the San Francisco Bay Area real estate market, and Kirk Dahle has been doing just that for buyers and sellers for several years. A relentless advocate for his clients, Kirk is constantly networking with real estate professionals to find the best listings and to bring a property to market. Contact Kirk directly at sfkirk(at)gmail(dot)com or call 415.203.8638.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2013/1/prweb10386770.htm

Article source: http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/San-Francisco-Real-Estate-Market-Shows-Home-Price-4241718.php

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) December 02, 2011

San Francisco home sales and prices softened slightly in the third quarter of 2011 compared with the previous quarter and same period one year ago as potential entry-level and mid-level homebuyers awaited better economic news and everyone adjusted to the notion that a “flat” real estate market characterized by modest ups and downs may be “the new normal,” says San Francisco real estate company Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate

Across the City of San Francisco, 593 existing, single-family detached homes changed hands during the third quarter of 2011, down from 665 homes sold in the second quarter and up slightly from 577 homes sold a year ago according to an analysis of MLS data by the research division of Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate. San Francisco’s real estate median sales price, meanwhile, declined to $833,372, down 5 percent from the second quarter and 8 percent lower than one year ago. Short sale and REO transactions accounted for as many as one-third of existing home sales for the quarter.

According to Mark Kelaidis, Regional Manager of Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate, “Looking ahead, expect home sales and median prices to seesaw as market conditions and buyer perceptions change in the months ahead.” Yet to be determined is the impact of the recent reduction in Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA loan limits from a maximum of $729,750 to $625,500. Beginning October 1, loans that fall above this lower “conforming” amount will require the buyer to obtain a jumbo loan, which may be subject to a slightly higher interest rate and pricing.

For more information about San Francisco, Berkeley, or Sonoma Valley real estate, call Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate at (925) 924-4617 or visit them online at www.bhghome.com. Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie is located at 2200 Union St. San Francisco, CA 94123.

About Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate

Their heritage began with the founding of Mason-McDuffie Real Estate in 1887. In 2009, the company was named the 19th largest real estate services firm in the nation and number one San Francisco’s East Bay. The company provides comprehensive solutions to home buyers and sellers and handled more than 7,300 transactions in 2010, generating $2.9 billion in sales. Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate is independently owned and operated and includes joint ventures with partners JF Finnegan Realtors, Highland Partners in Piedmont and Montclair, Wine Country Group in the North Bay, and Tri-Valley Realty in Pleasanton-Hopyard and Ruby Hill. The organization is comprised of more than 1,800 real estate agents in 37 offices.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prwebreal-estate/san-francisco/prweb9009058.htm

Article source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/12/02/prweb9009058.DTL

The real estate bust and high unemployment in the Bay Area have a lot of families on edge. Fortunately, Sharon Frederickson, owner of the Alameda pottery painting studio The Magic Paintbrush, knows the therapeutic and transformational powers of art. Both children and adults benefit from the way art presents a creative, stress-reducing bonding experience.

Psychological professionals have known the value of art therapy for many years, and Frederickson sees the cognitive benefits art can bestow every day when families come in and paint pottery in her shop.

“Pottery painting can relieve stress in kids and adults because it helps clear your mind. You can just relax and focus on the piece you’re creating, and all your other troubles and worries fall away,” says Frederickson.

Art therapy is often used to help people express themselves without having to put their feelings into words. It can help lower levels of stress and depression associated with life’s challenges like family and relationship issues, trauma, grief, cognitive problems and physical disabilities. It is effective for everyone from young children to the elderly. The American Art Therapy Association has concluded that art can help people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“All families go through life’s ups and downs, and stress can take its toll on relationships-so sometimes families need to take a timeout from day-to-day life and just enjoy being together,” said Fredrickson. “The Magic Paintbrush was created to be a welcoming environment where families can bond through creative expression.”

Frederickson says she has seen kids (and grownups) go from sullen to lit-up while they paint pottery. Young children sometimes have trouble expressing themselves verbally, so they benefit immensely from letting their feelings out through pottery painting.

“It’s a way of picturing your feelings using simple art materials, which can be much easier for kids than talking-and much more fun,” she pointed out.

Families are encouraged to discover how creating art together can bring parents and kids closer. In addition to pottery painting, the Magic Paintbrush offers creative expression through mosaics and glass fusion in the Bay Area.

For more information about the therapeutic value of pottery painting or any of The Magic Paintbrush’s products or services, call them at (510) 250-3662 or visit them on the web at www.themagicpaintbrushceramics.com.

About The Magic Paintbrush

The Magic Paintbrush is a Bay Area pottery painting, glass fusion and mosaic studios. Their pottery bisques include a variety of dishes, mugs and bowls, Disney characters, banks, jewelry boxes and figurines. Fused glass patterns can be flattened or fused into plates, bowls, and vases in their kiln. Mosaics can be made by gluing glass pieces, tiles, gems and other materials into plaques, frames, clocks, mirrors and trivets. The Magic Paintbrush hosts Bay Area birthday parties and bridal showers, and has ongoing classes, including glass fusion jewelry making and weeklong summer camp.

The Magic Paintbrush serves the San Francisco Bay Area, including the communities of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Montclair, Oakland, Piedmont, San Leandro and San Lorenzo.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prwebbay_area/pottery_painting/prweb8566034.htm

Article source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/06/11/prweb8566034.DTL