guest post by Todd Lappin (Telstar Logistics)
Walking by the window of Galu Real Estate on 24th Street in the Mission this week, I noticed a series of vintage real estate posters on display in the windows. There was much to love about the ads — from the hand-painted lettering to those low, low prices. ($9250 for a 5-room Victorian with parking for two cars? Near 29th and Mission? Where do I sign??)
According to the staff at Galu, these old ads were tucked away in a dark corner of an office closet for years, and only recently rediscovered. They’re believed to be from the mid-1950s.
After making myself obsequious for a few minutes, one of the gentlemen offered to let me have one of the ads from the pile of them they’d found. I picked a nice property in the “Heart of the Warm Belt near 23rd and York” — a REAL BARGAIN at $12,500:
Naturally, I then set out to see what the house looks like today, and I quickly found it:
As I approached, the owner of the house happened to open the door to step outside. I introduced myself and showed her the ad. She laughed, then explained that her parents had purchased the house for $12,500 in 1953, and she still lives there. Apart from a new garage door and front staircase railing, the home is basically unchanged…
Except for the price!
photos by Todd Lappin/Telstar Logistics
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
awesome post, Todd!
That is tremendous. Excellent sleuthing!
Pride of ownership!
Just thought, they must have the locked in, prop 13 tax rate.
So where is that 29th and Mission house? The hill seems to indicate the east of Mission at the foot of Bernal — maybe off Virginia? Don’t see anything on Mapjack or Sanborn that makes sense though…
Great post! I spent some time gazing at those ads in the window of that realtor, but alas, it was Sunday night and their office was closed.
johnny, for the answer to your question, click on either the old or new photos of the house.
What I want to know is how much these places cost when they were built — in the 1910s? I can’t imagine!
I love that the Chronicle is linking to this post from their homepage. Nice work Todd, and Scott!
errr, I see 979 york, but I don’t see anything for the 29th & mission ($9250) house, even after clicking on the old/new york house pix… unless I’m completely missing it.