Larry Rosen

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Real estate agents say that trying to charm a homeowner into selling by writing a glowing letter is a practice that’s losing popularity. (Shutterstock)

Home-buying love letters are on the way out

What’s meant to promote fairness could end up being discriminatory

Real estate agents say that trying to charm a homeowner into selling by writing a glowing letter is a practice that’s losing popularity. (Shutterstock)
In 2020, there were lots of condominiums for sale in San Francisco, but new listings in 2021 are significantly reduced. (Shutterstock)

Condo bargain hunters: you’re too late

After pandemic-related rush, inventory in The City is way down

In 2020, there were lots of condominiums for sale in San Francisco, but new listings in 2021 are significantly reduced. (Shutterstock)
The price of housing in Lake Tahoe has skyrocketed since the pandemic due to the influx of people from the Bay Area. (Shutterstock)

Taking a look at Lake Tahoe’s new homeowners

Their economic impact has changed the face of real estate

The price of housing in Lake Tahoe has skyrocketed since the pandemic due to the influx of people from the Bay Area. (Shutterstock)
Despite familiar images of destruction from San Francisco’s 1906 earthquake and fire, most Bay Area homeowners have not opted to purchase earthquake insurance. (Shutterstock)

To (earthquake) insure or not to insure?

Most Bay Area homeowners opt to take a chance rather than pay a high premium

Despite familiar images of destruction from San Francisco’s 1906 earthquake and fire, most Bay Area homeowners have not opted to purchase earthquake insurance. (Shutterstock)
Recovery from the pandemic could mean San Francisco’s downtown is more diverse than simply being a financial district.<ins> (Shutterstock)</ins>

Commercial real estate in 2021 – it’s time to get creative

Office space doesn’t necessarily need to be used for workers in cubicles

Recovery from the pandemic could mean San Francisco’s downtown is more diverse than simply being a financial district.<ins> (Shutterstock)</ins>
A house in the Berkeley hills with a million-dollar view of the San Francisco Bay – literally – has made news. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>

Bay Area real estate offers house (sale) of cards

Here’s how Berkeley hills residence sold for $1 million over asking price

A house in the Berkeley hills with a million-dollar view of the San Francisco Bay – literally – has made news. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>
When development plans for a mall in Elk Grove didn’t pan out after more than a decade, another project to build a casino is in the works. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>

The tale of the ghost mall in Elk Grove

Doomed development makes way for a casino

When development plans for a mall in Elk Grove didn’t pan out after more than a decade, another project to build a casino is in the works. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>
The tech company Opendoor provides customers the opportunity buy homes with all-cash offers. (Courtesy Opendoor)

Buyers and renters beware: Koch Industries could be your new landlord

New home buying methods may have a hidden downside

The tech company Opendoor provides customers the opportunity buy homes with all-cash offers. (Courtesy Opendoor)
Perceived supply and demand in the Bay Area’s expensive rental market can play a big part in determining what people pay. (Shutterstock)

Bay Area rental market is rebounding — but why?

Hearing about people leaving town can have as big an effect as actual economic factors

Perceived supply and demand in the Bay Area’s expensive rental market can play a big part in determining what people pay. (Shutterstock)
Realtors discussing the local scene on the “Southern Oregon Real Estate Show” podcast (the city of Klamath Falls, Ore. is pictured) describe a “sold-out market.”<ins> (Shutterstock)</ins>

Not everybody is moving from SF to Austin

Pandemic has pushed city dwellers to smaller towns

Realtors discussing the local scene on the “Southern Oregon Real Estate Show” podcast (the city of Klamath Falls, Ore. is pictured) describe a “sold-out market.”<ins> (Shutterstock)</ins>
While reports have indicated people are leaving The City in droves, it appears that those who can afford a single-family home of $3 million or more are staying – or arriving. (Shutterstock)

Not everyone is leaving San Francisco, as home sales soar

Business booming for high- high-end, single-family houses

While reports have indicated people are leaving The City in droves, it appears that those who can afford a single-family home of $3 million or more are staying – or arriving. (Shutterstock)
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos – pictured testifying via video at a congressional hearing in July 2020 – recently announced a program in which Amazon is seeding $2 billion in funding for affordable housing.<ins></ins>

Amazon may not be all evil

Online giant is helping funding affordable housing in three cities

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos – pictured testifying via video at a congressional hearing in July 2020 – recently announced a program in which Amazon is seeding $2 billion in funding for affordable housing.<ins></ins>
Starcity, an outfit providing co-living spaces in urban areas, is developing a property at 457 Minna St. in San Francisco. <ins>(Courtesy Starcity)</ins>

Talkin’ ’bout a Starcity revolution

Company offers high-tech boarding houses and investment opportunities

Starcity, an outfit providing co-living spaces in urban areas, is developing a property at 457 Minna St. in San Francisco. <ins>(Courtesy Starcity)</ins>
Redfin’s online home-buying service becoming available in S.F. enables people selling and purchasing single-family homesto close a deal without a real estate professional.<ins> (Shutterstock photo)</ins>

Virtual home-buying in The City: Not a revolution … yet

Service new to San Francisco another blow in humans vs. technology war

Redfin’s online home-buying service becoming available in S.F. enables people selling and purchasing single-family homesto close a deal without a real estate professional.<ins> (Shutterstock photo)</ins>
During the pandemic, online searches for real estate have mushroomed because we’re fantasizing due to boredom. <ins>(Screenshot)</ins>

Redfin, take me away

COVID has become the golden age of real estate search portals

During the pandemic, online searches for real estate have mushroomed because we’re fantasizing due to boredom. <ins>(Screenshot)</ins>
With the loss of open houses due to the pandemic, home buyers are relying heavily on online real estate sources. <ins>(Screenshot)</ins>

Lack of open houses brings COVID casualties

Viewing hundreds of properties is out, hyper-targeted online searching is in

With the loss of open houses due to the pandemic, home buyers are relying heavily on online real estate sources. <ins>(Screenshot)</ins>
Pandemic-era measures to ease stresses in The City’s rental market may not be helpful to small landlords in the long run.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>

San Francisco supes save the day — with a catch

Rent relief funding has strings attached in form of Proposition I

Pandemic-era measures to ease stresses in The City’s rental market may not be helpful to small landlords in the long run.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>
Doorstead, a new tech firm, is finding success serving people who want to rent their property. <ins>(Screenshot)</ins>

COVID winners — but for how long?

Real estate tech firm promises guaranteed income for landlords

Doorstead, a new tech firm, is finding success serving people who want to rent their property. <ins>(Screenshot)</ins>
Much of the pandemic-era real estate action in The City is related to the glut of condominiums on the market. (Shutterstock photo)

It’s the condos, stupid

Young, new SF residents are the ones selling due to COVID-19

Much of the pandemic-era real estate action in The City is related to the glut of condominiums on the market. (Shutterstock photo)
Ingka Centres, real estate partner of Swedish furniture giant IKEA, has purchased the long-vacant building at 945 Market St. (Courtesy IKEA)

Market Musings: IKEA to the rescue?

Mayor Breed is among supporters of the retail giant moving to 945 Market St.

Ingka Centres, real estate partner of Swedish furniture giant IKEA, has purchased the long-vacant building at 945 Market St. (Courtesy IKEA)