my new home
So, I am now a new condo owner! Thanks to the Josh Bottfeld team of Zephyr Real Estate!
Needless to say, while the novelty value still has energy. here goes for a photographic essay.
351 Buena Vista Ave E, #304E
Park Hill Condominiums
San Francisco, CA 94117
multiple listing service #261304
acknowledgements
First of all - special thanks to Guy and Jimmy, for encouraging me to get into this much debt! ... and my boss Jeremy for making me realize that it was possible. Sam, my housemate for being wonderfully supportive despite the impending abandonment (sad to leave), and Mack and Peter for their varying flurry of questions, thoughts, gotchas and putting up with constant "research" spouting from this over-analytical friend.
My realtor is an old friend - Josh Bottfeld of Zephyr Real Estate, with his partner Michael Ackerman, and assistant Oliver Burgelman. These guys have been fabulous throughout a turbulent decision making process (I considered three different Tenancy In Common arrangements with various friends). I learnt very quickly to ignore properties Josh sounded hesitant about. Oliver was stuck with the (almost daily) contact, and Michael with the intense bit at contract time - we scored on the first offer, so was happy with that!
My mortgage broker is Margaret Ashwell (a friend of Josh) of Guarantee Mortgage Corporation (to get hold of Margaret - see their agent listings). She is of most enjoyable character, and totally awesome to work with. The first broker I contacted was unable to find me finance after a week - Margaret had my first tentative approval within 20 minutes. A repository of advice, financial and otherwise - and not out to put you in to an unaffordable situation.
The selling agent is Roberto Corpuz of Vanguard Properties.
Probably the most useful site when looking is the San Francisco Multiple Listing Service. Also, particularly useful when considering multi-unit situations, was g3mh-articles.