We are excited to report that San Francisco ranks #5 on Estately’s list of “17 Best U.S. Cities for Dogs”!  Let’s face it, if we’re going to be beat out for spots 1-4 (and frankly, I cannot understand how that could have happened), at least we were bested by awesome cities like Portland (OR), San Diego, Seattle and Austin.

Estately compiled the list of best American cities for dogs based on the following factors: weather, Walk Score, yard size, dog activities, number of Meetup groups, and the availability of dog sitters on Rover.com. Here’s what they have to say about the city of St. Francis (aka, San Francisco):

#5—San Francisco, California
San Francisco has the third most dog parks of any city in the U.S. with 27, and Walk Score has it ranked second nationally for walkability. Dogs are even allowed on trolley cars, which makes for a cute photo, but only if your dog enjoys waiting in line for an hour to go up a hill. For something more fun, The Stray Bar provides a dog-friendly watering hole that doles out free popcorn, something dogs love.

• Ample dog-friendly restaurants with patio dining, dog news from Bay Woof, as well a gyms where you can take your dog while you get fit.
• Over 50 different dog Meetup groups and one of Rover.com‘s Top 20 Cities.
• Dogs can ride area ferries, but not on [BART] unless crated. However, there is a cab that drives around with a pet Chihuahua sprawled out on the rear dash.
• In California, dogs are not allowed to mate publicly within 500 yards of a tavern, school, or place of worship.

Not to mention all of the dog-friendly companies in this town where you can take your dog to work every day!

We found not one but TWO shout-outs to local businesses in Bernal Heights! Pooch-centered Stray Bar and community gym fitBERNALfit certainly helped push San Francisco into the #5 spot on the list. Make sure to grab a drink and go pump some iron as a thank you to our canine supporters – but maybe not necessarily in that order.

We have proof that living in San Francisco makes dogs very, very happy:

San Francisco. you’ll always be #1 in my book! WOOF!

(credit for photos and dog happiness goes to small club sf dogwalking services)

The post San Francisco In Top 5 “17 Best U.S. Cities for Dogs” appeared first on SFhotlist.

Here are the touchpoints from the presentation:

• The process of getting pre-approved and the benefits of securing pre-approval before you start your home search
• How Real Estate agents work: how agents get paid, the services a buyer’s agent provides, why it’s best to be represented by  your own buyers agent (and not the listing agent)
• How to choose a Real Estate agent
• Getting your offer accepted in the competitive San Francisco real estate market
• Home buying and escrow timelines
• Predictions for the San Francisco & Bay Area real estate markets
• The ever-present specter of “low inventory” in San Francisco and the Bay Area

And here’s a peek at Danielle and Phillip in action:

*Have you been to the Exploratorium since it moved to Pier 15 in San Francisco? If you have, then you’ve been inside an EHDD designed building – one of their most recent projects and quite a fabulous one at that!

The post Home Buying Brown Bag Lunch Presentation at EHDD Architecture appeared first on SFhotlist.

Small dogs are our Kryptonite here at SFhotlist, as is any dog in need.  In the Bay Area, Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes make up more than half of the dogs in shelters. Hey, we don’t want to be a Debbie Downer but their situation is dire. “The Whole Enchihuahua” is part party and part PSA.  As the co-sponsor, SF SPCA, describes the event:

This yearly event, presented by 7×7 and the SF SPCA, is a super fun way to help raise awareness for the plight of the mighty Chihuahua. They’re the breed most in need of rescue – Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes are overrepresented in most shelters in Northern California. The Whole Enchihuahua is the capper on a three month-long campaign to find these little guys new, loving homes with free adoptions and help prevent the overpopulation with free spay/neuter at the SF SPCA. Chihuahuas are waiting for your help, healing, and hugs.

You don’t have to bring your pooch or be a dog-guardian in order to enjoy the festivities.  There are tons of other things going on as part of the celebration of the breed known for its “big-dog-attitude-in-a-little-dog-body”.  Chow down on amazing food from some of the best SOMA StrEat Food Park trucks, “Smooch the Pooch” and get your photo taken with Alfie, or find the (new) love of your life – of the four-legged/four-pawed variety – from one of the animal rescue groups that will be there to help you find your match.

And if you do plan on bringing your bedazzled and bespoked doggie for the costume contest, you better come prepared – it is a dustup, after all. Word on the street is that the competition is fierce and serious bragging rights are at stake. Based on photos from last year’s event, the doggies aren’t the only ones all dressed up and struttin’ their stuff on the catwalk (get it, CATwalk? hahaha! We crack ourselves up!).  Check out some of the prizes for this year’s contest:

• $90 Gift Certificate from Happy Hounds Massage (SFhotlist loves the work Shelah does!)
• $100 donation to the non-profit shelter or rescue of the winner’s choice, courtesy of Dogtime
• A Pet Camp doggie weekend getaway with camping gift basket full of toys & treats – includes a 2 day stay at Pet Camp.
• 1 Medium Luxury Dog Bed, 1 Hour Full Serve Dog Wash with Nail Trim, and much more from K9 Scrub Club

See you over by the water bowl.

The post What’s a doggie dustup and how do I get invited to one? appeared first on SFhotlist.

Read the official Press Release below, congratulate her on SFhotlist’s Facebook page and take a look at her stylish Climb agent profile (bonus points if you can tell us which European river Danielle is taking a bike ride along in one of the photos!).

Danielle Lazier joins Climb Real Estate as Sales Director

San Francisco-based real estate brokerage Climb Real Estate Group announces the addition of leading real estate broker Danielle Lazier as Sales Director.

San Francisco-based real estate brokerage Climb Real Estate Group today announces the addition of leading real estate broker Danielle Lazier as Sales Director. In addition to leading an exclusive team of agents, Lazier will continue to work as a full-time real estate agent working with San Francisco home buyers and sellers.

“The addition of Danielle Lazier will take our real estate team to the next level,” said Managing Sales Director Michelle Balog. “She is a major force in the San Francisco brokerage community, and we are excited to see her on the Climb Real Estate Group team.”

Lazier comes to Climb Real Estate Group with a successful track record in residential sales in San Francisco for the past 11 years. Lazier has been with Zephyr Real Estate in the Noe Valley location on 24th Street for the past 7 years, where she was their 2012 Noe Valley Top Producer. During this time, she collected accolades such as Zephyr’s #1 Company-Wide Agent for Q1 of 2013, Zephyr’s #2 Company-Wide Agent in 2012, Zephyr’s #1 Company-Wide Agent in 2011, and Zephyr’s #2 Company-Wide Agent in 2010.

In a statement, Danielle Lazier said, “Climb has quickly become one of the best real estate companies in San Francisco. Just like SFhotlist, Climb is at the intersection of real estate and our style of San Francisco living. It’s a perfect fit and I’m really excited to see where our collaboration will take us!”

Her experience also includes sales experience and training at Vanguard Properties and Remax International. During her tenure, she created one of the leading real estate lifestyle blogs, SFhotlist.com, which provides buyers and sellers with an authentic insider’s view of real estate properties and the neighborhoods they reside in.

“When you buy or sell a home, you’re also selling the lifestyle of the neighborhood. The SFhotlist vision is local, hyper-local—we get San Francisco and the many distinct flavors of life here. We’ve been a unique voice in San Francisco real estate for over a decade and have exciting plans for the site, bringing it back to its roots,” said Lazier. “My collaboration with fellow innovators and disruptors is the ideal partnership for this next phase!”

As one of the first real estate bloggers, she successfully created the concept, design and marketing of both SFhotlist.com and DanielleLazier.com. She is also a 5-star rated Yelp San Francisco real estate agent. As Sales Director at Climb Real Estate Group, Danielle Lazier will contribute to the company’s direction and vision.

“The intersection of real estate and technology is driving brokerages to new levels,” said Tiffany Combs, Managing Broker. “Climb Real Estate Group has the mind share of the consumer, key industry relationships, an incredible service reputation, and some of the best agents in the business. Having Danielle participating in the direction of Climb is going to be very special.”

Mark Choey, one of the firm’s Top Producers, said, “We have built a very dynamic team, so it is fitting that a top city-wide producer like Danielle Lazier is involved in the evolution of our growing real estate brokerage.”

The post Danielle Climbs to New Heights (pun intended!) appeared first on SFhotlist.

Bernal Heights Listing With Great Bones

849 Moultrie Street -This Bernal Heights 2 bedroom, 1 bath single family home is coming soon – just listed by Top SF Real Estate Agent and our own Founder, Danielle Lazier!

849 Moultrie Street is a lovely single family home that has been in the same family for decades. Built in 1927, the home boasts excellent bones and character.

On the main level, find refinished hardwood floors throughout and a freshly painted, functional floor plan: living room with fireplace, formal dining room, kitchen with breakfast room, 2 well-proportioned bedrooms and 1 traditional split bathroom. The lower level has a bonus room and tremendous potential. The garage is huge with a high ceiling and can accommodate 2+ cars.

849 Moultrie Street offers an opportunity to take a spacious & yes, gracious single family home and make it your own. Update the kitchen and bath and voila!

For more information on 849 Moultrie Street

The post 849 Moultrie Street San Francisco, CA 94110 MLS# 407752 appeared first on SFhotlist.

Anyway, I wanted to share my favorite takeaway from her talk. Rodoni calls San Francisco an International Eco-Environment and as such, can only be compared to other comparable cities around the world. San Francisco is not Houston or even Chicago. It is New York, Beijing, London, Tokyo…

Her list of what makes a City an an International Eco-Environment reminds me of Richard Florida’s Super Star Cities prerequisites. Florida uses The Creativity Index to rank city and predict their economic success.

“The Creativity Index is a mix of four equally weighted factors: the creative class share of the workforce (column 2 shows the percentage; column 3 ranks cities accordingly); high-tech industry, using the Milken Institute’s widely accepted Tech Pole Index, which I refer to as the High-Tech Index (column 4); innovation, measured as patents per capita (column 5); and diversity, measured by the Gay Index, a reasonable proxy for an area’s openness to different kinds of people and ideas (column 6).”

Creative Class, Technology, Innovation, and Diversity are the keys to a Super Star City. 

Okay, back to what makes an International Eco-Environment…Let’s see if San Francisco qualifies!

1. The city must be known around the world. (I left my heart in…)
2. Must have 2+ world-renowned institutions. (Cal, Stanford and UCSF Medicine, anyone?)
3. Be tolerant and have cultural diversity. (Thank you for pointing this out time and again, Fox News!)
4. Be a gateway to emerging economies. (Go [Far] East, young man.)
5. Be within a 4-5 hours drive of recreation. (Napa, Sonoma, Carmel, Tahoe…)
6. And have something unique! (Castro Nudists!)

This, my friends, is why our real estate downturn was so short and why home prices have already shot back up, in many cases, past the last peak. Case Shiller says US Home Prices are up 9.3% but San Francisco real estate is up 18.9%. Home Buyers – don’t worry. It’s the cost of money that should compel you to buy. Money is cheap, cheap, cheap. You should go borrow some and buy a home.

Have a good weekend!

-DL

The post 6 Reasons San Francisco Real Estate Kicks Butt appeared first on SFhotlist.

745 Moultrie Street @ Crescent

Bernal Heights Offering Premium Finishes

745 Moultrie Street -This Bernal Heights 3 bedroom, 2 bath  single family home just became available – just listed by Top SF Real Estate Agent and our own Founder, Danielle Lazier!

This renovated Mid-Century home offers sleek modern finishes, exceptional natural light, and a fantastic location on Bernal Hill. Two skylights fill this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with an abundance of natural light, and the open floor plan complements the clean architecture.

Perfect for entertaining, the efficient upper floor great room provides an open kitchen, dining, and living room with a slate surround fireplace. The chef’s dream kitchen includes an ultra-premium Bertazzoni range with worktop wok burner, professional grade cherry cabinets, custom quartz counters, premium stainless appliances, high-end fixtures and an integrated breakfast bar. The open dining area segues into the living room—all illuminated with custom recessed lighting and finished with custom charcoal stained oak flooring.

The rear of the home offers two charming bedrooms with broad eastern skyline views and a glimpse of the San Francisco bay and dramatic city lights. Completing the upper floor is a design-inspired full bath with a floating vanity, premium fixtures, and custom tile work. A master suite on the ground floor features the second spa-like modern bath.

The flat rear yard is quaint and offers a very functional balance with a spacious redwood deck, grass area, and an additional landscape section. Numerous updates to the home include dual-pane windows, eco-friendly rice husk front siding, and new systems including HVAC, a water heater, and electrical.

Discover inspired modern living in an exceptional San Francisco location. The trendy boutiques and innovative restaurants on Cortland, The Bernal Heights Library, and several transportation options are all within immediate vicinity. Welcome home to 745 Moultrie Street.

Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.
Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

Find out more about 745 Moultrie Street

The post 745 Moultrie Street San Francisco, CA 94110 MLS# 407709 appeared first on SFhotlist.

Bernal Heights Mid-Century Modern

442 Anderson Street -This Bernal Heights 4 bedroom, 2 bath  single family home just became available – just listed by Top SF Real Estate Agent and our own Founder, Danielle Lazier!

442 Anderson Street is a gorgeous Mid-Century single family home offering form and function. The main level has a spacious floor plan with exposed wood beams, a freestanding RAIS Mino fireplace and an open layout for modern living. Entertaining or hanging out as a family is easy with the spacious remodeled kitchen, living and dining areas. The main level also has 3 bedrooms at the rear and 1 full bathroom. Downstairs, you’ll find a large multi-purpose room: 4th bedroom, home office, family room (or a little of each?) and a 2nd full bathroom. The rear deck and garden are a perfect spot to unwind, soak up the sun, play with the pooch/kids/both/neither, host a BBQ, pour some Pinot, do a Downward Dog or just relax with a book. And, did we mention the garage? 442 Anderson boasts 2-car parking with laundry and tons of storage!

The location is Bernal Heights fabulous. Just 1.5 blocks off of the heart of Cortland Ave, you’ll love walking around our country village in the city. Need to commute south? No problem with easy access 101 and 280.

Find out more about 442 Anderson Street

The post 442 Anderson Street San Francisco, CA 94110 MLS# 406769 appeared first on SFhotlist.

Enjoy!

Amazing modern kitchen!

Feels like you’re in the wine country.

Backyard hottub. Not too shabby.

The post San Francisco Agent Property Tour Photos appeared first on SFhotlist.

Central Richmond Income Property

333-337 20th Avenue -This Central Richmond triplex just became available – just listed by Top SF Real Estate Agent and our own Founder, Danielle Lazier!

First time on the market in over 30 years, 333-337 20th Avenue between Clement and Geary is a great 3-unit income ($53,100/year) property in prime Central Richmond. Well-maintained with quality tenant profile, the building shows pride of ownership. All tenants are month-to-month. Building consists of one 2 bedroom, 1 bath and two 1 bedroom, 1 bath flats. Neighborhood is fabulous & convenient near shops, delis, schools and great restaurants like Burma Superstar, Kappou Gomi, Aziza and everyone’s favorite, Gordo’s Taqueria!

Find out more about 333-337 20th Avenue

The post 333-337 20th Avenue San Francisco, CA 94121 MLS# 406768 appeared first on SFhotlist.