Starting Our Transformational Work Together
What follows are 5 brief points to keep in mind as we get underway. We will customize our joint approach to meet your needs, circumstances and goals as we get to know each other.
Until then, get ready for better buying as informed by our successful record of representing both buyers and sellers for more than a decade here in San Francisco.
MEET + GREET
It’s time to meet up (whether by phone, zoom, or in person) so we can get to know each other and to see where we are going together.
THE 415/628
Far more than 7 miles by 7 miles we will explore our city streets, parks, and neighborhoods — many of which may be new to you.
MONEY + MORE
Cash or Credit? Exploring what lenders offer and what they look at when considering you; or, leveraging cash if you have it.
IN THE WILD
We will give you the tools needed to navigate open houses successfully along with the insights needed to understand what’s really happening.
DELVING DEEPER
What buyers should look for and what sellers should say about properties in such a valuable marketplace as San Francisco
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Face to Face[Time]
Let’s set aside some time to get to know each other and what you’re looking to accomplish in San Francisco real estate.
Whether by phone, text, FaceTime or in person, the first time we talk is just the beginning of our work together and one of just many conversations we will have. We hope you will find the conversation enriching and that it will kickstart the process.
GETTING TO KNOW SAN FRANCISCO
The Districts of San Francisco
A lot of variety, opportunities and gems can fit into 49 square miles. Let’s start learning about our neighborhoods to see which are a match.
The MLS sorts the City into 10 large geographic districts and many smaller sub districts that approximate the neighborhoods you know. Each district has a different reputation and value of course. We will help you find which matches for you and where hidden gems may be that you never knew about.
GETTING TO KNOW WHEN IN SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco Seasonality
San Francisco likes twos — there are two towers on the Golden Gate Bridge. Two peaks of Twin Peaks. Two of... well. Okay, that was the metaphor we tried to tell you that we have two peaks in our housing market every year in the City — spring and fall.
Unlike most of the country where the busy season is during the summer months (kids moving between the school year, etc) our market patterns are otherwise focused away from the summer (think: the fog, people going vacations, etc). While the school thing may change in the next few years, our slowest months tend to be August and December. We looked at sales data for the past several years from the MLS on a weekly basis to see if we can attempt a prediction as to when the busiest weeks are.
Before you think you can game the system, try again as the market is, well, the market. Ask us more if you want to figure out that enigmatic sentence.
PAYING TO LIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO
Of Mortgages and Money
There are lots of considerations to consider when it comes to the money you use to purchase a property even if you are an all-cash buyer. We have suggestions and loan people who can work with a variety of scenarios that may turn a seemingly impossible situation into a doable one or have an introduction that saves you money.
Good thing you have Kevin+Jonathan at your side to help you figure out how you plan on paying for your purchase.
IN THE SWING OF THINGS
In the Field: Open Houses, Properties, Visits, Agents, Offers, Pricing and More
Once a property is on the open market, certain protocols, conventions and etiquette emerge, we will brief you on what to expect, what to do and how it should all go (versus how it all will really go). The first being that you should always tell the agent at a property that you’re working with Kevin+Jonathan.
Remember the convention here is that most open houses are from 2 – 4 p.m. on Sundays, with some homes open on Saturdays too (not all) with times varying between 1 – 3 p.m. or 2 – 4 p.m. Weeknight twilight tours after work are also popular with times and days varying. if you’re considering a new-build condominium building be sure to talk to us before going or, at the very least, mention you’re working with us right at the beginning.
Broker tour (the speed-dating of open houses) are on Tuesdays for most of San Francisco with open times varying by neighborhood and if a listing is new or a repeat. We love going to see what’s out there and to check-in with our fellow agents — we also love taking clients along too, so if you want to see something during brokers’ tour, just ask.
Apart from that, we’re happy to set private tours or preview a property for you too.
SEE WHAT WE SEE
More than 500 YouTube Walk-Throughs with Kevin
Sometimes you can’t make an open house. Sometimes you want to hear what we think of house X or condo Y. Sometimes you just want to see a pretty house. Well for al of those times (and circumstances) Kevin+Jonathan have you covered as we have made more than 500 recent YouTube videos of Kevin taking you through homes of all shapes, sizes, conditions and price points.
If you watch these, you should get a sense of how we look at properties and what’s out there. You can watch, like and subscribe below.
DESTINATION FOUND — LET’S LEARN MORE
Delving Deeper By Deciphering Disclosure Documents
The next step after finding a property you like will be to get the disclosure documents — the hundreds of pages that sellers are required to provide contain a number of questions they’re required to answer in most cases.
It’s our job to help you delve deeper and to help you decipher property disclosure documents so you can put the disclosures into the larger context of how much you want to spend, what to expect in the short-, medium- and long-term, and how best to investigate questions that arise and how a given property compares.
Because we see and sell so many properties in San Francisco and because we’ve done our own major renovation among many others, we have a good understanding how houses work, which helps our clients wrap their minds around things. For the things where more expertise is needed, we have a roster of referrals who can assist.
Time To Get Going
You are now ready to have an engaged, experienced, knowledgable and successful real estate team to work at your side and on your behalf to reach your San Francisco real estate goal, right?
What Else?
What we‘ve been up to lately
SOLD: 927 Dwight Street, San Francisco, Listed by Kevin Ho + Jonathan McNarry, SF MLS 424048759 - 135% of List
Discover 927 Dwight St (SF MLS #424048759), a beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom single-family home with a one-car garage in the serene Portola district. This inviting mid-century, two-level home features modern upgrades, including a functional and stylish kitchen, outdoor deck, updated main bathroom, dual-pane windows, and designer LED lighting with dimmers. The second-floor en-suite bedroom adds convenience and flexible living space. Located just steps from McLaren Park and with easy access to freeways, local businesses, and San Bruno Ave, this home offers a perfect blend of tranquility and accessibility. Listed by top producers Kevin Ho and Jonathan McNarry of Vanguard Properties, 927 Dwight St is ready to move in and is the ideal choice for those seeking a welcoming and meticulously updated residence. For more information, visit www.927-dwight.com.
SOLD: 234 Eureka Street, San Francisco, CA Listed by Kevin Ho + Jonathan McNarry, Vanguard Properties, MLS 424030585
Explore 234 Eureka Street, San Francisco – A meticulously renovated Queen Anne Victorian home listed by top real estate agents Kevin Ho and Jonathan McNarry of Vanguard Properties. This exquisite property features four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and one-car garage parking spread over three spacious levels. Situated on an extra-deep parcel in a prime San Francisco location, the home boasts a coveted three-bedroom, two-bathroom upper sleeping level, two living areas, and a chef’s kitchen equipped with a large island and luxurious finishes. Modern amenities include solar panels, radiant floor heating, and a beautifully landscaped garden with slides and two decks, making it an urban oasis. Built in 1904 and extensively updated in 2017 and 2024 with permits, 234 Eureka Street represents the finest in San Francisco living. Discover more about this stunning property at www.234-Eureka.com. MLS 424030585.
SOLD: 830 Alabama Street, San Francisco, Listed by Kevin Ho + Jonathan McNarry, San Francisco MLS # 424018066
Discover luxury living in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District with 830 Alabama, a stunningly modernized condominium presented by top real estate agents Kevin Ho and Jonathan McNarry of Vanguard Properties. This elegant residence spans nearly 1,800 sqft across two levels, featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, side-by-side garage parking with an EV charger, and an open layout that elegantly blends luxury finishes with thoughtful design. Experience the epitome of comfort and style with radiant heating under lush hickory floors, 10-ft tall ceilings adorned with designer lighting, and a chef’s kitchen equipped with top-tier appliances. The private outdoor space, filled with native California plants, offers a serene retreat. Perfectly located with excellent walk and bike scores, 830 Alabama is steps away from premier dining and nightlife. Explore this exquisite property at www.830-alabama.com and see why it’s the pinnacle of modern living. MLS Listing #424018066.
On ABC7 KGO About SF's Sort of Come Back (March 2024)
Watch Kevin Ho talk about how San Francisco’s housing market, an indicator of so much in the city from confidence and wealth, is starting to reflect the very real prospect that there may be a post-Pandemic recovery starting with increased open house traffic and quicker sales.