SF Hot Buys
I see lots of property each week and I like to highlight the ones that I think stand out, for whatever reason: they may be inexpensive, a sleeper, architecturally significant or unusual. I call this the ‘Weekly Hot Buy’. I’m sure there will be other questions and thoughts popping up, so check in to see what I find.
West Portal two bedroom cosmetic fixer
611 Ulloa is located in wonderful West Portal.
611 Ulloa exterior-garage at the back
Two bedrooms, one bath, separate garage structure at the back of the property. Period detail intact and plenty of room to make it your own. Listed for $769,000, this is a great entry level opportunity.
Available to show by appointment.
April update
The property didn’t sell within the first month, so it was reduced to $699,000 and got into contract within a week. Due to close at the end of April.
Living room fireplace and built-ins
Sunny Pacifica
I’m expanding my business into Daly City and Pacifica, as I’ve had some clients ask me to help them out outside of SF city limits.
I’m learning that there is a part of Pacifica that is sunny. And the listing agent of the following house tells me it is in that area.
Poking around Pacifica, I’ve found some very nice homes in cute neighborhoods-for very good (by SF standards) prices.
Here’s one I found at 1468 Madeira listed for $534,000.
1468 Madeira-exterior
A remodeled three bedroom, one bath home with two car parking.
1468 Madeira-kitchen
The thing I found most appealing about it:
Secluded setting, adjacent to San Pedro Creek, views of the mountains from inside the house and from the garden.
Listed by Fisher Realty.
February update:
I saw this on a Monday, and it was in contract by Wednesday. Interestingly, the home had been on the market since October of 2010. I’ve found that Murphy’s Law has a lot to do with that. One person gets interested, so others do too!
March update:
Recently closed for $525,000. This was a nice house. Makes me feel great about the house I just sold in Pacifica with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, remodeled for $510,000!
Marin in San Francisco-Edgehill Mountain home and guest house
I saw this interesting home at 330 Edgehill on tour.
Edgehill-main house
On Edgehill Mountain near Forest Hill Extension, this unusual home is at the pinnacle with a great wooded setting, views, a guest cottage and two car garage.
The home has been in the same family for over 40 years. The home is rich with period detail and the floor plan in comfortable and formal.
Formal dining
The main house has two bedrooms, one and half baths, formal entry, formal dining room, sun room and den. Great views and very secluded.
Sunroom
The guest house is a studio apartment, complete with kitchen, bathroom and balcony. Wonderful for a home office, guest quarters, or extended family.
Guest house
Listed for $1,395,000 (It was on the market last year for $1,595,000) Available to see by appointment.
Listed by Pacific Union
April update:
After two months on the market at the reduced price of $1,395,000, the home was reduced to $1,200,000 and got into contract within a week.
Castro Condos-your choice-one or two
There aren’t too many time you can find an entire two unit building for sale and they are already condo converted. 229 and 231 Eureka are those condos. Interestingly, I showed 231 Eureka to some clients probably 9 years ago. I don’t remember the garden looking nearly as good as it does now! 
The upper unit, 229 Eureka, is an Edwardian two bedroom, one bath and formal dining room listed for $649,000. Nice detail, fantastic Castro location and a starter price. The kitchens in both units are clean and very usable, but room for you to make it your own.
229 Eureka entry hall
The lower unit is listed for $629,000. one plus bedroom, one bathroom and formal dining room.
The garden is inviting and wonderful. Beautifully landscaped and hard-scaped. Oh yeah and a putting green.
Eureka Garden
Your opportunity to use the entire place, or buy a primary residence and rental-currently with no rent control.
Listed by Brown and Company Real Estate.
February update:
Both condos went into contract with multiple offers right away!
March update:
Upper unit sold for $650,000, lower unit sold for $637,000!
2 Bedroom Bernal Heights Cottage
Here’s a pretty neat Bernal Heights Cottage at 153 Wool that has a very flexible floor plan. Well-located on the North side of Cortland, this Edwardian cottage is a single family being used as two units. Upstairs is two bedroom, one and half bath and the lower level is one bedroom, one gorgeous remodeled bath.
153 Wool exterior
Home office, art studio, or guest quarters-lots of flexibility.
Lower level toward private garden
What I found really cool about it, is that each level has it’s own designated outdoor area, so if used as two units-as a residence and perhaps a home office, each has it’s own space. Bonus, they are pretty secluded from neighbor view.
Upper level outdoor area
- Lower level outdoor area
Nice Edwardian detail intact and a sensitive, modern remodel. Entire property is occupied by the owner and listed for $999,000. Available to see by appointment.
Listed by Vanguard Properties.
February update:
After only a few weeks on the market, the property was withdrawn from the market, although MLS shows that the property is still available for sale off the market.
Downtown Luxury View Condo
I saw 611 Washington St. Unit 2504 on tour yesterday. Not a unit most people could afford, but VERY interesting. I had actually never been in the building before, so it was even more fun to see something new.
In a modern doorman building right across the street from the Transamerica building-this 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath unit has views toward Transamerica, downtown and the Bay. The current owner has remodeled the unit significantly since they purchased it in 2005.
611 Washington-view towards TA building
611 Washington-downtown view
Listed for $2,250,000 with monthly dues of $1,870 (no typo here). Parking is another $248 per month. Perfect for a professional person or second home. Great location near Jackson Square Historic District shopping and restaurants.
611 Washington-Bay view
Listed by Pacific Union.
Architecturally interesting Excelsior District home
I showed 811 Edinburgh to some clients last week and I thought it was interesting at $549,000. It just got a whole lot more interesting at $499,000.
811 Edinburgh exterior
3 bedroom, 1 bath with a large garage and a vaulted entry, the home was remodeled in what looks to be the 1980′s. That conjures up an image of what you’d expect and part of it’s right-the same Home Depot white laminated cabinets with oak trim. Did anyone really like those?
811 Edinburgh entry
What I find interesting about this house is the open concept living and dining (and could be kitchen) off a deck and the garden. So much of our housing requires that you go down stairs and through a room or three to get to the backyard. It’s so rare and welcome to be able to walk out from your public spaces.
811 Edinburgh deck
- 811 Edinburgh living, dining, kitchen
I also like the location-close to Geneva, which has changed a lot over the last several years.
Easy to show.
Listed by Pacific Union.
February update:
Right after the price reduction to $499,000, the home went into contract.
February 24th update:
The house closed escrow a week ago for the new list price of $499,000. Someone got a fun project!
A home sale to watch in the Inner Sunset
1522 9th Ave. is a wonderful original home in the Inner Sunset. Offers are due 1/13/11, so it’s a little late to get in the game, but it sure will be interesting to see what happens. Listed at $799,000, I expect this home to sell with multiple offers over asking.
1522 9th Ave. exterior
A two story, substantial home, built in 1909. Four bedrooms-all on one level, one bath, a fireplace and box beamed ceilings in the dining room, two car garage parking. And of course, a fabulous location in the Inner Sunset, convenient to public transit and all the great shops the area has to offer.
1522 9th Ave. entry
Here’s a quirky little thing about it. A clinker brick fireplace in the garage! How’d that get there?!
1522 9th Ave. Kitchen
February update:
The house sold with 11 offers a lot over asking.
February 24th update:
The house closed escrow last week for $885,000-10% over asking.
Old San Francisco Telegraph Hill Victorian for sale
You don’t see many of these homes for sale. Located near Coit Tower, 15 Napier Lane is on a wooden sidewalk accessed only by the Filbert Street Steps. Very ‘Tales of the City’ location, and beautifully remodeled. For character, you can hear (and see) the wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill right outside your door.
Accessing the property, you can imagine how it must have been in old San Francisco, coming home from a Barbary Coast Saloon. The listing states that the home was built in 1884.
Two bedrooms, two baths and a wonderful garden accessed from both floors. There is a wonderful sun room that would make a terrific office. Listed at $1,295,000. Given it’s location, obviously, no parking. The good news, is that you can give up your gym membership. Available by appointment.
15 Napier Lane-Front Exterior
Wooden sidewalk to 15 Napier
Listed by Paragon Real Estate Group
April update:
After four months on the market, the home was reduced to $1,230,000. It’s been a month since that change and still no takers. Could it be the stairs?
Cole Valley Victorian with a cottage
The holidays are making the real estate pickings pretty slim, but there are still some good ones out there if you look enough.
I saw this Cole Valley home at 121 Beulah on Tuesday tour and there’s a lot of potential here. Situated on a deep lot, this Edwardian home has very generous rooms, which is unusual for a Victorian. It really seems like the home is wider than 25 feet, but the tax record shows a standard 25 foot wide lot. Must have been a custom home when built and has not been on the market in 40+ years.
The kitchen is dated (which doesn’t bother me) and is very Sea Ranch’y’. The bath is also dated, but charming. A separate cottage in the back garden with a bath and kitchen would make a fantastic home office. A large garage at the lower floor and a fabulous location near Golden Gate Park. Available by appointment.
Two bedrooms, double parlor, dining room, one bathroom. Listed for $1,399,000 and there may be a little more room in the price. It came on the market at $1,499,000.
121 Beulah exterior
121 Beulah cottage
Listed by Lena Emmery Real Estate Broker.
January 2011 update: The property is pending. Sources tell me under asking.
Second January 2011 update: The property closed at $1,250,000 on 1/14/11. Someone got a great deal.
