by Gary Belk | Jan 13, 2016 | 1 bedroom, 1,000,000 +, Neighborhoods, South Beach, Yerba Buena |
Amazing city views from this prime condo location in San Francisco’s Financial District Luxury Unit at the City Residence, Millennium Tower. A masterpiece of modern living in the heart of the Financial District. This spacious 1,633 square foot condominium is complete with one beautiful bedroom and one elegantly appointed oversized bathroom. This exceptional home features a glamorous open floor plan with luxurious finishes. State-of-the-art kitchen and bathrooms; natural beech thick solid plank hardwood floors throughout the foyer, kitchen, dining & living room; floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the future of the Transbay Terminal roof top park and city views. Impeccable Design by Glenn Rescalvo of Handel Architects Glenn Rescalvo, control architect of Handel Architects, broke the glass skin from the tower into 10 faceted panels, thus allowing the appearance of the façade to change depending on where you are standing. It was the vision of the highly successful developers (Millennium Partners from Manhattan) to create a residence with hotel amenities. When one becomes an owner at Millennium Tower, he or she gains usage of an amenity complex that is 2nd to none. There are approximately 20K square feet of amenities provided by this complex that feature an private club level with bar, lounge area and restaurant food, outdoor terrace, indoor pool, wine tasting room and the fitness center, its own restaurant, which is on the building’s first floor, there’s not any need of leaving your home. The units have superior security, doormen, porters and concierge are all at your beckon call. There is even room service available. Be a Part of the Millennium Tower Lifestyle The Millennium Tower units are...
by Gary Belk | Jan 12, 2016 | Uncategorized |
A very interesting article on growth. It is a complex issue. I think this article by Justin Fox explains the issue very well. “…a San Francisco that makes room for a few hundred thousand more tech workers will no longer be the same shabbily welcoming city “that’s been a magnet for free spirits and immigrants and working-class people for decades.. Then again, “free spirits and immigrants and working-class people” can’t afford to move to San Francisco now anyway — it’s only the ones who managed to get their hands on a rent-controlled apartment years ago who can afford to stay. Here’s Sonja Trauss, a former math teacher and economics graduate student who recently founded the pro-growth San Francisco Bay Area Renters Federation: The past is not an option. Going forward we can become either a big city, or else a highly exclusive gated community for the rich. For homeowners this is an academic question, because as owners, nothing can make them move. For renters and all new entrants (your children) this question is over whether we live in the Bay Area or not. There are 2x as many people who want to live here than do live here. The current “character” of SF isn’t very useful to people who can’t live here.” Link to entire...
by Gary Belk | Dec 24, 2015 | Real Estate, San Francisco Real Estate |
Today, many real estate conversations center on housing prices and where they may be headed. That is why we like the Home Price Expectation Survey. Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists about where they believe prices are headed over the next five years. They then average the projections of all 100+ experts into a single number. The results of their latest survey: Home values will appreciate by 3.9% by the end of 2015, 3.4% in 2016 and 3.1% in each of the following four years (as shown below). That means the average annual appreciation will be 3.2% over the next 5 years. The prediction for cumulative appreciation rose from 18.1% to 21.6% by 2020. Even the experts making up the most bearish quartile of the survey still are projecting a cumulative appreciation of 13.8%. Bottom Line Individual opinions make headlines. We believe the survey is a fairer depiction of future...
by Gary Belk | Dec 4, 2015 | Uncategorized |
Looking back at the statistics from the past few years, we traditionally see a dramatic increase in price each January. For instance, last year the median price for a home in San Francisco that went into contract in December of 2014 sold for $925,000; in January, that dollar figure rose to $1,115,000! While this figure is skewed, as it is the median price for all home types, it does show an upward trend of “price-post-holiday-joy” if you are the seller and a perfect opportunity to buy now if you are a buyer…. If you’re thinking about selling your property, let’s talk now to be ready to take advantage for this trend. We will prepare your property and design a custom marketing plan, so as soon as 2016 rolls around, we’ll be poised to strike. And If You Are Buying, Now Is The Time To Strike…. Based on the above stats, as you can see, if you are shopping for a home, now is the time to secure a great deal. If the past is any predictor of the future, most people put their home buying on-hold due to the holidays – giving you two reasons to buy now… avoid the inevitable price increase and less competition! Urban Focus is REALLY Full-Service and no Realtor offers you more service whether you are a Seller, Buyer or Both With over two decades of experience in San Francisco real estate, we know it can be difficult to find the right property in San Francisco and then — on top of finding it —being the winning bidder! Buyers, now, you can rest comfortably for...
by Gary Belk | Dec 2, 2015 | Neighborhoods, News and Reviews, Real Estate, San Francisco Real Estate |
Our listing at 1111 Oak Street just made SFgate.com. Katie Dowd wrote a nice piece about the oldest house in San Francisco. Read the...
by Gary Belk | Nov 10, 2015 | Blog, Business, Real Estate, San Francisco Real Estate |
Leave the driving to us • Avoid parking hassles • See twice as many homes The Smarter Way to See More Homes At no cost to you, one of our professional drivers (not an agent or taxi) drives you to and from open houses in style, saving you time and money. They’ll pick you up from your home or office. You’ll be driven directly to the door of each open house. And you’ll be driven back to your location. No parking. Minimal walking. No cost. Result? You can see twice as many homes in the same afternoon. FREE Open House Chauffeur Service Exclusive to Urban Focus Clients Visiting open houses in the Bay Area can be frustrating and inefficient…. You search for parking. You walk to an open house. You walk back to your car. You do it again. Meanwhile, you’re losing valuable house-hunting time…. Arrange for our FREE 5-star quality chauffeur service today. Call our office phone 415-813-5083 ext 3 or email us below Your Name (required) Your Email (required) Your Message [honeypot...
by Gary Belk | Nov 9, 2015 | Business, Real Estate, San Francisco Real Estate |
Making an Offer on a Property Verbal contracts or offers are not legally enforceable when it comes to the sale of real estate. Therefore, you need to enter into a written contract, which starts with your written proposal. This proposal not only specifies price, but all the terms and conditions of the purchase. REALTORS® in California use forms that are approved by the California Department of Real Estate. These are the only forms that real estate agents are allowed to use. We have a variety of standard forms (including Residential Purchase Agreements) that are kept up to date with the changing laws. In addition, REALTORS® cover the questions that need to be answered during the process. There are certain disclosure laws that must be complied with by the seller, and the REALTOR® will ensure that this takes place. After the offer is drawn up and signed, it will be presented to the seller of the property. What the Offer Contains The purchase offer you submit, if accepted as it stands, will become a binding sales contract (also known as a purchase agreement, earnest money agreement or deposit receipt). It’s important, therefore, that it contains all the items that will serve as a “blueprint for the final sale.” These purchase offer items include such things as: Address of the property Sale price Terms — for example, all cash or subject to your obtaining a mortgage for a given amount Seller’s promise to provide clear title (ownership) Target date for closing (the actual date title is transferred to you) Amount of earnest money deposit accompanying the offer, and whether it’s a...
by Gary Belk | Oct 16, 2015 | Uncategorized |
Buyers Have Reason To Celebrate, For A Change! Now is the best time to buy in San Francisco I’ve seen in years. Historically, the autumn market is calmer with less competition. But, this year, for the first time in several years, the competition is less than usual, making this the perfect time to purchase. Looking back at the statistics from the past few years, we traditionally see a dramatic increase in price each January. For instance, last year the median price for a home in San Francisco that went into contract in December of 2014 sold for $925,000; in January the figure rose to $1,115,000! While this figure may be skewed, since it is the median price for all home types, it does show an upward trend on price that each new year adds. Bonus Benefit for Buyers. The frenzy has slowed as we enter the year end.. For example, instead of buyers being overwhelmed having to compete with 6 to 10 offers, we are now having to compete with an average of 3. As I write this, I know of several great properties that have been on the market for 30 days or more than can be purchased without competition — allowing you, the buyer, to make the right decision instead of a frantic decision. (That’s right! Call me now before these hidden gems sell, as buyers, can actually negotiate the price and terms of the offer!) We are not declare declaring that the seller’s market that has been surging for the past 4 to 5 years is over, but buyers are currently receiving a welcome respite for...
by Gary Belk | Sep 20, 2015 | $600,000 to 799.000, Noe Valley |
750 Diamond St. at 24th. Upper condo in a 2 unit building. Corner location gives 3 sides of windows and great light. Wood flooring, open floor plan, large bedroom with office nook, plenty of closet space make this a highly desirable condo. Located in the heart of Noe Valley within easy walking distance to restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and tech shuttle and public transit. The kitchen has an island and is open to the living and dining rooms. There is a small deck off the kitchen facing west and an in-unit washer/dryer. The garage has it’s own garage door so friends can block the driveway when they visit. Pictures coming soon. Open house schedule will be posted the week of Sept 20. Call/text Angelica Biggs to set up a private, pre-market tour. (415) 890-4917. List Price:...
