• CommentsComments(1)Comments()
• Email
• Print
• 0

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

If you’re shelling out $2 million to modernize your Pacific Heights Georgian Tudor Revival mansion, you don’t wanna spend the next year staring out your front window at a fluorescent green box where the construction workers go to the bathroom.

And your neighbors really, really don’t want their view impeded by a Porta-Potty.

“They look like crap,” one neighbor succinctly put it. (It’s difficult to write about this topic without scatological commentary.)

Linda Gebroe, who blogs about the renovation of her Noe Valley house, put it more delicately.

“It’s such an eyesore on the sidewalk,” she said.

Some high-end contractors in San Francisco have responded by crafting decorative enclosures for the chemical toilets their workers use.

“When we first started doing it, some woman pulled up in her Beemer, jumped out and said, ‘Oh, it’s so Pac Heights,’ ” said Peter Downey of Peter Downey Construction, a pioneer of the trend.

“If you take a drive around Pacific Heights, you can see some that contractors really put some thought into,” said Aaron Gordon of Aaron Gordon Construction, who has three diverse ones outside projects he’s working on.

For more on the trend and photos of some local outdoor bathroom booths click here.

But now it’s time for readers to weigh in.

Is there a pretty potty in your neighborhood or on your walk to work?

Please send a photo of the outstanding outdoor toilet, including your name, a brief description and its location to csaid@sfchronicle.com

We’ll run a gallery in a future blog post. Who knows, there may be prizes!

Costco-sized supply of toilet paper, anyone?

Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. For news and insights on Bay Area real estate, follow her on Twitter: @csaid

Article source: http://blog.sfgate.com/ontheblock/2013/09/02/seeking-the-bay-areas-prettiest-outdoor-potties/

• CommentsComments(1)Comments()
• Email
• Print
• 0

After soaring to the sky like Icarus, the San Francisco median price for sold homes has finally fallen. Not as dramatically as Icarus fell, mind you– more like a gentle downward current pushing that price point from $915K (for both condos and single-family homes) in May of this year, down to $870K in June and then slightly up from there to $879K in July, staying fairly flat into August.

Meanwhile, a perusal of the MLS for San Francisco homes listed within close range of the current median of $879K reveals a market still rather over-heated. For instance, this unit on Ashbury is 2 beds, 2 baths, 1,300 square feet, listing at $899K. It is a recent conversion to a condo, and includes a shared yard, 1-car parking and extra storage. Still, that’s almost $700 per square foot.

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

For luxury high-rise condos, we have this example in the SoMa Grand building, a 1,031-square-foot 2-bed/2-bath that includes use of community features like a lounge, gym, courtyard and spa. Listing at $895K, this one also comes with an HOA of $678 per month.

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Crazier still, but perhaps down to its location, is this listing on Homestead in coveted Noe Valley, a single-family home. No interior shots yet, as the house is still marked “coming soon,” the listing does reveal that it’s only 708 square feet. And the price, $949K, would make it $1,340 per each of those squares.

Share this gallery: 1 of 4 

Share this gallery: 1 of 4 

Share this gallery: 1 of 4 

Share this gallery: 1 of 4 

As Paragon Real Estate Group explains:

Monthly median prices are often subject to fluctuation without great meaningfulness, but after the big, definitive jump early in the year, the median sales price has been within a 4-5% spread for five months, including a drop from an April-May spike. The idea of a plateau contradicts the recent Case-Shiller Index reports of continuing increases, but

1) the C-S Index is about 3-5 months behind current realities

2) San Francisco is only a tiny part of the 5-county SF Metro Area Index

3) The city itself has strongly outperformed C-S Index since the turnaround began – having appreciated so much faster than other places, we may be due a flattening of appreciation before other areas. And, of course, this also may be true for different SF neighborhoods which began their rebounds at different times and have accelerated at different speeds – some may be plateauing while others are still appreciating.

Other factors to consider in this slight cooling of what’s been a red-hot market: seasonality, higher-interest rates, and buyer burn-out due to low inventory, or buyers becoming more willing to push back against high prices. “We may have reached a plateau or bumped into a ceiling of what buyers are willing to pay, thus transitioning into a somewhat different market from spring’s overheated frenzy,” hypothesizes Paragon. But of course, time will tell.

What Should We Expect for Fall?

Chime in, readers: what should be next for San Francisco home prices? Have we hit the ceiling yet, or will Icarus fly still closer to the sun?

Bumped our head on the ceiling? Data via Paragon Real Estate Group. http://www.paragon-re.com/Market_Updates/

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/2013/08/29/san-francisco-median-home-price-hits-plateau/

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Winning the award for 3rd most pricey home on the San Francisco MLS is the Jackson Street abode you see above, nearly 9,000 square feet with 6 beds and 6.5 baths. Readers should note the home’s listing price, $17.5 million, breaks down to asking $1,984 per square foot. Not that this would scare luxury buyers in San Francisco; the home itself went pending just six days after it listed, according to Redfin property records. We don’t know yet what it will actually sell for, but we doubt it’s much less than what the sellers ask given the alacrity of the transaction.

Coming in 2nd is this palatial affair hulking over Washington St.

Share this gallery: 1 of 12 

Share this gallery: 1 of 12 

Share this gallery: 1 of 12 

Share this gallery: 1 of 12 

Share this gallery: 1 of 12 

Share this gallery: 1 of 12 

Share this gallery: 1 of 12 

Share this gallery: 1 of 12 

Share this gallery: 1 of 12 

Share this gallery: 1 of 12 

Share this gallery: 1 of 12 

Share this gallery: 1 of 12 

This property is so big, it has two MLS listing pages, one for the main house and one for the guest house.  Neoclassical outside and over-the-top on the inside, the home offers almost 18,000 square feet, 8 beds, 7 baths, and the aforementioned guest house at an additional 2,600 square feet.  All this, plus a corner lot Presidio Heights location, set this home at an astonishing $21 million. Not so astonishing anymore, maybe, not after Yammer founder David Sacks paid $20 million for the not even finished 2845 Broadway. However, no one has rushed to snap up this one, hot luxury market or not. The home listed for $25M in May of 2012 and was reduced in March to $21M.

Coming in 1st is this home, lined up with traditional billionaire mansions on Broadway, but looking quite different from its peers.

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

We can only thus far see plans for the interior and multiple floors, but the exterior rendering is remarkable, as is the view, and the price. Asking $28,950M, 2712 Broadway is officially the most expensive home listed on the SF public MLS. It offers 6 beds, 6 baths in 11,607 square feet, which calculates to $2,494 per square foot. Too pricey even for that stretch of street? Time will tell.

Buyers want, and can afford, high-end

Meanwhile, luxury properties enjoy a continued popularity in 2013. Paragon Real Estate Group shows this in a recent 2nd quarter report:

Going up! Demand for pricey homes going up, and prices with it. Courtesy Paragon Real Estate Group

How high is too high?

When, and at what price, will buyers balk? Or is the appetite for luxury in San Francisco insatiable?

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/2013/07/16/three-most-expensive-homes-on-the-san-francisco-mls/

Would you pay $18K a month to rent this place, because it has a view of the Bay and thus the race action?

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

Share this gallery: 1 of 11 

The home, perched atop Clarendon Heights, is one of many being marketed as a temporary rental specifically suited for fans of America’s Cup, and is actually the least expensive example we’ll offer today. Per its write up through Trulia, this is a 3 bed, 2 bath, “available June 15th through August 15th.” For the  weekly rental price of $5,000, up to 12 people could share the home, which includes “sweeping views of the Ocean, Golden Gate Bridge, North and East Bay” plus two-car garage, patio, and utility costs (as long as they don’t exceed $250 a month, which if 12 people actually stay there, is possible).

$18K a month is a bargain, going by this next example:

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

Share this gallery: 1 of 9 

A relatively unremarkable loft-style condo of 2 beds, 2 baths, this 2,300 square foot unit is advertised as follows: “Available July-Sept 2013. Sleeping 6 comfortably, look no further for a conveniently located place to stay for the upcoming America’s Cup races.” The views aren’t featured (we can’t tell if there is one) but the fact that it’s walkable to the Embarcadero is. For that, you’ll pay $25K a month (that includes utilities and cable, plus one car parking).

Moving still higher on the monthly rent, we land at this home somewhere on Francisco Street with a view of the action from its roof deck.

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

With 6 beds and 4.5 baths and a Marina District address, this condo asks $30K a month. Advertising on Trulia promises: “the master suite features a private deck, and there is a rooftop deck with extensive views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz… and full view of the Americas Cup Events this summer.”

Is America’s Cup fever  really this hot?

Can homes close to, or with a view of, the fabled race really command prices like these? The comments await.

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/2013/07/11/americas-cup-sends-rentals-into-the-stratosphere/

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

On the market over 100 days now, Barry Zito’s  home has made news before, first when it listed for $11,495,000 in 2012, then when it dropped $1M in price, and now again, slashed another $720K.

“Villa Della Pace” is actually quite gorgeous, a welcome departure from gaudy, over-the-top celebrity homes we all see too often. The home offers 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths plus numerous entertainment room options, a pool with outdoor lounge area, plus panoramic views of Phoenix Lake and the hills of Marin County. Outside, find 2.2 acres of private land, embellished with stone terraces, lawns and gardens as well as an outdoor fireplace, cooking area, fountain, spa, and the aforementioned spectacular swimming pool.

Inside details like an extra-large custom stone shower, double sinks, and walk-in closet in the master suite continue the theme of tasteful but certainly “a taste for the good life” luxury.

On top of that, add Zito’s fame. Why aren’t rich Giants fans knocking down doors for the privilege of owning what was once the 2-time World Champ’s home (who incidentally purchased it in 2007 for $8,863,000)?

What do you say, readers? What will it take for Villa Della Pace to sell?

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/2013/07/09/barry-zito-slashed-marin-home-price-again/

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

Share this gallery: 1 of 16 

“Cash is king” is an all-too-true cliche in today’s Bay Area real estate market, where all-cash offers can beat out those with mortgages, even when the financed offers are higher. That’s motivating some folks — even fairly regular  people who don’t have Silicon Valley mega-bucks — to go the extra mile to be able to make cash offers.

Whether it’s borrowing from relatives, taking out a home equity loan, tapping retirement funds, or a combination, having that cash in hand can vault a buyer to the front of the line. For a detailed look at how some ordinary people took extraordinary steps to become cash buyers, click here.

“It’s an oft-told tale right now,” said Stuart Maus, an agent with Red Oak Realty in the East Bay. “The market is super-competitive. A cash buyer can afford to lay up a little bit, knowing that the terms of all cash and the ability to have a short close may counter a slightly higher offer with a longer escrow period. A buyer with all cash can sharpen their pencil and come in more aggressively with price.”

Consider 3361 Victor in Oakland’s Redwood Heights neighborhood (pictured above). The modernist home closed in late April for $820,000, 19 percent over asking.

“The winning buyer paid all cash with no loan or appraisal contingencies and a three-day inspection period,” said Aman Daro of Red Oak Realty (Red Oak’s Deidre Joyner was the listing agent). “There were three offers. The highest offer had inspection, appraisal and loan contingencies, so the listing agent got the lower, all-cash offer to up their price and the sellers accepted it.”

Shana Negin and her husband, who both work as technology creatives, got financial help from her parents for  an Oakland home, in which all four of them put their names on the deed.

“They wanted to put some of their retirement investments into something stable and also wanted to help us out,” she said. “Even though we have a pretty decent income, we were never going to have an opportunity to buy a house without that kind of help,” she said. “In a broader picture, people’s parents have been helping them throughout history. If this is a trend, people are just returning back to the way it was.”

Even people who buy with all cash may very well want to get a mortgage afterwards so they can pay back the source of the funds or simply have more liquidity. There are a number of issues cash buyers should consider in structuring their purchase to make sure that their cash-out refinance will go smoothly. For advice from mortgage pros on this, click here.

“A responsible buyer will not only have their cash lined up for the purchase, but will have a plan for how to manage ownership of the property in the year ahead,” said Dianne Crosby, senior vice president of RPM Mortgage in Orinda.

Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. For news and insights on Bay Area real estate, follow her on Twitter: @csaid

Article source: http://blog.sfgate.com/ontheblock/2013/06/07/regular-folks-transform-into-cash-buyers-to-compete-in-hot-housing-market/

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

With all the news of a hot market, over-bidding, and homes being bought before they even hit the MLS, we thought a small dose of humble pie might be in order for San Francisco real estate. For instance, despite being 4 beds, 4 baths with a deck, backyard and lower level rec room, the Octavia Street home above hasn’t sold in over 25 days; not only that, it’s had to drop its price $300K in hopes of finding a buyer.

What will it ultimately sell for?

Condos

Condos have been in demand as well, but that doesn’t mean every single one flies off the market at over-asking price. This Bryant St. unit, a loft-like 1 bed, 2 bath with deeded parking, listed in early June for $649K and is now down to $599K.

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

Share this gallery: 1 of 8 

What price do you think it might actually get, readers?

Co-ops

Co-ops too, despite the (limited) allure of exclusivity and general rarity they enjoy, have suffered recent price-cuts. This classic example on Gough St., a 4 bed, 3,5 bath in Pacific Heights, has dropped from $2,850,000 to $2,695,000.

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

Share this gallery: 1 of 10 

How much will it finally fetch?

We’re hardly pointing out a major reversal in the market. As this infographic courtesy of Paragon Real Estate Group shows, May sales were heavily weighted toward at-or-above-asking prices.

May sales in SF sold largely at or above asking. Courtesy Paragon R.E., SF

Still, 10% of homes sold at less than asking (though not by much), proof of some (waning) buyer power still in existence.

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, and writes for SFGate and CurbedSF. Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaMarieErwert

*

Article source: http://blog.sfgate.com/ontheblock/2013/06/25/yes-price-cuts-do-still-happen-on-the-san-francisco-market/

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

Share this gallery: 1 of 13 

San Francisco gets called diverse, liberal, wealthy, and over-educated– often.  And apparently, such adjectives are verifiable, thanks to these handy graphs developed by Paragon Real Estate (view the original post with more slides at The Frontsteps blog). Note that the data crunched here is predominately that of the 2010 census, so some figures will be less than current, and perhaps not completely accurate as they are subject to that which is (and is not) reported to the census.

Still, overall, kind of cool stuff. And to most residents, these slides seem to tell of a version of San Francisco that’s pretty close to the real story.

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, and writes for SFGate and CurbedSF. Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaMarieErwert

Article source: http://blog.sfgate.com/ontheblock/2013/06/18/san-francisco-stats-like-youve-never-seen-them/

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

Share this gallery: 1 of 19 

San Francisco doesn’t offer the best area for people hoping to buy bargain fixer-upper homes, probably because even fixers sell for a fortune in the Bay Area, and not many properties end up foreclosed or otherwise abandoned to decay much anyway, given the value of property in general.  So, even among our few homes for sale needing “TLC,” we don’t find many “bargains.” The properties above show that.

Among the currently MLS listed homes for sale in San Francisco proper, only 16 came up under a parameter search for “fixer-upper,”  and zero came up when the term “foreclosure” was also added.  RealtyTrac maps SF’s  pre-foreclosures (we’ve got 180 shown in purple below), bank owned (we have 185 marked in gold below), and for auction properties (we’ve got 41, marked in red below). This section of the map shows you a portion of the RealtyTrac heat map.

A portion of RealtyTrac’s heat map for distressed property in SF.

Slim pickings, really, in a city with a lot more potential homebuyers than potential homes for sale. The city’s inventory in May was down 24.5% year-over-year.

Best cities for fixer-upper bargains

RealtyTrac, prolific provider of U.S. real estate data with a particular focus on foreclosure-related activity, analyzed national data to find the 15 best markets for buying fixers at discount prices. The figures show the number of foreclosed homes old enough to potentially be candidates for makeovers that are also valued at $100K or less– a sure sign, in more robust markets– of a bargain. Also analyzed here: the average market value of a distressed home as well as the change in the median sales price of such properties in each location year-over-year.

“Low-priced homes are still plentiful in many markets, particularly in the form of foreclosures,” said Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac vice president. “While these homes may be in need of more work than a typical home and are certainly harder to find now than in previous years, buyers and investors willing to put in a little extra legwork and sweat equity can often find the best deals in their markets on these foreclosure fixer-uppers.”

RealtyTrac analysis found that nationwide , there are more than 51,000 potential foreclosure fixer-uppers: bank-owned homes that were built before 1960 with an estimated market value below $100K.

Meanwhile, back in SF

As usually happens when we compare other parts of the country to San Francisco, our home prices stand out in sharp relief. For less than you’d need for a downpayment on a fixer here, you could buy an entire home outright somewhere else. So if your reason for wanting a fixer-upper is bargain price (though of course, “bargain” is a relative term), you might want to look elsewhere.

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, and writes for SFGate and CurbedSF. Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaMarieErwert

Article source: http://blog.sfgate.com/ontheblock/2013/06/10/top-cities-to-buy-bargain-fixer-uppers-dont-include-san-francisco/