Zephyr Blog

The Mission IS the Mission!

By Kevin Feather

Friday, May 28, 2010 - 5:01pm

A recent Wall Street Journal article identified the Mission District as one of the hottest areas in San Francisco for tech workers.  Employees of Facebook, Google, and Yahoo! have populated this neighborhood known for the warm sunny weather and hip bars and eateries.  This influx has helped to raise the median home value in the neighborhood 4% to $712,800 since the

Have State tax incentives slowed home sales in April?

By Rob Rogers

Friday, May 28, 2010 - 10:18am

According to the California Association of REALTORS' April 2010 Sales/Price Report, home sales in California decreased in April from April 2009, while the median price of an existing home (statewide) rose 21%.

Could it be that many home purchasers anticipated receiving the California tax credit if they delayed their close until after May1.  Although we at Zephyr experienced a very good sales month, we did see many more than normal delays in close of escrow from April into May. 

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Soon to be Required by New Law

By Rob Rogers

Friday, May 28, 2010 - 9:45am

According to SFAR, a new law has been signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, SB 183, requiring installation of carbon monoxide detectors into single-family homes that have fossil fuel burning appliances, fireplaces or an attached garage. This law would bring California up-to-date with other states by July 1, 2011.

Parking at 555 4th St. (The Palms)

By Matthew Fuller, GRI

Thursday, May 27, 2010 - 12:01pm

Trying to figure out if a condo at the Palms has deeded or leased parking? It's a great question! The larger units were sold with deeded parking, smaller units with leased parking. However, some additional spots were available and the original buyers may have purchased "deeded" parking which now transfers with the unit. 


Adding to the fun are the out of area agents taking short sale listings and incorrectly marking the parking information in the

Potrero Hill Community Garden Florishes! What Volunteers in a Neighbor Can Accomplish!

By Susan Olk

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 - 5:05pm

At the Interstate 280 at 18th & Pennsylvania exit, earlier this year, a group of volunteers, including the efforts of 18th Street residents Robert Poyas and Anna Stern, and the Potrero Hill Garden Club members, planted 125 lavenders, day lilies, ceanothus, yarrow, and butterfly bushes.  The land belongs to Caltrans, which provides the water for the irrigation system Poyas repaired.  Many volunteers and neighbors pulled up half the ivy that had been on the plot. 

New EATS Coming to Potrero Hill-All You Foodies Head on Over!

By Susan Olk

Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - 4:01pm

Molinari & Sons opened a couple of weeks ago at the corner of Utah and 17th Streets.  It's an old-style Italian delicatessen that offers "good meats, good food, and good service" according to it's San Francisco owners.  Zoon, which will feature home-style Japanese cooking, will open in the former Lingba space at 18th and Connecticut Streets, hopefully this June.  Just for You, located at 22nd and Tennessee Streets,

Forecast from Dr Robert Kleinhenz Deputy Chief Economist, CAR

By Debra Christoffers

Monday, May 24, 2010 - 1:50pm

Thursday I attended a seminar on the 2010 California Real Estate Market forecast. The speaker was Robert Kleinhenz, PhD who is the Deputy Chief Economist for the California Association of Realtors. His discussion included economic conditions for CA and the US as well as the first-time buyers housing affordability, market conditions and

Banks Using Real-Time Value to Assess Their Collateral

By Rob Rogers

Friday, May 21, 2010 - 5:29pm

In a market like San Francisco, where neighborhoods are more nuanced than zip codes, how reliable are auto-calculated valuations?

Lenders Likely to Order Second, Last-minute Credit Report Before Closing

By Stefano DeZerega

Friday, May 21, 2010 - 12:57pm

According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, “If you're thinking about applying for a home mortgage this year, here's some important news: Beginning June 1, your lender is likely to order a second full credit screening immediately before closing.”

It shouldn’t be a big surprise that lender’s are still tightening the underwriting process. The good news is that all you have to do is postpone any significant purchases or applications for credit until your escrow is

Zephyr After Dark - 5/20/10 Edition

By Melody Foster

Thursday, May 20, 2010 - 8:00am

Interested in checking out some open houses before the weekend crunch? Stop by tonight's Zephyr After Dark, our 1st and 3rd Thursday evening home tour.