SF Real Estate Examiner

Q & A on first-time buyer tax credit extension

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:55:51 -0700

I need to kick off this posting with a big caveat: I'm not a tax expert nor a CPA, and you need to verify all this information with your accountant or tax professional. The information below was drawn from a National Association of Home ...

When rates don't cooperate, cheaper real estate doesn't necessarily mean it's less expensive to own

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:17:52 -0700

"If prices come down 10% but rates increase by 1 percentage point, that would mean the same monthly payment today versus waiting.”New York Times, 7/27/09“As the Fed begins to wind down its purchases in the next few months, rates will...

Another screamin' deal in San Francisco - 1708 Fell

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:33:53 -0700

The sub $650K market for 2brs is where it's at right now. Everybody wants one. This one is a sweet deal. Seller is wa-a-a-y motivated and wants to close by end of year.1708 FellThree reasons this puppy has been overlooked:1. Busy street. Makes you ju...

First Time Home Buyer Credit extended. . . and expands to offer opportunities for move-up buyers

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:56:09 -0700

The federal home-buyers' tax credit has been extended through April 30, 2010, with a 60-day extension if a binding contract is in place prior to the deadline. First-time home buyers will continue to be eligible for a tax credit of up to $8,000...

Don't know Jack? You should!

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:20:17 -0700

After I blogged about the wonders of EveryBlock San Francisco, one of my Favorite People emailed me about MapJack – another amazing site that offers a street level view of every location in San Francisco, Palo Alto, San Jose, Oakland and a f...

When does going solar make economic sense?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:36:47 -0700

Installing solar panels can cost you in the tens of thousands.To see how long it will take you to recoup your investment,findsolar.com can help you figure out the cost benefits over time. In addition to doing the simple math around savings on your...

Market snapshot of San Francisco real estate, November 17, 2009

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:21:03 -0700

Pending home sales in San Francisco increased 30 percent month over month in October and 58 percent year over year, according to the latest Market Focus report issued jointly by Rosen Consulting Group and the San Francisco Association of Realtors ...

Ten tips for first-time homebuyers

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:41:15 -0700

This post is geared for newbies, as well as homebuying veterans who may need a brushup on the basics. Most of these tips come from Eric Bramlett, a real estate broker out of Austin, Texas. 1) Decide whether it's time to move. Weigh ...

San Francisco Decorators Showcase: A win-win for the right owner/seller

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:38:31 -0700

You don’t often find a true win-win situation, but this year’s San Francisco Decorators Showcase is the real deal. Typically this annual benefit for University High, the exclusive Pacific Heights school, involves finding a large and la...

The Mission's gettin' fancy--

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:07:52 -0700

This past week I went to look at the Union Condominiums for the first time. These new homes on Bryant between 20th and 21st have been long anticipated. There are two phases to the development. The first phase which opened a few weeks ago is 7...

Green eye candy: websites for eco-friendly design

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:37:51 -0700

Plyboo Flooring - Bamboo flooring that comes from responsibly managed forests. Wonderful texture and color choices. PaperStone - PaperStone’s eponymous product is a durable architectural finishings for everything from countertops to fur...

The "remodel or buy a house that's better" blues

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:24:27 -0700

Trying to decide between moving and remodeling? There are advantages to just making what you’ve got better instead of relocating. It can be less expensive. You can stay in the neighborhood where you’re established and familiar (provide...

How to buy a foreclosure in San Francisco-- or anywhere else, for that matter.

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:17:59 -0700

It took San Francisco a little longer than other parts of the Bay Area to catch the foreclosure wave. Early on it was easy, and getting a good deal on a foreclosure was like 'shooting fish in a barrel'. Not anymore. . .

Foreclosures in San Francisco

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:07:03 -0700

SF continues to have one of the lowest foreclosure rates in the state, with bank-owned sales constituting 10 - 15% of sales, (mostly concentrated in the city's less affluent areas). 37% of houses selling accept offers within 15 - 21 days of go...

A peek inside a buyer's head

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:53:31 -0700

Over and over again, we have to remind our sellers that the buyers coming through their homes are indifferent to what you need and want to get for your home. Here are just a few things buyers don’t care about: Buyers don’t ca...

Recent sales at Paragon

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:47:18 -0700

66 Cleary Court, #302. Listed for $565,000. Closed for $545,000. This Cathedral Hill building is a favorite for Eichler buffs. Big rooms, concrete construction, massive windows with views for days from the upper floors. Excellent square footage fo...

Market update

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:38:49 -0700

Since spring, sales activity has been quite strong: our number of sales is close to normal, indicating a near complete recovery from the September 2008 crash. SF home values seem to have stabilized, albeit at levels generally 15% - 30% b...

Why words matter: the art of writing real estate copy

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:53:00 -0700

Researcher Paul Anglin, who teaches real-estate and housing trends at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, studied the wording of more than 20,000 Canadian home listings from 1997 to 2000. His aim was to see how the language of the ads aff...

A virtual neighborhood tour -

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:21:28 -0700

Are you out of town– dreaming of living in San Francisco but haven’t a clue where? Here’s how you can take a virtual tour of any neighborhood in San Francisco: First you have to figure out where you want to live:Guide to 25 Distinct...

Attention loan modification specialists: Your up-front fees are now illegal

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:24:30 -0700

I feel like I’m beating a dead horse with all my warnings about ‘loan modification specialists’ (aka scam artists), but I continue to hear from friends and associates who are considering paying an up-front fee to someone who tell...