SFnewsletter Week ending June 24, 2005

****SFnewsletter(TM) is a work in progress.  I'm always changing content based on reader feedback.   I welcome ideas, suggestions, complaints, concerns, stories, etc.   There is lots of cool stuff to come.  And please...don't bet the farm off my predictions.****

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Welcome:
Hello and welcome to the newest members of the list.   To opt-out, either email me at sfnewsletter@gmail.com, or click on the "unsubscribe" button below.  If you know anyone who would like to be added to this distribution, they must opt-in by emailing me.  For RECENT SALES/LISTING ACTIVITY (COMPS) CLICK ON THE "NEW ON MARKET" AND "SOLD" REPORTS BELOW.*

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Market Update:
Is there a bubble?  Darn good question, and I don't have the answer.  Just think about if you believed everything the news is telling you.   You'd have sand bags on your front door because a tsunami is on the way, after all, there were a couple quakes last week.  That must mean the "big one" is around the corner too.  Watch out when you're running to higher ground because a pit bull is going to be chomping at your heels, if you don't get kidnapped by a Utah hill billy first.   And if those don't get you, a terrorist certainly will, and he'll do it by stealing your credit card info in order to plant a bomb in your back yard or poison in your DoubleTallNonFatVentiMochaccinoExtraHotNoFoamTwoSplendas Starbucks coffee.   I don't like to speculate.   I tell it how it is.   The market is still "Hot, Hotter, Hottest!"

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Maximum Overbid(TM) of the week**:
3035 25th. Avenue.   Four Bedroom, three bath, two parking, approximately 1470 square feet, asking $879,000 sold for $1,287,888.   I would have bought it at $1,287,887 but the extra buck put me out of the game.  Seventeen days on the market.  It's Madness!

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Comparison Shopping:
I know Boise, Idaho is a good place to invest right now, so let's see what the difference between asking and selling price on the Overbid Property gets you there.  For just a few more dollars, $409,500, you can have this three bedroom, two and one half bath, 3140 square foot home on a tree lined street, and it comes with your own water balloon launcher to hit the cars slowly passing by on the lazy summer afternoons.

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SFhotspots:
-"Another reader and I tried the deep dish at Little Star Pizza on Divisadero at Fulton, and I have to say it was damn good."   Thanks for the tip Jay!
-This week Bud says, "Enrico's on Broadway at night, live music, tons of atmosphere, beautiful people, some very good dancers mixing it up amongst the tables, feels like "La Dolce Vita", really feels like a Roman Caffe from the 1950's--food is pretty good too.  The family took me there for Father's Day - felt like a vacation, especially since it was a balmy night and I was sipping a Mojito!!"  Yes Chip, there are other establishments on Broadway.   ;-)

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Questions&Comments:
If you have something to say, send it to sfnewsletter@gmail.com.  Chances are good that you are not the only person thinking it.

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My Thoughts:
If there are only four people in a race, two of them don't put any effort out, if you win, do you really win?

Happy Aloha Friday!

alex

New on Market Report: link SOLD 06/10/05-06/23/05: link SOLD 05/27/05-06/09/05: link

SFnewsletter Week ending June 17, 2005

****SFnewsletter(TM) is a work in progress.  I'm always changing content based on reader feedback.   I welcome ideas, suggestions, complaints, concerns, stories, etc.   There is lots of cool stuff to come.  And please...don't bet the farm off my predictions.****

_____
Welcome:
Hello and welcome to the newest members of the list.   To opt-out, either email me at sfnewsletter@gmail.com, or click on the "unsubscribe" button below.  If you know anyone who would like to be added to this distribution, they must opt-in by emailing me.  For RECENT SALES/LISTING ACTIVITY (COMPS) CLICK ON THE "NEW ON MARKET" AND "SOLD" REPORTS BELOW.*

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Market Update:
Sorry the newsletter is late coming out today.  I've been putting out fires.   No Justin, not kitchen fires, appraisal fires.   Just when you think it can't be done and $1100 per square foot seems out of reach, all the planets align and voila!   The value is there.

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Maximum Overbid(TM) of the week**:
846-850 Union.   A four unit building in Russian Hill.  Asking $1,995,000 sold for $2,835,000.   Just when you thought you could get a bargain by buying a four unit building.   Hmmm.   The market just keeps coming up with surprise after surprise.

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Comparison Shopping:
You know the saying..."Go BIG, or go home."   Well that is what we're doing here.   For only $283,975 more from the purchase of that 4-unit building in Russian Hill (really pennies on the dollar), you could have this 20 bedroom Castle in the French country.

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SFhotspots:
-A tip from a reader:  Jafon likes Little Star Pizza on Divisadero at Fulton.   "Amazing butter crusted deep dish."

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Questions&Comments:
If you have something to say, send it to sfnewsletter@gmail.com.  I randomly post reader feedback here.  Don't worry, you'll be anonymous.  Chances are good that you are not the only person thinking it.

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My Thoughts:
The world will soon come to an end. Coors Light billboards are all over town with surfer chicks holding surf boards. Last time I checked Coors got muscled out by Budweiser for Official beer of NASCAR and there ain't no Ocean in the Rockies.

Happy Aloha Friday!

alex

New on Market Report: link SOLD 06/03/05-06/17/05: link SOLD 05/20/05-06/02/05: link

SFnewsletter Week ending June 10, 2005

****SFnewsletter(TM) is a work in progress.  I'm always changing content based on reader feedback.   I welcome ideas, suggestions, complaints, concerns, stories, etc.   There is lots of cool stuff to come.  And please...don't bet the farm off my predictions.****

_____
Welcome:
Hello and welcome to the newest members of the list.  To opt-out, either email me at sfnewsletter@gmail.com, or click on the "unsubscribe" button below.  If you know anyone who would like to be added to this distribution, they must opt-in by emailing me.  For RECENT SALES/LISTING ACTIVITY (COMPS) CLICK ON THE "NEW ON MARKET" AND "SOLD" REPORTS BELOW.*

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Market Update:
In this frenzied market, what is your best way to determine what price you should make as an offer?  My answer, there isn't a good way.   Going off of square footage is only going to make you shake your head and wonder, "How could I possibly be paying $900 square foot for this place?"   Trying to factor in the most recent sales in the area is a gamble too, because the house down the street may have sold for $800,000 with one offer 3 months ago, and the house identical to it, next door, may have sold three days ago for $1,200,000 with 15 offers.   My suggestion, go with your gut.   If you think a place is worth what you want to offer, and you can afford it, then that is what you should offer.

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Maximum Overbid(TM) of the week**:
I didn't even look at the reports this week for this.   I'm going off of a reader tip.   Thanks Eisar!   A higher overbid may exist, but this is pretty amazing.   The address: 869 Alvarado. The Size: 3 bed; 2 bath; 3 car parking; 1920 square feet. The asking price: $679,000. The selling price: $1,500,000.   There is a saying for this.   One man's trash is another man's treasure.  Or something like that.

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Comparison Shopping:
Last week we saw what $75,000 gets you in Lincoln Nebraska, how about $1.5MM?   I kid you not, I couldn't find one property above $1MM in Lincoln.   I searched high and low all over the internet.   How about $679,000 (the asking price on the overbid) in Rome .........Georgia.

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SFhotspots:
-A tip from a reader:   "Roti Indian Bistro.  53 West Portal Avenue.  415-665-7684.   The owners have a sister restaurant in Burlingame.   Great food, reasonable prices and very nice ambiance for a 'neighborhood' spot!"   Thanks Robert.
-Another reader tip:   "On Thursday June 23rd, a cool and very popular Brazilian reggae band will play at the Mezzanine in SF.   You can check Mezzanine's website or www.riopoint.com.   The opening band is a fun local Brazilian band called "Nobody from Ipanema".   It costs $35 in advance.   It should be fun!!"   Thanks Tricia.

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Questions&Comments:
If you have something to say, send it to sfnewsletter@gmail.com.  I randomly post reader feedback here.  Don't worry, you'll be anonymous.  Chances are good that you are not the only person thinking it.

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My Thoughts:
Rain, rain go away, come again in December.

Happy Aloha Friday!

alex

New on Market Report:
link SOLD 05/27/05-06/10/05:
link SOLD 05/13/05-05/26/05:
link

SFnewsletter Week ending June 3, 2005

****SFnewsletter(TM) is a work in progress.  I'm always changing content based on reader feedback.   I welcome ideas, suggestions, complaints, concerns, stories, etc.   There is lots of cool stuff to come.  And please...don't bet the farm off my predictions.**** _____
Welcome:
Hello and welcome to the newest members of the list.  To opt-out, either email me at sfnewsletter@gmail.com, or click on the "unsubscribe" button below.  If you know anyone who would like to be added to this distribution, they must opt-in by emailing me.  For RECENT SALES/LISTING ACTIVITY (COMPS) CLICK ON THE "NEW ON MARKET" AND "SOLD" REPORTS BELOW.* $____
Market Update:
Like Ozomatli says on their new album "Street Signs" at the end of track 9 leading to 10, "It's about to get HOT, HOTTER, HOTTEST..."  (You can hear sample songs by clicking the link, but to hear the epic quote you'll have to buy it.)  All the nay sayers have been predicting rising interest rates and the end of this market.   Well...guess what?  Rates dipped again.  Uh-oh.  There goes the neighborhood. $$___
Maximum Overbid(TM) of the week**:
Every time I run these searches I think I'm going to be numb to the result.  Not the case.   Here's a house on Diamond in Eureka Valley, two bed, two bath, one car parking, around 1578 square feet, asking $799,000 sold for $1,200,000.   Not such a shock considering the market we're in.   Here's the kicker...If MLS is correct, it sold in 1996 for $75,000.   Something tells me that could just be the loan amount, but either way, it's INSANE!!! $$$___
Comparison Shopping:
I know you're thinking, "Don't go there Alex.   Don't make me see what is out there for $75,000.   There can't be anything."   Sorry, I had to do it.   But you got to go deep in the heartland.   I'll put some San Francisco marketing twist on it for you..."Built in 1910 this quaint 1037 square foot home boasts three bedrooms, one bath, hardwood floors, formal dining room, laundry room, parking for many cars, tons of outdoor space, and your own private deck to share hors d'oeuvres with your guests, or to simply enjoy the serenity of the outdoors."   It can't be that bad in Lincoln, Nebraska. !!!____
SFhotspots:
I'm going outside the city for this one, because it was just so good.   Speisekammer Restaurant in Alameda.   A truly authentic and delicious Bavarian Restaurant.   If you've been to Suppenkuche here in the city and liked it, you'll love this place.   And they have a great outdoor patio for the hot summer nights and drinking cold German beers.   Take the ferry over, get wasted, and float home. ???____
Questions&Comments:
If you have something to say, send it to sfnewsletter@gmail.com.  I randomly post reader feedback here.  Don't worry, you'll be anonymous.  Chances are good that you are not the only person thinking it. $$$$___
My Thoughts:
I took a field trip to America last weekend.   I'm glad to be back home.
Happy Aloha Friday!

alex

New on Market Report: link SOLD 05/20/05-06/02/05: link SOLD 05/06/05-05/19/05: link