Comments for theFrontSteps...step inside San Francisco real estate

Comment on Baja Noe bites back (141 27th St.) by jim beam

jim beam — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:15:04 +0000

I saw this one inside and out, and know one of the owners.
plumbing needs replacement but nothing major. roof has to be replaced, and there is toxic mold. this place has support walls which makes it’s large space poorly laid out. at 635k it made sense, and even up to 700k, but by the time this is over with the pending lawsuits and partition sale…. the bidder at 998k will be BROKE

Comment on 43% over (asking) on 2190 Broadway 9W ($5,000,000) by 40YrOldRenter

40YrOldRenter — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:28:57 +0000

Any link to the unit so we can check out the details?

Comment on Ask Us: “changing my original single pane windows…” by leplusjeune

leplusjeune — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:25:15 +0000

My house (built 1991) originally had all Andersen double pane, wood with vinyl cladding on the outside, casements. Almost every one developed condensation after about 10 years (warranty just expired on the seals, lol) and you could hear everything from the outside - we do/did have good wall insulation, though, and knew it was the windows that were a problem.

We replaced them all with double hung, low e, custom made, Trimline wood with aluminum cladding on the outside. Sooooo much of an improvement!

Crestline also make a nice window.

Comment on Ask Us: “changing my original single pane windows…” by leplusjeune

leplusjeune — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:13:04 +0000

“And if you are replacing bedroom windows, and the windows are not wide enough (like less than 3 feed wide or something), then you might run into some weird city firecode as well — like they want you to replace it with casement style window, rather than the traditional single-hung style (so I guess it’s easier for people to escape the fire)”

Right, They’re called “egress” windows. It’s part of the national uniform building code that most communities are now adapting.

Comment on Ask Us: “changing my original single pane windows…” by sparky

sparky — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:24:45 +0000

I get bashed on my project about Brand stuff, because I am into quality over brand. I.E. Wolf vs. Bertazonni. The fact is people love to see brand name when buying whether they will ever use it/need it or not. I do feel like windows are a little different because your not leaving the stickers on and there are so many other things to look at in an open house. I’m not anti-vinyl window, in fact I put it in often and have yet to have a gripe on that (unlike brand of Dishwasher). I like the function and maintenance of vinyl over wood.
If your working an re-habing a victorian, you have to think wood. Now if your do-ing the current trend of modernizing a victorian you can look at vinyl, but your probably thinking metal or stained wood.

Comment on Ask Us: “changing my original single pane windows…” by 40YearOldRenter

40YearOldRenter — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:27:11 +0000

Sounds like the bottom line is that new windows are better than old windows. Do you guys believe that window replace recapture 100%+ of the value of the windows? Spend $10,000 on windows, get $12,000 in value out of it? I constantly read trade magazines that say “recoop on average 124% of cost” etc.

What are your thoughts? Kitchen, bathroom, windows, decks. I guess perhaps people in the know, buying higher end homes really focus on the details i.e. brand/window type, etc, and therefore know the cost, and are willing to pay more, just like any remodel, since their time is precious and they are wiling to pay up for turn key.

BTW, everybody seems to have heard of Andersen, not everybody about the other brands, but I have.

40YOR

Comment on Ask Us: “changing my original single pane windows…” by PN

PN — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:19:04 +0000

Ditto what Sparky said. I’ve never gotten a kickback (I’m a GC) and dealing with Anderson can be a pain if you’re not doing new construction.

Comment on Ask Us: “changing my original single pane windows…” by paco

paco — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:10:05 +0000

don’t forget our local craftsmen at cara glass (on divis). they do wood sashes and stick whatever glass you want in ‘em. they make them right there in the shop which allows us to keep it local.

Comment on Ask Us: “changing my original single pane windows…” by sparky

sparky — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:44:04 +0000

Not true. I have never gotten a cut of any window sale, nobody else does. I use Window Warehouse and Collier, and they rep. all the major lines. Contractors are not buying direct. Pella is rep’d by Pella. You pay for the patents at Anderson and the 5-point locking and several others of them suck. Anderson window installers are expensive, more than a local contractor.

Marvin is namebrand, less expensive and better.

Comment on Ask Us: “changing my original single pane windows…” by 40YearOldRenter

40YearOldRenter — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:34:41 +0000

I think Andersen windows run about $1,500-$2,000 for 3X5 standard size. That cost includes labor and the permits.

I’d go with name brand windows. Better marketability and resale value. Besides, why not go with Andersen if they invented the double pane window system, and have over 160 patents?

I think what gets people is what the contractors choose. Contractors get a cut if they get their customer to use a particular product. Secret is to find a window company that controls the process from start to finish.