The Bay Area is known for Artisan coffee, but robots?   This futuristic cafe in San Francisco called Cafe X uses Robots to take your order, and make your coffee in under 2 minutes.  Artificial intelligence is real! This coffee shop in San Francisco doesn't have a person behind the counter but rather a robot. Are you ready for this? Personally I prefer a person to serve my coffee. What do you think?      The bay area continues to be a popular place to call home.If you are ready to search for your next property, or are looking for your home value, visit:www.searchalleastbayhomes.comClick here for the monthly market reports!  01/13/2019

Three Restaurants to Try in San Francisco Right Now LokmaOuter RichmondThis one is a must if you haven’t tried Turkish cuisine before. Chef-owners Emre Kabayel and Neslihan Demirtas offers mouth watering entrées such as whole grilled branzino and yogurt-topped meat dumplings known as manti. Your breakfast will never be the same again, if you try their pancakes - as fluffy as any in town—are made with Greek yogurt and might be accompanied by scrambled eggs studded with sujuk, a kind of spiced sausage. Or you can even try their famous Turkish breakfast - massive spread of eggs, cured meats, hummus, Turkish -style clotted cream, and warm pita. 1801 Clement St. (near 19th Ave.), 415-702-6219 Piri PicaMissionChicken Piri-Piri - is a widely known Portuguese dish which literally translates to ... 12/15/2018

Inventory continued to be strong in October although some...but not all...homes were stitting on the market longer than in months past. The majority of homes are still selling for over their list price, though the percentage over that price is less than we've seen previously. This is particularly true for single family homes, which for many months have seen great comeptition. In October the months supply of inventory for single family homes reached 2 1/2 months, which was lower than the previous month but still up double digits compared to the same month last year. This may be the result of continually rising interest rates, a mercerial stock market, or anxiety before the November midterm elections. Still, the economy remains strong and it's still a seller's market. See below for the Oc... 11/28/2018

San Francisco's gorgeous City Hall is the venue for a pop-up shopping event featuring over 40 makers, artisans and merchants from all over San Francisco selling their locally made items.Date: Tuesday, December 4Time: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PMWhere: San Francisco City HallEasy to get to via car (parking garage next door) or public transportation, now is a great time for some one-of-a-kind holiday, hostess or client gifts.This event is sponsored by Shop & Dine in the 49, a "buy local" initiative focused on keeping spending in the various neighborhoods of the 49-square mile city. By shopping, eating, drinking, and playing in our neighborhoods, we ensure our unique neighborhoods remain thriving, successful and vibrant. 11/26/2018

About a dozen years ago, it dawned on my husband and me and that once we were empty-nesters we wanted a change in life-style. Forty-plus years in the same town, and 35 in the same house - time for a change.It didn't take us long to realize that leaving suburbia and moving to the heart of San Francisco would be the right choice for us, close to family, close to Gene's engineering job in the Silicon Valley and my business on the Peninsula/Silicon Valley. Being able to tele-commute and for me the flexibility of choosing when to drive would make it all feasible.In 2009, when the housing market was heading lower, we purchased our condo and rented it out. By 2011, when our tenants gave notice, all children were out of the house and it was our time! No more cleaning gutters! No more being a sl... 11/20/2018

Clean air to breathe - not something we often think about until its gone - but something for which I will be grateful from here forward.No matter where you live, you've probably heard of the devasting wild fires scorching California at present. The Woolsey fire in Ventura and Los Angeles counties has claimed 3 lives so far, and burned many homes in the Malibu Canyon area. Over 98,000 acres have burned.In northern California the Camp Fire is the deadliest wild fire in California's history. As of today, 56 fatalities have been counted, with more than 100 people still unaccounted for. 10,321 building have been destroyed. Other fires pop up almost daily; fortunately they have been contained quickly -- so far.While the Camp Fire is 150-200 miles from San Francisco, the entire San Francisco B... 11/14/2018

Today  Kasey & John Boles wrote a post about their fabulous public library in Nampa, Idaho, expressing gratitude for the breadth of programs and services it offers.Expanding on that theme, I'd like to say I'm also grateful for the many Little Free Libraries that I find all over San Francisco as well as in the suburban towns on the Peninsula and elsewhere. No doubt you've spotted them in your areas as well.Since walking around San Francisco is something I enjoy and a major source of exercise for me (think hills and staircases!) spotting little free libraries is a delight.  One of my favorites (someone who donates books here has the same taste in reading as I do) is on Jackson Street in Pacific Heights, which is on my walking route to the Presidio, and was the first one I discovered when ... 11/09/2018

In 1918 the Armistice was signed ending World War I,  also known as the Great War, and dubbed The War to End All Wars. Now, 100 years later it is 2018. Sadly World War I didn't bring about peace, and wars still rage on an on throughout the world and involving our own country.In a show of hope and optimism, The San Francisco City Chorus, jointly with the Calvary Chancel Choir, are presenting a concert commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, entitled "War and Peace." When: Sunday November 11, 2018, 4:00 PM (doors open 3:30 PM)Where: Calvary Presbyterian Church*  2515 Fillmore Street, Pacific Heights, San FranciscoTickets: Available at the door. $20.00 suggested contribution. Free for Veterans and childrenReception follows. Meet the singers; enjoy the camaraderie; be part of ... 11/06/2018

 Is the tide turning? After years of consistent and exponential growth the market has taken a bit of a pause. Whether it's a market shift is yet to be seen, but there has definitely been some change in the air as some properties are selling quickly with multiple offers, while others are languishing on the market longer and even taking price reductions. . This could be a variety of reasons. Interest rates have gone up and prices may be increasing to a level that disqualifies buyers from getting in the market. Buyers are exhausted after years of having to compete for properties, and certainly many investors are sitting on the sidelines to see if Prop 10 passes next month. Finally some decent inventory, but buyers seem to be taking a wait-and-see stance. Perhaps this is just due to the mid... 11/02/2018

Let's Get Small Condo Projects San Francisco is known for its majestic Victorian and Edwardian homes, and residents and homebuyers in the city know that sometimes these massive dwellings get converted into condominiums.  Not one's traditional idea of a condo project, what was once a majestic single family home is metamorphosed into a multi-level condominium project with three separate living units, for example.  But small condo projects, typically defined as two to four units, can also be other than a colorful structure in the City by the Bay.  In fact, we encounter them throughout California.   Financing a condominium unit in a small project can be a challenge in some cases, especially where a jumbo mortgage is required.  Lenders always review the attributes of a condo project when the... 11/01/2018

Offered at $565,000HOA Fees: $652.75/ Month Rarely available corner unit in the iconic Hamilton. This alcove studio is bathed in light and has spectacular views with windows along 2 walls. The unit is open and bright with modern touches like Hunter Douglas automatic blinds, Phillips Hue lighting system, and a SMEG fridge. Walk-in dressing area with a large closet and dressing table, additional coat closet, and private sleeping alcove. The building features a 24-hr concierge, ballroom with adjacent caterer’s kitchen for entertaining, outdoor courtyard, fitness center, laundry, and a roof deck with stunning views. Come home to the Hamilton, a renowned Art Deco building in the middle of all the City has to offer. Walk Score of 95, Transit Score of 100 and Bike Score of 85. About the Hamilt... 10/21/2018

Halloween 2018 is rapidly approaching and even pets are getting into the spirit -- willingly or not so!Take Tanner, my granddaughter's Golden Retriever. Tanner is naturally a regal kinda fellow, being an urban San Francisco dog. He enjoys walking and playing (in a dignified manner) in Pacific Heights, especially in Lafayette Park and recently refurbished Alta Plaza, spots where dogs are as welcomed as people and the views are stellar. Tanner's nobility shines, (until he finds a mud puddle, when his inner-dog takes over) so his costume is completely unnecessary in his mind. Luckily, he is not forced to parade in public as the Lion King, or his ego might be damaged, ir-Retrievedly.  10/20/2018

Traditionally, August is among the slowest months in San Francisco Real Estate. Buyers take off on holiday in search of warmer weather while sellers hold off if possible until putting their home on the market for the Fall selling season. Over the past several years, buyer demand has kept the market aloft during summer months, but this year there did seem to be a slight cooling. Prices for single family homes actually decreased slightly (though condo/ loft prices were up), and while the majority of homes sold for over their asking price buyers weren't willing to pony up as much as they have in the past. Still, it remains a seller's market. Inventory stayed dismally low with the fewest new listings in an August in 10 years, and homes were scooped up quickly. Months supply of inventory is ... 09/29/2018

 In spite of being in the "slower" summer months, the San Francisco real estate market continued to tick on at a fairly steady pace in July. Median prices rose slightly compared to June. There was less inventory than in any previous July in the past decade, so unsurprisingly the majority of single family homes and well over half of condos and lofts sold for over their list price. Homes are selling quickly, in under a month, and the supply of inventory is low.Check out all of the details in the charts below. Median Sales Price:Single family homes jumped again in July to $1,650,000, compared to June's median price of around $1,620,000, and prices were  also up almost 18% from the same month a year ago. Condos and lofts, on the other hand, scooched down a bit compared to last month and Jul... 08/20/2018

San Francisco has a new major improvement which is setting The City abuzz. The San Francisco Transit Center opened mid-August 2018 to great fanfare after 12 years of planning and many years of construction. You can read a good overview and see pictures of this glorious structure here.When the architects say this is to be a community resource, a destination for the thousands of people who work and live in the highrises as well as visitors and others, they weren't kidding. Topping the 4 levels is a 5.4 acre park, adding much-needed green space to this densely populated area south of Market Street.On a recent afternoon friends and I toured the building and the roof-top park and found it to be everything it was meant to be. Pop-up cafes, carts with games, books and activities for youngsters... 08/18/2018

As any local hiker, mountain biker, or lover of nature knows, Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, just a few miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, is a beacon and destination in any type of weather.Home to the world-famous Muir Woods, much of the mountain is deeply forested, with Coastal redwood trees soaring overhead creating deep shade where ferns thrive on the banks and streams burble down the ravines.However, cross over a ridge and you'll find sunnier, more arid trails to explore and be rewarded with vistas of rolling hills and the shimmering Pacific Ocean in the distance. One such trail is pictured above, the Simmons Trail to Barth's Retreat. Another is below, the Old Mines Trail looking toward San Francisco, the Bay and points beyond.Just like the contrasts on Mt. Tamalpais, housing... 08/14/2018

"Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana"I hadn't heard this until last week, but apparently it is a saying often used as an example of a "garden path sentence"  as an example of a double entendre.Whatever the origin, I chuckled, and thought of this large arrow sculpture named Cupid's Span which adorns the Embarcadero in San Francisco. After attending a program at the new Transit Center, we decided to walk home via the beautiful waterfront and enjoy the sculpture as well as Embarcadero itself.Yesterday was a delightful day in The City, sunny mild temperatures, a relief from the soaring heat inland. People were out in droves, enjoying a lazy Saturday afternoon, basking in the sun.When you live in San Francisco, it's easy to enjoy the whims of the day.  08/05/2018

 We are officially in what we call the Summer Doldrums. Whereas in other parts of the country, summer is one of the busiest months for real estate here in San Francisco it is among the lightest, with only the holiday season being slower. Perhaps it's the fog and chillier weather that compels people to get out of the city in search of summer heat. Whatever the reason, keep this in mind while reading some of the below statistics.  Median Sales Price:Median prices for single family homes remained relatively flat in June, though they rose 11% compared to the same month last year. Condos and lofts also languished at $1,187,500, down from May's median sales price but up almost 8% compared to June 2017.New Listings:June saw the lowest number of new listings of single family homes since Februar... 07/31/2018

Go Solar SF, Go Solar CA,Zero Net Energy Homes CA  Go Solar SF,  Solar Panels are The Law, Zero Net Energy Homes CA, Go Solar CA. GoSolarSF, San Francisco's Solar Incentive program, and GoSolarCA, California programs for renewable energy will make you money and make your home and neighborhood a healthier place to live. Go Solar CA, You will find California Solar Programs and local incentives, including San Francisco Solar Incentives and credits in our videos.Solar Energy The New law for New HomesGoSolarSF GoSolarCA The new California Law mandates Solar Panels for all new homes starting 1/1/2020. The state efforts to encourage renewable energy and protecting environment, not only has an economic benefit to homeowners, it also will help the state's economy and environment. Solar Energy is... 07/29/2018

My favorite days are when I get to hand my clients the keys to their new home!  After a long search for just the right house to fit their expanding family, my happy clients are now proud first-time homeowners! We were up against 8 other buyers, and were not even the highest-priced offer, but we persevered!! While not always easy to do in this market, a well-prepared and qualified buyer combined with a strong offer and offer presentation can make a big difference. They say good things come to those who wait, and in this case it's certainly true. I first met this lovely couple about 5 years ago when they were dating and thinking of buying a BMR (Below Market Rate) condo to get in on the homeowner action. After a few months of looking, they decided to wait until they could afford the home ... 07/25/2018