Inside the $1.85 million listing that comes with two San Francisco homes for the price of one, thanks to an extra single-family 'in-law' unit in the backyard

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The home(s) sit in San Francisco's Inner Sunset neighborhood, a district known for its relatively more affordable homes and family-oriented environment.

The home(s) sit in San Francisco's Inner Sunset neighborhood, a district known for its relatively more affordable homes and family-oriented environment.
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The home's facade is painted in a calming teal color.

The home's facade is painted in a calming teal color.
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It was built in 1913, seven years after the great earthquake and fires that ravaged the city and ultimately spurred a widespread real-estate boom to rebuild.

It was built in 1913, seven years after the great earthquake and fires that ravaged the city and ultimately spurred a widespread real-estate boom to rebuild.

This is the entrance to the front home, whose address is 1725 10th Avenue.

This is the entrance to the front home, whose address is 1725 10th Avenue.
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There's a separate, independent entrance to the second property, whose address is 1723 10th Avenue, behind the front home.

There's a separate, independent entrance to the second property, whose address is 1723 10th Avenue, behind the front home.

Residents would navigate down a corridor, through a door, up a small set of stairs, and then across the courtyard to get to it.

Residents would navigate down a corridor, through a door, up a small set of stairs, and then across the courtyard to get to it.
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The foyer of the front home opens up to a wooden staircase leading to the second level ...

The foyer of the front home opens up to a wooden staircase leading to the second level ...

… and also to a living room with a wood-burning fireplace and original wood trims.

… and also to a living room with a wood-burning fireplace and original wood trims.
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There's a huge window with beautiful stained glass, adding a pop of character.

There's a huge window with beautiful stained glass, adding a pop of character.

Off of the living room is a formal dining room.

Off of the living room is a formal dining room.
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There are built-in cabinets and, ever so quaintly, a built-in bench by the window for a reading nook. The second home can be seen through the window.

There are built-in cabinets and, ever so quaintly, a built-in bench by the window for a reading nook. The second home can be seen through the window.

The kitchen has a brand-new stove, stove hood, and refrigerator.

The kitchen has a brand-new stove, stove hood, and refrigerator.
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A blue-colored oven and intricately patterned backsplash add some pizzazz to the otherwise stark white kitchen.

A blue-colored oven and intricately patterned backsplash add some pizzazz to the otherwise stark white kitchen.

Upstairs is the master bedroom with front-facing windows.

Upstairs is the master bedroom with front-facing windows.
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Two more bedrooms are on this level.

Two more bedrooms are on this level.

One of them is currently staged as a kid's room.

One of them is currently staged as a kid's room.
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There's one full bathroom on the top floor as well.

There's one full bathroom on the top floor as well.

Back downstairs is a laundry room …

Back downstairs is a laundry room …
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… and somewhere in the house is a "1/4 bath" which, according to the listing, may or may not be legal.

… and somewhere in the house is a "1/4 bath" which, according to the listing, may or may not be legal.

Source: Jason Chan of Barbagelata Real Estate

The backyard of the front home opens up to a small, serene courtyard.

The backyard of the front home opens up to a small, serene courtyard.
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Walk a short distance and you'll find the second single-family home, or the cottage as the listing calls it.

Walk a short distance and you'll find the second single-family home, or the cottage as the listing calls it.

A small, partially enclosed porch is at the entrance.

A small, partially enclosed porch is at the entrance.
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Inside is one bedroom ...

Inside is one bedroom ...

... one bathroom ...

... one bathroom ...
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... a large kitchen ...

... a large kitchen ...

... and a living room.

... and a living room.
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This second home could be used in a number of ways.

This second home could be used in a number of ways.

As SF Gate points out, the owners could live in the front house and rent out the in-law unit or vice versa, a somewhat common course of action in the city. A cruise through the rental listings on Craigslist will turn up a few similar living situations.

As SF Gate points out, the owners could live in the front house and rent out the in-law unit or vice versa, a somewhat common course of action in the city. A cruise through the rental listings on Craigslist will turn up a few similar living situations.

Source: Craigslist and SF Gate

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What could also be a possible option, depending on the future owners' situation, is using the in-law unit for its originally-designed purpose: to house older relatives on-site while still maintaining independence and privacy for everyone involved.

What could also be a possible option, depending on the future owners' situation, is using the in-law unit for its originally-designed purpose: to house older relatives on-site while still maintaining independence and privacy for everyone involved.

Regardless of the arrangements, the second home may be used to house more San Franciscans in some capacity, a much-needed feat in the city's housing crunch.

Regardless of the arrangements, the second home may be used to house more San Franciscans in some capacity, a much-needed feat in the city's housing crunch.
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