Beyond the Headlines: A Look at the Nuances of San Francisco’s Real Estate Market

March 6, 2024

Recent headlines in San Francisco have painted a picture of a struggling city, with news of the Macy’s Union Square closure and the sale of the iconic 170 O’Farrell Street building adding fuel to the fire. While these closures are undeniably significant, it’s crucial to look beyond the surface and understand the complex factors influencing […]

Available Now! The “Realistic Guide To Buying A Home In San Francisco in 2024”

February 8, 2024

Let’s face it. 2023 was just a weird year in residential real estate. The Fed raised interest rates 11 times over the last two years, making potential mortgages and payments much more expensive. There continues to be a severe shortage of new housing being built. And it is very difficult to find available housing for […]

An SF Local’s Guide to the 14 “Best” San Francisco Neighborhoods

December 12, 2023

More than almost any other city, San Francisco is truly a “City of Neighborhoods”. And no matter how you count or define them, the number of neighborhoods will vary depending on who you ask.  When living in or moving to San Francisco, choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important decisions you will […]

How Much is that Mello-Roos? A Comprehensive Guide on Mello-Roos in San Francisco Real Estate

November 30, 2023

If you are considering buying a home in San Francisco, budgeting for your monthly housing payment will include budgeting for property taxes. The primary determinant of your tax bill will be the purchase price of your property, which is taxed at about a rate of .0118%/year. A substantial addition to these bills for some homes […]

Can I Sell My ADU? Exploring the Newly Enacted AB 1033 Law

November 8, 2023

What do you do with your ADU? Until AB 1033 and AB976, you didn’t owner occupy them! Because they were already occupied by tenants or your in-laws, grandparents, or extended family or friends. Until now, accessory dwelling unit – aka efficiency flat, in-law unit, granny flat, or just plain ole ADU – occupancy has so […]

The Paperwork Around Trees in San Francisco

November 3, 2023

San Francisco loves its trees. And while we don’t have traditional “fall foliage” like the East Coast or Midwest, we do have an incredibly beautiful variety of tree species that you are unlikely to find in very many other American cities. Our diverse canopy of trees is crucial to The City’s ecosystem; they help manage […]

Your Complete Guide to ADUs

October 17, 2023

Accessory dwelling units are one of the hottest items in California’s housing industry, inspiring a slew of companies to try their hand at designing and building them. So amid the hype, you may be asking yourself whether you should ride the cresting wave and put an ADU on your property too. Less than a decade […]

What are the Safest Neighborhoods in San Francisco? An SF Native’s Guide

September 29, 2023

San Francisco has long been a popular place to live, frequently appearing on lists of the “Best Places to Live in California” and the “Best Places to Live” overall. It has also been named the happiest city in America, offering a carefree and laid-back lifestyle. Although San Francisco is only the 11th most populous city […]

Buying a Fixer in San Francisco

July 27, 2023

Ever wondered what it takes to buy a house, tear it down, and rebuild it as your dream house? You’re not alone — and in San Francisco, your tear-down options will be severely limited by the SF planning department. From the cost of acquisition to permitting, demolition, and construction, navigating the process can be overwhelming. […]

When an Escrow is an Impound Account

July 12, 2023

Escrow or Impound? Some loan scenarios require the buyer to have an impound account with their mortgage. These impound accounts are often also referred to as escrows or escrow accounts, but these escrows aren’t those escrows. For other loans, an impound/escrow account is an option. What is an impound account and should you get one? […]

Can I AirBnB my SF Condo?

July 10, 2023

We are often asked by buyers considering a condo, TIC, or stock cooperative purchase if they will be able to use their new home as a short-term rental. The answer is almost always: No, no you may not.    Short Term Rentals in SF Condos, TICs, Stock Cooperatives The use of your home in a […]

Living On Yerba Buena Island – The Yerba Buena Island Ferry – Matt On The Move

March 13, 2023

A new ferry service just opened, serving Yerba Buena and Treasure Islands. Matt went to see what the new ferry experience was like, and all the changes happening on #YBI. ⁠ San Francisco’s newest neighborhood is located in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, on Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island. The Treasure Island […]