Archive for October, 2008
October 5, 2008
With the housing crunch in full swing in California and many of my friends nearing retirement age, I am hearing lots of dreaming going on. Arizona is a prime place for many former “techies” to relocate to, thanks to great weather, lower property values, beautiful mountains and an almost endless stream of golf courses to play.
As I write this post, I am sitting in the Scottsdale Resort and Athletic Club – looking out at Camelback Mountain and enough saguaro cactii to populate an entire spaghetti Western. It is peaceful, all the buildings are new, and I had no trouble finding a healthy yet inexpensive place to eat dinner (China Lite – a no MSG, low oil and all natural ingredient Chinese restaurant). The terrain is rugged, yet friendly to those who seem hardy enough to conquer its challenges.
As this is a resort town, the property values for newer homes are dramatically higher than for older, resale homes. The median price for resale homes right now in Scottsdale is $595K for a 2,295 square foot home ( in comparison, the median price in 2005 was $525K). Nearby Paradise Valley, with lots of new upscale homes, in contrast has a median home price of $1.656M.
Although I dearly love California, I must say that living in a place that has no earthquakes, no tornados, no hurricanes, no grass to mow and is only one hour away from good skiing is mighty tempting. I may consider coming here myself when the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley doesn’t fit my lifestyle needs any more. The only real downside is the heat, which could be a bit daunting for those of us who run for cover when the thermometer hits triple digits.
October 5, 2008
In my quest to find great deals in great neighorhoods, 2343 Mastlands Dr. (photos here)has come up on my radar several times. It sold last summer for $680,000 and recently sold again last month for $550,000. Its highest sale was $950,000 in April of 2006. While its description stated “BANK-OWNED, SOLD AS-IS. Well maintained home in Oakland Hills with great views. Minor TLC required…” I’m still surprised that it sold for so low given that it’s in the Piedmont Pines neighborhood of Oakland. Often called “exclusive” and “desirable” by realtors, San Francisco Magazine has called Piedmont Pines “nature for folks with serious cash” and “one of the prime locations in the Bay Area” (October 2007 edition). While not necessarily a “gorgeous” house glancing at the photos, this seems to follow the mantra of “location, location,location”: being in one of Oakland’s best areas makes $550,000 sound like a steal, even in this market.
2343 Mastlands Dr.
4bd/3ba
Sold for $550,000 on September 3, 2008.
Square Footage: 2150
Built in: 1958
Lot size: 11,761 SF
Sales History
| May 23, 2001 |
$240,000 |
– |
| Sep 26, 2002 |
$10,000 |
-90.6%/yr |
| Apr 04, 2006 |
$950,000 |
264.5%/yr |
| Aug 27, 2007 |
$680,000 |
-21.3%/yr |
| Sep 03, 2008 |
$550,000 |
-18.8%/yr |
October 5, 2008
Of all the cities in the USA, which would you think most inviting for single people? Thanks to Redfin’s Sweet Digs blog in Boston, I’ve discovered that Forbes.com lists San Francisco as the 2nd best city for singles to live in.
This news surprises me a little. I’d think New York, Chicago, Atlanta, DC…. San Francisco would occur to me too, eventually. I mean, I live here. As a single person I met many men, also (we hope) single, over the course of a decade enjoying this city’s activities, clubs, night life, community, and culture. But it took me all those years to find a man I could actually consider a life with.
After all, this is not an easy city to really settle into. Most people are here for the short term, escaping small towns to partake in urban excitement. We don’t, most of us, really think we’ll ever be able to afford a home here; we don’t like to think of putting our future children in the public school lottery; we cannot imagine trying to find parking for every soccer game, grocery trip, doctor’s appointment. This is a transitory city. We meet lots of attractive, interesting, smart and talented singles, but we can’t count on them to be here in a few months, to say nothing of a few years. Thus, it’s a fabulous place for hook-ups and flings. Not sure it’s the best choice to search for a long-term relationship.
Indeed, most of my married friends with kids are planning their move to a more child friendly, less expensive, locale. Maybe that’s a reason SF made it to one a “best of” list for singles– not many middle-class familes can make it here, so largely, singles own the place.
How did Forbes decide the winning cities, exactly? The methodology for this ranking is interesting, but (surprise!) not very scientific, because along with measurable factors like job growth, “coolness” has also been considered.
Still, who could argue San Francisco is not cool? Not me, or I’d have taken my single or coupled self out of here long ago. And anyway, Forbes has got to know something, right? Don’t those people have a direct line to Wall Street/Time-Warner/God?
So, you’re now convinced, or at least intrigued. Ready for your shot at this hot city for living solo? Here are a few homes that might fit your bachelor/bachelorette lifestyle. All of these listings are less than $650K, to leave some room for the good clothes, the expensive booze, the shows, the cover charges, and the parking tickets so endemic of dating in SF.
1. 2671 Bryant: a 1/1 TIC in the hipster Inner Mission for $399,388.
2. 380 10th St., #8: A sexy 1/1 loft in the SOMA for $599K.
3. 8 Jordan Ave., #12: Laurel Heights (so you can pick up on all the USF hotties) 1/1 condo for $550K.
4. 145 Gardenside Dr., 11: Twin Peaks (so you can pick up on all the Castro hotties) 1/1 condo for $499K. Red walls= insta-love-shack.
ROLL CREDITS:
October 4, 2008
“Main Street USA”: but where is it in Berkeley?
All this talk from our presidential candidates of “Wall Street” versus “Main Street” has prompted some interesting discussion on what people understand these terms to mean. A particularly erudite conversation was held over at one of my favorite blogs, Nancy Friedman’s Fritinancy. (Wherefrom I glean that London doesn’t have a single road that is named Main Street — this is patently an American tradition.)
Which has led me to ponder on Berkeley’s “main street”. Does it in fact have one? And if not, why not?
The contenders, in my view, would be Shattuck Avenue, Telegraph Avenue, Fourth Street, Solano Avenue and College Avenue. The fact that there are five potentials here is worrying enough — what happened to the concept of a city having a natural centre?
Shattuck wins from a historical perspective (the original street had trains and then trams running down its center I believe), and is located in the heart of Berkeley’s downtown, for what that is worth. It is also where Berkeley’s founder, Francis Kittredge Shattuck, chose to make his home.
Telegraph is Cal heartland and no doubt students would consider it to be the city’s real hub. Fourth Street is the go-to retail hot-spot but I’m not sure if that is enough for it to qualify for the “main street” prize (although fans of Santana Row would disagree, this shopping mecca having all but made redundant San Jose’s downtown on a weekend).
Lastly we have Solano and College — both bustling, vibrant streets with all the requisite eateries and social amenities one would expect to see on a main street but… well, aren’t they neighborhood gathering spots rather than a city’s nucleus?
What are the characteristics of the principal thoroughfare of a city? And why is it so difficult to identify one in my adopted home?
[Photo credit: www.weblo.com/domain/available/ mainstreetnet. com/]
October 3, 2008
Previous Posts:
A Kitchen Odyssey: Follow Along If You Dare
A Kitchen Odyssey: From the Beginning
A Kitchen Odyssey: What Needs to Be Done
When we moved into our current home there was old cracked and stained linoleum on our kitchen floor. Due to our limited budget and construction time, we opted to put down vinyl sheeting over the existing floor. As I mentioned before, this linoleum lasted 11 years, until a dishwasher leak forced us to tear it up. We also had to try and tear up two older linoleum layers that had fused together. This was practically impossible, and we finally gave up, installing FLOR carpet tiles as an interim fix.
This brings us up to the present. What complicates matters, when thinking about kitchen flooring, is two adjoining spaces. Through an open doorway (no door) is what was originally designed as a dining room. The previous owners used it as a family room, and we bought the house with the intention of using it as my office, which it has been for the 13 years we have owned the home. When we go to sell, down the road, it will be staged as a dining room, which is its most efficient use given the layout of our home. Currently this room is carpeted in the same FLOR squares used in the kitchen. We also have a foyer, which upon entering the home connects to a hallway on the left (to the bedrooms/bathrooms), the kitchen to the right, and opens into the living room. Currently this foyer is tiled in 6×6 gold tile with thick brown grout. Very ’60s-’70s. In other words, hideous. It needs to be replaced, so we will consider replacing it, depending on our final kitchen floor choice.
Right now there are four options in my mind:
1) Wood: there is hardwood in the living room, hall, and all bedrooms. Only the living room floor is currently exposed, as the other floors were ruined by pet urine from the previous owners. If we were to choose hardwood, it would only go in the kitchen and dining room, and it would most likely match the living room, to some extent. While I
would like to consider bamboo for my kitchen, all voices warn me against this choice. Bamboo is softer than many woods, and dings and mars more easily. Because our kitchen is a very high traffic area and gets a lot of use, it just would not be prudent. With the appropriate finish, wood can wear very well in a kitchen.
2) Linoleum: I’m not talking vinyl here, I’m talking real old-fashioned linoleum, made from linseed oil, not some synthetic petroleum-based product. Linoleum has come a long way from your grandmother’s kitchen, and is a very durable surface, not to mention hypoallergenic. The newer types of linoleum come in some great colors, and can be solid, marble, flecked, or with a pattern. (Like the Armstrong Marmorette in Terazzo Gray seen here.) It comes in sheets or tiles. This would be an option for the kitchen only.
(3) Stone or Tile Squares: Floor tiles come in a variety of sizes, but since my kitchen is relatively narrow, I would be hesitant to use the larger 18×18 tiles. I think the 12×12 would be better suited, and could work in the foyer and dining room, as well. Or there are multiple sizes that can be combined to form a pattern. Indoor stone choices include granite, travertine, limestone, slate, marble, and manufactured stone. Tiles come in a variety as well, such as terrazzo, encaustic, ceramic and terra cotta. Both are fairly easy to maintain, with a mop and warm water; they don’t stain easily, and are hypoallergenic.
(4) Concrete: This is a very durable option, and could be used in all three areas, kitchen, foyer and dining room. It wears well, cleans well, and I really like the contemporary look of the concrete floors. You can polish them, stain them, tint them, stamp them. (I like the look of the polished concrete at right, by A. Pellizari & Co.) They can look like marble or granite, or even like conventional tile. It can be somewhat cold and hard, but that doesn’t bother me in the least. A large area rug could be used in the dining room for color and warmth, and I like a functional kitchen that cleans easily.
I’ll be exploring each option in future postings. Please weigh in if you have recently put in flooring, particularly in a kitchen. I’d like to hear how things are holding up, if prices are reasonable and/or worth it, as well as any pros or cons.
Recent Sweet Digs Posts
SF: Neighborhood Art is both a Form of Protest and Escape
Home Sale Question: What Does Your Neighbor Say About You?
October 2, 2008
You’re all getting plenty of bad, scary, sketchy and frankly, infuriating news. I’m going to take a detour.
Literally, I did that today: took a detour from my normal Inner-Sunset scene and went to see the new mural in Noe Valley. September 27 saw the completion of muralist Mona Caron’s second of two 65 foot murals in this neighborhood. The art adds a populist sort of spice to Noe, which has sometimes been accused of being a well heeled parents and their eco-friendly strollers-only environment. Caron, together with her assistant, Ruth Elliot, touched on Noe’s long history in creating a piece that spans the past, the present, and a fantastical vision of the future. It includes all sort of San Franciscans, including some yet to be born. This is just what I’d hope from Caron, whose work includes ”The “Market Street Railway” and ”The Duboce Bikeway,” gracing city corners with elements of race, culture, and class that give us our diversity.
Seeing this work reminds me that San Francisco murals make an excellent detour from regular life. We as residents are apt to forget this. We get caught up in work, housing, cross town traffic: we don’t take time to remember why we moved here in the first place. A mural tour is an excellent way to fall back in love with the city– and you can do it for cheap (even free).
The Mission is perhaps the most famous neighborhood for murals. You can Google “San Francisco Mission District Murals” and get examples and locations of these works, then plan a walking tour to enjoy them. If you prefer an educated tour, try Precita Eyes. This organization offers a variety of edifying adventures for the mural enthusiast, including private and special group tours. All are very affordable and include workshops/lectures as well as a chance to see the art.
Coit Tower offers another must see mural locale, this one dating back to the 1930′s and the New Deal.
From the same period are Diego Rivera’s murals, one at City College 
(Ocean Ave. campus) and another at the Art Institute on Chestnut Street. Both are available to you any time you want to see them, gratis.
If you live in the city and haven’t yet made the pilgrimage to our mural mecca, may I urge you to do so to help you feel better about the price you pay to house yourself here. If you’re planning on joining us, I also urge you to see our public art. In it, you see who we have been, are now, and will be– in a way that no Realtor, no blog, no Chamber of Commerce can ever impart.
Plan your tour! Related links:
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photo credits: INEtours.com and Rivera Mural.com
October 2, 2008
I am pleased that 5925 Broadway in Oakland (above left) has come on the market because I’ve been looking for an excuse to write about this house for a while.
Every time I drive by this property, which is on a busy section of Broadway just before it intersects with the ramp for the Grove Shafter freeway, it strikes me what a contrast the home represents to its neighbor. As you can see from the photo above, 5925 has had a stylish exterior paint job. The muted color is a smart choice as it lends the house a tidy, clean appearance and gives the impression that other elements, such as the windows, ironwork, the interiors and possibly the roof may also have been seen to.
Common wisdom would suggest that having a somewhat unkempt neighbor won’t do you any favors when you are trying to sell your home. But in this case I think the sharp contrast plays to the advantage of this $795,000 house. And, given its location (nothing to shout about — see photo right of junction just yards from the home’s front door), it needs all the help it can get.
There are a few other new listings in this Berkeley-Oakland border neighborhood which make for good comparables:
6165 Brookside Avenue: “New from studs out” 3/3 home on a 1/4 acre lot with Bay views in backyard — also very close to freeway. Price: $1,249,999 ($595/sq ft).
5701 Broadway: Cute-looking 2+/1+ bungalow with an impressive bay window and built-ins, but still on busy road. Price: $769,000 ($626/sq ft).
5602 Taft Avenue: 5/2.5 home with flexible floorplan and converted garage and workshop. Price: $945,000 ($408/sq ft).
And another thing: Oakland home prices may be tanking, but commercial real estate is doing fine thank you very much, according to a recent story in the New York Times, with companies such as San Francisco stalwart Levi’s looking to cross the bay and the long-time-coming $50m Jack London Market project providing fuel for the fire (hat-tip Curbed SF).
October 2, 2008
As of this moment, the Health Care/Bailout Bill has passed the Senate (74 to 25) with both presidential candidates voting in favor of the bill. This morning there is an extended drum roll, waiting…waiting…waiting for the House to do the same. Wall Street, and the economy as a whole, is still on a downturn, not taking anything for granted (for a change). Investors are nervous, and I’m not talking just the big guns here, I’m talking about Everyday Janes and Joes like you and me. Citizens have been actively contacting legislators with their opinions on this matter and registering to vote in record numbers, hoping that their voices will be heard.
I must admit, early on in this crisis I thought very selfishly and with a tinge of jealousy, I might add. We had worked to buy our home, constantly improving it, assuming that one day our biggest financial asset would be sold and would help fund us in our “twilight” years. I, like many other Americans, saw our homes as a source of retirement funding. It’s a particularly popular notion in California, where home prices have gained ground threefold in less than 20 years. As the mortgage crisis began and prices started tumbling, I saw part of my future go with it. (no lectures here, I see the error of my ways, thanks to Sweet Digs readers.) What was worse is that we have friends who got out at the height of the market, buying down in places like Florida and having a comfortable nest egg to add to retirement funds. Lucky them. Only 50, my husband and I had planned on a semi-retirement in the next few years, relocating to a less-expensive area and continuing to freelance until we were too old or tired to do so. So far our house has taken a hit of $150-200,000. Not something I’m likely to get back if we plan on selling in the next 5 years.
On the other hand, what this crisis has done is bring the market closer to my children. Home prices are becoming more realistic and they are seeing a glimmer of hope that some day they will be able to afford a home of their own. It is also making them much more financially savvy; investing in 401(k) plans, building up a saving account, keeping the credit card balance paid off or at a minimum, and watching the market more closely than I ever did. It’s also making them more politically aware and active, which can only be a good thing for them and our country.
So there are winners and losers. Hopefully the American people will continue to have the strong resolve to weather this storm, like they have countless others.
October 2, 2008
For one whole month, the city of Redwood City has planned events downtown dubbed “Scare on the Square.” Each Friday will bring a free movie, starting at 6:45 pm. You can even munch on free popcorn if you present a receipt from a downtown business for a purchase made on the day of the movie. Starting on October 4th will be Addams Family, October 11th brings Nightmare Before Christmas, and on the 18th is Edward Scissorhands.
On Saturday, October 25th, Red Morton Community Center will be hosting a Halloween Spooktakular. From 12-3 pm there will be carnival games, a monster maze, Transylvania treats, and a costume parade. So get that costume ready and join in on the fun. Cost is $5 and the event is geared toward ages 0-10.
Capping the month off will be Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), held on November 1st. Art, dance, music and food will be presented at the Courthouse Square on the day set aside for celebrating and commemorating our ancestors, as well as the continuity of life. Last year there were dance performances by 4 groups and a live band. Local school children had their artwork on display, and a sugar skull artist demonstrated the intricacies of his trade. Great food, arts and crafts, and a special altar to commemorate family members will also be available.
Also planned is the last outdoor music presentation of the year in Courthouse Square. Starting in early summer and running into October, each Friday night offers a different musical group performing in the Square. Residents are encouraged to come down, have dinner at one of the local restaurants and hang out with some great tunes. You can bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and dance to your heart’s content. The square is always packed, so come early, and catch Ze Bop (a Santana tribute band) on October 3rd from 6 to 8 pm. It will be your last chance of the year.
For more info http://www.redwoodcity.org/events/
October 1, 2008
We’ve seen some strange sales incentives in this down real estate market, including offering one’s self in marriage with successful close of escrow as well as putting one’s home on Ebay.
These strategies get points for creativity, but do they work? One Michigan owner auctioned off a home on Ebay, only to then receive a high bid of $1.75. The winner plans to try to sell the home herself now– hopefully not on Ebay.
Here are some more confusing strategies:
A seller offering a $2000 “finder’s fee” at close of escrow. So, if I find a buyer for this property, I get the money; the buyer gets no incentive. Um…
An investment/mulit-unit property offering a mystery incentive: tiny font print proves too small to read. Must follow nonending trail of links to uncover the prize. More video game than home-for-sale ad.
Builder incentives: with the slowdown on buying, new construction is growing cobwebs. Building companies offer now everything from a trip to Tahiti to a wide-screen TV. A price reduction might be more enticing, but then, what do I know. I’m just a potential buyer who likes to read more than watch TV. Tahiti would be nice though, I admit.
Okay, your turn: In this crazy buyer’s market, what’s the strangest incentive you’ve seen lately?
