Friday, December 19, 2008

12.19.2008

for access to spreadsheets please see http://www.fredanlyan.com


Hello Everyone,

Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe Holiday Season and a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.

In the new year, reports will be twice a month, at the beginning and in the middle of the month. This will be the last report in 2008.

In financial news for the week, President Bush announced a bailout plan for Detroit. Lots of opposition to this from folks who contend that automakers have mis-managed their business for many years now, relying on the "cash cow" sales from SUV's instead of looking towards the future and developing sustainable products and strategies. Argument is that they have had the opportunity to improve their products and their management since the first energy crisis in the early 70's. As usual, there are two sides to this story. In a normal economy, having one automaker declare bankruptcy might be an option. Feeling is that in the current economy, already in a major recession, the ripple effect on unemployment, investments, and other segments of the economy from having 2 or more automakers in bankruptcy is just too great to ignore. Stock market yawned at the news, actually losing 25 points on the Dow by the end of the day Friday, Dec 19. Meltdown probably avoided by Bush's action though. Remains to be seen what Obama administration will do starting in January and where this will all take us in 2009 and beyond. At least the new administration will now have a chance to work on a solution from a place of relative stability rather than chaos.
Earlier in the week, the Federal Reserve reduced the rate at which it loans money to member banks to a range of 0-.25%, a historic low. Stocks rallied on that news.
San Francisco Chronicle headline for December 19 blares: "Rush To Refinance" "As mortgage rates plunge to lows not seen in decades, lenders brace for surge of homeowners taking advantage--but many troubled borrowers will be left out in the cold".

La Jolla-based DataQuick Real Estate News, in an article dated December 18, proclaimed:
Bay Area median home price sinks to 8-year low; sales up over '07 again
In part, the article stated:
"Bay Area home sales decelerated in November but beat the year-ago mark for the third consecutive month. The allure of discounted foreclosures continued to drive sales in affordable inland markets, which helped push the median sale price down to its lowest point since former President Bill Clinton was in the White House."
Article goes on to state how sales of bank-owned real estate are diluting the various Bay Area markets.
Full text of article available at
http://www.dqnews.com/News/California/Bay-Area/RRBay081218.aspx

Only thing we can say for certain is that 2009 will be an action-packed year, and a year of great transition and great opportunity. Stay tuned for more excitement!

Marin County Real Estate:
Inventory was down again across the board. Some prospective sellers deferred action over the holidays in favor of waiting until January while a number of sellers with homes on the market withdrew them temporarily for the holidays.

Single Family Residences total active inventory down to 783 as of December 16 compared to 871 the previous week. Percentage in contract up slightly to 19.11% from 18.6% the week before--- still a buyers' market. Homes under $1million slipped slightly to 26.73% in contract, still technically a sellers' market. Some notable sales over asking price with multiple offers, but in general a very price-sensitive market with buyers choosy and skittish. Properties over $1million still a strong buyers' market-- great opportunity for buyers with cash to spend. More properties than usual dropping out of escrow during the contingency period. Important for sellers to pick buyers carefully and to be willing to negotiate in good faith. Services of an experienced local real estate professional invaluable in this market.

Condominium inventory down just four units from last week at 268. Percentage in contract up 2 points to 35%. 485 units sold year-to-date, compared to 494 at the same time last year. Anyone care to guess whether we will end the year even, ahead, or behind 2007? In any case, REO sales have driven average price down to $480,515 from last year's $647,376. Keep in mind that only part of this is price reduction, with part due to more lower-end homes being sold.

More in 2009.
Until then, best wishes to all,
Fred
Fred Anlyan, MBA
Broker Associate

Friday, December 12, 2008

The Anlyan Report. Marin Market Statistics 12.12.2008

for access to spreadsheets please see http://www.fredanlyan.com

Hello Everyone,

Christmas now less than two weeks away. Marin housing market generally slower as folks get ready for the Holidays. Inventory down again in almost all segments Quite a bit of activity underlying the calm market facade. A "cottage" industry going on with off-market listings. Seems sellers leery of the current market are telling their agents to sell off the MLS, thinking this will keep their property from getting "stale" if it does not garner any offers. Problem is less exposure to agents and to the market. Less certainty of correct pricing for both buyer and seller. Economic theory supports the proposition that perfect markets require perfect information. Logically, the less perfect the information, the less perfect the market so off-market sales-----------.
REO's (bank-owned real estate) active in the County with some attracting multiple offers over asking price and some failing to meet the banks' minimum price points and being held over for continued market exposure. An REO in San Anselmo this week received over 10 offers.
Interest rates excellent, presenting no problem for the well-qualified, save the extra energy required to jump through multiple lender hoops. Some buyers qualifying for a bit less in terms of loan value due to increased down-payment requirements. Resurgence of interest in Private Mortgage Insurance for those with less than 20% down. Mortgage interest rates dropped again during the period ending December 12, with available options currently at multi-year lows according to Andrew Grossman of Princeton Capital in Greenbrae.

Single Family Residences

As of December 9, there were 871 SFR's listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service, down from 889 the week before. 162 of these, or 18.6% were in contract making it a buyers' market overall. Of the homes listed, 458 were priced under $1million and 27.29% of those were in contract, technically a sellers' market (over 25% in contract). Notwithstanding this, market in general continues to be very sensitive to price. Location, condition, staging also critical in this market. Experienced local real estate professionals invaluable in assessing market values. Upper end of the market continues to lag with $1million to $2million at 10% in contract, $2million to $3million at 8.33% in contract, and over-$3million at only 5.8% in contract. Great opportunity for cash-heavy buyers to score big bargains. Move-up buyers note this is a very rare opportunity to benefit from big savings on your trade.
During the 7 days ended on 12/9/2008, there were 29 new listings, 50 price reductions.
20 Listings went contingent and 24 went pending. 16 homes sold, 10 listings expired, and 51 were withdrawn or temporarily off the market.

Condominiums
Condo's continue to burn up the road with late-season sales gains. 481 year-to-date condo sales in the County compare to 484 at the same time last year. Prices significantly lower with average sale price of $479,937 vs. $648,437 last year at the same time. Days on market longer at 106 vs 83 in '07.
During the 7 days ended on 12/9/2008, there were 11 new listings, 20 price reductions.
11 Listings went contingent and 3 went pending. 13 units sold, 5 listings expired, and 7 were withdrawn or temporarily off the market.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

The Anlyan Report. Marin Market Statistics 12.06.2008

for access to spreadsheets please see http://www.fredanlyan.com

Hello Everyone,

Another volatile week in the stock market. All over the map on adverse job reports, lack of a bailout plan for the "big 3" auto-makers and other news. Will probably stay jumpy for a while. Ended the week down only about 190 points on the Dow after making up for some much larger losses earlier in the week.

City by City report out this week shows Novato and San Rafael continue to be strong performers, pushed along (particularly in Novato) by REO (bank owned property) sales at bargain prices. Novato at 34.7% in contract for single family homes and condo sales combined. Normally we would characterize this as being within a breath of a "strong sellers' market" which we think of as 35% or more in contract. This market much more sensitive to price so sellers should be aware to dress up their homes and price them for the market. Greenbrae turned in the only other solid performance, but on such light volume that one unit more or less could have swung the statistics another way. Everything else in central/southern Marin in buyers' or strong buyers' territory.

SFR (single family residence) total listings down to 889. Everything a buyers' or strong buyers' market on a county-wide basis except the $1million and under "entry-level" market which is at 26.9% in contract, just into sellers' market territory. Sellers be aware this is a bit of a misnomer as sales very sensitive to price, presentation, and buyer perception. For the 7 days ended on Dec 2, there were 40 new listings and 32 price reductions. 28 listings went contingent, 9 pending, 20 sold, 41 expired, and 33 were withdrawn or temporarily taken off the market.

Condo's lost just a bit of ground from last week, but the under -$1million segment (all but 8 units) still at 34.18% in contract, a very strong showing and close to the 35% "strong sellers' market" threshold. Inventory down to 283 from last week's 306. For the 7 days ended on Dec 2, there were 10 new listings and 17 price reductions. 7 Units went contingent, 9 went pending, 13 were sold, 18 expired, and 14 were withdrawn or temporarily taken off the market.

More next week.
Until then, best wishes to all,
Fred

Friday, November 28, 2008

The Anlyan Report. Marin Market Statistics 11.28.2008

for access to spreadsheets please see http://www.fredanlyan.com

Hello Everyone,

A short business week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Stock market news on money.cnn.com headline says:
"Dow, S&P 500 in 5-day win streak"
after stocks rose again Friday, 11/28 for a fifth consecutive session of gains. Market responding to new guarantees and new infusions of cash from the federal government. Article references recent news with positive market effects--- Citigroup bailout, announcement of president-elect Obama's choice of Federal Reserve Bank president, Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary, and of Paul Volcker to head the economic advisory board. Article goes on to quote Abigail Doolittle, a portfolio manager at Johnson Illington Advisors, as saying that markets are currently very fickle to news and could sour further upon consideration of market fundamentals.
full article available at:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/28/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm

Mortgage rates were affected favorably by the week's events. The combination of low rates and negotiable housing prices presenting a great opportunity for qualified buyers.

Single Family Residences (SFR).
The number was presented correctly in the analysis, however. Apologies for the error, which has been corrected on the current spreadsheet. Listings declined slightly from 970 to 934. 18.5% of those were in contract, making it a buyers' market overall. Listings of homes in the under-$1million range declined from 483 to 467, but the number in contract increased 1 unit, sending the percentage in contract up to 29.12%, technically a sellers' market. The upper end of the market continued to lose steam, with the $1-2 million dollar range at 8.65% in contract, $2million to $3million at 8.82%, and over $3million at 3.95% with only 3 of 76 listings in contract as of the end of the day on November 25--- huge opportunity for buyers in this range with cash to spend.

Year to date (YTD) units sold at 1457 vs 1847 at this time last year, or minus 21.1%. Average YTD list price $1,391,317, average sold price $1,287,499, average days on market 87. Last year's numbers for the similar period were: average list $1,445,172; average sold $1,364,451; average days on market 74.

Condominiums:
Condo's continue to close the YTD unit sales gap, now at 453 vs last year's figure of 467 at this time, or minus 2.99%. 11 units sold during the 7 day period ending on 11/25 vs. 6 units in the similar time frame in 2007. Average list price is $527,187, average sales price $486,255, and average DOM 106 vs. last year's average list $674,167, average sold $650,902, and average DOM 82 at this time. There were 306 active condo listings, of which 107, or 34.97 percent were in contract, making it about as close to a strong sellers' market (35% and up) as it can get without actually going over the line. Units under $1million, the preponderance of the market did actually make it into "strong sellers' " territory at 36.17% in contract. Of 10 condo units listed between $1million and $2million, none were in contract as of 11/25.

Let's watch and see what happens during the upcoming week.
Until then best wishes to all,
Fred

The Anlyan Report. Marin Market Statistics 11.28.2008

for access to spreadsheets please see http://www.fredanlyan.com

Hello Everyone,

A short business week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Stock market news on money.cnn.com headline says:
"Dow, S&P 500 in 5-day win streak"
after stocks rose again Friday, 11/28 for a fifth consecutive session of gains. Market responding to new guarantees and new infusions of cash from the federal government. Article references recent news with positive market effects--- Citigroup bailout, announcement of president-elect Obama's choice of Federal Reserve Bank president, Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary, and of Paul Volcker to head the economic advisory board. Article goes on to quote Abigail Doolittle, a portfolio manager at Johnson Illington Advisors, as saying that markets are currently very fickle to news and could sour further upon consideration of market fundamentals.
full article available at:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/28/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm

Mortgage rates were affected favorably by the week's events. The combination of low rates and negotiable housing prices presenting a great opportunity for qualified buyers.

Single Family Residences (SFR).
The number was presented correctly in the analysis, however. Apologies for the error, which has been corrected on the current spreadsheet. Listings declined slightly from 970 to 934. 18.5% of those were in contract, making it a buyers' market overall. Listings of homes in the under-$1million range declined from 483 to 467, but the number in contract increased 1 unit, sending the percentage in contract up to 29.12%, technically a sellers' market. The upper end of the market continued to lose steam, with the $1-2 million dollar range at 8.65% in contract, $2million to $3million at 8.82%, and over $3million at 3.95% with only 3 of 76 listings in contract as of the end of the day on November 25--- huge opportunity for buyers in this range with cash to spend.

Year to date (YTD) units sold at 1457 vs 1847 at this time last year, or minus 21.1%. Average YTD list price $1,391,317, average sold price $1,287,499, average days on market 87. Last year's numbers for the similar period were: average list $1,445,172; average sold $1,364,451; average days on market 74.

Condominiums:
Condo's continue to close the YTD unit sales gap, now at 453 vs last year's figure of 467 at this time, or minus 2.99%. 11 units sold during the 7 day period ending on 11/25 vs. 6 units in the similar time frame in 2007. Average list price is $527,187, average sales price $486,255, and average DOM 106 vs. last year's average list $674,167, average sold $650,902, and average DOM 82 at this time. There were 306 active condo listings, of which 107, or 34.97 percent were in contract, making it about as close to a strong sellers' market (35% and up) as it can get without actually going over the line. Units under $1million, the preponderance of the market did actually make it into "strong sellers' " territory at 36.17% in contract. Of 10 condo units listed between $1million and $2million, none were in contract as of 11/25.

Let's watch and see what happens during the upcoming week.
Until then best wishes to all,
Fred

Friday, November 21, 2008

The Anlyan Report. Marin Market Statistics 11.21.2008

for access to spreadsheets, please see http://www.fredanlyan.com

Hello Everyone,

Wall Street woe worsens worrying would-be buyers.
Stocks trembled and tumbled again during the business week ending on November 21, giving up several years worth of gains. According to the Nov. 21 Wall Street Journal, "the Dow is off 47% from last year's record, its heaviest decline since the bear market of 1937-1938 when it fell 49%" The article also states that "If the S&P 500 were to finish the year where it was on Thursday, it would mark an annual decline of 48.8%, the worst annual percentage drop in its 80-year history".

In spite of all this, properties are being bought and sold here in Marin. Many buyers with the courage of their convictions picking up exceptional deals. According to Andrew Grossman of Princeton Capital, there is "no problem getting money" for mortgages. Putting this in context, it is true that buyers have to have good credit, verifiable income, and a down payment. The down payment may not have to be a full 20% if the buyer is willing to get private mortgage insurance. There are 90% loans going through. The property has to appraise, and the larger the loan, the greater the chance that the appraisal will undergo a review. All this said however, loans are still being made. Now is a great time to get in the market and avoid the competition from all the other buyers who later will wish they had pulled their chairs up to the table. Bottom line is--- there is money out there for qualified buyers.

Single Family Residences (SFR). In the 7 days ending on November 18, inventory of SFR's declined 25 units to 970. This compares to 848 in November of '07 and 822 in November of '06. Overall percentage in contract up 3 points to 20.8%, still a buyers market, but the popular under-$1million range a "sellers' " market at 27.95% in contract. As previously discussed, this is not a license to overprice, but rather an indication that properly prepared and presented, wel-located and well-priced homes under $1million are still selling well. Varies of course by town, neighborhood, street and by specific home. Check with a knowledgable local real estate professional for the best advice on pricing in this market.. YTD units sold at 1429 vs.1821 last year at this time, or -21.5%, the gap widening again for the last couple weeks, but not dramatically. Average list price for YTD units sold $1,394,944 and average sold price $1,291,702. Average Days on market (DOM) at 87. Comparable figures last year were average list $1,447,653, average sold $1,367,997, and DOM 74.

Condo sales again the bright spot in the Marin market. Inventory declined 12 units to 323. This compares to 269 in November of '06 and 314 in November of '07. Overall percentage in contract up just slightly to 35.29%, but enough to push it over the line and change the label to "strong sellers' " market. Under-$1million segment doing even better at 36.42% in contract relieved of the statistical burden of the 10 units over $1million of which none were in contract as of 11/18. Regarding the significance of this condo market being in "strong sellers' " territory, please see above reference under SFR's. YTD units sold at 442 vs 461 last year at this time-- the gap continuing to close and now at only -4.1%. Lots of buyers recognizing value in this reduced-price REO-driven environment and snapping up properties. Average list price for YTD units sold $530,694. Average sold price $490,175. Average DOM 104. Last year's comparable figures were: average list $675,726; average sold $652,337; DOM 83.

Lots of buyers and some sellers will take a break for the Holidays. This provides perfect opportunity for persistance to pay off.

More next week. Until then best wishes to all,
Fred

Saturday, November 15, 2008

The Anlyan Report. Marin Market Statistics 11.15.2008

for access to spreadsheets, please see http://www.fredanlyan.com


Hello Everyone,

During the 7 days ending on November 11, the inventory of Single Family Residences (SFR) for sale in Marin County remained relatively stable at 995 units as opposed to 999 last week. Percentage in contract overall crept up about 1 point to 17.69%, still a buyers' market. Homes under $1million at 26.53% in contract, just back inside sellers' market territory, while the upper end of the market still in the "strong buyers" category: $1-2 million at 10.22%; $2-3 million at 7.34%; over $3million at 7.23%. Year to date units sold at 1411 compared to 1793 at the same time last year, or -21.3%.
MarketQuest statistics for October show that SFR's had 274 new listings for the month, 121 sales, 193 listings were cancelled. There were 162 accepted offers, average Days on Market were 105. There was an 8.5 month supply of SFR's on the market here in Marin County and the ratio of sale price to list price was 91.2%.

Condominiums did a bit better during the week. There were 335 active listings vs. last week's 330. Overall percentage in contract was 34.93%, tantalizingly close to a "strong sellers' " market. The preponderance of condo inventory that is under $1million came in at 35.89% in contract, just over the line into "strong sellers' " territory. The upper end of the market consisted of 9 units in the $1-2 million range, none of which were in contract as of 11/11. YTD units sold at 428 vs. 450 last year at this time, or only -4.8%. This figure has been catching up consistently for several months and now has almost drawn even. If the market continues its momentum it may equal or even surpass last year's total before the end of December, albeit at substantially lower prices. MarketQuest statistics show the average sold price of a Marin County condo was $450,000 in October, up from September's $427,000, but a far cry from the previous 24 month high of 779,000 in November of '07. There were 69 new condo listings, 66 sold listings, and 136 accepted offers. The ratio of accepted offers to new listings was 136%, Days on Market were 95, and there was only a 4 month supply of listings on the market. The ratio of sale price to list price was 94.1%. 49 listings expired or were cancelled.

Stock market still jumping around causing people to be cautious, especially on large purchases. Nonetheless, major opportunities await those inclined to take advantage of them.

more next week----


Until then, best wishes to all,
Fred