What this means is the buyer can use a smaller down payment at 3.5% and generally close and move through the transaction a lot quicker. There are also requirements that need to be in place in order for a condo building to be endorsed for FHA/VA approval. These same requirements such as owner occupancy rate, reserves, and percentage of pre-solds ensure a purchaser a viably stable investment for the long term.

Some interior highlights include:

• Floor to ceiling windows
• Viking and Bosch appliances
• European kitchen cabinetry
• Marble bath floors and vanities

The Building features:

• 24 hr. door attendant
• Concierge services
• Private rear garden with fountain, and a BBQ and catering set-up facility

BLU is located in the vibrant SOMA neighborhood, so close to everything you need for shopping, dining, work, and nightlife.

Six different 2 bedroom plans on floors 2-19 starting in the high $600s

*Pre-approval is required with their preferred lenders

Sales on New Developments have been slow moving, but what’s new? When The Hayes opened their doors over a year ago, there were not much to compare it to in the way of location. Not much has changed since. I have always liked the development for this very reason. In my opinion, it really flies under the radar. Where as a lot of folks would rather live in the SOMA to South Beach/Mission Bay area, The Hayes has a neighborhood diversity on verge of a Renaissance.

The final 2 at a considerably reduced asking price:

Hayes Valley could be considered San Francisco’s Midtown.  Now after you giggle, here me out.

Transportation

Living where Gough, Market, and Van Ness intersect give you multiple options if your are driving, biking, or taking public transportation.

• Muni: by bus or bart, within a 1/4 of a mile you’re headed to all points of the city North, South, East, and West.  More on this at Transit.511.org
• Drive right out of the garage and on to Franklin to head North across town and head right back on Gough.   Two of SF’s most efficient thoroughfares in both directions.  The same could be said for Market heading up to the Castro or Fell heading West as well.  If it’s the freeway South you’re looking to for commuting, access to 101 South could not be easier at just 3 blocks away.
• Bike with ease for sure.  As far as city friendly streets go for cyclists, again, in the heart of the city you are surrounded by Class 1 and 2 bike routes making commuting to downtown a cinch – 511 Bikemapper
• Walking right out your door and finding city life at your foot steps is why you’re living at The Hayes, so what can be found around here?  Just about everything.  All that, and it’s flat too.

The Arts

San Francisco has culture to be rivaled by only a few cities in the US. Why not live right smack dab in the cultural hub of the city? A few events taking place right now, all within a short walks distance from your doorstep.

• The San Francisco Symphony’s season calender
• The San Francisco Opera’s season calender
• The San Francisco Ballet’s performance and tickets 2009 season
• If that’s not enough, you have the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, The public Library, and The Asian Art Museum right around the corner as well.

Dining

The options are almost limitless. With great culture come great dining.

• Espetus, Zuni Cafe, Cav Wine Bar, Paul K, and Sauce are just step away.  No kidding.
• If you’re looking for a quick bite Dellesio, Cafe Trieste, or even Go Getters for a slice.
• This is where the list begins.  It continues on and on here.

Shopping

Some of the best shopping in San Francisco. Period. From boutiques to art galleries, to antiques and home furnishing, what are you looking for?

• For your day to day, you’ve got Safeway and Rite-aid both nearby on Market.  Beyond that the local ma and pa corner stores and gourmet delis will get you by just fine.
• Art galleries like Bucheon, Micaela, and Reaves are neighbors.
• For streetwear and hard to find brands, shops like Acrimony, Azalea, and Dish Boutique will keep your plastic active.
• Just after you move in to your new place, furnishings from Minimal, Inside, and F. Dorian will help you get it dialed in before the house waring party.

If your interest has been piqued and you feel the next move is to take a look for yourself.  Contact me at (415) 999-3487 or brad@sfsunrise.com.  I’ll be sure to get you in real quick with no hassle and a better understanding of the best way to negotiate your condo purchase.

… and for more on the blog, take a look at the condo page here.

555 Washington Renderings / View From Columbus

More renderings available at BarbaryNeighbors.org

Something that has been on the horizon for urban dwellers looking to get closer to the downtown/financial district – In charming Jackson Square.

From The Barbary Coast News:

The Draft Environmental Impact Report for the 555 Washington Street project was released in late March and is scheduled for hearing by the Planning Commission on May 7. The proposal is for a 390-foot residential tower to be built close to the iconic Transamerica Pyramid. The ultimate height would be 425 feet, including a 35-foot mechanical penthouse.
The site east of the Pyramid is presently zoned for 200 feet. As designed the project would require a Zoning Map change to a 400-S height and bulk district. The doubling of the allowed height is expected to engender the primary opposition to the complicated project.

The new Financial District high-rise would be constructed on the site of a nine story building at 545 Sansome Street, which would be demolished. Among other factors in the plan are providing about 248 residential units in about 331,640 square feet, 6,780 sq. ft. of retail space, and 230 subsurface parking spaces on four levels accessed from Washington Street….

Sounds pretty cool.  At the crossroads between North Beach, The Barbary Coast, and The Finincial District, one could have a lot of fun.  Nearby boutique building The Residences at Jackson Square was popular, but only for a select 13 homebuyers.  We’ll have to keep our eyes on this as it develops.

Millennium Towers opens it’s doors April 20th, 2009

The Millenium Tower website

Overall I am very impressed with the building. Not to sound to much like a commercial for them, but they are doing something here that is a lot different than any other development int the city: Three distinct types of units for different lifestyles, all with a 5 star trained staff and world class amenities that you really only find with 5 star luxury hotels.

Funny, their byline in advertising is “San Francisco Lives Here”. Not exactly true yet being as 301 Mission St. does not really sport any residential accommodations too close by. But hey, soon enough and forever more it’s a statement to be set in steel.

Prices have been reduced on all units by 15%. Contact me at 415-999-3487 or brad@sfsunrise.com for more information or a tour of what’s available.

Micheal Minna’s new restaurant Rn74 opening at the Millenium on April 24th as well.

From the sales team:

The Hayes features rare newly constructed homes in Hayes Valley, San Francisco’s hip, fashionable neighborhood for the arts, music, dining and shopping. Located on Page Street in the heart of Hayes Valley, The Hayes offers many of the most sought-after urban amenities, including an attended lobby, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a roof deck with great city views. Individual homes are outfitted with exceptional detail, including Italian tile, German cabinetry, and French fixtures. The Hayes is centrally located close to public transportation and with convenient freeway access. Buyers looking for the excitement of The City and the amenities of contemporary urban living will find everything they need at The Hayes

More from SF Sunrise on the development and the neighborhood.

Recent home sales trending for 94102 Condominiums.

The developer of the Mission Bay Radiance development said:

“pragmatic approach” but not a “permanent situation.” The market is already showing slight signs of a recovery and we will obviously have to adjust prices upwards again once the market demonstrates sustained recovery.  - SF Business Times

Given the scarcity of property along the waterfront of the city and the newness of the developing area.  This very well could be a great opportunity to get in on a great value.   Along with the new prices are a buyers incentive of having 2 years HOA dues paid in advance.  Feature price reductions below.

More on The Radiance at Mission Bay Here.

As the market continues to slow, the prices on these new developments we forsee will be dropping.  There are some real great opportunities here for living at The Hayes.   These ‘featured units are a few of what’s actually available.  To schedule a full of. the property, contact us today brad@sfsunrise.com.  Showings daily.

The premiere waterfront building located developing Mission Bay.  Created by the the West Coast residential visionaries Bosa Development, this complex boasts designer features, water views, and very spacious floor plans, providing a great retreat from urban life.  Mission Bay has been going through a complete revitalization from what was once a manufacturing hub for merchant ships to San Francisco’s pioneering new neighborhood shared by wonderful open park space, commercial buildings, hotels, UCSF and residential developments.

Radiance at Mission Bay – Building amenities

• A 24 hr. survelience system
• Gated parking and resident only access to main entrances, recreation and amenity areas
• Fiber optic cable to every unit. CAT 5E to the telephone and RJ-45 jacks to data
• Four elevators
• A fully equipped fitness room
• Fourth floor community room with kitchen
• Fourth floor, 8,200 square ft. rooftop deck complete with outdoor fire pit and barbecue area

View Larger Map

845-847 Montgomery St. | San Francisco | 94133

The Residences at Jackson Square are 13 units built into a luxury boutique redevelopment in the famed neighborhood just East of North Beach.

The final release of 4 homes are available right now priced from $850,000 – $1,600,000. 13 units in all with 9 different floor plans, many with very large outdoor decks.

Jackson Square is located where North Beach, China Town, downtown and the Financial District all meet. In the shadow of the Transamerica Pyramid, quiet, tree-lined streets and quaint alleyways along Montgomery, Jackson, and Pacific Streets offer wonderful walks past historic buildings, exclusive retailers and restaurants. A block east of the building is the the heart of lively China Town or the European flair of North Beach. A quick walk west to the waterfront offers up a relaxing trip to the newly renovated Ferry Building for the Farmer’s Market and a stroll on the Embarcadero. Walking a block south puts you in the Financial District at the nerve center of the West Coast economy. Jackson Square is positioned for capturing the best of San Francisco, whatever you desire.

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Neighborhood: Rincon Hill

The Infinity at 300 Spear in the burgeoning Rincon Hill neighborhood of San Francisco is luxury High Rise living at it’s finest.  When complete the development will stand as two towers at 37 and 41 floors high with two 8 and 9 floor mid-rise buildings with 640 units total.  Units in tower one are now complete and owners and tenants are moving in.  Located just one block off of the Embarcadero The Infinity is not only walking distance to downtown and the financial district but also the Ferry Building with Farmer’s Market.

Amenities on the property include a 24-hour attended lobby, personal concierge services, a 5,000 sq. ft. fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, a 75-foot indoor pool with intricate mosaic wall and skylight, club lounge with catering kitchen for cocktail or business parties, business center and a private theater.

With units ranging from studios to three bedrooms and amazing city and Bay views.

Prices range from $700,000 – $5,000,000