Marin Luxury Homes (April 2010)

As with many of Marin County’s micro-markets, Marin’s luxury home market is showing signs of increased velocity and buyer optimism. As reported in previous months, “real buyers” continue to snap up homes in prestige locations such as Belvedere, Ross, Kent Woodlands, etc., along with “value” properties with locational upside, views of San Francisco, southern exposures, knolltop properties. In the $2 million to $4 million price band, sales have eclipsed last year’s low numbers, inventory is down significantly and the number of homes with accepted offers (in escrow) is very high. This combination of factors looks promising for continued improvement. And we are not alone — click HERE for a detailed snapshot of current national trends from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. The below chart shows the dramatic increase in the number of luxury homes under contract in Marin County, as compared with last year.

$2 Million to $4 Million Luxury Homes

Following a lackluster January 2010, sales in February and March 2010 increased quite a bit, with 9 trades. Incredibly, we have another 28 homes currently in escrow (there were just 16 in escrow last month). This is a leading indicator of increased sales next month. Certainly, buyers are feeling some urge to buy as it appears that the overall economic environment is improving, the DJIA has trended up over 11,100, and the pricing in the marketplace suggests “value.” However, inventory remains low (although higher than last month) at just 96 homes on the market.

[Click HERE for the rest of the report, courtesy of www.ImagineMarin.com.]

Mill Valley CA. Real Estate Market Report (April 2010 Home Sales Update)

I have been chomping at the bit to write this monthly report as the market in Mill Valley is bursting with positive indicators. The number of homes sold in the Mill Valley, California real estate market rose nearly 50% over the prior month. Mill Valley’s touchstone price band ($1 million to $2 million) appears to be striding towards normalcy. Not only is seasonal inventory healthy (with more homes for sale than last year), but so too is the percentage of homes in escrow (see below — it is hard to believe!). With most economic indicators pointing towards recovery, the collective thinking among buyers is that now is as good a time as any to buy a home — whether it is a first home or a move-up home. Keep in mind that buyers in Mill Valley are not buying because of government tax credits (a storyline often told in the national press). These buyers, for the most part, are high earners excluded from such programs. These are simply people who have decided the time is right. It has been well over three years since I have heard buyers speak confidently about the market, secure in the fact that they are buying into a good overall market environment.

Our current overall inventory of homes is down 72 % from last year, resulting in a reduced absorption rate. 

The number of homes for sale in Mill Valley has increased as the Spring selling season is underway — we now have 144 homes on the market. Mill Valley’s entry level price bands (under $1,000,000) are as strong as we have seen them over the past couple of years. In fact, the number of homes in escrow has literally exploded as has sales velocity!

Mill Valley’s 23 sales in March 2010 gave rise to the following averages: 111 days on the market; an average price of $1,154,413; and about 1,826 sq. ft. (or about $640 per sq. ft.). Homes in Tam Valley, Scott Valley, Sycamore Park, and Country Club generated the most calls this month.

Later this month, 617 Springfield Way in Tam Valley will come to market. Priced at $85,000, this special home sits on ~1/3 acre at the end of  a serene cul de sac in a magnificent setting. It features 3 bedrooms and 2 baths upstairs, along with a large unit downstairs which would be perfect au pair quarters or rental it has rented out recently for ~$1,000/mo.

If you would like more information about neighborhoods, sales, schools, or local Mill Valley services references, just give me a call at (415) 350-9440 or e-mail me at Kyle@MillValley101.com.

p.s. I currently have several clients who want to be sellers, but are waiting in the wings. Please contact me to determine if any of these opportunities fit your needs. I am also a founding member of the Marin Platinum Group (limited exclusively to the Top 100 agents in Marin) and have access to about 4 dozen homes not “officially” on the market but available for sale. If you would like my Mill Valley Hot List, call or e-mail me: (415) 350-9440 | Kyle@MillValley101.com. It is always my pleasure to be of service. Christie’s Great Estates | Morgan Lane Marin | Pacific Union International.

Marin Luxury Homes (March 2010)

Marin County, California’s luxury home market continues to recover from the wasteland of late 2008 and early 2009 when it seemed as though the luxury home market would never recover. Yet, as reported in previous months, real buyers continue to snap up homes in prestige locations such as Belvedere, Ross, Kent Woodlands, etc., along with “value” properties with undeniable upside. In the $2 million to $4 million price band, sales are up 300% over last year and inventory is down 25% — this combination of factors looks promising for continued improvement. For a detailed snapshot of current national trends from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, click HERE.

$2 Million to $4 Million Luxury Homes

The $2 million to $4 million price band  remains volatile with prices down 17% over the past 2 years. Despite this obvious and well-noted trend, many sellers have not adjusted their asking prices to reflect market realities. As noted in my columns over the past two years, a seller’s refusal to price correctly at the outset of the listing period is the single greatest mistake possible. Often, listing agents are willing accomplices however because they will “say anything” to obtain the listing. However, bottom line costs to sellers is very significant. I have developed a chart that show exactly just how bad it gets over time when Marin County sellers and their agents) overprice their homes — please call or e-mail me for a copy.

[Click HERE for the rest of the article, courtesy of www.ImagineMarin.com.]

Marin Luxury Report (Febuary 2010)

Marin County, California’s luxury home market continues to recover from the proverbial wasteland of late 2008 and early 2009 when it seemed as though the luxury home market would never recover. Yet, as reported in previous months, real buyers continue to snap up homes in prestige locations such as Belvedere, Ross, Kent Woodlands, etc. Indeed, “value” properties are gobbled up quickly. Despite this apparent thirst for luxury digs, inventory levels remain 40% higher than two years ago. This trend is not unique to Marin, but prevails nationwide. For a detailed snapshot of current national trends from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, click HERE.

The below chart reflects the number of homes in the $2 million to $4 million luxury price band which are in escrow (compared against the past 2 years). Note that the number of homes with accepted offers (not closed sales), is up 50% from 2 years ago and 450% from last year. This is a promising trend.

Another statistic that may not be readily apparent to casual observers is the fact that prices in the $2 million to $4 million price band are stabilizing as median sales prices countywide are down just 6% over the past 2 years. Of course, the impact of the downturn varies greatly by neighborhood and even within neighborhoods based on amenities.

[Click here for the rest of the article, courtesy of ImagineMarin.com.]

Marin Luxury Report (January 2010)

Marin County, California’s luxury home market continues to recover from the wasteland of late 2008 and early 2009 when it seemed as though the luxury home market would never recover. Yet, as reported in previous months, real buyers continue to snap up homes in prestige locations such as Belvedere, Ross, Kent Woodlands, etc., along with “value” properties with undeniable upside. In the $2 million to $4 million price band, sales are up 300% over last year and inventory is down 25% — this combination of factors looks promising for continued improvement. For a detailed snapshot of current national trends from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, click HERE.

$2 Million to $4 Million Luxury Homes

The $2 million to $4 million price band  remains volatile with prices down 17% over the past 2 years. Despite this obvious and well-noted trend, many sellers have not adjusted their asking prices to reflect market realities. As noted in my columns over the past two years, a seller’s refusal to price correctly at the outset of the listing period is the single greatest mistake possible. Often, listing agents are willing accomplices however because they will “say anything” to obtain the listing. However, bottom line costs to sellers is very significant. I have developed a chart that show exactly just how bad it gets over time when Marin County sellers and their agents) overprice their homes — please call or e-mail me for a copy.

[Click HERE for the rest of the article, courtesy of www.ImagineMarin.com.]

Marin Real Estate (March 2010)

The Marin County, California real estate market continues evidencing traction. Year over year prices seem to have leveled in most price segments and locations within Marin — some areas have even seen prices increase (albeit nominally). Countywide supply and demand figures suggest an improving real estate environment. Supply is down 26% and sales of 3 bedroom, 2 bath homes with at least 1,500 square feet and priced under $1 million,  are up an incredible 75% from February 2009. Nearly all recent statistics point to an improved sales environment in 2010.

[Click HERE for the rest of the article, courtesy of www.NorthBayRE.com.]

Marin Real Estate (February 2010)

The Marin County, California real estate market, which entered the new year with momentum, seems to have achieved traction. While year over year prices are down in many price segments and locations within Marin, some areas have actually seen prices increase (albeit nominally). Indeed, countywide supply and demand figures suggest an improving real estate environment as supply is down 24% and sales are up 29%, compared with last year (the numbers are for homes with at least 3 beds, 2 baths, 1,500 square feet, and priced under $1 million).

Much of the apparent strength evident today stems from the red-hot Novato market.

[Click HERE for the rest of the article, courtesy of www.NorthBayRE.com.]

Marin Real Estate (January 2010)

Mill Valley CA. Real Estate Market Report (March 2010 Home Sales Update)

The number of home sales in the Mill Valley, California real estate market held exactly even in February – 16 trades (February usually has lower sales totals because it is a short month with two legal holidays and bcause January tends to have weather which limits buyer activity). Based on last month’s total sales, we currently have an overall inventory of homes sufficient to last 5.1 months (absorption rate). This number is higher than last month because of the large number of homes that came on the market very recently. As discussed below, however, our touchstone price band is performing very well. 

Insofar as the sales and apsorption rate of Mill Valley’s touchstone price band ($1 million to $ 2million) are concerned, the market appears to be striding towards normalcy. As indicated above, compared with the past 2 years’ February totals, sales are up 50% over 2008 and double that of 2009. Meanwhile, the chart below shows a market with a serious increase in sales velocity — there is barely 3 months’ inventory for homes priced in the touchstone price band. This is a big reduction from the absorption rate from May 2009, which stood at well over 8 months.

Indeed, although we are at the precipice of the traditional selling season, the number of homes for sale in Mill Valley remains low at 82. We still believe that many “real buyers” stand poised to act on the right property. Certainly, the media’s negative feedback loop seems to have reversed itself as most mainstream economy-related articles seem to be more positive in nature as consumer spending has increased. Certainly, investors are “flipping” homes again! Mill Valley’s entry level price band (under $800,000) is as strong as it has been in recent history — with 54% of homes currently in escrow. Below is a table detailing the number of homes in escrow in each price band:

Homes in Tam Valley, Scott Valley, Sycamore Park, and Country Club generated the most calls this month. If you would like more information about neighborhoods, sales, schools, or local Mill Valley services references, just give me a call at (415) 350-9440 or e-mail me at Kyle@MillValley101.com.

p.s. I currently have several clients who want to be sellers, but are waiting in the wings. Please contact me to determine if any of these opportunities fit your needs. If you would like my Mill Valley Hot List, call or e-mail me: (415) 350-9440 | Kyle@MillValley101.com. It is always my pleasure to be of service. Christie’s Great Estates | Morgan Lane Marin | Pacific Union International.

Mill Valley CA. Real Estate Market Report (February 2010 Home Sales Update)

The number of home sales in the Mill Valley, California real estate market slipped to 16 listings sold, compared with 27 in December 2009. Based on last month’s total, we currently have an overall inventory of homes sufficient to last 3.7 months (note that several homes came on the market very recently). This is a big reduction from the absorption rate from May 2009, which stood at well over 8 months. Indeed, the number of homes for sale in Mill Valley remains very low at 63. Meanwhile, asking prices have held steady over the past quarter and stand now at about $605 per square foot.

The above graph tracks sales prices vs. listing prices over the past 2 years in Mill Valley for homes under $2 million. While the median sales price is down 19%, the median asking price is down just 3%. Meanwhile, for homes over $2 million, the median asking price has dipped 11%, while median sales prices have dipped about 30%. We still believe that there are many “real buyers” out there who have been waiting for “a sign” to buy. Certainly, the media’s negative feedback loop seems to have reversed itself as most mainstream economy-related articles seem to be more positive in nature. Certainly, investors are “flipping” homes again! Mill Valley’s entry level price band (under $800,000) is fairly strong with 39% of homes currently in escrow. Below is a table detailing the number of homes in escrow in each price band:

Homes in Tam Valley, Strawberry, Sycamore Park, and Country Club generated the most calls this month. If you would like more information about neighborhoods, sales, schools, or local Mill Valley services references, just give me a call at (415) 350-9440 or e-mail me at Kyle@MillValley101.com.

p.s. I currently have several clients who want to be sellers, but are waiting in the wings. Please contact me to determine if any of these opportunities fit your needs. If you would like my Mill Valley Hot List, call or e-mail me: (415) 350-9440 | Kyle@MillValley101.com. It is always my pleasure to be of service. Christie’s Great Estates | Morgan Lane Marin | Pacific Union International.

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