Answers by Catherine Robles

In San Francisco, we’re seeing the market improve overall, but it’s not the same in every neighborhood. The way we really tell if an area is going up is by looking at how fast homes are selling, how many offers they’re getting, and whether they’re selling at or above asking.

Zillow doesn’t see the inside of the home, the condition, upgrades, or even differences between units in the same building. It’s just using an algorithm and public data.

You can buy a home on your own, but the real question is whether you’ll get the best price and avoid costly mistakes without representation. A good agent will do a full analysis of the price upfront to make sure you’re not overpaying, thoroughly review all disclosures, and point out red flags most buyers would never catch, because everything is in the disclosures, and missing something can lead to major issues like repairs, HOA liabilities, or unexpected costs. A good agent is also negotiating the entire time and not just the price, but credits, terms, timelines, and structuring the offer so you can win without overpaying. Especially in San Francisco, where every property is different, those details can make a huge financial difference. So, it’s not just about buying a home, it’s about buying the right home, at the right price, with no surprises.

Depends on the drainage of the property and how the property is situated.