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San Francisco family faces nightmare of splitting their dream home into apartments over petty complaint: ‘You guys are screwed’
New York Post ^ | March 11, 2026 | Mary K. Jacob

Posted on 03/11/2026 11:20:13 AM PDT by nickcarraway

Katelin Holloway and Ben Ramirez thought they had found their forever home when they purchased a spacious North Beach property for $4.75 million in 2021 — a four-story residence with five bedrooms, sweeping skyline views and room for their growing family.

Instead, the couple is now facing the possibility that the house must be carved back into four separate apartments after city officials determined the building was improperly converted from a multi-unit property years before they bought it, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

SNIP

According to city officials and tenant advocates, the building had previously been altered from a four-unit apartment complex into a single-family residence without proper permits. That means the structure is still officially classified as a multi-unit property in municipal records — and may have to be restored to that configuration.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: california; gettingitgoodandhard; government; housing; realestate; sandetroito; sanfrancisco; suethepreviousowner; youvotedforthislol

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To: discostu

Then the realtor is on the hook.


61 posted on 03/11/2026 1:09:35 PM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 "/!i!! &@$%&*(@ -')
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To: rustyboots

Yes.

I know someone who has a house that is not rented out. It sits vacant.


62 posted on 03/11/2026 1:11:24 PM PDT by moviefan8
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To: TexasGator

Ah. Complete idiots then.


63 posted on 03/11/2026 1:24:24 PM PDT by SaxxonWoods (Annnd....I voted for this too!)
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To: TexasGator

“First, you are assuming they had title insurance.”

Actually I assumed they had a mortgage on the $4.5 million property. Because if they did, they had title insurance and the mortgage company would not write a loan if they knew the title was encumbered.


64 posted on 03/11/2026 1:41:56 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: nickcarraway

When I was in Chicago there were zoning and building codes that were totally crazy. Most of us agreed they were “fetcher codes”, just as Springfield passed fetcher laws.

Their sole purpose is to drive business to the precinct captain, or a major donor who can “fix” the problem.


65 posted on 03/11/2026 1:43:07 PM PDT by spintreebob
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To: rustyboots
Would it be possible to “convert” it back and then refuse to rent to anyone? Just refuse to list any availability. If they can make payments, why not? (Other than probable tax problems)

I supposed they could, but it would still cost them money to convert it back.

I'm glad that I don't live in California...


66 posted on 03/11/2026 1:44:25 PM PDT by chud
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To: DesertRhino

I long suspected that your anti Israel attitude was just a mask for Jew hatred, and now it’s confirmed.


67 posted on 03/11/2026 1:55:26 PM PDT by SoCal Pubbie
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To: Jolla

Yes, 15-30 years ago, maybe SF was decent/livable. Last time I was there was 2018, and it was already a craphole then. P*ss and sh*t and zombie drug addicts everywhere.


68 posted on 03/11/2026 1:55:50 PM PDT by Sicon ("All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." - G. Orwell)
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To: Mariner

“Actually I assumed they had a mortgage on the $4.5 million property. Because if they did, they had title insurance”

The lender would require a lender’s policy but that affords no protection for the buyer.

EM1 SSN CVAN


69 posted on 03/11/2026 2:05:19 PM PDT by TexasGator (111'1/11.1II11.X11111.1~I11:/)
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To: nickcarraway
This is ALWAYS a Possibility when the GOVERNMENT.. Local, State, or National is involved in making DECISIONS to solve a situation.


70 posted on 03/11/2026 2:12:35 PM PDT by VideoDoctor
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To: irishjuggler

“if the unpermitted status of the conversion was concealed or missed by the real estate professionals involved in the transaction, that would likely be grounds for recourse for the buyers.”

The listing was ‘multi-family’.

The buyers knew exactly what they were getting into. They are on the record as to what they knew and their intentions.


71 posted on 03/11/2026 2:16:15 PM PDT by TexasGator (111'1/11.1II11.X11111.1~I11:/)
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To: logi_cal869

“Then the realtor is on the hook.”

At least read the article.

They knew it was a multi-family house before they bought it.


72 posted on 03/11/2026 2:19:24 PM PDT by TexasGator (111'1/11.1II11.X11111.1~I11:/)
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To: rustyboots
"Would it be possible to “convert” it back and then refuse to rent to anyone? Just refuse to list any availability. If they can make payments, why not? (Other than probable tax problems)"

That's what I was thinking - build however many micro-sized units are required in the basement and then leave them vacant. Do it as cheaply as possible to comply with the letter of the law. Worse case, rent one to each kid if forced to.

Let visiting relatives stay in them...
73 posted on 03/11/2026 2:24:57 PM PDT by chrisser (I lost my vaccine card in a tragic boating accident. )
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To: TexasGator

“Yes, most homebuyers purchase owner’s title insurance
, with roughly 75% of homeowners opting for this protection to safeguard their equity against undiscovered ownership claims. “

Wow, only 75%.
Something I’ve always purchased.


74 posted on 03/11/2026 2:25:13 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

An illegal conversion isn’t a cloud on title?

Okay.


75 posted on 03/11/2026 2:31:03 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is opinion or satire. Or both.)
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To: BenLurkin

“Isn’t this covered by title insurance?”

Read those Title Insurance policies carefully. I’d be surprised if they EVER pay out anything to anybody. The ones I’ve seen cover almost nothing.


76 posted on 03/11/2026 2:31:17 PM PDT by Fai Mao
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To: logi_cal869

“”altered from a four-unit apartment complex into a single-family residence without proper permits””


77 posted on 03/11/2026 2:37:38 PM PDT by Thank You Rush
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To: ConservativeMind
Another example of why you have to escape liberal-run governments.

🎯


78 posted on 03/11/2026 2:40:49 PM PDT by usconservative (When The Ballot Box No Longer Counts, The Ammunition Box Does. (What's In Your Ammo Box?))
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To: nickcarraway

Pacific Heights was a good movie along the same theme...


79 posted on 03/11/2026 2:40:53 PM PDT by Thank You Rush
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To: BenLurkin

You would think so. Somebody really messed up here. At the very least the listing agent should face a civil suit.


80 posted on 03/11/2026 2:47:07 PM PDT by lastchance (Cognovit Dominus qui sunt eius.)
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