Podcast
Homes for Sale

For the last three months just about all anybody has been talking about in San Francisco is the upcoming mayoral election. So naturally, this week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, we talk about politics!
[00:20] What an eventful year it has been so far. We kick things off with Aaron Peskin, his recent criticism of the San Francisco’s Fire Department, and the role he played in getting London Breed deposed as the interim mayor.
[02:08] So who are the candidates for San Francisco mayor? There are eight in all, with the front-running four being: London Breed, Jane Kim, Mark Leno and Angela Alioto. Because most people in San Francisco fall somewhere on the progressive liberal political scale, identity politics often come into play during election time. But is this going to be the defining factor? The big question of the race is: Will identity politics win out over policy? According to the latest polls, the favorites to win are London Breed and Jane Kim. In the event of a close race, San Francisco uses a ranked choice voting; how does this work?
[08:26] Some of the big issues that people will be voting on are housing, municipal services and homelessness. It seems that being a ‘flaming lefty’ is the easy route to take in San Francisco, but is this approach the answer to everything? Britton explains what her reasons for supporting London Breed are, including the fact that she is smart, realistic and has the right motivations in undertaking such a challenging role. The increase in homelessness and a growing sense of disconnect in the community are just some of the changes we’ve seen in the city, so there is a lot on the plate for whoever takes up the position next.
Thank you for joining us for this week’s episode. We hope you enjoyed this episode and join us again next week for more San Francisco real estate stories!
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This week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, we pick up where we left of last week for part 2 of Matt’s interview with Britton’s Mum Micki.
[00:20] Micki has had a lot of great real estate experiences over the years, but she does recall one occasion that was just awful. While trying to sell their house in Austin, Micki and her husband came across a snake oil salesman masquerading as a real estate agent. Having already singed a contract with a particular brokerage, the manager refused to let them out of their contract, but luckily, after voicing their complaints, they had a new agent assigned to them and she was brilliant – she managed to rebuild trust and humanized the whole experience. Is it a coincidence that she was previously a nurse?
[04:40] There are many different parts to a real estate process. Different agents can excel at different parts but the stand outs, they are good at most or all of it. It is also what makes Matt and Britton such a great team - they complement each other bringing their particular strength to the table.
[06:51] How has the real estate experience changed over the decades? We have come a long way in some ways. Did you know that not so long ago, the income of a female of a child-bearing age wasn’t taken into account for a mortgage application?
[08:37] Collecting rubber bands and porcelain animals! Britton had some interesting hobbies growing up, but what discouraged her from her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian? To wrap it all up, Micki shares some personal stories about Britton.
Thank you for joining us for this week’s episode. We hope you enjoyed this interview and join us again next week for more San Francisco real estate stories!
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Britton’s mum Micki joins us this week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast. Similarly to Matt’s parents, Micki and her husband Bill moved across the country on several occasions to explore interesting opportunities at work. In part one of Matt's interview with Micki, she shares their home ownership journey from Marin, to Austin and all the adventures in between.
[01:02] We start the journey back at the beginning. The year was 1971 and, after looking at some options in San Francisco (SF) - their preferred location, Micki and her husband decided to venture out to Marin County where the housing was more affordable. They met a fantastic agent at an open house in Gough Street and he recommended another great agent who worked with them in Marin. However, after an exciting job opportunity beckoned Bill to Anchorage, Alaska, they decided to do the unthinkable and sell their house without an agent!
[04:34] With two full-price offers on the very first day, they had no trouble selling the house. In fact, they found the perfect buyers. Not only did they love the house, but they also bought their car and even adopted their cat, Sebastian – who would have hated Anchorage. What a great story! With things moving so quickly, Bill moved to Alaska ahead of the family and Micki entrusted him to find their next home with just these simple instructions: “You know what I don’t like”. Some years later, the family was on the move again, this time to Larchmont, New York. They spent many years here and Britton attended high school, grammar school and middle school in Larchmont. But soon enough another job offer called and Bill moved out to Austin ahead of Micki to look for their next home. He found a house according to the same instructions as he had previously.
[09:45] For most people, buying a house can be an overwhelming and somewhat scary experience. A great agent can make the whole process less stressful. What’s more, the best agents take interest in their clients as individuals and often friendships can develop. So how did Britton go from being a high school English teacher to a real estate agent and what role did Micki play in making that happen? Also, is it true that former teachers make the best real estate agents? Because the focus of a great realtor is to help people, the theory/philosophy that the best realtors come from helping professions such as teaching, and nursing makes a lot of sense.
[15:09] It is unsettling to see, that sometimes, as people get older and go through significant changes in their lives, it can leave them vulnerable to being taken advantage of. A trend we often see in SF is people downsizing and moving back to the city, looking for smaller homes with better access to amenities, most importantly because human interaction is so important at any age and it can rejuvenate people who were lonely and living alone once they are surrounded by people again.
Thank you for joining us for this week’s episode. We hope you enjoyed part one this interview and join us again next week for part two!
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This week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, we pick up where we left off last week for part 2 of Matt’s interview with his dad.[00:20] For sale by owner in Gallup, New Mexico! It took some time upon moving to Gallup to find the right property, but one day while out exploring, Mr. Fuller spotted a for sale sign. Like most of their properties, the house in Gallup underwent some renovations before it truly became a home. Fortuitously, due to a new high school being built, the area they purchased their property in became more desirable over the years. Coupled with the renovations they completed, it meant the Fullers were able to sell for a profit when they decided to move again, this time to Albuquerque.[03:13] In Albuquerque, after an unpleasant experience with their first realtor, the Fullers reached out to Matt for some recommendations on finding a good one.Polybutylene piping, home improvements, and refinancing options. What adventures did Albuquerque have in store for the Fullers? It is interesting to consider how much quicker a property appreciates in San Francisco (SF) nowadays, compared to some of the other areas of the US – it takes a month in SF rather than years or decades that it might take in areas where supply and demand is more balanced.[07:57] We look back at how much things have changed in real estate over the years. As we have previously discussed (listen to the interview with Matt's Mum here), technology and the internet, in particular, changed certain aspects of the process. Everything happens a lot faster and in some cases with just a click of a button! Also, there was a positive change in the representation of the buyer’s interests. Realtors now have a duty to the buyer — ie., buyer agency vs. being a sub-agent of the seller.[10:30] To wrap up, Mr. Fuller's points out how not all realtors seem to stay on top of all aspects of the process. It is rare to find a team, or person, who does it all and does it well. What was it like for Matt to make that leap from the corporate world to real estate 16 years ago?Thank you for joining us for this week’s episode. We hope you enjoyed this interview and join us again next week when we chat with Britton’s mum!
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Last week Matt’s mum joined him on the podcast and shared her real estate experiences with us. Every story, like every real estate purchase or sale we've been a part of, has at least two sides – and often a lot more! This week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, Matt talks with his dad to get another perspective on their family's experiences buying and selling homes over the decades.[01:28] The Fuller’s first home in Boise, Idaho was a great buy. Even though the turnaround between buying and selling their house there was unforeseeably quick, the profit they made from it really set them up down the line in terms of home ownership. The economic environment back then in the 70’s seemed to be more favorable for various programs that enabled buyers to come up with the funds for the down payment on a home, particularly for first-time buyers.[06:35] Work relocation took the Fuller family to Denver. Upon arrival, they quickly found a real estate agent through Mr. Fuller's colleague and she helped them find their new home where they remained until leaving the state. While the house was busy appreciating, the family was knee-deep into soccer. There was a star player, a coach, a referee and a state board member – and Matt the not-soccer player! Over the years, the family remodeled the home and housing prices appreciated so by the time the Fuller’s sold their house and left Denver for Michigan, they were able to net a nice profit.[10:48] What are the things home buyers need to consider when deciding on a property? Choosing the right neighbourhood is often just as important as choosing the right house and, in fact, the two often go hand in hand. Most people have a list of requirements for their ideal neighborhood. For a family like the Fullers, this included things like good schools, recreational facilities, and access to shopping.[12:17] We finish up part one of this interview in Michigan. The cold weather? Bats in the attic? Michigan was quite a change for the Fuller family. While they ended up finding a really nice house with a beautiful backyard often visited by deer in all seasons and fireflies on warm summer nights, in hindsight Dad regrets what they paid for that property. The realtor they used was working strictly for the seller and the Fullers felt their interests were not the priority. Agency laws vary by state and have changed over time..?[18:21] Before moving back to New Mexico, the Fullers moved once more, this time to a small town in Michigan, where they loved the Realtor and the commute, but beyond that…. scandalous! Join us again next week, for part two of the interview, when we pick up the Fullers' trail in Gallup, New Mexico!
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A house in Idaho, a house in Colorado, a house in Michigan, and a house in New Mexico! Matt’s parents', (the Fullers) home journey of the Wests: Northwest, Midwest, and Southwest. This week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, Matt interviews his mom about her real estate experiences from the first 1977 property purchase to the present home.[00:21] The Fullers bought and sold their first house in Boise, Idaho all within a 4-month time period – AND netted a profit. The quick turn because of a work re-direction back to Denver.[03:48] The Fullers arrived in Denver with a whole weekend to find and buy a home. Fortunately, a great real estate agent was connected via Matt's Dads work. In 1977, to get on the property ladder of home ownership, the Fuller’s needed a 20% down payment. While they had most of the money in savings, family helped a little too. Family gift money continues to be allowed within certain parameters today with required disclosures.[07:50] Next stop: On the Midwest and home in Michigan! The Fullers found that the houses were often dark  and scoured for a property with numerous, large windows and lots of natural light. Light is only possible when it exists which it doesn't in the winter; the Fullers couldn’t wait to get out of Michigan. An opportunity to relocate to New Mexico was a quick decision to move toward the sun![13:54] Settling first in Gallup, New Mexico; a small, rural town surrounded by the Navajo and Zuni reservations. The reservations prevented expansion of the town creating a competitive real estate market. Once the next Fuller home was identified, it was a quick sale from the owner. For Sale By Owner (FSBO) was also the Fullers choice when their travels took them to Albuquerque. So, how did this process turn out?[16:24] What are some of the things to look out for in a realtor. Matt’s mom shares some of the good and the bad experiences while Matt reveals what exactly ‘cute’ means in “realtor” talk.[20:10] From the first purchase in the seventies to the latest one in the new millennium, how much have things changed over the years? The process of buying and selling a house remains fundamentally the same, however, real estate has evolved with the internet and modern connectivity. To wrap up, we share two perspectives on this, the buyer vs the realtor.Thank you for joining us for this week’s episode. We hope you enjoyed it and join us again next week for more interesting stories!
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Amazing shoe collections, a toilet in a closet, and steel reinforced doors are just some of the unusual things we see in this business. Some amazing, others…not so much. This week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, we focus on the things we wish we could un-see.[01:34] Britton and Matt share stories of some of the more unpleasant things they have come across working in real estate. We hear about the time Britton showed a house that could have been a good set for the show “Hoarding: Buried Alive” and Matt’s experience seeing a home he wasn’t allowed to see![05:07] Occasionally, there were listings where you can only see the inside of the house once your offer is accepted, i.e., make your offer subject to inspections. This leads us to ponder a question. With marijuana now legal in California, how does it affect things? Will there be more grow houses in San Francisco, or fewer?[05:57] Circling back we continue to share some more stories featuring cats, toilets in places they shouldn’t be, as well as indoor barbeques.We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode and join us again next week for more interesting stories!
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Britton, Britney, Britanny? What's in a name…? This week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, we talk about some commonly mispronounced place names in San Francisco, many of which have been named after notable people.[01:20] We discuss different pronunciations of Noe Valley, Gough, O'Shaughnessy, Phelan Avenue, Duboce, Bernal Heights, Marin County, San Rafael and more.[6:09] Pronunciation of some street/place names in SF seems to be perpetually debated. So, what is the right way and who's in charge of pronunciation anyway?We hope you'll enjoy this week's episode and join us again next week!
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 This week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, we wrap-up our first podcast visit to the San Francisco home of our past clients, Josh and Carlos. If you missed the previous two episodes in this three-part visit and would like a little intro to our guests Josh and Carlos, please listen to episode 27 and episode 28. Otherwise, welcome back to the final episode of the house tour!Misconceptions, Lessons Learned and Good Advice[00:50] The biggest misconception about buying a San Francisco home is about the length of the home buying process itself. Josh and Carlos explain that, while the negotiation and the offer process itself was quick, they expected the overall process to be a lot quicker. So don’t schedule your holidays ahead! Another misconception is that you will only be dealing with professional individuals on the other side.[7:50] Advice from the couple that made it through the house buying experience in San Francisco, successfully. To begin with, choose the right realtor team. The right agents will know the market, the neighbourhoods, other agents, and that makes all the difference. They can help guide you and provide invaluable advice making the whole process easier and a lot more enjoyable. Which leads us to the second great tip. You’ve probably heard this one before, but it holds true: know what you really want![14:28] Moving into a fixer upper was a fun experience. Carlos and Josh share some more fun stories and how the house inspired bursts of creativity, especially for Josh.We hope you enjoyed these interviews and a huge thanks to Josh and Carlos for welcoming us into their beautiful San Francisco home!
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This week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, we continue the interview with our first guests. If you missed last week’s episode and would like a little intro to our guests Josh and Carlos, click here for the part one of this three-part interview. Otherwise, welcome back to part two of the house tour![00:46] We pick up the tour in the downstairs area, where Josh and Carlos did an incredible job tidying up the space for various creative endeavors. We also find out what happened to the little house that was outside on their deck… with a shoutout to local store Scrap.[11:28] How do you make a room appear bigger? Get some scale sized furniture of course! Looking at some furniture around the room, Matt is reminded of a staging company that did this.More Chandeliers![14:30] When they bought the house (REO) it didn’t come with any fixtures.  Josh, who is particularly fond of chandeliers, took advantage of this opportunity to put up as many of them as he wanted. Urban Ore in Berkeley became a great resource as they look for authentic or vintage finishings for their home. But how does he keep them sparkling? He has a system he shares with us.[15:57] Buying and working on a fixer-upper can become a full-time hobby – especially when you do some of the work yourself. However, Josh and Carlos explain how it's also extremely rewarding seeing it all come together. We talk about, what can sometimes be, an overwhelming cost of some of the repair work and how they found a great painter who did an amazing paint job on the outside of the house (to the great approval of the neighbors, too!)[17:27] Finally, we talk about what might have been. When house hunting, there are sometimes properties we love but miss out on for various reasons. One of the properties we reminisce about was the castle in the Bayview area with an exceptionally exceptional toilet, amongst many other exceptional features. Current city law requires water-saving toilets, which has us wondering about the exceptional toilet.. and Matt's memory is correct – the SF Water Dept. documentation includes the information about exempting toilets of historical significance.Tune in next week for the final part of our interview!
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And now for something completely different! This week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, we interview our first guests. Josh and Carlos are clients who purchased their San Francisco home in a very different market – they purchased a REO property during the downturn. They termed the phrase “Shivering Heights” for their neighborhood and they agreed to let us come over to their house, interview them about buying in San Francisco, and just chat about owning a home in SF. It's a 3 episode interview, this is part 1 and covers our drive over and the beginning part of our home tour. It was still a bit messy since the have recently started renovation.[00:33] When Josh and Carlos bought their house the property market in San Francisco was completely different than it is today – in fact, we were in the midst of a property downturn. Seven years later, we visit them at their place to see how they have settled in![01:47] We kick off part one of our three-part interview with Matt questioning the suitability of using the Comic Sans font on the first page of the REO addendum document. REO addendums are horrible things that haven't been a regular part of the SF market since the last down turn. What is it about that font that screams unprofessional? Everything![03:06] As we arrive at their San Francisco home we meet our client’s huuuuge, Scooby Doo-like dog and hear his story.Fixer-upper[08:34] Starting in the foyer, it is clear Josh and Carlos have done quite a bit of renovating since we last saw their place! What was once sad and neglected but a huge amount of space is now a beautifully updated, very functional, modern space.[12:03] It is great to see how well they have settled into their new home, meeting their neighbors, and what it was like getting to know their new neighborhood.[17:27] We talk about how different the market was back in 2011, but even then getting your first offer accepted was rare. Prices have sky-rocketed since then… Tune in next week for part two, where we learn some more fascinating things about their home and the remodel they did.
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Re-cleaning carpets, installing cabinets and adjusting tracks for closet doors. This week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, we are talking about strange terms in contracts that we’ve either received or written or heard about before!And now, based on your requests, some time markers to help you find your favorite part of the episode quickly!No Contingencies, Please![00:59] In San Francisco’s competitive property market there is usually no contingencies, so we don’t often see strange terms in contracts – the cleanest terms possible are typically your best bet in a competitive market! Price and terms are the two basic factors that affect how a seller will view an offer, and in a market with rising prices and multiple offers, how “clean” the terms are will often be one of the first items considered.[01:51] Having said that, we do have some interesting stories to share of terms we have come across during our years in real estate. Would you agree to let the buyer sleep in the house before writing an offer? Clean the carpets two or three times? Make dinner for the seller after they move out?[06:59] These types of requested terms might sound quirky and entertaining, and often they are easily handled in the context of one deal. However, when the contingencies included within one contract depend on the purchase or sale of another property, an issue with one escrow can have a serious cascading effect. We see this when the buyer’s offer on a property depends on a sale a property that the buyer currently owns. The Real Estate business can be very difficult at times, but from a project management software for creatives, it can be very easy if it is well organized. Thank you for tuning in! We hope you join us again next week, when we will be welcoming our first podcast guests. Josh and Carlos take us on a tour of their home and talk about buying and owning in San Francisco.
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A deal is a deal and an agreement is an agreement, right? Last week we talked about ‘real houses’ and the trend that sees developers building more condos in the city. So, this week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, we thought we would talk about new construction commission agreements in San Francisco.New ConstructionNew construction differs from resale transactions as most new construction is not in the MLS – which is not just a database of homes, it is also an offer of compensation. Britton explains more about how this works and how, in new construction sales, the agents often have to sign a commission agreement with the developer which outlines how they will be paid by the developer and typically states that they are not to share their commission with the buyer. In addition, there are a variety of laws that deal with issues such as: who can receive a commission, who can receive a commission that you need a licence for etc.Outside EscrowBut let's talk about the commonly used, straight-up agreement between a developer and agent where part of the agreement is that no part of the commission received by the agent can go to the buyer. We discuss why this makes a lot of sense from a developer’s point of view. There are ways people try to circumvent the commission agreements, but because federal lending law requires that any money exchanged in a transaction is accounted for on the closing statement, it involves going outside escrow. And guess what? This is a slippery slope to committing loan fraud!While we always endeavor to do everything we can and go the extra mile for all our clients we also value our reputation in this industry…Thanks for listening!
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Happy New Year everyone! This week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, we start off the year with an interesting question: what makes something a ‘real house’? Recently Britton discovered that, according to some, the home she has been living in for the past decade + isn't a "real" home. Apparently, the only "real" home is a completely detached stand-alone, single-family house?


Real Homes
Where does that leave condos? Are these homes not real? Of course, they are! Does owning one mean less somehow? Of course, it doesn’t! While some condos are seen as a more affordable option, here in San Francisco you can easily spend upwards of 4 million or 40 million dollars to purchase a condo home in San Francisco. Luckily with this emergency water leak repair company, they can easily help you with any other repairs too for a reasonable cost.
Drive to Qualify
Matt and Britton take a look back at what the house prices looked like years ago and the huge appreciation we saw in San Francisco over the years. It is increasingly difficult getting into the market and purchasing a starter home in San Francisco.  Is moving further away from San Francisco the answer? Matt explains the ‘drive to qualify’ concept; often, driving a little bit further means people can qualify for a house. In San Francisco, this, of course, means adding to the already significant commute time. For most people, this is not a tradeoff they are willing to make. When you are going to make renovations in your home, make sure you add these Kitchens designs.
Condos are the Future in SF
In response to the high population density within the city, we have been moving away from approving and building single-family houses and building condos. If you buy a new house or rent a new place, then mkae sure it comes with a modern style storage building.

Getting back to our original question, we would argue that the legal description of the property does not make it a home, a real house is where you make your life. Whatever the shape and size of a home may be, it is undeniably very real!

That’s all for this week! Join us again next week as we share more of our stories about San Francisco Real Estate.
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While during this festive time of the year many of us are taking the time to be with our loved ones and think about all the things we are grateful for, for some, the holidays can be an especially challenging time of year. Most people know about the big national projects such as the SPCA and Best Friends etc., but there are a lot of great causes to consider right here in San Francisco. So, with that in mind, this week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, we go through just a few of the local charities that we love and have worked with in the past.





We start things off with mentioning some great San Francisco based dog rescues. As dog lovers, both Matt and Britton have adopted their current pets from Rocket Dog Rescue, but Muttville Senior Dog Rescue is another great group which rescues older dogs and dogs usually deemed unadoptable and finds them good homes.

Some non-animal-related charities and groups we love include, Meritus College Fund, which does great work with students providing mentorships for high school students and four-year college scholarships, Project Open Hand deliver meals to elderly and low income or ill people who are homebound. Matt shares a story about doing a Project Open Hand delivery route and what an eye-opening experience it was that really brought home the realities of the poverty gap that exists in San Francisco.

Another great group is The Welcome Home Project – a San Francisco Association of Realtors project –  which helps people who were formerly homeless to set up their new homes with all the necessities they need. Currently, they are doing a big project for formerly homeless veterans.

Finally, we would like to mention the Rebuilding Together group which helps people with lower incomes fix and clean up their homes to make them more liveable.

People often have a hard time asking for help but the human connection is an invaluable gift. So if you have been looking for a great cause to give your time or your money to, these are just some of the many very worthy organizations in San Francisco to consider.

 


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That’s a wrap!
2017 has been an eye-opening, crazy, intense year. And, while opening a brokerage was not on our to-do list at the start of the year, it ended up being a real highlight of the year for us! Thanks to www.virtua-marketing.com, we were able to improve our marketing strategies so much this year.



This week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast we look back on the past year and share more amazing professional experiences.
So, what are some more highlights of the last year? Well, we left Zephyr (which was really hard!) and started our own brokerage, we went to the top of 181 Fremont, as well as the 61st floor of the Salesforce tower – the view from these high places was breath-taking! What’s more, Matt’s presidency at the Association of REALTORS® is coming to an end, while Britton's position as chair of the San Francisco Standard Forms Committee is commencing in 2018.
We wrap up this episode by sharing some unexpected things about starting a brokerage.
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‘Tis the season, but is it the season to buy a home? On this week’s episode of Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, we talk about timing and if there is such a thing as the perfect time to buy or sell a house.



So, when is a good time to buy or sell? A somewhat flippant answer would be something like, 8 years ago, and while the property downturn was a great time to buy in hindsight, a more practical answer is, it is ALWAYS the right time to buy or sell.

The reason this question gets asked often is that people tend to think that there is a certain time of the year when they will get the best price. The reality for the San Francisco property market is that on the whole there is a general upward trend in house prices. It is true that during the November and December holiday season there is usually a lot less inventory to choose from and the sellers may be particularly motivated to sell by a certain date – this does not mean reduced prices. So, while inventory changes by season the price doesn’t. There are no Black Friday house sales!
While in theory, the best time to buy is when nobody else wants to, in practice, the right time is when you find the house you like or when life events dictate that it’s time!

Matt and Britton also chat about the wonders of real estate reality shows. The biggest issue with these is the unrealistic expectations they create. While Britton will occasionally indulge in some real estate related reality TV, Matt has an aversion to their staged nature. Britton manages to convince Matt to give the Property Brothers a try, though!

Happy holidays everyone!
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How do San Francisco home buyers go about choosing a neighborhood to live in? One of the things we love about San Francisco is that each neighborhood is unique with its own particular character and feel. Choosing a place that feels right can be a very subjective process. This week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast, we talk about a few of our favorite streets, and how those thoughts might help you consider your priorities when choosing a place to call home.



We are particularly partial to the brick streets in San Francisco and while there are very few of those left, it is interesting to note that most steep streets in San Francisco used to be brick for one very practical reason. Hint: it involves horses. This reason could also just be horse*&^%...

Matt loves Edgewood St. in Parnassus Heights, and some other favorites include classics like: parts of Broadway, parts of Jones, parts of Vallejo, Lombard. Lombard St. is often lauded as being the curviest street in San Francisco but it’s not (we share what is), would you want to live on a street frequented by tourists or noted in guidebooks?

So, what do buyers want to be close-to or far-away from in the city? Has this changed over the years? We call it the latte-factor. Finding the ideal location always seems to involve that perpetual battle between wanting to be in a quiet area while still enjoying the convenience of walkability to all your favorite San Francisco essentials. Being latte-factor adjacent seems to be that sweet spot.

When we show houses, we are honest about whether we would choose to live there and our reasons why. More often individual lifestyles will dictate what our ideal neighborhoods look like! Our reasons are just ours, and hopefully help you think about your home priorities.

Finally, we wrap up this week by talking about why it is often a good idea to start broad when choosing a neighborhood to live in!
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Small rooms, smaller closets, chamber pots and formal dining rooms. Welcome to another episode of Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast. On this week’s Thanksgiving episode we talk about houses and house styles!



The layout of a home often reflects the cultural values, attitudes or norms of the time period and what people want out of their houses has changed significantly in San Francisco over the years. The classic Victorian layout was all about lots of small rooms. Perhaps for heating purposes? Nowadays, everyone prefers the big open space that is the living/dining/kitchen area. Everyone knows when people get together the hub of action always seems to be in the kitchen! But do we prefer gas, electricity or induction in the said kitchen?

Matt and Britton talk about how the house layouts changed from the Victorian era, through the 1920s/30s, to now. They share their favorite layouts, which leads to an interesting side-bar – why does the term ‘open concept’ irritate Britton so much?

Finally, we reflect on how much we have to be thankful for this year. One of the things we are thankful for, of course, is all of you lovely people listening in! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
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Britton, I Need A Man To Sell My House. Or, sexism in real estate. 



How would you respond to the following comment: “It’s too complicated, I need a man to handle it.” Is sexism in real estate okay? Is it okay if an older person says it? Do generational differences excuse sexism in real estate? Would you give it a pass if it was coming from another man? How about a woman? Should we be giving comments like this a pass at all, and if not, what can we say in the actual moment when it occurs? San Francisco has a reputation as a very free-thinking, egalitarian city, but the above example is an experience many women in the real estate industry – and we’ll wager women in general – deal with on a day to day basis. If you want to be sure of how to sell your home and where to buy your next one, then check out this DWH conducted survey.

#MeToo spread virally to share awareness about sexual assault. Numerous women have been encouraged to come forward with their experiences in the hopes of showing how common this problem really is.  This week on Escrow Out Loud, our San Francisco Real Estate podcast we do our part to spread awareness as we talk about sexism.

In today’s podcast, we are clearly not discussing assault, rather, we are sharing some ‘mere annoyances’ in the form of sexism. These ‘annoyances’ are a form of harassment that we shouldn’t just simply wave away. Undeniably, just because a person is misogynistic it does not mean they will ever graduate to committing major assault, but by dismissing the female gender in a myriad of little ways are we chipping away at the foundations of equality and paving the way for major violations to be tolerated as well?

Listen in as Matt and Britton share some of their personal experiences about sexism they've personally experienced and how hurt and bewildered it left them feeling.
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