A Tale of Two Tech Cities: San Francisco and the Future of Seattle
Insight from San Francisco’s Butch Haze and the nation’s “Top 100” Broker
ABOUT EPISODE:
There’s no doubt that Seattle and San Francisco have a clear connection and similarities. From the physical topography to the progressive political leanings. From technology innovation to elite universities, it’s easy to see Seattle is the younger sister to San Francisco with big dreams to prove ourselves.
Even when we look back at the gold rush of 1849 in San Francisco shortly after Seattle exploded as a hub to the Klondike Goldrush. History has proven that these two cities have a culture to progress, grow and innovate. So, what can we learn from San Francisco as we grow into the next West coast tech hub?
On today’s episode Tyler sits down with Butch Haze – one of the “Top 100 “real estate agents in the country. Butch additionally leads the network group in San Francisco with Compass. His team has brokered over $2 billion in sales overall and is in the top 1 percent in San Francisco and the top 100 team ranking nationwide.
INTRO
A QUESTION Tyler asks every guest at the end of each show is “What is your biggest fear for Seattle.” The most common answer to this question (which has come up in over 80 episodes) of the Rise Seattle podcast is that we don’t want Seattle to become San Francisco, but what does that mean? San Francisco is a world where few people can afford people to purchase a home.
How has that impacted the city? How should Seattle prepare for what’s to come?
Butch is all too familiar with the hate San Francisco receives from other states and cities.
“I think there is a billboard in Portland that says, “Go home San Francisco.” (In addition to) Arizona, Austin, we are the most hated city right now. Really, we are a dichotomy of two cities. We are this energetic, passionate (city)- and that’s what we are talking about today - where anything is possible in technology and business and those types of things. But we are also horrible in another way, in which we have this mental health, homeless crisis, which is basically expanding to the entire West coast. LA has a lot of it… and then people feel like we are driving up home prices.”
Tyler and Butch manage to keep the conversation solution oriented and profound while adding some humor in as well.
“The question I always have, is who is we?” It’s not like you are collectively getting together and saying…” Tyler said.
“Oh, we are, no I’m kidding. I let the secret out,” Butch said. “The cloaks and candles.”
“Exactly, it’s like we are going to raise housing prices by X,” Tyler said.
DISCUSSION
In this episode - Tyler and Butch discuss
San Francisco and Seattle – cities of tension and innovation
The good and the bad and (how we can take the good and make it better?).
What it’s like to live in San Francisco right now
How San Francisco is impacting and will continue to impact Seattle
Solutions for homelessness in San Francisco and Seattle
Why the West coast is experiencing a huge homeless crisis.
The housing market between the two cities and how to “play the game” of real estate
The unique story behind Compass and how they are changing the way we think about real estate
Innovative and progressive solutions for a healthy future
Have a question or feedback on this episode? We want to hear from you! Email Rise Seattle or follow us on facebook and Instagram.
Find more info about Butch Haze: facebook, Instagram, and website.