| Congratulations Lila! | May 31st, 2007 |
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Throughout my 20 years in the business, I’ve helped many San Franciscans like Denise and James and Lila go from dream to reality. If you are interested or know of anyone who could benefit from my expertise, I’d love to hear from you. . . |
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Congratulations to baby Lila! Her parents, Denise and James, just bought her a new home with a big back yard in NOPA. She’s looking forward to doing some circuits on her big wheel in the back yard and regular visits to Panhandle Park. Mom and Dad are pretty happy, too.| San Francisco Pied-A-Terres | May 30th, 2007 |
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I did a similar email on pieds-a-terre this time last year. (Search “pied a terre” in the box above to find it) It proved to be very popular, and it seems like time for an annual follow-up. Two of these recommendations are new homes projects. Once again, I urge you to call me before going to visit any new home development. Once you cross the threshold and sign in without me, I cannot represent you. You deserve excellent representation. I strongly believe you are not as well served and may not get as good a price if you deal directly with the developer’s representatives. Rent First?Some ‘test-drive’ the idea of a second home in San Francisco by renting first. This helps them establish how they would actually use a second home-if they find they’re only using the place as a crash pad for a night at a time, a small one bedroom or studio might suffice. If they wind up entertaining or inviting friends to stay over on weekends, then a two-bedroom or one-bedroom with extra space is the better option. How do you Spend Your Time in San Francisco?What you do during the day while you’re in the City is also an important factor when deciding on the best location for your pied-a-terre. If it’s about the shopping, the SOMA Grand is close by Nordstrom’s and Union Square. If you’re in and out on business trips, The Palms is just two blocks from the 280 on-ramp. The San Francisco Charm FactorThose seeking a quintessential San Francisco experience (think Maupin’s “Tales of the City” or Hitchcock’s “Vertigo”) should head for neighborhoods on the North side of town. Be prepared to pay a premium, however. Prices in neighborhoods like Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill or Pacific Heights generally start at $900/per square foot. |
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The following posts review a handful of buildings that (I think) offer some nice pied-a-terre opportunities. All of them are in larger buildings where you can lock your door and walk away for months at a time without worrying about security and maintenance.| San Francisco Pied A Terre Option 3 - 2200 Sacramento | May 29th, 2007 |
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Amenities at 2200 Sacramento are a doorman and half-floor penthouse clubroom with breathtaking views. Many have been lavishly remodeled over the years and some owners have modified floor plans by knocking out walls to increase living rooms or bedrooms. Others have extended the footprint of the unit by pushing the windowed walls out to the edge of the decks. Most of the recent listings at 2200 Sacramento have been one-bedrooms and small two bedrooms (ranging from 825-950 square feet). The building’s larger units (running 1100-2000+ square feet) rarely come on the market. Recent listings are a small first floor 2br/2ba with a patio listed for $925,000 and a 6th floor 1br/1 ½ ba with some good Golden Gate views listed for $795,000. Both are pending sale. The last closed sale was a 947 square foot 2br/2ba with Southern views on the 4th floor. It sold for $925,000. |
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2200 Sacramento - Also known as Pacific Heights Towers, this 17-story Eichler-inspired building located at the corner of Laguna and Sacramento has occasional re-sales. Its best features are tremendous Bay Views from the upper floors and lovely outlooks to Lafayette Park on the building’s East side. The building’s architectural hallmarks are walls of windows with sliding doors that open onto long narrow decks.| San Francisco Pied A Terre Option 2 - The Lambourne | May 29th, 2007 |
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In its previous life, the Lambourne was a 20-room boutique hotel run by the Joie de Vivre chain. Now converted to 22 one-bedroom and studio units, this brand new project’s aim is to retain the feeling of a boutique Parisian inn, except that the rooms now feature itty-bitty kitchens and a European washer/dryer set. Prices start in the mid-$300s and push up into the $500K range. A few of the units have little decks. Built in 1920, the building has good architectural bones. I have yet to see the interiors, but my impression is that they have are sleek and contemporary with modern Italian kitchens and Euro-style bathrooms. My suspicion is that none have parking (although it’s a good bet that rental parking by the night or month is available within a block). |
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The Lambourne- Like The Odeon at Geary and Powell, The brand new Lambourne project is another pied-a-terre building designed for foodies, shopaholics and those who often visit and wish they could stick around awhile. Set three blocks from Union Square at 725 Pine between Stockton and Powell, it’s a stone’s throw from the City’s famous Nob Hill hotels and landmarks like Grace Cathedral, the Powell Street cable car line and Chinatown’s pagoda arch on Grant Avenue.| San Francisco Pied a Terre Option 1 - The Palms | May 29th, 2007 |
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The Sales Center claims that 25% of the units sold at the Palms go to second home buyers. Single women are also choosing the Palms, perhaps because they are practical investors who recognize the good value for their money. The challenge for the Palms is its South of Market location– set at the corner of 4th and Brannan, it’s on a solid safe block just a stone’s throw from Caltrain and some outstanding restaurants, but getting to anything else requires a minimum 10-minute walk through a landscape that still feels more light industrial than residential. The side of the building also faces a vast parking lot that has no immediate plans for development. I’m certain things will change over the next 10 years, but those living here now are going to feel like urban pioneers for awhile. Just over a year old, the sales office at The Palms still has inventory among their 300+ units that they are anxious to move. Sample prices an1100 square foot two-bedroom “flat” listed for $845,000 and a variety of one-bedrooms listed between $569,000-685,000. I am fairly certain that there is room in these prices. Call for more details and I’ll fill you in. |
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The Palms - The Palms aims to offer a hotel quality experience with bells and whistles like a movie theater, business center, concierge and state-of-the art fitness center. All the units come with parking.| New Listing - Contemporary Town Home with Drama and Flair | May 9th, 2007 |
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Here are the basics: Two Bedrooms. Two Baths. Two Levels. Cathedral ceilings, big walls for art. Unbeatable location close to all the Pacific Heights Fillmore Street shopping. If I were just moving to the City for the first time, this is where I would want to live. Come see us this weekend– Saturday 1-3 or Sunday 1-4. I’ll make sure you get the extra special tour! As always, referrals are the life blood of my business– Many blessings to Oscar and Cherie, the clients that recommended me to the Seller of 2075 Sutter. I look forward to helping more of your friends and associates soon! |
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My new listing at 2075 Sutter is now fully on the market– You can view all the photos in the listing section of my website or come see it in person this weekend.
