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

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

The Mystery Housebuyer

The Eichler temptation

By John Zipperer

When Joseph Eichler was born in 1900, homes in the United States were not much known for their creativity. When he died in 1974, he had helped to change the landscape of American m... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

Novel housing ideas

By John Zipperer

In Peter Schneider’s 2000 novel Eduard’s Homecoming, a German scientist living in the United States returns to Germany when he learns that he has inherited an apartment buildin... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

Anticipating an unwanted move: what renters and landlords should think about

By John Zipperer

Harlan is going to be moving at some point; he doesn’t know when or where, but he’s not stupid — he can read the writing on the wall. Harlan, of course, is not his real nam... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

How to lose friends and influence nobody

By John Zipperer

I have a friend — let’s call him Richard — who has almost every reason to be a happy homeowner. But the one reason that makes him unhappy could ruin it all for him. Richard ... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

Match game 2013: Buying without tears

By anonymous

Ben and Ruhan want a house in San Francisco. Not just any home — a house, with a yard, good neighborhood, multiple bathrooms, off-street parking, and the usual wishlist of incide... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

Tales from the home front

By anonymous

Buying and selling a home is the closest most people come to real negotiation and interpersonal politics with real value at stake. Yes, people might know how to haggle with a stree... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

What to look for when you look at a potential new home

By anonymous

You’re heading into a for-sale house or condo to tour. You’re mentally armed with all of the questions you want to ask the listing agent about the seller, timing, other... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

What Egypt can teach us

By anonymous

A year or so ago, HGTV’s House Hunters program was under fire for manipulating the homebuying stories it portrays. The reality show, critics cried, did not portray reality. B... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

Refinancing in a hot market

By anonymous

Let’s assume for the sake of argument (and for this column) that you want to refinance your home or condo. Is now a good time? How should you go about doing it? Like many of ... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

It’s already time to deploy the agent

By anonymous

Here’s a true story. Recently Judi found herself deciding to exchange her large ranch-style home for a smaller, easier to maintain condominium. She didn’t know how soon... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

All the world’s a stage

By anonymous

On the HGTV series Buying and Selling, families simultaneously try to sell their homes and buy new ones. It’s a high-stress process, but they get help from the show’s h... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

The season is the reason

Part 5: Know when to jump into the market

By anonymous

Sometimes it can be very profitable indeed to be out of step with everyone else. Just like heading to your favorite restaurant or shop during off-hours can get you a good selection... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

Making your bid

Part 4

By anonymous

The report that the San Francisco real estate market is picking up is better news to sellers than it is to buyers. But this column is the Mystery Housebuyer, not the Mystery Houses... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

Part 3: Putting a price on it

By anonymous

Fans of HGTV’s House Hunters program have been forced to reconsider that series. Each House Hunters features a person or couple touring three homes before they select one. We... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer