Back again this year is the ever-popular celebration of the Lunar New Year at Davies Hall, home of the San Francisco Symphony. Fun for the entire family, proceeds from this event support the San Francisco Symphony's education and community programs.The Year of the Rooster is celebrated with the symphony on Saturday, February 4, 2017Festivities begin at 3:00 PM, with exhibits of lion dancing, red-envelopes distributed to all children, demonstrations of various Asian musical instruments and other festivities showcasing Asian traditions, both ancient and contemporary.The concert begins at 4:00 PM, with the Symphony showcasing its versatility in a concert featuring both Eastern and Western music.For those who wish to continue the afternoon festivities into the evening, check out the Imperia... 01/24/2017

I'm fortunate to have Rachael and her wonderful Golden Retriever, Tanner, living a few short blocks away from us. Tanner is lucky that I love to walk, and if I'm not running a lot of errands or shopping, I often take him along on my explorations.One recent afternoon, after the rains had stopped for a while, we took a fast walk down Franklin Street to Lombard Street On the way back up Van Ness Avenue I decided to pop into my favorite candy store: The Candy Store on Vallejo Street where I occasionally treat myself to licorice!The best assortment of licorice ever - salty or sweet, hard or soft - it's all here at The Candy Store.Tanner knows a great place when he sees one!Tanner and I wish you all a Happy Sunday!     01/15/2017

Crossing the strait of the Golden Gate from San Francisco to the Marin headlands for 1.7 miles is the world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge, easily identified by its International Orange color. Opened in 1937, the bridge was built at a cost of $35 million in principal and $39 million in interest and 11 workers’ lives. The single-suspension span is anchored by twin towers that reach skyward 746 feet, and was once taller than any building in San Francisco. To support the suspended roadway, two cables, each more than 7,000 feet in length and both containing 80,000 miles of wire stretch over the top of the towers and are rooted in concrete anchorages on shore. More than10 years in planning due to formidable opposition, but only four years in actual construction, the Golden Gate Bridge brought t... 12/25/2016

Yesterday afternoon members of the San Francisco City Chorus added holiday cheer in San Francisco's Noe Valley neighborhood. The Christmas carolers' didn't let a drizzly day or puddles dampen spirits of shoppers or merchants. Adults and children alike would stop for a moment and listen, then go on their way, smiling.Spreading holiday joy, something our neighborhoods and the SFCC does well. If you live in or near San Francisco and like to sing, check out the San Francisco City Chorus and you could be caroling, too, next year.  12/11/2016

The holidays are well upon us, and many of us are deep in the process of shopping, baking and getting ready to ring in the new year. But, if you’re thinking of selling your home in 2017 it’s not too early to start preparing. A home that is well-prepared will sell more quickly and for more money. Here are 3 things you can do NOW that will help you get poised to sell in the new year.   Get Estimates for Repairs: Chances are that you'll need to do some repairs to your home before putting it on the market. This can run the gamut from replacing a roof or furnace, to small handyman-type repairs. Now is a good time to meet with contractors and repairmen to get estimates. Contractors' work tends to slow down during the holidays so you'll have more access to them and perhaps an easier time sched... 12/08/2016

Every so often a truly special condominium comes on the market and is offered for sale. 2200 Pacific Avenue, Unit 3A, listed for sale by Monica Chung of Andersen, Jung & Company, is one of those.From the prime Pacific Heights location at the corner of Pacific and Buchanan, to the beautifully remodeled unit itself, this is a stunner. Here you have two bedrooms, two baths, and a spacious open floor plan ripe for entertaining. Square footage is listed as 1,856 sq.ft. per the Assessor. A wall of windows and sliding glass doors open to a private balcony with partial north bay views. There is 24-hour lobby attendant/security, and a 1-car parking space.  The monthly HOA dues of approximately $1188 include utilities for the unit as well as the building, building insurance, reserves and professi... 12/06/2016

City sidewalks, busy sidewalksDressed in holiday style,In the air there'sA feeling of Christmas(San Francisco City Chorus caroling at the Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park)Children laughing, people passing,Meeting smile after smile,And on every street corner you'll hear: (Union Square, San Francisco) Silver bells, silver bells,It's Christmas time in the cityRing-a-ling, hear them ring,Soon it will be Christmas day*(2-story, walk through gingerbread house baked fresh each year, Fairmont Hotel) "Silver Bells" could have been written for San Francisco, for it captures the excitement and beauty of a major city during the holidays. From City Hall, to the shopping districts, grand hotels and museums decorations abound in San Francisco, bringing a sense of excitement and joy.Another time w... 12/05/2016

Could this be what is appears I'm seeing? It appears to say we are getting an increase in the maximum loan limits for "high cost areas" and that will affect places like San Francisco County, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, to name a few. High Cost Area The FHA national high cost area mortgage limits, which are set at 150 percent of the national conforming limit of $424,100 for a one-unit Property, are, by property unit number, as follows: One-unit: $636,150 Two-unit: $814,500 Three-unit: $984,525 Four-unit: $1,223,475   12/02/2016

Congratulations to my clients, who just sold their charming condo in the Diamond Heights neighborhood of San Francisco! My clients purchased the unit about 3 years ago for their daughter, who was a single gal living in San Francisco. Now that she's married to a great guy, has a brand new baby and is living 100 miles away, they were ready to sell and move on with the next phase of their lives.Since the sellers live at quite a distance, I coordinated all of the property preparation, including cleaning, coordinating new carpeting installation, new paint, handyman projects and staging. In the end, the unit looked cozy and inviting and it did not require my clients to have to worry about traveling back and forth to make sure the property was ready. In the end, my sellers were able to success... 11/29/2016

Today I've been feeling especially thankful to be living in a City that has heart, a City full of people ready to be a positive force of good.I've written before about the yoga sessions that are offered, on a donation basis, at Grace Cathedral almost every Tuesday evening. These are attended by 500-600 people each week (no typo, five hundred to six hundred people). Donations are requested from those who can, and those who can't are welcomed just as warmly.Last week many of these weekly participants came together for a special fund-raiser, Yoga for Change SF. Candle light Yoga was taught by 3 instructors for 1-1/2 hours, with all proceeds going to fund scholarship at the Grace Cathedral community pre-school.This pre-school is a year-round program for 3-4 year olds in the community. It br... 11/20/2016

San Francisco has many micro climates, and Pacific Heights is one usually free from the swirling fog that often shrouds the Golden Gate bridge and envelopes the streets  in the more western parts of the City. Not so a few mornings ago when I walked along Jackson Street.  It was still heavy an hour later on my way back. The fog didn't stop the wild parrots from squawking and flitting about, nor the walkers, joggers, and dogs from frolicking.Just one more thing for which to be thankful - the mysterious fog that gives familiar sights a new appearance.  11/16/2016

  Property Tax Deadlines Remember These Dates!   Don't forget these pertinent property tax deadlines! Although the first installment was due last week, there is still time to get your payment in before being penalized. See below for property tax deadline dates and information. NOVEMBER 1st• First payment deadline. This tax payment covers the time period of July 1st through December 31st. DECEMBER 10TH• First payment must be received or else payment becomes delinquent. If your first property tax payment is not submitted in time, there will be a penalty of 10% plus admin fees. Additionally, 1.5% interest will accrue for each month gone without payment. FEBRUARY 1ST, 2017• Second payment is due. This tax payment will cover the time period of January 1st through June 30th. APRIL 10TH, 2017... 11/15/2016

A couple of years ago, I helped some clients upgrade from their condo to a single family home.  Rather than sell the condo, they decided to rent it out. Since they also hired me to list the rental and find their new tenants I brought in my photographer to get professional-level photos. The unit was vacant. Flash forward to this past Spring. The tenants were leaving so my clients decided to sell the condo. Again, we prepped the property and had it photographed, this time with staging. The only other changes were new paint and a new kitchen countertop. Since I used the same photographer for the rental and the sale, I thought it would be an interesting comparison/ contrast to see the photos side-by-side. Staging can be a big expense and sellers often wonder whether the additional cost is w... 11/10/2016

San Francisco Q3 Print Real Estate Insights A Closer Look From Q2 2015 to Q2 2016 the condominium inventory increased by 27%. However, the median sale price remained stable during that same time frame. This means that buyer demand is keeping up with the increase in supply. Another sign of the condo market's strength: while the current perception of the condo market appears more volatile than the SFR market, the bottom of each year continues to exceed that of the previous year.  In spite of the peaks and valleys of the last few years – often seasonal in nature – the market overall shows stability. This is not unexpected and is actually an indicator we might be entering a healthy, more balanced market. Some refer to this as a "soft landing," which is evidenced by increased Days on Market ... 10/27/2016

Since I live in a condo in a high rise, there's not much point in having Halloween decor on my door or in a window -- it wouldn't be seen or enjoyed.However, the stunning over-the-top decorations shown below are seen and are being enjoyed by many.The cover photo (I love how the skeletons are just hanging out!) and this next one are at a house mansion on Pacific Avenue, along the crest of Pacific Heights.The next 2 are of a house mansion about a block away, on Broadway. (Those crows are really freaky! and they carried the theme up two more stories.)The next picture is of a house on Broadway directly across from the other one. Take a look at the cat skeleton. Ewww!Finally, I met a monster in front of a wine shop one day as I was walking along Van Ness Avenue -- when one least expects it, ... 10/23/2016

Despite the length of our ballot this year -- 17 State propositions, 24 City measures, 1 regional one, plus candidates for national, state and local offices -- San Francisco makes it easy to vote, and now's the time.There are two more days to register to vote, and voting has already begun.Here's the scoop: Register to vote by October 24! (You can do that at the Department of Elections in City Hall). If you'd rather register on line, simply go to: registertovote.ca.gov by Monday 10/24, latest. Vote at City Hall - now through November 8 Vote by mail - requests due by November 1 Vote at your polling place on election day, November 8. Polls are open from 7:00AM - 8:00PM I voted, and hope you will, too! 10/22/2016

Save the date -- you are invited Who: You! (and bring your friends)What: the 12th annual Fall Harvest Artisan Food FestivalWhere: Cheese Plus, 2001 Polk Street (at the corner of Pacific Avenue)When: Saturday, October 22, 2016, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PMWhy: to spend an enjoyable hour or so nibbling delightful foods, chatting with neighbors, tantalizing your palate, finding new favorites to add to your special dinners -- and unique hostess gifts, too.We have joined in the fun the last 3 years, and look forward once again to finding new treats (last year's find was MacQuade's Celtic Chutneys--the fig and ginger makes a fabulous glaze for your holiday hams)Many thanks to Ray Bair, proprietor of Cheese Plus for putting together, once again, this fabulous event.   10/20/2016

California, including San Francisco, is finally getting some much-needed rain. But not even a rain storm--and it definitely met my definition of a storm!--could daunt the beauty of this doorway on a house on Jackson Street in Presidio Heights.I thought it quite a unusual sight for mid-October, and actually went up close to check it out. Yes, these are real. Two climbing rose bushes, one on either side of the doorway, with several other vines planted and twined through. Beauty in the planning and in the execution and maintenance -- this doesn't occur without love and care, just as our businesses don't flourish without attention to detail and the utmost level of care. Wishing you all beauty amid the rain.   10/17/2016

San Francisco City Chorus -- where the City singsTreat yourselves to the gift of beautiful music, right in the heart of San Francisco. Old First Presbyterian Church is located at the corner of Sacramento Street and Van Ness Avenue, easy to get to by car (parking on the street and in garages) or by public transportation.If you live in this quadrant of the City, you can simply walk over!  10/16/2016

On Thursday evening, November 17, 2016, you have the opportunity to be kind to yourself while helping others.Yoga For Change SF is held at Grace Cathedral, located at the top of Nob Hill in San Francisco. Its purpose is two-fold:  raise funds to provide scholarships for students at The Community Preschool, also based at Grace Cathedral; and a chance to practice candlelight yoga for 90 minutes in beautiful surroundings with a like-minded community. Now in its fourth year, Yoga for Change seeks to raise $30,000 to benefit The Community Preschool, Grace Cathedral. The Community Preschool provides scholarships to 2/3 of its students, reserving its full scholarships for children from the Tenderloin and other at-risk neighborhoods.Advance registration is only $15.00; $20.00 at the door. Candl... 10/15/2016