FEATURED
MAY 3, 2026
Are you seeing any trends in inventory, and how do they compare to previous years?
APRIL 26, 2026
Do you ever virtually stage listings? What are the pros and cons?
FULL ARCHIVE
Leo's Sound Off contributions span nearly four years of Bay Area real estate coverage.
Older print editions are not yet linked online.
2026
May 17, 2026 — What are the biggest current challenges or advantages in the Bay Area market?
April 12, 2026 — What are the biggest sources of optimism or pessimism in the Bay Area real estate market?
February 15, 2026 — How might proposed BART station closures impact Bay Area residents and home prices?
January 25, 2026 — Are there concerns about an AI bubble affecting the Bay Area real estate market?
2025
December 28, 2025 — What are your thoughts on potential 50-year mortgages?
November 16, 2025 — What are your thoughts on the Bay Area's real estate market this past year?
October 26, 2025 — What are the pros and cons of virtual staging, and when do you suggest it?
October 5, 2025 — Will the recent reduction in mortgage rates have an effect on the Bay Area real estate market?
September 14, 2025 — How might cuts to BART and public transit affect the Bay Area's real estate market?
July 27, 2025 — What are some home design trends that remain timeless?
June 15, 2025 — How could AI affect the future of the Bay Area's real estate market?
June 1, 2025 — How are higher interest rates affecting the Bay Area real estate market?
May 11, 2025 — Do you expect the land where Candlestick Park once stood to be developed in the near future?
March 23, 2025 — Are you seeing a large number of listings being pulled back off the market?
January 26, 2025 — Do you ever prefer to use virtual staging over traditional staging?
2024
December 29, 2024 — How would you recap the Bay Area real estate market in 2024?
December 8, 2024 — How do you build a reliable network of laborers, contractors and inspectors?
November 24, 2024 — What does the planned closure of the southern end of the Great Highway mean for the future of San Francisco?
November 3, 2024 — What parts of the Bay Area are likely to be most active in the near future?
October 13, 2024 — How might a recession impact home sales in the Bay Area?
August 11, 2024 — What do you look for in a home inspector?
June 30, 2024 — Are homeowners holding onto their residences to maintain lower interest rates?
June 9, 2024 — Are zero-down mortgages making a comeback in the Bay Area, and are they a good idea?
May 19, 2024 — How do you find reliable tradespeople and craftspeople for yourselves and clients?
April 28, 2024 — Is it difficult finding listings to represent in the Bay Area right now?
April 7, 2024 — Will San Francisco meet a mandate to build 82,000 housing units over 5 years?
March 24, 2024 — Will the trend of using neutral tones when staging a home die out?
February 11, 2024 — How is the homeowner's insurance crisis affecting the San Francisco market?
2023
December 3, 2023 — How are mortgage rates influencing people's desire to sell their home?
November 19, 2023 — What are the pros and cons of a proposed 55-story highrise in the Outer Sunset?
October 29, 2023 — Moody's recently downgraded the U.S. credit rating outlook to negative. Will this have any impact on the Bay Area housing market?
October 1, 2023 — Nationwide, younger buyers need help from relatives to buy a home; is this common in the Bay Area?
September 3, 2023 — How is inflation affecting the Bay Area real estate market?
August 3, 2023 — What holidays are most beneficial when it comes to home sales?
July 30, 2023 — What improvements and updates add the most value to a home?
July 16, 2023 — How might the Airbnb market crash affect homeownership in the Bay Area?
July 2, 2023 — The median age is rising in the Bay Area; what does this mean for homeownership?
June 18, 2023 — How can high-rise and condo residents find out about the structural integrity of their buildings?
May 29, 2023 — What is the crisis facing San Francisco's building inspection department?
April 23, 2023 — What are the pros and cons of a proposed 55-story highrise in the Outer Sunset?
April 9, 2023 — What are your thoughts on the proposal to revitalize several piers along the Embarcadero?
January 29, 2023 — Do you expect a crash in the Airbnb market? How might that affect real estate?
2022
December 25, 2022 — Do you recommend homebuyers invest in a home warranty?
December 18, 2022 — What are the benefits to virtual staging over traditional staging?
November 6, 2022 — Does the daylight savings time change affect real estate showings or sales?
October 2, 2022 — How do you help people with disabilities and mobility issues find housing?
September 18, 2022 — When is it a good idea to waive contingencies, and when is it not?
August 21, 2022 — Do you recommend homebuyers invest in a home warranty?
July 31, 2022 — What can I do to protect my home from wildfire risks?
July 24, 2022 — How has the recent jump in inflation affected home prices?
WORK WITH US
Leo Peak contributes to the San Francisco Chronicle because he believes an informed community makes better decisions. Whether the topic is mortgage rates, housing policy, or what buyers and sellers are actually experiencing on the ground, his goal is always the same: give people honest, practical perspective they can actually use.
If you are thinking about buying or selling in the Bay Area and want to work with an agent who stays genuinely engaged with this market, Leo would love to connect.


