Hello Everyone,
October 16, 2009, Dow Jones closes at 9995, pulling back slightly from Thursday's 1-year high close of 10,062. Marin IJ pours cold water on the nascent flames with front page headline "Tough month for Marin real estate". The article compares September's real estate sales to those of August. A more appropriate comparison would be to September of 2008. That comparison would show activity up considerably while prices are admittedly down due to sales of bank-owned property and the sluggishness of the upper end of the market. IJ article notes "---Marin bucked an upward trend in home sales elsewhere in the Bay area". According to an October 15 article by La Jolla, CA-based DataQuick information services, the average sales volume decline in the Bay Area comparing Sept 08 to Sept. 09 is 8.4%, while Marin County declined only 3.5%. The article states that the median price decline for the area was -8.8% while Marin declined only 6.5%. Full text of the article available at:
http://www.dqnews.com/Articles/2009/News/California/Bay-Area/RRBay091015.aspx
NRT MarketQuest reveals the following statistics:
Single Family Residences: Accepted offers in Sept '08=143, in August '09, 207, and in Sept '09, 244. Ratio of accepted offers to new listings in Sept '08 at 49% while Sept '09 at 80.8%. Sales down a bit from Sept '09's 149 units to this September's 143 units.
Condo's: Accepted offers in Sept '08=58, in August '09, 70, and in Sept '09, 89. Ratio of accepted offers to new listings in Sept '08 at 55.2% while Sept '09 at 106%. Sales down a bit from Sept '09's 55 units to this September's 50 units. Sold median price of condo's at $395K in September of '09 actually up over both August '09 at $375K and Sept '08 at $325K.
These facts do not seem to warrant front page doom and gloom. Under- $1million sector of the market at a very robust 41.25% in contract for Single Family Residences and 43.71% in contract for condo's. The big question is when sales in the upper end of the market will re-ignite. This segment is mostly SFR's, as very few condo's in this price range, usually fewer than 20 units at any given time. Answer revolves around availability of "Jumbo" loans which have been scarce since the financial meltdown last year. Major opportunity still exists for all-cash buyers of high-end homes as well as those with large down-payments and exemplary credit/earnings.
More next time.
Until then, best wishes to all,
Fred
for access to spreadsheets please see: http://www.fredanlyan.com
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Anlyan Report. Marin County Real Estate Statistics
10.4.09
Hello Everyone,
Unemployment up, Dow Jones down. October 2 Wall Street Journal runs a headline on the "Marketplace" front page: "Cruel September for Car Makers" citing sales drops of of 45% for GM and 42% for Chrysler following the termination of the "Clunker" rebate program. An article in the "Money and Investing" section of the same paper announces "Tax Free Bonds Reach a 40-Year Low", goes on to cite high demand and limited supply and predicts the trend won't end anytime soon. Just below that, another article titled "Mortgage Rates Below 5%"--- the lowest since last May 28, according to the article. Fed Open Market Committee on Sep 23 announces its decision to hold interest rates at historic lows but concerns about inflation spark speculation that this party won't last forever. Everyone hedging their bets, not knowing for sure what will happen next.
What we know for sure is that there will be an economic recovery. What we don't know is the timing. Lots of talk among buyers and sellers and even among real estate professionals about a possible next wave of bank-owned property hitting the market and about whether the housing crisis that began in the sub-prime markets will bleed over into the upper end. Uncertainty is the mother of opportunity. Many investors jumping in to the real estate market along with those just looking for a home they can afford. Some still waiting on the sidelines waiting for a better deal. This may or may not materialize. As a friend of mine is fond of saying "better is the enemy of good"!
What went up and what went down:
Marin County "City-by-City" report shows out of 13 communities monitored, 8 increased their percentage in contract since last month, 4 declined, and 1 remained about the same. Sausalito, Belvedere and Tiburon offering the best opportunities right now with 14.1%,12.8%, and 11.1%, respectively, in contract.
Marin County Single Family Residences showing fairly stable percentages in contract across all price ranges with only minor changes. Inventory up slightly from 1199 at last report to 1213 units on Sept 28. With the exception of certain very desirable properties, homes in the $2million-plus range continue to offer major opportunities to well-heeled buyers. Overall YTD units sold at 1119 on Sept 29 vs. 1253 on the same date last year, or -10.62%---- another increase from last report's -11.3%, so headed in an encouraging direction.
Condo's inventory down 1 unit from 324 to 323 while 4 additional units in contract lifted the overall percentage in contract modestly from 40.43% to 41.8%. Average Days on Market for Marin Condo's at 116 and average sales price at $375,522 compared to 105 and $504,385 last year at the same time. Much of the price disparity a product of market-mix, with lots of lower-priced bank-owned properties populating the lower end of the market.
More next time.
Until then, best wishes to all,
Fred
Hello Everyone,
Unemployment up, Dow Jones down. October 2 Wall Street Journal runs a headline on the "Marketplace" front page: "Cruel September for Car Makers" citing sales drops of of 45% for GM and 42% for Chrysler following the termination of the "Clunker" rebate program. An article in the "Money and Investing" section of the same paper announces "Tax Free Bonds Reach a 40-Year Low", goes on to cite high demand and limited supply and predicts the trend won't end anytime soon. Just below that, another article titled "Mortgage Rates Below 5%"--- the lowest since last May 28, according to the article. Fed Open Market Committee on Sep 23 announces its decision to hold interest rates at historic lows but concerns about inflation spark speculation that this party won't last forever. Everyone hedging their bets, not knowing for sure what will happen next.
What we know for sure is that there will be an economic recovery. What we don't know is the timing. Lots of talk among buyers and sellers and even among real estate professionals about a possible next wave of bank-owned property hitting the market and about whether the housing crisis that began in the sub-prime markets will bleed over into the upper end. Uncertainty is the mother of opportunity. Many investors jumping in to the real estate market along with those just looking for a home they can afford. Some still waiting on the sidelines waiting for a better deal. This may or may not materialize. As a friend of mine is fond of saying "better is the enemy of good"!
What went up and what went down:
Marin County "City-by-City" report shows out of 13 communities monitored, 8 increased their percentage in contract since last month, 4 declined, and 1 remained about the same. Sausalito, Belvedere and Tiburon offering the best opportunities right now with 14.1%,12.8%, and 11.1%, respectively, in contract.
Marin County Single Family Residences showing fairly stable percentages in contract across all price ranges with only minor changes. Inventory up slightly from 1199 at last report to 1213 units on Sept 28. With the exception of certain very desirable properties, homes in the $2million-plus range continue to offer major opportunities to well-heeled buyers. Overall YTD units sold at 1119 on Sept 29 vs. 1253 on the same date last year, or -10.62%---- another increase from last report's -11.3%, so headed in an encouraging direction.
Condo's inventory down 1 unit from 324 to 323 while 4 additional units in contract lifted the overall percentage in contract modestly from 40.43% to 41.8%. Average Days on Market for Marin Condo's at 116 and average sales price at $375,522 compared to 105 and $504,385 last year at the same time. Much of the price disparity a product of market-mix, with lots of lower-priced bank-owned properties populating the lower end of the market.
More next time.
Until then, best wishes to all,
Fred
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