Ms. San Francisco Real Estate (Janice Lee)

There’s no doubt about it: the sixties have made the ultimate comeback and design-lovers couldn’t be happier about it. As Mad Men reminds us with its rousing return this Sunday, that decade was the perfect combination of sexy and chic—and don’t we all wish we could magically transform every piece of furniture into an Eames, Jacobsen, or Bertoia original. In reality though, there’s no need for a total do-over. You can still have a retro-cool feel to your home style with just a few choice pieces to spice it up. Check out four easy additions to your home décor that would make Don Draper feel right at home. 1. Pick Up a Signature Chair You don’t need a room full of vintage furniture to make a statement. One signature piece can add real flare to a room. You can either splurge on an iconic original like the Eames Lounge or choose a comfortable 60s-inspired chair like the Anson in spa-blue. 2. Tell Time with Style Telling time was never as hip as it was in the

  Do not hesitate to contact me at (415) 832-9151 for any real estate purpose you may have. Janice Lee 415-832-9151 International President's Elite Top Producer, Realtor Investment Specialist janiceflee@gmail.com www.JaniceLeeHomes.com DRE #01720205 

When Spring arrives, green thumbs beget itchy fingers, and before you know it, you’re kneeling in the yard planting perennials. This year, new trends invite a mix of beauty, whimsy and practicality, creating gardens that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the other senses. 1. Grow Your Own This year, expect to see more home food gardens, with everything from fruits and vegetables to herbs showing up in traditional gardens and planted in pots. More homeowners have the desire to grow their own vegetables and cook with fresh herbs straight from the garden, says Better Homes and Gardens. “As long as people get enough sun to grow them, windowsill garden planters—full of rosemary, basil, and parsley—are popping up all over the country.” Seconds garden blog GardenRant: “Herbs are the next hot edibles.” 2. Water…More and Less “The need to reduce water consumption is driving the demand for drought-tolerant plants, including succulents, ornamental grasses and n

You know what they say about April showers and May flowers: those blooms look awfully nice as a backdrop to a backyard bash. The truth is, once the month of May is upon is, it’s a sunny downhill slide into summer. And that means it’s time to get outside, enjoy the outdoors, and channel our inner Martha Stewart. There is a multitude of different ways to throw the perfect backyard soiree. It all depends on your surroundings, your climate, and your individual taste and style. But a few tips  can help you plan and pull it off perfectly. 1. Consider the theme A backyard get-together can be as elegant or as casual as you want it to be, and tying in a theme helps to establish a point of view that can be carried through the food, décor, and entertainment. An Americana theme lends itself well to a casual backyard get-together, but for a touch of elegance, leave the hamburgers and hot dogs behind and pump up the menu. This idea from Epicurious  offers “sophisticated riffs

It happens every year at this time. You stand in front of your closet searching for something green to wear to get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day (or, more likely, to ensure you don’t get pinched). You might have an easier time finding something fashionable in the stores this year, because emerald has been named the Pantone 2013 Color of the Year. The color that Pantone describes is “lively, radiant, lush…a color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony,” and can even make your home come to life. Whether you’re willing to boldly paint your walls with the regal color or tastefully mix it into your decor with rich-hued accessories, here are three easy ways to introduce emerald into your interiors this year. 1. Jump Right In Want to really make a statement? Paint your walls in emerald green. Although emerald is a vibrant, energetic hue, the color green overall is considered calming, which makes it ideal for bedrooms. Pat

NEW LISTING 289 Bay Ridge Dr Daly City, CA MLS # 409721   For more information about 289 Bay Ridge Dr. please give me a call today at 415-832-9151. Janice Lee 415-832-9151 International President's Elite Top Producer, Realtor Investment Specialist JaniceFLee@gmail.com www.JaniceLeeHomes.com janiceleehomes.blogspot.com DRE #01720205

243 Romain, SF: $995K     With April’s close, the city was left with a new benchmark for San Francisco median home prices: single-family homes, according to the  Business Journal , hit a median of $1 million dollars, a price not seen since the glory days of 2007 and a 32% jump from 2012. Further,  Redfin data show  that in mid-May, the median sold price was $1,030,000. That’s the sold price, readers; the list price median was a comparatively modest $799K, a fact that speaks to the power of too many buyers vying for too few properties. The   2 bedroom, 1 bath home on Romain  in SF’s Twin Peaks area (shown in the gallery above)  lists for $995K, pretty close to the $1M mark. The square footage is not listed but two interesting facts about its history are: in 2008 it sold for $899K. In 1998, it sold at auction for just $106.5K. High demand for homes goes unmet   The main culprit: low inventory. In April, inventory was down to a 1.1 month supply– a normal market wou

In celebration of the recent Earth Day, we decided to take a look at solar power for the home.  At one time, the idea of adding solar panels to a house was something only “other people” did. In other words, green people. Green people who had money to burn. High initial costs and unsightly designs were enough to turn people away. Not even the promise of greatly reduced electric bills could sway the unswayable. But yesterday’s novelty is becoming a norm. Solar panels can be found from coast to coast in America—and throughout the world for that matter. Growth in 2012 in the U.S. solar market measured a 76 percent increase from 2011, according to the  U.S. Solar Market Insight  report from the Solar Energy Industries Association. Is 2013 your year to go solar? Here are three recent developments to consider before making a decision: 1. Why Buy When You Can Rent  A 27 percent decrease in installation prices in 2012 undoubtedly pushed growth along. Also a factor: the explo

The latest and greatest real estate trend is without a doubt—”green” homes. Thanks to the growing environmental movement, buyers are more knowledgeable than ever about how a green home benefits not only the health of the environment but also their own bank accounts. For those who are in the market for a new home and are specifically looking for green features, they might seek homes with third-party certifications such as  LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), GreenPoint Rated , or  Built Green —or at the very least, look for homes  constructed using sustainable building methods, recycled materials, solar/wind power, water harvesting, and other eco-conscious tactics. With some of the most respected architects in the business onboard with the shift to green, architectural design has not suffered for the sake of saving the Earth’s precious resources. On the contrary, some of the most stunning homes on the market have the green gene. One great example of e

Once considered San Francisco’s ugly stepsister, Oakland is now the Cinderella of the East Bay. Last year, The New York Times shocked many by ranking the city no. 5 on its list of “The 45 Places to Go in 2012” (in between heavyweights London and Tokyo), beating out traditional California hotspots San Diego (no. 14) and Lake Tahoe (no. 30).  “New restaurants and bars beckon amid the grit,” touted the article, which was invariably followed up with a San Francisco Bay Guardian cover asking, “Is Oakland cooler than San Francisco?” and The Globe and Mail article calling it “the Brooklyn of the West.” “Oakland has everything that San Francisco has—diversity, art and history, music, folksy neighborhoods, new and happening restaurants, night life, sports teams and venues, outstanding architecture, outdoor recreation and park lands, a world class science center just to name a few—but with better weather, at a fraction of the cost, lower density and a central location for jobs

University High School, Fresno, CA There are a lot of things you look for when shopping for a new home: Location, architecture, lot size, and—if you have a family—good schools. California is a big state, and that means there’s a vast range of public, private, and charter school options out there. But we all know quantity isn’t the problem, it’s quality, and that’s why U.S. News & World Report’ s annual listing of America’s Best High Schools is a resource so many families look to for guidance. This year, U.S. News reviewed over 21,000 public schools for the “Best High Schools of 2013” list and when all was said and done, 630 California schools made the cut. That’s no easy feat; just to be eligible for the distinction, each school must be a national gold or silver medal award winner. So if you’re in the market for a new home and a great school, consider buying near one of these outstanding educational institutions. While we can’t list all 630 schools right

NEW LISTING! 267 Staples Ave San Francisco, CA MLS #409511 Janice Lee 415-832-9151 International President's Elite Top Producer, Realtor Investment Specialist JaniceFLee@gmail.com www.JaniceLeeHomes.com janiceleehomes.blogspot.com DRE #01720205

Flip through a magazine or look at a menu and the signs are clear: The Farm-to-Table movement has clearly swept the nation. From coast to coast, you’ll find farm-fresh venues everywhere from big cities to small towns—and California is at the forefront of that trend. Since our state has been the nation’s agricultural leader for more than 50 years, that’s no surprise. And neither is the fact that, according to the USDA, California has over 825 Farmers’ Markets throughout the state. It’s a good thing, too, because Californians like veggies and fruit fresh and affordable treats—and we certainly don’t say no to goodies like artisan cheeses, nuts, jams, and fresh-baked goods, either. The “fresh and delicious” factor is, of course, the biggest attraction to shopping at Farmers’ Markets, but supporting local farmers and vendors is at a close second.  After all, why would we want to buy grapes from Chile when we live in the land of premium grape-producers? Just run down to you