"Walking Shed"

This cool coffee shop walking shed map from MIT (which you should check out) was the first place I saw the term "Walking shed" used, though I've certainly rambled on about Walkability, here , here, and here.

Apparently Walking Shed is a thing already, also referred to as "ped shed" which makes sense, because duh, it just seems so obviously something we operate within. Though car dominated lifestyles have held sway during the past century, there is clearly a shift going on.

SFPUD

Until fairly recently in human history the draw for settlement orientation has been water, but now priorities are transportation, coffee, schools, restaurants, yoga studios... Where a property is within a walking shed has a huge effect on it's real estate value these days, with jobs,transportation portals, (including especially tech bus stops) at the top of the list right now.

Neighborland

and when you look objectively at how long it will take to walk vs. drive plus park...

City Compost Awesomeness

Reason to love San Francisco number 14,397.

This is picked up and taken away from the curb outside my apartment building.

Then twice a year I take a big bucket to the Great Compost Giveaway.

And take it home to use it in my little city garden.

How wonderful is that!?

Environmental History and Real Estate

Business Insider SF Real Estate Market Explosion 

It's no secret that San Francisco Real Estate is hot hot hot, and Marin is not far behind in terms of multiple offers well over asking. The bidding war is just part of life now, alas. If you are focused and can afford to compete, I can help get your offer accepted, or if you want to sell I can help you do so smoothly and efficiently. Don't sell with out a good plan in place, as selling is soooo much easier then buying right now. My esteemed colleagues and reporters have covered the changing real estate landscape  very well, so I'll stick to my obsession with earth based real estate.

This fabulous article, via Richmond Blog from the wonderful Outside Lands folks, sums up how water shaped the development of the western side of the city. Of course water and topography also shaped the development of the rest of the city and Marin, and historical development across the globe.

Topography has a powerful influence on microclimates, on earthquake risk, tsunami risk, underground creek issues, even how well your plumbing works. Location is the one thing you cannot change when you buy property, and it is easy to forget that the earth is still underneath all this built environment we live in.

So, as you gird your loins to enter the fray, pull focus a little on that property you are so excited about. Will the climate suit you when the dust of the escrow settles? Is it in a landslide or flood zone? Will you be able to grow the things you want to grow, or will you have to spend extra on earthquake or flood insurance? Flood insurance rates are rising fast, but that's for another post.

Bold Italic - Microclimates

If you already own property here, and are staying put but curious, or renting and curious, the San Francisco Library has tips for researching buildings, and Nature in the City put together a wonderful nature map of the city. If you are in the market, though things are moving fast and furiously these days, do be sure review the Natural Hazard Disclosures, to be sure you know about long term environmental realities you may not notice underneath the fresh paint and newly refinished floors.

SF Rec and Park, Nature in the City

Happy Spring!

I know you are busy, but get thee hence to the Botanic Garden!

If you have never smelled Edgeworthia, you are in for a treat. Amazing.

And the magnolias are going OFF!

You can get a magnolia map at the kiosk, or just follow the blooms around- they are hard to miss.

So grateful for this beautiful city and it's beautiful flowers, and parks in which to decompress. So happy to be a busy realtor, but sometimes I get a little stressed out, and scheduling a meeting here turned out to be a genius de-stress move. 

I swear you will feel so much better after a walk in the park, and then you can go back to all those urgent matters with a clearer mind and a happy heart. Happy Valentines Day everybody!

P.S. The pink flowering currant is going off too!

King Tides and Water Rationing!?

Last year around this time we discussed why it's great to look at real estate in winter, and during King Tides, so you can accurately assess the water level potentials on a property. This year, with no rain to speak of, the King Tides will still come through, but instead of floods we are looking at drought, prompting new water conservation orders for 2014. Snow surveys are scheduled for January 3rd.

San Francisco has a point of sale water conservation ordinance, which requires low flow toilets and shower heads and such be installed before close of escrow. Many people swap these out after the inspection, but now might be the time to swap them back in.

We have been through this before, and we know the drill. Gardeners, plant more drought tolerant species this year (natives!), and install a grey water system, if you haven't already. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth and any other time you're not using it. Pray for rain and bless the farmers. Spare the air and watch your sparks, and enjoy this fabulous weather (and "Super Moons") while exploring the King Tides. Happy New Year!

Berkeley Garden Coach