Thrill of the Hunt

Since house-hunting can be a blood sport, here are a few weapons to keep at your side.

1. It’s nearly 5 o’clock, and you’ve got one more open house to go. Recharge with an all-natural, 10-calorie Hi-ball Sparkling Energy Water. This reformulated version gets its moxie from ginseng, taurine and guarana. $2.25; available at Whole Foods, 399 Fourth St., 415-618-0066

2. Just think of the 2007 Not For Tourists Guide to San Francisco as the poor man’s OnStar. Need the closest Peet’s, post offi ce or public parking lot? Its 352 pages can steer you in the right direction. $14.95; available at Stacey's Bookstore, 581 Market St., 415-421-4687

3. Outbid on your dream home by one of the YouTube founders? A spritz of Bach Rescue Remedy Spray, an all-natural concoction of calming fl ower essences, can help you regain your composure. $17.50; available at Church Street Apothecary, 1767 Church St., 415-970-9828

4. No one told you that Glen Park is full of yellow signs that read “Not a Through Street.” For those trapped moments, tap the latest pocket-size GPS, TomTom GO 720—featuring MapShare technology—to help navigate your way out. $499; available at Best Buy, 1717 Harrison St., 415-626-9682

5. New to the city and don’t yet know your Outer Richmond from your Telegraph Hill? The SF Association of Realtors Map is an easy cure for a lingering case of neighborhood befuddlement. Free; contact your real-estate agent.

6. This full-grain leather J. Crew Tabloid tote carries all the provisions you need to survive a weekend in the real-estate trenches. $235; available at J. Crew, 865 Market St., 415-546-6262

7. Water stains on the ceiling? Snapping a few incriminating close-ups with the ultra-compact Nikon CoolPix S200 digital camera can give you extra leverage in the negotiation process. $250; available at Wolf Camera & Video, 245 Market St., 415-243-8811

8. A real open-house pro can hit seven or eight houses in an afternoon—but only if you don’t stop for grub. To keep your motor running, pack a Divinely D’lish Bar, a locally made organic granola treat that comes in Cheeky Cherry Chocolate and Haute Diggety Date. $2.29; available at Rainbow Grocery, 1745 Folsom St., 415-863-0620...

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