Downtown San Francisco is Alive
For years my New York friends would come to San Francisco looking for nightlife only to find quiet downtown streets. While bars, nightclubs and restaurants were in full swing 24/7 in New York, we were...
View ArticleExpect Delays in Occupancy
San Francisco's Tech boom persists as new startups and existing tech firms continue to expand and grab office space. Vacancy rates continue to fall while office rents climb higher and higher. As a...
View ArticlePlanning Commission Approves Western SoMa Plan with Changes
On December 6, 2012, the Planning Commission voted 7-0 to adopt the Western SoMa Plan. The Plan was approved with certain changes discussed below. Of most significance to owners and developers, the...
View ArticleDeal with the Present
Father Harry from San Francisco once said "Yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future, and God gave us a gift of today which is why it is called the present." This quote has stuck with many others...
View Article43,000 Units With Little or No Single Family Homes Coming to San Francisco
As a commercial real estate broker, housing availability is not normally something that is on my radar; but with a market like the one we are currently in, I am paying attention. With commercial...
View ArticleNew Mobile Apps to Increase Productivity
Windows and Blackberry have both launched new phones and operating systems in hopes of once again becoming relevant in the mobile phone industry. Samsung and HTC continue to put out better smartphones...
View ArticleSan Francisco Commercial Market is off the Charts
San Francisco launched into 2013 with a head start as 2012 ended in a flurry of activity. Here's a recap of some of the first months achievement and what it means for San Francisco. Vacancy rates for...
View ArticleDoing Business with Today's Generation
I was recently asked to teach at both a law school real estate class and an undergraduate class – bringing me back to my former universities after graduating over thirty years ago. When I was in school...
View ArticleRetail Zoning Changes Need to Occur Now
In 2011, San Francisco passed a retail ordinance requiring any chain retailer with more than eleven stores to undergo a special review process in Neighborhood Commercial Zoning Districts to determine...
View ArticleBike vs. Car vs. Insanity
San Francisco is a progressive city – a leading example of a city that promotes itself as a green leader, and that is something to be proud of. However, when I look at the measures this city is...
View ArticleIs Mobile Technology Eliminating the Need for Office Space?
In a recent report on the state of the office market by Cassidy Turley, new office development is down 30 percent while office vacancy has only grown by three million square feet in total across the...
View ArticleOakland, the East Bay & Commercial Real Estate
San Francisco's commercial office market is on fire - vacancy rates are dropping quickly while rental rates are rising rapidly. Yet, just across the bridge in Oakland and the East Bay, the commercial...
View ArticleReworking your Mind
I recently taught a masters degree class in Real Estate Finance as a guest speaker. I came prepared to answer hard questions and have a good discussion with the students about REITS and their process...
View ArticleFormula Retail Restrictions in San Francisco
SocketSite recently published an article on the San Francisco Planning Commission's rejection of Starbucks' proposal to take over the existing corner 2,500 square foot retail space at 2201 Market...
View ArticleShortage of Labor and Supplies Could Stall San Francisco Growth
At the time of San Francisco's dot-com boom, the overall vacancy factor for office space dropped to less than two percent while a housing boom quickly developed, with massive new condo projects...
View ArticleThoughts on Cash Flow vs. Collateral Lending
There are a large number of both bank, and non-bank lenders, willing to make loans at a price. One of the most important factors in determining the cost of a loan is the financial strength of the...
View ArticleThe Art of Storytelling
Storytelling is the most important form of communication in the history of mankind and sadly, the threat of its extinction is close at hand. The way that we have communicated our history, educated and...
View ArticleThe Hunter and the Haunted
The definition of a hunter is a predator that hunts game; it is also the definition of a successful salesperson that hunts for deals. Unfortunately, 80 percent of all salespeople fail to hunt...
View ArticleWhy is it Hard to Change?
As a salesperson you know that in order to remain competitive you must keep up with the times. You also have to consistently monitor what your competition is doing and find ways for you to better what...
View ArticleWhat is your 3rd Quarter Grades?
We are now entering the 4th quarter of 2013, if you have exceeded your goals for this year thus far congratulations! For those that have not met their goals it is time to look at the reasons why. You...
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