Kitchen Remodel as Progress … Or public health risk?

Posted by on Mar 23, 2013 in Advice, First Time Buyers, hi end, Home Buying, home interiors, investment potential, New Construction, Noted Design, Real Estate Industry, San Francisco Real Estate |

From this week’s Sunday NYTimes:

Many of the safety issues of yesterday’s kitchens are gone. No one in my family is likely to tumble into an open hearth. But new kitchens pose a more subtle danger to our health by doubling as a comfortable social, entertainment and eating hub. Retail marketers have long known that when tempting food is within close range of our eyes or nose, we tend to eat more of it. In our new kitchens, it’s just too darn easy to get to addictive snacks and calorie-rich drinks.

See more at the NYTimes Sunday Review

20130323-111218.jpg

20130323-111037.jpg

20130323-111108.jpg

Read More

Curbed SF : The San Francisco Neighborhoods and Real Estate Blog

Posted by on Feb 19, 2013 in Mission Dolores, Noted Design, San Francisco Real Estate, SF News |

The long long long-time coming Dolores Park renovations have just gotten their umpteenth revision. After a thousand community meetings that covered everything from dog run areas to toilet design, the plan went back to the Planning Department last year for some tweaks. Community members were afraid tweaks would turn into major changes, but in the end there were only four mentionable differences.

via Curbed SF : The San Francisco Neighborhoods and Real Estate Blog.

dolores%20park%20revised%20plan.jpg

Read More

Doelger Home Styles – Western Neighborhoods Project – San Francisco History

Posted by on Feb 17, 2013 in Home Buying, investment potential, Noted Design, Outer Sunset, Real Estate Industry, San Francisco Real Estate, San Francisco Real Estate Districts, Sunset |

When Henry Doelger built and sold his first house in 1925 thousands of San Francisco homes were constructed with elements of Spanish, French, and Italian Revival style. Doelger’s homes stayed in line with his competitors: stucco exteriors, barrel-fronts over recessed garage entries, stairways open to the sky, red tile roofline accents, and various generic bas-relief decorations.

via Doelger Home Styles – Western Neighborhoods Project – San Francisco History.

Read More

Kevin’s Open Picks of the Week: Open Houses & News You Can Use: Golden 49ers Ed., Jan 19-20, 2013

Posted by on Jan 20, 2013 in Advice, Alamo Square, Bernal Heights, Buy Now, Castro District, Cole Valley, Condos, Cow Hollow, Dolores Park, Duboce Triangle, Lower Pac Heights, Miraloma Park, Mission Dolores, notable homes for sale, Noted Design, Open House, Richmond, Russian Hill, San Francisco Real Estate, San Francisco Real Estate Districts, SF News, South Beach - SOMA, Sunset, TIC, UCSF, Vanguard Properties |

Inaugurate This: Go 49ers! Go See Homes Saturday (or Sunday if You’re Not Into that Kind of Thing)

Lots of targeted opportunities have come on the market this week that have universal appeal nonetheless. A pair of fixers in Bernal a Victorian in Anza Vista and the offer date for curb-appeal-with-great location on 19th Street is Monday, the 21st. Take a look at the Sneak Peeks and the Where are they Now Section below to see that the market wave here in SF is starting off strongly:

Listing Sneak Peeks & Noteworthy

(as overheard/shared by my colleagues)

  • 627 Castro at 19th St, Castro, top-floor TIC of a 3-unit building, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths (one, en suite), 2 parking spaces (!) recently renovated Edwardian flat, with 1600 sq ft. approx.  2 fireplaces, killer location, amazing yard and surrounding neighbor yards that look like a forest. Seller will pre-sell, fantastic Restoration Hardware finishes, coffer/tray ceilings, new lighting, garage .  Expected list price is $1.250M. Call me to arrange showing with the listing agents.
  • 352 Richland at Andover, Bernal Heights single family home fixer with APPROVED, shovel-ready plans for a 2300 sq ft expansion/addition to an otherwise large 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath, deep lot with yard, listed at $795k. Listed next week generally on MLS.
  • 355 Buena Vista Ave, #301, 1 bed, 1 bath, extra storage, TWO parking space, condo, 774 sq ft, HOA dues around $400/month, expected list price $599k
  • 1610 Sacramento, Nob Hill condos, eight recently renovated condos, each with independent parking spaces, 2 beds, 2 baths each either at 1150 sq ft or 1500 sq ft, prices range from $900k – $1.3M on within a week.
  • 4077 17th Street, top-floor condo, great location, 2 or 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, top-floor, price range $1.0M+, within 2-3 weeks.
  • 24th and Dolores - Stunning renovation of two condominiums from a former single-family house. Won’t last long. Stunning views, high-end finishes, solid and quality construction. 1101 Dolores St. Lower unit 1.5 million upreared at $1.995 million. Upper has four bedrooms, two and half-bath and 2300 ft.² lower home has three bedrooms two baths with Cornerview at 1800 ft.² each comes with a parking space and it essentially new construction. Coming Soon.
  • NEW Construction on Natoma Street Btwen 6th and 7th Street at 537 Natoma  13 new construction condos, 9 2Bd/2Ba, 4 1Bd/1Ba, 850 sq ft–1100 sq ft, elevator building, all with parking, ready next week exclusively for Vanguard agents and their clients. Expected price range $525k–$799k
  • NEW Construction at Broderick and Hayes. Three NEW Construction condos with LUXE finishes, huge parking, roof deck/patio deck, marble bathrooms, marble and miele kitchens, wide and open spaces, Cat-5, audio, one full-floor flat, two 2-story town homes, 2/3 beds, 2 baths each. Expected prices $1.2M & $1.35M, on within 2 weeks. Check out some sneak snaps here in my iCloud album.
  •  160A Linda Street @19th Street, 2-Bed/2 Bath 1 Bed/1Bath, TIC home in lottery, expected in January, February, pre-sale possible, middle unit, recently remodeled and sold (2010), expected list price range: $479k–$525k
  • 486 Chestnut, Three new condos, 2 or 3 bedrooms with 1 to 2 parking spaces each, at least 1600 sq ft each expected, priced from $1.6M to $2.1M are coming on the market in January. It’s a rare to find something new in this area at all. See more: http://1456chestnut.com
  •  2069 Green Street @ Webster, 3-Bed/3 Bath Pacific Heights Condo with parking and 3000+ sq ft., good light & garden access, expected list price range: $1.695M
  • Oak & Baker, 5-unit building, with one renovated owner’s unit with 3-4 units some delivered vacant, excellent redevelopment opportunity, expected $1.8M–$2.0M

My business comes from you and yours, so please feel free to pass this along to your friends, colleagues, pet walkers, etc. 

Thanks! 

Kevin Ho

Don’t Miss Early gifts for you to give thanks:  Access various reference resources — including my exclusive 60-page User Guide on how to navigate real estate successfully in San Francisco  for buyers and sellers at www.kevinho.org Ask me for reference materials via Dropbox.  And see pictures of many the homes I preview for you at Photobucket or on iCloud or YouTube.

Picks of the Week

Open House Sunday 1/20/13 – 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
New Listing!
Bright, southwest orientation for this handsom Manhattan style high-rise in the heart of Yerba Buena living. Kitchen opens into the dining and living room. Large one bedroom. Hardwood floors, 9 fth high ceilings, crown molding, kitchen w/ granite counters & stainless steel appliances, washer/dryer, private patio & one deed parking space. Close to great restaurants, SFMOMA, AT&T Park, Ferry Plaza, the Financial District and Union Square. Wonderful investment and GREAT place to call home!!
  • Type: Condominium
  • Beds/Bath: 1/1.0
  • Parking: 1
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 670 (Per Tax Records)
  • MLS: 404087 
Open House Sunday 1/20/13 – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
New Listing!
Duboce Triangle
$1,750,000 - 2295 15th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
This fabulous extensively remodeled Vict. is in one of the most desirable locations in San Francisco. High ceilings give this home a loft like feel. Light & airy living room has bay windows and a gas fireplace. Formal dining room, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths w/ hardwood floors throughout. Remodeled kitchen has wood cabinets, 2 skylights w/ stainless steel appliances & opens onto a deck overlooking the lovely garden. The master suite has a full bath & a door that opens onto the deck & garden. Upper bedroom has a private 1/2 bath & deck. Lower level includes a bonus room, large closet & separate entrance. There is also a laundry room. The 1 car garage has additional storage. Walk to shops & restaurants. Minutes to hwy 101 & 280! WalkScore 100!
  • Type: Single-Family Homes
  • Beds/Bath: 4/2.5
  • Parking: 1
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 1634 (Per Appraiser)
  • MLS: 404122
Open House Sunday 1/20/13 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
New Listing!
South of Market
$599,000 - 281 Clara St #6, San Francisco, CA 94107
The epitome of urban living: sexy contemporary top floor corner loft with style & convenience in the heart of Soma. Large inviting open living space with abundant natural light, gas fireplace, skylights, & City views make this home ideal for entertaining and relaxing. Create culinary delights in your gourmet kitchen with island, SS appliances, Caesarstone counters, & plenty of cabinets for storage. There’s 1 bedroom, a full-bath, & wardrobe on the mezzanine with an additional half bath on the main level. Complimented by designer colors & window treatments to complete the home & make this urban oasis move-in ready. One car deeded parking with designated storage also included. Walk Score of 92, Bike Score of 97, and transit score of 100!
  • Type: Loft Condominium
  • Beds/Bath: 1/1.5
  • Parking: 1
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 992 (Per Tax Records)
  • MLS: 404162
Open House Sunday 1/20/13 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Lower Pacific Height
$980,000 - 1383 Baker St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Stunning down to the studs renovation/remodel! All new systems; foundation/garage/plumbing/electric. Elegant, contemporary SOMA style living with finely detailed Victorian facade. Open concept kitchen, dining and living room with direct access to serene patio and garden through wood-framed sliding glass doors. Private loft style master suite plus additional bedroom and bathroom. Mahogany floors throughout; high ceilings, laundry room, 1 car deeded garage space plus additional storage.
  • Type: Condominium
  • Beds/Bath: 2/2.0
  • Parking: 1
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 1497 (Condo Map)
  • MLS: 403926
Open House Sunday 1/20/13 – 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
1900′s Modernized Victorian with wonderfully open floor plan. Wood floors with radiant heat throughout the main floor. Hi-end kitchen with poured cement counters & casual eating area, spa-like bathroom, large bedroom & office area (legally a bedroom). Built-in sound. Lower level just completed with additional master suite with en suite bathroom & walk-in closet, library/den used as a bedroom, 2nd full hi-end bathroom & laundry closet. Painted cement floors with radiant heat throughout. Direct access to patio & awesome south facing yard from this level as well as interior access to the garage. Just over a block to 24th St. & some of SF’s best dining & shopping. GOOGLE bus stop close by. Easy access to HWY’s 280/101, public trans. Terrific.
  • Type: Single-Family Homes
  • Beds/Bath: 3/3.0
  • Parking: 1
  • Approx. Sq. Ft.: 0 (Not Available)
  • MLS: 403835
Read More