R E A L Estate
News & Musings
San Francisco single family home values continue to perform particularly well, with many neighborhoods seeing purchasers paying significantly over list prices. Median market time also improved, measuring at just 3 weeks, versus 4 weeks the year before.
There are 1,100 new condominiums on the market, as compared to just 450 units a year ago. Condominium appreciation will likely improve as the number of available condominiums is projected to decline by half, by the start of next year.
Alno AG
Hey, want a new kitchen? Maybe a better question would be: Who doesn’t? The kitchen is one of the two most popular rooms to renovate, and quite possibly the star attraction for most buyers looking at a home. After all, It’s a place to make food, share food, socialize (while eating food), and spend time with family (no food necessary!). Bottom line: You’re likely to spend a disproportionate slice of your time in this part of your home. So why not make it great?
And as with any remodel, there are endless style possibilities, which basically means opportunities to agonize over the renovation road not taken. Quartz or granite countertops? Knock down that wall or improve it? Stainless-steel appliances or ones that look like wood cabinets?
Well, we’re not going to make any decisions for you—sorry!—but for ideas and inspiration, we turned to Manel Gutierrez, author of “150 Best New Kitchens.” For his new book, Gutierrez curated a selection of the most exciting kitchen designs from around the world, and we’ve presented some of those highlights here. Enjoy!
Mixed materials shine in an airy space - Snaidero
Yes, everyone knows that an open-plan living area is brighter and airier, but somehow the kitchen always ends up looking like … a kitchen. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Pick appliances with finishes that mimic cabinets, and show off your shelves with objects and books, just like you would in your living room.
Gutierrez says the design solutions he profiles in his book aren’t just focused on the kitchen—they also “seek to achieve an aesthetic unity” with the living and dining areas.
“The best results are truly original, beautiful, and, above all, very practical.”
Shelves in the kitchen are used as they would be in a living room—to show off objects - LEICHT Küchen AG
Eye-catching ash wood connects the kitchen with the rest of the living space - LEICHT Küchen AG
Gutierrez says one of the main trends he noticed was the wider-than-ever variety of materials being used in kitchens today. Ceramic, stone, glass, and lacquer are taking their place alongside stainless steel. And best of all, designers are mixing and matching them with abandon.
“The more different the materials, the more interesting and intense the resulting combination,” he writes. While concrete is “the preferred construction material for modern architecture,” ceramic is an up-and-comer that’s both attractive and resistant—it’s even been used in space exploration. Hey, if it’s good enough for the astronauts, it’s good enough for your kitchen.
But it’s nice to know that traditional materials haven’t lost their luster either. The all-time favorite? Good ol’ wood.
This kitchen is made of concrete and Canadian pine reclaimed from packing crates - Guillerme Morelli
This kitchen makes use of stainless steel, ceramic and wood - Alno AG
“White has many benefits: it looks harmonious and creates a sense of cleanliness,” Gutierrez writes. “Combined with red it is unbeatable.”
In fact, the monochromatic look always makes a strong design statement, whether it’s light or dark. The use of dark-stained wood adds a natural touch to this hypermodern black kitchen/dining room.
A dramatic black kitchen gets a touch of warmth from natural—but also dark—wood - LEICHT Küchen AG
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a palatial kitchen, everything in the space had better pull its weight—and then some. These features do double duty:
This kitchen’s island doubles as a work surface and a dining table - Alno AG
The stove has a ventilation plate rather than a hood, which also works as a shelf - Lube
In general, storage is like the Spanx of modern kitchen design—when it’s good, you don’t know it’s there, but it makes everything sleeker, tighter, and more put together. Top-notch storage design makes use of those odd corners and makes even gigantic gadgets such as that Vitamix blender disappear.
That said, you can make strategic exceptions—and make a design statement.
Clever cabinet accessories optimize storage space - Ernestomeda
Kitchen utensils are kept accessible in an attractive way - Cesar Arredamenti
To check out more stunning kitchens and design advice, click the image below to sample Gutierrez’s book, or buy a copy.
“150 Best New Kitchen Ideas” by Manel Gutiérrez - Harper Collins
Reposted from Realtor.com. By Cicely Wedgeworth, she covers real estate, economic news, and home improvement at realtor.com.
The Costa Group are members of the National, California and San Francisco Association of Realtors specializing in San Francisco and Marin County, California real estate representation.
Franck & I pulled some strings this week, worked our contacts.... and got our client's gorgeous listing into the famous and ever-popular Curbed SF Real Estate blog before we welcome offers smile emoticon yipeee! Many thanks to my marketing director Erika for helping my vision become a reality. I ♡ marketing, having awesome wing people, and working as a team to get results for our valued clients! Stoked! Happy Halloweeeeeen!!!!!! Xo, The Costa Group
A Costa Group Exclusive Listing....See More!
Like all generations, the experiences millennials had in childhood and while in college have influenced their home buying decisions. Here are 12 facts about millennial homebuyers that are unique to this demographic. Are you a Millenial home buyer? Do you agree?
Embedded from The Propcy Blog
The Costa Group blog hopes to inform, delight, and provide you with resources and information about the lifestyle and opportunity that await those of us who are currently living, or those who want to live in San Francisco or Marin County, California. We look forward to serving you.
““Home is where the heart is” -Pilny the Elder”
To find out more about condominium values and real estate opportunities, please connect with The Costa Group.
Source: SFAR MLS, FRBSF; Data from 2/1/2015 - 7/31/2015 was used for neighborhood values. BMR and senior housing units have been excluded from statistics. All information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed for accuracy. ©2015 Vanguard Properties. All rights reserved.
For the third time in five years, the Giants have earned their title as World Series champions. Aside from their hard work, a big reason for their success is due to their loyal fans.
At the stadium, there is a Costa Group favorite spot, Public House, where you can grab a delicious beer, fabulous eats, and catch the game on the TV or go into the stadium with the purchase of a ticket. You can purchase tickets at sfgiants.mlb.com/Tickets.
