Charlotte’s San Francisco Real Estate Blog

I was upset this past week to hear from a good friend who also is a PR maven that my blog comes across as SNARKY. As in, conveying a lack of respect and affection for any of you who are kind enough to take the time to read it. I need to sit down with my erstwhile PR pro and find out exactly where I strayed, went amiss, etc., but let it be said, here and now, and loudly, that if ever I have sounded less than patient, or come across as thinking anyone is less than brilliant, bold, good-looking, dare I say swash-buckling, financially saavy, straight-A, Pre-Med if you wanted to be, and able to pull off any outfit you care to throw on with aplomb and pizazz, then avert thine eyes and leave me forever, as I don’t deserve you!!!!

In short, I    You All.

In my defense, a pushy, impatient friend of mine in Los Angeles insisted I buy a house on the spot because prices were skyrocketing. I did, and she was responsible for quite a windfall for me. Perhaps I err on the side of being your pushy friend.
But enough introspection and naval-gazing; let’s get back to Our Favorite Topic, Real Estate. This week we will pretend that money is no object, and look at some of the pricier homes on the market. And since finances are relative, maybe I saw your dream home this week.

 Best Bet in Cow Hollow; elegant 5 Bd/3BA Tudor cottage features expansive Golden Gate and Bay Views, level lawns, mature gardens and old world charm. (All this is true; I saw it with my own eyes.) The home is on an extra large lot, set back from the street, and enjoys a charming front garden plus a large, flat rear yard easily accessible from the main level.

What I loved: the outdoor living space complete with fireplace and views of the Bay- Truly a Wow! The grand living room with fireplace has a large walk-out terrace with fabulous north views. Detached on all sides; guest suite with separate garden entrance, Garage plus 3 car off street parking and we’re done.

Oh joy, oh rapture, it is a divine home.

 Moving East, we pull up to 30-32 Castle St. in Telegraph Hill. It has a two-car (tandem) garage, which is essential in this ridiculously parking-challenged hood. Best plan on offering your friends a spot or you may never see them again. I loved this place; it has a country home feel with an updated and sophisticated sensibility. It’s a two-unit dwelling being used as a two level single family home. You may see a recurring theme in the properties I’m featuring, this one also has a gorgeous roof deck with view of the Bay. Three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, renovated kitchen/great room, media room, patio, and laundry round out this home featured at $1,645,000

Photos:

What will this house cost me?

$1,645,000 (Assuming you pay asking price)

- $329,000 (20%) down

You need a mortgage on $1,316,000

You should be able to get a fixed 30 year mortgage at about 6%; maybe 6.5% on the jumbo amount

Your Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance will cost you $9,690 per month

Your approximate closing costs will be $20,590

You need an income of about $315,000 a year to qualify for this loan, assuming you have 20% down and good credit.

If you ever have questions about closing costs, monthly payments, or what I call your “Total In” as in, the total you need to get into and stay in a particular home, please, please email me at charlotteerwin@zephyrsf.com  and I can run the numbers for you easily.

 More later, but my typing fingers are finished.

Ciao Bellas!

Now is the time to buy, buyers. The bottom has come and gone and we’re trending up, which you may not hear in the news. No, make that you definitely will not hear it in the news. Stupid news-guys. Here’s the scoop: interest rates are at the lowest point since anyone began keeping records. If you have a job and reasonable credit scores (although 680 will do it for an FHA loan) and can come up with a downpayment, you will, repeat, will get a loan. Let me give you a few statistics from Zephyr Sales since April.

April Total Zephyr Sales: (includes Single Family, Condos, and TIC’s) : 99

Sales with Multiple Offers: 35 or 35%

Sales Under Asking Price: 62 or 62%

Sales At Asking Price: 15 or 15%

Sales Over Asking: 22 or 22%

May (through May 20th)

May Total Sales: 79

Sales with Multiple Offers: 22 or 28%

Sales Under Asking Price: 34 or 43%

Sales At Asking Price: 21or 27%

Sales Over Asking 24 or 30%

Open Houses are mobbed with people (with the exception of tenancy in common properties) and Days on Market are shrinking. Timing the market is not easy, but you’re still looking at properties that are anywhere from 15% to 20% down from this time a year ago and super low interest rates. If you want a home, need a home, and can qualify to buy a home, get going!

For help finding a home, contact me at charlotteerwin@zephyrsf.com