Charlotte’s San Francisco Real Estate Blog

We all have status. Whether low, medium, or high status, we all move through the world wielding our status. For many of us, losing status can be more terrifying than death. Marketing, in many ways, is a means of communicating the improved status one can enjoy from associating one’s personal brand with the brand of a community, a home, a car, or other material things. Home ownership is a means of expressing one’s status. The difficulty of buying a home stems from fear of exposing our status, for example if we can only afford a home in an area we don’t think matches up to our status, real or desired. Buying a home that is less than what we want or in an area that is not our number one choice means a reevaluation of what our material possibilities are. The recession has changed some people’s economic lives forever. Like a lot of people, I believed in a continual upward progression of wealth, with any given home being a place I’d camp out at for a few years until my increasing economic power would allow me to buy a better home in a better neighborhood. I was raised on the American Dream, and I don’t think I’ll ever put it away. My goals have changed. I now think that the path to personal freedom lies in escaping debt. I imagine a future now that includes paying off the house I live in and staying in it, saving money and giving myself the gift of lower cost of living.  I believe in home ownership, because renting can only leave you poor, but more and more I believe in letting a home be a place that offers you shelter, security, and the chance to stop the never-ending run to the top of the financial mountain. And, if I plan on living in my neighborhood indefinitely, maybe I’ll try harder to make it a better place to live, rather than a place to invest.

The Fed decided we are not out of the woods yet and left interest rates unchanged in this week’s meeting.

Good thing, I say! Interest Rates are magical and mysterious, but one thing you must know-

Billions of Chinese forced to save by an authoritarian government is what stands between you and very ugly interest rates. They keep buying our Treasuries, which keeps our interest rates artificially low, which means you can afford a lot more home than traditionally you ever could, which means more people can buy it from you when you need to move, which means you can get a higher price for it than if that money was going to pay for interest. Capiche? Hug a Chinese National today.

Here’s a sampling of rates from Guarantee Mortgage;

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words:

Here’s a stumper: what is the percentage of homes listed for sale with NO PICTURES? A staggering number, is the answer. If you are planning on listing your home, you most likely will interview a couple of realtors and then choose the one you think will do the best job in selling your home for the most money. I am blown away by the number of homes for sale that have no pictures. I’m writing about this because clearly some sellers think that not having pictures of their home is not a problem. Well, here’s my policy: NO. NADA. Un-Uh. I would not dream of sending a listing without pictures to a buyer, or of going to check out the property for myself on tour. Why would I? People rightfully expect their agent to be efficient with their time. Likewise, on any given Tuesday I will always have more properties than I have time to see. The Tuesday Broker’s Tour features homes in each district for brief, 1.5 to 2 hour windows. Why would I drive to a listing I assume is hideous because the seller/listing agent doesn’t bother with a photo? I wouldn’t, is the answer.  So a good question to ask is : “Are you planning on having professional photos taken and posting them on the MLS?”

Manners Matter:

Next on my “so easy I want to laugh and cry because of how often it happens and it’s so insanely stupid list”: Listing agents who don’t respond to buyer’s agents’ questions about their listing. I work for Zephyr. I’ve never been the type to shout my company’s praises from the rafters, but Zephyr is not any company. When I call another Zephyr agent, or email them, the response time is somewhere between 5 minutes and an hour. So, like yesterday, when my clients saw a condo that’s been on the market for 166 days, that seems reasonably priced, that they loved, that they’d essentially like to move forward with, and I call the listing agent at another company, and that guy’s out of town, and his back up doesn’t answer or return phone calls and emails, I start thinking, “OK. There’s nothing wrong with this property that a good agent couldn’t fix.” And I am sorely tempted to call the owner and tell them just what a crap job their agents are doing for them.

A good question here is “What is your standard for response times to buyer’s agents?” Also effective is to request a weekly update on realtor interest, calls, emails, and showings.

I take my hat off to my new friend Rocky Papale, who has acheived the rare Edwardian/Craftsman Home remodel on his property at 538-11th Ave. with taste, historic preservation, and a modest nod to modernity. I saw the home today, whilst touring, and was delighted. The original built in leaded-glass cabinetry, pocket doors, crown molding and flooring has been retained, with all the hardware stripped and cleaned. The result is original hardware that looks like nothing I’ve seen anywhere, shines like silver, and adds a gorgeous patina to the home, as the built-ins are numerous. Two sets of french doors were added, something to remember when you look at a home that may be dark. One set leads from the formal dining room to a lovely deck; the other from a sitting room off the kitchen to the backyard. Photos are the only way to share this property, so here it is;

Divine. Call me if you’d like to see this special home. I can be reached at 415-279-0289.

Sitting at the light at O’Shaunessy and the Bart Station in Glen Park, I noticed  a Nestle Quik Chocolate Drink Advertisement featuring the Nestle Quik Bunny saying “Happiness is All Around You, Drink It Up!”

Truth the Bunny speaks, I thought. There are all kinds of definitions of Happiness, but a persistent one is the notion of Happiness conferred by home ownership. The right home.  If only we could “Drink it up!” as easily as slurping down a glass of Nestle Quik.

I have been stumping the pavement this last few weeks on the trail of homes in the $600,000 to $800,000 price range, mostly three bedroom, two bath homes. And there are lovely homes out there in this price range.  

Here are my Notable Properties Under $800,000 in the City this week:

25 Foerster St. Sunnyside Neighborhood:

Asking $759,000

This 3BR/2BA, 1915 Craftsman style home has been thoughtfully remodeled combining period charm and modern amenities. The 8-room floor plan also provides a living room with beautiful wood-burning fireplace, open updated kitchen & dining area, sun room (currently used as office) & 1-car garage parking. Amenities, hardwood flooring, all new electric/plumbing, radiant heat under Spanish tile in baths, beautifully landscaped yards, 2 large decks, and views of Mt. Davidson & Bay.

260 Bradford 

Bernal Heights Neighborhood: Asking $799,000 Great value for a 3 BR 2BA single family home on a quiet street with west-facing deck, yard & views. Light from sunrise to sunset with east & west exposure. Lower level has a large master suite, foyer, & garage with plenty of storage. Upper level has 2 good sized bedrooms, full bath, kitchen, and living room with dining area. Sunny kitchen with granite counters & stainless steel appliances, central heating, W/D, hardwood floors, new roof, and new paint throughout. Only a short walk to Cortland Street shops and EZ freeway access for Peninsula commuters.

And my personal favorite Home of the week:

(Please consider that I spent considerable time on farms in the South as a kid and find anything with old heart pine flooring and a certain tobacco barn-like je ne sais quois to be irresistable. If you hate it, cut me some slack.)  This home is 12.5 feet wide. I find this insanely charming. It feels spacious inside, and if that sounds impossible, I don’t blame you, but you will have to go see for yourself. Call me if you need an appointment to see it or go to an Open House. 415-279-0289.

 75 Manchester St.

Asking $749,000