Vintage San Francisco Real Estate Ads From The 1950’s

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