San Francisco’s two-unit building market has been quite busy in 2013. No surprises there, such properties—particularly when they’re completely vacant—are excellent options for buyer partners or those who want to owner occupy one unit and rent out the other.
A total of 303 two-unit buildings have sold citywide, year-to-date. And 29% of them were sold in all-cash transactions. Of the 112 such buildings sold from July-November 12, 2013, 66% were sold for more than the list price, which mirrors the selling pattern for single-family homes and condos in San Francisco.
Let’s welcome some new two-unit building owners to the SF Overbidders Club. Remember, you can only gain entry into the club if you pay 25% or more over the list price:
157-159 Collingwood
The Castro
List Price: $1,600,000
Sale Price: $2,125,000
Overbid Amount: 33%
Closed Escrow: 11/6/13
These two spacious, vacant units in a prime Eureka Valley location are exactly what a lot of buyers are looking for. Each unit had an oversized living room, formal dining room, large eat-in kitchen, and original hardwood floors. And the kitchens provided the opportunity to do your own remodeling. There was also a large, unwarranted in-law unit on the main level, as well as a large yard. (But only one parking space.) In the end, the seller received ten offers, five of which were all cash. The winning offer hit it out of the ballpark with a contingency-free contract and cash.
426-28 17th Avenue
Central Richmond
List Price: $899,000
Sale Price: $1,325,000
Overbid Amount: 47%
Closed Escrow: 9/23/13
This is another vacant two-unit building, with one 2BR unit and one 1BR. The property needed work, with broken back stairs and general TLC needed throughout. Kitchens and baths were in their 1950s original condition, too. In walking distance of Gaspare’s Pizza and Aziza on Geary, as well as four blocks north of Golden Gate Park, 426-28 17th Avenue is in a very convenient part of the Richmond.
29-31 Delmar
The Haight
List Price: $1,499,000
Sale Price: $1,988,000
Overbid Amount: 33%
Closed Escrow: 11/7/13
Yet another vacant two-unit building hit the market with a splash, in a popular Haight location. Each flat had 2BRs, split bath, living rooms with bay windows, formal dining rooms, and 1915 period detailing. The large garage had four-car capacity, and there was a landscaped garden. 29-31 Delmar was also sold in an all-cash transaction.