Pacific Union Novato Real Estate Market Update (August 2010 Novato Home Sales Report)

The Novato, California real estate market continues its solid year. We had 33 trades last month. What is impressive is the fact that average sales prices are up and average price per square foot are up. The average sales price of Novato homes in July 2010 was $692,508 (up from $644,778 the month before). These homes averaged 106 days on market, were about 2,052 sq. ft., and averaged $320 per square foot (up from $306 sq. ft. in June 2010).

Novato’s price per square foot has hovered between 3-5% of $300 for a year now — in my mind, we are seeing the gradual recomposition of the market in the era of the “New Normal.” Prices are holding steady, particularly in the entry level and move-up price bands. This is good news for buyers and sellers alike. Moreover, historically low interest rates, currently hovering around 4.5%, are giving buyers adequate impetus to make their move.

Below are the percentages of homes in escrow in each of Novato’s major price bands:

• 65% of homes priced under $500,000;
• 40% of homes between $501,000 and $600,000;
• 26% of homes between $601,000 and $750,000;
• 26% of homes between $751,000 and $1 million;
• 16% of homes between $1 million and $1.5 million;
• 20% of homes between $1.5 million and up.

Of the Novato homes that sold in July 2009:

• 17 homes sold under $600,000;
• 16 homes sold between $601,00 to $1 million (the Novato move-up market is hot); and
• 6 sold for at least $1 million.

NEW HOMES IN NOVATO: The 3 Model Homes at The Landing at Hamilton Field are open. We expect that the first homes will be ready for occupancy in October/November 2010.

Pricing begins in the mid-$800,000’s. Interest surrounding this new Southern Novato community has been significant. Please call me at (415) 350-9440 for more information. Or, visit our website at www.TheLandingNovato.com.

If you would like to have the value of your Novato home professionally evaluated, or if you have any questions about Novato’s many delightful communities, just give me a call at (415) 350-9440.

My name is Kyle Frazier. I am a Broker, Realtor, Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), with Christie’s Great Estates | Pacific Union International. It is always my pleasure to be of service.

Postscript: Homes in Pointe Marin, Country Club, Hamilton Field, Rush Creek, and Bel Marin Keys generated the most calls and showings this past month.

Marin Luxury Report (July 2010)

As reported in June 2010, “real buyers” continue purchasing “done” homes in prestige locations such as Mill Valley, Belvedere, Ross, Kentfield, etc., along with “value” properties with locational upside, views of San Francisco, southern exposures, and knolltop properties. Marin County’s luxury home real estate market reflects increased sales velocity driven by buyer optimism. In the $2 million to $4 million price band, June 2010 sales eclipsed last year’s total, inventory is down from last year, and the number of homes with accepted offers (in escrow) is 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. I also believe that the imminent resolution of the tragic oil spill in The Gulf of Mexico will help improve public optimism, which has been suppressed by this calamity.

$2 Million to $4 Million Luxury Homes

True to last month’s prediction, trades were again up significantly in this luxury segment (with 20 sales, Marin County more than doubled last year’s total for the month and equaled May’s numbers) — another 24 homes currently in escrow (more than last month). Pending sales is a good leading indicator of increased sales next month. Certainly, buyers are feeling some urge to buy as it appears that the overall economic and housing environments are improving and pricing in the marketplace increasingly suggests “value.” Inventory remains relatively low at just 159 homes actively on the market (up by 22 from last month).

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

Marin Luxury Report (June 2010)

As reported in previous months, “real buyers” continue to snap up homes in prestige locations such as Mill Valley, Belvedere, Ross, Kentfield, etc., along with “value” properties with locational upside, views of San Francisco, southern exposures, knolltop properties. Without question, Marin’s luxury home market is showing signs of increased velocity and buyer optimism. In the $2 million to $4 million price band, May 2010 sales eclipsed last year’s total, inventory is down from last year, and the number of homes with accepted offers (in escrow) is 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 sold in Marin County, as compared with last year.

$2 Million to $4 Million Luxury Homes

True to last month’s prediction, sales were again up significantly in this luxury segment (with 20 sales, Marin County more than doubled last year’s total for the month). Incredibly, we have another 27 homes currently in escrow (more than last month). Pending sales is a good leading indicator of increased sales next month.Certainly, buyers are feeling some urge to buy as it appears that the overall economic and housing environments are improving and pricing in the marketplace suggests “value.” Inventory remains relatively low at just 137 homes actively on the market.

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

Marin Real Estate (July 2010)

Marin Real Estate (June 2010)

Year over year prices seem to have leveled in many 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 up 12% from last year and sales of entry level (3 bedroom, 2 bath homes with at least 1,500 square feet and priced under $1 million) are up a modest 10% from May 2009. Recent news reports in the local media have noted increased median prices, but that reflects the fact that luxury homes are selling once again after a lackluster 2009. I do not believe prices overall are increasing yet.

[For the rest of the article, Click HERE.]

Pacific Union Novato Real Estate Market Update (July 2010 Novato Home Sales Report)

Novato Real Estate Market Update (June 2010 Novato Home Sales Report)

The unabated Novato, California real estate market remains firm in all price points. In May 2010, we had 38 sales (over 60% higher than April). The average sales price of Novato homes in May 2010 again rose by about 3% to to $677,105. These homes averaged 98 days on market, were about 2,277 sq. ft., and averaged roughly $308 sq. ft.

Novato’s price per square foot has hovered between 3-5% of $300 for a year now — in my mind, we are seeing the gradual recomposition of the market in the era of the “New Normal.” Prices are holding steady. This is good news for buyers and sellers alike. Moreover, historically low interest rates and added sales are giving buyers adequate impetus to make their move.

Below are the percentages of homes in escrow in each of Novato’s major price bands:

• 62% of homes priced under $500,000;
• 37% of homes between $501,000 and $600,000;
• 38% of homes between $601,000 and $750,000;
• 19% of homes between $751,000 and $1 million;
• 19% of homes between $1 million and $1.5 million;
• 23% of homes between $1.5 million and up.

Of the Novato homes that sold in May 2009:

• 9 homes were priced under $600,000;
• 22 homes priced from $601,00 to $1 million (the Novato move-up market is hot); and
• 2 priced from $1 million and up.

NEW HOMES IN NOVATO: The 3 Model Homes being built at The Landing at Hamilton Field (I am the exclusive marketing agent for this project), located adjacent to South Gate in Hamilton Field, are set for completion in late July. We expect that the first homes will be ready for occupancy in September 2010. Pricing will begin in the mid-$800,000’s. Interest surrounding this new luxury community has been significant. Please call me at (415) 350-9440 for more information. Or, visit our website at www.TheLandingNovato.com.

If you would like to have the value of your Novato home professionally evaluated, or if you have any questions about Novato’s many delightful communities, just give me a call at (415) 350-9440.

My name is Kyle Frazier. I am a Broker, Realtor, Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), with Christie’s Great Estates | Pacific Union International. It is always my pleasure to be of service.

Postscript: Homes in Pointe Marin, Country Club, Hamilton Field, Rush Creek, and Bel Marin Keys generated the most calls and showings this past month. My listing at 94 Maybeck Street, Novato (South Gate at Hamilton Field) sold for 98.7% of list price in 10 days.

Marin Real Estate (May 2010)

We at Pacific Union International in Marin County, California continue to feel as though the 2010 real estate market is vastly different from that of 2009. 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 up 7%. But the number of sales of 3 bedroom, 2 bath homes with at least 1,500 square feet and priced under $1 million,  are up an incredible 191% from April 2009.

As noted in various recent articles, much of the strength in today’s home sales market stems from the red-hot entry level market segment. As would be expected, with relatively flat inventory and more sales, the absorption rate (e.g., the number of month’s worth of inventory) continues hovering at about 3 months for entry level homes. This is very low. Attractive loan terms and a pervasive sense among buyers that we have hit bottom, is resulting in sales. While in other parts of the country the first time hoe buyer credit has fueled sales, that incentive has had a minimal impact in Marin because of the relatively low income thresholds required to qualify. Below is a chart tracking escrows — roughly one-third of homes are in escrow (and this includes ALL homes in every price band).

Marin Luxury Report (May 2010)

Pacific Union International is the leading broker for Marin County luxury homes.

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 Mill Valley, Belvedere, Ross, Kentfield, 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 sold in Marin County, as compared with last year.

[Click on the following link for the rest of the report courtesy of www.ImagineMarin.com]

Salsa Dancing Lessons at Hamilton Community Center (Hamilton Field, Novato)

The summer session of salsa and ballroom dance classes begin on
Thursday, June 10 at the Hamilton Community Center Dance Studio. All
three classes are taught by Annica Menicutch, and run for 6 weeks, $79
residents / $89 nonresidents.

• Youth/Teen Ballroom & Latin Dance (ages 9-18) 5:30-6:30
• Beginning Salsa (18 & up) 6:30-7:30
• Intermediate Salsa & Cha-Cha (18 & up) 7:30-8:30

Also in the HCC Dance Studio this summer, beginning June 21 and
running for 9 weeks. Classes will be taught by Megan Titus and Laney Price,
and include creative movement, ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop for
students ages 3-12.

NEW class this summer: Contemporary Modern Dance for teens, ages 12-18,
Mondays at 5:30.

Novato School of Dance is also presenting summer dance camps for
students ages 3-8, but some already have waiting lists! Call or go
online to check for open spots in Fairytale Ballet Camps and Full Day
Dance Camps.

For more information on any of these summer dance programs, call Novato
Parks, Recreation & Community Services at 415-899-8200, or visit
www.NovatoFun.org.

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