Archive for April, 2009
Posted by insidesfre on April 30, 2009
Several months after it was purchased in August 2008 as a fixer/teardown for $950,000 in a probate sale, 141 27th Street on the Noe Valley/Mission border is rehabbed and ready for a buyer.
The developer brought the interior down to the studs and created a main level that features a living/dining/kitchen combo; small middle bedroom; full bath and large master suite at the rear. Downstairs is a family room, third bedroom and bath, and a two-car garage. The yard is now nicely landscaped. The house is about 1900 square feet.
The kicker is the $1.6M price. There’s a lot of competition in Noe right now; in fact, the same listing agent just brought on a large-scale, two-story Victorian with 2400-square feet at 1522 Sanchez at 28th for $1.6M today. Several other currently listed homes may not be renovated circa 2009, but for the money, can probably provide a better location or floor plan.
We’ll see how it goes. My sense is that paying $950,000 for a teardown originally listed at $637,500 might have been a bit rash. The desired profit may not be there in the current market.
Posted in Noe/Eureka Valley | Tagged: noe valley, renovation, upper noe, victorian | 1 Comment »
Posted by insidesfre on April 29, 2009
There’s something for everyone on the 100 block of Beaver Street in Corona Heights/Eureka Valley. For the single-family home set, there’s 141 Beaver, a 2BR/2BA home listed at $1,850,000 that boasts a modern design by renowned architect Bernardo Urquieta:
I was last in this home when it was on the market in 2002 and purchased by its current owners for $1,650,000. It doesn’t appear to have changed much, so I’ll let prospective buyers be the judge as to how much appreciation a 2BR/2BA home will be allowed under the auspices of the current market.
Across the street is 146 Beaver, a nicely remodeled 1BR/1BA with just under 1,000 square feet: 
This Marina-style unit is listed at $669,000 and was last sold in November 2007 for $715,000.
And then there’s 2BR/2BA 136 Beaver:
Listed at $949,000, this top-floor unit actually has three-car parking between two garages. The master suite (above) is what I’m diggin’. You can really get a feel for it in person. Nice remodel on this unit, too.
Posted in Noe/Eureka Valley | Tagged: beaver street, Bernardo Urquieta, corona heights, Eureka Valley | Leave a Comment »
Posted by insidesfre on April 28, 2009
Within about a week of coming on the market at $750,000 in March, 76 Montcalm in Bernal Heights garnered a whopping eight offers. This was the 2BR/1.5BA with one of the bedrooms accessed via a ladder.
Well, apparently our real estate market is not in dire shape, as eight potential buyers stepped forward for a shot at living in Montcalm. Only one walked away, to the tune of an $810,000 selling price.
Posted in Bernal/Excelsior | Tagged: multiple offers, montcalm, Bernal Heights | Leave a Comment »
Posted by insidesfre on April 27, 2009
Two 1950s single-family homes are currently duking it out in Upper Noe.
In one corner is 260 Day:
This has been on the market since early March. Its current list price is $1,045,750, down from $1.1M. This 3BR/1.25BA house has two-car parking, room to expand on the garage level, and sits opposite the Day Street Rec Center.
Just around the corner lies the new contender at 228 30th Street:
This 3BR home is missing the .25 bath, but also has three bedrooms and two-car parking. The kitchen has been remodeled—though it appears to be a bit awkward—and it’s slightly larger on the main level than Day Street. However, the location right on 30th Street between Chenery and Dolores means Muni will be a big factor, both rail lines and buses. That block is busy.
Posted in Noe/Eureka Valley | Tagged: mid-century, noe valley, upper noe | Leave a Comment »
Posted by insidesfre on April 23, 2009
I stopped in at 542-546 Central in the North Panhandle during my broker tour this week. This is a three-unit building involving an upper unit priced at $835,000, and a lower flat listed at $760,000. Both units share an interest in a third, ground-floor unit that is being viewed as rental property.
I stumbled upon the lower unit’s whitewashed kitchen, which struck me as the type of room that’d be used in a movie about a dead chef. What you can’t see in the photo above is the other half of the room, which is occupied by a huge, wooden designer picnic table easily accommodating eight or more people. Even the wood floors are painted white throughout this unit. You kind of have to see this room in person.
Posted in Haight/NoPa | Tagged: nopa, north panhandle, three-unit building | Leave a Comment »
Posted by insidesfre on April 23, 2009
You’ve been reading a lot about the various home buyer assistance programs being offered through the government. But I wanted to share information about a new California Association of Realtors (CAR) program for first-time home buyers.
CAR’s Housing Affordability Fund is sponsoring a mortgage protection program aimed at buyers who are qualified to make a home purchase—but who may also be concerned about the potential of losing their jobs. Through this program, first-time home buyers who lose their jobs due to layoffs may be eligible to receive up to $1,500 per month, for six months, to help make their mortgage payments.
I’m not a proponent of pursuing a house purchase amidst the backdrop of possible layoffs. But if this program can throw out a safety net for those who think their job is secure, I’m thinking it’s worth considering. Check out the CAR program requirements for more information.
Posted in Home Buyer Tips | Tagged: california association of realtors, CAR, CAR Housing Affordability Fund, first-time home buyer, mortgage | Leave a Comment »
Posted by insidesfre on April 21, 2009
I’m often asked about the availability of two-unit buildings (a.k.a. “duplexes”) in San Francisco. The idea of residing in one unit and renting out the other is a popular one—if the cash flow works out.
A quick look at the market reveals that there are 147 two-unit properties available right now. They range in price from $394,000 for a fully tenant-occupied, bank-owned building in Bayview; $1.1M for a Noe Valley duplex with a tenant in the lower unit; and $4,250,000 for a vacant property featuring 4BR/3.5BA up and 2BR/2BA down in the Buena Vista Park area.
Here’s the lowdown on these types of properties. Vacant two-unit buildings will likely be priced well above what a single owner will want to pay (i.e., cash flow won’t make sense if you’re renting the other unit out). This is because such properties are targeted at TIC buyers who want to owner occupy both units.
If you’re considering a two-unit building in which both units are tenant occupied, it’s important to recognize that owner move-in evictions are limited to one unit per building.
There are many variations on these types of homes, so knowing the facts before you even take time to look at a building is key.
Posted in Market Snapshots | Tagged: bayview, Buena Vista Park, duplex, two unit | Leave a Comment »
Posted by insidesfre on April 20, 2009
Lone Mountain’s 76 Rossi first came on the market in November 2008 with a list price of $2,395,000. It was then withdrawn and relisted at $2,295,000 in January. The house features six bedrooms, four bathrooms, and enough space for a workout room.
Final selling price? $2,195,000. Think about that the next time you’re ready to make an offer on a $2M+ home.
Posted in Richmond | Tagged: lone mountain, rossi | Leave a Comment »
Posted by insidesfre on April 17, 2009
Thirty-eight single-family homes and 36 condos/TICs are apparently more than current San Francisco buyers can handle. That’s the level of inventory currently available in Noe Valley. There was a time when Noe homes were snatched up within days. But with less loan money available to buyers, Noe sellers—like those in the rest of San Francisco—will need a dose of patience, luck and good fortune to clear out the inventory.
The once popular $1.2M-$1.5M single-family home price range is awash with inventory in Noe. But there are likely not enough Silicon Valley-commuting buyers on hand to get some of these homes into contract.
Up for a TIC in Noe? There are 29 TIC interests available, ranging in price from $389,000-$997,500.
With only 12 single-family homes, eight condos, and 11 TIC interests in contract or pending, it doesn’t appear that Noe Valley will have a dramatically new influx of residents over the next month or two.
Posted in Noe/Eureka Valley | Tagged: noe valley | Leave a Comment »
Posted by insidesfre on April 16, 2009
West Portal is a high-demand neighborhood, with a low level of inventory—particularly for first-time home buyers. But there’s a trio of single-family homes now available for under $1M.
67 Madrone only has one bedroom (no exaggeration there), but its location is prime West Portal. With about 1,000 square feet on the main level, you have everything you need for a 1BR/1BA house. The garage isn’t large, but can accommodate one car and has a bonus room that could be enhanced. The seller had plans for an addition and expansion, but is leaving that up to the next owner. List price: $829,000.
Next up is 225 Granville, the newest listing in the area.
This 3BR/1BA home has about 1325 square feet, a living room with fireplace, and original kitchen and bath. This baby will be sold in a probate sale, so if you’re not up for being the sacrificial lamb in court, get your cashier’s checks together and plan on some overbidding in court. List price: $890,000.
And finally, there’s 542 Ulloa:
This 2BR/1BA home comes with permit-ready plans for adding a master suite, sitting room and laundry on the garage level. List price: $948,000.
Posted in Miraloma/West Portal | Tagged: under $1M, west portal | Leave a Comment »
