In this episode of The Bay Insider, we take you on a journey through the vibrant Inner Sunset neighborhood with longtime resident Marilyn. We highlight the area's rich history and community, featuring iconic landmarks like UCSF, Golden Gate Park, and the Japanese Tea Garden. You'll hear about local events like the Fall Equinox Festival, Summer Solstice Festival, and Flower Piano at the Botanical Gardens. Discover the thriving farmers' market, flea market, and the neighborhood's exciting food scene, from cozy cafés to Burmese delicacies. Whether you're interested in real estate opportunities, art walks, or family-friendly activities, this episode is full of insider knowledge on what makes Inner Sunset a beloved San Francisco neighborhood for both residents and visitors.

Some major sites and events discussed in today’s episode.

Artspan SF
Bouquets to Art
California Academy of Sciences
Conservatory of Flowers
DeYoung Museum
Downtown First Thursdays
Fall Equinox Festival
Flower Piano
Inner Sunset Flea Market
Japanese Tea Garden
San Francisco Botanical Garden
Sunset Night Market

Local Businesses

Green Apple Books
HeartsFound
Hunt and Gather
Koi Fitness
The Magic Shop
On the Run
San Franpsycho
Seismic Waterworks

Restaurants

Arizmendi
Bahn Mi Crunch
The Beanery
The Crepevine
Dumpling Park
Easy Breezy
Ebisu
Fireside Bar
Fiorella

To see the full list, visit thebayinsider.com

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Amanda Martin | Lic #01386284
Ying He | Lic #01964556

BarbCo Real Estate Group

Join us as we give you a quick rundown on the 10 real estate districts of San Francisco. Learn about the neighborhoods in each of these districts-from the busy Marina neighborhood to newer construction in Mission Bay, and West Portal and Forest Hill's quieter residential areas. Whether you're seeking to buy a house, or just curious about the unique real estate landscape of San Francisco, this episode will give you a great lay of the land.

You can access our data file here: The 10 SF Real Estate Districts

Episode Youtube Link: The 10 SF Real Estate Districts Video

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Amanda Martin | Lic #01386284
Ying He | Lic #01964556

BarbCo Real Estate Group

On this episode of The Bay Insider, we bring you our Q3 2024 Market Update, breaking down some key stats and trends. We break down transaction volume between single-family homes and condos; compare year-over-year data; and drill down into metrics, including median home prices, price per square foot, and days on market.

Want to know how high interest rates are affecting the market? We discuss those higher rates, along with cash deals, and how they are affecting the real estate market in San Francisco..

You can access our data file here: Q3 2024 Market Update Data

Episode Youtube Link: Q3 2024 Market Update Youtube Video

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Amanda Martin | Lic #01386284
Ying He | Lic #01964556

BarbCo Real Estate Group

In this episode of The Bay Insider, we dive deep into the vibrant and storied Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco. Amanda Martin chats with a longtime local, Tino, who shares personal anecdotes and the rich history of the neighborhood—from its beginnings as farmland to its transformation during the iconic Summer of Love. Learn about legendary landmarks like Golden Gate Park, the evolution of Haight Street’s businesses, and the famous counterculture figures who left their mark, including the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin.

We also explore unique architectural gems, local hotspots like Amoeba Music, and legacy establishments such as Gus's Haight Street Market. Whether you’re a history buff or looking for tips on where to explore, this episode covers the essence of Haight-Ashbury, its cultural significance, and why it remains a must-visit destination in San Francisco today.

History Links:
Free Walking Tours
The Chutes
Architecture in San Francisco by James Dixon
A History of Haight Ashbury by FoundSF
Jimi Hendrix never lived in the Haight Ashbury
“The Diggers”
Rock & Bowl
Aub Zam Zam (now known as Zam Zam)- Additional Article from Punch Drink 2015
Haight Ashbury History on Wiki
Kezar Stadium

Businesses:
Legacy businesses on Haight St.*
Pipe Dreams*
Piedmont Boutique*
Mendels*
For the City (FTC)*
The Booksmith*
Amoeba Music
Wasteland
Decades of Fashion
Buffalo Exchange
Cal Surplus
Gus’s Haight St. Market
Whole Foods

Special Guest
Tino Belasco
- LinkedIn Profile
- Natural State Sandwiches

Names with * are legacy businesses

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Amanda Martin | Lic #01386284
Ying He | Lic #01964556

BarbCo Real Estate Group

Joining us today on The Bay Insider is Arlo Zoerner from Cross Country Mortgage, one of the best lenders in the Bay Area for mortgages. We will guide you through navigating the often murky waters of home financing. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a more savvy real estate investor, today's episode promises to deliver helpful information.

We deal with a variety of subjects that can help you stand ahead in a competitive market for real estate:

Chapters:

• Three Levels of Pre-Approvals - 8:50 : Learn about pre-qualification, pre-approval, and fully underwritten pre-approval and why having the strongest approval can give you a competitive edge when submitting offers.
• Gift Money - 18:05 : Learn the key rules on using gift money from relatives, along with the documentation you'll need to provide.
• How to Create a Competitive Offer - 24:48 : How to make your financed offer as competitive as possible in competition with an all-cash offer.
• Buy Before You Sell - 30:32 : Discover options for bridge loans, home equity lines of credit, and other creative financing strategies that allow you to buy your new house before selling the house you have.
• First-Time Home Buyer Programs - 37:11 : This is an overview of existing state and local programs, grants, and other forms of assistance designed to help first-time homebuyers.
• Investor Loans and Cash Flow Loans - 40:18 : Learn about these types of financing available for real estate investors.
• 401K Loans - 46:12 : Understand how you can tap into your 401K as a source of down payment and savings accounts without penalty, and its effects on your ability to qualify for loan approval.
• Seller Financing - 48:13 : Seller financing is more common when interest rates are high. Find out how buyers and sellers can be mutually rewarded with this type of financing.
• Interest Rates - 51:08 : Stay on top of where interest rates are going and what that means for your bottom line.
• What Not to Do When You're in Contract - 55:42 : Once you're in escrow, large purchases or even switching jobs can kill a deal. Here are the important "don'ts" to avoid when closing the sale.
• RSUs or Restricted Stock Units - 58:59 : In a tech-driven market like San Francisco, RSUs can constitute a significant percentage of a homebuyer's income. We will discuss how lenders view RSUs and what documentation you need to use them effectively in your loan approval.

Guest Contact Information:
Arlo Zoerner
crosscountrymortgage.com/Arlo-Zoerner/
925-289-9770

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Amanda Martin | Lic #01386284
Ying He | Lic #01964556

BarbCo Real Estate Group

Today on The Bay Insider, we are continuing our neighborhood guide series where we talk about the history, lifestyle, and real estate of the Central Richmond neighborhood in San Francisco.

On this episode, we take a deeper dive into Central Richmond, know its deep history, diverse culture, and unparalleled access to nature. Discover how this neighborhood went from sand dunes into a vibrant, varied community with amazing bakeries, inexpensive foreign food and attractive local shops. Whether you’re a foodie exploring Geary Boulevard or you love exploring the outdoors through Golden Gate Park and Baker Beach, this neighborhood is where you can experience life with the perfect combination of urban flavor and abundant nature.

We'll also talk about real estate, including why Central Richmond is a hotspot for new home buyers due to its affordable properties when compared to other San Francisco areas, and touch on some of the public schools in the area and buzzing local events like Outside Lands and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. With good public transportation options and possible future development plans, this neighborhood is becoming one of the best places to live in San Francisco.

Tune in for an insider's look at Central Richmond, a neighborhood that brings together rich culture, community warmth, and scenic beauty. Perfect for residents, visitors, and anyone interested in San Francisco real estate and lifestyle!

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Amanda Martin | Lic #01386284
Ying He | Lic #01964556

BarbCo Real Estate Group

Today on Bay Insider, we are continuing our neighborhood guide series where we talk about the history, lifestyle, and real estate of the West Portal neighborhood in San Francisco.

In this episode, we talk about our homebase West Portal. The development of the twin peak tunnel has led to the beginning of this wonderful residential area with a blend of hip new restaurants and old San Francisco favorites. It is one of the best transportation hubs in the city. It also has a very strong community who come together in good times and bad times.

A recent article on 7x7 discusses how West Portal has recently become the coolest neighborhood. You can find the article here.

Local businesses we have mentioned
BarbCo
Ballast Coffee
Binu Bonu
Bookshop West Portal
Bullshead
Bursa
Burrito Loco
Calibur
Easy Breezy
Elena’s Mexican Restaurant
Franco’s Latin Table
George’s Donut and Merriment
Goat Hill Pizza
Goodwill
Little Original Joes
McCarthy’s Irish Bar
Noe Valley Bakery
Papenhausen Hardware
Peet’s Coffee
Philosopher's Club
Pilates Story
Pure Barre
Trattoria da Vittorio
RHAX
SF Siren
Shaw’s Candy
Sherwood Cocktail and Lounge
Spiazzo
Squat and Gobble
Submarine Center
Toast Eatery
Unwine’d

Events
Finding Waldo
West Portal Wine Walk
West Portal Halloween

Schools
Lowell High School
San Francisco Waldorf High School
St. Brendan Parish School

Get the full list at thebayinsider.com

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Amanda Martin | Lic #01386284
Ying He | Lic #01964556

BarbCo Real Estate Group

Today on The Bay Insider, we are having another discussion about the NAR settlement as we approach the August 17th, 2024 implementation date.

In this episode, we will discuss the two main changes that are going to take place and their potential implications to buyers and sellers.

The link below provides info related to the lawsuit, settlement, and proposed changes.

National Association of Realtors FAQ

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Instagram: @thebayinsider
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Amanda Martin | Lic #01386284
Ying He | Lic #01964556

BarbCo Real Estate Group