Mill Valley CA. Real Estate Market Report (March 2009 Home Sales Update)
March 11, 2009
For several months my Mill Valley, CA, real estate report has noted that the market “is strangely out of sync,” and that buyers “are taking a few pitches to see what happens,” and I have also aired my suspicians about “undercover buyers” who are ready to buy and want to buy the “right” home. More than ever, I believe this is all true. At Morgan Lane we have about $12 million of closings taking place in the next week or so (and we closed a $4 million Mill Valley deal last month). If we can gather a little wind behind our sails, I believe we will be off to the races. Certainly, sellers seem to grasp the need for aggressive pricing and it appears that attractive new inventory will help drive the market in 2009.
As evidenced by the above graph, The median price per square foot has dipped to about $625 per sq. ft. (which is down from well over $800 in mid-2007). While some buyers believe prices may slip a bit more, most appreciate the fact that interest rates are very appealing. Indeed, mortgage math punishes those who don’t lock in at or near the lowest rate possible. For example, if prices dip another 5% and interest rates go up just 1%, the monthly payment would increase rather significantly for an $800K home with 20% down (call me for exact numbers relating to a given situation).
Up just a bit from February 2009, the percentage of homes in escrow under $800,000 rose to 43% (it had been as low as 15% in November 2008). Based on last month’s sales total (we had 9 sales in February 2009), we currently have an inventory of homes sufficient to last 10 months in Mill Valley, CA (this is called the absorption rate). Overall, the number of homes for sale rose to 90 (from 73 in January 2009). The number of “bead and butter” homes (those priced between $1 million to $2 million) currently in escrow is 8 — nearly tripling last month’s number (there were just 3 in escrow last month). Meanwhile, the luxury market in Mill Valley (homes from $2 million and up) continues its sleepy hibernation–just a single luxury home closed last month (the aforementioned $4 million sale) and there none currently in escrow.
|
Price Range |
Total Active Homes |
Pending Listings |
|
Up to $750K |
7 (down 5) |
43% |
|
$750K – $1 mil. |
27 (up 11) |
7% |
|
$1 mil. – 1.5 mil. |
32 (down 10) |
19% |
|
$1.5 mil. – $2 mil. |
15 (down 13) |
13% |
|
$2 mil. – $4 mil. |
19 (up 1) |
0% |
|
$4 mil. & Up |
3 (up 1) |
0% |
Of the 9 sales to close escrow in February 2009, they averaged a low 61 days on the market and sold for an average price of about $1.25 million with about 2,283 sq. ft. (or about $512 per sq. ft, which is down from $518 sq. ft. last month). The numbers from February reflect the fact that 5 of the 9 sales were priced under $1 million (in Mill Valley, these are generally entry level homes). Homes in Homestead Valley, Sycamore Park, Middle Ridge, and Kite Hill continue to be in low supply and high demand. 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. It is always my pleasure to be of service.
p.s. I currently have a couple potential sellers waiting in the wings with homes not on the MLS, please contact me to see if any of these opportunities fit your needs.
Marin Real Estate (January 2009)
January 12, 2009
Marin County, California real estate has slowed. While largely a function of the season (Winter is generally slow), macro-economic considerations, and more stringent borrowing guidelines, I feel that the primary source of the current slowdown relates to a perception by home buyers that “now” is not a good time to buy. Nonetheless, interest rates are at ALL-TIME LOWS (the San Francisco Chronicle’s Real Estate section has noted these records lows each of the past four weeks), prices in many Marin communities and neighborhoods are well off their peaks, and there is a wide variety of home choices out there. As evidenced by the investor actvity of the past few months, “now” does have some momentum.
Inventory is down to 503 single family homes for sale (we had about 716 last month) in the Highway 101 corridor (this number excludes Western Marin inventory).
[Click HERE for the rest of this article, courtesy of www.NorthBayRE.com.]
Marin Real Estate Trends (December 2008)
December 15, 2008
Insofar as Marin County goes, the holiday season is not traditionally an active time for home sales–this year is no exception. Inventory is down to 607 homes for sale (we had about 716 last month). Although reports of multiple offers continue–especially on well-priced bank owned properties in Novato–even the foreclosures are sometimes taking a long while meandering to a close. Despite the ongoing financial crisis, interest rates are very attractive and they are being pushed down further for those that qualify. I do feel that there is a large level of pent-up demand that will expose itself in the new year. But, until then, enjoy your families, your friends, and the holidays.
Marin Luxury Homes (December 2008)
December 15, 2008
Ponzi schemes, equity markets, banking woes, mounting unemployment, diminished home values and equity, generalized fear, and a palpable spending paralysis continue to weigh down and negatively impact luxury real estate sales in Marin County, California. I struggle to find the appropriate adjective to describe Marin County’s current luxury home market. Torpid? Sluggish? Drowsing? You get the idea. The same holds true nationwide as caution and prudence carry the day.
There are 85 homes on the market between $2 million and $4 million. As predicted in last month’s update, November sales slowed significantly following the mid-September meltdown in the financial sector–there were only 5 sales (down from 19 in October). Each of the following cities or towns had one sale: Mill Valley, San Rafael, Tiburon, Belvedere, and Kentfield. The average days on market for the homes that sold was 80 days and the average sales price was just over $2.58 million (roughly $849 per square foot), with an average of 3,209 square feet. Belvedere and Tiburon have 5 and 3 homes, respectively, currently in escrow.
The inventory level in Marin County’s ultra-luxury market (homes priced in the $4 million and up range) has again dropped precipitously (as is common this time of year). There are now 34 active listings, compared with 49 in November. Belvedere and Tiburon provide a large percentage of our ultra-luxury homes. Other cities / towns with homes in this price band include Kentfield, Sausalito, Mill Valley, Ross, San Rafael, and Novato. Somewhat surprisingly, there were no sales last month (we can usually expect at least 3 sales per month during the slow season). Further underscoring the pervasive caution gripping buyers, we currently have no ultra-luxury homes in escrow.
Mill Valley Homes & Real Estate (October 2008)
October 14, 2008
|
Price Range |
Total Active Homes |
Pending Listings |
|
Up to $800K |
13 (up 1) |
38% |
|
$800K – $1 mil. |
25 (up 13) |
12% |
|
$1 mil. – 1.5 mil. |
49 (up 7) |
20% |
|
$1.5 mil. – $2 mil. |
29 (up 1) |
24% |
|
$2 mil. – $4 mil. |
23 (up 5) |
9% |
|
$4 mil. & Up |
4 (up 2) |
0% |
Homes in Boyle Park, Middle Ridge, Homestead Valley, and Sycamore Park continue to be in low supply and high demand. If you would like more information, just give me a call at (415) 350-9440 or e-mail me at Kyle@NorthBayRE.com. It is always my pleasure to be of service.
Homestead Valley (Mill Valley Neighborhoods Description)
September 16, 2008
Roughly stated, Homestead Valley sits between Sycamore Parkand Tam Valley–think “across from Whole Foods.” George Lucas lived here, above Tamalpais High School, way back when.
It is an unincoprated area with about 1,100 homes. Homes here vary in stature and price. There are fine estates with super views and cabin-sized dwellings in need of love.
Stolte Grove is a delightful park in HV, bisected by Reed Creek. It has picnic tables, barbecues, and a stage on which my girls have been known to provide impromptu performances of varying qualities and lengths. There is also garden area nearby. You can find both of these parks at Montford and LaVerne Avenues on the the loop. The Marin Horizon School is in Homestead Valley (pre-school through eighth grade).
Blithedale Canyon (Mill Valley Neighborhoods Descriptions)
September 16, 2008
Blithedale Canyon is easy to find. Just head west on E. Blithedale until you pass the Art Club (where I got married) and head into the trees. This area is fabulous and is home to many of Mill Valley’s celebrities and elite. It boasts tall redwoods, lots of trails, parkland, and prototypically narrow Mill Valley streets.
Many homes are just a short walk to downtown. Many other homes are way up in the hills–the ultimate in privacy. At bottom, the canyon is dominated by the gentle flow of Corte Madera Creek–it’s a quiet, redwooded haven for crafstman-style cottages, cabins, blackberry bushes, deer, old stone walls, foggy mornings, and even some hidden staircases. Above all, it’s a fine place for a relaxing stroll.
Many hikers start their days at the Old Railroad Grade trailhead.
Mill Valley Homes & Real Estate (September 2008)
September 16, 2008
|
Price Range |
Total Active Homes |
Pending Listings |
|
Up to $800K |
12 (up 6) |
20% |
|
$800K – $1 mil. |
12 (down 5) |
20% |
|
$1 mil. – 1.5 mil. |
42 (up 2) |
23% |
|
$1.5 mil. – $2 mil. |
28 (up 9) |
7% |
|
$2 mil. – $4 mil. |
18 (up 7) |
25% |
|
$4 mil. & Up |
2 (down 1) |
33% |
Homes in Boyle Park, Middle Ridge, Blithedale Canyon, and Cascade Canyon continue to be in low supply and high demand. If you would like more information, just give me a call at (415) 350-9440 or e-mail me at Kyle@NorthBayRE.com. It is always my pleasure to be of service.
Middle Ridge (Mill Valley Neighborhoods Description)
September 16, 2008
Location. Location. Location. Middle Ridge (the community inhabiting the ridge between Blithdale and Cascade Canyons) is considered by many locals to be one of Mill Valley, California’s most desirable neighborhoods. It is known for being warm and sunny, with some outstanding views of the Bay and of San Francisco. It is just a few short blocks from downtown and many of Mill Valley’s finest homes are situated here.
Marin Luxury Homes (September 2008)
September 14, 2008
The number of homes for sale in the $2 million to $4 million luxury home market in Marin County, California rose over the past month to 109, compared to 106 homes in August 2008. The slight rise in inventory coincided with a respectable month of sales with 16 homes sold in August 2008 (down by 4 from July).
Mill Valley and Ross experienced the most luxury home sales (with 4 of these homes selling in each). Belvedere, Tiburon and Corte Madera each had 2 homes sold and Kentfield and Sausalito had 1 sale each. The average days on market for homes that sold was a mere 95 days (25 days more than in July) and the average sales price was $2.927 million (roughly $875/per sq. ft.), with an average of 3,503 square feet. Belvedere and Tiburon seem to be hot as they each have 6 homes in escrow.
