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Greetings, All:
I’m reminiscing about one of the whitewater rafting trips I took down the American River. There were times of beautiful calmness, during which you could even pop off the raft and swim a bit, mixed with the heart-pounding thrill of navigating through giant rocks as the rapids forcefully escorted you downriver. Paddling furiously while struggling to stay on the raft. A pretty good analogy for life, I’d say. It never stops moving till the end comes.
A little over a month ago, we lost our beloved dog Kava. A month from now, my wife Monica and I will be moving our son out of our house and into his new dorm room at Syracuse University. This past week I lunched with friends I’ve known since we were in our twenties, and a client from 2002 reached out for some assistance. Past, present and future.
Emily and I have lived our entire lives in San Francisco, a city like any other where the past and present live together. You can walk down a neighborhood street and see a beautiful Victorian home that’s been standing for more than a century, while just a few blocks away a new restaurant, business, or idea (AI, anyone?) is bringing fresh energy to the city. We love it so. We love working with people who look to set roots down here. This career was tailor-made for us.
Everyday I can’t help but spend some time remembering “what was”. People, places, events. I can drive through every neighborhood in San Francisco and point out homes I’ve sold. As the days pass, I often find myself looking back with a little more gratitude. At the same time I realize life isn’t meant to be lived looking only in the rearview mirror. The real gift is being present enough to appreciate the life we have today, and simply enjoying the people we love.We can respect the past without holding on to it too tightly. We can appreciate the stories, people, and experiences that brought us here. We continue to move forward.
Missing something from the past reminds me not to take today for granted, because what’s around us now will too be but a memory. Just some thoughts.
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
Till next month,
Derek, Emily, Natalie, Mo & Arwin
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by Mike Simonsen, Chief Economist, Compass International Holdings
July 2026
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The Bay Area housing market is the center of national attention this summer. AI-driven wealth has offset persistently higher mortgage rates, pushing demand in a handful of neighborhoods to dramatic levels.
The most intense competition is concentrated in San Francisco itself. In June, 44 homes in the city sold for at least $1 million over asking (see charts, next page). Sales in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin are running well above last year’s pace.
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4 BD 3 BA 5325 SF $4,790,000
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3 BD 3 BA 1851 SF $2,300,000
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2 BD 2 BA 1045 SF $899,000
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6 BD 0 BA 2850 SF $3,995,000
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3 BD 2 BA 1195 SF $1,595,000
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* Goldengirlsification? Yup, having a room mate or two is no longer restricted to those starting out. Many older and retired peeps are seeking out people to share their homes either because of financial reasons or loneliness…. About 55 organizations around the US offer these room mate matchmaking services and demand is growing, driven by housing shortages, rising rents, and sales prices that affect both the old and the young. Legislators in several states are working to promote home sharing as an option. (NY TIMES)
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The Inner Sunset.
(Earlier this year, we sold a wonderful pair of flats at 1231-1233 4th Avenue. And very soon, we’ll be bringing on 1270-1274 3rd Avenue, a very large and well maintained 3-unit building (2 are vacant) that we’re eager to show off. Please feel free to contact us for details.)
The Inner Sunset is one of San Francisco’s most beloved neighborhoods — a place where the pace of city life slows down just enough to feel like a village, while still offering the culture, convenience, and energy that make San Francisco unique. The neighborhood is a wonderful blend of classic San Francisco architecture, diverse restaurants, independent shops, and a genuine sense of community.
At the heart of the neighborhood is the lively 9th Avenue corridor, where residents enjoy a true “walk everywhere” lifestyle. Morning coffee, neighborhood bakeries, bookstores, casual eateries, fine dining, and local shops are all just steps away. The Inner Sunset’s celebrated food scene reflects the diversity of San Francisco itself, with everything from traditional Asian cuisine to farm-to-table restaurants and beloved neighborhood institutions. It’s the kind of place where grabbing a quick bite can easily turn into running into friends and neighbors along the way.
One of the greatest advantages of living in the Inner Sunset is its unparalleled access to Golden Gate Park — essentially a private backyard for the neighborhood. Residents can enjoy peaceful walks beneath towering trees, weekend bike rides, picnics, gardens, museums, playgrounds, and some of the city’s most beautiful open spaces.
The neighborhood’s location is also ideal for those connected to San Francisco’s world-class educational and medical institutions. The Inner Sunset is just steps away from UCSF Health at Parnassus Heights, making it one of the most convenient places in the city for physicians, researchers, medical professionals, students, and staff. Its close proximity to the University of San Francisco further enhances its appeal for faculty, students, and families who appreciate easy access to both academic communities. This connection to two major institutions brings a vibrant, intellectual energy to the neighborhood while also supporting a diverse and engaged community.
Transportation is another highlight. The N Judah Muni Metro line provides a direct route downtown, and nearby transit options make it easy to reach other parts of the city, from the Richmond District to the Mission. Families are drawn to the area for its excellent schools, parks, and welcoming atmosphere, while longtime residents appreciate the neighborhood’s ability to retain its character despite the city’s constant evolution.
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It’s not fiction, of course, but Russian Hill’s Macondray Lane did inspire one of San Francisco’s most iconic stories — the “Tales of the City” series by author Armistead Maupin, who reportedly told SF Weekly in 2014 that he wanted to create “a fictional address that would become so real to people that they would go looking for it.”
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Michael Horvath, co-founder of the popular fitness app Strava, created Foggy with his wife and business partner, MacBeth Horvath. The couple, who also started the parent software company Nyfik, have a home in San Francisco’s notoriously foggy Outer Sunset neighborhood.
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In West Sacramento, summer hasn’t really started until Whitey’s Jolly Kone starts serving its famous peach milkshakes. From around the Fourth of July until Labor Day, teenagers, construction workers in orange vests, and little kids bouncing up and down in excitement all line up at the window of the 63-year-old drive-in for a taste of its famous summer treat.
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Maximize the value of your home with Compass Concierge.
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A Nationwide Network
Since Compass launched in 2012, we’ve been simplifying the real estate process one community at a time. Today, we have more than 250+ offices extending from coast to coast.
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The Dunn & Chin Group
Top 1% SF Realtors
Derek Chin DRE #: 00854466
Emily Dunn DRE #: 01424486
Natalie Rome DRE #: 01386654
Mo Salimi DRE #: 02128819
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Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 01527235, 01527365. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.
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