Development To Lower Housing Costs Across The City, Sort Of…
According to San Francisco’s Office of Economic Analysis, with 1,268 condos and 411 rental units, the 1,679 unit Schlage Lock Project will increase the total number of for-sale units in…
Freddie Mac: San Francisco Housing Market Is Weak. Here’s Why
According to Freddie Mac’s “Multi-Indicator Market Index,” the U.S. housing market remains weak despite improving employment, declining delinquencies, attractive mortgage rates and home price gains, but conditions have improved year-over-year.…
Employment In San Francisco Hits An All-Time High
With the number of San Francisco residents with jobs having increased by 600 over the past month and up 9,400 over the past year, the unemployment rate in the city…
Fed Cuts Stimulus But Intends To Keep Rates Low
Citing a rebound in economic activity while noting the housing sector remains slow (despite historically low interest rates and rising inventories), the Fed has announced another cut to its bond…
Stiff “Anti-Speculation” Tax Headed To The Ballot Box In SF
A proposed measure which would establish a stiff tax to penalize real estate speculators in San Francisco appears to be headed for the November ballot. Designed by the San Francisco…
Mortgage Rates Tick Up For Second Week In A Row
The average rate for a conforming 30-year mortgage ticked back up to 4.20 percent over the past week and is within 38 basis points of the three-year high rate of…
Earning $81K Qualifies One For Below Market Rate Housing In SF
When politicians and developers speak of “affordable” housing in San Francisco, they’re typically referring to housing that falls within the City’s Below Market Rate (BMR) program. Housing units within the…
An Incentive To Build More Affordable Housing In S.F.
For many areas in San Francisco, the number of dwelling units allowed to be built upon a parcel is strictly limited by the size of the lot. For example, within…
The Rent Versus Buy Debate And Calculator Return
With housing values having rebounded over the past three years and discussions of irrational exuberance returning as well, The New York Times has updated their Rent versus Buy Calculator. From…
Fixed Mortgage Rates Hit Seven Month Low, Likely Headed Up
The average rate for a conforming 30-year mortgage ticked down from 4.20 to 4.14 percent over the past week, the lowest rate in seven months and 44 basis points below…