Smarter+Successful Selling with Kevin+Jonathan
A Personalized Selling Approach from Kevin+Jonathan (& Raffi)
With our real estate super dog Raffi McNarry-Ho — a black Labrador retriever Guide Dog for the Blind alum — we specialize in residential real estate in and around our fair city of San Francisco.
We represent buyers, sellers, investors, developers, builders and more. Our clients are often repeat clients and refer us to their family and friends. This perspective of representing both buyers and sellers is invaluable as it keeps us connected and grounded as to what's needed for a satisfying outcome in a high-value market such as San Francisco.
Our client base (and business) continues to grow — as success begets success — allowing us to exceed everyone's expectations by delivering results, success and positive outcomes through careful preparation and presentation. We think we do real estate differently, which is how we can achieve results that few others can.
Take a look below to learn more and see how other folks have succeeded with us.
Our Listings.
Our most recent listings.
Now Selling: 166 Ellsworth. San Francisco, CA, 94110 | Listed with Kevin+Jonathan, Vanguard Properties | MLS 422660050
166 Ellsworth, San Francisco, CA 94110. For Sale: South Slope Bernal Heights SFH with updated finishes, light + location. Considered finishes, updates + more. 2+ beds, 1.25 baths, large garage w/potential, bonus room set on a true tree-lined, one-way, non-power line street equidistant from Bernal Hill & Cortland Street, the heart of Bernal Heights. Listed with Kevin Ho + Jonathan McNarry, Vanguard Properties. MLS 422660050. (DRE 10875957 + 01747295) www.166-Ellsworth.com (http://www.166-ellsworth.com/)
Now Selling: 595 12th Avenue, #9, San Francisco, CA Listed By Kevin Ho + Jonathan McNarry, Vanguard Properties
595 12th Ave., No. 9, San Francisco, CA, MLS 422652934, listed for sale with Kevin Ho and Jonathan McNarry, Vanguard Properties, Inner Richmond District, #9 is classic, top-floor 1-bed, 1-bath, 2-car garage condominium w/a pre-war feel vintage charm and potential in a vibrant location well-run, seismically updated handsome-facade building at Balboa and 12th Avenue. www.595-12th.com (http://www.595-12th.com/) Listed at $895,000
SOLD: 147 Day Street, #3, San Francisco Listed with Kevin+Jonathan
SOLD by Kevin Ho and Jonathan McNarry, Vanguard Properties, 147 Day Street, No. 3, San Francisco. MLS 422647209. At last, a top-notch, top-floor, Noe Valley condominium with an effortless mix of style, function and sun. That’s what awaits you at 147 Day St, No. 3, a big, 1-bed, 1-bath home with 1-car parking at Day and Dolores. Number 3 has high-end finishes, a well-equipped chef’s kitchen, in-unit laundry room, formal dining room, large living room (+zoom room) and a generously sized bedroom with enough space for its own sitting area. Gifted with sweeping views to the west and natural light, No. 3 has a stylish bathroom, plenty of storage, newly installed designer lighting and just-refinished oak floors. The home marries the best of traditional finishes with the best of modern functionality and style. Garage parking (shared) with storage shelves. Part of an intimate, 5-unit building set on a flat block of Noe Valley that bounds the vibrant part of the Mission and Bernal, you have access to a dog run, noted eateries and shops, mass transit and freeways as well as groceries, coffee shops and neighborhood favorites like Mitchell’s Ice Cream within a block, which explains the 98 Walk Score. Visit www.147-Day.com to learn more, see the property video and floor plan and take a 3-D tour too.
SOLD: 4016 Judah Street, San Francisco, CA, Exclusively Listed By Kevin Ho + Jonathan McNarry, Vanguard Properties | SFAR MLS 422637881
4016 Judah Street is listed with Kevin Ho and Jonathan McNarry of San Francisco’s Vanguard Properties. Set on one of the liveliest blocks in the Outer Sunset across the street from Outerlands, the General Store and more, 4016 is a 3-bed, 2-bath, 2-level single-family home that has just about 1,380 sqft of living area with a 2-car (tandem) garage. In the same family since it was built in 1958, the home has been updated over the years and features and updated kitchen, dual-pane windows, skylights, wood floors and carpet and plenty of storage. While move-in ready, there’s plenty of opportunity to personalize. Just 3 blocks from Ocean Beach and in one of the best areas for schools, 4016 Judah is a rare one indeed. Learn more at www.4016-Judah.com (http://www.4016-judah.com/). San Francisco MLS 422637881.
SOLD: 595 12th Avenue, No. 5, San Francisco, CA with Kevin+Jonathan | MLS 422627297
595 12th Ave., No. 5, San Francisco, CA, MLS: 422627297, listed with Kevin Ho and Jonathan McNarry, Vanguard Properties, Inner Richmond District, classic 1-bed+, 1-bath, 1-car garage condominium w/charm, modern updates like luxe windows, chef’s kitchen with walnut and LED. large bedroom in a vibrant location well-run, seismically updated handsome-facade building at Balboa and 12th Avenue. www.595-12th.com.
SOLD: 1618 Church Street, San Francisco, Listed by Kevin+Jonathan | MLS 422626595
SOLD in just 4 days at $2,500,000 (at over $1,900/sqft) 1618 Church Street, San Francisco, CA, MLS: 422626595, listed with Kevin Ho and Jonathan McNarry, Vanguard Properties, Noe Valley single-family house with 3 beds, 1 bath, ≈1,300 sqft, and 2-car parking, on a 28×100 ft parcel. Bright. Charming. Sunny. Dog-friendly location, centrally located. www.1618-church.com
Some Feedback.
Our listings are designed to impress no matter if it’s a luxury home, fixer, loft, multi-unit or vacant lot. We’ll be able to handle it for you.
The two of you created one of the best open house presentations that I have ever experienced in 40 years as a Realtor!
—Long-time Noe Valley agent upon visiting on of our open houses (unsolicited feedback)
A friend recommended Kevin to me after successfully selling his place and I was very glad I took his recommendation. Kevin was great to work with and helped me get my condo ready to sell. His guidance was indispensable in making improvements to the place, and it sold fast. I definitely recommend Kevin!
— Chandler M., Architectural Preservation/Museum, Seller, Duboce/Mint Hill. Taking his rental-quality mid-century flat and turning it into ’the architect’s home’ with strategic updates led to multiple offers, over asking, within 7 days of launch even during COVID-19 (Another unit in the building listed with other agents failed to sell and was withdrawn at the same time).
Kevin and Jonathan’s work ethic and dedication is bolstered by their sense of design and style. While skeptical at first we listened to their suggestions as they turned our charming home into a sophisticated and elegant house you’d see in a catalog. And it worked because the results we got from Kevin and Jonathan’s patience, creativity and hard work beat our expectations by a long shot.
— Aaron and Ashley L., Biotech and Tech, Noe Valley Buyers + Sellers. The couple purchased their home with us for $1,260,000 and, in less than two years without major remodeling, sold their home with us for $1,705,000, a nearly 35% gain in value (far above the neighborhood's average). Of note, the final sale price was $200,000 above a neighbor's tempting preemptive that they offer made before our plan was implemented. Good thing our clients stuck to the plan!
[We] got to work to get my home ready for the market, which we did in 2 weeks. Kevin made a number of suggestions about the place and it’s staging that seemed a little odd to me but remembering that he knew what I was talking about, I went along with them. Every single one of his suggestions were spot on and made the property shine. Even when he was on vacation, the advice kept on flowing.
The same thing went when discussing the marketing plan, pricing and property description. [His advice] enabled me to achieve an offer that was in excess of what I thought was possible. Working with Kevin is a joy, I highly recommend him.
— Chris T., Biotech Administration, Mission Dolores Seller
Our Approach.
Start thinking about your property as a product. It takes the right mix of skill, experience and intuition to create the right look, touch and feel.
Every possible touch point with would-be buyers (literally and figuratively) is a possibility to communicate to a buyer.
We work to make our listings attractive and appealing to all the senses to create a positive visceral response — touch (the right hardware), sight (modern and updated lighting), smell (candles and flowers), hearing (the right mood music or the sound of nothingness) that elicit an emotional response that turns rational buyers into slightly more irrational ones.
After we assess a property’s condition and identify any investments that can be made to make a property more attractive to the best buyers out there, we’ll help our sellers implement a detailed preparation plan that takes budget, timing and the calendar into consideration.
Our In-Depth Thoughts.
We are featured as columnists in the San Francisco Chronicle Real Estate section periodically where we will answer questions about our housing market. These two recent columns seemed like good ones to include here
From a recent column piece we wrote for the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Real Estate Section on the importance of open houses:
Open houses are a critical part of the house buying process that we liken it to a first date. It’s usually the first time when each side gets to see the other in person. Buyers get to see if the property matches online photos while also checking out the competition. Sellers, through their agents (as they should never be at an actual open house) will get to see people interact with their property up close.
Like any courtship ritual, it’s important that each side look their best and put their best foot forward, so they leave a good impression. This means that buyers are friendly and unafraid to ask questions and the serious ones state their intentions. Signs, statements and QR codes are good ways of communicating background, but the emphasis at opens is on the people aspect. This means agents put their phones away and engage with people in front of them. Buyers should ask questions but save the controversial ones for the second or third date, i.e., a follow-up. Seller agents must ensure everyone greeted and made to feel welcome so that potential suitors will want to come back for more.
From another Chronicle column on creating a marketing plan for a given property.
Although it may seem as easy as putting out a For-Sale sign in front or a property, marketing a property successfully is something that requires planning, coordination and effort. In a high-priced market like San Francisco, to be successful, each property requires care and consideration.
The most basic marketing step is just getting a property listing onto the MLS, which disseminates to all the online outlets. The MLS requires just 1 photo and for some agents, that’s all they’ll ever do. But for us, going onto the MLS is just one part of a comprehensive process that focuses on meeting client goals.
Because most of our sellers are willing to invest in their property to maximize their sale, our plan focuses on presentation. Long before the MLS, we will have crafted a detailed property preparation and marketing plan with our clients to ensure their space puts its best foot forward. This usually involves painting, lighting, and staging at minimum. Professional photos, the 3-D tour, a property video and website are next along with tailored marketing text. Last, we work to ensure the onsite experience is positive and upbeat.
The Right Look, Touch and Feel (+Mr. Raffi)
Pictured Above. The sellers here (who also bought this property preemptively with us) followed our plan's strategic and effective suggestions when it came time for them to sell. Our plan for their Noe Valley condominium was to turn a darker space with older finishes into one that brought more of the outdoor garden in to create a space that was brighter, styled and more appealing.
The property sold in just 4 days after debuting on the market to a non-contingent, fast-close buyer that saw our clients realize a 19% gain in value in 2 short years.
Learn More:
Take a look at other parts of our site to learn more about how we sell.
The Puppy Dog Close — aka pictures of properties and our large puppy
We pride ourselves on preparing and then presenting properties to the best extent possible. For us it’s a team effort that includes our third team member, Raffi McNarry-Ho.
Our Records Indicate...
Our recent sales activity in and around San Francisco.
(This may take a while to load)