Weeks after I first moved to San Francisco for college I was standing in a now-forgotten pizza place, angling for a job. The owner, glancing at my resume, asked, “Do you have […]
‘The Front Steps’: How “Little Russia” Came To the Richmond
‘The Front Steps’: Taking a Classic Edwardian “To The Studs”
We’ve been playing the before-and-after home comparison game a lot lately–but then, we’re seeing an awful lot of freshly renovated properties in the neighborhood, so it’s bound to come up. Sometimes the […]
Real Estate: John M. Lee
In the practice of real estate, conflicts and negotiation between buyers and sellers are commonplace. But what happens when an agreement cannot be reached and neither side is willing to compromise? Then we have to go to the next step beyond negotiations and go to third parties to resolve the conflicts.
‘The Front Steps’: Everything Changed Around This Condo
We’ve got another Richmond makeover to consider–always a popular attraction around these parts. The original conceit of these before-and-after comparisons was to consider which version of the home readers prefer–the one that […]
‘The Front Steps’: Anxiety Aside, Housing Is Still Going Wild
Stocks are slumping and recession anxiety is on the rise, which means that speculation about a supposed “housing crash” has probably already infiltrated your social media and inbox. It makes sense: Housing […]
‘The Front Steps’: Where Does the Richmond End?
A couple of weeks ago we felt daring enough to pose a potentially existential neighborhood question in considering whether the Central Richmond is a real neighborhood or not. Now we’re feeling even […]
‘The Front Steps’: Revisiting the Richmond’s Most Controversial “New” Homes
It’s now been almost ten years since the Battle of Cornwall. Cornwall Street, that is; this wasn’t a military venture but instead a conflict of opinions about what should be done with […]
‘The Front Steps’: Tracking Down the Oldest House In Sea Cliff
Here at the Front Steps we remain persistently divided over whether or not Sea Cliff is really part of the Richmond. But we still like writing about it anyway, because it is […]
‘The Front Steps’: Is the Central Richmond a Real Neighborhood?
Not to stir things up around here, but it’s about time someone addresses this head-on. Historically, the division between Inner Richmond and Outer Richmond along 19th Avenue has remained pretty consistent; reference […]
‘The Front Steps’: Another Richmond Remodel, Before & After
Last time we took a look at a recent remodel on the market folks had a lot of opinions, so let’s take a gander at another. Renovation wars are always an easy […]
Real Estate: John M. Lee
As most of the readers of my column know by now, I tend to write on what is the most relevant real estate topic at the moment. I get my ideas from the people I talk with every day. If certain questions come up often, then that becomes the column of the month.
‘The Front Steps’: Remembering The Richmond’s Weird Drunken Beachside Squatter Carnival
Everyone loves a good neighborhood profile, but what happens if the neighborhood no longer exists? At The Front Steps, we profile it anyway–because you’ve got to know your roots. Case in point, […]
‘The Front Steps’: Is This “The Best Value” In SF?
We’re always keeping an eye out for interesting neighborhood listings, and here’s one that caught our eye: A five bed, five bath, 3,300-plus square foot Laurel Heights house advertised as “one of […]
‘The Front Steps’: Homes For Under $1 Million?
Reflecting on a recent sale, an SF realtor on Instagram this week wondered, “Is this the last house in the Sunset that will sell under $1 million?” Great question–let’s see. For reference, […]
‘The Front Steps’: From Classic Theater To Seven-Figure Homes
Sometimes a home listing furnishes a little extra neighborhood history and character–even when said history is actually no longer with us. Case in point, a condo that just came up for sale […]
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 