Alan Mark: We have seen a few shifts in the buyer demographic during the past few years but our largest buying groups continue to be Baby Boomers and Gen Y. With today's healthy economy, the majority of West Coast condominium buyers are employed in the thriving tech, biotech, healthcare and finance industries. Many San Francisco buyers work for Silicon Valley firms but prefer the urban lifestyle and culture of San Francisco. They don't mind commuting via car, Caltrain, BART or the private shuttles that many of the major tech firms offer. As the technology industry continues to gain momentum, we've noticed that an increasingly younger demographic is buying in San Francisco, no longer priced out by older generations. The largest demographic are buyers under the age of 40 and first-time homebuyers, whereas a few years ago buyers were predominantly older than 40. These young professionals are often joined by their parents on tours and even received down payment assistance. They have the salary to support a hefty mortgage, but lack savings for the down payment due to their short work history.

GlobeSt.com: As an advisor to developers bringing new product to market, what design trends are attracting homebuyers?

Mark: We've seen notable shifts toward smaller units, interactive amenities and natural materials. Millennial buyers don't mind smaller units as they are more affordable and easier to care for. These buyers are often very engaged in the neighborhoods they live in. They don't mind a smaller living space if they're in a great walkable neighborhood with a variety of restaurants, shopping, everyday services and green spaces nearby. Baby Boomers, on the other hand, will continue to be our target audience for the larger corner and view units.

Amenities geared toward social interaction are key in today's market. From outdoor rooftop theaters to extensive party rooms with catering kitchens, today's younger buyers especially like the idea of having easy access to social interaction with their neighbors and friends.

In terms of design aesthetic, many new developments have incorporated the sense of both nostalgia and authenticity in interiors, drawing on the inspiration of pieces from the 50s and 60s fused with natural materials and tones in floorings and cabinetry. We see a lot of repurposed and mixed materials used to recreate the same warm and inviting feeling you get when walking into a well-designed restaurant or hotel lobby.