Will 1687 Alabama break records for Single-family homes in Bernal Heights?

1687 Alabama promises to be a hot, hot, hot property with its chic renovation of a typical two-level San Francisco home that really shows off the possibilities

Jim Hurley and Vanguard are known for their renovations (biased opinion acknowledged). But in this case Jim and his development partners have outdone themselves by turning a run-of-the-mill Bernal Heights home on Alabama Street (just up the block from Precita Park) at the base of Bernal’s North Slope into a demonstration piece showcasing the fullest potential for San Francisco’s classical homes.

The finishes are quality, the modern aesthetic shines. Sure there are wood floors, a kitchen with an island, bathrooms and bedrooms and even a skylight. But it’s the execution that sets this home apart. Skylights are used to cast massive amounts of light even on foggy morning. The wood floor blanks are broader. The baseboard and door framing treatments are elegant and clever. And my personal favorite the floating bathroom vanity with underlighting (sayanora pedestal sinks!) The massive walk-up open living space with kitchen and living room is flanked by two bedrooms and bath. A skylight and modern chandelier light the stairs going down (a piece of craftspersonship in itself) to the master suite level with an en suite bathroom (double floating vanities that all open and lead out to a cleverly landscaped backyard.

Listed at nearly $1.3M this home will touch the $1000/sqft price point if it sells at the price. Take a look at it while you can!

20120517-102838.jpg

20120517-102854.jpg

20120517-102912.jpg

20120517-102921.jpg

20120517-102946.jpg

20120517-103003.jpg

20120517-103012.jpg

20120517-103020.jpg

20120517-103039.jpg

20120517-103058.jpg

20120517-103124.jpg

20120517-103139.jpg
Continue reading

What does $16.5m get you these days in SF?

A Massive 11,000 sq ft Pac Heights Mansion listed with Pac Union at 1250 Pacific at Baker

The last of the Newhall family that owned this Cape Cod tucked away off of Pacific behind another ‘modest’ home passed away a couple of months ago willing this 7 bedroom mansion to a nearby church after living there for 92 years. Yes, 92. In the end it was her and a 24-hour caregiver left on this home with amazing public spaces complete with a replica of a cape cod shingled house – but inside under an atrium that leads into another nautical-like homage to the aft of an 19th century English sailing ship. The caregiver was given the ‘modest’ brick home across the street and the church got the house. The house has a servant wing ala Downton Abbey in addition to a massive outdoor greeting area for your dignitary of choice, working nob and tube electrical systems, antique water heaters and dryers as well as sweeping views north and of the Getty’s apparently. It’s not every day where you can look down on their home right?

Oh, and one thing, there’s no kitchen apart from the one in the basement where all the domestic staff lives. The SF real estate market is hot these days and $16.5M just doesn’t get you what it used to!

Here are some snaps taken during the 45 minutes it took to tour the house. Oh, and forgot to mention there are no showers in the house and we were pretty sure the phone worked!

20120517-100039.jpg

20120517-100105.jpg

20120517-100134.jpg

20120517-100208.jpg

20120517-100229.jpg

20120517-100341.jpg

20120517-100355.jpg

20120517-100420.jpg

Continue reading

FLASH! Brick & Timber 1/1 Condo at 310 Townsend, #408, Foreclosed, $429,000

A SoMa steal of a deal as a home or investment property. 

List price: $429,000 for this 1 bed, 1 bath, 690ish sq ft brick & timber, converted, wood-floored space.  No real telling where it will sell at given the City’s market today.  Recent sales of other units nearby have all sold at or below asking with number 407 (a short sale), its neighbor, selling for $435,000.  Most 1 bedroom units average in the high $300s to low $400,000s.  This unit is vacant.

The listing agent doesn’t know who the lender is nor are there any disclosures and will be sold as is  Unlike a detached home, condos can fair better because of the HOA maintaining it.  Unit doesn’t come with parking, but there is leased parking nearby – probably $250-$300/month. That said, it’s still a tremendous value for being right next to the CalTrain station. Remember foreclosed places are a bit easier than a short sale in my experience.  According to the listing agent there are no owed back HOAs dues.

Here’s the rub:  OFFERS ARE DUE THIS WEDNESDAY at NOON.  

Let me know if you want to see it (it’s on lockbox) and my colleagues and I estimate the rent it could fetch would be in the $3000 – $3500 range. And if you financed it you’d still end up ahead:  For example: Purchase price of $429,000 with $45,000 down for example at a 30-year fixed rate, then the monthly PITI (principal, interes, taxes and insurance) is around $2200 netting you some cash!

Give me a call at 415.875.7408 if you have any questions or want to make a move on this opportunity! 

Find out more about 310 Townsend from SFOpenHomes.com.

From the Outside

On the inside

The Front Door

Tuesday’s Tour for May 15, 2012 – Lots of New?

Congratulations to my clients Carrie and Aaron for getting into contract in the exclusive, almost sold-out Millwheel!

Carrie and Aaron got in on the ground floor in this about-to-pop building before most anyone in SF did because they worked with me and were willing to go for it! It’s exciting, it’s the right timing and about being in the right place at, of course, the right time! This opportunity was not even on the MLS yet (and may never end up there) and I found out about it by being curious, courteous and tenacious. It paid off!

So, will you find your new home like Carrie and Aaron did? Take a look below at our Tuesday Broker Tour sheet to get a start by learning what we’re seeing this upcoming week…. MLS Broker Tour for 5:15:12

What was new today, Central areas, May 8, 2012

And over in the Haight, Castro, Noe Valley

1830 Page Street, Essentially a Detached House oasis in the Haight, list price $929,000

Another theme today was the house within a house – or in other words – detached bungalows. This two-story is no bungalow but rather a cute, open floor plan home with a garage space in the front of the property in the 2-unit condos facing Page Street listed with Caroline Scott at Zephyr. The home was built in the 1870s and, after the earthquake, the house was moved back on the lot and the two units built in front. In the 80s it was switched back to a single family space. HOAs are $300 and offers are due May 14, 2012.

20120508-225614.jpg

20120508-225647.jpg

20120508-225720.jpg

20120508-225756.jpg

20120508-225817.jpg

20120508-225831.jpg

534 Ashbury, newly refurbished top-floor 5 bedroom condo, list price at $999,000 with downstairs, street level deeded storage

This top floor (with stairs to match) that has been renovated to show off its natural lights and potential to the fullest with modern upgrades that add a lot of value. The deeded storage space could well be turned into sparking space with money and effort. Listed with Brown and Co. Offer date not yet set.

20120508-230937.jpg

20120508-231009.jpg

20120508-231025.jpg

20120508-231139.jpg

20120508-231204.jpg

20120508-231234.jpg

20120508-231308.jpg

20120508-231320.jpg

20120508-231424.jpg

20120508-231504.jpg

29 Hartford St., Victorian Condo, listed at $829,000

This is on one of those streets many dream about living on. Located in the middle of the Castro on Hartford Street this one has two double-parlors. There are period details, nice landscaping and great built-ins. There are three bedrooms in this bright home. Offer date not set listed with Danny Fernandez at Zephyr.

20120508-232720.jpg

20120508-232736.jpg

20120508-232749.jpg

20120508-232831.jpg

20120508-232854.jpg

20120508-232906.jpg

20120508-232922.jpg

20120508-232945.jpg

20120508-233121.jpg

What was new today: Tuesday Tour May 8 2012, up north

Even though inventory has been relatively slack, there was still a lot to see. The market remains mixed with bargains and very red hot properties alike.

up on the north side

Over at 2800 California St., #303, Paula Pagano of Hill and Co presented a two-level newer construction condominium located at California and Divisadero. This home is located on the upper two floors of the building. There are high 9 foot ceilings and hardwood floors. The master suite basically has its own level and has a walk out deck with panoramic views to the east. Current list price is $869,000. The offer date is Friday, May 11, 2012. According to Paula there are already interested parties.

20120508-221310.jpg

20120508-221331.jpg

20120508-221352.jpg

20120508-221416.jpg

20120508-221440.jpg

2347 Union St., #2, condominium, List price $665,000, expected price to decline to $650,000 within the week.

For those who want to live in Cow Hollow up on the north side, 2347 Union as listed with Ron Sebahar of Hill and Company offers a good choice. This 1 bedroom home has independent parking across the St. $250 a month. HOA dues are $350 a month and cover everything but in unit water and electricity. The home is very sunny, part of a four unit building built in 1924. There’s a renovated kitchen and general upgrades throughout. The bathroom could use an update however. The seller is becoming more motivated as time goes on. This space isn’t nice one and very quiet despite its central location. It also has a nook/den that can serve the work-at-home person quite well. The kitchen was upgraded recently and has a nice greenhouse window and there’s a common area yard downstairs. Offers as they come.

20120508-222122.jpg

20120508-222143.jpg

20120508-222203.jpg

20120508-222219.jpg

20120508-222241.jpg

Continue reading

Open House Picks of the Week: May 6, 2012 Edition: The Full House House is On!

Here are this week’s picks of the weeks from San Francisco’s open houses. This past week has seen multiple offers again and slackening inventory for the upcoming week. But rumor has it that the number of 3R permit historyapplications (required for all sales) are up. Three new developments, 299 Valencia, the Millwheel and the Madrone are pre-selling fast – before construction has finished.  Navigate to KevinHo.org to see my in-depth reports, pictures and videos from my visits to each.  Apart from that, there’s a lot to look at, check out this week’s open houses below.

Where I will be today:

Inner Mission $649,000 - 601 Alabama St #306, San Francisco, CA 94110

Where I'll be Today

Open House Sunday 5/6/12 – 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, I’ll be there from 1 – 3 p.m.

Second unit for resale since 2009! Two blocks from Flour + Water Restaurant in vibrant Mission, this upscale unit features 1038 sf of spacious living space, 2BR/2BA, pkg, in-unit W/D hook-ups, gas stove, stainless steel appliances & more. Designed by award winning architect Daniel Solomon & built in ’09, pet & family-friendly 601 Alabama radiates pride of ownership & great sense of community! Split-bedroom plan (1-master suite) is ideal for roommates! Walk-score of 94 in Walker’s Paradise & known for best weather in the city, ground zero for foodies is near all great Mission dining & nite life, transportation & easy freeway access. Absolutely a fantastic place for fun & relaxation! HOA also pays PG&E gas & broadband. FHA approved.

 

  • Type: Condominium Beds/Bath: 2/2.0 Parking: 1 Approx. Sq. Ft.: 1038 (Per Tax Records) MLS: 395819

Continue reading

A Painted Lady for Sale! (The Full House house) 710 Steiner

The iconic Full House house or otherwise known as one of the ’Painted Ladies’ is on the market for a mere $2.295 million.  Now you can own this bit of “HISTORY,” exclaims the marketing text. Directly facing Alamo Square you’ll have tourists flocking to you as well as Bay to Breakers every May.  

Uncle Jesse?

Built in 1894 it has 4 levels and that Gold Rush meets Victorian era feel from the pictures posted online.  What would Bob Saget Say?   Want to know what it looks like on the inside? Take a look by clicking the link to 710 Steiner | SFOpenHomes.com.

There’s a hook for everyone at this place – Bauerware

We all know San Francisco homes are unique, what happens when you need unique hardware to match? Well, take a look at Bauerware over on 17th St.

One of the grms in the city is the store located at 17th and Noe Streets that sells best variety of custom and unique hardware anywhere. Right next to Frances is Bauerware – a great shop that I’ve known about for the past couple of years. It’s locally-owned, happily run, and uniquely stocked.

Take a look at some of the examples of the variety of things that are seemingly ordinary and looked over everywhere else but quintessentially San Francisco here.

20120504-083056.jpg

20120504-083109.jpg

20120504-083118.jpg

20120504-083127.jpg

20120504-083142.jpg

20120504-083151.jpg

20120504-083159.jpg