We’re in what I call the dog days of San Francisco real estate—July and August. Many prospective buyers are on vacation, many sellers are holding back listings until after Labor Day and real estate agents themselves are also away. (That being said, I have three buyer-side escrows going, so it’s not that slow for me.)
With fewer new listings hitting the market, buyers should take a close look at existing house and condo inventory and see if there are any direct hits for them. To that end, here’s what’s happening now:
Single-Family Homes
# Active listings: 239
Avge list price: $2,620,000
Avge days on market (DOM): 58
Multiple houses available in: Bernal Heights, Bayview, Central Sunset, Crocker Amazon, Excelsior, Noe Valley, Pacific Heights, Silver Terrace, Visitacion Valley, Westwood Park
My pick for $1M or less: 306 Hale in Portola ($998,000). The 1930s-built 2BR/1BA house has been hanging out on the market since March, when it was listed for $1,249,000. They were down to $998,000 and went in contract recently, but are back on the market. Yes, the house needs kitchen and bath updates, but there’s a bonus room down and the yard has potential.
My pick for $3M+: 68 Castro in Duboce Triangle ($3,395,000). People, this is the house that the owners decorate to the nines at the holidays! We need someone to keep things going for the community. This three-level Edwardian home has amazing period detail and clocks in at almost 3,000 square feet. (Photo above courtesy Coldwell Banker Realty)
Condos
# Active listings: 546
Avge list price: $1,390,000
Avge days on market (DOM): 86
Multiple condos available in: Dogpatch, Diamond Heights, Eureka Valley, Financial District, Hunters Point, Inner Mission, Mission Bay, Mission Dolores, Nob Hill, Noe Valley, Pacific Heights, Potrero Hill, Russian Hill, South Beach, SoMa, Civic Center, Yerba Buena
My pick for $1M or less: 603 Natoma #402 ($799,000). Yes, SoMa is still gritty but where else can you find a 2BR/2BA with parking and an impressive walk-out patio for under $1M? Updated kitchen, baths and in-unit laundry, and there’s an elevator in this 26-unit building.
My pick for $2M+: 229 Brannan #12C ($2,150,000) I am loving this 2BR/2BA unit in South Beach’s The Brannan. The corner unit has unobstructed panoramic views of The Bay and bridge, which is pretty much all you need to know. There’s also a small terrace and the bedrooms are spacious. The Brannan has some of the best amenities in the city that include 24-hr security, a door person, heated 75 ft. lap pool, jacuzzi, gym/fitness center, concierge services, spa and BBQ area.