Andrew Bates

Pacific Heights is a quiet neighborhood, a perfect place for families with children offering lots of activities. There are several playgrounds, recreational centers and parks in the neighborhood. Some of the best schools in the country are also located there, including Hamlin School which has provided girls with the finest quality education for over 140 years.

Pacific Heights mostly sits atop hills in the northwest area of San Francisco. Most homes in the area cost millions of dollars. These single family homes and condos are stately and well maintained. There are spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island and Alcatraz. There is plenty of shopping in the area including Whole Foods, Cal Mart, Peets, Starbucks, and Noah's Bagels.

Click on batesrealestategroup.com for a complete listing of available homes in the area as well as throughout California.

So you have decided to put your property up for sale, now it is time to meet with your favorite realtor. Be very careful when setting the price point, be realistic in what you expect to get at end of closing. Be very careful examining the comparable properties in your neighborhood. Investigate the type of repairs made; consider closing costs by using a net sheet, etc. Your realtor should never over-quote what the real market price is just to get the listing, because he will never be able to sell your property for more than the offer received by the highest bidder.

Work out a schedule with your realtor in advance as to when you'd like to go over how your listing is performing compared to the competition including unique visitors and open houses. Reports should be provided to sellers on a regular basis and reviewed to adjust price point if needed.

For your copy of a free report called "Getting the Highest and Best Price" write me at Andrew@batesrealestategroup.com.

Visit www.BatesRealEstateGroup.com for a look at available properties, including foreclosure properties in the area and for other real estate related issues.

Fisherman's Wharf accessible from downtown San Francisco is a must see area of the City. Getting there you can take busses 9X, 47Van Ness and the world famous Cable Cars. On the way to the wharf some of the cable cars will travel pass the crooked street, also known as Lombard Street to the locals. Bring your camera because you'll need it to take some great pictures.

Fisherman's Wharf is a fun place for young and old. There is something for everyone.

For the children there are many activities offered, such as watching the sea lions take a sun bath and a magic show at Pier 39. They can also ride a carousel.

World famous for its crab restaurants, the crab boats dock at the kitchen entrance of the restaurants. Eat only the freshest crab at some of the best restaurants in the country at the wharf. Boudin's Bakery is still using the same ‘starter' in its sourdough breads as they used when first opened in 1849. The bakery has a large plate glass window with microphone so you can ask questions of the baker as they roll out their bread dough. Ask for the alligator or turtle shaped bread for the kiddies. I personally recommend the clam chowder in sour dough bread bowl if you plan to eat there.

Some of the other activities at the wharf include, bicycle rental for rides across the Golden Gate Bridge, ferry rides to Marin County, Angel Island, Alcatraz and Marin World at Vallejo.

Visit batesrealestate.com for a look at available properties in the area and for other real estate related issues.

Fisherman's Wharf accessible from downtown San Francisco is a must see area of the City. Getting there you can take busses 9X, 47Van Ness and the world famous Cable Cars. On the way to the wharf some of the cable cars will travel pass the crooked street, also known as Lombard Street to the locals. Bring your camera because you'll need it to take some great pictures.

Fisherman's Wharf is a fun place for young and old. There is something for everyone.

For the children there are many activities offered, such as watching the sea lions take a sun bath and a magic show at Pier 39. They can also ride a carousel.

World famous for its crab restaurants, the crab boats dock at the kitchen entrance of the restaurants. Eat only the freshest crab at some of the best restaurants in the country at the wharf. Boudin's Bakery is still using the same ‘starter' in its sourdough breads as they used when first opened in 1849. The bakery has a large plate glass window with microphone so you can ask questions of the baker as they roll out their bread dough. Ask for the alligator or turtle shaped bread for the kiddies. I personally recommend the clam chowder in sour dough bread bowl if you plan to eat there.

Some of the other activities at the wharf include, bicycle rental for rides across the Golden Gate Bridge, ferry rides to Marin County, Angel Island, Alcatraz and Marin World at Vallejo.

Visit batesrealestate.com for a look at available properties in the area and for other real estate related issues.

For Sale, Great Price at only $99,000!

Found in the central valley areas of California there are many bank owned properties to be had for under $100,000. The property's long vacancy has attracted vandals. Graffiti is spray-painted on the fence. As soon as you walk in, the stench of a mildewed carpet is apparent. All the plumbing - pipes, faucets, toilets - has been ripped out. In one room, daylight filters in through a hole in the wall, a great magnet for vandals. You might even find squatters occupying the property.

So would a real estate agent hold an open house on such a property? How would you stage them? Not many realtors would take on the challenge.

All-cash deals

Many under-$99,000 houses, especially if they're in poor shape, are sold in all-cash deals. Banks won't write mortgages for uninhabitable properties, although the Federal Housing Administration insures a loan for fixer-upper homes called the 203(k).

Recently buyers from the Pacific Rim and elsewhere have traveled here to snap up these five-figure homes. They might be surprised to find themselves in bubble-style bidding wars as everyone want to find a bargain.

You have to get to them very quickly. Most banks will have a property actively marketed for three or four days before they look at offers, but once they do, they will take the highest and best offer.

For a complete listing of homes in California, go to www.andrewbatesrealestate.com and click on MLS Property Search. After signing in you can view all of the available properties for sale in California.