Any affordable condos near San Francisco? (Oakland, Daly City: short sale, foreclosure, homes)

[alaplex]

I have lived in LA for 20 years and have reached my threshold with this horrible city. I travel to SF often for my job and love that city. I know it's super expensive but am looking for some perspective of where I might be a able to buy a condo for around the $300,000 range (up or down). My associate took me on a spin through Emeryville as it's promoted as an up and coming area. I was not impressed as I saw what lurked near the Best Buy parking lot and adjacent streets. I spun through Albany which seemed like a nice little area but seems expensive. Here is what I am looking for:

Not too dreary and away from SF enough to be warmer and sunnier (Sorrry, I am from LA)

Not too suburbia. Ya know, like all Burger Kings, Taco Bells, etc. Maybe something more urban and walkable with chains and mom and pop stores mixed in.

I would like to be no more than 10 miles from the city and preferably have bart access.

I looked at Alameda and it seems to be in the price range but looked too much like where I live now. Seemed kind of old and depressing, although I only looked at photos.

Maybe this is wishful thinking but if anyone can suggest a city or town that may be close to what I am looking for I would appreciate it.


Bill M.

[artemis78]

Try Oakland---seems like it would fit the bill. Depending on what you're looking for, you can go for new construction (lots of options in that price range in Jack London Square or the Temescal District, which would be good bets with transit nearby and commercial districts) or you can look at some of the older complexes, which gives you many more choices neighborhood-wise (Piedmont Avenue area, Adams Point, Grand Lake, China Hill) but tend to be a little more 60s/70s in style. (Also tend to be cheaper than the equivalent space in a new unit, though.)

Also, I wouldn't rule Emeryville out entirely. The area near Best Buy is pretty gritty---there are much nicer areas of the city if you head further north. Check out condos near the Emeryville Greenway (Doyle Street area) or out on the Peninsula---much less sketchy areas and I think you can still find units in that price range.

Good luck!

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by alaplex

I have lived in LA for 20 years and have reached my threshold with this horrible city. I travel to SF often for my job and love that city. I know it's super expensive but am looking for some perspective of where I might be a able to buy a condo for around the $300,000 range (up or down). My associate took me on a spin through Emeryville as it's promoted as an up and coming area. I was not impressed as I saw what lurked near the Best Buy parking lot and adjacent streets. I spun through Albany which seemed like a nice little area but seems expensive. Here is what I am looking for:

Not too dreary and away from SF enough to be warmer and sunnier (Sorrry, I am from LA)

Not too suburbia. Ya know, like all Burger Kings, Taco Bells, etc. Maybe something more urban and walkable with chains and mom and pop stores mixed in.

I would like to be no more than 10 miles from the city and preferably have bart access.

I looked at Alameda and it seems to be in the price range but looked too much like where I live now. Seemed kind of old and depressing, although I only looked at photos.

Maybe this is wishful thinking but if anyone can suggest a city or town that may be close to what I am looking for I would appreciate it.


Bill M.

Try Pacifica or Mare Island (you can take the ferry to work)

If it's just you, or you and just your wife try the condos on La Playa they are small but affordable, face the Ocean

Downtown Oakland, Center City, new Condos,

[sonarrat]

I think there are some condos on the sunny eastern side of SF you could afford for $300K. Some of them are in "up-and-coming areas," but I also see several studios that are right in the heart of town.

[City Boy]

300K condo in SF will be 400 Square feet.

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by City Boy

300K condo in SF will be 400 Square feet.

Sure about that?

160 Gardenside Dr #301, San Francisco, CA 94131 MLS# 359919 - Property Details

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Condos have come down a bit in price. Shelter Creek in San Bruno has some below 300K right now.

[cardinal2007]

CityBoy was probably thinking about something like this:
555 4th St #103, San Francisco, CA 94107 | MLS# 358582
there are some a bit larger:
260 King St #783, San Francisco, CA 94107 | MLS# 353964

If you are willing to live near Daly City there are some condos there that cost less:
8300 Oceanview Ter #109, San Francisco, CA 94132 | MLS# 360343

Are you willing to look at TICs or does it have to be a condo?
73 Woodward St, San Francisco, CA 94103 | MLS# 352994

Though I wouldn't recommend buying anyplace now without knowing the area well, with condos it will probably be quite a while before you can sell them for more than you bought them for.

[City Boy]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

Sure about that?

160 Gardenside Dr #301, San Francisco, CA 94131 MLS# 359919 - Property Details

That's either a foreclosure or a short sale, and he'll be competing with 20 people and have to wait up to 4-5 months for the bank to do anything. Complete hassle.

[cardinal2007]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

Sure about that?

160 Gardenside Dr #301, San Francisco, CA 94131 MLS# 359919 - Property Details

While the property may be larger than 400sqft, it is income restricted, one has to qualify with the SF below market rate program in order to buy it. For 2 people that is $92,950/yr maximum. I'm not certain, but I think people earning that much usually pass up looking at condos in the city since it is so expensive. My guess is that the op would have to earn less than the required amount, and probably have lived in the city for some time. I believe the price one can sell these at is capped by inflation, or the rate at with median income changes in the city, which may or may not be good for the buyer if they wish to move in the future.