S.F. Real Estate Examiner - San Francisco Real Estate Market Update - Examiner.com

Lastly, the "know-it-alls" are those that might live in the area, aren't actively tracking the market, read a lot of publications and media, and just happen to "know the market is not good" based largely on what they're reading, but not experiencing. A common question from these types might be, "Is this a foreclosure sale?" What!? You must be kidding. Not only is this upsetting, but it is just plain bad. The media has created such a perception of our market that the sideline "know-it-all" thinks most homes on the market these days are foreclosures. We have news for you, most homes for sale in San Francisco are not foreclosure sales!

Although the majority of what is being reported is still, and always will be, bad news, the real news is that San Francisco is still doing just fine, and in our opinion remains a solid long term choice for real estate. The nominal declines in value we have seen should be music to many buyers ears, and will likely be short-lived. Information provided by sfnewsletter.

This is an example of the sort of thinking I'm referring to in my post below. This gent is practicing the sort of determined cheeriness that gives real estate (and used car) sales people a lousy name. Somebody who might "live in the the area...read a lot of publications and media..." is a "know it all." Welcome to the internet age, Alex, where agents no longer have a monopoly on market data and knowledge.

And let me tell you, pal, if you had seen foreclosures destroy property values in a San Francisco neighborhood as they have in mine, you wouldn't be whistling past these pocket graveyards so happily. And we have a word for those who constantly advise others to bet the farm (or their new 30 year fixed mortgage) on the proposition that SF will always be "doing just fine" - and that word is "Pollyanna." You might look it up. Even if it does make you a know it all to do so.

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Internet-based realtors win monster settlement | NetworkWorld.com Community

Hard to believe but until today most Internet-based real-estate brokers were considered second class citizens and clients were left in the cold. But perhaps with today’s news that the Department of Justice has reached a proposed settlement with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) that requires NAR to let Internet-based residential real estate brokers compete with traditional brokers that will change.

It's about time.

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A few days back, Jeff wondered if specializing in niche properties was a good strategy for brokers and sales agents. I commented that I couldn't speak broadly, but that Rene Adelman of Marin Modern, which specializes in mid-century modern and modern homes, especially classic Eichler properties, seemed to be doing pretty well.

Today, I ran across this:
Marin Modern Real Estate expands Sales Team

Marin, CA (PRWEB) March 10, 2008 -- Marin Modern Real Estate, an independent residential real estate brokerage and leading authority on modern and architectural homes in Marin and San Francisco County, announced the addition of Sandi Bowman and Erika Davito to their sales team.

Now, I could be wrong, but I don't think very many SF Bay Area agencies are currently expanding their sales teams.

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