sfken’s blog

The 1st KiteBoarding Championships in the world !!

nobody@vox.com(sfken) — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 16:12:32 -0700

Yes, The St. Francis Yacht Club under the direction of member "John Gomes" is conducting the first ever "KiteBoarding Championships"...

It is a historic event in the sailing world and will be referenced in years to come, so if you have a few minutes wander down to Crissy Field or the Marina Green and watch history in the making.

Here is a link to the yacht clubs website: http://www.StFYC.com if you'd like to check it out online.

And I believe that the Chronicles website has a few pics as well. (www.SFGate.com)

A little fun this weekend with the serious stuff coming next week....more on that later.

As always, if you need more info email me at: kenglide@gmail.com

Ciao!!

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Real Estate Technology Conference

nobody@vox.com(sfken) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:40:44 -0700

In two weeks I will be attending the annual "Real Estate Connect San Francisco 2007" conference.

This annual pilgrimage of 'real estate technologists' has grown in attendance due to the changing climate around real estate technology offerings.

Many of you already know that I have positioned myself as real estate expert but also a real estate technologist in every way. Currently I am testing three (3) new applications that provide a better user (buyer/seller) experience utilizing the latest technologies applied to the real estate industry.

And my clients have responded. I am winning more listings and have a better web presence than a majority of my peers.

If there is such a thing as "open source" for real estate information I would support that philosophy. Because I have found that the Bay Area clientel are very sophisticated and conduct a vast amount of due diligence. That is precisely the client I seek.

So if you would like a review of the show please contact me between the 8th and 15th of August for a complete update. I can't wait!!

For more informatiom go to: http://www.SFLuxuryProperties.com or http://www.realestateconnect.com

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Rental Market getting tighter..

nobody@vox.com(sfken) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 10:33:57 -0700

From time to time, I like to run around the perimeter of the home sales market and today I thought it would be appropriate.

My industry insiders are indicating that the San Francisco rental market is tightening up. Asking rents are creeping up on current vacancies and with the coming seasonal influx of new renters these new rates may stick for the coming year or so.

Coupled with the lower inventory and rising rental rates may make economic sense for the border line renter / homeowner to justify buying rather than renting. Watch the buy rate at some of these new SOMA, South Beach & Central Waterfront projects.

For more information on this article or other real estate data see my website at: http://www.SFLuxuryProperties.com

Thanks for reading!!

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Who pays what??

nobody@vox.com(sfken) — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:26:30 -0700

In San Francisco, my buyers often ask: "Hey Ken, Who pays what?"...on the closing.

Here is an attempt at putting together a list of typical expenses when buying a property here.

Property Inspections - Pest, Structural, Contractors, Chimney etc...
Title Insurance Fees
Escrow Fees
New Loan Fees - application, appraisal & doc. prep
Hazard Insurance
Pro rated property taxes
Notary Fee
Document prep Fee - photocopies
Overnight Delivery Fee
Pro rated Condo HOA fee
Condo HOA Move-In fee
Recording Fees

That covers the majority of the ones I have seen on a consistent basis.

For more information just email me at: kglidewell@pacunion.com

or visit my website: http://www.SFLuxuryProperties.com

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Interest rates creeping up

nobody@vox.com(sfken) — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 13:55:40 -0700

Over the last week or so I have noticed an increase in the interest rates being offfered by direct lenders as well as by mortgage brokers.

If you are getting ready to make an offer or are preparing to refinance an existing loan talk with your lender and see if you can "lock" the rate for say 30, 45 or 60 days. Sometimes this is helpful especially in a rising interest rate market.

But ask if there is a fee to do so!!

Enjoy your weekend!!

For more information go to my website: http://www.SFLuxuryProperties.com

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Current Buyer's Advice

nobody@vox.com(sfken) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:12:12 -0700

I am advising my buyers that now would be a good time to evaluate the current listings and see if something matches up to their needs.

Sellers are motivated due to the rise in interest rates and the beginning of summer. ie...they want to sell and move before the new school year starts.

For more information: email me at kglidewell@pacunion.com

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Buy Smart: San Francisco Style

nobody@vox.com(sfken) — Mon, 21 May 2007 17:18:04 -0700

With inventory levels low in San Francisco, this posting highlights strategies for you to "Buy Smart".

Keep 3-5 months of living expenses liquid (easy to reach cash).
Put at least 10% down.
Stay in your home at least 5 years to solidify your potential appreciation.
Use an interest only loan when you plan to stay in a property less than 3 years.
And of course, get the lowest interest rate possible.

These are but a few simple guidelines when buying a home. If you want a deal and are timing the market then be ready to make a deal this July or August. I believe you will be surprised at the property available.

For more information: email me at kglidewell@pacunion.com

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"Picking Up Steam" sounds familar!!

nobody@vox.com(sfken) — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 16:29:36 -0700

This past Sunday's SF Chronicle finally wrote the story that SF consumers needed to hear. Albeit a few months after I pronounced a heated market here in my blog.

Sales are brisk and multiple offers are common. While current resale inventory is low by standard comparison there seems to be an abundance of interested buyers.

The only issue I see are the poorly maintained properties or the overpriced properties but that is the norm for any market.

Once again, the philosophy that real estate is local holds true. Have fun this week it's beautiful out there!!

www.KenGlidewell.com

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Web 2.0 & Real Estate

nobody@vox.com(sfken) — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:42:00 -0700

Last week, I spent a few hours over at the "Web 2.0 Conference" at Moscone Center - West. Special "Thanks" to my friends Ellen Levy & Ted Shelton for facilitating my attendance. Ted you are the best!!

For a real estate guy, I had a great time!! Conferences like this suggest new and innovative ideas that I can apply to my real estate career. With topics like: Search Engine Optimization, mobile web 2.0, mash ups, gaming and virtual worlds, social networking and venture capital 2.0 one would think that I had gotten lost in downtown San Francisco but in reality it was all apart of the plan.

Granted I probably looked a little out of place. I was older than most and dressed in a suit is not what the typical attendee is all about. But what the "heck".

For years, now I have positioned myself as the real estate agent utilizing the latest technologies. And I actually practice those thoughts in my marketing, advertising, websites, blogs and devices that I use in my everyday real estate business.

Don't be surprised to see some new developments in the near months along those lines. I feel the real estate industry is in the early stages of a major shift in how we do business and I plan on being apart of the leading edge!!

Have a great week!! And remember to refer any of your friends to me who would like to buy a place or sell their existing home.

I can be reached at: 415.345.3128 direct or email: kglidewell@pacunion.com

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SF Luxury Condo Market

nobody@vox.com(sfken) — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 15:28:51 -0700

Within my firm, we calculate some statistics on previous year sales figures and I thought this would be interesting for my "Luxury Condo" buyers.

Here is an excerpt from 2006 figures:

SF Luxury Condos/Co-ops ($1,500,000+)

District Total Sales Avg Sales $ DOM

Pacific Heights 32 $2,705,813 40

Russian Hill 20 $2,598,150 67

Nob Hill 13 $1,972,000 49

South Beach/SOMA 27 $2,246,068 45

Overall 134 $2,232,361 47

Hopefully these actual sales numbers gave give you some guidance towards what is happening in 2007 and possibly use for a baseline in the future.

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