Strolling through Noe Valley

With all this amazing weather lately its hard not to find yourself smiling. I was speaking with another Realtor on tour who told me how she started her day sipping a coffee at Cafe Trieste.

"Its was hard for me to leave" She said as we made our way up the forth flight of stairs.

"There was the wonderful scent of fresh coffee, a freshly baked croissant and the two police officers in line."

I smiled and knew all to well what she meant.

San Francisco has often had me by her grasp of good weather and food. There's the sudden urge to throw the day away and wander the streets in search of the next bite to eat, a new shop to check out and inevitably ending with a glass of Northern California wine and a conversation with a stranger.

More often than not though that day dream is washed away with the realty of work. Because if you're going to live in this city we all know you'll need to earn it.

This last week my clients search brought me to Noe Valley. My brother used to work at the bakery here and often brought us home bags of day old bread we would either eat right up or save to feed the ducks out at Stow Lake with my Father.

Noe has changed quite a bit over the years. There has been a big Tech boom and many of the millions made have gone right into homes in this fair part of town.

Here are a few that caught my eye this week.

Valley St.
Offered at $1,095,000

Alvarado St.
Offered at $929K

Fountain St.
Offered at $2,900,000

Touchdown! More inventory "coming soon"...Maybe.

While on tour yesterday a client called me and asked if I thought the market was letting up a bit. That's a tough question when your waiting in line to view a listing or there's only 5 new listings in any given district.

Year over year we always see a pattern of inventory shortage and then an influx of listings that hit the market after the big game. Why is this? Does football control the Real Estate Market?

What I have found historically is that once the big game is over there is an abundance of sales in all industry's. Everyone finally gets those skis they've been dreaming of or maybe a new gym outfit. Its like the second Christmas with spring and summer on our minds. All the gifts on our holiday list the were somehow overlooked. People generally get an extra pep in their step.

Right now there is so little inventory its tough to say if the market will let up and suddenly we will have an abundance of properties. My feeling is it will. Although I'm not seeing a lot on the market, what I am seeing is a lot of "Coming Soon" signs in the neighborhoods.

There's hope for a touchdown yet!

San Francisco Rent Control Cheat Sheet. All the moving parts simplified.

Well another week and another lesson. Yesterday I was lucky enough to spend some time with Mr. Daniel Bornstien and it was worth it. There are so many intricacies when dealing with rentals in San Francisco. Growing up here in the city my father always had a nice rent controlled home located in the mission. Its was a wonderful flat and given the type of father I had it was  perfect fit for his lifestyle of writing about this wonderful city of ours.

Living on a writers budget is no easy task here in San Francisco. Even when he had mild success there was only so far that would take him. Thankfully he had his flat. A sanctuary of a household protecting him from the storms of rising rents and cost of living. My sister, brothers and I would often be be told "we're on a budget gang" and as young avengers we found excitement in making something out of nothing. One things for sure we always made it happen and we spent many evenings in a home filled with bellowing laughter working on our musical talents, cooking crab and reading in the study.

All jokes aside it was not easy and when he passed away one of the first calls I had was from the attorney representing the property owner requesting that his belongings be removed. I had no intention of taking over the lease in any way at any time. Without him there the luster was gone. It wasn't the nicest place so I had no problem seeing it go and packing up his belongings. I remember the curious many walking by interested in the new vacancy. Hey its San Francisco and we all need a place to live.

When I saw the listing on craigslist I was amazed and even more amazed that it rented out so quickly. This went from a flat that cost my father a whole $600 a month (including parking and utilities) that was now on the market for over $3K with a line of applicants.

There a many listings out there with tenants residing and many of those tenants have been here since the early 70's. Landlord tenant code is not an easy subject to tackle. Most people dance around it and don't really know what the real rules are. People casually mention things like OMI and Ellis Act. Tenant Buyout and Just Cause eviction. "Oh I'll just move in Owner occupied and we are good right?" Do you know what it takes and how long that process can take? What I've learned is there are a lot of moving parts and its important that your agent understands how to address these issues appropriately.

My dad had a few offers to leave but never took any of them. The building passed from owner to owner over the years. He didn't mind the offers and often thanked them appropriately with a "Thank you for the offer but I'm staying". Personally I think it was all he could afford and his goal was to make the best of it. When on tour I drive by his place often and always take a look to see if I can see some sign of life in the ol place. The mission has changed a lot since then but the theme remains the same to me at least.

Here are a few sheets that can help you understand how to operate in the space. If you need any help I'm happy to help in any way that I can. As my pops would say "On ward and upward!"

New Year New listings. Ever wonder what amazing looks like?

Well, here we are. A new year has arrived. I've been traveling on the east coast for the last 3 weeks trying to enjoy the fresh cold air. Although I love New York, Cape Cod and Vermont, I must say its good to be home. San Francisco has always welcomed me back with the fresh embrace of the pacific ocean air and sunshine. Really, every time I've ever come back from a trip the sun is out and its one of those classic San Francisco days.

Even as I write this I'm tired of hearing myself blab so lets get to it. The weekends here and I thought some of you may want to take a peak at some really architecturally significant listings that just hit the Market today.

First we have a beautiful Noe Valley Home that is really one to grow in.

4 bedroom 4.5 bath

Offered at $3,495,000

Next up! An amazing LEED certified home on the edge of 70 Acre Glen Park Canyon!
This is an Architectural Dream.

3 bedroom 3.5 bath
Offered at $2,599,000

And for one of my favorite neighborhoods I had to showcase this one. The Inner Sunset has so much beauty and the homes replicate that throughout.

5 bedroom 4.5 Bathroom with views to boot.

Offered at $2,290,000

Finally this unique Glen Park home.

Listed at $3,995,000