Let me tell you a quick story from last week — because sometimes the biggest real-estate lessons show up right in the middle of the whirlwind, not on closing day.
My client had just gone into contract on a two-unit condo in San Francisco… with an 8-day escrow.
Yep. Eight. Days.
Basically the real estate equivalent of a sprint.
And she was an all-cash buyer who had waived every contingency — meaning she was locked in no matter what we uncovered.
So picture this: we’re deep into an 8-day escrow with no exit ramps, and we discover a major curveball…
The building didn’t have the correct master HOA insurance.
Both units had been insured as if they were standalone single-family homes. Totally wrong for a condo. Totally different ownership structure. Totally different liability.
I walked her through next steps — she needed an HO-6 for her unit and a quote for a proper master HOA policy.
She calls the 1-800 number for her insurer, gets a CSR in Utah, and is told:
At this point, she’s frustrated with me — because who wants to hear conflicting information when they’re already locked into an all-cash, no-contingency deal?
But then she forwarded me the quote.
And instantly it clicked:
The rep had quoted her for an end-unit townhome, not a San Francisco condo in a two-unit building.
Huge difference.
Exactly how the seller ended up under-insured for years.
So the next morning — still inside our tiny 8-day runway — I said, “Let’s go in person. I’ll meet you there.”
We walked into the local AAA office, where the reps actually understand San Francisco’s quirky housing stock, two-unit HOAs, and what coverage these buildings really require.
And the local rep?
Confirmed everything I had been explaining.
AAA couldn’t offer a master plan (normal for two-unit buildings), but she walked out:
All while she was already committed, already closed on numbers, and already in that “no turning back now” zone.
Here’s the real point: Not all advice is created equal. And not every realtor stays in the trenches with you once the offer is accepted.
Anyone can unlock a door.
Anyone can write an offer.
Anyone can send a congratulations email.
But not everyone will:
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catch a major insurance issue in a two-unit building
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explain why a townhome quote is not the same as a condo quote
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show up in person at AAA during an 8-day escrow
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advocate for your safety even when you’re already fully committed
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stay beside you when things get stressful, confusing, or downright messy
That’s the difference between “someone who sells homes” and someone who actually protects homeowners.
If you’re buying or selling in SF:
Especially in fast escrows, all-cash situations, or quirky little two-unit buildings… you deserve someone who knows this market and doesn’t vanish once the offer is accepted.
If something ever feels off, or you just need a second opinion, I’m here — before, during, and long after you get the keys.
