Investing in Condos in SF Bay Area

[Kayvon Ghaffari]

Hi all,

I have a question regarding investing in condos in the Bay Area. I have been living in Cupertino with my parents since I graduated 2 years ago and I've been working full time since. I recently switched to a new job in SF, and with the 2 hour commute each way (driving + Caltrain + walking), I've been looking into closer options to my job. 

I've come across several condos for sale in and around the city with prices from $450,000 - $550,000. (I'm looking at this one for example: Condo in South SF). I know that investing in a single / multi-family home in the peninsula is completely out of reach for me. I also know that I'd prefer to not spend $1-1.5k in rent in the city. Lastly, I know that I'm a complete noobie when it comes to judging good real estate opportunities from bad ones. What would you all do if you were in my shoes? Stay in Cupertino rent-free and invest somewhere more lucrative? Your help is greatly appreciated - thanks!

[J. Martin]

Originally posted by @Kayvon Ghaffari:

Hi all,

I have a question regarding investing in condos in the Bay Area. I have been living in Cupertino with my parents since I graduated 2 years ago and I've been working full time since. I recently switched to a new job in SF, and with the 2 hour commute each way (driving + Caltrain + walking), I've been looking into closer options to my job. 

I've come across several condos for sale in and around the city with prices from $450,000 - $550,000. (I'm looking at this one for example: Condo in South SF). I know that investing in a single / multi-family home in the peninsula is completely out of reach for me. I also know that I'd prefer to not spend $1-1.5k in rent in the city. Lastly, I know that I'm a complete noobie when it comes to judging good real estate opportunities from bad ones. What would you all do if you were in my shoes? Stay in Cupertino rent-free and invest somewhere more lucrative? Your help is greatly appreciated - thanks!

If you think you are going to spend $1-1.5K/mo for rent in SF, you must be sharing a room w/ someone. Event a 300 sq ft micro apartment in the Tenderloin is more than that. WAY more expensive. I recommend looking into buying a duplex or 4plex, possibly with FHA if you don't have a lot of cash. I believe limit is $1.2MM for 4plex in Bay.

I think SF condos are a good bet for the long term, especially if you're living there.. @Amit M. , care to chime in with your SF condo experience?