Friday, February 24, 2012

It's Time to Sell!
Well, for the past several weeks, I've mentioned the benefits of buying or selling, including some very detailed statistics and graphs of recent market activity. Well, here's the latest on market activity and it doesn't just suggest you sell. It SCREAMS IT! Not only are homes, especially those that are 'done' selling quite rapidly, but now we're seeing an increasing number of multiple offers! Is it 2005 again? Not at all. However, if anything is encouraging and indicates a rapidly improving market, it is sales that don't just come in increasing numbers, but that arrive with competing offers for the same property.
While it is true that all homes are not receiving multiple offers, and some are being reduced (this also happened in the early 2000's), the fact is that people are seeing enough good news in the economy to feel comfortable offering asking or more than asking price, and in some cases, getting into competitive bidding on a home. In recent weeks, we have seen a number of such situations, topped of by one property that garnered ELEVEN (not a misprint!) offers! I think you can guess where that one went relative to its original asking price.
When you add in such factors as continued near record or record low interest rates, an improving economy, both in terms of new jobs and the recent rise of the stock market (the Dow, at nearly 13,000 is double where it was in 2008), you can't find a better time to take advantage and put your home on the market.
Unsure of details or how to get your home ready for the market so that it will bring the most money in the shortest time? Call us: Jane: (415) 531-4091; Peter: (415) 279-6466. We'd be happy to help you!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Some VERY Interesting Stats for Marin County--While inventory is well off levels of the end of August 0f 2008, sales are definitely up and climbing! The graph below gives a very clear dramatic picture of exactly how the market is heating up--and how it is definitely one to think about if you're considering selling!

County

All Listings: As of 02-12-12

Under Contract Increase

Since 01-02-2012


Marin

-34.1%

+82.1%




Market dynamics are setting the stage for an amazing post-Super Bowl selling season, absent one critical ingredient. Sellers are now encouraged to join the party! As a seller, this may not be the “perfect storm”, which would include accelerating appreciation, but we have not seen market dynamics like this since pre-2005.

Many of our listings are receiving multiple offers (2-5), tight terms, ultra-competitive closing timelines, pre-approved mortgage commitments with rates at 4.0% - 4.5%, and an ample supply of “all cash”. Buyers are more confident than we have seen in the past 20 months and the Bay Area economic forecast and job markets seem stable if not encouraging.

In fact, research just completed in Marin's MLS shows that properties sold (21 in all) between $1 and $2 million in Marin County in January ’12 with 60 Days On Market or less, achieved closing prices of 98.7% - 101.2% of list price. If that's not a sign that things are looking up, nothing is!

Interested in joining this market? Could you be receiving these results? Call us and let's talk! Call Jane: (415) 531-4091 or Peter: (415) 279-6466. We'd be happy to help you!

Things are looking up! Today the new unemployment figures were released and they show a continued drop in filings; reaching the lowest level in nearly four years! This means that more folks will be working, which means more of them are likely o be able to buy homes. A good time to consider selling your home? You'd better believe it! Call us for a valuation or suggestions about how to get the most for your home.
While I'm at it, if you already receive our quarterly newsletter on Mill Valley values, perhaps you'd like it by email--less paper in your mailbox and just a couple of clicks on the computer and--there it is! If this idea appeals to you, drop us a line: pjrichmond@pacunion.com or call us: 279-6466/531-4091.