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Update: 4552 19th Street, Eureka Valley

A few weeks ago, I spotlighted 4552 19th Street, a large, newly renovated home listed at $4.3M. Given the location, it was a little surprising to me that the price was so high. Well, I just received a price reduction alert on the property. It's now listed at $3,749,000. They're on the right track. If you're going to do a price chop, do a good one.

And while I'm at it, here is the 19th Street exterior, in its previous incarnation back in 2006. It sold for $1,467,500 as a fixer.

Florida Street Frenzy

This 2BR/1BA house on Florida, between 19th & 20th in the Mission, was listed for $778,000 in September. It sold for $880,000 amidst four offers, after only 18 days on the market. Sandwiched between two larger buildings, the house had two levels and a really charming garden. Though the building is low on exterior charm, I thought it was a good alternative to the cookie-cutter condos in the area.

See-Through Bedroom

Over at the St. Regis, you can own a 2BR/2.5BA unit with parking for $2.6M. See that "mirror" behind the couch? Well, it's not a mirror. It's a transparent, glass wall between the living room and one of the bedrooms. Preferable? Only if you make your bed every day.

Fiesta on the Hill

Stop by Cortland Avenue in Bernal Heights on Sunday for the annual Fiesta on the Hill. It's a fun and busy street fair that features the Bernal version of crafts booths, food vendors, and merchants. More than 15,000 people are expected. This year is the 20th Fiesta, so join the celebration! Being there reminds you of Bernal's cozy neighborhood feel.

San Francisco Hideaways

I stopped in at two very charming cottage properties on my broker tour yesterday. Here's the lowdown on both:



22 Bergen is a 3BR/2BA home with one-car parking, listed at $1,250,000. The house is at the end of a cul-de-sac, just off Hyde. The location alone should sell this property, but it appears to be in good condition and is a good condo alternative for those buyers who want to be in the Russian Hill/North Beach neighborhoods.

Also heavy on the charm is 221 Greenwich:



This is a remodeled home listed at $1,975,000 that smacks of classic Telegraph Hill feel. You can only access it via the Greenwich steps, so this is not for someone shy of stairs. Once inside, there are two spacious bedrooms, two baths, and great Bay views from both levels. Though parking is leased one block away, the seller has agreed to pay the cost for one year. Definitely worth checking out.

SF Market in Good Shape

If sales data is any indication, the San Francisco market is as healthy as ever. (Don't you love those types of comments from Realtors?) In any event, volume is certainly not down these days. There were 601 single-family homes and 513 condos sold in the third quarter of this year. In 2007, 593 houses and 543 condos sold.

The number of current pending sales is a good indication of how many properties will be reported sold next month. So far, there are 174 single-family homes pending, and 149 condos. Last November, a total of 188 houses and 189 condos were sold. So based on what's pending now (i.e., all conditions have been removed within the transaction, and the loan just has to fund), it looks like we are on track to match the volume for November 2008.

Eureka Valley's Latest Trophy Home

Clocking in at more than $1,000 per square foot, this newly renovated home at 4552 19th Street offers six bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, and two-car parking. Plus, views, views, views. If it sells at its $4.3M asking price, it will represent the second most expensive home ever sold in Eureka Valley. (First prize goes to a six-bedroom/4.5 bath home on Collingwood that sold for $4.6M in March 2005.) Not sure if our current market can compete with the one in 2005, but I suppose anything is possible these days.

Break for the Blue Angels

Yes, it's Fleet Week, and the annual Blue Angel exhibition is this weekend! Find the friend with a roof deck in Russian Hill and head over with your six pack. Check out the full schedule of events at the official Fleet Week site. Enjoy!

No Shortage of Estate Homes in Noe Valley

When I was first starting in real estate seven years ago, I remember looking at my Tuesday broker tour lineup, and noticing that there was actually a house listed at close to $1M. This was a pretty high price for my neighborhood. It hit me today that there's now a collection of 14 single-family homes currently available for $1.8M+, and one condo for $1,895,000. At the top end of the lineup is 3816 22nd, the renovated firehouse listed at $5,975,000, but the bulk are between $2-3M.

And You Thought SF Was Expensive

I've just returned from a week's stay in Kapalua, Maui. The Ritz-Carlton is on the tail end of completing an 84-unit development consisting of three- to four-bedroom units that start at $4M. Now, Maui is a great place to vacation, but honestly, those who have an extra $4M (the penthouses are rumored to be in the $9M range) might desire more than a crowded, high-rise like development that's somewhat out of scale with its surroundings. Something I thought about while hanging out on the beach and watching the dump trucks go in and out of the work site.