MARIN HOME SALES STATISTICS
These statistics show how many homes are available for sale in Marin, and of those how many are currently in contract (either pending or contingent. For the 2nd month in a row, the Marin overall real estate market is in a "Buyers Market."
Although there are fewer homes on the market this month as compared to last month (approx 200 less), the percentage of homes in contract went up slightly. My feeling is that many of the homes that did not sell have been pulled from the market, anticipating the slower months during the holiday season, or to possibly restart the Days on Market clock for that house trying to regenerate interest. It will be interesting to watch what happens over the next 2 months, which history has shown are typically a slow time for real estate sales.
Unlike last 3 month's where homes priced under $500,000 were sitting on the market longer and are were in a "Strong Buyers" , all homes priced under $3,000,000 are in a Buyers Market, and homes priced from $750,000 to $999,999 are very close to a Balanced Market. The highest priced homes, (Over $3M are still in Strong Buyers Market, and homes over $4 Million are in an Extreme Buyers Market, where only 4% of them are in contract). I interpret this to means that the "less expensive" homes (if there is such a thing in Marin) are finally selling at a faster clip, which is probably influenced by Feds stabilizing influence on the interest rates.
Like last month, Larkspur is still in a Seller's Market, in fact, it's moved into a Strong Sellers Market, where 55% of all listed Larkspur homes are in contract. If you want to sell your Larkspur home, this is the time! Kentfield and San Anselmo are in a Balanced Market; Corte Madera Mill Valley, Novato, San Rafael are all in a "Buyers Market." Belvedere, Fairfax, Greenbrae, Ross, Sausalito and Tiburon are all in a "Strong Buyers" Market. Ross, which has been in an "Extreme Buyers" market for many months heated up to move into a Strong Buyers Market (on the verge of a Buyers Market).
Days on Market (DOM): The Average DOM continues to increase by 10 days from September - 85 days for September - This means that it is taking an average of 2.5 months for houses to go into a PENDING status. A note of clarity. This does NOT mean when the house goes into contract (as it is still in a contingent state). The DOM clicker is stopped when all contingencies are removed, which is not entirely accurate at tracking how long it takes to get a house into contract. For example, a seller may have a house go into contract just 1 or 2 weeks after it is first listed, but with a long contingency period (say 45 days). This would mean that the DOM would show almost 2 months for that house to sell, whereas it was generally off the market after only a few weeks.
And for those of you who do read these stats, I'd love to know that you find the information useful! It actually takes me quite a lot of time to track, compile and post the data each month - and I'd love to know that it is being utilized! Send me an email to let me know you like getting it!
Click here to view November Stats
FREE.....You can search for Marin listings directly on BayAreaRealEstateSales.com: Search for homes
IS THE MARIN REAL ESTATE MARKET A BUBBLE ABOUT TO BURST?
Can you believe the Real Estate Headlines?
By: Liz McCarthy
In this month's newsletter I am including a few real estate news stories spouting headlines like: "Home Sales Plunge" and "Prices Flat" which compare the number of home sales and the average sales price for the overall Bay Area, which show home prices are flat when compared to last year. BUT if you look at the following chart, you'll actually see that Marin, Santa Clara and Alameda have all had small price increases when compared to October 2005. Marin shows 3.3% price increase although there were 27% less homes sold. So yes, the number of homes sold have dropped, but our overall prices went up slightly. On the other hand, comparing this September from September 2005, prices were 3% lower. Home prices are tee-tottering up and down from month to month.
What does this mean to you?
Is it time to finally buy that new home new home and/or sell your current home? Should you continue renting? When trying to decide, look at the overall statistics, do your research, read news stories but then actually drill down into the local data for your county and neighborhood. How long has the house been on the market? Has it had a lot of price reductions? Why isn't it selling? If a house has just been listed, make sure that your Realtor helps you research the house to see if maybe it had been previously listed. And if you find the perfect house that fits for you, don't let the headlines scare you, now is the time to buy it, as that house may not exist next month as it's likely that others will think it's perfect also.
If you are looking to sell, it's extremely important to price your home correctly. Buyers are looking for turn-key homes that are in move-in condition. So if the home you are looking to sell needs work, make sure it's priced appropriately. Price your home for THIS year's market, not last year's. Prices have overall remained flat from last year, but keep in mind that buyers are much choosier.
NEW MARIN REAL ESTATE STATS!
I'm always searching for ways to bring my clients and readers more local real estate statistics. I'm pleased to announce the launch of my new stats service: New Stats Link There are a lot of great stats here for your viewing pleasure. Once you click on the above link, be sure to mouse over the text near the top that says "Marin Statistics". You can drill down the stats by year, month and by City. Enjoy. I'd love to hear your feed back if you like this new service!
WHAT DID YOUR NEIGHBORS' HOUSE SELL FOR?
The Neighborhood Homes Sold listing is a weekly reader feature of the Sunday San Francisco Chronicle and is provided by California REsource, a title abstracting company. The home addresses, sales price, number of bedrooms, square footage and the year the homes were built are based on information supplied from Bay Area counties' property transaction records which, in some cases, may not be complete.
Neither The Chronicle nor California REsource guarantees the completeness or accuracy of the information. Questions or requests for additional information should be directed to Cal Resource at
Click on the following links to see what price homes sold for in your neighborhood:
November 5th, 2006: November 5th
November 11th 2006: November 11th
FREE.....You can search for Marin listings directly on BayAreaRealEstateSales.com: Search for homes
WHAT DO LIZ'S CLIENTS SAY?
"In essence I had a thoroughly enjoyable, professional and gratifying experience with a person who eventually became a friend. You were clearly interested in my personal life as it applied to the type of home I would be happy in. Even after seeing the house I ultimately bought, you were patient enough to show me additional homes so that I would be comfortable with my decision.
However, it was after we selected the house that I truly benefited from your business skills. The negotiation process, the drafting of the contract, related correspondence and handling the all the details was accomplished with thorough competence and professionalism. The entire experience was thoroughly enjoyable. I truly appreciate how difficult buying a home can be. Yet you handled each obstacle thrown our way by the sellers' agent, the sellers and the bank with calm assurance and you resolved each issue to my complete satisfaction.
I will be happy to recommend you to all my friends and colleagues who may be buying a house in the future. "
-F Konigsberg
If you would like to have Liz help you sell your Marin home or help you in finding a home, or you know of someone that could benefit from her services, just send her an email:
liz@BayAreaRealEstateSales.com
"High-Touch through High-Tech": Did you know that Liz McCarthy is ePro Internet Certified by the National Association of Realtors and that 70 percent of home buyers today use the internet in their home search? Why are you still working with a Realtor who isn't a technology expert?
What this means to you:
Home Buyers: Liz is an expert in helping save you time by using the internet, email and other technology resources to help save your valuable time and money. She knows how busy you are!
Home Sellers: Liz will hire a professional photographer and market your home extensively on the internet: a personal property website (see www.417Greenfield.com or www.50milland.com for samples), she will post your home on over 50 websites.
FAST FACTS
Marin median price - Oct, 06: $844,000 (Source: DQNews.com)
Calif. median home price - September 06 $553,550 (August 06: $576,360) (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. highest median home price by C.A.R. region Sep 06: Santa Barbara So. Coast $1,025,000 (Aug: $1,190,000) (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. lowest median home price by C.A.R. region Sep 06: High Desert $329,040 (Sept 06 $ 332,900) (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. First-time Buyer Affordability Index - Second Quarter 06: 23 percent (Source: C.A.R.)
Mortgage rates - week ending 11/9/06: (Source: Freddie Mac)
· 30-yr. fixed: 6.33%; Fees/points: 0.6%
· 15-yr. fixed: 6.04%; Fees/points: 0.6%
· 1-yr. adjustable: 5.55%; Fees/points: 0.8%
FREE.....You can search for Marin listings directly on BayAreaRealEstateSales.com: Search for Homes
Be sure to check out all the other great content & features of my website:
http://www.bayarearealestatesales.com/
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The Bay Area Real Estate Newsletter is provided to you by:
Liz McCarthy
Real Estate Broker, e-PRO certified
Liz@BayAreaRealEstateSales.com
415-250-4929
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