SF Askhole Of The Month, January 2022

Remember when blogs hyped extreme San Francisco real estate overbids? We’re taking a different approach — one underscoring our values in educating and empowering home buyers to make smarter choices and reject transactional inefficiencies. As we aim for more perfect market intelligence, askhole sellers take heed: the gig is (almost) up.

The Biggest Askhole: Underpriced by 49.49%

320 Day Street was marketed and listed exclusively by cooperating broker Compass. Photos below courtesy of SFAR MLS.

This spectacular display of deferred maintenance in Noe Valley hit the market with a $995,000 list price back in September. As the sale was subject to court confirmation, it took a couple months for the sale to be completed — but at last it did and for a reported $1,970,000. All cash, of course. Touted as “the worst house on the best block,” this is precisely the type of property that gets developers excited: excellent location, expansion potential, delivered vacant, and in a condition that the average buyer won’t touch. The new owner has wasted no time stripping the place down to the studs (drive by and see for yourself). While no permits for building/renovation have yet been filed with the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection, you can rest assured that 320 Day Street will be returning to the market as a luxury home (perhaps a single-family house, or maybe two condominiums) in a couple of years.

First Runner Up: Underpriced by 40.64%

1654 Alabama Street was marketed and listed exclusively by cooperating broker VARA Realty, Inc. Photos below courtesy of SFAR MLS.

Situated just south of Precita Park in sunny Bernal Heights, 1654 Alabama Street occupies the sweet spot where location, move-in condition, and flexible use meet. Technically, the property is a single-family house, however square footage behind the garage has been finished as a full 1-bed apartment. That lower floor is an ideal setup for a multigenerational arrangement, au pair, or generating rental income. Beyond the interior spaces of this 3-bed/2-bath/1929sqft house, we’re loving the verdant backyard and she-shed. As for that deck — we wouldn’t complain about unwinding there and gazing at the night sky! After 8 days on market, a winning non-contingent offer of $2,188,000 (that’s $889K+ over the list price!) was accepted. 

Second Runner Up: Underpriced by 37.81%

130 Pinehurst Way was marketed and listed exclusively by cooperating broker Compass. Photos below courtesy of SFAR MLS.

This fully detached 2-bed/1.5bath/1096sqft single-family home in San Francisco’s oft-overlooked Mount Davidson Manor neighborhood is cute as a button with its vintage fireplace, beamed ceiling and original parquet floors. The interior no doubt needs some TLC (notice there are no photos of the kitchen or baths, likely because they’re no a selling point), but with a bit of elbow grease it’ll shine. At the $1,600,000 sale price, it’s the most expensive 2-bed home sale in the neighborhood on record, as reported by SFAR MLS. That said, the full basement offers ample room to add a couple more bedrooms if the new owner is inspired and can get the minimum required ceiling height. At just 10 days on the market and listed for a teaser $995,000, 130 Pinehurst Way went Pending and closed escrow five weeks later.