The California Association of Realtors(CAR) was warned that aerial photos of properties have shown up on websites and appear to be taken by un-permitted unmanned aircraft. CAR has sent out a warning to Realtors not to hire unmanned aircraft as it may violate local and federal statutes. First of all, I can’t believe someone is monitoring all those websites so closely to have pinpointed something like this and secondly, the whole thing sounds very ‘Big Brother’ and rather like the next work they’ll be using is ‘terror’ in some form. I guess the only terror will be the look on that particular Realtor’s face when someone other than a buyer shows up on the doorstep asking about that photo!

“Off Market’ or selling a property without it ever hitting the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is commanding more and more attention in San Francisco as the market is in a state of lower than needed inventory and higher buyer activity. Yet, buyers are looking for a ‘value’ and sellers want their price – even if it is lower than what it might have been a few years ago.

We closed a Noe Valley Victorian in December that never even hit the open market. Why would a seller do that you ask? Our seller wanted a certain price and told me that if I could bring someone she would consider their offer. I sold her the house 15 years ago and she was at a point of wanting to make a move but not clear how and not really ready to undergo the ‘staging and marketing’ efforts. So, I mentioned it to a few colleagues and ended up with two showings and one purchased the house.

This is a great way for a seller to proceed who has a fixed price in mind. We can still employ other on-line avenues and open houses but don’t end up with a ‘day count’ on the MLS that can sometimes lead to buyers believeing its worth less just because its taken awhile to capture their attention.

Is this something you’ve been thinking about too? Let’s talk.

North Beach is San Francisco’s Little Italy. The neighborhood is bounded by the Financial District, Chinatown, Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill and Fisherman’s Wharf. The neighborhood is one of San Francisco’s main nightlife areas as well as a residential neighborhood with a mixture of young urban professionals, families and immigrants.

The neighborhood is filled with restaurants and hot spots, some famous and some infamous. During the 1950’s the neighborhood cafes and bars became home to the “Beat Generation”. Many of the generations most famous writers and personalities lived in the neighborhood. Among them Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, and Neal Cassady Another poet from this generation, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, founded the famous City Lights Bookstore

The main intersections of North beach are Union and Columbus, Grant Avenue and Vallejo Street. The compact layout of the neighborhood consists apartments, duplexes, and Victorian homes dating from the 1920s.

If you’re looking for a neighborhood with a history, nightlife and a funky vibe, call us and we’ll help you check out North Beach

Nob Hill is bordered by Union Square, the Tenderloin, Market Street and Chinatown. The actual peak of Nob hill lies approximately at the intersection of Jones St. and Sacramento St.

Nob Hill has expansive views, these along with the central position it occupies made this and enclave of the wealthy during the development of the late 19th century. Many of the cities affluent citizens built large mansions in the neighborhood. Though many were destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire they were later rebuilt.

The neighborhood boasts four of San Francisco’s most expensive and well-known hotels: the Fairmont, Mark Hopkins, Stanford Court and the Huntington Hotel.

Opposite the Fairmont Hotel is Grace Cathedral, and Episcopal cathedral which resembles Notre Dame in Paris. Across from the cathedral is a large Masonic Temple.

Nob Hill provides a wonderfully scenic and thriving neighborhood just steps or a cable car ride away from the Financial District.

Cow Hollow is a generally affluent neighborhood located between The Presidio and Russian Hill with Pacific Heights on one side and the Marina District on the other.

Cow Hollow was once a settlement for fisherman as the coast was much closer than it is now. In 1849 Cow Hollow was a valley filled with grazing cattle, which is where it got its name. The valley had a large freshwater pond that was fed by several creeks. In first dairy was built in 1861 and many followed.

By 1890, there were roughly 800 cows roaming the area. The Chinese kept large vegetable gardens in the area; raising produce to peddle on the street or sell to local cooks.

Today Cow Hollow is a trendy area packed with apartment buildings inhabited by young professionals. Union Street is the main shopping thoroughfare and is known for its restaurants, boutiques, health spas and wellness centers.

If you’re looking for a multi-unit building, or a condominium in an affluent area with plenty to do, give us a call and we’ll explore Cow Hollow.

The neighborhood of St. Francis Wood is comprised of 175 acres that were originally part of the San Miguel Rancho grant.

The neighborhood was developed during a time of civic beautification and this heavily influenced the community plan and a number of restrictions were enforced. Businesses were banned, utilities were buried beneath sidewalks and the developers laid out wide streets.

The neighborhood consists of stately homes on spacious lots (from a San Franciscan’s point of view) with well-maintained and landscaped yards. Though affluent it has a lower profile than Pacific Heights or the Marina District.

If you’re looking for a residential neighborhood with beautiful homes and an understated reputation, you owe it to yourself to check out St. Francis Woods. The neighborhood is located in southwestern San Francisco, south of West Portal and west of Mount Davidson.

It’s worth noting that in a 1998 San Francisco Examiner poll, St Francis Wood residents were among the most satisfied people in San Francisco.