Cat-proofing your holidays: This is why we can’t have nice things

After years of exploring (and suffering) the dilemma of cats and Christmas, I have devised a solution that you can share with cat households: bouncy rubber Christmas tree ornaments... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

Different strokes for different folks: From move-in ready to total gut jobs, San Francisco homes for sale

By anonymous

Within an hour’s timespan on a recent Sunday, I got a look at two completely different homes that are on the market and that show the diversity of the admittedly constricted ... Read More

Real Estate

Prepare your home for winter: How to enjoy your home for the holidays

By Stephanie Saunders Ahlberg

During the holidays, we get together with family and friends. We often decorate our homes to add extra cheer. However, there are some important steps to take to winterize your hous... Read More

News Briefs

Quote Unquote

“Buyers, especially in the luxury housing market, are looking for newer properties they do not have to remodel. They look for great locations, views and bedrooms on multiple ... Read More

News Briefs

You Think Office Space Is Expensive Now? Just Wait

In 1986, San Francisco voters passed Proposition M, which allows only 875,000 square feet of large office space to be added to the city total each year. (An additional 75,000 squar... Read More

News Briefs

Seismic Retrofitting To Get In-Law Units

District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener introduced legislation to allow property owners who are doing seismic retrofitting to add in-law units. Whether the retrofitting is being done vo... Read More

News Briefs

Airbnb Legislation Signed Despite Drama

The Board of Supervisors passed its long-debated Short-Term Residential Rentals Ordinance in October, which was duly signed by Mayor Edwin Lee Oct. 27 (see “Airbnb goes legit... Read More

News Briefs

Congratulations Or Condolences: Silicon Valley Dominates Priciest List

Californians like to be tops in all kinds of statistics. Biggest population. World Series champs. Largest state economy. Most tech companies. Now they can either smile or weep over... Read More

Real Estate Today

BOM: Back on the market

Bad news for sellers, good news for buyers

By Carole Isaacs

The real estate agents’ home page of the multiple listing service (MLS) has a special box that shows new listings within 24 hours, price increases, and price reductions. Ther... Read More

Home & Garden

Have a greener holiday

By Julia Strzesieski

The holidays can be filled with excess: It’s easy to overdo it by eating too much, drinking too much, and spending too much. And if you’re like the Griswalds in the Chr... Read More

Caring For Our Kids

Holiday celebrations for kids

By Liz Farrell

Each year it seems we barely have time to take a deep breath after Thanksgiving before the holiday season is upon us. It’s such a magical time for children and not just becau... Read More

Wellness

Forget resolutions … make a plan, take action

By Thalia Farshchian

As another year creeps to a close, schedules are busting at the seams with holiday events and time with family and friends. The end of the year is not only busy socially, but it is... Read More

A & E

Keith Haring: The Political Line

By Sharon Anderson

"Art is for everybody." — Keith Haring... Read More

The Best of Books

Holiday classics

By Brian Pettus

Books Inc. best-seller list Diary of a Wimpy Kid #9: The Long Haul, by Jeff Kinney (hardcover) Yes Please, by Amy Poehler (hardcover) Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their E... Read More

Movie Reviews

Stocking up on DVD gifts for the holidays

By Michael Snyder

It’s a video-on-demand world, or it will be soon. And yet, here’s a column about purchasing DVDs as Christmas presents in 2014. Although digital information delivered i... Read More

2014 November