How I survived in San Francisco due to free dinners in the homes of millionaires
'06.08.2018'
Source: Vice
According to the California Association of Realtors, the average home price in San Francisco is $ 1,620,000 - almost the same as a private jet. Over the past 20 years, an influx of technical workers into the region has boosted demand, and the city's restrictive zoning laws have stalled construction. This is how the housing crisis was formed. How can an ordinary person benefit from this? Nick Green from Vice came up with something.
The idea came when a friend of mine - a real estate agent - casually mentioned that brokers and industry professionals are given access to a series of secret "open houses" on Tuesdays. These events, firstly, are not announced for the general public, and secondly, they are supplied with food, unlike most ordinary houses on open days. We are not talking about dishes with individually packaged candies, but they promise to feed generously. I convinced a friend to steal a copy of the sacred list for me and decided to go there undercover. Yes, to eat.
At first it was necessary to invent an external image. The broker community is relatively small, so my fraud could be quickly revealed. I don’t draw on a millionaire either. Therefore, I decided to call myself an “independent investor”. I don't know what that means, but it sounded good.
The San Francisco market is ruthless. It is not uncommon for homes to sell for more than the original bid - rich people pay in cash to gain an edge. The sellers are, of course, interested, and try to attract by open days, in the announcement of which explicitly mention the food in order to generate interest. It was these houses that I chose as hotspots around which I planned the route, taking several ziplock packages.
House # 1: Quintessential Apartment in San Francisco in the Hayes Valley: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Cost of 1 395 000 dollars.
A woman sitting in the living room offered me a colorful information sheet on expensive paper. I slipped into the rooms, went around the nursery with antique toys, was in the kitchen. But, to my horror, there was no food. When I returned, the woman must have noticed a panic on my face because she asked if everything was alright. I desperately wanted to interrogate her for food shortages, but I couldn’t show myself so clearly, so I asked if it was true. This was not the case, and we went to the basement. It was no less luxurious, but food was still not offered. Looking at my list, I found out that I made a mistake, and the house with delicious dishes is still waiting for me. Of course, I hurried to the exit.
House №2: "Sexy mansion in the center of events!": Alamo Square. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Cost of 2 995 000 dollars.
The house was decorated in the style of 70-x, and a gas fireplace was installed in the living room. The minimalist style created the impression that I was in one of the objects of modern art. Voices echoed in the kitchen, where five well-dressed professionals chatted about interest rates, standing around the table, on which I saw a nice assortment of fruit, cheese, spring rolls and pastries. It was a jackpot.
I ran my hand over the marble countertops and nodded briefly into space, trying to portray an independent investor. Eager to avoid the spotlight, I grabbed the food on a plate, went downstairs and locked myself in the bathroom for breakfast. After that, I returned to the kitchen, once again imitated the “signature” look and grabbed two burgers. I ate one of them, secretly hid the other in a ziplock bag.
House # 3: “Modern luxury and beauty!”: 3 bedrooms, 3,5 bathrooms. Cost 2 795 000 US dollars.
The next house opened in 15 minutes. I wore a shirt that was buttoned up to look like an independent investor, but it didn’t hide too much the sweat that poured down me as I ran through the hills. Inside, I had to put on shoe covers, taking off my shoes. In the center of the overcrowded kitchen was a table the size of a shipping container. Everyone seemed to know each other. When I looked toward the food, the woman introduced herself and asked if I was a broker. “Independent investor,” I said.
And he went in for food until the conversation continued: a small turkey sandwich and two pieces of fried chicken with a salad, a spoon of peanut sauce. Avoiding the crowd, I locked myself in the bathroom, where in two pieces I washed the whole sandwich. Outside, on a pile of someone else's shoes, I ate a chicken skewer.
House # 4: “Super premium classic condominium on the top floor ... an artist’s dream”: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Delores heights. Cost 1 349 000 US dollars.
Not far from the house was discovered an empty Maserati. It was a trend. Without exception, a luxury car was parked near each house I visited. As in the last house, there was a pile of shoes in the lobby, and I put on shoe covers. When I went to the dish of mini sandwiches in the kitchen, the woman politely asked which company I was from. I pretended not to hear her, grabbed a treat and ran away.
House # 5: “Awesome House on Liberty Hill”: 6 bedrooms, 4,5 bathrooms. Cost of 10 750 000 dollars.
I had already eaten fruits, cheeses, chicken skewers, delicious pastries and a sandwich, but because of the walk, I continued to feel hungry. There was no mention of catering in this house, but the mansion not far from Mark Zuckerberg’s dwelling was valued at more than ten million dollars, and so I decided to stop by. There was really no food in the kitchen, despite all the luxury of decoration, so I decided to quickly find the door before enjoying the amenities.
House №6: "Gorgeous views!": Located on the edge of St. Francis Woods. 4 bedrooms, 3,5 bathrooms. Cost of 2 388 000 dollars.
When I entered, the realtor asked me if I had a card. I do not know why I said “yes”, and after a short pause I pretended that I took the wrong wallet in the morning. In her eyes did not read the slightest suspicion, I was invited to treat myself to a sandwich with roast beef. Independent investors and should have several wallets. Here I stumbled upon a turkey sandwich, and so far no one saw, put it in a ziplock.
House number 7: St. Mary's Mediterranean Park: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. Cost of 1 350 000 dollars.
I ate a burger while riding over a hill and walking a mile and a half. I talked a bit with the realtor about the weather. She insisted that I have lunch, and I happily agreed to take some melon, cookies and an extra sandwich, which, along with the rest of my savings, became my dinner later that evening.
House # 8: Breathtaking House in Portola: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Cost of 1 200 000 dollars.
It was one o'clock in the afternoon, and most of the open houses were already closed. Left alone on my list, and only here promised "afternoon treats." The house did not have an “amazing repair”. He did not have a Sonos spin-studio or sound system, but he found an empty basement with a small sign that said: “Imagine the possibilities.” Here, a private mortgage banker joined the agent, and they hotly asked if I wanted donuts or coffee. I was the first to arrive that day.
There was no one else, but later a Mercedes arrived with two people. The construction crew was busy with their work, and the dust from their jackhammer added to my afternoon snack. Hopefully there will be donuts in the next open house.
