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San Francisco to use federal grant to plant more street trees

The city received a $12 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service.

News

A self-proclaimed emperor who called San Francisco home

Though Emperor Norton had no formal political power, many people went along with the charade.

Culture

Transportation safety advocates want SF to ban turns on red

Cities across the country have banned turns-on-red or are considering implementing  policies of their own.

California to intervene in San Francisco's homeless encampment case

"I've had it," the governor said this week. "I hope this goes to the Supreme Court."

San Francisco buyers don't want your fixer-upper

Self-identified fixer-uppers are typically selling for less, and more slowly, than expected.

San Francisco Bay Area homeowners looking to sell for top dollar should be thinking about renovations.Why it matters: In San Francisco&#x27;s excessively expensive housing market, where homebuyers are also hampered by high <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mortgage rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/22/mortgage-rates-current" data-vars-content-id="148220d6-053a-49d8-ab49-f6a39f0fa5d7" data-vars-headline="San Francisco buyers don&#x27;t want your fixer-upper" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/22/mortgage-rates-current" target="_self">mortgage rates</a>, buyers aren&#x27;t going to spring for a place that looks like an HGTV &quot;before&quot; photo.

Illustration of two hammers forming an "X" shape. 

San Francisco's Dogpatch is most expensive neighborhood for renters

Overall rent prices in San Francisco are still down from the pandemic, but rents are up in some neighborhoods.

Overall rent prices in San Francisco are still down from the pandemic, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2022/09/26/san-francisco-no-4-most-expensive-rent" data-vars-content-id="acc2d6c8-014a-4abf-8863-30ee56b9f51c" data-vars-headline="San Francisco&#x27;s Dogpatch is most expensive neighborhood for renters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2022/09/26/san-francisco-no-4-most-expensive-rent" target="_self">rents</a> are up in neighborhoods like the Dogpatch, Outer Sunset and others, per a new report.Why it matters: While downtown San Francisco is still struggling, albeit with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/08/28/ikea-san-francisco-review-what-its-like" data-vars-content-id="acc2d6c8-014a-4abf-8863-30ee56b9f51c" data-vars-headline="San Francisco&#x27;s Dogpatch is most expensive neighborhood for renters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/08/28/ikea-san-francisco-review-what-its-like" target="_self">signs</a> of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="life" data-vars-click-url="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/24/downtown-san-francisco-carnival-kicks-off-at-civic-center/" data-vars-content-id="acc2d6c8-014a-4abf-8863-30ee56b9f51c" data-vars-headline="San Francisco&#x27;s Dogpatch is most expensive neighborhood for renters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/24/downtown-san-francisco-carnival-kicks-off-at-civic-center/" target="_blank">life</a>, some neighborhoods have become more attractive as many people shifted to remote work.

A map showing the change in median rent prices in select San Francisco neighborhoods from July 2022 to July 2023. Neighborhoods in the northeast have seen a decrease in median rent, while those on the west side have seen an increase.

Bay Area school districts get into homebuilding as teachers remain priced out

"When teachers can't afford to live in the communities where they teach … that cost can be considerable."

Real Estate

In a desperate effort to combat a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="chronic teacher shortage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/11/15/teacher-labor-shortage-outlast-pandemic" data-vars-content-id="a0ab75ce-fbbd-4c2b-9024-07fc2fde8782" data-vars-headline="Bay Area school districts get into homebuilding as teachers remain priced out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/11/15/teacher-labor-shortage-outlast-pandemic" target="_self">chronic teacher shortage</a> and a housing affordability crunch, school districts throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="as well as nationwide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/13/teacher-housing-affordability" data-vars-content-id="a0ab75ce-fbbd-4c2b-9024-07fc2fde8782" data-vars-headline="Bay Area school districts get into homebuilding as teachers remain priced out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/13/teacher-housing-affordability" target="_self">as well as nationwide</a>, are getting into a new industry: homebuilding.Why it matters: On their salaries, many teachers simply can&#x27;t afford to live where they work, which can have repercussions on the quality of students&#x27; education and lead to burnout, National Education Association President Becky Pringle told Axios.

Illustration of an apple shaped like a house. 

Homes of the future may be disaster-proof domes

More people are talking about dome homes and disaster-proof designs as a solution to climate threats like earthquakes and fires.

Climate

More people are talking about dome homes and disaster-proof designs as a solution to threats familiar to Californians, like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="earthquakes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2022/09/16/san-francisco-bay-area-earthquakes" data-vars-content-id="dbabec8f-ea8e-4dba-88b4-97a2e2162aa3" data-vars-headline="Homes of the future may be disaster-proof domes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2022/09/16/san-francisco-bay-area-earthquakes" target="_self">earthquakes</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/06/02/northern-california-fire-season-severity-historic-rain" data-vars-content-id="dbabec8f-ea8e-4dba-88b4-97a2e2162aa3" data-vars-headline="Homes of the future may be disaster-proof domes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/06/02/northern-california-fire-season-severity-historic-rain" target="_self">fires</a>.Why it matters: Experts say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasing extreme weather events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/energy-environment/climate-change" data-vars-content-id="dbabec8f-ea8e-4dba-88b4-97a2e2162aa3" data-vars-headline="Homes of the future may be disaster-proof domes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/energy-environment/climate-change" target="_self">increasing extreme weather events</a> could give mass-market appeal to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dome structures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/07/25/climate-change-geodesic-domes-future-homes" data-vars-content-id="dbabec8f-ea8e-4dba-88b4-97a2e2162aa3" data-vars-headline="Homes of the future may be disaster-proof domes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/07/25/climate-change-geodesic-domes-future-homes" target="_self">dome structures</a>, which are designed to withstand earthquakes, strong winds and other natural forces.

New homebuilding permits in San Francisco down since pandemic

Just over 25 new home building permits per 100,000 residents were issued in San Francisco this May.

San Francisco issued fewer permits to build new homes in May compared to May 2020, per a new Axios analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.Why it matters: A post-pandemic nationwide housing shortage is keeping prices high.

What $1,500 a month gets you in the Bay Area. Spoiler alert: not much

In case you need another reminder, money doesn&#x27;t go as far in San Francisco&#x27;s housing market as it does in other places.Driving the news: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="monthly rent of $1,500" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/rental-space-for-1500/" data-vars-content-id="3d085bf0-240d-48b9-8a77-0068d0a1a010" data-vars-headline="What $1,500 a month gets you in the Bay Area. Spoiler alert: not much" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/rental-space-for-1500/" target="_blank">monthly rent of $1,500</a> can get you a bite-sized 335.8-square-foot apartment in San Francisco, much smaller than the national average of 782 square feet, per a new report from listing service RentCafe.

Downtown San Francisco continues to struggle as more businesses leave

Downtown activity is just 32% of what it was before the pandemic.

San Francisco&#x27;s downtown is still struggling to recover from the pandemic as the impending closure of retail behemoth Nordstrom looms.What&#x27;s happening: Downtown activity is just 32% of what it was before the pandemic.

How to get help buying a home in San Francisco

Coming up with funds to make a downpayment is one of the biggest barriers to homeownership.

San Francisco&#x27;s expensive housing market is the city&#x27;s worst-kept secret.What&#x27;s happening: A lesser-known secret is that San Francisco has a variety of programs for first-time homebuyers with low to moderate incomes, including ones that help residents with downpayment assistance.

birds eye view of houses in san francisco

1 big thing: SF home sales still down but moving

Compared to 2022, home sales and prices are down. But they're rising.

Home sales were down 32.5% year over year in the San Francisco metro area, per RE/MAX&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="February report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/remax-national-housing-report-for-february-2023-301774754.html" data-vars-content-id="e0296c2e-0820-4d46-a7fe-a00ea099d2aa" data-vars-headline="1 big thing: SF home sales still down but moving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/remax-national-housing-report-for-february-2023-301774754.html" target="_blank">February report</a>.Why it matters: In 2022, potential buyers were desperate for more inventory. Now, homes are hitting the market but people can&#x27;t afford them.What&#x27;s happening: Rates for a 30-year loan were at 6.09% in early February, and shot up to 6.65% by the end of the month, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Freddie Mac" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms" data-vars-content-id="e0296c2e-0820-4d46-a7fe-a00ea099d2aa" data-vars-headline="1 big thing: SF home sales still down but moving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms" target="_blank">Freddie Mac</a>.By the numbers: The outlook here depends on your timeframe and your budget.<ul><li>Compared to last year: Prices dropped along with sales. The median price here fell by 12.7% last month over February 2022. That&#x27;s the second-highest drop in 50 markets surveyed (behind Bozeman, Montana).</li><li>Compared to last month: Prices are creeping up, and sales are faster. Houses stayed on the market for only 33 days this February compared to 43 days in January, according to RE/MAX data.</li></ul>Zoom out: Because there&#x27;s less competition right now, buyers don&#x27;t have to front as much cash as they did a year ago, Axios&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Emily Peck reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/22/homebuyer-down-payments-fall-redfin-data" data-vars-content-id="e0296c2e-0820-4d46-a7fe-a00ea099d2aa" data-vars-headline="1 big thing: SF home sales still down but moving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/22/homebuyer-down-payments-fall-redfin-data" target="_self">Emily Peck reports</a>.Yes, but: Zillow numbers show that prices for the least expensive tier of houses haven&#x27;t dropped as dramatically as for the most pricey, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to the SF Chronicle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/cheap-san-francisco-homes-17850480.php" data-vars-content-id="e0296c2e-0820-4d46-a7fe-a00ea099d2aa" data-vars-headline="1 big thing: SF home sales still down but moving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/cheap-san-francisco-homes-17850480.php" target="_blank">according to the SF Chronicle</a>.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;Buyers are being more picky, they&#x27;re not going to the crazy prices we were seeing in past years,&quot; David Cohen, founder of City Real Estate, told Axios.<ul><li>&quot;This time last year, people were rushing to get their homes on the market for fear of interest rates going up, which we then saw. Buyers were rushing to get into homes for the same reason.&quot;</li></ul>Between the lines: Some areas around the East Bay and Pacifica, which have lower home prices than San Francisco, are seeing more competition among buyers, Cohen says.What&#x27;s next: Mortgage <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rates dropped" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms" data-vars-content-id="e0296c2e-0820-4d46-a7fe-a00ea099d2aa" data-vars-headline="1 big thing: SF home sales still down but moving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms" target="_blank">rates dropped</a> nearly a quarter point this month, which means buyer activity will likely pick back up.

A bar chart lists city names next to orange lines showing the percentage change of real estate sales from February 2022 to February 2023 among cities where Axios has local bureaus. 

San Francisco's newer apartments are some of the smallest in U.S.

Apartments in San Francisco area rank among smallest in the U.S., despite this being one of the most expensive places to rent.

Apartments in and around San Francisco rank among the smallest in the country, despite being one of the most expensive places to rent.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Apartment sizes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/14/smaller-apartments-flooding-market" data-vars-content-id="aa243f04-77ff-4199-b8fe-c00f3ee5182d" data-vars-headline="San Francisco&#x27;s newer apartments are some of the smallest in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/14/smaller-apartments-flooding-market" target="_self">Apartment sizes</a> are shrinking nationally, despite a trend that saw rental units <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="get bigger" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/articles/supersize-apartments-are-back-in-demand-11624964401" data-vars-content-id="aa243f04-77ff-4199-b8fe-c00f3ee5182d" data-vars-headline="San Francisco&#x27;s newer apartments are some of the smallest in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/supersize-apartments-are-back-in-demand-11624964401" target="_blank">get bigger</a> during the early part of the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" work-from-home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/15/census-bureau-work-from-home-pandemic-labor" data-vars-content-id="aa243f04-77ff-4199-b8fe-c00f3ee5182d" data-vars-headline="San Francisco&#x27;s newer apartments are some of the smallest in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/15/census-bureau-work-from-home-pandemic-labor" target="_self"> work-from-home</a> era.

Real Estate 🏠