A two-unit TIC property on Jersey Street in Noe Valley just closed $200,000 above recent comparable sales in 13 days. During the same period, similar TIC properties in San Francisco either sat without offers or sold below asking price.
What made the difference? Strategic $50,000 pre-sale preparation combined with a dual marketing approach that created bidding competition across multiple buyer segments.
TIC properties—Tenancy in Common units that allow buyers to own shares of a building rather than traditional condos—face unique selling challenges in San Francisco’s current market. Many sellers were watching their listings sit for weeks or accepting below-asking offers.
This Jersey Street property had two TIC units on one of Noe Valley’s most walkable flat blocks near 24th Street. The units could function independently or as a single-family home alternative for buyers wanting an entire building. But market conditions weren’t favorable for standard TIC marketing approaches.
Instead of marketing this property as two separate TIC units only, we implemented a simultaneous dual approach:
Track One: Individual TIC Unit Marketing Targeted traditional homebuyers looking for single-unit ownership in Noe Valley. Each unit was presented as a standalone home opportunity.
Track Two: Whole Building Marketing Appealed to multi-generational families, friend groups, and investors interested in compound-style living or investment properties.
This dual strategy created competitive tension. Individual homebuyers weren’t just competing against each other—they were bidding against families and investors who saw whole-building value. Buyers consistently pay premiums when they can purchase an entire building with family or friends rather than a single unit.
The result: multiple offers on each individual unit AND multiple offers on the complete building.
Before listing, the team invested $50,000 in strategic cosmetic updates:
Interior Updates
Exterior Improvements
These weren’t gut renovations. They were targeted cosmetic improvements that transformed the property into a turn-key product. Most San Francisco buyers don’t want renovation projects—they want move-in ready homes.
The $50,000 investment generated a $200,000 premium over comparable sales. That’s a 4X return on the pre-sale preparation budget.
Many San Francisco home sellers resist pre-sale improvements because the process feels overwhelming. Coordinating contractors, managing timelines, choosing finishes, and overseeing work requires time and expertise most sellers don’t have.
That hesitation costs money. Properties that need cosmetic work consistently sell for less than move-in ready homes, even when the underlying bones are identical.
Professional pre-sale preparation eliminates the burden for sellers while maximizing sale prices. Here’s how full-service coordination works:
Complete Vendor Management: Our team schedules, coordinates, and manages all contractors and vendors. Sellers receive updates but don’t handle any logistics.
Project Oversight: Every improvement—from small touch-ups to larger updates—gets professional oversight to ensure quality and timeline adherence.
Strategic Decision-Making: Experienced professionals identify which improvements deliver the best return on investment for your specific property and market position.
Sellers don’t lift a finger. The process is completely hands-off!Â
Timeline: Property launched and sold in 13 days.
Offer Competition: Multiple offers received on individual units and whole building.
Premium Over Comps: Approximately $200,000 above recent comparable TIC sales in Noe Valley.
Market Context: Similar TIC properties in San Francisco were sitting on the market for weeks or selling under asking price.
This sale demonstrates what’s possible when you approach property marketing creatively instead of following standard playbooks. Even property types facing market challenges can generate premium results with the right strategy.
Key success factors:
Understanding Buyer Psychology: Different buyer segments value different property attributes. Multi-generational families see value in whole buildings that traditional single-unit buyers miss. Creating competition between these segments drives prices up.
Strategic Investment in Preparation: Cosmetic improvements deliver outsized returns when targeted correctly. The key is knowing which updates matter most to your specific buyer pool.
Creative Problem-Solving: Every property has unique circumstances. Looking at opportunities from different angles finds advantages that conventional approaches miss.
“We recently sold our home in San Francisco, and working with Yesenia was truly the best decision we made. From the very beginning, Yesenia brought a calm and confident presence to a process that can often feel overwhelming. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and deep understanding of the local market helped us feel supported every step of the way.
One of the things we appreciated most was how proactive she was — always staying ahead of timelines, coordinating clean-up and staging with care, and keeping us fully informed at every stage. She gave thoughtful guidance on pricing and strategy that led to a successful outcome.
We especially appreciated her transparency, quick communication, and willingness to answer even the smallest questions with clarity and patience. Selling a home can be emotional and stressful, but Yesenia made it feel seamless and manageable.
If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, trustworthy, and compassionate real estate partner — whether buying or selling — we would recommend Yesenia without hesitation. She exceeded our expectations at every turn.”
—S. and N., Noe Valley Sellers
Every property presents unique opportunities for creative positioning and strategic preparation. Whether you own a TIC, condo, single-family home, or multi-unit building in San Francisco, the right approach can maximize your sale price even in challenging market conditions.
If you’re considering selling your San Francisco property—or know someone who is—let’s discuss your specific situation. We love finding angles that turn property challenges into competitive advantages.
