rick@russianhill's Profile

@JeffreyK -- just curious: how is your "I just don't believe it"-defense any less theoretical than the Rent Control Reduces Supply theory? Say what you will, but at least that theory is backed up by some pretty scholarly research. The assertion that ending rent control would result in "immediately bring[ing] all rents up to market value" is also not a likely outcome of phasing out rent control. (It's, frankly, ludicrous to imagine any end to rent control that would be introduced to an economic system like residential real estate by any means other than incremental -- while no one's ever gone wrong betting on the stupidity of San Francisco city administrators and regulators, I think we're all smart enough not to end rent control with the fall of an axe) Please admit at least that there are some fairly shaky and negative implications to rent control, and balance your argument against the impact of those outcomes.

The only way to look at it -- presuming that you've made an irrevocable decision to leave the city or your apartment for whatever reason -- is to keep your focus on the destination rental or housing market, not the one that you're leaving. Rent control only exists as an economic function of your home in San Francisco -- is the place you're moving to as rent-crazy as San Francisco? If not, then just write off your rent control anxieties, because they're immaterial in Denver or Albuquerque or Dayton or Atlanta. The benefits of rent control only exist for you in your current apartment in San Francisco -- they're not transferrable (not legally, anyway, if your lease prohibits subletting, which the leases written on most rent controlled units do) -- so don't think of it as some asset you should be bequeathing to a surviving party of your choice.

If you were moving to Manhattan or Brooklyn, however, you could be forgiven if you looked into an apartment swap of some kind with another rent-controlled tenant. Short of that, the tenant moving into your studio apartment is taking their own chances with the current state of the San Francisco rental market -- they should begin their relationship with your property owner with a clean slate.

Depending on the project, having a good work surface -- such as a 3' x 4' piece of 5/8" Plywood or MDF -- and placing it on a drop cloth on your bed is a possible solution for a work-space. Again, depending on the project and how often you're DIY'ing, this may be something to be stored beneath the bed and brought out on an ad-hoc basis.

I built a wall-mounted, two-position dining table in my small (600 s.f.) San Francisco apartment, which is secured at either "eating height" (31") or "working/entertaining height" (42") with adjustable legs on one end and a pair of wall ledgers at the other. This table becomes a "work bench" for DIY-projects, along with drop cloths and a "bench cover." The surface is made of reclaimed redwood tongue-and-groove siding, Fortunately for me, the window to this room opens up to a full 38"w x 50"h if I'm painting or varnishing something, so ventilating for brush-on painting projects is not much of an issue.

My solutions took a lot of time to come by, but they now get used with tremendous frequency -- I'm working on a project for either myself or a customer at least once a week. Maybe not ideal for everyone, but if you're a DIY addict, I can tell you that it's worth the investment.

... and never -- NEVER -- spray indoors in your apartment. You're better off bringing your piece to a paint shop before trying it in your home.

I don't think that any of us who live up here are quite comfortable with anyone self-anointing "the posh Russian Hill?"

Good luck in your new home, Josslyn. Please don't let your zip code go to your head, and we'll all get along just fine.

This apartment is like Oakland; there's no "there" there.

This place is preposterously gorgeous. I, too, have drool on my laptop, now. The bath in the master suite is so gorgeous, I would never leave the house.

Received my pieces this week; they are spectacular. Thanks, Kom, Amy and Eric!

I toured this place when it was in the market in 2002 or 3, and it's PERFECT - it's a masterpiece. You can't see the kitchen or the bedrooms and bath in this photo, but they're even more spectacular than the primary living space. > sigh < I love this house.

Yes, a small, cool apartment. Will look forward to seeing those new improvements in next year's entry.