Bay Area Real Estate News

The holidays bring us together with family, friends and colleagues, and they can also bring the conversations we find hardest to have. This season, I’m opening our office doors for a reading circle on Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends, and Colleagues by David Bradford and Carole Robin.

The book captures the lessons of Stanford Graduate School of Business’s legendary Interpersonal Dynamics course, known to generations of students as “Touchy Feely.” It is a practical guide to honest feedback, trust, and relationships that grow stronger under pressure.

We’re delighted that co-author Carole Robin will be stopping by to join the conversation.

Details

When: Thursdays, Nov 5, 12, 19, Dec 3 and Dec 10, 2026 (no session on Thanksgiving)
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Where: AFI Real Estate, 200 Brannan Street, Suite 100, San Francisco
Cost: Free. Come to one evening or all five.

On our first evening, each guest will share a one-minute story of their life. Please read (or listen to) the first three chapters beforehand; Connect is available on Audible and Amazon. The first 12 people to RSVP will receive a complimentary copy of the book.

Our office has always been about connecting neighbors. My hope is for it to become a place where knowledge is shared and relationships are built, and this is the first of many learning evenings to come.

To reserve your seat, email afi@afirealestate.com.

Every fall, San Francisco property owners receive a notice about the annual Rent Board fee. Here’s what it means and whether you need to act.

What is the Rent Board fee?

Every residential unit in San Francisco, including single-family homes and condos, owes an annual Rent Board fee (currently $59 per unit) unless it has an exemption on file.

Do you need to do anything?

• You live in your unit and have a Homeowners’ Exemption on your property tax bill: You’re already exempt. No action needed.
• You live in your unit but don’t have a Homeowners’ Exemption: You must file a Rent Board fee exemption request, and you must file it every year.
• Your unit is rented, or was rented at any time: The fee applies. Rented units don’t qualify for the owner-occupied exemption.
• Your unit is vacant or occupied only by relatives who aren’t on title: The fee applies, and there’s no exemption.

When is the deadline?

The exemption window opens each fall. Last year’s deadline was December 12, 2025, so check your notice from the Rent Board for this year’s exact date.

Don’t forget the Housing Inventory

Filing for a fee exemption is separate from the Rent Board Housing Inventory. All owners must report unit information by March 1 each year, whether the unit is owner-occupied, rented, or vacant.

Where to file

• Rent Board fee and exemption request: sf.gov/rent-board-fee
• Homeowners’ Exemption: sf.gov/file-homeowners-exemption
• San Francisco Rent Board: sf.gov/departments/rent-board

If you need help accessing the online exemption request, call 311.

This post is for general information only and isn’t legal advice. Check with the Rent Board for requirements specific to your property.—

Join us on Thursday, June 25, 6:30–8:00 PM at 200 Brannan St for our next gathering, discussing The Correspondent by Virginia Evans — a witty, heartfelt debut novel about one woman’s lifelong habit of making sense of the world through letters.

Expect an intimate, welcoming evening of great conversation, wine, and light snacks — and the best kind of community with fellow book lovers.

Tickets: $30 general admission | $15 for Book Society members

Book Society is a Berkeley-based women-owned bookstore and wine lounge that blends great reads, good wine, and community connection into an elevated experience. One of our most beloved programs, the Leading Ladies Book Club, celebrates smart reads by and about powerful women — and we’re thrilled to bring it across the Bay for a San Francisco pop-up.

Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream Tour | Friday May 15

Florence + The Machine is bringing the Everybody Scream Tour to Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday, May 15, 2026. Doors open at 6:30 PM, the show starts at 7:30 PM.

This tour supports their sixth studio album, Everybody Scream, with tickets for the SF show available through Ticketmaster and Live Nation.

de Youngsters Day Out 2026 | Saturday May 16th

All Bay Area families are invited to attend the 5th annual de Youngsters Day out. Saturday May 16th 9:30 AM – 4 PM. This event is free and open to every Bay Area family. The event will include hands-on art-making activities, entertainment led by teaching artists and community partners, collaborations with local artists interpreting our permanent collection, and live performances in the galleries.

Bay Area Book Festival: Writing The Future | Friday May 29 – Sunday May 31

The Bay Area Book Festival unites readers, writers, and changemakers through three cornerstone programs—the flagship Bay Area Book Festival, the Merritt Dialogues, and the Affinity Lit Collectives.

2026 festival details are now live!

San Francisco Symphony Chorus Concert | Sunday May 31

Chorus Director Jenny Wong leads the San Francisco Symphony Chorus in Morten Lauridsen’s meditative Lux aeterna, a radiant work of consolation, paired with pieces that showcase the ensemble’s powerful and fluid sound.

Sunday, May 31, 2026. 2:00 PM at the Davies Symphony Hall.

A special Mother’s Day pop-up market is coming to 200 Brannan St this Saturday, May 9th — and it’s a great way to spend a morning.

Book Society — Berkeley’s beloved bookstore, wine lounge, and community gathering space — is hosting a curated market right here in our neighborhood, featuring local makers, authors, and small businesses. Sip on a mimosa or NA bubbles, enjoy a welcome treat on arrival, and shop beautiful gifts for Mom (or yourself).

Vendors include: Stephanie Moon Co (succulents & ceramics) · Recchiuti Chocolates · VIRA THE LABEL (vintage clothing) · Rio Kitchen + Manga Rosa (Brazilian goods & jewelry) · Peju Wines (wine tasting) · Dana Whitaker Photography (gift cards) · Book Society bookstore pop-up with surprise author signings!

Tickets are $15 and include entry, a mimosa or NA bubbles, and a welcome treat. Purchase online in advance or at the door day of.

200 Brannan St
San Francisco, CA 94107

Celebrate the flavors of San Francisco’s unique and diverse neighborhoods through special prix-fixe menus. Registration is open now, sign up here!

Participating restaurants will offer special menus Friday, April 4 – Sunday, April 13 at one or more the following price points:

Brunch or Lunch (2+ Items or Courses): $10, $15, $25, $35, $45

Dinner (3+ Items or Courses): $30, $45, $60, $75, $90

This contemporary Noe Valley residence, redesigned and remodeled by acclaimed architect John Lum, is a true masterpiece. Featuring three bedrooms, three baths, and two additional spacious multi-functional areas, every space unveils a delightful surprise.

Downtown First Thursdays is monthly street party on 2nd Street between Market and Howard street in San Francisco. It happens every first Thursday of the month from 5PM – 10PM.

Get ready for disco in the streets, DJs, live music, drag, fashion, street performances and more!

And don’t forget the local restaurants and businesses!

For more than a century, the SF Flower Mart has drawn florists and early risers to its bustling wholesale marketplace in the pre-dawn hours. Now, this 112-year-old San Francisco institution begins its next chapter at a brand-new, 125,000-square-foot facility at 901 16th Street in Potrero Hill. As one of the last remaining wholesale flower markets in the country, it continues to offer both commercial buyers and everyday flower lovers an unparalleled selection of fresh blooms—with public hours beginning at 8 a.m., and earlier admission for badge-holding wholesale members.

Although the Flower Mart’s roots trace back to an informal 1912 market on Market Street near Lotta’s Fountain, and it’s held previous addresses on Fifth and Howard Streets, its new home is designed to honor that historic legacy while expanding modern conveniences. This move marks a triumphant resolution to a years-long effort to preserve a one-of-a-kind marketplace where many workers can build careers without formal education or advanced language skills—a rarity in California’s changing economy.

The Snake is seen as a symbol of wisdom, intuition, and grace. People born under the Year of the Snake (1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 and 2025) are believed to be intelligent, calm, and deep thinkers, but also can be mysterious and a little secretive. The Year of the Snake is thought to bring about transformation, with a focus on introspection and careful planning.

The San Francisco Art Fair is back April 17 – 20, 2025. Held at Fort Mason, it features local, national, and international galleries with presentations and displays.

Read more »

Hey neighbors!

Join us NEXT Monday, 11/11, from 6-7 PM at Cloudflare for an eye-opening talk on San Francisco’s civic landscape. Veteran jurors John Munson and Niall Murphy will share insights from the 2023/24 Civil Grand Jury, which explored issues like city commissions, climate-related flooding, illegal fireworks, and infrastructure. Hear how these juries research and tackle local challenges—let’s engage in the civic discourse that shapes our city!

RSVP at sbrmbna@gmail.com and feel free to share with friends. See you there! #SanFrancisco #CivicEngagement

Luxurious 3-bed, 3-bath corner unit at LUMINA, 201 Folsom St, APT 38E, San Francisco. Priced at $3,500,000, this 1,784 sqft home features an open floor plan, curved windows, hardwood floors, a gourmet kitchen with premium appliances, and spa-like baths. Enjoy top-notch amenities: a saline lap pool, 7,000 sq. ft. gym, outdoor spaces, valet parking, and 24-hour service. Steps from the Embarcadero, Ferry Building, and sports venues.

For a private viewing, contact AFI Real Estate at leasing@AFIRealEstate.com or 415.495.1114 / 415.606.7133.

Hi Neighbors,

SF Restaurant Week is back!

Celebrate the flavors of San Francisco’s unique and diverse neighborhoods through special prix-fixe menus. Participating restaurants will offer special menus Friday, November 8 – Sunday, November 17 at one or more the following price points:

Brunch or Lunch (2+ Items or Courses): $10, $15, $25, $35, $45

Dinner (3+ Items or Courses): $30, $45, $60, $75, $90

Participating restaurants: https://www.sfrestaurantweek.com/restaurants/

For more info about SF Restaurant Week:  https://www.sfrestaurantweek.com/

Bon Appetit!

San Francisco’s art scene just hit a major milestone with the grand opening of the Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco (ICA SF) in The Cube, a historic, 78,000-square-foot former Bank of America building in the heart of the Financial District. From October 25-27, 2024, ICA SF welcomed the public to its new, expansive home, bringing contemporary art to the center of the city in a space that blends historic architecture with bold creativity.

A Space Reimagined

The Cube, located at Montgomery and California, stands as a five-story icon transformed from a banking powerhouse into a hub for art and culture. ICA SF’s move from Dogpatch more than doubles its exhibition space, offering 26,000 square feet dedicated to avant-garde exhibits, community programming, and cultural dialogue. The best part? Admission is entirely free, making contemporary art accessible to all.

Thanks to a two-year, rent-free agreement with Vornado Realty Trust, ICA SF activates the first floor and basement of The Cube, setting a precedent for how vacant urban spaces can be revitalized post-pandemic.

Current Exhibitions to Explore

• The Poetics of Dimensions, curated by Larry Ossei-Mensah
• Maryam Yousif: Riverbend
• Spotlight: Kathleen Ryan

ICA SF is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Plan your visit at 345 Montgomery Street at California and experience how art is reshaping downtown San Francisco.

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thursdays until 7 p.m. (Closed Monday-Tuesday)
Admission: Free