SF and Daly City: Condos on the Cheap, part 1

Okay, I lied; these condos seen are actually the Trump Towers nowhere near the Bay Area (you could probably tell by the water color though). I lied  also with the lable I slapped on this blog; but hopefully I got your attention with my title.  And maybe it’s not a complete lie since for the first time in a long time, we are seeing quality one bedroom (not studios!) condos and TIC’s available for $419,000 and under- thanks to the new move by lenders to make jumbo loans (those over $419,000) harder to get.  Here are a few of my favorites in SF. I’ll be back later with some choices in Daly City.

545 Ashbury St., #4, San Francisco: for $419,000 you get a historic, vital city address (central to most other points in SF too), remodelled kitchen, wood floors, in-unit washer dryer, jacuzzi tub, and outside space. Storage and parking “available” means you have to pay extra, but consider the listing is 60+ days old and see if you can’t get those essentials thrown in for a good price.

446 Fell St., #446 , San Francisco: This baby, priced at $398,000 is interesting as it is a 2 level with a half bath on the lower level and 1 bed an a full bath upstairs. It’s also in a great, still emerging location near the revamped Octavia Boulevard and the always fun Hayes Valley. Pictures look a little dark and there is no parking mentioned, but I think the price and layout make the place worth a look.

In the same building and for the same price: #452

1328 Castro St., San Francisco: for $399,000, this is a wonderful location: Noe/Castro- complete with sunshine, gorgeous arcitecture, glorious food, unique shops, and a tranquil– but playful– neighborhood feeling. The price is astounding until you read there is a non-protected tenant currently in the unit (renting for $1600). You need to know that “unprotected” in SF does not mean what you might expect. In fact, you will need to abide by SF tenant law to evict this person, and that process can be sticky and expensive. Make talking to the tenant part of your “open house” tour.