Hello My Favorite People!

If you love getting these weekly updates as much as I do sending them, please pass them on. I love to make new friends. And remember that any good Realtor (like me) welcomes new clients, so keep me in mind anytime someone you know needs information on the SF real estate market. I believe there’s no such thing as a stupid question.

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First off, 7X7 Magazine is sponsoring an evening called “Meet Your Match at the SF Mart” on Wednesday March 29– this sounds like a singles event, but it’s really something that’s ‘organized specifically to connect young homeowners who need a little decorating direction with design professionals who have the talent to help.’ I think it’s a little bit of a meet and mingle with designers mixed with a silent auction of furniture and accessories.

I like the idea of being able to meet a number of home designers at one time. Chemistry is critical when the professional you hire will be intimately involved with your living space. I suspect they’ll also be toting portfolios so you can get an idea of their personal style—another important key when choosing just the right designer.

Anyway, I could always use some design help, so I think I’ll go. Even though I don’t qualify as a ‘young homeowner’ I bet they’ll still be happy to see me. Wanna’ come with? Just email me or call—I can give you a ride.

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The market continues to be brisk, especially for single family homes and Victorian condominium flats in Noe and Cole Valley. Hundreds of people are trooping through the open houses and multiple offers are common for these kinds of premium properties. Other segments, like SOMA lofts and condos in the Southern neighborhoods, are moving a bit more slowly – but they are moving, provided they are well-priced.

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This week, instead of ‘best buys’ I’m offering up ‘fun buys’—offbeat living spaces and other properties that inspire imagination and creativity (who doesn’t dream of owning their own shop, restaurant or cool studio space?):

1392-94 Pacific – Mixed use 2U for $1,488,000. A darling Victorian building (+/-2300 square feet total) in a dreamy Russian Hill spot right around the corner from the Hyde Street cable car. Downstairs is an established art gallery with hardwood floors, multiple rooms and track lighting. Upstairs is a nicely redone flat with new kitchen and baths. Parking is around back on Lynch Alley. No yard, but there’s a nifty roof deck with City views.

1817 19th Street- buildable Potrero Hill lot with views for $849,000. Delivered with plans and permits—a rarity for San Francisco. It’s nearly impossible to build something new right now. The drawings call for a big, Big, BIG 3br/3.5 bath home that maximizes the awesome views. The location is a hop, skip and jump to Potrero’s sweet little commercial district.

2169 Folsom, #107. Studio loft for $199,000. No, that price is not a typo. Yes, there is a catch—this is a commercial unit that is zoned for work only. However, if you’re looking for a place to set up your photo studio or meet with clients, this could be it. It’s not huge (just 419 sf), but it has a loft and high ceilings so it feels much bigger. 2169 Folsom is the Allied Box Factory building, a well known warehouse conversion loft development.

Other hot buys at good price points:

Mission District studio: $329,000. Yes the price really is that low. Good block near all the cool stuff on Valencia and Mission. Older building; lots of charm. Good light, hardwood floors, bay windows. Parking available on a rotating basis. You get wait-listed when you’re new to the building– each time a unit turns over a parking space is available to the next person in line.

If I were buying my first place and was price sensitive, I’d definitely put this one on my list to check out.

Parc Telegraph (220 Lombard): Junior 1-BR for $510K. Everyone wants the junior-one brs at Parc Telegraph because of their clever lay-outs and spacious feel. This place is a great pied-a-terre or corporate apartment. 6th floor, Bay Bridge view, and tenant occupied at a healthy rent.

The unit is being sold quietly without advertising or placement on the MLS. Please call if you have questions or would like a private showing.

That’s it for this week. Please call if you want more information about anything I’ve discussed here at 415-738-7040. I look forward to hearing from you.

Posted in Home Design, Hot Properties | Comments Off

Greetings Everyone!

So what kind of remodeling delivers the most bang for their buck when it’s time to sell? Remodeling Magazine’s “Cost vs Value Report” attempts to answer this question with an exhaustive city-by-city study on what various home projects will pay back at resale.

According to these experts, here is what yields the highest return for San Francisco. Bear with me if some of these projects don’t seem practical for you. I know square footage can be tight in San Francisco, so your cost and returns may vary.

1.Bathroom Remodel— this is a nearly ‘must-do’ if your fixtures and finishings are more than 25 years old. A new vanity and new porcelain fixtures, along with a new tile tub surround and classy tile floors will deliver a 150+% return on your money. Up that figure to 168% if you have room to add a double sink.

2. New deck— if your home opens onto a big back yard, a $13,500 investment in a big deck (16X20 feet) with railings and a built-in planter and bench will add $21,355 to your resale value.

3. Minor Kitchen Remodel— to the magazine this means dropping $17,500 into cabinet refacing, new countertops, new appliances and sink, fresh paint and “resilient flooring.” Your resale value on this investment– $26,564. Please note that the magazine thinks you have a 200-square foot kitchen and 30 linear feet of cabinets and counters.

4. Window Replacement– This is my favorite improvement. Nothing makes a home look better than replacing old tired aluminum sliders with pretty wood windows (or something more appropriate to your home’s style). Return on investment—132%.

Other big pay-offs– converting an attic into a bedroom suite (a 151% return), or creating an entertaining area in a basement (a 139% return).

Some of the study’s surprises (at least to me)— A family room addition recoups only 108% and a home office remodel yields just 115%. You can also cut your remodeling costs by up to a third if relocate to Kansas, Oklahoma or parts of Virginia. Call me if you want a full copy of the report.

Also—I rely on your referrals– so please pass my name along to anyone who is planning on buying or selling this spring. Thanks!

Posted in Home Design, Investors | Comments Off