Live near the work
SoMa, Mission Bay and the Financial District are home to a dense cluster of AI and tech offices. Many of the city's best neighborhoods are a short bike, BART or Muni ride away.
Helping tech & AI buyers for 13+ years
Find your dream home in San Francisco the world capital of AI and tech.
Whether you're joining an AI lab in SoMa, a startup in Mission Bay or a team down the Peninsula, Carina helps you find the right neighborhood, the right home and the offer strategy that wins it.
5.0 from 10 client reviews
Top 1% of agents nationwide*
$250M+ in sales
Top 1%WSJ REAL Trends, nationwide*
$250M+sold as a solo agent
13+ yrsin the San Francisco market
Attorneylicensed in New York, LLM Corporate Law
Why San Francisco, why now
The city where AI is being built is a great place to live.
The AI labs, startups and investors shaping the industry are clustered within a few miles of each other here, and so are fog-free pockets, Victorian rowhouses, parks and some of the best food in the country.
Buy with an edge
Good homes still draw multiple offers. Carina's legal training and disclosure-first process help tech buyers move quickly without skipping the details that matter.
Pick your weather
San Francisco has microclimates. The Mission, Bernal Heights, Noe Valley and Potrero Hill are often sunny while fog sits over the west side. Carina will help you choose.
Commute explorer
Where do you work? Here's where to live.
Choose your office area to see approximate door-to-door commute times from San Francisco neighborhoods. Then click a neighborhood to learn more.
Rough rush-hour estimates by the fastest common mode (bike, Muni, BART or Caltrain). Actual times vary by street and schedule.
Buying with tech compensation
RSUs, IPOs, tender offers. Plan the purchase around them.
Tech compensation is unusual, and so is buying with it. Carina has helped many tech buyers line up stock sales, loan approval and offer timing so that they're ready to act when the right home comes up.
- Vesting-aware timingPlan your search around vest dates, blackout windows and liquidity events, so you have cash for the down payment when you need it.
- Lenders who understand equityIntroductions to jumbo and equity-savvy lenders who know how to count RSU income.
- Contract review with a lawyer's eyeA licensed New York attorney reads every disclosure, contingency and TIC agreement before you sign.
- Relocation, handled remotelyVideo tours, remote disclosure reviews and e-signing for buyers who are still moving to the city. Available in English and Russian.
Carina is not a tax or financial advisor. Talk to your own advisors about selling equity.
Recent buyer wins
Competitive markets. Winning offers.
A few of Carina’s recent closed sales, as recorded on Compass. When the right home appears, preparation is what wins it.
How it works
From first call to keys in hand.
A clear process built for busy people who need to make a big decision quickly and well.
- 1
Strategy call
Talk through your budget, commute, compensation timeline and what you want in a home.
- 2
Curated shortlist
Hand-picked homes, including off-market leads from Carina's network of agents.
- 3
Disclosure deep-dive
Inspections, pest and seismic reports, HOA or TIC documents, and comparable sales, all reviewed before you commit.
- 4
Win and close
Pricing, terms and negotiation built to win, then a smooth close.
Client reviews
Five stars, every time.
From Carina's verified client reviews on Compass.
“Her promptness was very valuable to me as I was moving to California, from NYC… she did a great job helping me search for a condo, negotiating the best offer, and handling all closing steps.”Mark · Relocated from NYC
“She researched the best property, submitted an offer, and got it out of 6 offers.”First-time home buyer
“IN JUST 3 WEEKS Carina helped us score a move-in ready condo… just a few minutes walk from 24th BART station.”First-time home buyer
FAQ
Buying in San Francisco, answered.
Can I use RSUs or company stock to buy a home in San Francisco?
Yes. Many tech buyers fund a down payment by selling vested RSUs or shares, and some lenders offer loans that account for equity compensation. Timing sales around vesting, blackout windows and taxes matters, so Carina coordinates with your lender and tax advisor before you write an offer.
Which San Francisco neighborhoods are best for commuting to SoMa and Mission Bay?
Dogpatch, Potrero Hill and Mission Bay itself are closest. The Mission, Bernal Heights, Noe Valley and Glen Park have quick BART or Muni rides. Use the commute explorer above for approximate door-to-door times.
What is a TIC in San Francisco?
A tenancy in common (TIC) is shared ownership of a building in which each owner has the exclusive right to a specific unit. TICs are common in San Francisco and are often priced below comparable condos, with financing and agreements that need careful review. Carina specializes in them.
Do homes in San Francisco sell over asking price?
Often, especially well-priced single-family homes. Several of Carina's recent buyer-side purchases closed 30% or more above list price, which is why pricing strategy and clean offer terms matter.
Can I buy a San Francisco home while relocating from another city or country?
Yes. Carina regularly helps relocating buyers with video tours, remote disclosure reviews and electronic signing, and she works in English and Russian.
How much do I need for a down payment in San Francisco?
It depends on the loan. Many San Francisco purchases use jumbo loans, which often call for a larger down payment than conforming loans. Talk to a lender early. Carina can introduce you to lenders who are familiar with tech compensation.
Your next move
Ready to find your place in the city?
Carina IsentaevaREALTOR® · Compass · DRE# 01973125 · English & Russian