As noted in prior reports this year, Marin County, CA’s luxury segment is slow and currently weighted towards homes priced under $4 million. In fact, not a single home priced over $4 million sold in May 2009 and just 2 are currently in escrow (although that could change in a moment as the domino effect [...]

This year has been peculiar in real estate. Obviously, prices are down in all categories. Obviously, short sales and foreclosures are featured on many buyers’ dance cards. And obviously, the market is suffering from a negative feedback loop fed by the media. I spend all day, every day, talking with prospective buyers, prospective sellers, and [...]

As the housing inventory evolves in Southern Marin’s toniest locales (Belvedere and Tiburon), it is fairly apparent that high end market is on hold pending further clarity regarding the equities and housing markets. There are currently 110 active listings in the 94920 zip code, which covers Belvedere and Tiburon. Twenty-six of these properties are priced [...]

Readers of my monthly reports on Mill Valley, CA. are well aware of my love for Mill Valley. And what’s not to like? For starters: (1) A quick and easy commute to San Francisco, (2) often spectacular views of the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge (a short 5-10 minutes down HWY 101), and Mt. Tam, [...]

Moving into the Summer, San Rafael CA’s real estate market is increasingly fueled by foreclosures and short sales. The low end (under $600K) has been hot (64% of homes in escrow). Meanwhile, the $600K to $800K price band has seen a surge in activity with 38% of these homes in escrow, up from 29% in [...]

This month, Novato’s absorption rate fell to an unbelievable 3.04 months. That is low. Absorption rates, along with days on market averages, provide a telling insight into the overall state of the market. As I have noted before, value properties can be found in virtually ALL price ranges in Novato. Pricing in most neighborhoods is [...]

Real estate sales in Marin County’s luxury segment are currently weighted towards homes priced under $4 million. In fact, not a single home priced above $4 million is in escrow (although that could change in a moment as the domino effect is very real in home sales). But, as it stands, the ultra-luxury home sales [...]

The leading indicator of future sales is the number of homes in escrow at a given time. We have experienced over 60 new escrows in five of the past seven weeks and over 70 for the past three weeks. May 2009 new escrows will likely surpass the levels of April and May 2008. As you [...]

As inventory collects in Southern Marin’s toniest locales (Belvedere and Tiburon), we are starting to see and hear about more offers being submitted. Certainly, sellers frustrated by the lack of activity have in some cases taken what they could get. Most recognize that our new economy, post-Equity Market Meltdown, has shifted the pricing and value [...]

The median price per square foot has dipped to about $575 per sq. ft. (which is down from well over $800 in mid-2007). While some buyers believe prices may slip a bit more, as noted above, most appreciate the fact that interest rates are very appealing. Indeed, mortgage math punishes those who don’t lock in [...]