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Preliminary Indications of Market Direction


 

San Francisco Real Estate in Early 2017

 

Preliminary Indications of Market Direction

 

April 2017 Report

 


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In recent months, there have been multiple reports in local media about Big Drops in San Francisco Home Prices! But, umm, we are not seeing it, neither on the ground in the hurly burly of buyers and sellers making deals, nor in the year-over-year quarterly statistics of supply and demand. News articles often make a big deal regarding the median sales price in a single month, but monthly data is often gravely deficient as an indicator, fluctuating up and down without much meaningfulness due to a number of factors. January and February are particularly bad months to draw conclusions from: The lowest sales volumes of the year, reflecting deals negotiated during the December-January market doldrums, with weather issues sometimes thrown in besides (for instance, in early 2017). Last but not least, the media often mixes property types to come up with a single median sales price, and that is generally not a good idea either.

This chart above illustrates San Francisco quarterly median sales price movements since 2012, which, as one can see, is also prone to significant fluctuation. In Q1 2017, the median house price basically plateaued year over year, while the median condo price actually increased from Q1 2016. (Historically, it is not unusual for Q1 median prices to drop from Q4 due to seasonal reasons, mainly the characteristic big slowdown of luxury home sales in mid-winter.) Q1 is the quarter of the year with the least number of closed sales, so too much should not be made of its data, but we have summarized annual Q1 dynamics for the past 4 years in the 2 charts below. For context, remember that 2014 and 2015 were particularly feverish markets. A much better assessment of the direction of the 2017 market will be possible after Q2 data is in: March through June is usually the most active selling season of the year.

Year-over-Year Comparisons of Q1 Statistics
Chart 1: San Francisco House Market OverviewChart 2: San Francisco Condo Market Overview————————————————————

Annual Median House Sales Price Trends:
5 Selected San Francisco Neighborhoods, since 2004


Generally speaking, in higher priced areas, median house prices have been plateauing or dropping a little, while the more affordable neighborhoods have continued to appreciate: This is a relatively common dynamic around the Bay Area.

The only way to assess value or appreciation for a particular home is by performing a comparative market analysis tailored to its specific location, condition and circumstances. Of all the neighborhoods graphed above, the Marina has by far the fewest house sales and the widest range of individual home sales prices, so it is most susceptible to median price fluctuations caused by other factors besides changes in value – for example, a substantial change in the listings available to purchase in a given year. We do not believe that the same Marina house selling in 2015 would have sold for 15% less in 2016: something less, perhaps; 15% less, very unlikely. This is a good illustration of the dangers of making too much of median sales price changes.

If you would like median home price trends for another San Francisco neighborhood, please let us know.

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Average Sales Price to Original List Price Percentage

By Month: House, Condo, Co-op, TIC & 2-4 Unit Building Sales
As seen in this chart, overbidding typically heats up as the market moves into spring. So far, this year has been no exception, though the overbidding percentages are somewhat lower than in recent years.


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Annual Market Trends
For clarity and meaningfulness, we much prefer annual trend analyses, with their much bigger data sets, and have recently completed a comprehensive review of virtually every statistic we could think of on that basis. Doing so allows us to stand back to see the broader view of what is happening in the market, instead of getting obsessed by what happens to be in front of our shoe. Looking at annual trends, virtually all the market statistics illustrate the same general conclusion: The market became progressively stronger coming out of the 2009-2011 housing recession; the frenzy peaked in 2015; and the market cooled a bit in 2016, condos more so than houses. This is a generalization of the macro-trend: Different market segments have been going in somewhat different directions and speeds in the city and around the Bay Area in the past year or so.

Below are a few of the many analyses. The full review is here: Long-Term Annual Trends in San Francisco Real Estate

First 2 charts: The hotter the market, the greater the percentage of listings that sell quickly, and the more ferocious the competitive bidding on those listings.


Even with some cooling, the overbidding on appealing new listings has remained quite dramatic: Our current percentages over asking would stun anyone from almost any other market in the country. (However, underpricing has also become a more common strategy here than in other markets.)


Annual Trends Chart 3: As a market begins to cool, the number of listings that expire or are withdrawn without selling increases. This is typically due to increasing supply, softening demand, sellers looking for more money than buyers are willing to pay, or all three.


Annual Trends Charts 4 & 5: As new condos and new rental apartments came on the market in greater numbers in the past year, it cooled those two market segments, much more so than the house segment, of which hardly any are built new in the city anymore. (The more affordable house market in the city has remained remarkably hot.) The rental market was affected most as more new rental units came on market than at any time since WWII: Though SF still has the highest rents in the country, they have dropped from their peak in 2015.



Chart 6: To a large degree due to big changes in tenant eviction and condo conversion laws, the TIC market has gone through a large decline in sales volume. It is also true that after decades of turning multi-unit buildings into condos and TICs, the supply of such properties available to do so has declined. Generally speaking, TIC median sales prices plateaued from 2015 to 2016 at about 14% below the median condo price.


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San Francisco Luxury Home Market
Three sample charts from our big report on the high-priced home segment. Generally speaking, the luxury market has cooled more than the more affordable segments, and the luxury condo market has cooled more than the luxury house market. This is mostly due to the recent surge of new-construction luxury condos onto the market in the city.

The first two charts below are snapshots of either the house or condo segment of the luxury market in two of our major districts.



This next chart illustrates one of the bigger changes in SF high-end home markets. Many more listings, resale luxury condos in particular, are expiring or being withdrawn from the market without selling.



Our full report is here: Luxury Home Market of San Francisco

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Interest Rates
Constantly shifting economic and political factors continue to affect rates: Mortgage interest rates are significantly up since the election, fluctuating up and down since the year began, but still far below historical norms. This is a factor everyone is watching carefully because of its potential impact on affordability, already a big issue in the Bay Area.

Apartment Building (Multi-Unit Residential) Sales
We have also released our quarterly report on the multi-unit residential property markets of San Francisco, Marin and Alameda Counties: Bay Area Apartment Building Market. Below is one of its many analyses.


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All our reports can be found on our redesigned website: Paragon Market Reports

Using, Understanding and Evaluating Real Estate Statistics

If you will forgive a little celebrating on our part: In the last two quarters, Paragon sold more San Francisco residential and multi-unit residential real estate than any other brokerage (as reported to MLS, per Broker Metrics), even though we have far fewer agents than many of our competitors.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this report, or if assistance can be provided in any other way, please call or email.


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It is impossible to know how median and average value statistics apply to any particular home without a specific comparative market analysis, which we are happy to provide upon request.

These analyses were made in good faith with data from sources deemed reliable, but may contain errors and are subject to revision. It is not our intent to convince you of a particular position, but to attempt to provide straightforward data and analysis, so you can make your own informed decisions. Median and average statistics are enormous generalities: There are hundreds of different markets in San Francisco and the Bay Area, each with its own unique dynamics. Median prices and average dollar per square foot values can be and often are affected by other factors besides changes in fair market value. Longer term trends are much more meaningful than short-term.


© 2017 Paragon Real Estate Group

No one knows San Francisco real estate better than Paragon.

Paragon Real Estate Group
www.paragon-re.com/

Pota Perimenis
Lic# 01117624
1400 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94109
Direct 415-738-7075
Cell 415-407-2595
pperimenis@paragon-re.com
www.sfcityhomes.com

 

 

PLACE. A new digitalzine

Issue 2 of Place is here!

Click here for issue 2 of Place!

“Spring has officially arrived around the Bay Area – the beauty of this past season’s El Nino’ rain has put a blanket of green on the hills and all the trees and flowers are in full bloom.

We’ve packed a lot in to this second issue of PLACE to celebrate this fresh season that is upon us. Foodies can feast their eyes upon MKT, Rodney Worth and Farmshop. Inspire your inner decorator (or hire one) with Timothy Quillen and Folger & Burt. We’ve been busy selling real estate and we’ve packed in listings from Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and a history lesson on the Hearst family’s build from the early 1900’s. We also focus on Passive Homes and Net Zero building. It’s a trend that will definitely continue to grow and take hold in this chang­ing environmental climate. Don’t miss out on everything the Bay Area has to offer in our events pages.

To stage or not to stage?

 

Sellers often ask me this question.

It’s a very understandable question to ask.   Does it really make a difference to buyers if a perfectly nice property is furnished? There is an old adage: “Buyers know what they see, not the way it’s going to be.”  If this is true then staging is recommended.

The idea behind furnishing for marketing purposes is that the furnishings are intended to evoke an emotional response to the property from both buyers and Realtors.  I want to believe that I, a professional who has seen thousands of homes in all kinds of conditions, can appreciate a space and its full potential  when it’s clean, freshly painted, and with nice flooring.   But even I react emotionally to a nicely furnished ‘home’ (staged) compared to a vacant ‘unit’ (unstaged).

My current listing at 500 Masonic #2 allowed me to compare both conditions: staged and unstaged. The unit itself has all the bells and whistles like 2 car parking, a view roof deck, a well laid out, spacious floor plan. It was recently painted, new lighting fixtures installed, new flooring installed, and cleaned from top to bottom.  If any property can look good unstaged, it’s this one.  And it does. It looks great unfurnished!

The sellers and I then had to decide whether  to stage or not.  We reviewed the pros and cons:
Staging takes time and money. Will the furniture make the space look smaller?  Is it necessary to spend thousands of dollars to furnish when it looks perfectly fine in its current condition? etc.

We decided to stage.  I would like to share with you the  before and afters for the living room, master bedroom, and dining area.  Which do you think looks better?  If you have an opinion I’d love to hear it.  Please email me at pperimenis@paragon-re.com

 

Before and after photos

2018

500Masonic2 lr3

Living room

2029

500Masonic2 dr

Dining Room

2031

500Masonic2 2br

Bedroom

Springtime in the North Panhandle of San Francisco | Presented by NoPa real estate expert Pota Perimenis

Springtime in the North Panhandle of San Francisco | Presented by NoPa real estate expert Pota Perimenis

Walking on Grove Street the other day, my senses were treated to the sight and the aroma of a whole street of cherry trees in full bloom.  Just a couple of days later the leaves were starting to form and the blooms floated away in the breeze.  Springtime in the city…beautiful, intense and fleeting at the same time.

663 42nd Avenue

663 42nd Avenue
Represented Buyer

In today’s market, a Buyer’s Agent needs to leave no stone unturned. When the MLS did not provide a listing suitable for my clients, I knew I had to go outside the box. My search led my to an unlisted property where the Seller was willing to sell without going on the open market. My clients made an acceptable offer and have now closed and moved in to their new Richmond home with a view of the ocean. The other day my client told me the best words I could wish to hear, and the reason I am in this industry: “We are so happy here.”

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1982 Hayes St.

Full floor condominium in NOPA, just a block from the Panhandle. Lots of period detailing. Hardwood floors, high ceilings, decorative fireplaces. Spacious, open plan kitchen. In-unit washer and dryer. No parking, but excellent location for public transportation including the 21-Hayes, 5-Fulton, N-Judah, and 43-Masonic.  Click here for property website and more photos.

  • Offered at $799,000
  • 2 BR, 1 BA
  • Open remodeled kitchen
  • Dining area
  • Living room with decorative fireplace
  • Shared yard
  • Full floor flat in 3 unit building
  • HOA dues $373.12 /mo (insurance, water, garbage, reserves)
  • Walking distance to Koret gym/USF and discounted membership fees with “neighbor” rate.
  • Walk to Haight-Ashbury market, Whole foods, Divisadero Corridor, Sunday farmer’s market, Lucky supermarket.
  • City car share pods close by.
  • Full floor condominium in NOPA, just a block from the Panhandle. Lots of period detailing. Hardwood floors, high ceilings, decorative fireplaces. Spacious, open plan kitchen. In-unit washer and dryer. No parking, but excellent location for public transportation including the 21-Hayes, 5-Fulton, N-Judah, and 43-Masonic.

This condominium is located in the best NOPA location. The Panhandle and Golden Gate Park are right outside the front door, providing a green urban oasis perfect for dog walking, exercising, enjoying the world-class museums, or just getting out in nature. NOPA is nestled between Cole Valley, Haight-Ashbury and Laurel Village, USF and UCSF. It’s easy to leave the car in the garage in this neighborhood–Whole Foods, USF’s Koret center gym, yoga studios, hair/nail salons, and restaurants are all a short stroll away. Residents qualify for gym membership at USF’s Koret athletic facility. Nearby restaurants include Green Chile Kitchen, Bistro Central Parc, Tsunami Sushi Bar, Eos, Abacus, Little Star Pizza and NOPA. Very easy transit w/several bus lines nearby. Modern urban living at its best!

More photos at: http://www.1982Hayes.com

Click here for more information.

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    715 and 715 1/2 A and B Lyon

    Welcome to 715 and 715 ½ A and B Lyon Street, a rare NOPA property which includes two buildings on one lot! The front single family home is a well-preserved, up-to-date Victorian lady. In the gold leaf-accented, gingerbread facade, you see Stick & Queen Anne styles. As you enter, the foyer opens to an elegant living room featuring a large bay window accented by cherub brackets, built-in bookshelves & a wood burning fireplace. There are two bedrooms, two remodeled bathrooms, and a spacious, eat-in kitchen. Downstairs is a wonderful bonus space currently used as an office, additional storage, washer/dryer and parking. The yard offers an enclosed grassy area with a lemon tree and pleasant outlooks towards other gardens. The back house is now divided into two one bedroom units (the second unit is unwarranted). 715 ½ B is rented for $1003/month. The front house and lower back unit will be delivered vacant! Click here for property website and more photos.

              • Offered at $1,595,000
              • Front building:
              • A well-preserved, up-to-date Victorian lady with Stick and Queen Anne styles.Gold leaf-accented, gingerbread façade.
              • Two bedrooms, 2 remodeled baths.
              • Elegant living room w/ decorative fireplace
              • Large remodeled eat-in kitchen
              • Delivered vacant
              • Garage additional storage and ​ ​laundry
              • Bonus room behind garage, currently used as office
              • Rear building:
              • Two 1-bedroom units
              • Legality of one of the units is unwarranted.
              • One unit rents for $1003 as of May 1.The other is vacant as a result of a landlord/tenant agreement.
              • Grassy yard and lemon tree
              • Perfect for the owner occupier who wants rental income without having tenants above or below, or for TIC buyers and possible condominium conversion.
              • Easy access to public transportation.

    The property’s configuration is perfect for the owner who wishes to own a single family home and to have rental income as well, yet without having neighbors above or below. It may also appeal to TIC buyers with potential for future condominium conversion.

    Disclosures available upon request.
    http://www.715Lyon.com

    Click here for more information.

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