Are You a Lender or a Banker or a Broker? "So are you a broker or a lender?"  "Or a banker or a lender?"  "Or a broker/banker?"  Yes, yes, and yes! We get this question all the time, but I think it comes from a good place.  Naturally, everybody shopping for a home loan wants to get the best rates and terms and some confusion swirls around how the type of mortgage originator one uses has a bearing on the outcome.  So when they work with me, who is really behind the curtain?[Too lazy to read the rest? Watch the video below instead.]  Banker / Broker / LenderIn the post-downturn lending industry, there are really only three primary channels for obtaining a residential home loan; mortgage banker, mortgage broker and mortgage lender.  It's important to know that no matter which you choose th... 02/21/2019

January sales are typically among the lowest of the year. That is because in real estate, the data is the result of what the market looked like 30-45 days prior. So January sales reflect what was happening and on the market in late November and December. In these months, sales are slower as sellers hold off until after the holidays, particularly in the higher-priced luxury market, and many buyers take a break as well.The good news is that so far February seems to be picking up. We've gotten more inventory on the market and judging from the open houses I've hosted as well as chats with other agents, buyers seem to be out in numbers again. The stock market has steadied in the new year, the government shutdown is over, and the Fed announced that they will not be raising rates again until a... 02/18/2019

Possibly because of my profession as a real estate agent, or perhaps because of my role as a mother and grandmother, or maybe just because -- I've long supported charities working on housing and hunger issues. Usually my support has been financial.Thanks to the San Francisco Association of Realtor's "Give Back Day" I had an opportunity last year to volunteer at Glide Memorial serving meals to the homeless and hungry. My assignment was to welcome each client who came through the line, and hand each a breakfast tray. Each tray had been filled with a variety of breakfast items, with good protein, some carbs, a sweet and fruit. For two hours, the line never stopped. It brought home to me the immensity of the need in our city--and I know we're not unique here in San Francisco. It humbled me.... 02/17/2019

Today was a rainy Saturday in San Francisco. While that means my qi gong class at the top of Lafayette Park didn't take place, it did mean we had a couple of unexpected hours for a "field trip" we have wanted to take for a long time - a visit to Rainbow Grocery. We spent a delightful couple of hours perusing the aisles, starting with an almost overwhelming array of bulk teas, flours of all types, nuts, oils, mushrooms, nuts and seeds and then moving into the aisles rich with numerous varieties of vegetarian food - condiments, soups, protein powders of various descriptions, aisle after aisle of supplements, and food of all types. Rainy days have silver linings indeed. Ours today was our first (but not last) visit to Rainbow Grocery. 02/09/2019

Open House today, 2/3/19, with special Super Bowl hours12:00 Noon - 2:00 PMHosted by Lottie Kendall 2911 Jackson Street, San Francisco(between Broderick and Baker Streets) Offered at: $3,650,000Built in 1904, 2911 Jackson Street is a 4-bedroom, 3-bath, 2-level condo in a 3-unit building, located in Pacific Heights, San Francisco. This Edwardian penthouse is full of architectural detail and renovated in an exceptional manner to meet today's life style. A two-car garage, always coveted in San Francisco, and a roof-top deck with cityscape views add to the joy and ease of living here.You are invited to stop by today's Open House, 12:00 Noon-2:00PM 02/03/2019

2018 Wrap-Up  Generally speaking, San Francisco home sellers did quite well in 2018. The median price for single family homes grew 13% year over year, and condos and lofts median prices grew almost 5%. Homes sold rather quickly and most for more than their list price. Here's how the year shook out: Median Sales Price: The median sales price for 2018 reached $1.6 million, up 13% compared to last year as previously stated. The almost 5% bump for condos and lofts brought their median price to just over $1.2 million.Average Days on Market :Thanks to continued anemic inventory available, homes in 2018 practically flew off the proverbial shelves. Single family homes spent an average of 23 days on the market before accepting an offer, down almost 14% compared to 2017. Condos and lofts averaged... 01/19/2019

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