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	<title>The San Francisco Condo Loft</title>
	<link>http://www.sanfranciscocondoloft.com</link>
	<description>A San Francisco Real Estate Blog Highlighting The In's &#38; Out's Of Living Downtown San Francisco, CA.</description>
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		<title>San Francisco Condo Website &amp; Blogs</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Hello from New  York City.  I just wanted to send out a  short message this  morning and give you a quick update on our website  and blogs.  First off  our blogs have been fully restored and we are up  and running at 100%.   So blog followers, readers and admirers &#8211; comment  away!
Secondly the framework of our core website (CondoDomain.com)  has been restored and  successful moved to a brand new server  environment.  In hopes to eliminate all  of the bugs, errors and  downtime we were experiencing, the new site is  lightning fast giving  you all a much better consumer experience.  Search  10X faster today!
Left to be done over the next week.
1.  Reinstall our core MLS search functionality on Boston, Chicago, DC,  Baltimore &amp; NYC
2.  Prepare MLS installations on the remaining 15 new markets.
3. Install our new &#8220;Condo Forum&#8221; and more features we have to   surprise you!
On behalf of CondoDomain I would like to apologize for anyone who has   experienced technical issues or website performance over the past few   weeks.  I can assure you the problems are behind us now and we look   forward to providing an even better experience, starting today!
Any questions &#8211; as always &#8211; contact your City Vice President and of   course feel free to drop me a line as well!
Sincerely,
Tony Longo
CondoDomain/CEO
ajl [at] CondoDomain.com
]]></description>
		<link>http://www.sanfranciscocondoloft.com/san-francisco-condo-website-blogs/</link>
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		<title>Finding an Apartment Where You Can Stretch Your Buck</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We all know that housing rates for the Bay Area are among the highest in the country. That’s why it’s so easy to understand why you would want to find a place in the Bay Area where you could make your hard-earned dollars stretch the most. If you’re looking to save money in the long run and just make the most out of your money, there are simple tips to keep in mind when on your search.
When Searching For Apartments
Many people rely on popular housing websites, such as Craigslist, to search for apartments. These sites can be a great way to start and figure out the average prices for certain neighborhoods and areas. For instance, some Mountain View apartments in one area may be less expensive than those in another area of the city. If you are searching sites like these, just make sure you act very quickly because any deals will be gone before you know it. It may be beneficial to skip the online listings all together and simple walk or bike around the neighborhoods you are interested in living in, and look for rent signs. Sometimes, landlords who have signs up may be renting apartments below the average price in the area and you could score a deal that wasn’t highly publicized on the internet. Plus, you may end up saving time by physically being on premises because photos and descriptions online can only show you so much. That way, you’ll be able to catch the bargains faster. Also, knowing whether the building is under rent control and researching rent ordinances of the area should contribute to your quest in saving money down the line. Know what utilities you’ll be responsible for and the average price of them. Sometimes, the monthly rent will be higher but utilities may be less expensive so the overall cost of living is cheaper than in another place where the rent is lower but much more money goes to utilities. Finally, learn about what it’s like to actually live there. You’re less likely to pay rent for a place that is horrible to live in or regularly charges tenants various fees. There are a few websites you can go to find ratings and reviews from tenants who are living or have lived in the complex.
Using Amenities 
Community amenities can either save you money or end up wasting your money. It all depends on what they are and how much you end up using them. For instance, if you need to use a gym frequently, living in an apartment building with a fitness center may save you more money than if you were a member at a local health club. But if you work out by jogging outside and wouldn’t set foot in a gym, then save the money and look for smaller apartment buildings that don’t have such features. Same goes for what many big complexes call a business center where you can fax documents, use computers, and hold meetings. If you see yourself taking advantage of these services for free on a regular basis, then it might be worth it, not having to pay to rent another place for meetings. But if you just need a simple place to rest your head each night, then save the money and look for smaller, simpler complexes. Some may not even have a leasing or manager’s office. But just keep in mind that some amenities such as a covered and gated parking can prevent damages or theft of your car, which could end up saving you a lot of stress and money in the end.
]]></description>
		<link>http://www.sanfranciscocondoloft.com/finding-an-apartment-where-you-can-stretch-your-buck/</link>
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		<title>San Francisco Bay Area Commuting Tips</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It used to be that location, location, location were the three most important words when searching for the right place to put down roots and call home. In today’s vastly changing economic and domestic climate those three words have transformed into location, commute, and information.
For many San Mateo County residents, finding the perfect home, condo, or apartment may mean a further commute to the geographic location of their business or occupation. Some choose to live in the fast paced and vibrant atmosphere of a large metropolitan city, while others prefer the calm and serene feel of a bedroom community.  A person living in the city of Mountain View and having a home in any of the beautiful Mountain View apartments may commute on a daily basis into downtown San Jose.  Another person may find the condo or home of their dreams in Palo Alto, but run a prosperous business in San Francisco.  Can we balance the personal vs. professional geographic conflict and have it all?  The simple answer is yes and the secret lies in the choice and comfort of the commute.
Whether your mode of transportation is Bart (Bay Area Rapid Transit), bus, rail, ferry, shuttle, or car, there is an abundance of information available online to chart your course.  Schedules, fares, routes, times, prices, and other pertinent information can all be found with a few simple clicks of the mouse. Sites such as www.caltrain.com (California commuter rail line on the San Francisco Peninsula and the Santa Clara Valley); http://www.bart.gov (Bay Area Rapid Transit);. http://www.samtrans.com (San Mateo County Transit District), www.sfmta.com (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) all provide extensive information needed to plan any commute.
San Mateo County’s, http://tripplanner.transit.511.org, is a site rich with commuter information!  511 is a free phone and Web service that consolidates Bay Area transportation information into a one-stop resource. 511 provides up-to-the-minute information on traffic conditions, incidents and driving times, schedule, route and fare information for the Bay Area’s public transportation services.  Car and vanpool referrals and bicycling information is also provided.  Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this resource is a must for any busy commuter in or around San Mateo County!  Using public transportation and leaving the driving to someone else allows the commuter time to read, nap, review for or unwind from a work day, or simply relax.
Staying calm, cool, and collected is a key factor in driving cautiously, defensively, and courteously.  By being informed, allowing for plenty of driving time, staying composed, and following a few basic suggestions of commuting, the independent driver can greatly diminish stress in their commute. There are many ways to enhance time spent in our vehicles. When stuck in traffic, listen to a podcast or book on tape or CD. There are thousands of creative and personal interest podcasts available that can help make a commute an enjoyable rather than frustrating experience.  Looking for new routes or points of interest you didn’t know existed?  A GPS (Global Positioning System) is a great way to explore without getting lost. We have the technology, the resources, and the means to make our commutes pleasant. Life’s too short, let’s enjoy the ride!
]]></description>
		<link>http://www.sanfranciscocondoloft.com/san-francisco-bay-area-commuting-tips/</link>
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		<title>Choosing the Right San Francisco Bay Area School District</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We have all heard that old saying that, when looking for real estate, the three most important things to consider are location, location and location!  And, while that is definitely true, people with children know that the three most important things are really schools, schools and schools!
While many people once debated between public and private education for their children, in today’s economic climate, the choice between public school districts within an area has become an even greater consideration than before as people choose their housing options.  The Bay Area of Northern California is no exception; whether one wants to live in a city center or in more rural outlying areas, the quality of the local schools is nearly always at the top of a family’s list.
One excellent way to gather this information is to take a look at the website for the cities or areas you are considering.  Most cities provide comprehensive information about all aspects of their community including housing, schools and other important community services.
For example, on the website for Pleasanton, California, a small community situated in the Tri-Valley Region of the Bay Area, one can learn about the community as a whole and can also research Pleasanton apartments and homes.  In addition, information is available about the Pleasanton Unified School District which has not only been named a National District of Character, but also has 12 out of 14 schools designated as California Distinguished Schools.  If a family were interested in living in a smaller Bay Area community, this certainly would be one excellent reason to look for housing in Pleasanton.
On the other hand, if one were interested in a more urban area, the website for the city of Oakland, California is a good example of that type of community.  In addition to information about the Oakland Unified School District (and their 13 California Distinguished Schools), one can find information on everything from housing to recreation…there is even a link which describes the city’s 2006 “pothole blitz” project whereby 922 potholes were filled in 3 weeks! The ability to research the school district school-by-school in one place is certainly valuable to any parent when considering such a large community.
In fact, we are all very lucky that we live in a time when we are given access to so much valuable information at the click of a mouse!  Without a doubt, looking for housing and, more importantly, reviewing schools for our children has never been easier.  Furthermore, taking into consideration that the Bay Area is so large and that there are so many wonderful and diverse housing markets to choose from, it is amazing how much information we can gain before we even meet with a real estate agent!  Being able to narrow our housing choices in advance is very helpful and, while selecting a neighborhood is still a very personal experience that most people make first-hand, prior knowledge about the community and schools can only help all of us to make more informed housing decisions about Pleasanton, Oakland and everywhere in between!
As parents, we make choices every day which impact our children to one degree or another and there is no question that choosing an area to live in the Bay Area, and subsequently, choosing the best school for our children, is one of the most important and lasting choices we can make for them.
]]></description>
		<link>http://www.sanfranciscocondoloft.com/choosing-the-right-san-francisco-bay-area-school-district/</link>
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		<title>Living by the Bay- Ideas for Finding the Perfect Apartment</title>
		<description><![CDATA[by Veronika Lazabal
Finding a place to call home in the Bay Area is an adventure in and of itself—one that carries with it both a sense of excitement unequal to apartment hunting anywhere else, and a set of challenges unique to this part of the Golden State. Call them cozy, snug, homey or charming; the fact remains that apartments in and around San Francisco are small. So how can you be sure you’re getting the most for your money when it comes to your new bay area apartment or condo? Here are a few ideas for finding the perfect place for you:
Prioritize
Before taking a look at a single For Rent ad, it’s essential to decide what is most important for you in an apartment. Knowing what you can’t live without (and, in turn, the areas where you are willing to be flexible) will help you narrow down your choices before driving all over the city. For example, if sweeping vistas and a dishwasher are essential to you, then you might be willing to sacrifice counter space and live with smaller closets in exchange for a fully equipped unit in Mountain View apartments.
Know thy Neighborhood
Where an apartment or condo is located is just as important as what is in the space itself. Whether you’re working with a realtor, rental service or just scanning online ads, don’t forget to ask plenty of questions. Is there a garage with assigned spots? (Street parking in the Bay is notorious for being next to impossible to find) What’s the crime rate like for the area? If you have children, ask about nearby schools and parks. Taking the time to research a potential neighborhood before making a decision can save you from the heartache of falling in love with a unit, only to find out that you’re scared to come home after dark.
Commute is Key
This is California, after all, and getting to and from work can often seem like the longest part of your day. Many a renter has moved into a beautiful apartment overlooking the water, only to realize (4 months into their lease) that they just can’t handle the ridiculous morning commute. It might be worth it to you to pay a bit more rent in order to stay closer to the office. Also, don’t forget to look into the Bay Area’s public transportation options. You may just find that accessibility to the B.A.R.T and other commuter friendly alternatives can help you make the decision on where you want to call home.
There is no place in the U.S quite like the Bay Area. San Francisco, Napa, San Jose, Sacramento… every city has its own unique feeling- an urban beat, a quiet retreat, a simple escape. Finding the perfect place to live may just come down to doing your homework, and deciding which personality suits yours best. Happy hunting.
]]></description>
		<link>http://www.sanfranciscocondoloft.com/living-by-the-bay-ideas-for-finding-the-perfect-apartment/</link>
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		<title>NBC Bay Area gives us some love</title>
		<description><![CDATA[When you know what you want, your best bet&#8217;s a specialist: if you need a bed, go to Sleepy&#8217;s, and if you need &#8220;Beyond&#8221;, go to Bed Bath &amp; Beyond, and just try to ignore the beds and baths. When what you want&#8217;s a condo, go straight to CondoDomain.
Based in Boston, pointedly named brokerage CD just grew to include San Francisco, vying to be your online hub for finding condos &#8212; and nothing but the condos &#8212; by coupling a slick search engine with personal agent care to assist you all the way to closing.
Start by studying CD&#8217;s Gmap of on-the-market properties (populated by MLS data, new construction developments, foreclosures, etc), which upon mouse-hovering&#8217;ll pop up exterior snap shot/price range/# of units; click &#8220;view full details&#8221; for a Google Street View, a Walk Score, and a physical/historical building descrip (if it reads &#8220;lubricated&#8221;, you added an extra &#8220;m&#8221; to the url).
The next step: opt for &#8220;Full Service&#8221;, and you&#8217;re paired with an actual live local agent to help scout/compare properties, or go it alone and arrange tours yourself; either way, CD handles final paperwork &amp; negotiation, and at closing&#8217;ll return either 20% of the commission (for &#8220;Full Service&#8221;) or 90% if you found the place yourself &#8212; money you&#8217;ll need to drink away the fact that your walls are actually made of rats. Mean, horrible rats.
CD also informs buyers with a blog about the SF condo landscape, which analyzes market trends, specific properties, and neighborhoods &#8212; over-educating you to the point that you&#8217;ll burn out on condos, and settle for Bed.
Entire Article
Or visit our main website to search all San Francisco Condos !!!
]]></description>
		<link>http://www.sanfranciscocondoloft.com/nbc-bay-area-gives-us-some-love/</link>
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		<title>On the Rebound?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
		<link>http://www.sanfranciscocondoloft.com/on-the-rebound/</link>
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		<title>South Beach</title>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
		<link>http://www.sanfranciscocondoloft.com/south-beach/</link>
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		<title>The Mission District</title>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
		<link>http://www.sanfranciscocondoloft.com/the-mission-district/</link>
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		<title>San Francisco Condo Demand</title>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
		<link>http://www.sanfranciscocondoloft.com/san-francisco-condo-demand/</link>
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		<title>Mission Bay</title>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
		<link>http://www.sanfranciscocondoloft.com/mission-bay/</link>
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		<title>Finding San Francisco Foreclosures</title>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
		<link>http://www.sanfranciscocondoloft.com/finding-san-francisco-foreclosures/</link>
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