Yahoo Travel says this about the Transamerica Pyramid:As much a trademark of The City’s skyline as the Golden Gate Bridge, this 853-foot high masterpiece, the tallest office tower in The City, is headquarters to some of San Francisco’s most powerful companies. Unfortunately, the elevator, which ascends to the building’s uppermost heights, is no longer open to the public. Fortunately, rooftop video cameras allow visitors to “virtually see” the bird’s-eye view from the comfort of the lobby. Outside, a man-made Redwood Park offers a welcome green oasis within the concrete jungle.

Neighborhood: Financial District

600 Montgomery StSan Francisco, CA 94111-2702

+1 415 983 4100

Open Hours6am-7pm Mon-Fri

- Christine Serventi

Previous things to do

SFResidence is part of the TRI Coldwell Banker office at 1699 Van Ness in San Francisco which is one of the premier offices in the City and has the market share numbers to prove it. We have some of the top agents selling real estate in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a result, our office posts some impressive numbers.

It is apparent that Buyers are still out there by looking at the numbers of ratified offers and solds. I believe the low number of listings is a reflection of this time of year – the market is historically slow during the holidays and I wouldn’t be surprised if it picks up after New Years.

Here are the numbers for this week: 11/28/07:

• 3 new listings (average price $775,000 with one listing price to be determined – low $775,000, high $775,000)
• 14 ratified sales (pending) (average price $1,894,071 – low $433,000, high $3,950,000)
• 10 closed sales (sold) (average price $1,231,450 – low $712,500, high $3,200,000)

- Christine Serventi

+1 415 474 1887
holmgrendon@earthlink.net

Open HoursDaily 9a-5p
http://www.cablecarmuseum.com/

TRI Coldwell Banker did not have an office meeting today due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Reflecting previous years, as people prepare for the holidays the market slows down but doesn’t stop. Looking back to last week’s numbers we see the typical slowdown during this time of year as selling and buying are not a top priority. I suspect that due to the publicity on the sub-prime market and reports in other areas of the country, we won’t see much of a pick up until the New Year. It is a good time to give thanks, as in comparison to the many cities making the news, San Francisco has continued to do well.

- Christine Serventi

Read what Rick Turley, President of Coldwell Banker, San Francisco/Peninsula says in his latest weekly report:

It was a particularly interesting real estate market in the Bay Area this week. Some areas remain sluggish while others are bubbling with activity. Still others that have been on the slow side of the market for months are seeing a spike in buyer activity. We do spend a lot of time talking about how our media buries the positive aspects of our real estate markets behind negative headlines, but even they are starting to tell both sides of the real estate story with more accuracy and balance. We’re starting to see even more headlines like “OK ’08 seen for Bay Area real estate market,” “October Sales Jump,” and “Traditional reasons for home purchase still financially sound.” Perhaps this trend, and initiatives like our Reality Check, are truly impacting the consumer and reducing the hesitancy that buyers have been having about entering the market…

Read the entire report here.

…An interesting phenomenon is being reported in the prime neighborhoods within San Mateo, Burlingame and Hillsborough where there is an increasing number of private “off market” sales. Some Sellers are putting out the word that they will entertain pre-listing offers, and the properties are selling without ever going on the market. San Mateo sales are very strong for a November with multiple offers frequently seen. Palo Alto, West Menlo Park report inventory levels remain at “all time lows” and nearly any home that is well-priced receives multiple offers – however a different market exists east of 101. San Francisco remains strongest in the $1.5M+ properties. Lower and mid-range price points in the City are trending toward multiple counters versus multiple offers. That said, every one of our San Francisco offices will see a well-priced and staged property sell within 0 to 14 days, while others remain listed over a month. TIC and condo inventory overall is growing, currently between 4 and 5 months supply.

- Rick Turley

* For an e-mail alert when this report is updated, send an e-mail to info@SFResidence.com with “weekly market report” in the subject line.

Foster Weeks publishes a weekly mortgage report which is updated every Monday morning. How is this affecting the San Francisco real estate market? Read our weekly and monthly market reports.

“I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW, THE RAIN IS GONE…” Johnny Nash hit number one on the charts with this classic tune in 1972…and 35 years later, Fed Chairman Big Ben Bernanke is singing the same tune, mentioning in comments last week that the Fed would be more transparent so we all can see their policies clearly.

The new, improved, and more transparent Fed is a far cry from the days of “The Cryptic One”…Former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan, who was famous for his hidden messages. After a Greenspan speech, many traders were left scratching their heads and wondering what exactly was said. In sharp contrast, Bernanke has been very clear and easy to understand.

More importantly, Ben has done a good job of keeping inflation under control. The latest read on inflation was tame for last month, as a large jump in energy costs were offset by meek automobile, housing, and clothing prices. This suggests that higher oil prices haven’t yet pushed up the prices of other goods overall.

But one topic that is still cloudy is the Fed’s next move on December 11th. The latest chatter from the “more transparent” Fed indicates that the Fed will not cut – but traders in the pits are betting the ranch on another quarter-point cut. One thing is very clear – this topic will be debated right up until the Fed makes the announcement.

Read the entire report here.

- Foster Weeks

Open HoursDaily 8a-dusk
http://www.gocarsf.com/

SFResidence is part of the TRI Coldwell Banker office at 1699 Van Ness in San Francisco which is one of the premier offices in the City and has the market share numbers to prove it. We have some of the top agents selling real estate in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a result, our office posts some impressive numbers.

Here are the numbers for this week: 11/14/07:

• 3 new listings (average price $2,414,667 – low $1,299,000, high $3,950,000)
• 8 ratified sales (pending) (average price $1,369,500 – low $429,000, high $2,995,000)
• 2 closed sales (sold) (average price $1,324,500 – low $849,000, high $1,800,000)

- Christine Serventi

Read what Rick Turley, President of Coldwell Banker, San Francisco/Peninsula says in his latest weekly report:

There is a sense that buyers and sellers are really listening to the people that they ought to be listening to – their real estate professionals – and starting to understand that real estate is local.

A continually increasing buzz of activity is being reported from most areas, and house hunters are becoming more motivated to make informed buying decisions now while interest rates remain low and inventory levels in some areas create bargains. Our Reality Check initiative continues to have a positive educational influence and consumer impact, and also reaffirms Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s reputation for being the leading residential real estate firm in Northern California.

Read the entire report here.

More than 540 homes were held open last week and attendance was reportedly busy in most areas. Sellers should continue to take note that the well-priced homes in good showing condition draw the greatest number of potential buyers and get offers. A well-priced Berkeley listing drew 58 visitors. Burlingame notes agents writing offers in all price points, as well as active floor-time with a walk-in who bought in 24 hours. Half Moon Bay as well as majority of the East Bay, seem to have turned the corner most dramatically with respect to increased activity. A few of the micro-markets in the City and Peninsula may have seen a little slower week. One thing for certain – is nothing is for certain in the current market.

- Rick Turley

* For an e-mail alert when this report is updated, send an e-mail to info@SFResidence.com with “weekly market report” in the subject line.

Foster Weeks publishes a weekly mortgage report which is updated every Monday morning. How is this affecting the San Francisco real estate market? Read our weekly and monthly market reports.

DING-DING-DING!! When the bell sounded at the end of the trading day on Friday, traders trudged off the scenes like defeated boxers at the end of a grueling match. Stocks got pummeled last week with a 600-point decline on the Dow, during a week that was full of subprime home loan related headlines. Write-downs of the value of these holdings spooked the financial sector, which led the Stock market on its slide lower.

Normally, Mortgage Bonds and home loan rates find improvement when money is flowing out of Stocks – that money being pulled out needs somewhere to sit, and Bonds are generally the glad recipient. And while some Bonds did enjoy a great week – like Treasury Bonds – Mortgage Bonds actually worsened because of their relation to the issue at hand, fears of the credit quality of these Bonds, and home loan rates worsened slightly as well. And if the Stock market had not sold off so hard, sending money into all types of Bonds, Mortgage Bonds and home loan rates would certainly have been much worse off.

Read the entire report here.

- Foster Weeks