Gaetani Real Estate

San Francisco Rental Market Insights | Q1, 2026

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:52:34 GMT

From the Front Lines — What Owners Are Experiencing Right Now

If you’re a rental property owner in San Francisco, you may already feel it: the market has shifted, and it’s moved faster than many expected. From my perspective managing leasing activity across the city, the shift has been unmistakable.

In fact, over the past 6–8 months, our leasing team has seen San Francisco transition from a renter’s market back to an owner’s market.

This update isn’t based on a single report or data set. It reflects hundreds of conversations, showings, applications, and real leasing outcomes across neighborhoods and property types, and what those patterns mean for owners today.

Renters Are Moving Faster... and With More Confidence

One of the biggest changes we’ve seen is speed.

As one leasing agent shared recently, “It’s no longer ‘let me think about it.’ Many renters are applying during the showing and ready to move forward immediately if the home feels right.”

In today’s market:

Applications are often submitted during or immediately after showings
Asking rent is frequently accepted without negotiation
In competitive locations, some renters are offering above asking

The “discount-driven” conversations that dominated the market a year or two ago are now the exception rather than the rule.

Pricing Signals We’re Seeing Across the City

While every home and neighborhood is different, there are some clear pricing patterns emerging:

Well-located one-bedrooms in strong neighborhoods are regularly leasing within days when priced at or slightly above market
In several recent cases, homes have leased above asking rent due to multiple interested applicants, so owners should price based on current comps rather than anchoring to last year’s rent
Two bedrooms are becoming more sparse - while the demand is still very high.
If an owner has a large one bedroom, we are always here to support in the possibility of a unit conversion.

In one example, a small one-bedroom (under 600 square feet) near Dolores Park, with fairly standard amenities, received an offer above asking and leased within days due to location, presentation, and timing.

Another owner initially expected rent closer to prior years. After reviewing current market activity together with their Gaetani leasing agent, the unit was listed significantly higher than expected and leased in two days, at nearly $300 more per month than anticipated.

These moments are becoming more common, and they underscore how quickly the market recalibrated.

What’s Driving Demand Back Into San Francisco

Several factors appear to be overlapping at once:

Low inventory : Fewer available units are creating competition
Return-to-city confidence : More people are choosing the city over suburban alternatives
Workforce shifts : Hiring in tech and AI, as well as ongoing return to office moves, are bringing both senior professionals and early-career renters back into the SF rental market

What’s been especially interesting is how renter priorities have evolved . We’re hearing fewer questions about dedicated home offices and more questions like:

“How close is this to a park?”
“What’s the neighborhood feel like?”
“Can I walk to coffee shops or restaurants?”

People want to live somewhere that feels active and connected again, and they’re making decisions accordingly.

What the Numbers Are Telling Us (and What They’re Not)

In addition to what we’re hearing in conversations and seeing during showings, we’re beginning to track key leasing indicators more intentionally to help owners better understand what’s happening in the market.

Here are a few patterns we’re seeing consistently across well-positioned homes:

Time to lease: Generally, within 7–14 days , particularly when presentation and location are strong.
Rent outcomes: Many homes are leasing at asking rent, and in competitive situations, some renters are offering $200–$300 above asking to secure the right home.
Applicant behavior: Multiple qualified applicants per listing are becoming more common, especially in neighborhoods with access to parks, walkability, and local amenities.

While these numbers don’t tell the whole story since every home is different, they help ground what our leasing team is seeing day to day. Pricing, timing, condition, and owner goals still play a critical role in outcomes.

Pricing Strategy: Where Owners Often Undervalue Their Homes

One of the most common conversations we have with owners right now centers on pricing expectations.

It’s completely understandable to anchor the price of a unit to what it rented for last year, especially after a prolonged period of market softness. But in many cases, that anchor no longer reflects what today’s market can support.

We’re often helping owners recalibrate expectations by:

Reviewing current comps, not historical rents
Discussing demand signals from recent showings
Aligning pricing strategy with the owner’s goals, whether that’s maximizing rent or prioritizing stability

Importantly, this isn’t about pushing rents higher at all costs. It’s about making informed decisions and understanding that the market has moved.

Helpful Tips from Our Leasing Team: Small Changes That Matter, Neighborhood, and Feature Trends We’re Seeing

Across the city, homes tend to lease faster when they offer:

Proximity to parks or green space
Walkable neighborhoods with restaurants and local businesses
Natural light and neutral finishes
Thoughtful upkeep, even in older buildings

As one agent summed it up, “Renters are still discerning — they’re just decisive now. Clean, bright homes stand out immediately.”

Fresh, neutral paint
Light, clean colors (like Chantilly Lace – one of our favorites at Gaetani) because it is a classic go-to white that elicits images of fresh cotton and pure silk and helps spaces feel brighter and more modern. This is one of the highest-impact updates we see.

Fun fact : Chantilly Lace is a color close to the 2026 Pantone color of the year , Cloud Dancer a lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection. This color tone encourages true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe.

Updated hardware and fixtures
Simple changes like cabinet knobs, drawer pulls, or lighting can dramatically improve first impressions without major renovation.

Appliances that support daily life
Dishwashers and laundry access consistently broaden demand and support stronger pricing.

Pet-friendly policies
As one agent put it, “If a home doesn’t allow pets, you’re immediately excluding ~80% of otherwise excellent renters.”

Attention to detail
Clean finishes, well-executed repairs, and thoughtful presentation signal care, and renters respond to that.

Why Owners Choose Gaetani as a Leasing Partner

At Gaetani, our leasing approach is built on listening first, to renters and owners, and to the realities of the market as it changes. What makes our work different is not just market knowledge, but how closely we stay connected to what’s actually happening.

We’re on the ground every day. Our insights come from active leasing, not just reports or averages.
We tailor recommendations to owner goals. Every conversation starts with understanding what matters most to you.
We’re accessible and responsive. Owners have direct access to our leasing team and clear communication throughout the process.
We explain the “why.” Pricing, timing, and strategy are always discussed transparently, so decisions feel informed, not reactive.

As one owner recently shared, “What I value most is that you take the time to explain what you’re seeing and why you’re recommending it. It feels like a partnership.”

That relationship-first approach is core to how we work.

Looking Ahead

As we approach peak leasing season, competition is likely to increase further. New graduates, job transitions, and households returning to the city will continue to drive demand.

If you’re planning a vacancy, considering updates, or wondering whether your pricing assumptions still hold, now is a good time to connect with your leasing team.

Curious about what Gaetani is leasing?

Explore our current leasing listings to see what’s available today.

Gaetani's Aaron Leavy: A Commitment to Community Service

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 23:11:16 GMT

Aaron Leavy's journey is a testament to the power of the individual in making a difference in people's lives. With a background in psychology, Aaron's desire to help others has kept him dedicated to community service across his two markedly different careers.

His journey began when he studied psychology in college, driven by a deep-seated desire to make a positive impact on the lives of children. This passion led him to work as a therapist at a non-profit organization in a Los Angeles neighborhood known for its challenges, where even the reception desk had bullet-proof glass—a stark reminder of the environment he was working in.

Wanting to take a break from the intensity of his work in therapy, Aaron transitioned into real estate management but never lost sight of his dedication to community service. Two years ago, he joined Gaetani Real Estate, and throughout his 2nd career in real

estate, he has never ceased leveraging his industry connections to contribute to meaningful causes.

One such cause that captured Aaron's attention was Rebuilding Together SF , a national organization with 120 affiliate organizations across the country. This non-profit focuses on assisting homeowners in vulnerable communities by providing essential home repairs and improvements. Recognizing the intersection between his past experiences in therapy and his current role in real estate, Aaron was asked by another real estate professional to join the board of Rebuilding Together SF, which he enthusiastically accepted.

Aaron's impact on Rebuilding Together SF has been profound. With his ability to mobilize resources and tap into his real estate clientele for fundraising, he has raised over $100,000 in donations. His reputation for integrity and dedication precedes him, makinghis fundraising efforts highly successful.

Under Aaron's guidance, the Gaetani Team has joined Rebuilding Together SF to undertake crucial home rehabilitation projects, primarily in the Bayview, including adding ADA access, fixing roofs and stairs, upgrading plumbing, and renovating bathrooms and kitchens

for homeowners in need. Gaetani routinely participates in National Rebuilding Day – coming up on April 27th – where thousands of volunteers come together to make a difference in their communities. Gaetani, under Aaron's leadership, has become a project lead,

taking on significant renovations such as cleaning and painting a community food kitchen.

One notable success story involved transforming the home of an elderly man who was blind, turning a neglected yard into a safe and accessible space where he could get exercise and fresh air in the safety of his own space. With the support of volunteers and

vendors, the transformation was completed over two weekends, filling two dumpsters with debris and bringing tears of joy to the homeowner's daughter when she first saw her father’s new yard.

After eight years and two terms as a member of the Rebuilding Together SF board, Aaron is moving on. Looking ahead, he plans to continue his volunteer work in youth therapy once his tenure with Rebuilding Together SF concludes. Despite not practicing therapy

for a decade, he has kept his license active, highlighting his enduring dedication to helping others.

Aaron Leavy's story serves as an inspiration, reminding us that with passion, perseverance, and a commitment to giving back, individuals like him can create lasting positive change in their communities

From Rundown Modernism to Paragon of Modern Living

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 20:35:36 GMT

Revitalizing 940 Guerrero

Nestled in the vibrant Mission neighborhood, amidst some of the most glorious Victorian houses in San Francisco stands 940 Guerrero, a once-forgotten 21-unit Modernist gem of an apartment building that has undergone a remarkable transformation, breathing new life into its aging bones. Constructed in 1962, this building had received minimal updates over a span of 25 years from 1997 to 2022. However, a new owner's vision and determination turned the tide, heralding a renaissance that has not only revitalized the building but also made it a sought-after destination for renters.

The catalyst for this revival was the arrival of this proactive owner who, working with the professionals at Gaetani, undertook a comprehensive renovation plan. Partnering with Polichio Builders, a reputable General Contractor, and leveraging local expertise from family-owned Byington Electric and certified women-owned business, Winning Colors Painting, the building underwent a series of significant upgrades. These included 12 full remodels of units, a complete exterior paint job, interior common area enhancements, a modern fire alarm system, state-of-the-art security cameras, a new 2-way video intercom, full siding replacement, and a crucial courtyard waterproofing project.

One of the standout features of the revamped units is the inclusion of washer/dryer units, a convenience highly valued by today's tenants. The kitchens and bathrooms have been completely overhauled, now boasting efficient modern appliances and stylish finishes. Moreover, units facing Guerrero Street offer breathtaking views of the neighborhood, adding to their allure.

The impact of these renovations has been nothing short of phenomenal. With a vast improvement in living conditions and added security measures, the building has become a magnet for renters. The units, now sleek and contemporary, are snapped up swiftly, underscoring the pent-up demand for quality rental accommodations in the area.

Beyond the physical upgrades, the renovation project has had a positive ripple effect on the community. Not only was the renovation investment kept local, but the improvement of the building’s prominent facade and yard has significantly improved the livability and curb appeal of the surrounding neighborhood.

The transformation of 940 Guerrero stands as a testament to what can be achieved with vision, determination, and a commitment to quality – all hallmarks of the way we’ve been doing things for three generations here at Gaetani.

SF Neighborhood Centers Together: The Legacy of Victorian Women Lives On

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 20:46:04 GMT

In 1890 Alice Griffith (below R) and Elizabeth Ashe (L in framed photo) founded the Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center (TelHi) to provide critical services such as healthcare, childcare, and education to immigrants. Similarly, in 1897, Donaldina Cameron (below C) turned what was then known as Presbyterian Home (now Cameron House, below R) in Chinatown into a refuge, helping rescue over 2000 young immigrant women from indentured servitude and human trafficking, and teach them vital employment skills. To this day, both these neighborhood centers continue to be a vital hub of activity and support for their surrounding communities.

San Francisco Neighborhood Centers Together (SFNCT) carries on the legacy of these pioneering social activists, supporting the eight San Francisco neighborhood centers by helping them speak with a collective voice and provide high quality services to residents in need.

According to Danny Sauter, the Executive Director of SFNCT, "Alice, Elizabeth, and Donaldina were champions of community service and their legacy continues on now some 134 years after they founded TEL HI Neighborhood Center and Cameron House, respectively. They were tireless in their pursuit of serving immigrant families and low-income workers of the North Beach and Chinatown neighborhood.s From a health clinic to job training to childcare, they blazed a trail of providing services that the growing neighborhood needed." Reflecting on March being Women's History Month, Sauter noted, "It's no coincidence that our two oldest centers, TEL HI and Cameron House, both have women at the core of their founding. More than a century later, we are still benefiting from their courage and vision of uplifting their communities and looking out for those who need support."

Danny Sauter, Executive Director of SFNCT

Neighborhood Centers are there for anyone in the community, from cradle to cane. They provide low-barrier services so that anyone can walk in and get a bit of assistance from a provider who has a long history of working in their neighborhood. This trust and cultural understanding is the foundation of the centers - the oldest center in Chinatown (Cameron House) is celebrating 150 years of service this year! From childcare and after-school programs for youth to wellness classes and social events for older adults, these centers have a variety of programs to match the needs of their respective communities. Especially today when loneliness is an epidemic, it's so important to have these community spaces available to fight isolation and bring neighbors together.

Danny notes that running the Centers is not without significant challenges. Hiring and retaining staff is a challenge. This intersects with housing and transportation: Many staff cannot afford to live in San Francisco but need to be on-site every day at the centers. They also are struggling to keep with the increased demand for older adult programs in San Francisco. Older adults are the fastest growing age group in San Francisco, and more services are needed to support them to age in place in their communities while fighting isolation.

SFNCT has made significant investments in professional development of the 300+ staff across their centers. They hold monthly staff training to help them navigate complex situations in their jobs and advance more quickly. This year they started a Staff Scholarship Program, which awards two $3,000 scholarships annually to those selected to help pay for professional development. The initial winners are using this scholarship to fund professional certificates, class hours, and attending industry conferences.

To better serve older adults at the centers and in our communities, the SFNCT supports the establishment of "Senior Advisory Councils" at our centers which allow for older adults to have an active role in planning the programs we offer to ensure they are relevant, culturally-appropriate, and serve their needs.

The TelHi Senior Advisory Council

All of the neighborhood centers rely on volunteers to help their programs run. There are opportunities to volunteer, from weekly food pantries to special events. With 8 centers in the network citywide, there's probably one close to you. You can see the list of centers here: https://sfnct.org/centers . Volunteer Today!

145 Laurel: Testament to San Francisco's Resilience

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 20:12:47 GMT

In post-1906 Earthquake San Francisco, signs of the city’s resilience were everywhere: A new City Hall (built without a dime of graft, it's claimed); The Pan-Pacific International Exposition that briefly turned the Marina into a fantastic European metropolis; and remarkable residential buildings such as the Gaetani-managed 145 Laurel, constructed between 1919 - 1921, which projected a regained confidence as well as a refined aesthetic which furthered the image of San Francisco as the “Paris of the West.”

The time was right, surmised the builder, J.C. Hiller, for San Francisco to boast New York-style apartment buildings, so for a cost of around $350,000 (or about $6.5M today), Hiller hired Alfred Henry Jacobs, a local architect who had designed such buildings as the Curran Theater, and set to work. An article about such modern apartment buildings appeared in the September 1919 edition of the journal Architect and Engineer , and offered this favorable description of "The Hillard," noting that " The majority of tenants occupying large apartments come from homes and also have country houses-hence the necessity of giving them all the luxuries they have been accustomed to, plus the economies and conveniences resulting from community or apartment house living."

It went on to compliment the construction and amenities, which included a view of the pre-bridge Golden Gate, San Francisco Bay, and the Marin Headlands:

"The building will contain fifteen apartments, covering five floors, and the two lower stories will contain, in addition to a Caen stone and marble lobby, servants' quarters, laundry, garages and other necessary adjuncts of such a structure. The apartments will contain six rooms and two baths and seven rooms and three baths respectively, and the rents will range from $250 to $350 a month. This is about one-third of what is paid in New York and other large Eastern cities for apartments of this class, and is a very distinct economy when compared to the cost of maintenance of homes of similar character. The building will be class A and fireproof, the frame being of steel, the exterior of brick and the floors of concrete."

By 1969, the building's first heyday had come and gone, and it was in need of a significant renovation. That's when it was purchased by the grandparents of its current owner, Marty Friedman, and given a significant overhaul of the interiors. They lived there until their deaths, his in 1990 and hers in 1999.

Marty's uncle took over management of the building in the 1980s, and also undertook major improvements, this time to the structure as well as the interiors. He added a second level of parking to the garage and two more apartments to the original 15 unit configuration.

Along the way, the building was the backdrop for the movie "Die Laughing," starring Robbie Benson, Linda Grovenor, Bud Cort (of Harold & Maude fame), Charles Durning, as well as SFSU grad Peter Coyote. Bay Area music legend Linda Rondstadt made "The Hiller" her home, as did 1990s KPIX and ABC News Medical Correspondent, Dr. Nancy Snyderman.

In 2021, Marty and his wife became third-generation resident owners of the building, and true to the stewardship of their predecessors, set about modernizing the structure to meet the needs of today's tenants. Using the COVID exodus from the city as an opportunity, he made extensive upgrades to all the units, most of which had become vacant, adding washers and dryers in all the apartments, as well as improvements to the common areas with a gym, a package room, a dog-washing station, new door hardware, a new entry system, and dedicated tenant storage areas. Additionally, he replaced the roof, repaired the exterior brickwork, modernized the elevator, and added a rooftop antenna that serves all the first responders in the inner Bay Area.

This forward-looking investment ensures that 145 Laurel will remain a symbol of San Francisco's resilience. And with all these attractive upgrades the building, needless to say, is now full again.

Photos by Alex Akamine

This Coalition is on a Roll

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 21:11:51 GMT

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is riding a wave of renewed interest in bicycling as a healthy and environmentally responsible mode of transport, whether that’s for work or for play.

A favorite organization of much of the Gaetani team, SFBike is working to build a safer, cleaner, and more equitable City for everyone – and yes, that includes people who drive cars, too.

One of the most important things that SF Bike does is the whole idea of building a coalition – a movement even. It's continuous process, as they have to work with each generation to help change the way people move. A lot of their work is centered around programs such as Safe Routes to Schools, where they work with youth and families to teach the kids how to safely ride on city streets – and help parents get comfortable with the idea of their kids riding bikes on those streets.

Staff and volunteers also go to school playgrounds on the weekends to teach kids -- and adults -- to learn how to ride a bike. Lessons are available in Spanish and Mandarin to help reach all of San Francisco's communities. SFBike's approach is to "show up with humility" and listen to communities on how they believe that active transportation could improve their lives and their neighborhoods. Once these citizens engage with SFBike, they start to see the value in learning to ride and having good infrastructure in their neighborhood.

The Coalition works neighborhood by neighborhood across the city, and puts extra effort in with communities such as those in the Southeast part of San Francisco where they've concluded they have not historically built trust before advocating for policy and infrastructure changes. What's clear is that there has been an historical neglect in the Southeast, whether those are providing adequate public transit resources or teaching residents about the b.enefits of active mobility - people powered transportation – so an emphasis is put on making sure to communicate the benefits and undo any of the harm - real or perceived – that active transport policies and infrastructure changes may have caused.

The Adult Learn to Ride program the Coalition offers has also transformed many lives for the better, because riding a bike frees up people to get to work on their own schedule, affordably and with health benefits. So has SFBike's repair classes, which help people save time and money by teaching them to maintain their mode of transit themselves – with no more costly trips to the garage, the smog shop, or, worst of all, the impound yard.

What's clear is that any measure of financial support SFBike receives makes a big difference -- from things like Bike it Forward (repairing donated bikes and providing them to disadvantaged households) to Freedom from Training Wheels (giving kids the confidence to ride on two wheels from the start). What's impressive is that fully 43% of their budget comes from the generosity of San Franciscans: Foundations, corporations, and individuals who provide grants to help the organization achieve its mission.

Ultimately, SFBike is working to support the transformation of San Francisco neighborhoods into safe and healthy places for all – because at some point, everyone is a pedestrian, even if they get into car at the other end – a place where no one has to lose their life simply by being on the streets. Studies have shown that streets with bike lanes are safer for everyone -- including people in cars. And the more people ride bikes, there's less congestion and easier parking someone who has to drive a car. What's more, pedestrian and bike-friendly streets are better for merchants, because it turns out that people who walk and bike spend more locally and spend locally more often than people who arrive by car.

Gaetani is proud to be a business member of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. You can learn more about the organization and join yourself at SFBike.org . Want to help sponsor some of these programs? Email Mia Lauter, Manager of Institutional Giving, at development@sfbike.org . Happy cycling!

Painting the Town...Swiss Coffee?

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 21:42:02 GMT

Savard Color has been a Trusted Partner of Gaetani for more than 30 Years

“Swiss Coffee” is the paint color Brian Savard and Jarrod York of Savard Color get the most requests for in San Francisco. “Frost” comes in a close second.

Savard Color has been Gaetani’s go-to in the painting trades for over thirty years, when our founder, Tony Gaetani, Sr., stopped to chat with Brian while he was sitting in his van outside of a job site. Since that day, Savard has painted thousands of interiors and exteriors on the buildings we manage, and we continue to be impressed by the quality of workmanship this company delivers. Brian chalks it up to the tenure of his team.“We don’t have the challenge of finding skilled labor, as most of our folks have been with us for 25 years,” observed Savard. “That kind of experience is key to getting jobs done quickly and getting them done right.”

That doesn’t mean those jobs are necessarily all easy – being a painting contractor in San Francisco comes with a unique set of challenges, some of which are not so obvious to the casual observer.

Yes, permits are sometimes a hassle, but at least they're a known quantity. Fog, salt spray and sun? Savard has plenty of experience with those elements. Turns out, the biggest challenge with a lot of jobs is, of all things, property lines . Because the houses in San Francisco are often right next to each other, with bay windows jutting out, tiny backyards, hedges, and various backyard cottages getting in the way, oftentimes the only obvious place to put the scaffolding is...in the neighbor's yard. And since that's not always a viable option, it takes quite a bit of ingenuity to get the crew up to where they need to do their work.

Another challenge is understanding the technical details of all the paint products on the market, but this is another place where Savard Color has an edge. “There's a lot of science behind paint, and Brian really knows the right product for the right situation,” says Jerrod. “He’s the master, and I’m lucky to be learning all the ins and outs of this business from him.” Jarrod is Brian’s nephew, and has been doing a deep dive into the arcane chemistry of architectural coatings in preparation for taking over the company when Brian retires in a few years. Jarrod joined the company in 2022 after a successful career in marketing, bringing his business chops with him and relishing the more hands-on aspects of the business. “I was tired of endless meetings where everyone would talk a lot but nothing would get done,” he says. “When we’re finished with a paint job, and it looks great and the client is pleased, the feeling of satisfaction is immediate.”

With a staff of 16 full-time employees, Savard now has two divisions, one offering "full-turn service," meaning that when a rental unit becomes vacant, they send in a cleaning crew, a maintenance team, as well as the painters themselves, so the unit comes out on the other side of their process fully updated and ready to be moved into. The second division focuses on providing high-end painting for some of the finest homes in the Bay Area. Between the two, the company now delivers 40 to 50 projects per month.

That's a whole lot of Swiss Coffee.

Interested in learning more about Savard Color? Drop them a line at brian@savardcolor.com

Fort Mason Residences: Living History

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 18:33:10 GMT

Of all the wonderful properties Gaetani manages, one stands out for its unique combination of scenic beauty, interesting architecture, and historical significance – the Fort Mason Residences, which the firm has managed for the last decade.

The Fort Mason Residences of today exude a quiet charm, set on the leeward side of the bluff known as Black Point to provide some protection against the cold winds coming off San Francisco Bay. Although best known as a military community, and indeed established by President Millard Fillmore as such in 1850, there was no actual military presence in the early years, so civilians used that absence of authority to essentially squat on the property, and were the first to build homes on the site, many of which remain today. After a development of five large and well-appointed houses was built by the abolitionist "Free Soiler," Leonidas Haskell, the area quickly became an enclave for a burgeoning anti-slavery upper middle class in San Francisco.

It wasn't until the outbreak of the Civil War that soldier's barracks and fortifications became part of the Fort Mason landscape – which you can see today by walking behind the Hosteling International building, where restored brick battery walls and a massive cannon still stand guard over the Golden Gate. By the time World War I came around, the military had taken over most of the civilian structures on the site, and by World War II it was a bustling hub of activity focused on supplying U.S. operations in the Pacific.

Gaetani has managed the Residences for the National Parks Service (NPS) since 2013, and they continue to be highly desirable units because of their proximity to the Bay, Chrissy Field, Aquatic Park, Fisherman's Wharf, Fort Point, and the Presidio – not to mention the nearby Safeway and the shopping and entertainment districts on Chestnut and Union Streets.

The property comes with a unique set of challenges: unlike a regular apartment building, all maintenance and repairs have to made in accordance with historical preservation standards. This means that everything you see has to appear just as it did when the fort was decommissioned by the military and handed over to NPS in the 1970s, when San Francisco's Congressmen Phillip Burton and William S. Mailliard helped establish the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), which covers a huge swath of land, over 82,000 acres, stretching from Marin County all the way down to San Mateo County.

Gaetani's plumbing contractor, Joe Tinsley of Fast Response Plumbing , has even had to have fixtures custom-machined to replace broken parts in the kitchens and bathrooms of the Fort Mason Residences. Luckily, he notes, things you can't see , such as water heaters and pipes, have been brought up to modern standards of safety and efficiency. No need to heat your own bathwater on a coal-fired stove, thankfully!

So, Fort Mason is a special place for many people and many reasons, and we at Gaetani also have a fondness for the place because our founder, Tony Gaetani, Sr., was stationed there during World War II, shipping out with the U.S. Navy to serve in the Pacific Theater.

Tony Gaetani, Sr. (standing far right) at Fort Mason after returning from the Battle of the Bismarck Sea

As this is being published during Black History Month, it's important to highlight California's place in the anti-slavery movement. As it is today, San Francisco in the late 1800s was a breeding ground of progressive ideas – and one of them was that all people had equal rights, whatever their race or creed. Not all Californians shared that ideal, including one David S. Terry, a Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, an aggressive and violent advocate of extending slavery into California. He was therefore a political enemy of the aforementioned Leonidas Haskell. Haskell and his friend, Senator David C. Broderick campaigned against Terry in his unsuccessful attempt to gain a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Terry blamed Broderick for the loss, and challenged him to a duel just across the San Francisco County line at Lake Merced – as duels were against the law in San Francisco.

The duel took place on September 13th, 1859. However, Broderick's pistol misfired, so Terry took his shot, gravely wounding Broderick. Haskell brought the stricken Broderick back to his house at Black Point for treatment, but the injuries were too great and he succumbed three days later.

“They killed me because I am opposed to the extension of slavery and a corrupt administration." These were the last words of Senator Broderick, but hardly the last words in California's fight against slavery, as its citizens voted to join the Union against the states of the Confederate South.

Today, that house is known as "Quarters 3," and is a private residence managed by Gaetani. We are proud to have a hand in maintaining this important historical site.

Interested in living in historical Fort Mason? We treat them as regular listings, so check our openings regularly and if one does become available (which doesn't happen very often!), it could be your next home!

The Universe had a Plan

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 19:21:09 GMT

A New Apartment Spawns a New Practice

Diksha Gupta is a resident of a Gaetani-managed building in Milbrae. Her first name is Sanskrit for “transcending beyond the intellect,” and when she started to focus on practicing that deeper meaning in her life and work, all sorts of things fell into place – including discovering her current apartment.

In 2021 Diksha was going through some personal life challenges. People close to her kept saying "Slow down!" and suggested she try grounding herself in a practice such as yoga. She ignored that advice, as she considered herself a driven person, into meeting challenges of all sorts, so she preferred extremely physically taxing things such as High Intensity Training (HIT). Then she received an email out of the blue asking if she wanted to apply for a scholarship for teacher training at CorePower Yoga. She applied and was initially turned down, but then the original recipient declined the scholarship and so it was offered to Diksha. She felt that the Universe was trying to tell her something, so she met this new challenge head-on, and although she was the most green student in the program, eventually learned all the poses, built a practice, and became an accredited yogi.

Of course, she already had a full-time job in Fremont as a product manager for a cancer detection and treatment life sciences company, and taking on the teaching of yoga classes made for another full-time job. That's when she found the Gaetani-managed apartment on Facebook Marketplace. Diksha liked the place because of its charm – a classic, well-maintained older building in Milbrae with high ceilings and friendly neighbors. Again, she felt the Universe was sending a message, so she signed the lease and moved in. However, the commute to work combined with the rigors of teaching at CorePower was exhausting, and she wasn't sure she could handle it.

That's when she noticed that the Millbrae library was looking for a yoga instructor, so she applied, they reached out the very next day and hired her, and for the past two years she's been teaching classes there, which she finds very fulfilling. At the same time, she was offered a new job in South San Francisco, cutting her commute in half and allowing her to add more classes through the City of Millbrae Parks & Recreation Department, do occasional programs at the Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco, as well as provide ad hoc AirBnB Experiences for yoga enthusiasts. Her success and the positive gratification it's brought her has led her to open her own business, Deeksha Yoga. The Universe has spoken.

And it was all catalyzed by that fateful move to her Gaetani apartment in Millbrae, where everyone now knows her as "the yoga teacher."

NICE Pilates Strengthens the Richmond Community

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 22:58:20 GMT

2023 Expansion into Corner Retail Space at 5059 Geary Blvd Allows Business to Grow

Cassandra Palo, owner of NICE Pilates in the Richmond, describes her job as part instructor, part therapist, front desk clerk, bookkeeper, marketer, and janitor – the many hats worn by a small business owner. That investment in time and effort, however, is repaid many times over by the gratitude expressed by happy clients. "I'm rich in affirmation," says Cassandra.

NICE stands for Nourishing, Integrated, Classical, and Experience. These are the four levels of classes taught at the studio, which are based on pace, not ability. "Pilates will meet you where you are." notes Cassandra, "but you can't go faster than the practice you've built up because your body and mind need to work together, and that requires personalizing a routine and getting it down."

And once you do, the payoff in physical and mental fitness can be transformational. Cassandra relates how recently a 70-year-old client said, with tears in her eyes, "'Thank you for giving me my husband back.'" NICE Pilates had helped him rejuvenate his agility and revitalize his confidence – he was bicycling more, kayaking better, and enjoying his life and relationships anew.

PIlates is practiced by different people for a variety of reasons: Corrective exercises to overcome injury; A rediscovery of their journey with movement, especially if they've been sedentary for a while but don't like the idea of going to a hard-core gym or trendy fitness club; And ongoing strength and balance training as part of a healthy lifestyle. As Cassandra points out, "You can make the exercises easy or hard as you want, learning where your body wants to go and looking for nuance."

Another nice thing about Pilates is the infinite variety of exercises. Cassandra says she's "never taught the same class twice." And with a wide variety of movements and machines to choose from, she "teaches to the body in front of me," tailoring the session to the individual.

As a special bonus for the Gaetani community, through February you can use code NEIGHBOR20 for 20% off a single drop-in class credit. 1st time customers only, limit one usage per customer. Visit https://nicepilates.studio/ to sign up or get more information.

Plumbing the Depths of San Francisco

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 22:47:34 GMT

Fast Response Plumbing Really Knows the Pipes of this City

The first thing you notice about the plumbing in the grand Victorian and Art Deco apartment buildings in San Francisco, says Joe Tinsley of Fast Response Plumbing , "is just how old everything is!" While most residences and smaller buildings have replaced outdated galvanized pipes with modern copper, doing so in a multi-story building is a really big, difficult, and expensive job. Usually, that means pipes, valves, and other components of those plumbing systems only get replaced when something goes wrong...which is pretty often. And as we all know, once a leak has sprung, you need, well, you need a fast response!

That's why Gaetani has partnered with Joe, his wife Stefani, and their team of skilled tradespeople to bring fast, high-quality plumbing services to our residents and commercial tenants. Whether that's installing a new water heater, unclogging a pipe, or stopping a drip, the Fast Response team has a fleet of vans roving the streets of San Francisco at nearly all times of the day and night.

Ever heard the term "plumbers helper" when referring to a plunger? "We don't use 'em," says Joe. "They're really the 'resident's helper,' because people should keep one handy to quickly unclog a sink, drain, or toilet instead of letting the problem get worse. By the time we get called in, we usually have to use a long metal coil called a 'snake' because they can chew through anything."

The biggest challenge Joe faces is what he calls the "skills gap," where it takes younger apprentices several years to learn the trade well enough that they can go on a call by themselves. Plumbing is not just about knowing how to solder a pipe – there are a myriad of methods, materials, procedures, and, especially in San Francisco, complex building codes that one has to know inside and out to do a plumbing job correctly. And certain buildings such as the Gaetani-managed Fort Mason residences require even more attention because they are historic sites, so you rather than replacing a leaky, 95-year-old faucet with a new one, the old one has to be repaired or replaced with a custom replica that doesn't change the appearance.

According to Joe, there are some really interesting changes coming in the plumbing world that will begin to find their way into apartment buildings. The first is gray water systems that recycle water from drains, filter and treat it, and then feed it back into the system where it is used to flush toilets, water plants, or hose down sidewalks. The second one is heat-pump water heaters, which run on electricity but are far more efficient than either regular resistance electric heaters or gas water heaters, and have the added benefit of not releasing green house gases into the atmosphere or leaking potentially-explosive natural gas into living spaces.

Joe has a couple of important tips for residents, apart from keeping your "plumber's helper" nearby:

Most of the calls for clogged drains are in the shower. By using a strainer to keep hair and other materials out of the drain, the frequency of clogs can be reduced by 50%.
If your drain is slow, don't use the poisonous and hazardous bleach- or lye-based chemicals you find in hardware store drain openers: they eat through old pipes really quickly, which may mean you get a messy leak in addition to your clogged drain. Use your plunger instead – it's not just for toilets! Here's a video showing how easy it is: https://todayshomeowner.com/bathroom/video/how-to-unclog-a-bathroom-sink-drain-with-a-plunger/
Don't put anything but easily chopped up food in your disposal. Bones, metal, chopsticks, paper and cardboard packaging – all these things dull the blades, burn out the motor, and plug up the works.

Community Builders: Rebuilding Together SF

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 00:06:28 GMT

Home is Where the Community Is!

For 35 years, Rebuilding Together San Francisco has been to housing preservation, maintaining community resources, and delivering safety improvements for low income homeowners so they can stay in their homes and communities longer.

Gaetani has been with them along the way, providing financial support and volunteer hours to help them achieve their mission. Most recently, Gaetani helped upgrade a bike refurbishing center that provides affordable and sustainable transportation options to disadvantaged communities. “They're putting their money where their mouth is, and putting their backs into it, as well!” says Mahogany Roland, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together SF.

Rebuilding Together SF is a Gaetani Community Builder grant recipient, and is using the funds for projects that positively impact hundreds of families. Their projects revitalize community resources such as childcare, youth, and senior facilities, help maintain community gardens, and help low-income residents improve the livability of their homes through repairs, weatherization, and better accessibility. They do this by bringing together volunteer carpenters, plumbers, electricians, landscapers, and laborers to support these critical home and community maintenance tasks.

The organization also supports the SheBuilds program, which is run entirely by skilled tradeswomen and community organizers focused on serving women-focused community spaces and female-headed homes in San Francisco.

You can get involved, too! Rebuilding Together SF hosts two community volunteer efforts per year during Spring and Fall Community Build Days. These days are focused on bringing neighbors together and creating an opportunity for the community to engage with important work that supports the organization’s mission and helps keep our city connected.

Volunteer with Rebuilding Together SF today: https://rebuildingtogethersf.org/

Fire Escapes: Up, Down, All Over This Town!

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:28:10 GMT

An essential piece of safety equipment, there's more to these iron monsters than meets the eye!

If you have one, you probably don’t spend much time thinking about it: the fire escape on the front or back of your apartment building. But as professional property managers who want to keep all our residents safe, we at Gaetani certainly do!

The fire escapes on buildings managed by Gaetani are maintained by Great Escape Fire Escape Service , which which was founded by Eli Giaquinto, a retired New York firefighter, in 1988. It is currently operated by Terry and Letitia Walsh, who note that some of the fire escapes on older San Francisco Victorians can be more than 100 years old but are still in remarkably good working condition.

Modern buildings have interior stairwells specifically constructed to act as fire escapes, so the grid of iron railings and ladders that make up the classic fire escape are unique to older structures. While some form of fire escape has been required since New York enacted building codes in the 1860s (These were mainly ropes and wooden ladders situated next to windows), the first modern metal fire escape was patented in 1887 by one Anna Connelly of Pennsylvania, and since then these metal structures have become a fixture of the urban architectural landscape.

The City of San Francisco requires fire escape inspections annually – from roof to ground, including everything from ladders to bars and cables. Every five years, the structural integrity of the facade to which they are attached is also required to be fully inspected. If the equipment is in good working order, Great Escape issues an affidavit of compliance. If it’s not, they note all the areas that need repair, but to avoid a conflict of interest they don’t do that work themselves – your Gaetani property manager assigns that to a specialist contractor.

So, hopefully you won’t ever have to use your fire escape in an emergency, but if you do, you can thank the good folks at Great Escape for keeping you safe!

Neighborhood Merchant Spotlight: Chile Lindo

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 18:12:16 GMT

Not just fantastic Chilean empanadas – a community gathering place since 1971

It's one thing to create delicious Chilean-style empanadas, it's entirely something else to use that traditional dish as the key ingredient for creating a vibrant community in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District. But that's exactly what Paula Tejeda has been doing at Chile Lindo since the 90s, when she became the third owner of this charming little Chilean coffee shop and deli, which originally opened in 1971.

Located in the historic Redstone Building at 16th and Capp Streets, Chile Lindo is one of Gaetani's many remarkable commercial tenants. In addition to their famous empanadas, coffee, and a nice selection of beer and wine, the shop also sells Completos (Chilean hot dogs), traditional Chilean casseroles such as Pastel de Choclo (beef and chicken) and Chupe de Camarón (shrimp), and a number of specialty Chilean pastries such as Torte de Mil Hojas (thousand layered cake) that can't be found anywhere else in San Francisco. In addition to the take out menu, the café also offers catering for private events.

And beyond the fantastic fare, Childe Lindo is also a community cultural gem, hosting Friday evening jazz ensembles in partnership with the San Francisco Arts Commission, which Tejeda calls the "Childe Lindo Kitchen Culture."

Chile Lindo 2945 16th Street, SF CA 94103 415.368.3328 www.chilelindo.com

Open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 11am - 6pm

Announcing Our First Ever Community Grant Program Recipients!

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 23:15:30 GMT

Supporting those who support community

At Gaetani, we believe property management comes with a sincere belief in our city and our neighborhoods, which is why we're committed to nurturing vibrant communities. In 2023, we proudly introduced our Community Grant Program with a mission to enrich our community and foster genuine connections that challenge the narrative of opposing interests within our industry.

�� Nomination by Heart: Our incredible staff, who are the heartbeat of Gaetani, nominated their favorite community organizations and programs for grants. Their personal connections to these initiatives reflect our dedication to making a positive impact where it matters most.

�� Application & Evaluation: Following the nominations, the nominated organizations and programs submitted their applications for careful review by Gaetani's Community Engagement Committee. This dedicated committee, embodying our values, evaluated each application, ensuring that our contributions align with the needs and aspirations of the community.

�� Selecting Impactful Recipients: The hard work and dedication of the committee culminated in October when they met to make the tough decisions. Out of the many deserving applications, five exceptional organizations stood out. We're thrilled to announce our grant recipients for 2023:

�� A Step Towards Unity: These organizations are not just names; they are the embodiment of change, community strength, and resilience – hallmarks of what it means to be a San Franciscan. Together, we're taking a step towards unity, demonstrating that collaboration and support can transform lives. Thank you for being a part of our journey. Let's continue to grow together! ��

Introducing our Community Newsletter: "Common Ground"

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 23:57:06 GMT

Connecting Our Community for Good

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with you all: At Gaetani, we believe in the immense potential of our community— a community not simply defined by addresses and buildings, but by the people who have chosen to invest in San Francisco and call it home. It is with great joy and anticipation that we introduce Common Ground , our new newsletter aimed at bringing us all together and unlocking the incredible power we have as a collective force for good.

The Power of Community

In the fast-paced day-to-day of San Francisco, it's easy to overlook the fact that we are part of something much larger than our individual units or properties. We are a community with thousands of residents, merchants, building maintenance folks, and building owners – each possessing unique skills, experiences, and passions. The untapped potential within our community is a wellspring of opportunity, waiting to be harnessed for the greater good.

A Platform for Connection

Common Ground isn't just a newsletter; it's a platform for us to connect, share, and collaborate. We recognize the incredible wealth of knowledge, talent, and generosity that exists within our community. We want this newsletter to be a conduit for that wealth, providing a space to highlight our shared interests, achievements, and the stories that make us who we are.

Doing Good for Our Neighbors

Imagine the impact we can have when we come together with a shared purpose. Common Ground will feature stories of residents, commercial tenants, building maintenance vendors, and building owners who are making a positive difference in our neighborhoods.Whether it's a community cleanup initiative, a neighborhood watch program, or a project supporting local businesses, we want to celebrate and inspire acts of kindness and community building. We believe many of you feel the same way, so we’re hoping you find outlets for that energy through Common Ground .

Fostering a Sense of Belonging

We understand that the key to a thriving community is a sense of belonging. Common Ground will keep you informed about community events, neighborhood developments, and opportunities to get involved. From local gatherings to collaborative projects, we hope to foster an environment where each one of us feels not just at home in our individual spaces but deeply connected to the broader tapestry of San Francisco.

Your Stories Matter

Common Ground is not just about us; it's about you. We want to hear your stories, your ideas, and your aspirations. Whether it's a personal achievement, a community project, or simply a shared interest you think others might enjoy, we encourage you to reach out and be part of this community narrative. If this isn’t for you, feel free to unsubscribe at the bottom of the email, and you won’t receive future issues.

In launching Common Ground, we aspire to create a space where our community can truly thrive. Let's harness the potential within our community and make a positive impact on the neighborhoods we call home.

Wishing you and yours the best this holiday season, and into the bright and shiny future we’re all working to build together – on Common Ground .

The Gaetani Team.

Gaetani Provides Award-winning Service to Residents and Owners

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 22:55:38 GMT

Recognizing a Great Team

In the dynamic realm of San Francisco property management, achieving excellence means going that extra mile, building strong connections, and unwavering dedication. This year, the San Francisco Apartment Association (SFAA) Trophy Awards honored three exceptional individuals from Gaetani. These awards celebrate not just their accomplishments but also the enduring commitment and expertise that the Gaetani team brings to property management.

Silvia Bristol – Property Manager of the Year

Silvia claimed the prestigious title of "Property Manager of the Year." Silvia's dedication extends far beyond simply looking after properties; it's about nurturing strong bonds with property owners and tenants in the complex world of San Francisco rentals.

In nominating Silvia for this award, her colleagues noted her determination for going the extra mile: "Silvia is nothing short of an all-star. Her track record of success speaks for itself, as she consistently delivers exceptional results for her clients. Her astute market insights and strategic acumen position her as a leader in the field, and it is clear that she approaches her work with a level of passion and dedication that is truly commendable."

Vance Otake – Assistant Property Manager of the Year

Vance snagged the title of "Assistant Property Manager of the Year." Vance's proactive approach, knack for solving problems, and commitment to smooth property operations are deeply rooted in Gaetani's core values passed down through three generations of family ownership.

Vance's nomination was overflowing with praise from his fellow professionals in the property management industry: "Proficiency is a cornerstone of Vance's work ethic. His depth of knowledge in property management, real estate trends, and regulatory matters is truly commendable. His expertise is the bedrock upon which successful property management is built."

Nick O'Leary – Leasing Agent of the Year

Nick scored the award for "Leasing Agent of the Year." Nick's talent for matching residents with their dream apartment is unmatched, and the praise he has received reflects his commitment to his resident clients.

The remarks included in his nomination are telling: "Nick's kindness and helpfulness have been a guiding light throughout our interactions. He approaches every situation with a genuine desire to assist, making it evident that he truly cares about the well-being and satisfaction of his clients. This level of empathy is both heartwarming and reassuring, and it sets Nick apart as a service provider of the highest caliber."

Great People make for Great Service

Gaetani's ongoing success in San Francisco's property management world isn't just a testament to its employees' excellence—it's a reflection of the values and commitment passed down through three generations of family ownership.

Paul Gaetani, one of Gaetani's two principals, expresses pride in the achievements of these dedicated team members, saying, "We're incredibly proud of Silvia, Vance, and Nick for their well-deserved recognition. Their commitment to exceptional service perfectly aligns with Gaetani's core values."

Marcus Gaetani, the other principal of Gaetani, echoes this sentiment, saying, "Our team members' success at the SFAA Trophy Awards exemplifies the culture of excellence that has defined Gaetani for over 75 years. We're proud to carry forward our family's tradition of providing outstanding property management services in San Francisco."

The accolades won by Silvia, Vance, and Nick at the Trophy Awards are more than just individual achievements; these awards highlight the importance of our dedicated team of professionals who make a significant difference in the lives of property owners and tenants.

Congratulations to Silvia, Vance, and Nick for their well-deserved recognition, and for furthering Gaetani's unwavering commitment to setting the highest standards in property management in San Francisco.