Ms. San Francisco Real Estate (Janice Lee)

Shortage of listings and strong buyer demand may create good opportunity for sellers The Bay Area’s housing market has seen a rise in sale prices as strong buyer demand, historically attractive interest rates, an improving economy and a shortage of listings are combining to create a robust seller’s market. The region’s median sale price of $531,000 is up 33% year-to-date compared with the same period last year, according to MLS data analyzed by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. In addition, the average sale price is up 25% over the past year to $680,000. One of the reasons for the surge in prices is that there just aren’t enough homes on the market to meet buyer demand. Inventory has fallen to its lowest level in many years with Bay Area active listings in May down more than 50% from a year ago, according to MLS data. The Bay Area isn’t alone. According to statistics compiled by the National Association of Realtors® the inventory of homes for sale nationwi...

  During World War II, nearly every pier in San Francisco was involved in military activities, with troop ships and naval vessels tied up all along the Embarcadero. Today, several have been transformed and developed into modern destinations for dining, shopping and enjoying views of the Bay. For a closer look at some of the most popular piers, we’ll start south and move north along the waterfront. Pier 30/32 - Fans are anxiously following along as San Francisco partners with the Golden State Warriors on a proposal to build a state of the art multi-purpose recreation and entertainment facility along the Embarcadero. New renderings of the project were recently released and the public is encouraged to follow the story here for more information. If all goes well, the first tip-off could be 2017. Pier 24 - Built underneath the Bay Bridge in 1935 and vacant since 1980, it underwent a two-year long remodel and opened as Pier 24 Photography in 2010. It hous...

Home prices in San Francisco have risen 26% since last year, a notable increase given that the starting median list price was already significantly higher than any of these other cities. It pays to own in San Francisco! 3 of the 6 fastest appreciating housing markets in the entire country are here in the Bay Area.    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 BRE #01720205

Presented by Janice Lee 330 21st Avenue San Francisco, CA 330 21st Avenue, San Francisco Living Room with Fireplace Dining Room with Recessed Lights Renovated Kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances Separate Back Lot 2BD/1BA Janice Lee 415-832-9151 International President's Elite Top Producer, Realtor Investment Specialist janiceflee@gmail.com www.JaniceLeeHomes.com BRE #01720205

A new generation is skipping the 'starter home' and betting heavily on high-end real estate.  Two years ago, when he was 26, Matt Winter paid a little over $1 million for a four-bedroom, Mediterranean-style house in Culver City, an artsy, formerly industrial section of Los Angeles. This month, the now 28-year-old Mr. Winter, who runs his own interior design firm, paid about $1.7 million for his second home, a three-bedroom, Spanish-revival in Westwood, a neighborhood near UCLA.    "I have always felt that having your money in property is the safest and best thing to do if you want to grow your personal wealth," says Mr. Winter, who founded his design company at 23. None of Mr. Winter's assets are in the stock market—he says the market "spooks him" and that he prefers to invest in real estate. Mr. Winter is part of a growing group of wealthy young buyers who are making inroads in the world of high-end real estate, acquiring properties...

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 BRE #01720205

In recent years, economic conditions and limited open space have resulted in lower levels of new construction in the Philadelphia area compared to other areas of the country. Rather than moving further from the city, many local residents who commute to Center City from the immediate suburbs prefer to remodel their existing homes because they like their neighborhood, their school district, and their proximity to the highways or regional rail lines. Home remodeling serves a dual purpose; it adds to the personal enjoyment of one’s home and increases salability. The challenge is deciding where to start and which projects will produce the highest resale benefit. Many homeowners work under the assumption that kitchens and bathrooms are the best investments, but, according to the Remodeling 2012 – 2013 Cost vs. Value Report, adding an attic bedroom adds the most value (over $40,000) in the Philadelphia region. Adding attic bedrooms and remodelling basements are always good i...

Gold and fixed income investments hold no appeal for billionaire Nathan “Natie” Kirsh, the owner of Jetro Holdings Inc. Real estate is more attractive, although you have to choose carefully. And if you want to invest in art, Kirsh says, you need an expert, Bloomberg Markets magazine will report in its August issue. Real estate has undergone a multi-decade shift, according to Kirsh. Retailers’ locations are less attractive than they used to be, he says, as Internet sales undermine brick-and-mortar businesses. The 81-year-old, who is worth $5.6 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, knows the retail industry well. His largest holding, Brooklyn, New York-based Jetro, sells groceries and supplies to restaurants and bodegas. Commercial, industrial and residential real estate is stronger, says Kirsh, a South African citizen who owns apartments in New York, London and Johannesburg. The following are excerpts from a June 5 interview conducted at Kirsh’s apartment on Cent...

  Remember the saying “know your audience?” That advice couldn’t be more relevant when it comes to selling your home. From the moment the for-sale sign is posted in your front yard, dozens, possibly even hundreds, of potential buyers will visit for a tour. So what do you need to do to prepare? Just a few simple tasks can help you set the stage for the new owners. • Stage rooms with one purpose. Extra rooms that have a mishmash of uses can confuse and even deter buyers, so staging rooms with one purpose is vital. Present rooms as areas equipped to meet the needs of the greatest number of people. For example, playrooms and storage dens could be more attractive as a home office or guest bedroom. • Tackle the easy “do-it-yourself” projects. Keep in mind that some buyers, especially first-timers, consider move-in conditions to be very important. Ensure your home is in tip-top shape by replacing outdated kitchen and bathroom fixtures, apply a fresh coat...

Just Listed 234 Juniper Avenue South San Francisco MLS # 410232 Opportunity Knocks. 2 Homes on One lot with entrance to each unit on two different streets. Front Unit 234 Juniper is a 3 bedroom 1 bath home with high ceilings and 1 car garage. The garage is approximately 7 feet high and has expansion potential. The second unit is located at 237 9th Street and offers 1 bedroom 1 bath. Live in one. Rent the other. Separate meters. 3500 Sqft Lot. Virtual Tour: http://youtu.be/Ax8IYOxo8N0 Offered at $599,000 Do not hesitate to contact me 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 BRE #01720205

We all knew it was only a matter of time before record-low mortgage interest rates began to rise once again. And it looks like that time is here. Over the past month, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has hinted that the Fed’s aggressive bond-buying program, which has kept rates artificially low, could end sooner rather than later. This week he left no doubt when he announced that the Fed will begin “tapering” its bond purchases later this year and end them completely next year.  Will QE-3 be the final chapter of the Fed’s bond purchasing efforts known as Quantitative Easing? Just the mention of “tapering” sent the stock market to its worst two-day decline of the year and pushed 10-year treasuries to their highest level in nearly two years. Since 10-year Treasury bonds bottomed at 1.4 percent last summer, rates have risen more than 60 percent to 2.4 percent. Long-term bond rates help drive mortgage rates, so it’s not surprising that mortgage costs have ticked higher in...

  While there are plenty of honest remodeling contractors out there, the field has its share of bad apples. We asked our Facebook fans to tell us the craziest thing their contractors told them. "Well, all windows leak a little," a poster wrote. "Don't worry about water coming through the electrical fixture," another wrote. Our favorite: "It would save time just to send you a court transcript." This checklist will help you avoid similar experiences with your kitchen remodel: Don't chase lowball bids. Tough competition is inducing some pros to lower their profit margins with low bids and then make up the difference with shoddy work. Gauge the going rate for your project by getting at least three estimates, rather than jumping at the lowest estimate. Check references. Reputable contractors are glad to provide names and contact information for satisfied customers. Try to check past jobs in person to talk with customers and see ...