New Year, New Home: How To Make It Happen in 2025

There is always something new to learn about San Francisco. Even though I am a native San Franciscan (born and raised in the neighborhood of Noe Valley), I find new things out about my hometown all the time. Recently, as I was exploring the vibrant and diverse neighborhood of Yerba Buena in the heart of the city, I learned that San Francisco was once actually called Yerba Buena! San Francisco was originally named Yerba Buena after the aromatic herb (meaning "good herb" in Spanish) that grew abundantly in the area. The Spanish settlers used this wild mint for medicinal purposes and tea. Yerba Buena stands as a model for successful city renewal, transforming from an industrial area into a cultural hub. As I began to process this historical tidbit, I had to know more about how this came to be and how this fabulous neighborhood has always held a place in my heart. While I write this blog, I find myself thinking about the deep connection I feel for the Yerba Buena area. What is it that keeps me coming back and makes me gravitate to this hub in San Francisco? Surely it is the vibrancy and modernity of it, but it's more than that, it’s an area that is ever-changing to meet the needs of the community and visitors alike. The University of the Pacific Dental School , UC Law School (formerly known as Hastings Law School), the Moscone Center, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival and countless Museums line the culturally studded streets. I could go on and on, citing many things to explore, shops to visit and restaurants to dine in. The area is filled with activity and flourishes with locals and visitors alike. If you want to learn more about the area, please check out the Yerba Buena Gardens website and the Perfect Day in Yerba Buena website . I found both sites to provide loads of valuable information. Going deeper however into my colorful childhood memories of growing up in San Francisco, I began to recall a festive rooftop carnival that my grandparents used to take my sister and I to with regularity. Yes, you read that right, a rooftop carnival in San Francisco. Those were the days! The building, called the Emporium Capwell Department Store, where the rooftop carnivals were held, was located at 835 Market Street, just between 4th and 5th Streets. This is the beginning of the area known today as Yerba Buena. The structure was designed by San Francisco architect Albert Pissis , one of the first Mexican born Americans to be trained at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris. It withstood the 1906 earthquake, but was destroyed by the subsequent fire and rebuilt in 1908. Many additions and renovations were made in the decades following. In 1947, William H. Meyer, who began with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1919, founded Gold Coast Shows and opened his first rooftop attraction at the downtown San Francisco Emporium store.

When life drags you to the lowest place you’ve ever been, it can feel like everything familiar turns foreign. Walls that once comforted you start to shrink. Streets that once offered adventure now taunt you with stale memories. Sometimes, the only real move left is to leave it all behind — to start over somewhere new, somewhere unknown. That’s exactly what I did, and if you're reading this, maybe you're standing on the edge of that same terrifying, thrilling decision. Here's how to find your footing again. Choose Your Neighborhood Like You're Curating Your Own Story You’re not just hunting for affordable rent or convenient grocery stores; you’re choosing the first characters in your new narrative. Walk the neighborhoods and locate important sites that would fit your needs. Feel the energy. Are the coffee shops filled with quiet readers or noisy creatives? Do parks hum with morning runners or late-night strollers? The textures of your environment will weave into your life more quickly than you expect, so pick a canvas that inspires the life you want to paint. Give Yourself the Gift Of Education Sometimes, starting over in a new city is the perfect moment to finally chase the career dreams you once filed away for "someday." Enrolling in school again can be a powerful declaration that your past doesn’t get the final say in your future. If you’re aiming for an industry like IT, finding a degree program aligned with your goals — like a computer science degree — can pave the way for more opportunities, better income, and long-term stability. No matter which path you choose, there are plenty of flexible options, and leaning into computer science degrees online resources can help you balance learning with the demands of real life. Build an "In Case of Emotional Emergency" Kit There will be days when the loneliness cuts sharper than expected. Anticipate them. Fill a box — physical or metaphorical — with the tools that help you survive the bad days: a playlist that reminds you who you are, a list of friends you can text without preamble, a few books that feel like warm hands on your shoulders. Resilience is easier to find when you don't have to search for it while you're drowning. Turn Tiny Rituals Into Pillars When the big pieces of your life feel shaky, tiny consistencies can be anchors . Maybe it’s Sunday walks to a new bakery. Maybe it’s lighting the same candle every night before bed. Maybe it’s morning journaling at the same park bench. These rituals seem small, but they stitch days together into something durable. Over time, they create the illusion of stability — and sometimes, illusion is enough to keep you steady until reality catches up. Volunteer Like Your Life Depends on It Helping others pulls you out of your own looping thoughts. It gives your days structure and introduces you to people motivated by compassion — not a bad tribe to join when you’re trying to heal. Find a cause that moves you and sign up without overthinking. You'll be amazed how easily purpose finds you when you stop chasing it with a flashlight. Pick Your Spot One of the fastest ways to settle into a new city after a major life change is to pick one local spot — a coffee shop, bookstore, park bench — and become a regular. Showing up at the same place every week gives you a low-pressure way to build familiarity without feeling like you have to force connections. Faces start becoming familiar, baristas learn your order, and slowly, you begin stitching yourself into the fabric of the place without even realizing it. It's a simple ritual, but it plants roots faster than any networking event or “Best Things to Do” list ever could. Moving to a new city after a life-altering low point is not a cure, and it’s not an escape hatch. Your pain, your scars — they come with you. But so does your grit. So does your capacity for reinvention. You don’t need to know exactly who you are yet. You just need to keep moving, to keep choosing curiosity over fear, one tiny, brave step at a time. Discover the vibrant neighborhoods of San Francisco with Heather Stoltz , your trusted real estate expert, and start your journey to finding the perfect home today!

The Valencia Corridor in San Francisco is a vibrant and eclectic stretch located in the Mission District, known for its rich cultural diversity, artistic flair, and culinary delights. Spanning from 16th Street to 24th Street, this corridor embodies the dynamic spirit of the city, making it a focal point for locals and visitors alike.

For years, sellers have had the upper hand in the housing market. With so few homes for sale and so many people who wanted to purchase them, buyers faced tough competition just to get an offer accepted. But now, inventory is rising, and things are starting to shift in many areas. So, is the market finally balancing out? And does that mean buyers will have it a bit easier now? Here’s what you need to know.

Flipping houses offers a creative way to generate income while working toward academic goals. For adults returning to school, the process of buying, renovating, and selling properties can provide the financial support needed to cover tuition and other expenses. Success in this endeavor requires careful planning; however, with the right approach, real estate can become a powerful tool for balancing financial needs with educational ambitions. It’s a strategy that blends opportunity with determination, paving the way for both personal and professional growth.

California is a beautiful state with a rich history and diverse culture, and an excellent place to call home. If you're considering a move to California, you'll find plenty of options for both urban and rural living. With a growing economy, excellent schools, and plenty of recreational opportunities, California is a great place to lay down roots and start a new chapter. Here are some quick tips from Realtor Heather Stoltz that can get you moving in the right direction.

A historical, secret San Francisco neighborhood-driven community, Fairmont Heights has remained one of the best-kept secrets in the city. Nestled within the southeastern slope of Glen Park, this charming neighborhood has a rich history and a unique character that longtime residents are passionate about preserving.

I’d love to own property in San Francisco, but it’s so unaffordable. We can help you! The Heather Stoltz team is solution oriented, experienced and can help you build a plan to make your dreams come true. WELCOME TO 2025, a New Year full of possibilities and purchase programs from our city that give you both a Below Market Rate Option, as well as our leading edge down payment program, for use in fair market purchases. How many of you have heard of the Below Market Rate (BMR) program that San Francisco offers? This program provides education and assistance for those seeking a home subject to BMR rules for those housing types. There is also the great program DALP, a down payment assistance program for fair market housing that is not required to be paid back until you sell. There are great programs also with additional funds for teachers, nurses, doctors and first responders, adding helpful funding to bridge the affordability gap. Click here to explore the BMR Program . Call us at 415-505-9581. We can help you navigate the process!

There are more homes on the market right now than there have been in years – and that could be a game changer for you if you’re ready to buy. Let’s look at two reasons why. You Have More Options To Choose From An article from Realtor.com helps explain just how much the number of homes for sale has gone up this year: “There were 29.2% more homes actively for sale on a typical day in October compared with the same time in 2023 , marking the twelfth consecutive month of annual inventory growth and the highest count since December 2019 .” And while the number of homes on the market still isn’t quite back to where it was in the years leading up to the pandemic, this is definitely an improvement (see graph below):