Danielle Lazier

It’s beginning to look a lot like…a strategic time to buy a home in San Francisco.

It’s beginning to look a lot like (no not Christmas though that’s also true especially in Union Square) a strategic time to buy a home in San Francisco.

Contrary to popular belief, the holiday season is an excellent time to be a home buyer whether you are a first time buyer looking for a SoMa loft or Mission TIC or a homeowner looking to trade up out of their starter condo and into a Bernal Heights or Noe Valley single family home for sale.

Why the holidays are a great time to shop for a home and why you’re going to start your house hunt now and NOT wait until tax time next year:

1. You’ll get a better deal on your home.

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Tags: holiday season, holiday slowdown, home buying, winter, winter slowdown

This time, YOU are telling ME that it’s the right time to buy a home in San Francisco! The fun starts now.

Hmmm, maybe it really is the right time to be a first time buyer and buy a home in San Francisco, whether that’s a starter condo in the Mission or 3 bedroom view condo in Pacific Heights. At least that’s what I’ve been hearing straight from the horse’s mouth, i.e. my first time home buyers in SF.

Yeah, yeah, I know that I’ve been writing this for a while now. Point 1: Crazy low interest rates on safe mortgages like the 30 year fixed rate home loan. Point 2: Reduced home prices even in the choicest of San Francisco neighborhoods like Noe Valley, Pacific Heights, Mission Dolores and our own little Bernal Heights.

But this past week, it was you, the folks considering buying their first home in San Francisco, who were leading the cheer. And I heard you, loud and clear.

In the past week, not one, not two, but three clients of mine arose from the house hunting abyss to tell me that now has become the right time to buy and that they had found the home of their dreams. Mind you, each of these groups had been looking for at least 1 year, most were closer to 2+years! When it comes to buying a home, it is all about timing and I don’t mean timing the market. I mean “personal timing”.

When it is the right time for you, in your own life, to become a homeowner, it will happen. When it’s not the right time (maybe because of your personal situation, your job stability, your family, your geographic plans etc), you can look and look but nothing will feel right.

(Side note: I like to tell my clients, whether they are home buyers or sellers, that it is not my job to tell them what their goal is or should be. You must determine whether it’s the right thing for you to buy or sell real estate in San Francisco. You must have your own goal. I can help you fine tune it, for sure, but I’m not here to tell you what to do. I am here to listen to your goal & what’s most important to you, help you contextualize it in today’s San Francisco housing market and then help you make it happen. And yes, I’m pretty darn good at “making it happen.” Make sense?)

Yes, 3 clients calling me to make offers on the right home for them (and getting them into contract) makes for a good week. Of course. But does it also signify something bigger? Once the public realizes that the current home buying conditions may be the best they’re going to be, it means that the market is turning around.

Real estate in San Francisco is not for the squeamish. It’s expensive and highly competitive.  But, it does make one heck of an investment. And you get to have 50 degree days in July and 80 degrees in October! On that note, I’m off to enjoy more of the sun.

Tags: First Time Buyer, home buying

Powerful Home Buying Strategies: Don’t Be Pushed Into Any House. OR How Many Homes Should I See Before Making an Offer?

Powerful Home Buying Strategies: Don’t Be Pushed Into Any House. OR How Many Homes Should I See Before Making an Offer?

A common question from home buyers is, “How many listings should I see before making an offer?” Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: FAQ, First Time Buyer, Frequently Asked Questions, home buying

5 Things San Francisco Home Buyers Should Know

Real estate is complex but it’s not rocket science. There are tried and true tips to the home buying and selling process. There are things that all San Francisco home buyers should know.

When you work with an agent, she or he should be educating you on these issues from the beginning. For example, I sit down with potential clients for an initial consultation. It’s a no-pressure meet & greet where we talk about the market, the buyer’s plans, answer preliminary questions and see if we’re a good fit.

But, the learning does not stop there. Each step of the way is the opportunity to ask questions and get clear, consistent answers about your options. If your agent is not answering your questions or is telling you what to do (rather than giving you choices to make), get a new one!

I read a lot of real estate articles online and off. Recently, I was introduced to U.S. News & World Report Online Real Estate section and the writer, Luke Mullins. He’s great! He provides clear tips on the process of buying or selling real estate whether a Mission Dolores condo or a Bernal Heights single family home. The info is relevant to today’s market as well.

For example, 5 Things Every Home Buyer Should Know includes the following:

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Tags: First Time Buyer, home buyer facts, home buying

More San Francisco Homes Are Selling?

According to The Wall St. Journal, more homes in California are selling.

“California’s housing-market slump showed hints of improvement in March, with sales of existing single-family homes increasing 64% from the prior-year period and median home prices rising month-to-month for the first time since August 2007, according to a trade group report.”

Does this mean more homes in San Francisco are selling too? More on that later.

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Tags: first-time home buying, home buying, Home Selling, San Francisco properties, wall st. journal

San Francisco’s 24/7 Open Home Guide

Tired of waiting for the Sunday Chronicle to see when that house you’ve been eyeing will be open? Want to know NOW what houses are open this weekend?

If you are actively looking to buy San Francisco real estate, you should be hooked up with an awesome local Realtor, i.e. me if you are smart!  

Your agent will be helping you figure out which open houses to see and which are a waste of time. We save our clients a lot of time by helping them sort through the dogs (unless you are looking for a dog, that is).

Nevertheless, this website is one of the go-to sites for all of you SF home buyers, especially those who’d rather check out what’s happening online than at the newstand. Enjoy!

http://sfopenhome.com/index.php

Tags: home buying, San Francisco Real Estate, sf open home

Zephyr Head Honcho Makes the Cover!

Well, it’s not particularly great news but it’s pretty fair and accurate considering how not so long ago the lovely Chron real estate folks seemed to only like to trash us agents. In the slowdown, have they decided to stop biting the hand that feeds them? Yet, I regress.

I don’t have time right now to pontificate (yes, you are so sad) because I’m on my way to a signing, aka closing appointment. Yes, folks are buying homes in San Francisco. In this case, they’re buying a great single family in Bernal Heights.

It’s a good read and our very own, Bill D. is a featured contributor. Check it out here.

The moral of the story: it’s a great time to buy if 1. you are a first time buyer 2. you’ve owned your home for a few years and are ready to trade-up or 3. you want an investment property to hold.

As for sellers…It’s not the best time to sell but it’s not the worst either. Many people are successfully selling homes in today’s market.  In particular, it’s an okay time IF you’ve owned your home for a few years, are willing to price for today’s market values, and/or selling is the right thing to do for YOUR overall life and financial picture.

Moral #2. No one can time the market perfectly. Do what’s in your best interest for now and for later. We are blessed to live and own real estate in San Francisco. Compare our downturn to outside the City.

Okay, Pollyanna’s off to meet her clients!

Tags: bill drypolcher, home buying, Home Selling, real estate meltdown, sf real estate market

Want my $.05? Danielle’s advice to San Francisco home buyers and sellers.

Tags: Danielle's advice to home buyers and sellers, First Time Buyer, home buying, Home Selling, San Francisco Real Estate, trade-up

Just 5 of the Reasons Why I Wish I Was a San Francisco First Time Buyer Right Now

Just 5 of the Reasons Why I wish I was a First Time Buyer Right Now:

1. I’d finally have a **** chance to get my first choice home rather than lose out over and over again in outrageous bidding wars!!

For the first time in many, many moons (most say since 1990-1991), San Francisco real estate is not a crazy seller’s market. The playing field is MUCH more even. In some micro-markets, it is even a buyer’s market.

In general, the market is balanced and for a chronically “low supply / high demand” city like San Francisco, this means the outlook is extremely good for home buyers.

Although this may last well into 2009, it will not last forever. SF has had a strong, expensive real estate market since the Gold Rush and this latest financial debacle is not likely to change this reality.

2. I could actually pay a decent price for my starter home.

Okay, there is no “fire sale” in San Francisco but there are some darn good values right now. Home price appreciation has stagnated and in many cases, home values are down (think lofts, TICs, some condos, and single family homes).

Over the long-term, even 5 years or more, San Francisco real estate prices remain way up. Remember, real estate is a long-term investment… However, in the short-term, prices are down or flat. This means a home buyer can expect to pay 2005/2006 prices for many properties.

THIS IS A RARE, ONCE IN A DECADE OR MORE HOME BUYING OPPORTUNITY.

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Tags: First Time Buyer, home buying, San Francisco Real Estate

The Process of Buying a Home in San Francisco

Winter Reading List The process of buying real estate, especially for the first time, can seem daunting and confusing. How does it work? Who do I talk to first? Should I locate the property and then find an agent to represent me? Do I need an agent? Why? What will it cost? Just like with everything else, education and information will make the experience both more successful and more comfortable. So, get educated! Read books http://sfhotlist.com/blog/index.php?/archives/5-Winter-Reading-List.html and online info and then interview an agents to find the best person to represent you. Ideally, we’d like you to work with us but we recognized that it’s not always the best fit.  Make sure to check your Realtor’s references!

Read on to hear how I describe the process of buying San Francisco real estate. As a first time and move-up buyer specialist, I try to break down the process so everything is up-front and transparent.

1. The Initial Consultation
   Every relationship I have with a client begins with an in-office Initial Consultation. Why? So you can meet me, discuss your needs and wants in detail, get educated and savvy about the market, the sales and escrow process, etc. Plus, you will gain a head start on your competition. The more informed and educated you are from the beginning, the better your chance of success. The initial consultation is absolutely no pressure and no obligation. If I am the best person to help you then we will proceed. If not, then you will at least leave with some great information!
2. Determining Your Parameters and Loan Pre-Approval
   My success record (i.e. ability to get you the home you want, when you want it, & for the best price/terms) directly relates to how well I understand your goals and dreams. Strong, direct communication is paramount to getting what you want.Before we begin to search for properties I will refer you to a lender unless you are already “pre-approved” to establish your price range and to begin the process of applying for financing. After the financing phase has begun, you will choose a type of property: single family house, condo, tenancy-in-common, multi-unit building, loft, or lot. There are a number of questions to consider as you make this choice, and I will provide the information and expert advice needed to make an informed decision. Once you know how much you can afford and what kind of property you want to buy, you’ll start investigating neighborhoods and properties to find one that suits your lifestyle and your pocketbook.
3. Writing the Offer to Purchase
   When you find a property that interests you, we will review the disclosure package and I will provide comparable sales information in order to help you determine the right offering price and terms. Keep in mind, a seller may accept, reject or counter your offer with a different price or change in terms. (There is a lot more to a winning offer to purchase than simply the sales price. My years of experience and success with buyers will help you get the property you want, the first time around.)
4. The Escrow – Inspections, Negotiations, and Loan Approval
   When we have negotiated successfully with a seller and have an accepted purchase offer, you will begin the inspection process. You will want to have the property inspected by a home inspector, a structural pest control inspector, and any other types of experts you deem appropriate or necessary. I will provide you with a list of competent inspectors from which you may choose your home inspectors. You will usually have a 7-15 day period within which to conduct your inspections.After you have completed the inspections, you may either accept or reject the property based on the inspections, or you may renegotiate with the seller based on items that have come up in the inspections. If you reject the property based upon your inspections in a timely manner, the seller will return your deposit in full.

   You will also have a period of time within which to complete your financing. This will always include an appraisal of the property by the bank and completion of any necessary documentation or paperwork to obtain your loan.

5. The Closing Appointment
   When your loan has been approved I will instruct the title and escrow company to prepare the closing package. This will include loan documents from the lender, a net sheet showing all closing costs, and documentation required by the local, state and federal governments. You will need to sign most documents in front of a Notary. This is usually done at the title company office and I will be with you on this most important and exciting day. The seller will sign her/his closing documents at the title company at a separate appointment.
6. Taking Ownership
   After you and the seller have each signed all documents, the property can be recorded into your name and I will give you the keys. Congratulations! You will have become a property owner!

*Sound complicated? It is! And yet, it does not have to be stressful, overwhelming, or negative. With full disclosure, education and information, we will work as a team to make the home buying process fun, exciting, and invigorating. Sure, it’s a lot to take on and you will be busier for a few weeks but the rewards are substantial, financially and personally.

Added Bonus: Zephyr MLS Direct…Unparalleled Multiple Listing Service Access and Accuracy

Zephyr MLS Direct is the ultimate tool for serious San Francisco homebuyers, available only to Zephyr clients. When you work with me, you’ll have access to this dynamic search engine. Search every listing online as it becomes available, receive open house alerts, personalize new match e-mail alerts, track price and status changes, make market comparisons and much more.

Did you know the Multiple Listing Service feeds on public, real estate websites, including this one, are not 100% accurate and up-to-date? It’s not on purpose but due to the IDX feed’s limitations, you are not seeing all the property listings. With MLS Direct, you do!

Tags: First Time Buyer, home buying, home buying process