Picks of the Week

Happy Weekend!

It’s the weekend, It’s supposed to be sunny and warm. Just the perfect time to go see an open house or two for yourself or see how your home stacks up as the city is in need of more listings and homes for people to pick from. This week we only saw about 80 new listings pop up opposed to last week’s 100+ that’s still far too few.  Take a read here to see exclusive advances on properties and listings coming up as collected from my sources, stories of the week and, of course my list of Picks of the Week.

Don’t Get Discouraged!

You’ll see below that doing your best may still carry the day. Also, if you’re apprehensive and want to wait to buy remember that while San Francisco’s market is strong with pockets of exceptional wealth there is broad growth and appreciation generally that has substance behind it. Some buyers worry about future value and fear they’re buying during a bubble.

But think about it this way: if there’s this much strength now where mortgages and financing are harder to obtain even by the best applicants  (Even President Obama said domestic home lending is too restrictive), imagine what will happen when finance and underwriting rules are relaxed as they will be sooner or later. What will prices be like then?! With rents being equal or more than monthly mortgage PITI costs, it should be clear that buying should still be on the table.

Regional January NAR data suggests that at a local level, trends for both growth and decline observed in 2012 are continuing into 2013. States that were once at the center of the housing crisis, including Arizona, California and Washington, are continuing on upward trajectories. In several markets, particularly in California, home sellers are seeing a dramatic advantage when putting their homes on the market with some of the best prices in recent years. Alternatively, markets in the older industrialized parts of the Midwest and the East will likely continue to struggle without a significant turnaround in their local economies.

According to REALTOR.com:

A number of factors will contribute to the continuation of a housing recovery this year, including the strength of the economy, the cost and availability of mortgage credit, consumer expectations regarding future housing prices and the success of efforts to reduce the number of foreclosures.

So, take a look here and also be sure to go to www.kevinho.co (not “.com”) to see the upcoming broker tour sheet for this Tuesday.

From the Sunny Middle: Districts 5, 6 & 9

Castro, Noe Valley, Alamo Square, Cole Valley, Twin Peaks, Buena Vista, Haight, Duboce, Mission Dolores, Inner Mission, Bernal Heights, NoPa, Inner Mission

Open House Sunday 2/17/13 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

New Listing!
Duboce Triangle
$895,000 – 73 Beaver St, San Francisco, CA 94114
Hurry To This One! Gorgeous, HOUSE-LIKE, Victorian vw condo,full top floor of 2unit bldg. located on one of the prettiest, most sought after streets in SF. Fab curb appeal leads to this tastefully RENOVATED throughout 2bed, 2bath home loaded w/period details incl 11’+ ceilings AND perfectly updated for today’s lifestyle. Features incl LR w/marble FP, FDR, lovely view mastrste w/French drs to deck and lovely SF & East Bay vws, a fab eat in kitc w/operable skylight, custom cabinetry, top quality appliances, laundry center, lots of storage, & walkout deck, & a recently added home office. Deeded garage w/1car pkg & ample storage; roof rights. See website for more details. LOCATION! Walk score 100! Transit Score 96! Don’t miss this opportunity!
  • Type: Condominium
  • Beds/Bath: 2/2.0
  • Parking: 1
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 1051 (Per Tax Records)
  • MLS: 403756

Open House Sunday 2/17/13 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

New Listing!
Contemporary Media Gulch unit with private deck. This polished condo has designer finishes including marble counters, Viking appliances, rich walnut floors, Ann Sachs tiles, & more. Spacious rooms with large windows overlook the courtyard while the best of the Mission is nearby. The gourmet kitchen has a center island and opens to the bright living room with home office area and french doors to a private deck. The bedroom is spacious with fab walk in closet and a grand marble and tile bath. In unit laundry. 1 car parking. The building has a fantastic lobby, beautiful courtyard with lounge area.
  • Type: Condominium
  • Beds/Bath: 1/1.0
  • Parking: 1
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 1039 (Per Tax Records)
  • MLS: 404980

Open House Saturday 2/16/13 – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm; Sunday 2/17/13 – 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

New Listing!
North Panhandle
$699,000 – 1468 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Must see this remodeled 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo with original period details located in a gorgeous 2-unit Victorian building. This full flat condo boasts of hardwood floors, an ornate fireplace and vaulted ceilings. The eat in kitchen features corian counters, stainless steel appliances, great cabinet space plus a large pantry. The kitchen leads to an enclosed patio that can be used as an office, storage, and more. This unit includes 1 car side by side parking in the garage with extra assigned storage space and laundry. Hot NOPA location and only steps away from all amenities!
  • Type: Condominium
  • Beds/Bath: 2/1.0
  • Parking: 1
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 1025 (Per Tax Records)
  • MLS: 404932

Open House Saturday 2/16/13 – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm; Sunday 2/17/13 – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

New Listing!
Eureka Valley/Dolore
$999,000 – 882 Dolores St, San Francisco, CA 94110
This charming home has been renovated and upgraded to a very high standard offering a modern floor plan and amenities yet retaining period details and charm. The main floor has an open living and dining space. The well designed kitchen has been outfitted to please the most discerning cook. A half-bath is conveniently located off the living space. On the top floor is a bright bedroom suite with outlooks to Bernal Hill and a full bath. The lower level of the home has a very spacious master bedroom with en-suite bath. Laundry facilities are also conveniently located on the garden level where French doors open from the den onto the courtyard and garden. This tranquil home has a walk score of 95.
  • Type: Condominium
  • Beds/Bath: 2/2.5
  • Parking: 1
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 1742 (Condo Map)
  • MLS: 404909

Open House Sunday 2/17/13 – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

New Listing!
This chic live/work loft condominium features an open floor plan with soaring ceilings, large north-facing windows with new Roman shades, new interior paint and painted concrete floors. The main level includes an open living/dining room, a remodeled 1/2 bath, office alcove, private terrace and kitchen with upgraded appliances and custom cable pendant lighting & undercounter lighting. Upstairs is the master suite with walk-in closet. One car garage parking is included. There are shared laundry facilities. This home is near Mission Cliffs Climbing Gym, Atlas Cafe, Coffee Bar, Medjool, Universal Cafe, Mission Community Recreation Center, shops, night life, transit and City CarShare.
  • Type: Loft Condominium
  • Beds/Bath: 1/1.5
  • Parking: 1
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 0 (Not Available)
  • MLS: 404869

Open House Saturday 2/16/13 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm; Sunday 2/17/13 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

New Listing!
Haight Ashbury
$785,000 – 2009 Oak St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Enjoy this exceptional Victorian full floor flat in historic Haight Ashbury. It has been beautifully renovated. Some of the features are: high ceilings, wood floors, two fireplaces with gas inserts and beautiful detail throughout. The kitchen has been remodeled with stainless steel appliances and granite counts. It is open to a wonderful great room. The kitchen also opens to an exclusive use deck that leads to a common south facing garden. The public rooms and deck are perfect for relaxing or hosting guests. There is a formal living room, an office, 2 remodeled baths, two bedrooms and a storage room that has the washer/dryer hook ups. This is a walker’s paradise with a 92 walkscore.
  • Type: Tenancy In Common
  • Beds/Bath: 2/2.0
  • Parking: 2
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 0 (Not Available)
  • MLS: 404890

Open House Saturday 2/16/13 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm; Sunday 2/17/13 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

New Listing!
Bernal Heights
$1,199,000 – 264 Moultrie, San Francisco, CA 94110
Behind the Victorian facade this home underwent an extensive renovation that transformed it for current living: 3 spacious bedrooms, 3 new baths, large new kitchen with island for casual meals, dining room, family/entertainment/media room, and there’s still lots of storage space. Attic is finished and could be used as a play room or home office. Features: Rear yard with mature trees, home security system, new plumbing, new electrical wiring, CAT5 wiring, power outlet and HDMI cable behind TV for clutter-free viewing. WalkScore 95, Walker’s Paradise, 1.5 blocks to Cortland Ave shopping, and cafes (3 minutes to Good Life Grocery), 2 blocks to Bernal Hts Park, a great park for dogs. Easy access to 101 and 280. 1 car parking.
  • Type: Single-Family Homes
  • Beds/Bath: 3/3.0
  • Parking: 1
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 0 (Not Available)
  • MLS: 404706

 

FIXERS

 

Open House Saturday 2/16/13 – 12:00 to 2:00 pm; Sunday 2/17/13 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

New Listing!
Cole Valley/Parnassu
$1,295,000 – 150 Carmel St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Here’s your opportunity to remodel a very large family home w/ an oversized yard and big Golden Gate / North facing views. Currently, there is a good amount of square footage and even more could potentially be added with a top story addition. Although there is a good amount of deferred maintenance, the location and obvious potential for expansion justifies a renovation project that would lead to an incredible and grand Cole Valley home. Wide lot = 33 feet. Long lot = 114 feet deep. This is a total fixer but there is great value in the potential.
  • Type: Single-Family Homes
  • Beds/Bath: 3/2.0
  • Parking: 1
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 2663 (Per Tax Records)
  • MLS: 404899

Two of my Favorites

Open House Sunday 2/17/13 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Duboce Triangle
$895,000 – 471 Duboce Ave, San Francisco, CA 94114
Design by award-winning architect Owen Kennerly, the Townhouse at 471 Duboce Avenue is ideally located at the intersection of three of San Francisco’s most vibrant neighborhoodsDuboce Park, the Castro and the Lower Haight. The newly remodeled home occupies the 1913 storefront of the former Wing’s Steam Laundry. Restored Edwardian storefront, with detailed paneling returned to its historic beauty. Wide-plank hardwood flooring, Custom cabinetry with exotic wood finishes. Chef’s kitchen features eco-friendly Lagos Blue Caesarstone counters, Top-line Samsung french-door refrigerator, dishwasher and over-the-range microwave, Bertazzoni Pro-Style Gas Range. Top floor features office/flex-space with private outdoor deck.
  • Type: Tenancy In Common
  • Beds/Bath: 2/2.5
  • Parking: 0
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 0 (Not Available)
  • MLS: 404747

Open House Sunday 2/17/13 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Duboce Triangle
$1,175,000 – 469 Duboce Ave, San Francisco, CA 94117
Architectural masterpiece in Duboce Triangle! This fully renovated townhouse is tucked away in the Victorian-era warehouse of the former Wing’s Steam Laundry of 1913! Featuring 13′ ceilings, mahogany-window wall with sliding doors opening to a large deck and wet bar w/wine refrigerator, the living room is perfect for entertaining. An artisan created staircase leads to the second level with dining room, bedroom, bathroom and a kitchen with Bertazzoni range, Lagos Blue Caesarstone counters and custom cabinetry. The top floor showcases two luxurious master-suites each with private outdoor space including a huge south facing deck w/panoramic views.
  • Type: Tenancy In Common
  • Beds/Bath: 2/3.5
  • Parking: 0
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 0 (Not Available)
  • MLS: 404748