In this episode of The Bay Insider, Amanda and Ying take a closer look at Southern Hills and its close neighbor, Crocker Amazon, two hillside communities in the southeast corner of the city. Joined by longtime resident Liz Cong, they talk about how Southern Hills came about after World War II as a quiet, residential pocket known for detached homes, wide-open views, and some of the sunniest weather in the city.

They also head just downhill to Crocker Amazon, where you’ll find a similar sense of neighborhood, its own collection of historic homes, and easy access to large, well-loved parks. Along the way, they touch on daily life, family routines, and why hillside living continues to appeal to both longtime residents and new buyers.

With nearby access to San Bruno Mountain’s trails, open space, and landmarks like the Cow Palace, plus the convenience of being minutes from Daly City, this episode offers a thoughtful look at two often-overlooked parts of San Francisco that quietly balance nature, views, and city living.

Amanda Martin | Lic #01386284
Ying He | Lic #01964556

BarbCo Real Estate Group

In this special episode of The Bay Insider, we sit down with Teresa Van Woy: author, podiatrist, world traveler, and former resident of Raphael House. Teresa shares her remarkable childhood story, from growing up with eight siblings on the road to eventually finding safety, structure, and a sense of home at Raphael House, a San Francisco organization that has supported low-income and homeless families since 1971.

We talk about how Raphael House has evolved over the years, from its early days run by nuns to the comprehensive, family-focused program it is now, offering shelter, education support, job training, and long-term stability through its Bridge Program. With a 95% success rate in helping families secure permanent housing, it remains one of the city’s most meaningful resources.

It’s a heartfelt conversation about resilience, community, and the impact real stability can have on a child’s life.

If you’d like to dive deeper into Teresa’s story, her book, Wildflower, is available on Amazon and at local bookstores. Tune in and learn how you can support the work Raphael House continues to do.

Episode Youtube Link: Raphael House - Inspiring Families and Illuminating Hope Video

Raphael House Information
Website: www.raphaelhouse.org
Email: info@raphaelhouse.org
Black & White Gala: event.auctria.com/503b1f03-0cd9-4901-a665-5cdbe41ec74a/

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Teresa Van Woy’s Social Media Accounts:

Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCtuiOk4GxTQiLWdJeuYg0Aw
Facebook: www.facebook.com/drteresamvanwoy
Instagram: www.instagram.com/drteresavanwoy/
Twitter / X: x.com/drteresavanwoy

Wildflower Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1734382724?fbclid=IwAR1CsKA218rGMm_qLet1fNqCJ04F686pRGnRvKdMXLTN6l56CvBlPHNqehc

Teresa Van Woy’s Contact Information:
Podiatry: www.drteresavanwoy.com/podiatry

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Amanda Martin | Lic #01386284
Ying He | Lic #01964556

BarbCo Real Estate Group

In this episode, Amanda and Ying take on a topic that’s been getting a lot of attention lately: the idea of a 50-year mortgage. We structured the conversation as a debate.

Ying argues for the potential for affordability especially for renters who feel locked out of the market and need another pathway into homeownership. Amanda takes the other side, calling out the long-term tradeoffs: higher interest costs, slower equity, and what this could mean for the housing landscape overall.

We are hoping this episode will show you the potential impact of the 50 year mortgage and how it should be utilized if passed.

You can access the slides here: 50 Year Mortgage Debate

Episode Youtube Link: 50 Year Mortgage Debate

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Instagram: @thebayinsider
Facebook: thebayinsider

Amanda Martin | Lic #01386284
Ying He | Lic #01964556

BarbCo Real Estate Group