Top LocationsBuying Investment Properties in San Francisco by Mays Kuhail September 24, 2016January 29, 2019 by Mays Kuhail September 24, 2016January 29, 2019The San Francisco real estate market is one of the most in-demand in the whole nation. The City by the Bay is considered by many an ideal location for both traditional and Airbnb investments. For the most part, the San Francisco real estate market has held its value considering the scarcity of land. We are about to exploreoptions for investment properties in San Francisco, both traditional as well as Airbnb.As you will see while reading, traditional real estate investing has become rather difficult in the city. We’ll tell you why, and then offer the alternative.The Housing BubbleThe Business Insider reports, “In 2015, the median house price in San Francisco was six times higher than the median price of existing homes in the US.” That being said, it is important to refer to the housing bubble currently undertaking San Francisco. The high property prices, strong tenant rights, rent control, low rent-to-home-value ratio, among other factors all contribute to making the San Francisco real estate market very difficult. Being a landlord under these circumstances has become rather challenging. If you are considering purchasing a buy-to-let property, you will require a large down payment if you expect to have a positive cash flow right away. Investing in San Francisco has long-term benefits, meaning a property will appreciate very well in this city but it’s not necessarily the optimal city for short-term benefits.We do not, of course, mean to discourage you from investing in traditional investment properties in San Francisco. We are, however, offering you a promising alternative – short-term rentals.An Alternative: Airbnb San FranciscoBecause traditional real estate investing is a challenge, more investors have become inclined towards Airbnb investing in San Francisco. It is no secret that Airbnb is gaining major popularity in San Francisco (as well as across the nation). The city is currently one of the hottest spots for the sharing economy service. So we suggest renting out a part of your home on Airbnb or listing your property on Airbnb to reap its rewards – higher rental income.So why does Airbnb San Francisco make sense? To help you recognize the opportunity of this investment, we provide the following stats from Mashvisor. It reports the following about San Francisco properties:Related: The Ultimate Guide To The Airbnb Investment Property Aibnb Property DataEntire home listings: 1272 unitsAverage nightly price: $191Average cash on cash return: 2.52%Average monthly rental income: $4064Median home price: $1,444,650Traditional Property DataTraditional property count: 1587 unitsAverage cash on cash return: 2.13%Median home price: $1,444,650Using the above numbers, as well as Mashvisor’s own analysis of Airbnb San Francisco, you can assess and compare different properties across traditional and Airbnb options.Airbnb Legal IssuesPlease note that you must bear in mind Airbnb Business Registration and Taxes. San Francisco Airbnb hosts are required to obtain a short-term Residential Rental Registration number. San Francisco also has a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT Tax) equal to 14% and is paid for the city by the guests at the time of booking. Finally, you must be present in the property 275 days out of the year, which means you can only rent out the property without being present for up to 90 days total per year.Make sure to check out Airbnb San Francisco official guidelines before listing your property to better understand the regulations and requirements associated with listing your property.Related: San Francisco’s New Rule On Airbnb Investment Properties Why San Francisco Real Estate Investment?Now as to what makes San Francisco such a good real estate investment, whether Airbnb or traditional, it is simply the fact that it is a very important tourist attraction. It is one of the most visited and most popular cities in the US. And here’s a few reasons why:Golden Gate Bridge: Opened in 1937, the Golden Gate bridge is an icon of California and is often considered the top tourist attraction in San Francisco. It is one of the main man-made structures in the US.Alcatraz: This historic island in San Francisco Bay hosts the infamous Alcatraz prison. It now operates as a tourist attraction.Golden Gate Park: A gorgeous green area in San Francisco which holds three museums, a botanic garden, walking and cycling trails, and much more for visitors to enjoy.Fisherman’s Wharf: This is where most tourists head first. Fisherman’s Wharf is known for its spectacular setting, restaurants, and bay cruises. It holds several other tourist attractions such as the Wax Museum, Ghirardelli Square, and Pier 39.Cable Cars: San Francisco’s few remaining cable cars now allow visitors to enjoy the old transportation means that were declared as historic monuments.Chinatown: You have probably been to different “Chinatowns”, but this one is something else. It is the biggest in Northern America and is one of the most attractive destinations in San Francisco. Expect to see theatres, antique stores, temples, etc.Entertainment: San Francisco boasts in its (entertainment) life and numerous events. From music festivals, to art festivals, to clubs, jazz bars, restaurants, if you can think of it, it is there!Top Airbnb San Francisco Real Estate NeighborhoodsBefore anything, we would like to remind you that you can always search for property listings on Mashvisor by choosing specific neighborhoods and viewing their investment analysis. The following is a list (in no particular order) of suggested neighborhoods for San Francisco real estate investments.Mission DistrictWell known for the extensive graffiti artwork in its streets, Mission District, specifically outer mission, Mission is one of the most important investment neighborhoods in San Francisco. It is very famous for its art scene as well as its restaurants.Occupancy Rate: 80.00%.Average Airbnb Rental Income/month: $5,129Little Hollywood A rather small neighborhood but very popular among Airbnb users.Occupancy Rate: 83.00%.Average Airbnb Rental Income/month: $4,995Inner Richmond This neighborhood is bordered by several parks including the Golden Gate Park, Lincoln Park, and Land’s End.Occupancy Rate: 81.00%.Average Airbnb Rental Income/month: $6,221North Beach It is considered the “Little Italy” of San Francisco. It is very famous for its diverse demographic. It is also named one the top ten “Great Neighborhoods in America.”Occupancy Rate: 79.00%.Average Airbnb Rental Income/month: $7,801These neighborhoods have shown the most potential. Mashvisor’s analytic tools to view more neighborhoods and their occupancy rates, average rental income, CoC returns, and other important data.All in all, if you do not possess a large down payment but would still like to invest in San Francisco, consider the Airbnb option. Of course, there are several legal matters and concerns to tend to, so you should keep those in mind. And remember, while challenging, San Francisco real estate investment is not only financially worthwhile; the city, its culture, people, architecture, and bustling livelihood are all impossible to replicate. Start Your Investment Property Search! START FREE TRIAL Start Your Investment Property Search! START FREE TRIAL AirbnbCash on Cash ReturnProperty PricesRental IncomeSan Francisco CATraditional 0FacebookTwitterGoogle +PinterestLinkedin Mays KuhailMays is a Content Writer and freelance creative writer with multiple years of experience in US real estate market analysis. Mays has background in communication, content development, and digital marketing. She holds a BA in Business Administration and Marketing. Previous Post 10 Questions of a New Airbnb User Next Post Top 6 Airbnb New York Neighborhoods and More Related Posts Vacation Rentals: Top Skiing Destinations in the US Buying an Investment Property 2018: The Highest Price to Rent Ratio Markets in California The Best US Cities to Invest in Multi-Generational Homes What Kind of ROI Can You Get with Airbnb Key West Real Estate? Jacksonville Real Estate 2018 – Market Trends and Where to Invest Why You Should Be Investing in San Antonio Real Estate What Cash on Cash Return for a Rental Property Can You Expect in 2018? The Ultimate Guide to Investing in Boston Short Term Rentals in 2018 Seattle Remains to be One of the Top Airbnb Cities 4 Most Affordable Cities in the California Real Estate Market What About Investing in the St. Paul Real Estate Market in 2019? Finding Real Estate Investing Opportunities in Cities With New Construction