John M. Lee: Real Estate Issues on Ballot

November is upon us again and it's time to go to the polls and vote for our favorite politicians and decide on real estate issues. But wait, I can't find any real estate issues to vote on! Thinking back now, there have not been any major real estate issues on the ballot for the past few years.

Why is that? I can remember very clearly that there were always contentious real estate propositions on the ballot in almost every election. There were always landlord/tenant issues with both sides fighting it out. Have we finally figured out how to live together and get along?

Several factors contribute to the absence of real estate propositions on this year's ballot. Recent battles have gone from the ballot box to the courts, and both landlord and tenant groups have to decide if it's worth fighting over before proceeding. In the past, even if a measure would pass at the ballot box, it would inevitably end up in the judicial system with legal challenges that would block the implementation for a number of years. Then, even after rulings, the losing side would appeal and tie it up further in the court system. I think both landlord and tenant groups are currently at a standstill.

Another factor is that rents have been decreasing for the past few years and there are currently many vacant rentals for tenants to choose from. Landlords are usually not as organized as tenant groups and generally are more reactive than proactive in putting measures on the ballot. So, lately, there have not been any strong battles started by either side.

But, on the other hand, seven out of the 11 supervisorial seats are up, including District 1, the Richmond District. The election of the supervisors can influence and/or determine housing policy, landlord/tenant issues, an increase in taxes and a whole list of real-estate-related policies.

In the past few years, the following items have been brought forth, discussed and tabled. But chances are some of them will resurface once again. If some of these issues are your hot buttons, it will be good to know what your supervisor-elect's positions on these are.

What is his or her position on low- to moderate-income housing? San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in and can result in a city of haves and have nots if the situation is not monitored carefully. What can the city government do to ensure that that does not happen? The most common suggestions are either to raise taxes to subsidize low- to moderate-income families, to build more affordable housing, and to provide government subsidized loans.

What is your candidate's position on providing housing? Is he or she in favor of rent control? What modification would he or she make to make it better? Is rent control good or bad in the long run?

There have been several proposals the past few years to double the transfer tax on certain transactions to help with the city budget. Is your supervisor candidate in favor of this idea?

Legalization of in-laws comes up as an answer for affordable housing every few years. What can be done to expedite this idea further or is it something we should not even consider?

As to our tenancy in common ordinances, owner move-in laws and condo conversion rules, should any of these be modified to provide more opportunities for home ownership?

Even though these issues are not on the ballot, our supervisor-elects will have to think through these real estate issues and decide where they stand. Find out their positions, and don't forget to vote on Nov. 2.

John M. Lee is a top selling broker with Pacific Union. For questions regarding real estate, call him at (415) 447-6231 or e-mail at johnlee@isellsf.com.