Howard Sobel's (howardsf) Blog

Parkmerced is in for a long term redevelopment that is designed to change our definition of neighborhood living. Its nothing short of a game changing attitude adjustment. Its a long-term project (20-30 years) involving new buildings, community living and public transportation improvements. Mendin...

Mortgage Bankers Association for the week of  12/15/2010 Market Composite Index: (loan application volume)      decreased 2.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.  On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased 2.7 percent compared with the previous week. Refinance Index: d...

30-year fixed-rate mortgage: Averaged 4.83 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending December 16, 2010, up from last week when it averaged 4.61 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.94 percent. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage: Averaged 4.17 percent with an averag...

The demographics Renter demographics Who Are They People Needing Flexibility Renting can provide more flexibility, greater convenience and lower costs than buying a home. As a result, certain households are more likely to rent than own, including young singles starting out, families relocating t...

San Francisco investment properties are bottoming. According to Jay Greenberg, in an SFAA magazine article, San Francisco has seen positive sales numbers this year. Rent rates have also been getting stronger in the city. Im a firm believer that well paying jobs and the reverse commute busses pro...

Mortgage Bankers Association for the week of  12/8/2010 Market Composite Index:(loan application volume)    decreased 0.9 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.  On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 22.8 percent compared with the previous week, which included the Th...

30-year fixed-rate mortgage: Averaged 4.61 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending December 9, 2010, up from last week when it averaged 4.46 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.81 percent. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage: Averaged 3.96 percent with an averag...

This is the one real estate area that seems to be looking up. There is no question thatapartments really scream when it comes to actual performance and renewed investment confidence, says Hessam Nadji, managing director of research and advisory services at Marcus & Millichap. The apartments secto...

$150 Million for Green Projects                                                                            As of march 1, Property owners in San Francisco can now finance renewable energy, water conservation and other green projects thanks to a $150 million made available by the city to paid back...

  Once a nickleodean, built in 1910, the Clay falls victim to the dark side of the internet. When I was a kid I remember Saturday afternoon movies would fill the movie house. That kindof communal movei going is all but lost except in a few theaters like the Clay. Now, we have our own personal mov...