Median prices were up year-over-year in July, showing San Francisco real estate continues to be a healthy market albeit not has "gangbusters" as we've seen in years past. After years of weak inventory we're seeing an influx of new listings particularly in the condo market, with some neighborhoods seeing buyers market levels of inventory available. Currently it's a mixed market with both prices and inventory rising, and single family homes seeing greater demand than condos. See all the stats below. Median Sales Price:Home sales overall rose in July compared to the same month last year. The median sales price for a single family home was $1,660,000, up 5% compared to last year but down from June's median sales price high of over $1.8 million. Condo and loft prices also rose year-over-yea... 09/01/2020

June statistics show that after a so-so May San Francisco real estate revived a bit, particularly with single family homes which hit a new median price high. Condos and lofts prices also lifted compared to May, but are still down compared to last year. Dirt-cheap interest rates continue to drive buyer demand, and create an excellent opportunity for buyers who are ready and able to jump into the market. Interest rates have great impact on buying power, the amount of a loan buyers can qualify for.Overall, inventory has increased with months supply of inventory reaching it's highest levels since 2011. That said, we are still in "sellers market" territory, especially for single family homes. Median Sales Price:The median sales price for a single family home in San Francisco rose to over $1.... 07/21/2020

After reading many wonderful posts written by Ron and Alexandra Seigel as they share their beach walks with us, I felt a yearning to visit little Marshall Beach in San Francisco which I hadn't done for too long.I've written about Marshall Beach before, recounting a run through the Presidio, then down the many stairs to the beach before returning to my car. This last Friday afternoon my husband and I headed out for our daily walk toward the end of the day, and Marshall Beach was once again calling me.Down the many stairs we went, then had a delightful, relaxed stroll along the beach. Tide was in, making parts of the beach closest to the Golden Gate Bridge inaccessible, but there was plenty to enjoy. After drying off my wet feet the best I could, it was time to head up an even longer flig... 07/12/2020

May saw median home prices drop in San Francisco. This was particularly true for condos and lofts, which saw home prices drop by  more than 10% and months supply of inventory reach a high not seen since 2011.  Keeping in mind that sales are typically a reflection of the market 30-60 days prior, these prices reflect what came on the market in March - April timeframe, which was the beginning of the pandemic and shelter-in-place. So it remains to be seen whether these statistics are a temporary blip or a sign that the market is at least temporarily shifting more to buyers' advantage. Median Sales Price:The median sales price for single family homes decreased 3.4% compared to the last May, and also decreased compared to last month, dropping to to $1,627,500. This is partly due to a decrease... 06/25/2020

In January and February, before the Shelter-in-Place became our way of life in San Francisco, I met a number of potential buyers and sellers. I hope you all are healthy, the #1 priority.Much has changed in our lives since the beginning of 2020. How is your residence working out for you during these months of working from home, remote schooling, and the general disruption to routines? Has a yard or outdoor space become more important? Do you need home office space? A better functioning kitchen or a great room for family activities?The real estate market is starting to open up. Homes are selling. More are coming on the market. If  you have questions, please let me know; I'd love to answer any questions you might have. 05/29/2020

As we round the corner into month three of the Bay Area shelter-in-place, things seem to be slowly but surely opening up. In some ways real estate in San Francisco never fully closed, though our ways of conducting business has changed dramatically. Many sellers either pulled their properties off the market or postponed their on-market date, but not all did. And buyers were still out buying.  These are encouraging signs for Bay Area real estate because:- This reflects the fact that this began as a health crisis, not an economic crisis.- It reinforces that this is a short-term problem with a long-term solution once the virus is controlled.- Motivation has not diminished. In April home sales prices rose, with single family home prices reaching a new median high. Inventory remained anemic a... 05/26/2020

This morning, Ron and Alexandra Seigel posted the most adorable photo and described what has become a Saturday morning routine for them. If you've missed their post, take a look here.While my Saturday morning routine doesn't take me past anything quite as adorable, it is a pleasure to me nonetheless.The morning starts with a trip to Whole Foods  at 8:00 AM, during "senior" hours. The entire trip takes 35 minutes; 10 minute walk there, breeze right into the sanitized store, shop in uncrowded conditions, straight through the check out, where the checker carefully wipes down the checkstand food belt between every customer, 10 minute walk home! I've had a chance to breathe, to move my body, accomplish a delightful task.Next, at 9:00AM, I like to join a drop-in, donation-based qi gong class.... 05/23/2020

Will My Property Taxes Go Up If I Refinance?  Because the current interest rate environment is so conducive to refinancing, a concern that some have about taking action stems from confusion related to how their property taxes are determined, and specifically the question, "Will refinancing cause my property taxes to go up?"  It goes without saying that nobody wants to save money via refinance, only to see it evaporate in the form of higher real estate taxes.  But is this a real threat?  Or is it safe to assume that simply by refinancing you would not see a change in your tax basis? Our answer must first address, well, the address --- of the home, that is.  Since I'm a licensed loan officer in the state of California, working out of an office in Marin County, I'm only going to view this ... 05/19/2020

Today is May 1. Perhaps it is appropriate that the new month brings with it a sense of imminent change.Beginning May 4 a cautious loosening in the Shelter-in-Place we've been living with since the middle of March will take place. A few more businesses will be allowed to open--construction, landscaping & gardening services, some dry goods stores. In the real estate world, we'll be able to show occupied residences under very specific requirements. Social distancing at least 6' will be required; face masks required;. San Mateo County will reopen their wild land parks and beaches.Golf courses will re-open, with safety protocols in place, which I'm sure will please golfers among us (I'm thinking of Carol Williams among others.) Tennis courts in San Francisco will open for single play at leas... 05/01/2020

As I walked the 5 blocks to Whole Foods this morning, I was thinking about all the many little things for which I am grateful during this unprecedented time of sheltering-in-place. First and foremost grateful to the medical staffs and essential workers taking care of us and our necessities and comforts Grateful for services like garbage and recycling pick ups Grateful that major road projects are being carried out during this time of much less traffic Grateful for the amazing job Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are doing here in San Francisco with their store reorganizations and special shopping hours for Seniors. My husband and I each went to one of the stores today; no lines for us at all, everything organized, carts sanitized, shelves nicely stocked, employees cheerful and welcoming Gra... 04/25/2020

Earlier this week I shared some views of the empty streets in San Francisco during this period of Shelter-in-Place. It was, indeed, stunning to see usually bustling neighborhoods almost devoid of life.However, the beauty of San Francisco is always present and I never fail to appreciate my neighborhood walks. How lovely is the Victorian house on Jackson, with an arbor of wisteria and roses welcoming passersby and residents alike?And these roses mixed with other blooms at a different Jackson Street residence?Are you ready to find your home and create your garden? Large space or small--it can happen. Let's talk.Springtime in San Francisco!   04/24/2020

As we move into month 2 of the Coronavirus shelter-in-place, real estate in San Francisco and the Bay Area continues to chug along, albeit in a much more limited way. The following statistics represent the market in March. So sales statistics are based on properties that were mostly in escrow prior or just as the shelter-in-place order was given to start on March 17th. Therefore we're not going to see any statistics reflecting how pricing was effected by the shelter, if it was at all, until next month or the month after. However, what we can see from these numbers is how greatly inventory was effected after the March 17th order. Many sellers decided to place their home sales on hold when the order came down. Some have already returned to the market (with very limited or only virtual sho... 04/21/2020

As we finish our 5th week of Shelter-in-Place in San Francisco, spirits are generally good around the city. A new routine has taken place in my weekday schedule. Following a Zoom meditation session offered every Mon-Fri by my acupuncturist, I work from 9:00-3:00.By 3:00PM, my husband and I head out for our favorite activity -- a hike or long walk in some part of the City, grateful that outdoor exercising is allowed and encouraged, with physical distancing adhered to, of course. We balance our walks between urban sidewalks and park lands where I can get dirt under my feet.One recent weekday we decided to walk from our condo through the most densely packed parts of the City. Off we went, first through Chinatown where it usually is difficult to move at more than a shuffle. That day, the st... 04/20/2020

Here are the statistics for the February real estate market in San Francisco. The pre-Spring market got off to a healthy start with both single family homes and condos/ lofts seeing increases in median sales price. Homes continued to sell quickly overall, with both average days on market and months supply of inventory decreasing. More than not homes are selling for over the list price, though we aren't seeing the massive overbids overall that we've seen in the past. Some homes are selling well over their asking price while others are not getting the same "bump." It's more property-by-property, which could in part be due to more properties coming out with "transparent pricing," as well as buyers hitting pain points in terms of how much they want or are able to bid over the asking price. ... 04/06/2020

I believe we are just at the tip of seeing our way of life change change quite drastically for an extended period of time while we wait to see the extent of the Covid-19 virus.Living in the midst of an urban area, quite likely we are at the leading edge of this change. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, schools have been closed for anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks. Public gatherings of larger than 50 people are banned; gatherings of 10 or more discouraged for older adults or those medically compromised. The public libraries are now closed. Some restaurants have closed, while others have removed tables to spread remaining tables further apart."Social distancing" (a term which I hadn't heard about until a few days ago) has become the norm. As these pictures I took yesterday at Ocean Beach ... 03/15/2020

It's that time of year again, 100,000 FREE pick-your-own tulips at Union Square, San Francisco.Yes, that's correct. On Saturday, March 7, over 100,000 tulips will cover Union Square in San Francisco. Best of all, you're invited to visit the site and pick your own bunch of tulips to take home.A gift from Dutch flower bulb trader Royal Anthos, iBulb.org and the Consulate General of the Netherlands in San Francisco, they are transporting thousands of multicolor tulips to the bustling tourist area of Union Square.This event will run from 1:00PM to 4:30PM, by which time all tulips will have been picked and on their way to bring springtime cheer to many, many households. You have to love all the special FREE events in San Francisco, thanks to the courtesy of many.   03/05/2020

Knowing the inventory is an essential task of a real estate agent, and I often come across several properties each week that intrigue me, that offer something special and unique. This week is no exception.I have written before about the Edwardian condo listing I have on Nob Hill, at 1561 Sacramento Street. That property is now in contract and the sale is on track to record tomorrow. About a 15-minute walk from there, across the top of nob Hill, past Grace Cathedral, Huntington Park and the grand hotels, heading toward Union Square and the financial district is today's find, 25 Joice. 25 Joice is a 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo listed by my colleague, Amanda Sharp, of Compass, and is located at the end of a quaint side street, off California Street with where cable cars clang up and down Nob H... 03/04/2020

Both lovers of classical music and those wanting to see what classical music is all about have a FREE treat in store for them on Friday evening, Feburary 21, 2020, at 7:30 PM. The San Francisco Chamber Orchestra (SFCO) will be presenting a 90-minute concert at the Herbst Theatre on Van Ness Avenue, across from City Hall and next door to the Opera House. There will be games, prizes and a trivia quiz and, of course, great music, featuring variations on familiar themes by Mozart, Haydn, Schubert and more. Friday, February 21, 20207:30 PM - 9:00 PM (no intermission)Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness AvenueAdmission is FREE. Members entry one hour before; general audience entry 15 minutes before. 02/19/2020

Nestled on the western slope of Nob Hill, 1561 Sacramento Street had been on the market for only 23 days yesterday when sellers accepted an offer that had arrived the evening before. Today, Valentine's Day, I changed the listing status from "Active" to "Pending" and canceled the open houses planned for the weekend.Today, Valentine's Day, the buyer wire-transferred his initial deposit to our escrow account. Today, Valentine's Day, the bank appraiser contacted me to set the appraisal appointment. Today, Valentine's Day, I was able to share the above good news with the seller.Today is also Valentine's Day for the buyers, who had been looking for the right place for a number of months. In less than a month they will be settling into their new home, making it their own. Their search is over.... 02/14/2020

Happy Lunar New Year! It may be the Year of the Rat this year, but so far it doesn't look like it's the year of more housing inventory for San Francisco. In January the median price for single family homes and condos and lofts increased, but both new and active listings were down double-digits.It's important to contextualize, though, that in real estate the statistics are typically 30-60 days behind. Home sales that closed in January are primarily homes that were put on the market over the holiday season. Also, Spring is typically our biggest season when the most homes come on the market. That said, buyers are out there buying and homes are on average still selling quickly, many over their asking price. So if you're thinking of selling this year, consider coming on prior to Spring and g... 02/14/2020