Weekend Events, Plus San Francisco Real Estate News

San Francisco events this weekend include Memorial Day activities at the Presidio on Monday, a Free Patriotic Music Concert in Golden Gate Park on Sunday and of course, Carnaval San Francisco on Saturday and Sunday.

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On the “Homes for Sale in San Francisco” front, here’s our report for this week, 5/19/13-5/25/13:

San Francisco multi-unit properties are among the hottest commodities on the real estate market right now, according to SFCurbed. We’ve talked about how single family homes and individual condos are generally selling over the asking price with multiple offers. The same is true for multi-unit buildings.

Investors have realized that rents are up and will likely continue to rise in the near future. In fact, the Association of Bay Area Governments predicts that San Francisco’s population will soar from the current 812,000 to at least 964,000 by 2035.

Consequently, multi-unit building sales are soaring. SFCurbed includes a graph in its report that suggests that as of 5/7/13 nearly 40% of these properties are selling in 30 days or less, and on average 11.6% above the asking price.

For more information on San Francisco’s local real estate market, click here to visit our Market Reports page.


Guy Fieri Is Checking Out SF Dives This Week

You know that face. It’s Guy Fieri, and according to Eater.com he’s in town scoping out our diners, drive-ins and dives. Yes, we have them. Sources say he’s looking at Senor Sisig, Show Dogs, the Front Porch and Nopalito’s Sunset location.

Guy, who lives in Santa Rosa, tweeted yesterday that he’s “shootin’ some killer San Fran joints this week for DDD… Nor Cal rocks.”

Last time around he profiled Grubstake, Tee Off Bar & Grill, HRD Coffee Shop and Joe’s Cable Car. These spots may have been overlooked by the James Beard Awards judges, but it’s good to know that Guy is giving them some good exposure on his TV show.


Momentous Memorial Day

This Memorial Day weekend, there is no shortage of ways to celebrate in the City. Whether you’re interested in the arts, concerts, or festivals these three days will be jam-packed with activities!

Start the celebration on Saturday with the 35th Annual Carnaval San Francisco. This two-day festival takes up over eight blocks in the Mission and fills them to the brim with music, dancing and extraordinary Latin and Caribbean cuisine. The largest multicultural celebration on the West Coast, this free event also includes arts and crafts as well as activities for all ages. Not to be missed is the Grand Parade in all its pageantry on Sunday.

For art lovers, head to Art Attack SF Gallery on Sunday and revel at their sponsored “kick back” party- drinks, a DJ, art and games all courtesy of the gallery! Thrown in gratitude for their patrons and artists, come hang out on their patio, enjoy the sunshine and the art.  Register to attend the free event here. Don’t forget to wear your stars and stripes!

Monday, Golden Gate Park will be filled with the sounds of the award winning Spartan Band from Bainbridge, Washington. Check out their special Memorial Day performance and get a sneak peek here.

Happy Memorial Day to all!


A Final Warriors Playoffs Post

The amazing, exhilarating Golden State Warriors season ended last Thursday at Oracle Arena, when the team fell to the San Antonio Spurs 94-82. By the time the game ended, the players were spent. Rookie Harrison Barnes had six stitches in his forehead, and literally couldn’t play anymore. Other players – among them Stephen Curry, Andrew Bogut and David Lee – were giving all they had while dealing with well documented injuries.

The three point shots which had energized Oracle for so long, wouldn’t fall anymore. In fact, Curry and Klay Thompson both had clutch 3s fail to go in near the end of the game, when it still mattered.

Well after the game ended, fans shouted “War-riors, War-riors, War-riors.” They simply didn’t want the season to end. The players heard their chants in the locker room, and returned to the floor to acknowledge the ovation. It was a remarkable moment.

Mayor Ed Lee has declared today Golden State Warriors Day, and in a ceremony at City Hall he will give Stephen Curry a key to the City. The event is free, with limited space available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is scheduled to begin at 11:30 AM.


What a Gorgeous San Francisco Weekend It Was!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, here are three thousand words to describe the weekend we just enjoyed!

Bay to Breakers

Tour of California

Sailing on the Bay


May 20 / 2013

Weekend Events, Plus San Francisco Real Estate News

San Francisco events this weekend include the Bay to Breakers foot race on Sunday and Stage 8 of the Tour of California bike race, also on Sunday. This is the final stage of the pro bike race, and it starts at 8:15 AM at the Marina Green. NBC will provide live coverage. The race follows the coast and ends in Santa Rosa.

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On the “Homes for Sale in San Francisco” front, here’s our report for this week, 5/12/13-5/18/13:

According to CNNMoney, the majority of Americans now are forecasting home prices to rise, and only about a third are expecting prices to fall – a reversal in attitudes of a year ago.

The report says the latest data from the housing market back up this new level of confidence in the housing recovery. The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index rose 9.3% over the last 12 months, the biggest annual rise in home prices since the height of the housing bubble in 2006.

People who were sitting on the sidelines because of concerns that prices were still falling can be drawn back into the market once they believe prices are on their way up again. Home sales are up 10% from a year ago, helped not only by the climbing prices but also record low mortgage rates and falling unemployment.

For more information on San Francisco’s local real estate market, click here to visit our Market Reports page.


Is the Entire City Under Construction!?

It seems like every time you make a turn you run into a road closure. This street is being dug up. That sewer is being replaced. This house is being remodeled from the studs out. These buildings are going up.

It’s all going on all at the same time. It makes getting across the City a challenge. Are you seeing the same thing?

 


May 16 / 2013

Uncork Yourself

This Saturday, quench your thirst and satiate your appetite at the Uncorked! Wine Festival 2013. Held in iconic Ghirardelli Square, the 8th annual food and drink festival expects to draw over 10,000 attendees.

Take pleasure in a selection of more than 50 esteemed wineries including Longboard Vineyards, Ghost Pines and Robert Mondavi Winery. Food lovers will enjoy cooking demonstrations by renowned Bay Area chefs, while wine aficionados can attend educational seminars. Live entertainment is also included with admission.

The weather forecast for Saturday says mid 60s and clear, so get your tickets here- feel good about your purchase too, as a portion of proceeds from ticket sales benefits local nonprofit, Save The Bay.

 


Welcome to San Fransokyo

Last week Disney posted “Big Hero 6″ First Look Footage on YouTube. It only runs 34 seconds in length but it’s an arresting clip, evoking both the past and the future at the same time in a dark and faintly foggy San Francisco tableau.

The film isn’t scheduled to hit theaters until November 2014. It’s an action-comedy-adventure-CG-animated movie, based on Marvel “Big Hero 6″ comics. Can’t promise the movie will be good, but this sneak peek is pretty cool.

And yes, the name of the city is San Fransokyo. That’s not a typo.


May 14 / 2013

Who Are These Guys?!

Our Warriors are almost unrecognizable. After an ugly game three and an equally ugly first half of game four, the Warriors got up off the mat just in time to push the game into overtime, and win going away 97-87. The series with San Antonio is tied at two wins each and the Warriors return to Texas now for game five of the seven game series on Tuesday.

They achieved all of this with Stephen Curry hobbled (okay, that we’ve seen before) and Klay Thompson quiet offensively. Rookie Harrison Barnes and veteran Jarrett Jack did most of the clutch scoring, and even reserve center and perennial bench warmer Andris Biedrins played because so many of the team’s big men were in foul trouble.

The Spurs have to be asking themselves this same question; Who are these guys?  We’ll all find out this coming week. Told you this was going to be interesting! But this ride is even more wild than we expected!