ActiveRain SFRealEstateBuzz

What questions should I ask an agent I'm interviewing? Today I ran across a handout with questions a buyer should ask an agent they're considering hiring. I think they're good questions. Here is how I would answer them: What are the most important skills and resources you offer your clients: I th...

2010 was a Mr. Toad's Wild Ride for the San Francisco real estate market.  We kicked off with a strong spring market caffeinated by federal and state tax credits. This was followed by a sluggish summer, then a reversal of fortune with a strong finish from Labor Day on.  The 4th quarter of 2010 ha...

Last week an anxous client/friend contacted me because she was getting death threats from a stalker. She and her partner needed to move quickly into a doorman building with more security. She called me to see if I knew of anything. These clients are presently renters-- they are still putting toge...

A friend sent me this link from Herman Chan's website. Herman is not an agent, but a 'real estate personality.' And I'm proud to say he's San Francisco-based and proud to say he's an Active Rainer! I bet many of you already know about him, but those of you who don't need to sit up and take notice...

Shopping for a home on the internet-- make sure you go to the source. My story is why shopping online for a home can be a waste of time without proper guidance. It's also about why working with an agent can get the quick, full scoop on the homes that interest you. A month ago, a sweet young buyer...

What would you do if you didn't have to work anymore? I asked a half dozen agents at work this question. Their answers were fascinating!  One said he'd do nothing but yoga all day. Another would dedicate his life to dog rescue. A third would go back to school for her PhD in behavioral economics. ...

Could 2011 be the year buyers finally get off the fence? Over here in San Francisco my answer is a definite 'maybe.' The big indicator is some startling activity on our company website from visitors who are logging on to look at listings. Our data comes to us from our monthly Trulia report. Truli...

Getting your home ready to sell two years in advance may seem like premature planning.  So when an older couple with a flat in Presidio Heights called for advice on what they needed to do in order to sell in 2013, I questioned whether they really needed my help right now. But after seeing their p...

Is Vacation Rental by Owner (VRBO) a Profitable Alternative for San Francisco Real Estate Investors? There's a new buzz word around town among San Francisco agents: it's V-R-B-O, or "Vacation Rental By Owner". The term originated with a website of the same name, that features furnished, short-ter...

The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday about a new bout of declining home prices that is threatening to hamper the U.S. recovery, just as consumers and the overall economy have been showing signs of healing. Home prices across 20 major metropolitan areas fell 1.3% in October from September, t...