San Francisco Real Estate - Janice Lee

The lack of “real” fall color may be a drag in California, but our great year-round weather more than makes up for it. Especially at Thanksgiving, when many others across the country are digging the snow off their front walk so people won’t slip when arriving for dinner while we’re donning flip-flops and sunglasses while setting the outdoor table. Yes…the outdoor table. What better way to showcase our love for the traditions and togetherness of Thanksgiving than by enjoying it outdoors. If you’re planning on hosting the holiday out in the California sunshine this year, here are a few tips to follow. Prepare ahead of time That means ordering any tables and chairs, linens, and dishware in plenty of time so you don’t have to call around to find what you need. And don’t forget to order your turkey early, too, especially if you need a specially ordered bird, like something kosher. And, it means securing a housecleaner, not just to tidy up your house before the big day, but also to get you...

It seems like every day I see national headlines decrying the “struggling” housing market and questioning when things will finally turn around. And then I get to work and read the reports from our Bay Area offices showing sales jumping and multiple offers for many if not most homes in a number of areas, and I wonder if we’re on the same planet. The disconnect between the Bay Area housing market and what’s being reported on a national basis is getting stranger every day. In other parts of the country, agents and government officials are trying to figure out creative ways to rid their markets of a huge backlog of housing while buyers show little interest in jumping in to help. Then there’s the Bay Area, where the housing market is just the opposite. Take, for example, a few of the reports this week from our managers and agents on the frontlines: From our Southern Marin manager: “Multiple offers continue to be the name of the game, but the difference from the past ma...