Watch Out for Those Flashers

One CLIK wrote last week that she’s been “flashed all over town.”  I was initially concerned but I started giggling when I realized she was talking about all the red light cameras.  Running a red light is going up to $436.  She has kindly passed along this article on the shockingly high new traffic and parking fines that went into effect this month.

Apparently handicapped zone parking violations are going up to $976 and so is stopping in a bus loading zone.  Nearly $1000 to drop someone off when the buses don’t even use them half the time?  If you’ve ever been on tour with me, you know I fearlessly use driveways and double park but am terrified of ramps and hydrants.  I fear you will all be forced to follow my example or risk bankruptcy.

To read the article, click here.  And thanks, you know who you are, for sending this along.

Home of the Week: Conversion Loft in Mint Plaza

The most beautiful industrial conversion condo I have ever seen…

Well, I have seen some good ones so it’s hard to justify the absoluteness of that statement.  But that’s the reaction I had when I walked in last week and saw 410 Jessie #1002 (also known as 2 Mint Plaza).  It’s a spectacular space, all on one level, with soaring 12’ ceilings and exposed concrete beams.  One bedroom and one bath but at nearly 1200 square feet, there’s plenty of room to create a guest sleeping area.  Open floor plan, with a gourmet kitchen and an architecturally interesting spiral staircase that ascends to a large private roof deck with views of the city.  The photos really don’t do it justice.  If you want to see how right I am about that, take a look — it’s open Sunday, January 29 from 2 to 4.

The building features a large workout space with a roofdeck a few steps away that has a hot tub with a view and a dog walking area.  Nice!

Mint Plaza is located behind the old Mint at 5^th & Mission.  Right across the street from the valet parking entrance to Nordstrom’s.  A sophisticated space in an equally sophisticated location perfect for a 1^st home or a pied a terre.  Listed by Ron Parks at Decker Bullock Sothebys.

From Penthouses to Fixer-Uppers – What Did San Francisco Home-Buyers Purchase in 2011?

Of all the homes bought and sold in San Francisco in 2011:

• How many had Golden Gate, Bay Bridge, downtown or ocean views?
• How many were Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, Spanish Mediterranean or brand spanking new?
• How many had elevators or pools, wine cellars, doorpersons or in-law apartments?
• How many were probate sales, bank sales or short sales?
• And what were the biggest sales in the Sunset, Noe Valley, SoMa and Pacific Heights?

We data-mined all of 2011′s MLS sales to answer these questions and more. We hope you find the details as interesting as we did.

Largest San Francisco Home Sales of 2011 – for Selected Neighborhoods

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San Francisco Home Purchased in 2011 – Architectural Styles

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San Francisco Homes Purchased in 2011 – Special Circumstances Sales

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San Francisco Home Sales by Property Type

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San Francisco Homes Purchased in 2011- Sales by Price Range

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San Francisco Homes Purchased in 2011 – House Amenities

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San Francisco Homes Purchased in 2011- Condo, Co-op & TIC Amenities

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San Francisco Homes Purchased in 2011 – Views, Views, Views

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San Francisco Homes Purchased in 2011 – Number of Sales by Parking Arrangements

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San Francisco Homes Purchased in 2011 – How Many Bedrooms?

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2011 San Francisco House Sales – By Selected Neighborhood & District

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2011 San Francisco – Median HOUSE Sales Price by Neighborhood

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2011 San Francisco Condo, Co-op & TIC Sales – By Selected Neighborhood & District

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2011 San Francisco Median CONDO Sales Prices by Neighborhood

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All data herein is from sources deemed (at least somewhat) reliable – i.e. the information input by listing agents regarding their own listings — but may contain errors and omissions, and is subject to revision. These charts do not include sales unreported to MLS.